With Easter and Anzac Day coming up, there are a number of events, and some changes to our services and opening hours of our facilities. Photo: RNZ / 123rf • If your rubbish and recycling is usually collected on Fridays, please note there will be no collections on Good Friday (19 April). Put your rubbish and recycling …
Two Wellington artists have won national awards for their environmental mural designs as part of the Keep New Zealand Beautiful (KNZB) Nature Murals competition. Isobel Te Aho-White’s mural ‘Whenua Ataahua’ submission for Riddiford Street Isobel Te Aho-White’s mural design entitled ‘Whenua Ataahua’ is proposed for the side of Newtown Mall on Riddiford Street. Her proposed …
Wellington artists to deliver two new environmental murals Read More »
Part six of a six-part series, compiled by Talk Wellington, that outlines a sensible vision for transport. This is a space that needs filling even as Let’s Get Wellington Moving prepares to spend $4 billion on transport in the capital. In parts one, two, three and four we covered the logic behind the better vision for transport in Wellington. Part five was a …
Part five of a six-part series, compiled by Talk Wellington, that outlines a sensible vision for transport. This is a space that needs filling even as Let’s Get Wellington Moving prepares to spend $4 billion on transport in the capital. We’ve covered the logic behind the better vision for transport in Wellington. Now in Parts …
Part four of a six-part series, compiled by Talk Wellington, that outlines a sensible vision for transport. This is a space that needs filling even as Let’s Get Wellington Moving prepares to spend $4 billion on transport in the capital. This Saturday: transport is how Wellington can tackle climate change, and here we learn about making …
Part three of a six-part series, compiled by Talk Wellington, that outlines a sensible vision for transport. This is a space that needs filling even as Let’s Get Wellington Moving prepares to spend $4 billion on transport in the capital. Last week we were introduced to the series and heard Wellingtonians’ hunger for better transport choices. This Saturday: …
Transport for our children’s future – part 3 of 6 Read More »
The Wellington City Council is planning to increase parking charges in the city. It’s proposing an increase of 50 cents an hour in the inner city, and a dollar an hour in fringe areas. Here’s its explanation. Photo: RNZ The Council provides on-street parking to make vehicle access to and within the city and its …
Going up – the cost of parking your car in Wellington Read More »
Debate over tax reform and support for a capital gains tax took an unexpected turn at the corner of Taranaki and Ghuznee Streets today, when a billboard was taken down without any warning. Photo: Palaver Media / Wellington.scoop Tax Justice Aotearoa New Zealand had booked the space until 3 May. The organisation is seeking clarification on …
Billboard, supporting capital gains tax, removed from CBD building Read More »
SH1 URBAN MOTORWAY, SOUTHBOUND – BREAKDOWN – 9:35AM SH1 URBAN MOTORWAY, SOUTHBOUND – BREAKDOWN – 9:35AM A #breakdown is BLOCKING the right southbound lane, near the Aurora Tce Overbridge. Please take extra care while passing and expect DELAYS. ^CR pic.twitter.com/guhxLYA4HH — NZTA Wellington (@NZTAWgtn) April 15, 2019 A #breakdown is BLOCKING the right …
Wellington International Airport has withdrawn its application for consent to extend its runway and plans to reapply early next year. Photo: RNZ / Supplied. Tap to view full size. The firm’s proposal to extend the runway by 355 metres, at a cost previously estimated at $330 million, has been with the Environment Court since 2016. …
Airport withdraws application for $330m runway extension; will try again next year Read More »
Residents of a Wellington suburb are so fed up with their bus service, they are reviewing chartering a bus themselves for the morning rush hour. Locals say often buses didn’t arrive or were cancelled. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller Strathmore Park lost its regular service when changes were made to Wellington’s buses last July. Now buses to …
Unreliable Wellington buses lead residents to charter their own Read More »
A #Slip is BLOCKING the left northbound lane, north of the Hutt Road on-ramp. Please take extra care through this area and expect delays. UPDATE 8:20AM Left northbound lane on #SH2 in Ngauranga remains BLOCKED, please continue to expect significant northbound delays. ^EHhttps://t.co/iqvYUxF2RJ — NZTA Wellington (@NZTAWgtn) April 11, 2019
Owners of Wellington buildings on key arterial routes must strengthen their properties in less than a decade to minimise disruption in a large quake. Houses in Wellington. (file photo) Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller Councillors agreed today to give building owners on these streets 7.5 years to strengthen and fix them, instead of the usual 15 years. The decision …
High-risk Wellington buildings handed shorter quake-strengthening deadline Read More »
The @WellyCableCar is closed today for repairs. We are expecting repairs to be complete and ready to roll by tomorrow. Stay tuned for updates as we get them…. — Wellington City Council (@WgtnCC) April 10, 2019
A major roading project linking northern Wellington to the Hutt Valley has been canned, and it is likely it will not be reconsidered for funding for almost a decade. The route as it was proposed would go through Takapu Valley. Photo: RNZ The estimated $955 million link road between Petone and Grenada has been dropped after a report …
The effects of the Wellington housing crisis on the city’s most vulnerable is being laid bare in a new monthly report on homelessness and begging in the city. Photo: RNZ / forestpath/123RF The Downtown Community Ministry spoke to 79 taumai – meaning ‘to settle’ – between January and February this year. Their stories are being …
Wellington homelessness severity revealed in new report Read More »
The Regional Council is gearing up to combat a significant mast year to control the number of predators posing a threat to native wildlife. A mast event is when trees produce extremely heavy flowering and fruiting which serves as food for pests, causing a boom in rat and stoat numbers. Wainuiomata Mainland Island, which provides …
Regional Council working to combat boom in rats and stoats Read More »
Today is Wahine Day, and the Alexander Turnbull Library is making available 60 personal accounts of the Wahine disaster collected by the Wahine 50 Charitable Trust as part of last year’s 50th commemorations. National Library of New Zealand Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson “These first-hand accounts by survivors, family of those who died, and those involved in …
Wahine Trust’s 60 collected stories released at Turnbull Library Read More »
The Wellington City Council has lodged a resource consent for its long-delayed Convention Centre, which is to cost $154m. Reporting this today, the DomPost quotes mayor Justin Lester as saying: “The building will be a major attraction opposite Te Papa.” Construction is expected to start in August. The resource consent application is not yet mentioned …
City Council moves to build its Convention Centre Read More »
Thirty Wellington people, fed up with the city’s slow progress in building protected bike lanes, built their own bike lane in Featherston Street this morning. Photo: Wellington.scoop Cycling Action Network spokesperson Patrick Morgan says: “We love the protected bike lanes that the Wellington City Council has built, but progress is far too slow. So we …
Cyclists build their own bike lane in Featherston Street (for 45 minutes) Read More »
Wellingtonians have a four-week window to share their thoughts on the Wellington City Council’s spending priorities for the coming year. Consultation on the Council’s 2019-20 Annual Plan/Mahere a-Tau begins today and runs until midnight on 8 May. The plan outlines $538 million worth of operational and $228 million worth of capital spending. The spending …
Four weeks to say what we think about 3.9% rates increase and $766m spending Read More »
Wellington City residents will be able to enjoy a free visit to Te Papa’s Terracotta Warriors exhibition tomorrow. To celebrate the City Council’s relationship with Te Papa, residents are eligible for free entry into the exhibition on Tuesday. The free day will take place between 10am-9pm with the exhibition having a timed entry. The first …
Free entry to Terracotta Warriors on Tuesday – for residents only Read More »
Library services are to return to the CBD with a new pop-up space to open in Manners Street. “Manners Street is an ideal location to provide convenient services right in the heart of our city. I am thrilled we have been able to quickly secure this site for the first in what will be …
Wellington is falling behind on tackling its big ticket issues with no clear plans to fix them, and it risks businesses moving elsewhere, the Chamber of Commerce warns. Photo:123rf But the city’s mayor says business is strong in the capital, and infrastructure woes are being addressed. A perfect storm has built up against Wellington businesses, …
Wellington infrastructure woes: ‘We need to see action’ Read More »
Content from TalkWellington: Guest poster Brendon Harre is taking a close look at the ‘Eco-City’ plans for our hills north of Welly. In part one of three, he introduces why we have a housing problem and what we currently (and have previously) planned to do about it – with an excellent retro video for your …
Can an Eco-City solve Wellington’s housing crisis? Part One. Read More »
Police have charged a man with murder after a woman found dead at a house in the Wellington suburb of Karori today. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller They were called to the house at 1.10pm, and the street was cordoned off while emergency services worked at the scene. A 30-year-old man has been charged with murder …
Murder charges laid after woman found dead in Wellington suburb Read More »
The Wellington City Council is considering making changes to the number of structures it is classing as priority buildings for earthquake strengthening. Photo: RNZ / 123rf Buildings identified as a priority building must be remediated in 7.5 years, which is half the normal allocated time. To make a building a priority, it must be on …
Wellington quake-strengthening priorities revisited by council Read More »
Wellington City councillors were divided today over the reference of the Māori god of the sea, Tangaroa, in a document referencing climate change. Wellington City councillor Nicola Young says all references to deities of any denomination should be removed from the climate change document. Photo: RNZ / Nina Fowler Councillor Nicola Young wanted the wording “Tangaroa is …
Wellington councillors debate ‘Tangaroa’ reference in document Read More »
The Broadcasting Standards Authority has found comments made by Newstalk ZB host Heather du Plessis-Allan, referring to Pacific Islands as leeches, breached broadcasting standards. Heather du Plessis-Allan Photo: RNZ / Supplied It has ordered the broadcaster, NZME Radio Ltd, to broadcast a statement during Wellington Mornings with Heather du Plessis-Allan, summarising the BSA’s decision and to pay …
Wellington broadcaster “breached good taste and decency” Read More »
The first public hearing of the Operation Burnham inquiry has opened in Wellington, with protestors gathered outside the hearing venue and others inside holding up signs. Deborah Manning and Simon Lamain. Photo: Photo / Pool The inquiry is investigating allegations that members of the Defence Force killed six Afghan civilians during a military operation in 2010 and …
Protestors gather as public hearing for Operation Burnham opens Read More »
SH2 HOROKIWI, SOUTHBOUND – CRASH – 9:45AM A #crash is BLOCKING the right southbound lane, just south of Horokiwi. Please take extra care through this area and expect delays.
A police raid of a Wellington man’s home revealed more than 13,000 pills and 540 vials of prescription medicines, including steroids, testosterone and human growth hormone, a court has heard. Photo: 123rf.com Police said the drugs had a street value of about $78,000. Donald D’Ewes, 41, was sentenced today in the Wellington District Court on …
Illegal medicines worth $78,000 seized from home in raid Read More »
The Regional Council today voted to confine its increase to 2019/20 regional rates to an average of 5.9%, the amount forecast in its Long Term Plan 2018-28. The decision was made after careful consideration of the impact of unprecedented increases in residential property valuations in some parts of the region last year. Property values …
Regional Council “confines” its average rates increase to 5.9% (down from 6.5%) Read More »
A group representing bus companies has warned that rest-break legislation risks further delays to already stretched bus services. Photo: kzenon/123RF The Employment Relations Amendment Bill, that comes into force on 6 May, requires employees receive two 10 minute rest-breaks and a 30 minute meal break across an eight hour day. Bus and Coach Association New Zealand …
New rest-break law tipped to cause more bus delays Read More »
Pop-culture convention Armageddon that attracts thousands each year has changed its rules to ban military-style clothing and replica guns following the Christchurch attacks. Matt Reading in his costume replica of the character Hudson from the movie series Alien. Photo: Supplied / Luminarchy Photography People attending Armageddon go all out with dressing up as their favourite character, but …
Armageddon bans military-style clothing, guns from convention Read More »
Part Two of a six-part series, compiled by Talk Wellington, that outlines a sensible vision for transport. This is a space that needs filling even as Let’s Get Wellington Moving prepares to spend $4 billion on transport in the capital. Having been introduced to the series, Part Two finds regular Wellingtonians hungry for better transport choices …
Part One of a six-part Saturday series, compiled by Talk Wellington, that outlines a sensible vision for transport. This is a space that needs filling even as Let’s Get Wellington Moving prepares to spend $4 billion on transport in the capital. We make our streets, but they make us, too. The shape of our streets, …
New departures: Wellington’s wheels and deals – Part 1 of 6 Read More »
A micro-grant provided by Thankyou Payroll Charitable Trust to Newtown Community Centre has meant that their ‘Boomerang Bags ’ initiative to help remove single use plastic bags from the Newtown community was able to get off the ground. Rosie Morrison, one of the key people behind Boomerang Bags. Photo: Supplied / Hamish McCormick “Boomerang Bags …
Wellington city residents could face a 15 percent rise in regional rates due to higher property values. Photo:RNZ The regional council’s annual plan will be discussed at a meeting this week. In it, the council offers three options for splitting the required rates across the region, to cover an average increase of 5.9 percent. In …
Wellington residents face potential 15 percent rates rise Read More »
More apartments blocks in Wellington city and suburbs could soon change the face of the city. Wellington City Council is considering three possible plans to create 32,000 more homes. Photo: 123rf Wellington city councillors will this week discuss three growth plans, which will then be put to the public for consultation. The plans aim to cope with …
Wellington starts planning for up to 80,000 more residents Read More »
The group that scuppered plans to build a flyover at Wellington’s Basin Reserve has now turned its sights to a proposed new tunnel through Mt Victoria. \ Photo: RNZ / 123RF Save the Basin led the fight against the flyover during an independent board of inquiry into the roading project, in 2014. Now it is …
Group that sank plans for Basin Reserve flyover braced for new fight Read More »
An ageing priesthood and increasing earthquake resilience costs have prompted Wellington’s Catholic Archdiocese to begin a process to reduce its number of churches. Wellington’s Cathedral of the Sacred Heart has been closed since July. Photo: Facebook Wellington’s Cathedral of the Sacred Heart has been closed since July after a detailed seismic assessment showed it met less than …
Cost-cutting Catholic authorities to close churches Read More »
The man accused of assaulting Green Party co-leader James Shaw has had his interim name suppression extended. Photo: RNZ The 47-year-old reappeared in the Wellington District Court this morning on one charge of injuring with intent to injure, but entered no plea. Mr Shaw was attacked near the capital’s Botanic Gardens earlier this month and …
Name suppression extended for person accused of attacking James Shaw Read More »
The Wellington regional council will have to consider whether NZ Bus can stay on as a contractor for it after the company was given penalties 17,663 times in five months for failing to comply with its contractural requirements in Wellington. Photo: RNZ / NZ Bus (Facebook) The bus operator company was contracted by the Greater …
NZ Bus fined by Wellington Regional Council 17,000 times Read More »
NZ Bus is defending the 17,663 fines it received since October for late or cancelled buses, saying it had 150,000 services run on time. A new double decker bus Photo: RNZ / Emma Hatton The MP based in Rongotai – where the company’s depot is – Paul Eagle, said the figure is outrageous and NZ Bus has to go. …
NZ Bus should ‘hand the buses back to the ratepayers’ – MP Read More »
The phone lines are back up and running, however there will be some delays while we clear the calls queued. Apologies again for the inconvenience this has caused. Thanks ^Libby. — Wellington City Council (@WgtnCC) March 27, 2019
Kia ora Pōneke, update regarding the phone outage: we’ve been able to get 1 phone up & running but are unable to answer every call that comes through due to the volume of calls. Unfortunately our building consents number 801 4311 is still down. Thanks again for your patience. — Wellington City Council (@WgtnCC) March …
Wellington City Council contact center down to 1 phone due to technical difficulties Read More »
Wellington City councillors have moved a motion to oppose Victoria University changing its name. Photo: 123rf.com The name change itself is stalled after the Minister of Education Chris Hipkins declined an applicationfor the institution to change its name to the University of Wellington. The university is considering legal action against that decision. It has faced fierce opposition from alumni and …
Wellington City councillors move to oppose Victoria name change Read More »
A #crash is BLOCKING the right northbound lane, please take extra care through this area and expect delays.
Police and emergency services have been called to a gas leak in Rongotai, Wellington. (file photo) Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller Police said about 11.30am they were in attendance at a gas leak on Lonsdale Crescent near the airport. Motorists and pedestrians were asked to avoid the area while services work to fix the problem. They said …
It may be the world’s worst kept secret, but we can now confirm the Wellington International Pride Parade will now be held on Saturday, 11 May. The time of day will be brought forward to the afternoon to accommodate for the shorter daylight hours, with the parade kicking off at 3pm. Photo: RNZ The parade …
Rail workshops are looking for more mechanical engineers, as the industry’s workload ramps up providing jobs for an extra 40 workers at KiwiRail’s Hutt workshop. Photo:123RF Just over six years ago, the rail workshop at Hillside in Dunedin laid off 90 staff, with just seven staff left. David Barclay lost his job at Hillside workshop after …
KiwiRail hunts for skilled staff after influx of work Read More »
In light of the tragic events in Christchurch, it is with great regret that we have made the difficult decision to change the delivery of CubaDupa to CubaDupa | OFF STREET Photo: RNZ We are moving as much of the entertainment to indoor venues as possible. As is the case with other cancelled and changed …
The police have called in a specialist to test an unknown white powder which was sent to the building housing the spy agencies the GCSB and the SIS in Wellington. A fire engine outside the GCSB’s headquarters in Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Charlie Dreaver Part of the building has been cordoned off as a precaution, after the …
White powder sent to spy agencies’ building in Wellington Read More »
The Wellington City Council is moving to lower transport emissions by agreeing to install the first set of electric vehicle charging stations in residential areas. This will enable those people who don’t have off-street parking and are unable to charge their vehicles at home to buy and operate an electric car. More than 17,000 Wellington …
Fifteen electric-vehicle chargers to be installed in suburban streets Read More »
Are our buses and trains more on time and reliable, less so, or just different? It’s been much too hard to tell from official information. But rejoice: it’s public-spirited transport nerds to the rescue again! Talk Wellington is proud to bring you the real oil (information that GWRC should really be bringing you), courtesy of …
Buses, trains and time: what’s really REALLY happening Read More »
How do we feel connected in a new city? For new residents in Aotearoa, friendly third places can be hard to find. Guest poster Alina shares her experience searching for belonging in her new home, and has tips for others new to Wellington. “What would be your biggest ask?” This recent question took me by surprise. Still, the answer …
The Greater Wellington Regional Council is being accused of dragging its heels over a review into the bungled bus network. A final date for the completion of the review has not been announced. Photo: RNZ / YouTube An independent review into the implementation of the new network was completed last year. However, the draft terms of reference for the …
Council ‘dragging heels’ on review of bungled Wellington bus services Read More »
Wellington Regional Council won’t say what Private Public Partnership is being considered with Uber, as the billion-dollar ridesharing app sits down with local councils across the country. Photo: RNZ / 123RF Uber has made its first moves into the New Zealand e-scooter market, after announcing its brand JUMP was one of two companies chosen for …
Wellington council tight-lipped on possible Uber partnership Read More »
Wellington City Council is sorry messages of support following the mosque terror attacks were removed by graffiti crews. Photo: RNZ / Jamie Morgan Residents have taken to social media and contacted the council directly after paintings in the city showing support for muslims and sharing condolences for Friday’s terror attack were painted over. Last night …
Removal of Muslim solidarity graffiti was wrong, admits Wellington City Council Read More »
SH1 KILBIRNIE, SOUTHBOUND – CRASH – 5:25PM A #crash is partially blocking the left southbound lane on Cobham Drive, near the Troy St roundabout. Please take extra care while passing and expect DELAYS. SH1 KILBIRNIE, SOUTHBOUND – CRASH – 5:25PM A #crash is partially blocking the left southbound lane on Cobham Drive, near the …
The Wellington City Council has backtracked on banning e-scooters from footpaths, after it found it couldn’t legally enforce a ban. E-Scooter. Photo: RNZ / 123RF It was announced on Friday that Wellington start-up Flamingo, and Uber’s e-scooter company JUMP, have been chosen for a six-month e-scooter trial in the capital city. Councillors voted in favour …
E-scooters allowed on Wellington streets despite calls to ban Read More »
Thousands of library visitors, a locally-owned cafe and 160 council and library staff are among those displaced by the closure of Wellington’s Central Library. Photo: RNZ / K Hanger The Wellington City Council has confirmed it could be years before the Central City Library is re-opened, after it closed its doors until further notice last night after …
Wellington library closure hits cafe and 160 staff Read More »
Wellington’s central library is being closed indefinitely after a new engineering report raised concern about its safety in a significant earthquake. One of Sir Ian Athfield’s most recognised designs is the Wellington Library. Photo: RNZ / K Hanger The library – which was opened in 1991 – and public car park will be closed from 8.30pm …
Wellington Central Library closed from tonight over quake concerns Read More »
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, accompanied by the Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy and Parliament’s Speaker Trevor Mallard, have opened a national condolence book for victims of the Christchurch mosques terror attack. Photo: Jane Patterson / RNZ “New Zealanders have been shocked and deeply saddened by Friday’s terrorist attack in Christchurch and the terrible toll it has …
A man who moved his family to this country from the United States to be safer says the Christchurch mosque attacks have “left an indelible mark in the history of New Zealand”. Crowds at the Basin Reserve last night paying respects to victims and their families. Photo: RNZ / Ana Tovey The National Symphony Orchestra played …
Christchurch mosque terror attacks: 12,000 Wellingtonians express solidarity at rally Read More »
FINAL UPDATE 7:55AM This breakdown in the SH1 #Terrace Tunnel has been CLEARED and the tunnel is now OPEN in both directions. Please expect DELAYS as southbound congestion eases. UPDATE 7:40AM Due to a breakdown, the Terrace Tunnel is now CLOSED in BOTH DIRECTIONS. Please use a alternate route if possible. SH1 TERRACE TUNNEL, …
Terrace Tunnel closed in both directions due to breakdown Read More »
Wellington Mayor Justin Lester says this evening’s public vigil in the wake of the Christchurch terrorist attack will be held at the Basin Reserve, starting at 6pm. This follows indications overnight that the large numbers of people intending to attend the vigil would cause capacity problems at Te Ngākau Civic Square – the original intended …
A Wellington Vigil will be held tomorrow, Sunday, at 6pm at Te Ngākau Civic Square, the heart of our city. We will be showing Wellington’s support for the victims and their families, our Muslim community and all citizens of Christchurch. There will be free on-street parking in the CBD from 4PM on Sunday. The link …
Vigil for Christchurch to be held in Wellington tomorrow Read More »
Wellington International Pride Parade POSTPONED With our hearts heavy, the Board of the Wellington International Pride Parade has decided to postpone our celebration of inclusion, diversity and humanity – a new date will be announced in due course. We, like all New Zealanders, are hurting today. We have considered long and hard about asking …
Wellington Pride Parade and Out in the Park postponed due to Christchurch attack Read More »
Interim name suppression has been granted to a man accused of attacking the Green Party co-leader James Shaw. Green Party co-leader James Shaw is speaking in Parliament after he suffered a broken eye socket in an attack yesterday. Photo: RNZ Mr Shaw was grabbed and assaulted near the Botanic Gardens in Wellington shortly before 8am yesterday. The …
Interim name suppression for alleged assailant of James Shaw Read More »
Up to 300 apartments, including 40 supported living units, are set to be built in a partnership between Housing New Zealand and the city council. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller Councillors will vote next week whether to consult on the proposal, which would see redevelopment of public housing on the site in Mt Cook. The …
300 apartments planned for Wellington in HNZ and city council partnership Read More »
SH1 TERRACE TUNNEL, SOUTHBOUND – BREAKDOWN – 5:25PM A #breakdown is blocking the right southbound lane after the Terrace Tunnel. Please pass with care and expect delays heading through the tunnel
Wellington city councillors are supporting resident parking charges being bumped up in the city. Parking on Wellington’s inner city streets is likely to become a lot more expensive for residents. Photo: 123rf.com Councillors today backed recommendations to raise charges, including for parking, swimming pools and sports fields, as part of the annual plan. The proposed increase for residents’ parking …
Parking price hikes in Wellington backed by councillors Read More »
Green Party co-leader James Shaw was attacked while walking to work in Wellington this morning. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King A spokesperson for Mr Shaw said he was walking down past the Botanical Gardens about 7.30am when he was grabbed and struck in the face by individual, who then took off. UPDATE: 11:40am – Police said …
Green Party co-leader James Shaw attacked while walking to work Read More »
Real estate agents fear there could be serious effects for home buyers and sellers in Wellington with IAG turning down more customers in the capital. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller Some in the real estate industry said it had become far harder to get insurance in the capital in the past six months, and premiums were on …
Real estate agents fear effects of insurance difficulties in capital Read More »
Six kilometres of dangerous median barriers remain on Wellington roads despite a report three years ago calling for them to be replaced. Photo:123rf.com The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) received the report in 2016 which identified 6km of non-compliant concrete barrier installed on various parts of State Highway 1 and State Highway 2 that were not held …
Some road barriers on SH1 and SH2 may be unsecured – report Read More »
RAW Comedy Quest is the capital’s premiere comedy competition. Witness the rising stars in stand-up before they hit the big time. From 6 heats, the top 24 go to the semifinals, and the top 10 to the Wellington final. The stepping stone for many New Zealand comedians, the Raw Comedy Quest has brought forth new …
Earthquake Commission Minister Megan Woods has confirmed the country’s largest general insurance provider is refusing to take on any new property business in the Wellington market. Photo: RNZ RNZ reported this week that IAG, the parent company to AMI and State Insurance, was no longer accepting new customers for contents insurance in the capital. However, the minister has now …
IAG turning down new property insurance in Wellington region Read More »
SH1 TERRACE TUNNEL, NORTHBOUND – SPILL – 5:20PM Due to a gravel spill in the #tunnel, the left northbound lane is CLOSED. Please take extra care while passing and expect DELAYS. SH1 TERRACE TUNNEL, NORTHBOUND – SPILL – 5:20PM Due to a gravel spill in the #tunnel, the left northbound lane is CLOSED. Please …
SH1 Terrace Tunnel Northbound – Gravel Spill closes 1 lane Read More »
The NZ Transport Agency and the Wellington City Council will be introducing changes to the Hawkestone Street/State Highway 1 intersection to improve safety and efficiency for road users and pedestrians. Image: NZTA. Tap to see full size The Hawkestone Street intersection with State Highway 1 is currently used by some commuters as a detour to …
NZTA changing SH1 intersection to stop shortcuts at Hawkestone Street Read More »
A consumer watchdog wants the government to rethink the Earthquake Commission (EQC) as more people are pushed out of getting property and contents insurance. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King IAG, the parent company for AMI and State, changed its policy Monday last week and will no longer take on new customers in the Wellington area. Companies …
Plea for Earthquake Commission rethink as insurers withdraw from market Read More »
About 50 participants for a global rainbow community conference still have not been granted visas ten days out from the event in Wellington. Photo: 123RF The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) is in New Zealand for the first time in its 40-year history, which will see more than 400 participants gather …
Global rainbow conference attendees waiting on visas Read More »
Climate Change Minister James Shaw has reassured young people organising Friday’s school strike against climate change that he is listening to their demands. Ella Magnusson, Rhiannon Mackie and Imogen and Phoebe Magnusson Photo: RNZ / John Gerritsen Mr Shaw met students in Wellington today as they prepared banners for the protest on 15 March. He said he …
One of the country’s biggest insurers is limiting the amount of contents insurance policies it approves in Wellington, leaving renters trying to find coverage elsewhere. IAG, the parent company of insurance brands AMI and State, has changed its policy and now will take on no new customers in the Wellington area. But some Wellingtonians have …
Wellington renters struggle to get contents insurance Read More »
Kathleen Wright puts forward the case for ditching the commute into town and working locally. And, even saving the city some infrastructure costs. Forget about getting Welly moving. Perhaps we should think more about how workers can stay put and build more resilient and sustainable communities in the places where they live. As Wellington’s population is …
As the Airport Flyer starts refusing Snapper (and RTI), we read today the textual embodiment of a shrug from the responsible organisation. Why is it so hard for us do one ticket to ride? A sorry saga Way back in 2008 Snapper launched for buses only. (Over the subsequent few years in Wellington they would expand and …
It’s not our business: the latest in the saga of integrated ticketing in Wellington Read More »
Keen swimmers are warned to stay out of the sea around Wellington until pollution washed out by yesterday’s flooding settles. Rainfall accumulation in a 24-hour period from yesterday morning until 5am today. Photo: Twitter / @MetService Wellington City Council spokesperson Richard MacLean said the heavy rain has flush contaminants off roads and into the sea, so people …
A landslip has come down on to Hutt Road between Onslow Road intersection and Ngauranga Gorge in the past hour. The roadway is down to one lane northbound – so motorists will likely experience delays during this evening’s rush hour. Contractors are on the way to clear the slip. -WCC
SH1 JOHNSONVILLE, NORTHBOUND – BREAKDOWN – 3:35PM A #breakdown is currently BLOCKING the Johnsonville off-ramp. Please take extra care and expect delays. SH1 JOHNSONVILLE, NORTHBOUND – BREAKDOWN – 3:35PM A #breakdown is currently BLOCKING the Johnsonville off-ramp. Please take extra care and expect delays. ^EH pic.twitter.com/IBaknsFavV — NZTA Wellington (@NZTAWgtn) March 8, 2019
A man climbed on top of a row of pipes above Wellington’s Terrace Tunnel forcing its closure for 10 hours has pleaded guilty. The Terrace Tunnel at the time of the incident. Photo: RNZ / Meriana Johnsen The man has interim name suppression and appeared in the Wellington District Court today, where he pleaded guilty …
Man at centre of Terrace Tunnel standoff pleads guilty Read More »
Heavy rain has hammered the capital this morning, prompting dozens of flooding-related calls to the city council. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King The council says there have been reports of manholes being lifted up from the pressure, and water entering the basements of properties in the CBD. An underpass at the Wellington Railway Station is …
The nurses union has warned hospitals’ ability to cope with major disasters is at risk because nurses cannot afford to live nearby. Union representative Cee Payne told MPs men were not interested in nursing and so it would “always be women’s work”. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller The New Zealand Nurses Organisation told the parliamentary select committee …
Dangerous that nurses can’t afford to live near hospitals, says union Read More »
The Kāpiti expressway north of Wellington needs a further $25 million worth of resurfacing, just two years after opening. Kāpiti Expressway. Photo: Supplied / NZTA Potholes and discoloured patches began appearing on the $623m road within months of it opening in February 2017. Figures released to RNZ show the total cost of repairs is $25.2m, with …
Kāpiti expressway repairs costs rise by another $25m Read More »
SH1 URBAN MOTORWAY, NORTHBOUND – BREAKDOWN – 8:40AM A #breakdown north of the Terrace Tunnel is currently BLOCKING the right northbound lane. Please take extra care while passing and expect delays. SH1 URBAN MOTORWAY, NORTHBOUND – BREAKDOWN – 8:40AM A #breakdown north of the Terrace Tunnel is currently BLOCKING the right northbound lane. Please …
Wellington City Council has voted to make the capital’s beaches smoke-free, but councillors will discuss what to do about vapers later this month. The plan expands on the smoke-free areas already present in Wellington’s city area. Photo: 123rf.com At a council meeting yesterday, councillors voted to make the beaches in the city, and Grey Street, near Lambton …
SH1 NGAURANGA GORGE, SOUTHBOUND – CRASH – UPDATE 10:15AM This crash on #SH1 prior to the Hutt Rd off-ramp is now BLOCKING the left southbound lane only. Please take extra care while passing and continue to expect delays. SH1 NGAURANGA GORGE, SOUTHBOUND – CRASH – 10:05AM A #crash is BLOCKING all southbound lanes, prior …
The man who broke a Len Lye sculpture on Wellington’s waterfront last year has been ordered to pay $1000 and do community service. Hunter Macdonald (file) has been ordered to pay $1000 and do 150 hours community service. Photo: RNZ / Ben Strang Hunter MacDonald swung on the artwork, in a video that went viral on the …
Man who broke Wellington’s Len Lye sculpture sentenced to community work Read More »
A 75-year-old man accused of murdering a 70-year-old woman at a a Kapiti Coast retirement village has appeared in court. Police were called to the Coastal Villas retirement village on Tuesday. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King Police were called to Metlifecare Coastal Villas complex at Raumati Beach yesterday morning, and arrested the man later in the …
You and I owe a lot to geeky people who spend their leisure time indefatigably hunting down data, parsing and interpreting it, and producing insights – all in The Public Good. Meet them at parties, and they may quickly make you wish you’d never mentioned buses (or light rail / cycling / national rail funding / …
Police have charged a 75-year-old man with murder after the death of 70-year-old woman at a retirement village north of Wellington today. Police have cordoned off the scene. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King Police were called to the property at 9.30am this morning. A scene examination is under way and cordons are in place at Metlifecare’s Coastal …
Murder charge laid after death at retirement village Read More »
Public noise about public transport has waned from its #bustastrophe peak. But is anything really improving? Reference Groupie reports that – lucky for Wellington, some civic-minded citizens are helping – and having to work hard to keep the players honest. Like any large undertaking in human society, public transport in Wellington has a bunch of people who’re closely involved with it, and …
The transport ecosystem: in praise of reference group geeks Read More »
Zealandia is proud to announce that New Zealand’s smallest bird is coming to Wellington city. Photo: Janice McKenna Around 60 tītipounamu / rifleman are being translocated from Wainuiomata to the sanctuary to establish a wild population in mid-March. The translocation has been in planning for a number of years, and has been made possible because …
The overnight closure of the main route from Wairarapa to Wellington is frustrating trucking companies and corrections staff. The Remutaka Hill Road is being closed at night for two one-week blocks of roadworks this month. Photo: NZTA The narrow and winding Remutaka Hill Road – part of State Highway 2 – will be closed overnight for a …
Wairarapa to Wellington road closure adds six hours travel time to journey Read More »
Wellington’s beaches and a well-known gathering place for smokers may soon be off-limits to smokers and vapers. Oriental Bay. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller The city’s councillors are voting on a proposed plan to make all beaches along the coast from Oriental Bay to Owhiro Bay smokefree areas. The same would apply to the Grey …
Smoking and vaping could be stubbed out at Wellington beaches Read More »
Wellington City Council is still considering a liquor ban in a suburb despite reluctance from police and the nearby university. Photo: RNZ / Flickr Last year council officers recommended against imposing a liquor ban in Kelburn, home of Victoria University and many of its students. But councillors asked staff to talk to Kelburn residents and …
Does Wellington suburb of Kelburn need a liquor ban? Read More »
Meet Ralph McCubbin Howell, writer and performer of Trick of The Light’s TRÖLL. Fresh off an amazing, award-winning season, this performance is coming the Capital E National Arts Festival to wow our young audiences with an imaginative and inventive blend of storytelling, music, and puppetry! A behind-the-scenes look at the creative process behind Trick of the Light’s innovative visual design Q: Hi Ralph! …
Getting Tricky with Trick of the Light – a Q and A Read More »
Performance Arcade: 2019 Music Series: Week Two The Live Music Series is back! Our exciting 2019 line-up features a hand-picked selection of local and International bands and artists. Head to our pop-up bar for an exclusive Arcade brew by Tuatara, grab some delicious hot food from Food For The People and relax on the grass …
A world-renowned fossil expert says he is greatly concerned about a proposed restructure at Te Papa, as it could affect the number of staff employed to look after its internationally important natural history collections. New Zealand once had its own species of black swan, described as having the physique of a rugby player. Photo: Jean-Claude Stahl / Museum of New Zealand Te …
Scientist worried for Te Papa’s biological collections Read More »
The man famous for his work with the colossal squid at Te Papa has asked the museum to remove any reference to him, in protest of potential redundancies. Photo: RNZ / CC4.0 He’s written to it, asking for his name and any material featuring him to be removed from any exhibits. The colossal squid is …
Scientists have growing concern for Te Papa’s natural history collection Read More »
Wellington city councillors have voted unanimously to commit more than $100 million to fixing the city’s town hall. Wellington mayor Justin Lester in the town hall. Photo: RNZ / Laura Dooney After going through a tender process the cost of earthquake strengthening and refurbishing the hall is now expected to be at least $112m. That’s almost triple …
Unanimous backing for $100m spend on Wellington Town Hall Read More »
$10 Pizza Wednesday with free live music at MOON1 $10 pizza? We’ll be open and serving $10 pizzas at the bar from 4pm plain and simple. This week as always there’s beer and from 7pm, live music! MOON 1 – 167 Riddiford St, Newtown, Wellington, New Zealand 6021 – Today from 16:00-21:00 Helen Calder | …
SH2 MELLING, NORTHBOUND – BREAKDOWN – 5:30PM Due to a #breakdown, the left northbound lane is BLOCKED before the intersection with Melling Link. Please expect significant northbound delays. SH2 MELLING, NORTHBOUND – BREAKDOWN – 5:30PM Due to a #breakdown, the left northbound lane is BLOCKED before the intersection with Melling Link. Please expect significant …
Expect Significant Delays – SH2 Northbound – Melling – Breakdown Read More »
People in Porirua want Oranga Tamariki to keep its hands off local children after a sharp rise in the number who have been taken into state care. Photo: RNZ Figures obtained by RNZ show 68 children were removed from their parents in Porirua in the year to June 2018, up from 40 children the year …
Outrage over rise in number of Porirua children put into state care Read More »
Taste Arcade The Performance Arcade is returning to Wellington Waterfront for its 2019 festival of live art and music. Running over two weekends, the festival is an accessible and free event for all. Taste Arcade is a walking menu of culinary performances that will take you along the heart of Wellington waterfront. Follow the pink …
City council contractors Fulton Hogan will be working longer hours from tomorrow to complete the resealing work under way on The Parade between Dee and Tamar streets. From Tuesday, work hours will be 7am to 6pm. These changes have been necessary because work was postponed on Friday due to the poor weather forecast and …
Longer hours to complete resealing of The Parade in Island Bay Read More »
The removal of Wellington’s only direct airport bus services from the region’s bus network may lead to more congestion on roads, a local MP says. Rongotai MP Paul Eagle says the decision will reflect poorly on Wellington and may lead to more congestion. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller The Airport Flyer, a commercial service run by NZ …
Wellington’s Airport Flyer no longer part of region’s bus network Read More »
Metlink has released details of temporary morning peak bus changes as part of a series of measures to provide customers with certainty over the next six months, while NZ Bus addresses its driver shortage. Starting Monday, nine routes will see some trips suspended in the morning peak with customers given advanced warning through the Metlink …
Metlink Suspending some morning peak services due to driver shortage Read More »
Music schools will now be reconsidering who relieves their classes, after a Wellington music school potentially employed a sex offender as a reliever. The employment status of a one-off relief teacher at a music school is not clear, the Ministry of Education says. Photo: 123RF The Ministry of Education was notified by Island Bay School on Wednesday …
Relief teachers: Music schools set to rethink hiring policies Read More »
Four male Hamadryas baboons have been euthanised at Wellington Zoo, after their hierarchy broke down and they began fighting. Wellington Zoo Baboons. Photo: Supplied / Wellington Zoo The animals were put down this morning, after efforts to rehome them weren’t successful. Since their hierarchy had broken down the baboons had been constantly fighting and injuring …
Wellington Zoo euthanises baboons after fighting, anxiety Read More »
The man accused of murdering an elderly Petone man can now be named as Eugene Daniel Baker. Eugene Baker is accused of murdering Francis Tyson in December. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King The 41-year-old appeared in the High Court in Wellington today, charged with murdering Francis Tyson, as well as possession of drugs for …
A Wellington primary school has suspended music lessons that used tutors without police background checks. Photo: 123rf There are concerns a convicted sex offender may have been hired by the Wellington Music Centre, which uses school premises on an informal basis. Island Bay School principal Deborah Fenton said there was no suggestion of any incident …
Fears sex offender taught music lessons held at Wellington primary school Read More »
Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival Te Matatini is a significant cultural festival and the pinnacle event for Māori performing arts. Held every two years, it is one of the most highly anticipated events for performers, their whānau and the mass of passionate Kapa Haka fans throughout the world. The 2019 event will be held at …
Te Matatini – Weekend Megapost – All the events in one place Read More »
SH1 NGAURANGA, SOUTHBOUND – CRASH – 7:30AM UPDATE: 7:50am – The crash has been cleared. However queues are back to Tawa and it will take some time before they clear. Due to a #crash after the Newlands southbound on-ramp, the right southbound lane is BLOCKED. Please expect significant delays to your morning commute. Tow …
Crash on SH1 Southbound – Ngauranga – Expect significant delays Read More »
Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival Te Matatini is a significant cultural festival and the pinnacle event for Māori performing arts. Held every two years, it is one of the most highly anticipated events for performers, their whānau and the mass of passionate Kapa Haka fans throughout the world. The 2019 event will be held at …
Te Matatini – Friday Megapost – All the events in one place Read More »
Wellington commuters are being warned to expect more cancellations as a shortage of both train and bus drivers in the region continues. Photo: Facebook / NZ Bus Hopes of resolving Wellington’s public transport woes were derailed at yesterday’s Greater Wellington Regional Council’s sustainable transport committee meeting. Bus operator, NZ Bus, and Wellington’s regional train operator, Transdev, …
Bus and train driver shortage: ‘We’re leaving people stranded’ Read More »
The Performance Arcade: 2019 Music Series: Week One The Live Music Series is back! Our exciting 2019 line-up features a hand-picked selection of local and International bands and artists . Head to our pop-up bar for an exclusive Arcade brew by Tuatara, grab some delicious hot food from Food For The People and relax on …
High Five Events for Thursday 21 Feb – Performance Arcade! Read More »
SH2 PETONE, SOUTHBOUND – CRASH – 6:45AM UPDATE: 8:15am – Southbound traffic remains CONGESTED. Please continue to expect significant delays. A #crash is BLOCKING a southbound lane, just prior to the southbound Petone on-ramp. Please expect #delays and pass with extra care.
Wellington City council are reporting that there is a temporary power outage in the Aro St area. Wellington City Electricity are on site and expect power to be returned around 11pm.
The Greater Wellington Regional Council’s concern about a bus driver shortage is hypocrisy at its worst says the Wellington Tramways Union. The call comes as the council has increased its complaints about the driver shortage they helped create. Union Secretary Kevin O’Sullivan says the council has no credibility on this issue after their attack on …
Union blames Regional Council for shortage of bus drivers Read More »
Artist Talk: The Children of Māui | Chevron Hassett Join us for a conversation between Chevron Hassett (Ngāti Porou, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungunu) and Kauri Hawkins (Ngai Tamanuhiri , Rongowhakaata, Ngati Porou, Ngati Pahauwera, Kuki Airani) discussing Hassett’s exhibition ‘The Children of Māui’ currently showing in our gallery space. The Children of Māui is an expansion …
With thousands of performers, volunteers and kapa haka supporters arriving in the Wellington region this week for Te Matatini ki te Ao, commuters are asked to be patient and expect some delays. Te Matatini ki te Ao, the national kapa haka festival, begins with a powhiri at Waitangi Park on Wednesday. At least 5,000 …
Traffic and parking pressures during Te Matatini Read More »
The cost of earthquake strengthening the Wellington Town Hall has gone up again by more than $20 million. Photo: Wellington City Council It was now estimated to cost $112 million, and would take four years, beginning next month, the council’s chief executive Kevin Lavery said. Councillors would be asked to approve the extra funding for …
From $43m to $112m: Wellington town hall project balloons further Read More »
With Te Matatini just around the corner, central Wellington has set up its own “haka hub”, a place where the public can access more than 70 years of historic kapa haka footage. Te Mātārae I Õrehu after performing at Te Matatini in Hastings in 2017. Photo: RNZ / Shannon Haunui-Thompson Auckland-based kapa haka group Te Waka …
Wellington’s haka hub a treasure trove of Māori cultural performances Read More »
Mindful places: a public lecture by Dr Nicole Porter Mindful places: the psychology and design of healing environments and biophilia. Join Dr Nicole Porter from the University of Nottingham for a guest lecture at Victoria University of Wellington’s Faculty of Architecture and Design. How does the external physical environment interact with the internal environment of …
An American ship has broken the ice by visiting Wellington for the first time. US Coast Guard cutter Polar Star captain Gregory Stanclik. Photo: RNZ / Charlotte Cook This is the third time the US Coast Guard cutter Polar Star has visited New Zealand, but this time she bypassed Lyttleton and came to Wellington on the way …
US ship docks in Wellington after crushing ice in Antarctica Read More »
A Wellington engineer has been censured and fined after an unsafe crane on the back of a truck broke part of the truck chassis. Dick Joyce has been suspended from Engineering New Zealand and ordered to pay $15,000 after its disciplinary committee upheld a complaint against him. He had certified the crane after it …
Wellington engineer fails to meet standard, suspended again Read More »
SH1 TERRACE TUNNEL, SOUTHBOUND – OVER-HEIGHT VEHICLE – 8:20AM Due to an over-height vehicle, the #TerraceTunnel is closed to all southbound traffic. Expect significant southbound delays. Please consider delaying travel. SH1 TERRACE TUNNEL, SOUTHBOUND – OVER-HEIGHT VEHICLE – 8:20AM Due to an over-height vehicle, the #TerraceTunnel is closed to all southbound traffic. Expect significant …
Terrace Tunnel Closed to Southbound traffic – Significant delays on Urban Motorway Read More »
A woman’s body has been found in a lagoon connected to Wellington Harbour. Police tape up at the scene at Wellington Harbour. Photo: RNZ / Charlotte Cook A police spokesperson said the body was found just before 11am in the lagoon on the city’s waterfront. Whairepo Lagoon where the body was found this morning. Image: Google Maps …
The other shoe’s dropped: Wellington city will get Lime Scooters. So let’s use the opportunity to move forward, shall we? It’s happening a lot, where the private sector acts on a market niche and drags governments into action. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s not – but it seems that Wellington city’s councillors are …
The Lime e-scooters fight: it’s all on… on the footpath Read More »
SH1 NGAURANGA GORGE, NORTHBOUND – CRASH – 5:45PM A #crash is BLOCKING the left northbound lane just after the Newlands off-ramp. Please expect #delays and pass with care
Strange Behaviour: Behaving Strangely First Birthday Our radio show Behaving Strangely has been rolling every Saturday on RadioActive.fm for a year now. Why not celebrate at our fave little dive bar. Hosts Robert Hattaway and B.Lo spinning tunes all night… Free entry > Good vibes > Birthday 🎶✔ Laundry Cuba Street – 240 Cuba St, …
UPDATE: 5:14pm – Willis St has been reopened. An incident has closed Willis Street between Dixon and Boulcott Street. There is a diversion in place up MacDonald Cres, but please avoid the area if possible. UPDATE 4:10: a Facebook user reports seeing 5 fire trucks and a HAZMAT unit on site. UPDATE: The incident was …
The Wellington City Council has decided to proceed with a trial of the city’s first electric scooter share scheme. Photo: RNZ / Colin Peacock Councillors on the City Strategy Committee today voted 8 – 5 in favour of the trial which will initially last six months, but can be extended by 12 months. The extension …
E-scooters to be trialled on Wellington streets – six months, with regulations Read More »
UPDATE: Crash has been cleared – continue to expect significant delays UPDATE: NZTA initially misreported this crash as being on the southbound lanes – it was northbound SH2 PETONE TO NGAURANGA, NORTHBOUND – CRASH – 5PM Due to a #crash, there are significant southbound delays before the Ngauranga Interchange. Queues are currently back past the …
UPDATE: Crash on SH2 Northbound – significant delays Read More »
SH1 URBAN MOTORWAY, SOUTHBOUND – CRASH – 9AM UPDATE: 9:20am: This crash on #SH1 has now been CLEARED, but southbound congestion remains. On SH1, traffic is congested along Ngauranga Gorge. On SH2, queues go back to Petone Station. Please continue to expect significant delays. Due to a #crash south of the Ngauranga interchange, the right …
Updated 9:20am: Crash on SH1 Urban Motorway – Southbound Read More »
The chair of Te Papa has asked to not have his contract renewed when his term comes to an end this June. Photo: RNZ / CC40.0 Evan Williams had been on the board of the museum for eight years, and chair for six. He told a select committee he had indicated to the relevant ministers …
Te Papa chair Evan Williams asks to not have his contract renewed Read More »
A taxonomy expert says Te Papa museum will be worse off if it makes two of its world renowned experts redundant. Photo: RNZ / PHOTO NZ A Te Papa insider says mollusc expert Bruce Marshall and fish expert Andrew Stewart are set to be made redundant in the museum’s restructure. The pair, who were both collections …
World renowned experts set to be made redundant by Te Papa, insider says Read More »
Valentine’s Day Free Salsa at Sunset Salsa Special Edition Learn to Salsa in the setting sun down on the waterfront with CubanFusion – Wellington’s Cuban Salsa Specialists. Aimed at beginners and beyond, this free fun family friendly event is for everyone. No previous experience or partner required! The free fun follow-me classes kick off at …
As we wait for Let’s Get Wellington Moving’s announcement of how 4 billion-odd of public dollars will be spent on Wellington transport, let’s check where we’re at… Good public transport is important to how Wellington functions. But just how important is it? We recently came across the ‘Wellington City CBD Corridor Survey’, which has …
How do we get around? Some data, statistics and facts Read More »
A Wellington driver was the most ticketed in New Zealand’s three largest cities, collected 149 parking fines in 2018, totalling $5855. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller The driver received a new ticket every two and a half days on average. The person was one of eight people in Wellington to be fined more than 100 …
A Wellingtonian tops 2018 problem parkers’ list with a ticket every two and a half days Read More »
A Wellington man has been under intense scrutiny leading up to a charge of murdering Zena Campbell being dropped, and will now need to rebuild his life, his lawyer says. Lawyer Kevin Preston talks to reporters after the murder charge against his client, Paddy Woods, on the right, was dropped. Photo: RNZ The charge against Paddy Woods …
Accused ‘free at last’ from shadow of murder charge Read More »
Charges against a Wellington man for the death of Zena Campbell last year have been dismissed. Paddy Woods outside the High Court in Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Ana Tovey The body of Ms Campbell, 21, was found in a parked car in central Wellington in February last year. Mr Woods had pleaded not guilty to murder and his jury …
Parts of the country with low or moderate fire risk are likely to see dramatic increases in danger as climate change occurs. A fire burning in Nelson Photo: Supplied / Fire and Emergency Fire fighters are currently battling a 2000 hectare blaze near Nelson, and the conditions they are facing – hot, windy days and a long dry …
Climate change expected to cause dramatic increases in fire risk in Wellington Read More »
$1 Mystery Screening Roll up, roll up- it’s $1 Mystery Screening time! See a brand spanking new film before anybody else, for ONLY $1! The title is a closely guarded secret until you’re in cinema on the night. The next Mystery Screening is – Tuesday 12th February at 8:00pm Tickets only $1… duh! On sale …
A fire which has broken out above the hills in the Wellington suburb of Wadestown has been brought under control, although it is not yet out. Scroll to bottom of article for updates. Photo: RNZ / Colin Peacock Mount Cook resident and RNZ editor Paddy Burgin said it’s a large bush fire in the …
UPDATE: Fire on hills of Wellington now ‘Under control’ but not yet out Read More »
Chinese New Year Fireworks Display Celebrate Chinese New Year with us on Wellington’s waterfront! A spectacular explosion of sound and colour on the waterfront will farewell the Dog and welcome in the Pig, warding off evil spirits to good luck and fortune for the coming year. Rain out day: 10 February @ 9:30pm Supported by …
Wellington’s had pretty decent public transport for a long time, but our aspirations for the services had plateaued at “pretty OK”. Is this changing? It’s been an interesting year or so for public transport. With a new government directing public spending to a stronger balance between public transport, active transport and private car / freight, …
Are Wellington public transport users waking up? Read More »
Wellington and Hutt Valley Bus drivers working for New Zealand Bus in the Wellington region have ratified their collective agreements with the company maintaining their terms and conditions and increasing their pay. Photo: RNZ The drivers’ union says the settlement is a wake-up call to the region’s other major bus company, Tranzit. “It’s taken …
NZ Bus drivers get pay increase and maintain working conditions Read More »
The Wellington suburb Brooklyn has seen an increase in water demand which is putting significant pressure on drinking-water supply to that area. Image: Google Maps Group Manager, Network and Customer Operations Jeremy McKibbin said: “during the past week we have seen a significant increase in water demand in Brooklyn which we have been monitoring carefully, …
Pegasus Books Poetry Reading Series 2019 #1 Pegasus Books is thrilled to announce the Pegasus Books Poetry Reading Series 2019. We have an extraordinary lineup of poets from across New Zealand who will be reading their poems in store throughout the year. Readings are held every 6 weeks on Friday night at 6.30pm. Each reading …
This week we are profiling three of the most important members of Wellington Zoo’s Chimpanzee community! They are Kitwe, Alexis, and Sally. If you get the chance to go and see Wellington Zoo’s Chimpanzees, you should really try and spend a lot of time watching them – they exhibit fascinating social dynamics. The baby …
Cyclists in the capital say bus drivers are leaving them scared for their safety. Photo: Supplied / Island Bay Healthy Streets Wellington’s regional transport operator Metlink has received 103 complaints of buses getting too close to cyclists in the last 12 months, two of which resulted in injury. Robert Fiddes cycles 40km to work everyday, …
Cyclists want law change after near-misses with buses Read More »
Wellington could start an electric scooter trial by next month, but they would be restricted from use on the city’s Golden Mile or Botanic Gardens. Photo: RNZ / Colin Peacock Wellington could start an electric scooter trial by 11 March, but they would be restricted from use on the city’s Golden Mile or Botanic Gardens. …
Wellington e-scooter trial would come with restrictions Read More »
Te Rā o Waitangi Waitangi Day is all about coming together to celebrate Aotearoa and what better place than Waitangi Park! Bring your friends and whānau along for kai and kapa haka at Te Rā o Waitangi on the 6th of February. There’s a line-up of award-winning Māori performers as well as activities at the …
Update: 4:29pm: The Terrace Tunnel is now open in both directions. However traffic remains severely congested throughout the city as a result of the closure. Please continue to expect significant delays. Update 4:16pm: Police said the incident had now been resolved and a person had been taken to hospital in a critical condition. Update 4:08pm: …
SEVERE DELAYS REMAIN – Terrace Tunnel now OPEN in both directions Read More »
Final update 12:25pm: All affected roads have reopened. Road users should expect delays while traffic clears. Update 12:15pm: Reports indicate that the situation has been resolved successfully. The individual is no longer on the roof of the hotel and it appears that no harm has come to anyone. RNZ reports that one person has …
UPDATED 12:25pm: Police operation – Situation resolved – Roads reopened Read More »
101: Chinese New Year Explore all things Chinese New Year including culture, history and art. We welcome you to the first of our ‘Subject 101’ sessions! Designed to be quick fire and fun with experts exploring broad aspects of subject as an introduction to it. For our first session we’ll be looking at Chinese New …
It’s time to make progress on a winning Chinese garden. There’s been no progress except for one (recent) court case. But that’s not progress, it’s expensive argument with winners and losers – not good for the city. Photo: Wellington.scoop And the proposed waterfront site has no connection with the Chinese community, upsets many people unnecessarily …
Stop work meetings for Wellington bus drivers will disrupt off-peak services this Thursday and Friday. Photo: RNZ / Emma Hatton Union members driving for NZ Bus are going to meetings scheduled to start at 10.30 both mornings. That means services will be disrupted between 9.30am and 4pm. Metlink said peak services and school buses would …
Stop-work bus driver meetings to disrupt services Read More »
Te Papa will spend about $2 million strengthening part of a storage facility in Wellington, after a bid for money to build a new facility for specimens preserved in spirits was declined. Photo: RNZ / Supplied The museum had made a bid for $17 million from the government to buy land and build a new …
With wind and showers forecast for the morning of Waitangi Day, a trip to Wright’s Hill Fortress is the perfect way to get out of the house and make good use of your day off. Wellington’s historic Wrights Hill Fortress in Karori will be open for public inspection again on Waitangi Day – Wednesday, February …
Open day at Wrights Hill Fortress on Waitangi Day Read More »
Derek’s guest post has some pretty interesting ideas about moving stuff around in our region so things work better. It made us think: who’s actually in charge of figuring that out what goes where? There’s no Boss Baby but surely..? Ummm… well…. actually no-one. Bits and gaps, but no Boss Since enough Wellington cities rejected the …
Everyone’s job and no-one’s: regional planning in Wellington Read More »
Guest poster Derek experiences transport FOMO: he ponders whether Wellington is missing out on solving traffic woes by failing to consider alternative locations for major infrastructure such as Wellington Airport. Back when the Basin flyover was being debated and dismissed I took scant interest. I only occasionally ventured to that side of town, and when I did it …
Metlink is introducing new timetables on 3 February which will increase frequency and improve on-time performance to key routes across the region. Photo: RNZ The following routes will see changes: 1, 2, 3, 7, 12, 12e, 14, 17, 17e, 18, 18e, 19, 21, 22, 23, 23z, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30x, 31x, 33, 34, …
Metlink introducing new timetables today; changes to 29 routes Read More »
A Wellington property developer has come to the rescue of students struggling to find short-term accommodation. Wellington Company is offering 20 short-term accommodation rooms to students for just $20 a day. Photo: RNZ / Jonathan Mitchell The Wellington Company has decided to open up empty rooms at its Willis Street complex for those who desperately need …
Temporary relief for Wellington students in housing struggle Read More »
Hot weather and low rainfall have combined to increase the risk of toxic algae throughout the Wellington region, with some rivers now over the limit for safe swimming. Image: Google Maps People are strongly advised not to swim in the Hutt River between Moonshine Bridge and Fairway Drive Bridge, or in the Pakuratahi River from …
Unsafe for swimming – toxic algae in two Wellington rivers Read More »
Some Interislander ferry sailings have been cancelled after one of the ferries hit the wharf in Wellington. The Aratere docked in Wellington. (file photo) Photo: RNZ The Aratere ferry was damaged while docking about 10pm. A spokesperson says no passengers were hurt or vehicles damaged, but the ferry needs repairing before services resume. Those repairs are expected …
The final push to make Miramar Peninsula predator free is about to begin – this means no rats, stoats or weasels and more kākā, kākāriki, kereru and geckos. James Willcocks, Project Director, Predator Free Wellington said this is the first stage of the wider plan to make the whole of Wellington city predator free. “It …
Final push to remove rats, stoats and weasels from Miramar Peninsula Read More »
Three hundred new homes could be built on the site of an old prison in Wellington – some of them KiwiBuild affordable homes. A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the government’s Land for Housing Programme and local iwi to work towards developing the site on Mt Crawford, on the Miramar Peninsula. The 11.7 …
Hundreds of homes could be built on prison site in Wellington Read More »
It swings, it twirls and it flies… the poi is an instrument at the heart of any kapa haka performance and yesterday more than 100 Wellington city-goers had the chance to use one for the first time. The pop-up poi performance, led by New Zealand’s oldest kapa haka group Ngāti Poneke, is one of many …
Wellington city gets a poi lesson ahead of Te Matatini Read More »
The Terrace Tunnel is now CLOSED in both directions. Image: RNZ Due to an over-height vehicle the Terrace Tunnel has been closed in both directions. Please continue to use an alternate route and expect delays throughout the city as traffic continues to back up. UPDATE 9:10AM The Terrace Tunnel is now CLOSED in both …
SH1 TE ARO – CRASH – 7:55AM A #crash is BLOCKING access to Victoria St from Karo Drive. Please use an alternate route and expect delays. SH1 TE ARO – CRASH – 7:55AM A #crash is BLOCKING access to Victoria St from Karo Drive. Please use an alternate route and expect delays. ^CR pic.twitter.com/dMZ73zHAHG — …
Inner city crash blocks access to Victoria St from SH1 – expect delays Read More »
Casual Gaming – Counter Culture Board Game Cafe Tired of taking your gaming too seriously? Want to game casually? Are your friends ignoring your pleading to get together for a board game sesh and you just can’t muster up the requisite number of people for a game of Catan? Want to just sit back, relax …
Wellington Water is asking residents to be mindful with their water use as the hot weather enters a fourth day. One of Wellington’s reservoirs. Photo: WikiCommons While long term water storage levels are good, unprecedented daily demand has been putting the supply system under pressure, said Jeremy McKibbin, acting general manager of operations for Wellington Water. …
Hot days bring call for ‘mindful’ water use – demand unprecedented Read More »
More Uber drivers have said they’ve been locked out of the ride-sharing app because of customer complaints they weren’t even notified about. Photo: 123RF Earlier this month, an Uber driver said he was living in fear everyday of his income being taken away, after he was deactivated twice without being told. Five more deactivated drivers have …
Deactivated by Uber: ‘They’re going to listen to the rider and not listen to the driver’ Read More »
On Tuesday we experienced significantly high temperatures in the Wellington region which caused major issues to the infrastructure on the Wellington Rail Network. Commuters waiting for their train on Tuesday. Photo: RNZ / Kate Gudsell There is permanent temperature monitoring equipment on the rails across the network. Precautionary speed restrictions are applied to any stretch of line …
How high temperatures disrupted your rail service Read More »
In 1991, Wellington Zoo became the first Zoo in New Zealand to have Meerkats. Ever since then they have been an absolute favourite for thousands of visitors. The black patches around a Meerkats eyes act as natural sunglasses – helping to reduce the glare from the harsh sun. They are extremely endearing animals, which means …
Summer Sci-Fi: Shakespeare and the Doctor An outdoor theatre experience of one of televisions favourite timey wimey series. Bring your family, your loved ones and your friends. Come on a journey to 1599 England as Arthur and the Doctor visit one of histories greatest playwrights, experience one of his theatrical masterpieces, and deal with real …
Honking in the Mt Victoria tunnel is somewhat of a Wellington tradition – but one city councillor wants people to lay off the horn. Photo: Google Maps According to legend, the tooting pays tribute to a teenager who was buried alive in the foundations while the tunnel was being built in 1931. Her boyfriend who …
Wellington Mt Victoria tunnel car horns: Councillor calls for quiet Read More »
Talk Wellington is happy to bring you the latest edition of Whatever happened with… updates on things we cared about once but actually still do! Urban development: Stebbings Valley Last year Wellington City Council did some good engagement, asking Us The Public what we want to see from new-greenfields places to live. Talk Wellington had three posts …
“Whatever happened with…” – Stebbings Valley and Less Deathly Speeds Read More »
Free Japanese Film Night – Laputa: Castle In the Sky Come along to our free Japanese Film night! This month’s film is “Laputa: Castle in the Sky”! A world where a young boy’s dreams soar as high as the mythical floating island known as Laputa. Pazu’s dreams are about to be realized when Sheeta, a …
The Wellington App High Five Events are back! This feature lists a selection of Wellington events today that are free or cost less than $20.00 (usually). You may want to check previous entries for recurring events. And there are many more options in the What’s On, Active/To Do, and Community sections of The Wellington App. …
Resident Medical Officers (RMOs) who are members of the New Zealand Resident Doctors’ Association (NZRDA) union are to undertake a second strike action around the country. Photo: 123RF A number of our RMOs who are NZRDA members will withdraw their services during the strike, from 8am tomorrow to 8am on Thursday. We have also received …
Hospital’s emergency dept staying open during strike by resident doctors Read More »
Festival organisers are counting down the last few weeks to the seventh international Ōtaki Kite Festival at Ōtaki Beach. Begun in 2013 the festival was the inspiration of Yvonne de Mille, an Ōtaki artist and kite expert. With financial support from the Kapiti Coast District Council’s Major Event fund it has grown into a popular …
The Ōtaki Kite Festival 2019, 16 – 17 February at Ōtaki Beach Read More »
An academic who sexually assaulted an 82-year-old woman at a resthome can now be named as Grant Hannis, a former associate professor of journalism at Massey University’s Wellington campus. Grant Hannis awaits sentencing at the Wellington District Court. Photo: RNZ Name suppression for the 55-year-old academic, who admitted indecently touching an elderly woman at a lower North …
Name suppression lapses for academic who sexually assaulted elderly woman Read More »
A stolen car driven by two youths has crashed close to railway lines in Wellington after a chase this evening. The car which came off the road onto the railway tracks. Photo: RNZ / Jeremy Wilkinson Police said two youths – described as being in their late teens – stole a Mazda Demio and were spotted driving …
Youths arrested after stolen car in Wellington motorway chase Read More »
SH2 PETONE, SOUTHBOUND – CRASH – 5:20PM Due to a #crash south of the Petone on ramp, the right southbound lane is BLOCKED. Please take extra care and expect delays.
Wellington Zoo is home to two Black and White Ruffed Lemurs, father and son, Lucky and Ankari. Lemurs are very vocal animals which use a lot of different calls to communicate. You might hear them making an alarm call to alert each other to danger, displaying their dominance, or simply saying hello. Lucky looking out …
Wellington has become the country’s most expensive city to rent in as rents in the capital soared by 5.8 percent in the past year. Higher house prices in Wellington mean more people are staying put in rentals, putting the squeeze on the supply of houses to rent. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller Trade Me’s latest figures put …
The so-called “blister beetle” could be making a comeback in Wellington due to the warm summer weather. An Australian native, the lax beetle, releases a toxin when crushed, which leaves welts or blisters on the skin. The beetle was thought to be responsible for a rash of skin complaints among the city’s residents last summer. …
Unwelcome Australian invader gets under the skin in Wellington Read More »
For the first time Kaibosh Food Rescue is 2019’s official charity partner of Wellington’s iconic fun run, Brendan Foot Supersite Round the Bays. One dollar from every registration will be donated to Kaibosh, helping reduce food waste and providing meals for those who are struggling. Brendan Foot Supersite Round the Bays takes place on February …
Kaibosh Food Rescue benefits from Wellington’s iconic fun run Read More »
If you love Wellington, its waters, and getting out and about around the capital’s coastlines, Sport Wellington could use your help. On Wednesday 23 January, Sport Wellington staff, sponsors and volunteers will spend the afternoon cleaning up the shoreline along Shelley Bay Road and Massey Road. Their efforts are in preparation for the Round the …
Help wanted to clean up shoreline for round the bays – Today 1:30pm Read More »
The First Responders Festival with live music, outdoor cinema, BBQ and family fun day has been created to celebrate and support our city’s amazing free ambulance service. And what better way to celebrate than with a landmark collab beer! Two of Wellington’s favourite breweries, Tuatara and Black Dog have created a brew together – The …
SH1 TERRACE TUNNEL, SOUTHBOUND – CRASH – 2:15PM A #crash is partially BLOCKING the left lane prior to the Terrace Tunnel. Please take extra care while passing and expect delays. Check our NZTA tab for live updates.
Businesses’ views on New Zealand’s economic outlook are increasingly optimistic, according to a survey by the Wellington Regional Chambers of Commerce and Business Central. “Overall, business respondents across central New Zealand show a net 7 per cent of businesses expect the economy to be better in 12 months’ time, a pleasing rebound from the negative …
Local businesses “substantially” more confident and positive Read More »
KiwiRail has confirmed plans to replace its three ageing Cook Strait ferries with two new, larger, purpose-built rail ferries. The Aratere docked in Wellington Harbour. Photo: RNZ Interislander’s current fleet, comprising the Kaitaki, Kaiarahi and the Aratere, is due to be replaced by 2024. KiwiRail’s decision follows a two-year consultation process which found rail-enabled ferries …
Interislander ferries to be replaced with rail ready fleet Read More »
Lower Hutt is bracing for a building boom, after building consents and applications for new buildings reached an all-time high last year. Photo: 123RF Hutt City Council issued more than 1500 consents last year – 18 percent more than 2017 – and received 529 resource consent applications, which is almost 45 percent more than 2017. …
Wellington’s Ethiopian Community have been celebrating one of their country’s most prestigious events – Timkat. Wellington’s Wakefield Park has been filled with singing and prayers this weekend. Timkat, which they celebrate to mark Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, is held outside and involves 48 hours of praying, singing and fasting, before being broken with …
Ethiopians celebrate one of their oldest festivals in Wellington Read More »
None of New Zealand’s main housing markets are considered affordable any longer, according to a study released today. The annual Demographia International Housing Affordability shows New Zealand has continued to be one of the most unaffordable countries in the world to buy a house, with the median price more than six times the median annual …
Housing in all main NZ markets now ‘severely unaffordable’ Read More »
The Wellington Pasifika Festival attracts over 15,000 people each year. It’s a standout event in both the Wellington regional, and the national calendar. The festival highlights our tight-knit Pacific communities, our arts, cultural and political landscape and user-friendly city parks and environments. It is an opportunity for all Pacific people to celebrate and share their …
Wellington Zoo Cheetah brothers: Cango and Kunjuka Wellington Zoo is home to two of New Zealand’s fastest residents – brothers Cango and Kunjuka. They were taken in by the Zoo after their mum rejected them shortly after they were born at Orana Wildlife Park in Canterbury. While this might seem unusual, it is actually …
Wellington Zoo Cheetah brothers: Cango and Kunjuka Read More »
A new resource consent will be lodged for a multi-million dollar development in Wellington. Shelly Bay. Photo: RNZ / Michael Cropp The $500 million development in Shelly Bay had its consents quashed by the Court of Appeal last month. The resource consents were lodged in September 2016, but were legally challenged by a local business group called Enterprise …
New plans for quashed Shelly Bay development lodged Read More »
Wellington’s councils are putting a new twist on the idea of death by chocolate. \ Photo: 123RF The regional and city council plan to use chocolate to lure rats into traps that will kill them instantly, to see how well rats can be controlled without poison. The regional council’s biosecurity team has set up several …
Wellington rats face death by chocolate in trapping trial Read More »
Delays from a crash north of the Petone interchange extend back to Petone for southbound traffic and for 1km south of the interchange for northbound traffic UPDATE 12:30PM Delays from the #crash north of the interchange are still extending back to Petone for southbound traffic and to approximately 1km south of the interchange for …
Crash on SH2 near Petone – Expect lengthy delays both Northbound and Southbound Read More »
Wellington bus drivers have voted for industrial action including a fare strike – driving buses while refusing to take fares – from the 28th of January if their employer NZ Bus continues to force part-time shifts on them. The company’s attempts to use more part-time shifts with fewer hours would see many drivers face loss …
Wellington Zoo is home to four Red Pandas: Khusi and her cub Ngima, Sundar and Manasa. They all have distinct personalities which Zoo visitors can use to tell them apart! Cooler weather makes for the best days to go and see the Red Pandas at Wellington Zoo. They become much more active, and will often be …
House values across the Wellington region rose 7.8% in the year to December and increased 3.2% over the past quarter and the average value is now $688,074. Wellington City values increased 7.4% year on year and by 2.3% over the past three months and the average value there is now $813,052. Meanwhile, values in …
Wellington houses worth 7.4% more; Upper Hutt house values up 12.1% Read More »
New Zealand’s capital will host its 15th Pacific arts festival this weekend. Photo: Wellington City Council The Wellington Pasifika Festival coincides with the city’s anniversary weekend and showcases the region’s diverse Pacific communities, cultures and cuisines. Wellington City Council’s events producer Suzanne Tamaki said since its beginning in 2005, the festival has grown and morphed …
A pregnant woman has been taken to hospital after suffering a medical emergency on a Hutt Valley train. Photo: RNZ / Paloma Migone The woman was on the 7am service from Upper Hutt when it happened. A Wellington Free Ambulance spokesperson said the woman was taken to hospital in a moderate to serious condition. The …
Pregnant woman suffers medical emergency on train Read More »
Wellington students desperate to find rentals are getting creative to try and find housing, while others with rentals are struggling to make rent. A group of Wellington university students have taken a novel approach to trying to find a new rental home. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller But experts have warned it will only get worse. Massey …
Student desperation for rental properties hitting new highs in Wellington Read More »
In the past year, rogue drones have caused major disruptions to Auckland and Wellington airports, they’ve come within 10 metres of the police Eagle helicopter and within five metres of a plane carrying 278 people. Photo: 123RF Such incidents have aviation authorities hoping to ensure future incidents don’t end in catastrophe. The national air traffic control agency Airways …
Two drones come dangerously close to airports every week Read More »
Wellington is the last in line for Lime’s expansion across New Zealand’s biggest cities and its sights are set on the capital – but they’re not alone. Lime e-scooters have been launched in some of the country’s major cities. Photo: RNZ/ Nick Monro The Wellington City Council (WCC) isn’t completely convinced the scooters are safe enough for …
Lime working to win over Wellington, but it’s not easy Read More »
Route Last Regular Morning Service From Destination First Scheduled Regular Afternoon Service 2 8.00am Karori – Allington Road Seatoun Park – Hector Street 4.00pm 2 8.00am Seatoun Park – Hector Street Karori – Karori Road 3.40pm 3 8.00am Tirangi Road near Kingsford Smith Street (near 95) Wellington Station – Stop D 4.00pm 3 7.40am Lyall …
Bus strike: List of last morning services and first afternoon services Read More »
According to Metlink, 20 Wellington bus routes will have all services cancelled tomorrow between 8am and 4pm due to strike action by the 240 members of The Tramways Union. The services which will be affected are 2, 3, 12, 14, 18, 18e, 20, 21, 22, 28, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 81, 83, 84, …
All services cancelled on 20 Wellington bus routes tomorrow between 8am and 4pm. Read More »
The odds are good that you’ve heard of VPNs. While most media coverage revolves around VPNs, or virtual private networks, as a tool for hiding dodgy online activities, they’re also a useful way of keeping your personal and financial information out of the hands of others. VPNs were originally used as a means of providing …
Hands on with Norton Secure VPN – protecting free public Wi-Fi users Read More »
Striking junior doctors say they will not back down and district health boards must withdraw planned clawbacks to their current terms and conditions. Esme and Frey Battson, 6 and 4, out in support of their junior doctor mum. Photo: RNZ / Matthew Theunisson About 3000 junior or resident doctors are on strike for 48 hours, which is …
Junior doctors on strike and ‘aren’t going to back down’ Read More »
Many of you will be aware of Wellington’s new fleet of ten double decker electric buses – the first such buses in the Southern Hemisphere …. designed and built in New Zealand. Photo: RNZ / Emma Hatton Paul Eagle MP and I went down to Reef Street, Island Bay, yesterday to talk with Paul Snelgrove and …
Electric buses waiting for new fast charger pick-up Read More »
If you happen to see a man carrying two lime scooters over his shoulders, shoving them into a car boot and driving away into the night don’t be alarmed. Mark Pearce from Wellington is a registered lime juicer, a fairly new profession in New Zealand involving ‘harvesting’ or gathering lime e-scooters and ‘juicing’ or …
‘Juicers’ In Limelight – meet the scooter rechargers Read More »
News from Capital and Coast District Health Board Resident Medical Officers who are members of the New Zealand Resident Doctors’ Association union will undertake strike action around the country from 7am on Tuesday to 7am on Thursday. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski Patient safety and wellbeing remains our highest priority and focus during this time. Contingency …
Doctors on strike today; but hospital emergency dept staying open Read More »
A deaf Wellington man says he’s furious after a woman apparently pretending to be deaf so she could try to sell sign-language cards, came into his work. Photo: RNZ / 123RF Deaf Action New Zealand has laid a complaint with police after reports of people in Wellington and Auckland trying to sell the cards for …
A Stokes Valley resident who witnessed yesterday’s gang brawl says she no longer feels safe in the suburb. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindillier Police maintained a presence in the Lower Hutt suburb of Stokes Valley overnight following a brawl which witnesses said involved machetes, guns and gang members. After the incident on George Street, officers …
Resident scared after gang brawl in Stokes Valley Read More »
Press Release – Statistics New Zealand A total of 32,783 new homes were consented in the year ended November 2018, up 5.3 percent from the November 2017 year. Auckland drove the increase in new homes consented, followed by Wellington. “Stand-alone houses accounted for nearly two-thirds of new homes consented in the year ended November,” construction …
Almost 33,000 homes consented in 12 months; 21% increase in Wellington Read More »
Media release from Guardians of the Bays A decision by the Environment Court to proceed with Wellington International Airport’s runway extension application is disappointing given the length of delays, increasing costs and strong public opposition, according to community groups opposed to the proposal. Richard Randerson, Co-Chair of Guardians of the Bays representing more than 600 concerned individuals …
Runway extension process “protracted and flawed;” increasing costs to ratepayers Read More »
Police have made no arrests following an incident in Stokes Valley yesterday which social media users say involved guns, machetes and patched gang members. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller The police were called to attend a disorder incident in the Lower Hutt suburb at about 3.45pm yesterday. Armed police attended the scene, and officers were searching …
The Wellington Regional Council will trial a bus route to Wellington Zoo after public pressure since the new network was set up. Photo: Supplied / Wellington Zoo When Metlink’s new system was launched, the service running to Wellington Zoo was scrapped. It will now run a six-month trial service leaving Wellington Station every hour, from 3 …
Jan 11th 2018 Today the weather is fine however a southerly change around midday brings a shower or two. All the main beaches will be nice for swimming this morning such as Oriental Bay, Scorching Bay and Lyall Bay. As we head into the afternoon Oriental Bay beach will be the best option as sheltered …
As part of The Wellington App’s Summer Edition, we are working with Wellington Zoo to showcase some of the amazing animals you and your family can visit while the weather is good! Every Wednesday and Friday during January we will feature a new creature with some general information about the species, but also a bit …
Engineers who have assessed the Reading Cinemas building in Wellington say it is the cinemas themselves that are a risk in the event of a major earthquake. Photo: Google Maps The cinema complex on Courtenay Place was closed on Saturday because of the earthquake risk. Reading Cinemas’ engineers met with Wellington City Council officials yesterday, and detailed what was …
Wellington building shutdown: Cinemas at risk in earthquake Read More »
A security guard is being praised after helping to pull a drowning teenager from the water north of Wellington. Photo: Google Maps Falelua Leitupo was keeping watch at a boat ramp at the mouth of the Pauatahanui Inlet. It was his first day at the site, his firm was hired by the Wellington Regional Council …
Teenager rescued from drowning at popular swimming jump-off spot Read More »
From now until the end of April, Wellington will experience one of its largest-ever events schedules, with four big musical gigs and cultural experiences alone estimated to pump $51 million into the economy. The Wellington City Council celebrates 40 years of Summer City, with its Gardens Magic series of free concerts at the Botanic …
Huge summer schedule of events for Wellington (updated) Read More »
The signals fault on the Hutt Valley line remains an issue and will cause delays between Petone and Trentham. Services to Taita cancelled News from Metlink “We are able to run trains on the Hutt line during peak this afternoon, but the signals issue has not yet been fixed. We are running a reduced train …
Reduced peak train timetable and delays on the Hutt Valley line tonight Read More »
Well-known street artist Askew One starts work next week on a large scale tribute mural of one of New Zealand’s most loved artist Rita Angus on a building in Bond Street. The mural design, based on a portrait photo of Rita Angus taken by Theo Schoon circa 1947, will feature on the west side of …
Rita Angus mural to be painted on Dominion building Read More »
A group of friends scrambled down a rocky cliff face to rescue dolphins stranded on rocks in Wellington Harbour yesterday. Melissa Prowse told Summer Report she and her friends were watching a big pod of about 50 dolphins play and feed near Houghton Bay on the capital’s south coast. She said as the tide went …
Watch: Rescuers save two dolphins trapped in Wellington bay Read More »
HVL/MEL: Services on the Hutt Valley line are currently suspended from departing and arriving to Wellington due to a signals fault. Photo: RNZ / Paloma Migone Valid from: 10/01/2019 8:40am All Hutt Valley and Melling line services are currently suspended from departing Wellington and Upper Hutt due to a signals fault between Petone and Trentham. Services …
Updated: Train services on Hutt Valley line suspended Read More »
Repaving is underway on the southbound lane of The Terrace between RNZ House and Salamanca Rd. Expect delays during your morning commute in this area. Image: Google Maps / Screengrab
Update 7:15am – it appears that roadworks have begun early in this area – expect delays during morning commute. Due to paving at Wakefield/Taranaki tomorrow, part of the intersection will be closed from 9am for about an hour. Image: Google Maps This will prevent access to Cable St from Taranaki St & Wakefield St. Motorists …
Road closure tomorrow 9am – Wakefield / Taranaki intersection to Cable St Read More »
As part of The Wellington App’s Summer Edition, we are working with Wellington Zoo to showcase some of the amazing animals you and your family can visit while the weather is good! Every Wednesday and Friday during January we will feature a new animal with some general information about the species, but also a bit …
New feature: Animal of the Week with Wellington Zoo Read More »
Jan 9th 2018 Fine until evening, then cloud increasing. Northerlies developing in the afternoon and becoming strong in the evening. All beaches are pretty good for swimming today such as Lyall Bay, Oriental Bay and Scorching Bay. As we head into the afternoon the winds pick up a little so if you’re looking for a …
Update: 9:15am – The resurfacing works and southbound lane closure on the Kāpiti Expressway have been postponed. New dates and times have not been given. Photo: Supplied / NZTA The expressway was built to give motorists a quicker route between Paekakariki and Ōtaki. Some of the road has previously been replaced because water and discolouration began …
Update: Kāpiti Expressway lane closure for resurfacing this week POSTPONED Read More »
UPDATE 5:25PM following a crash at the intersection with Beach Rd, #SH1 is now OPEN. Southbound traffic is being diverted through the old service station at the intersection. Please take extra care and continue to expect significant delays. SH1 PAEKĀKĀRIKI, SOUTHBOUND – CRASH – 5:10PM Location of road closure due to crash. Image: NZTA / …
The Environment Court has given Wellington Airport more time to resubmit its resource consent for its runway extension plans. In 2013, Wellington Airport sought permission to extend its runway by 355m to allow bigger planes to land. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King But the court says the substantial delays in the case reflected badly on the administration …
Wellington Airport given more time for runway extension plans Read More »
Wellington’s iconic concert series returns to fill your summer nights with the sounds of Aotearoa’s best and brightest! Come early to grab a good picnic spot, and as the sun goes down see the gardens transform with a magical light display by MJF Lighting. It’s a very special Gardens Magic season with Summer City turning …
Gardens Magic begins tonight at Botanical Gardens Read More »
With the closure of Event Cinema on Courtney Place, Wellington has lost another 2000 seats for culture focused events. Lindsay Shelton of Wellington.scoop examines the contradiction between WREDA’s “culture capital” branding and the alarming loss of culture-focussed venues in the city. Wellington may claim to be the culture capital – as WREDA has branded us – but …
The SPCA says birds are showing up in Wellington either distressed or dead after being decorated with tinsel, rings and other items. The SPCA wants members of the public to come forward if they know anything about the decorated birds. Photo: SPCA It has reported incidents involving about 30 non-native birds such as sparrows since 2015, but …
Birds distressed or dying after being decorated with tinsel Read More »
It was the street that brought the Lord of the Rings premieres to life about two decades ago, but now Wellington’s Courtenay Place leaves a gap for movie buffs. Photo: Google Streetview Reading Cinemas suddenly announced on Saturday it was closing its building because of the earthquake risk. A draft engineering report prompted the move and now further …
Women’s Refuge says technology is increasingly being used as a way to control women in abusive relationships, so it has found a way for it to it help victims. Image: Screengrab / RNZ On the websites of many New Zealand companies women can now access information about the services offered by Women’s Refuge via a …
SH2 REMUTAKA HILL – BREAKDOWN – 2:30PM A breakdown is BLOCKING a lane on the Upper Hutt side of the Remutaka Hill. Please take extra care while passing.
The Council plans to upgrade Grey Street/Lambton Quay to form a small scale square known as a pocket square. Image: Wellington City Council This upgrade will provide a refreshed and more pleasant streetscape that will better reflect the atmosphere of the Wellington’s Golden Mile. Grey Street forms the main link between the city and the sea …
Corner of Grey Street and Lambton Quay to be refurbished Read More »
Jan 7th 2019 Cloudy with a few showers, clearing this afternoon and becoming fine. Southerlies turning northerly this evening. The best beach for swimming today will be oriental bay as will be the most sheltered from the wind. In the evening Lyall Bay will be a good options as wind turns northerly. The Wellington water …
A man who sparked a 10-hour standoff with police on top of Wellington’s Terrace Tunnel has been charged. The man sitting on top of the tunnel, with the two-car crash that sparked the incident down below. Photo: RNZ / Meriana Johnsen He has been charged with dangerous driving causing injury and possession of an offensive weapon. He was …
Police charge man in 10-hour standoff over Terrace Tunnel Read More »
The large Reading Cinemas complex on Courtenay Place has closed until further notice following an independent engineers’ report. Reading Cinemas on Courtenay Place. Photo: Google Maps In a post on social media, Reading Cinemas announced it would be closing the cinema complex out of “an abundance of caution”. The company said the draft report, which has not …
Wellington’s Reading cinema closes after earthquake report Read More »
Wellington police are still negotiating with a man in a distressed condition following a two-vehicle crash at the city-end mouth of The Terrace Tunnel. The Terrace Tunnel in Wellington has been closed off all afternoon. Photo: RNZ / Meriana Johnsen The tunnel has been closed in both directions since a two-car crash just after 12.30pm. Police are …
Road still closed as man stands over Terrace Tunnel – Latest photos and information Read More »
Wellington police are negotiating with a man in a distressed condition following a two-vehicle crash at the city-end mouth of The Terrace Tunnel. Photo: Terrace Tunnel closed after crash. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King Police are also speaking to a male who is standing above the northbound lane. Police said the man was in a distressed …
Terrace Tunnel remains closed: Police negotiating with man in distressed condition Read More »
In November the region’s mayors gave in-principle support for a new $200million 12,000 seat indoor arena to be built on Kings Wharf. Glen Smith argues for a better, less costly alternative. In November the region’s mayors gave in-principle support for a new $200million 12,000 seat indoor arena to be built on Kings Wharf, the justification …
Longform read – The Basin: a better venue than a new arena Read More »
SH1 TERRACE TUNNEL – CRASH – 12:35PM Due to a crash the Terrace Tunnel is CLOSED in both directions. Please use an alternate route or delay your travel. Check the NZTA tab in the app to see live updates.
There is a “high risk” of two trains crashing in Wellington, which could lead to deaths, experts have found, reiterating earlier calls for more safety measures on the back of four investigations into passenger trains that almost crashed. Photo: RNZ / Paloma Migone A new risk report has examined a busy stretch of rail where …
Experts flag ‘high risk’ of train collision and deaths Read More »
The Wellington City Council has been very engaged this year with 29 public consultations, 23 public notices, on-going project work with community groups, a big shift to online submissions, and an award winning design campaign – we asked, you spoke, and we listened. One of the highlights this year was the input from the …
A Bluebridge ferry is being removed from service for urgent repairs because of a gearbox fault. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller StraitNZ said the ferry, which operates a service to Cook Strait between Wellington and Picton, would be out of action from this evening and for the rest of the week while the work was …
Cook Strait ferry service being removed for urgent repairs Read More »
The New Year honours list released this morning names three Wellington women as new Dames Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Wellington’s new dames are: former mayor Dame Kerry Prendergast, honoured for services to governance and the community; Photo: Dame Kerry Prendergast film-maker Dame Gaylene Preston, for services to film; Photo: Dame …
Three Wellington women named Dames Companion of the New Zealand order of Merit Read More »
From now until the end of April, Wellington will experience one of its largest-ever events schedules, with four big musical gigs and cultural experiences alone estimated to pump $51 million into the economy. The massive events list (detailed chronologically below) features three big attractions: the world cup of kapa haka Te Matatini in February, …
Huge summer schedule of events for Wellington (updated) Read More »
The Wellington City Council’s Summer City programme kicks-off its 40th year on New Year’s Eve, with more than 90 events over the next three months – and something for everyone. For 40 years, Summer City has been entertaining locals and visitors with a huge variety of events and activities, and its history is equally …
Wellington City Council’s 40th Summer City starts on Monday Read More »
Dec 28th 2018 Weather is fine today with light winds. We have great beach weather for swimming all day today. Some of the main beaches to head to will be Oriental Bay, Scorching Bay and Lyall Bay for waves. The Wellington water temperature is rather cool (19°C) and the air temperature (18°C) Surf Lyall Bay …
Weta Workshop has installed a Massivit 1800 3D printer. The deal is reported by Wide Format Online. Photo: Richard Taylor with Massivit 1800 3D printer “We manufacture super-sized, hyper-realistic human figures, creatures, vehicles, and other huge props for film and television and have always been on the search for technology that can produce large parts …
New Zealand skaters will be launched on to the world stage via Bowlzilla Wellington 2019 on March 9 at Waitangi Park. Big returns are coming for the skaters of New Zealand with the maturation of their skateboarding Capital Assets. Photo: RNZ / Nicolas Bennett The road to the Olympic Games for skateboarding begins this …
Bowlzilla offers international opportunities for skateboarders Read More »
The man who died while diving off the Wellington coast on Christmas Eve has been named. Photo: Worser Bay, Seatoun Photo: Supplied / Wikimedia Commons / Pseudopanax He was 58-year-old Gary Hibbs, from Upper Hutt. Emergency services were called to Seatoun on Monday shortly after 4pm when the man – who it’s believed was free diving – …
Man who died while Freediving in Wellington named Read More »
Working families are increasingly seeking support from the Wellington City Mission. Wellington City Missioner Murray Edridge and the Mission’s Community Programmes Manager Olivia Lange. Photo: RNZ / Meriana Johnsen City Missioner Murray Edridgesaid rising rental costs in the capital mean many working families have little left over for other expenses. Mr Edridge said the added …
More Wellington families struggling at Christmas – City Mission Read More »
Dec 27th 2018 Fine apart from morning cloud. Light winds. We have great beach weather for swimming today as not much wind and will be plenty of sun later in the day. Some of the main to head to will be Oriental Bay, Scorching Bay and Lyall Bay (South Coast). The Wellington water temperature is …
Infratil has agreed to sell its NZ Bus unit to Next Capital for up to $240 million, but will help the Australian private equity firm pay for it. Announced after the New Zealand market had closed, Infratil said it’s reached a conditional sale with Next Capital, which sold Go Bus to Ngai Tahu Holdings …
Cooking on the festive day can be stressful but owner of Boulcott Street Bistro in Wellington, Rex Morgan, says it doesn’t have to be that way. Rex Morgan, chef and owner of Boulcott Street Bistro, Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Charlie Dreaver His first tip to make the cook’s life easier is to prepare food the day before …
Top chef’s Christmas dinner tips: ‘Don’t practise on people’ Read More »
The Wellington City Mission has urged people not to go into debt for their loved ones this Christmas. Wellington City Missioner Murray Edridge and the Mission’s Community Programmes Manager Olivia Lange. Photo: RNZ / Meriana Johnsen The warning comes as the Mission prepares for an increase in the number of people accessing the charity’s financial …
Wellington barbers and hairdressers are being told not to spread the Christmas cheer by filling the glasses of their clients with beer or wine. Wellington City Council sent out letters to hairdressers and barbers to warn them, without a liquor licence, if they give clients a Christmas tipple, they could be served a $10,000 fine. …
Hairdressers and barbers warned to ditch ‘thank you’ drink Read More »
From now until the end of April, Wellington will experience one of its largest-ever events schedules, with four big musical gigs and cultural experiences alone estimated to pump $51 million into the economy. The massive events list (detailed chronologically below) features four big attractions: the Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality exhibition (above) which opens …
Huge summer schedule of events for Wellington (updated) Read More »
The sheep dubbed the world’s cutest have given birth to their first lambs in New Zealand. Wairarapa farmer Christine Reed and her business partners imported Swiss Valais Blacknose sheep as embryos from the United Kingdom about 18 months ago. Over the past two weeks, Ms Reed’s sheep have brought five tiny bundles of fluffy cuteness …
Rain is expected to spread as far south as the Wairarapa on Christmas Eve, although Wellington should stay dry. But on Christmas morning the capital and the upper South Island can expect rain. The South Island is definitely the island to be on for Christmas day, and the further south the better. ‘Queenstown and Wanaka …
A High Court judge has dismissed an appeal against a plan to build a Chinese garden in Frank Kitts Park on Wellington’s waterfront. The lobby group Waterfront Watch had argued the garden would take away green space, block harbour views and make the park less safe. The Environment Court threw out its appeal in April, …
High Court judge approves Chinese garden on waterfront Read More »
Dec 24th 2018 High cloud with rain developing overnight with light south east winds. The best beach for swimming today will be Oriental Bay as sheltered from the southerly. The Wellington water temperature is rather cool (16°C) and the air temperature (19°C) as the day goes on. Surf Lyall Bay has messy onshore waves this …
Dec 23rd 2018 Showers with a strong southerly change early morning, then clearing to long fine spells in the afternoon and winds tending lighter southeasterly. The best beach for swimming today will be Oriental Bay as sheltered from the southerly. The Wellington water temperature is rather cool (15 °C) and the air temperature becomes more …
A vehicle on fire is BLOCKING the northbound lanes between the Porirua on-ramp and Whitford Brown off-ramp. Emergency services are on-site and congestion is building. Please avoid this area if possible. Check the NZTA tab in our local news section for live updates.
The engineering firm that oversaw the demolition of Statistics House raised serious concerns about the findings of the inquiry into its partial collapse. A 2013 photo of Wellington’s Statistics House, left, with a photo of damage on the ground floor following the 14 November 2017 earthquake (from March 2017 inquiry report). Photo: RNZ / supplied …
Engineering firm raises concerns about Statistics House inquiry Read More »
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch has a tonne going for it – a gorgeous design, an elegant and easy to use interface, fitness tracking, water-proof to 50m and most importantly, stellar battery life. In short it matches or betters almost everything on offer from its competitors. Compared to the Apple Watch, the Galaxy Watch looks and feel …
Witchdoctor checks out the new Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch Read More »
From now until the end of April, Wellington will experience one of its largest-ever events schedules, with four big musical gigs and cultural experiences alone estimated to pump $51 million into the economy. The massive events list (detailed chronologically below) features four big attractions: the Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality exhibition (above) which opens …
Huge summer schedule of events for Wellington (updated) Read More »
Fifty children and adults will be receiving free shoes this Christmas to assist them with their health and fitness journey. Round the Bays Wellington – Photo: Ari Bakker / Flickr Shoe Clinic and Sport Wellington have joined forces to provide families involved in Sport Wellington’s Green Prescription Active Families programme with shoes to help support their …
New Zealand is a nation of weather watchers, and even more so on Christmas Day. Plans for Christmas dinner, camping, swimming and so much more hinge on the weather playing the game. So, without further ado, here’s a brief summary of what to expect: Rain in the north and dry in the south. NIWA meteorologist …
Christmas Day weather: What it’ll be like in your patch Read More »
There are a number of traffic warnings in place as the annual Christmas exodus begins tomorrow. The Wellington App will keep you up to date with any additional incidents on the roads as the day progresses. Below is the most up to date list of road closures and traffic warnings as of Thursday 20th …
Updated: Wellington Traffic Warnings for Friday 21 December – NZTA Read More »
Introducing the Summer Edition of The Wellington App! Photo: Kristina D.C. Hoeppner / Flickr Like all of you, we at The Wellington App change our focus over the summer months, so we’ve decided to roll out a special Summer Edition. You’ll have all the local news and information you’ve come to rely on, including any traffic disruption …
There is something special about attending a cricket Test and watching it at the Basin Reserve is probably as good as it gets in New Zealand, Barry Guy writes. I attended the first two days of the Test in Wellington between New Zealand and Sri Lanka as a spectator and not a reporter. There is always plenty …
Dec 21st 2018 Cloudy periods in the morning. A few showers about the city, clearing mid morning and southerlies dying out. The best beach for swimming this morning will be Oriental Bay as sheltered from the southerly. As we head into the afternoon the southerly wind will die away making it nice beach weather on …
Updated: Wellington train services will be disrupted at peak times today due to urgent mechanical work. Click here to go to Metlink for live information A large number of train services will not be running and people are expected to have to switch to buses, which might cause long delays. RNZ understands 20 trains have …
Updated: Wellington trains disrupted due to mechanical work Read More »
Introducing the Summer Edition of The Wellington App! Like all of you, we at The Wellington App change our focus over the summer months, so we’ve decided to roll out a special Summer Edition. You’ll have all the local news and information you’ve come to rely on, including any traffic disruption notifications, but we’ll …
There are a number of traffic warnings in place as the annual Christmas exodus begins tomorrow. The Wellington App will keep you up to date with any additional incidents on the roads as the day progresses. Below is the most up to date list of road closures and traffic warnings as of Thursday 20th …
Wellington Traffic Warnings for Friday 21 December – NZTA Read More »
Improvements in Wellington’s new bus services are “ongoing and sustained,” an independent review into implementation challenges of the Wellington City and Hutt Valley network has found. The review, prepared by Australia-based consultants L.E.K. and commissioned by the Regional Council and the New Zealand Transport Agency, describes the introduction of the new network as a complex …
Greater Wellington Regional Council responds to independent bus review Read More »
Due to holiday traffic the northbound passing lane north of Te Horo is now closed. Expected to reopen by 8pm. Road users are advised to take extra care. Map showing location of lane closure and delays. Image: Google Maps + NZTA
An independent review into Wellington’s troubled bus network has revealed a raft of failings from the regional council. The new routes weren’t tested because the council did not believe it would give an accurate picture of how they would run. Photo: RNZ / Emma Hatton It came after the new bus network, launched in July …
Cause of Wellington’s bus network failure revealed Read More »
Due to a crash blocking the left southbound lane between the Mungavin on-ramp and Tawa off-ramp, caution is advised in the area. Image showing the location of the crash. Photo: Google Maps / NZTA The crash occurred around 9:30am and the road was operating normally again by around 10:30am. -TWA
A record number of international travellers are expected to pass through Wellington Airport over the summer period. Photo: Philip Capper Approximately 70,000 visitors will fly into the airport over summer, an increase of 9% compared to the previous year. The busiest day for international movements through the airport will be Sunday 6 January, with almost …
Record number of international travellers due in Wellington over Summer Read More »
An electrical fire at Aro Valley’s Epuni Street pump station has damaged important equipment used to control the supply of water to a major reservoir. Damage caused by an electrical fire at Epuni St Pump Station. Photo: Wellington.scoop Group Manager, Network and Customer Operations, Jeremy McKibbin said that “the Brooklyn Reservoir holds 24 hours’ worth …
Brooklyn Residents asked to conserve water after pump station fire Read More »
The Council recently approved over $300,000 in grants to 59 organisations and community groups with a strong focus on culture, the environment, sustainability and addressing some of the big issues concerning Wellingtonians – homelessness, street begging, and social isolation. In 2018-19, projects delivering meaningful activities with a positive impact for vulnerable individuals and the community …
Council focuses on the big issues with latest funding round Read More »
The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) and Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira (Ora Toa Health) will meet tomorrow (Wednesday) in a last-gasp effort to resolve industrial action and prevent a full-day strike on Christmas Eve. Tomorrow will also see the fifth day of limited strike action when 21 doctors at Iwi health provider …
Last-gasp effort to resolve industrial action by 21 doctors Read More »
Experienced businesswoman and professional director Tracey Bridges has been named as the new chair of the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency (WREDA). A proud Wellingtonian who has lived and worked in the region for 27 years, Tracey is a professional director with experience leading and growing private businesses from start-up. A founding partner of …
Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency names new chair and board member Read More »
The Transport Agency is promising lengthy delays north of Wellington won’t extend into the Christmas period, but frustrated commuters are not holding their breath. The entire express way was bumper to bumper, a local said. Photo: RNZ / Catherine Hutton Traffic travelling to and from the Kāpiti Coast north of Wellington was brought to a …
Loose stones causing traffic delays on Kāpiti section of SH1 Read More »
The fine start to the week is expected to end with heavy rain drenching parts of the country from tomorrow onwards. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King As a complex low-pressure system makes its way over the country during the next few days, the MetService had issued severe weather warnings and watches for rain and wind …
Heavy rain and severe weather for rest of the week Read More »
Education Minister Chris Hipkins has declined Victoria University of Wellington Council’s application for a legal name change. Mr Hipkins didn’t think the university had sufficiently canvassed the opinions of stakeholders. The Council formally made an application to change the institution’s name to the University of Wellington on 27 September. While benefits from a name change had …
Education Minister declines Victoria University name change Read More »
Capping off a bumper quarter of international growth, Air New Zealand’s inaugural Brisbane-Wellington and Brisbane-Queenstown flights depart from Brisbane Airport today. Air New Zealand will operate its A320 aircraft up to four times a week between Brisbane and Queenstown, and up to five times a week between Brisbane and Wellington, increasing the airline’s overall annual …
Air New Zealand increases Brisbane-Wellington capacity by 40% Read More »
Wellington Chimpanzee Troops new home “closer to natural than ever before” Wellington Zoos latest exhibit upgrade was officially completed yesterday with an opening ceremony in the new Chimp Park visitor area. The $1.2m changes were made with support from the Jane Goodall Institute NZ and Pub Charity. Part of the ceremony included a personalized video …
What makes Wellington’s new Chimpanzee enclosure so much better? Read More »
Wellington Police are on a mission to ensure drivers keep themselves and other road users safe this holiday season. From Monday 17 to Saturday 22 December, Police will be conducting a road safety operation throughout Wellington, Porirua and Kapiti, focusing on seatbelts and impairment. “Not wearing a seatbelt is one of the four main contributors …
Police to conduct large road safety operation throughout Wellington Region this week Read More »
A new generation of urban Māori are on display in the heart of Wellington as the city prepares to host the biggest kapa haka festival in the country. Photo: RNZ / Te Aniwa Hurihanganui The three metre-high pouwhenua mark the arrival of the upcoming Te Matatini competition which expects to bring more than 60,000 visitors …
Pouwhenua display opens tonight to highlight Te Matatini Read More »
Strengthening work on the Wellington Town Hall, which was due to begin before Christmas, has been delayed till next year. Photo: Wellington.scoop Wellington’s Town Hall complied with less that 33% of the new building standards introduced in 2009. The Town Hall sits on reclaimed land and is anchored on ageing, unreinforced piles. This combination can …
Work delayed while Town Hall remains “Earthquake Prone” Read More »
From now until the end of April, Wellington will experience one of its largest-ever events schedules, with four big musical gigs and cultural experiences alone estimated to pump $51 million into the economy. The massive events list (detailed chronologically below) features four big attractions: the Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality exhibition (above) which opens …
Huge summer schedule of events for Wellington (updated) Read More »
Today’s wind is predominantly coming out of the South/South-East. This means that the best beaches to be on in Wellington today will be North facing, or otherwise sheltered from Southerly winds. The Wellington App recommends Oriental Bay, Baleana Bay, Evans Bay, or Hataitai Beach. Check out our “Beaches and Bays” category for for more information. …
Best Beaches for Wellington – Sunday 16 December Read More »
Wellington City rents now match Auckland City for the first time, after the median rent in the capital rose 5.8 per cent on last year to $550 per week in November, according to the latest Trade Me Rental Price Index. Head of Trade Me Rentals Aaron Clancy said rents in Wellington City had been hot …
Wellington City rents match Auckland City for the first time – Trademe Read More »
Wellington City Council has been forced to park a plan to increase the number of electric vehicle charging stations in the city after strong opposition. Council documents said 750 Wellingtonians had electric vehicles – but not all had somewhere handy to plug them in. The council wanted to set up 19 charging stations, each with …
Opposition stops electric charging stations plan in its tracks Read More »
Transpower is reminding all those heading out on the water this summer of restrictions in the Cook Strait Cable Protection Zone (CPZ). Map showing Cook Strait CPZ The CPZ protects vital submarine electricity and telecommunication cable links between the North and South Islands. The cables form part of the HVDC inter-island link which transfers power …
Transpower reminds boaties to be aware of fishing and anchoring in CPZ Read More »
Wellington City Councillors have voted to proceed with a Five Greenstar Convention and Exhibition Centre (CEC) which will give a major boost to the local economy, create hundreds of jobs and provide stimulus for further regeneration in that part of the city. Image: Wellington.scoop The Council’s City Strategy Committee passed the recommendation unanimously yesterday. …
The new Chimp Park opens this weekend at Wellington Zoo with a new enriched environment for the troop of ten chimpanzees, one of the largest in Australasia. The new park involved close liaison with habitat design experts, and incorporates more climbing structures, hammocks and ropes which aim to improve the primates’ wellbeing and encourage natural behaviours …
There is no shortage of things to do (or be done) in December. So in the spirit of giving, here’s a list (updated daily) of events that are free entry, or in the spirit of Christmas. Find more event options in the What’s On, Active/To Do, and Community sections of The Wellington App. Photo by …
“Road safety operation – Wellington” Wellington Police are on a mission to ensure drivers keep themselves and other road users safe this holiday season. From Monday 17 to Saturday 22 December, Police will be conducting a road safety operation throughout Wellington, Porirua and Kapiti, focusing on seatbelts and impairment. “Not wearing a seatbelt is one …
Police to conduct road safety operation throughout Wellington next week Read More »
Team Wellington have lost a thrilling opening match at football’s FIFA club world cup in the United Arab Emirates, going down in heartbreaking fashion to local champions Al Ain in a penalty shootout. Team Wellington shocked the hosts by scoring three first half goals to take a 3-1 lead into halftime, before Al Ain hit …
Wellington come within a whisker of FIFA Club World Cup boilover Read More »
The café and cinema at Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision will close at the end of the year, ahead of the office moving next year from Taranaki Street to the National Library building on Molesworth Street. The move of the Wellington office was made necessary with the reclassification of the premises as earthquake prone in …
Ngā Taonga cinema and café to close ahead of office move Read More »
Over a year after the New Zealand Festival brought Star Wars: A New Hope to Wellington audiences, the NZSO are going on the road for an extended Star Wars Film Concert Series. The 2019 Live to Picture performances by the NZSO, featuring the music of composer John Williams in tandem with the original two movies …
NZSO back Empire for Wellington as symphonic Star Wars returns Read More »
Wellingtonians are invited to gather in Te Ngākau Civic Square tonight from 7.00pm to express grief at the murder of British tourist Grace Millane and send her family a message of love. The vigil will be held in solidarity with an Auckland event at the same time. Organisers said on Facebook that “many of our …
Candlelight vigil in Te Ngākau Civic Square for Grace Millane Read More »
Wellington Zoo has announced the introduction of a new Capybara Close Encounter for early 2019. The Zoo family of the world’s largest rodents includes one male, Pepe, and females Vara and Iapa, who is the mother to the most recent litter of babies. While bookings for the encounters won’t be available until next year, visitors …
Close encounters of the capybara kind coming to the Zoo Read More »
Smart home, smart speakers, smart Amazon… PAT PILCHER gets to grips with installable templates that create new, personalised “skills” for Alexa, Amazon’s voice control technology. Content provided by Witchdoctor, “entertainment for grownups”. Read the story with full photographic content, plus more writing about technology, sound and vision, gadgetry, gaming and gear at https://www.witchdoctor.co.nz/ Alexa Skill Blueprints Free …
Witchdoctor enjoys installable smart templates for home voice control Read More »