Karori, Wellington

Market closure a big financial hit

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Market gardener Tommy Young is down up to $7000 after the Wellington City Council told fruit and vegetable sellers they could not trade at the Sunday Harbourside Market due to COVID-19 restrictions.
While people could buy hot chips in beef tallow at Wellington’s Harbourside Market on Sunday, … View moreMarket gardener Tommy Young is down up to $7000 after the Wellington City Council told fruit and vegetable sellers they could not trade at the Sunday Harbourside Market due to COVID-19 restrictions.
While people could buy hot chips in beef tallow at Wellington’s Harbourside Market on Sunday, lettuce and other vegetables were out of the question.
At Ohau, south of Levin, market gardener Tommy Young received the cancellation call about 9.30pm. His truck was already loaded and ready for the early morning drive to Wellington to sell his wares at the popular market.

Who needs a plant doctor?

Mikaela Wilkes Reporter from Homed

UPDATE: Thank you for all your questions. We're picking the best to send off to the houseplant doctor from Kings Plant Barn and the answers will be published in an article on Homed soon.

Are your houseplants looking worse for wear? The experts at Kings Plant Barn would love to help. Send us … View moreUPDATE: Thank you for all your questions. We're picking the best to send off to the houseplant doctor from Kings Plant Barn and the answers will be published in an article on Homed soon.

Are your houseplants looking worse for wear? The experts at Kings Plant Barn would love to help. Send us your houseplant questions and problems to homed@stuff.co.nz, or leave them in the comments, for the houseplant doctor to diagnose. Pictures are encouraged.

Builder wanted for ensuite/laundry reno

Stephanie from Crofton Downs

Builder wanted to build an ensuite in an existing garage, relocate the laundry, demolish an internal cupboard, and build a small hallway and some internal cupboards. I have consented plans, and estimate the job taking 4-6 weeks. If you are not an LBP, I have a registered builder who could … View moreBuilder wanted to build an ensuite in an existing garage, relocate the laundry, demolish an internal cupboard, and build a small hallway and some internal cupboards. I have consented plans, and estimate the job taking 4-6 weeks. If you are not an LBP, I have a registered builder who could supervise/sign off your work, subject to references.

4 x Valspar Interior Paint

Rachelle from Crofton Downs

4 Tins of valspar interior low sheen paint brand new and unopened. Colour is Mint Memory bargain at $200

Price: $200

What's On: Waikanae Easter Market

Jane from Waikanae Beach

Removing cheques as payment option

Simone Borgstede from Wellington City Council

All major banks within New Zealand are removing the use of cheques as a payment option, including Wellington City Councils’ bank, ANZ, which isn’t accepting cheques from 31st May onwards.

From Thursday 1st April onwards, Wellington City Council will no longer accept cheques as a payment … View moreAll major banks within New Zealand are removing the use of cheques as a payment option, including Wellington City Councils’ bank, ANZ, which isn’t accepting cheques from 31st May onwards.

From Thursday 1st April onwards, Wellington City Council will no longer accept cheques as a payment option for any of our services. This will give us time to make sure all cheques received are processed ahead of the banks deadline.

Don’t worry, there are still some easy ways you can pay for our services:

💳 Set up a Direct Debit for Rates Payments online or by paper form available at our service centre

💵 Direct Credit into Account 06-0582-0106111-00 for services invoice payments

💻 Online at www.wcc.govt.nz...

💳 Credit card (surcharge will apply)

🖐️ In person at New Zealand Post (cash or EFTPOS)

☎️ Internet or Phone banking with your bank

For help on any of the above, please get in touch with your bank.

Changes to kerbside rubbish - green waste

Simone Borgstede from Wellington City Council

At the moment, Wellingtonians put around 130 tonnes of green waste from their gardens in their kerbside rubbish each week which breaks down in the landfill, producing methane gas - a big contributor to climate change.

As part of our new waste bylaw, yellow rubbish bags cannot contain more than … View moreAt the moment, Wellingtonians put around 130 tonnes of green waste from their gardens in their kerbside rubbish each week which breaks down in the landfill, producing methane gas - a big contributor to climate change.

As part of our new waste bylaw, yellow rubbish bags cannot contain more than 10% green waste.

But don’t worry! When you bring your green waste to the Southern Landfill it will be turned into Capital Compost – and it only costs $5 to dispose of up to 85kg!

For more information about the bylaw and alternative ways to deal with your green waste, visit:

wellington.govt.nz/waste-bylaw#kerbside

Dog crate needed

Guy from Kelburn

Hi, we're getting a new puppy and are looking for a second hand dog crate. Ideally need a XL or approx 105L x 70W x 75H. Please message me if you have one you no longer need. Thanks Guy

NVE - Gas Appliance Servicing

Jeff Jewell from New Vision Enterprises Ltd.

#DidYouKnow: At #NVE we love bubbles, but not when it relates to a gas leak!! These photos are from a recent job where Lucas found this gas leak with his leak detection fluid.

Gas leaks are not only a potential hazard, but can lead to a high gas bill. When #NVE service gas appliances we test the … View more#DidYouKnow: At #NVE we love bubbles, but not when it relates to a gas leak!! These photos are from a recent job where Lucas found this gas leak with his leak detection fluid.

Gas leaks are not only a potential hazard, but can lead to a high gas bill. When #NVE service gas appliances we test the entire installation for leaks. Get your appliances serviced today (we recommend most are serviced annually). Contact us today

04 479 4181

#HereToHelp #NZLicensedTradies #WeCanDoThat #DrainlayersNZ #NZPlumbers #PlumbingNZ #NZDrainlayers #NZPlumbing #NVE #NVEPlumbing #NZGasfitters #GasfittersNZ #SupportlLocal #NVEDrainage #NVEHeating #NVEGasfitting #NVERoofing #NVESkylights #NZFamilyOwned #CustomerSatisfaction #HomeRenos #RenosForYou #NewBuilds #CommercialServices #ResidentialServices #GasFireplaceService #GasFireplaceInstallation ##HereToHelp #NZLicensedTradies #WeCanDoThat #DrainlayersNZ #NZPlumbers #PlumbingNZ #NZDrainlayers #NZPlumbing #NVE #NVEPlumbing #NZGasfitters #GasfittersNZ #SupportlLocal #NVEDrainage #NVEHeating #NVEGasfitting #NVERoofing #NVESkylights #NZFamilyOwned #CustomerSatisfaction #HomeRenos #RenosForYou #NewBuilds #CommercialServices #ResidentialServices #GasFireplaceService #GasFireplaceInstallation #GasApplianceService #SafetyCheck

Free Ambulance mourning the death of Shirley Martin

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Wellington Free Ambulance has acknowledged the death of Shirley Martin.

"It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Shirley Martin, former Patron of Wellington Free Ambulance. From her devotion to fundraising as part of the Ladies Auxiliary since 1955, standing on the streets… View moreWellington Free Ambulance has acknowledged the death of Shirley Martin.

"It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Shirley Martin, former Patron of Wellington Free Ambulance. From her devotion to fundraising as part of the Ladies Auxiliary since 1955, standing on the streets of Wellington rattling a box for the free ambulance, and all the years she cheered us on as our Patron, Shirley has been a fundraising force for us for over six decades. Working hard on getting the whole community behind keeping the ‘free’ in Wellington Free Ambulance, Shirley’s enthusiasm never wavered. Shirley passed away on Wednesday 24 February 2021 and her involvement with Wellington Free Ambulance and shaping who we are today will forever be remembered."

Mittens is safe! Hold the front page

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

It is the catnapping that was not. All's well that ends well for Wellington celebrity cat Mittens.
A caller to Stuff's Wellington newsroom reported that the Turkish
angora was stuck in a car on Victoria St in central Wellington early
on Tuesday morning.
When reporters arrived at the … View moreIt is the catnapping that was not. All's well that ends well for Wellington celebrity cat Mittens.
A caller to Stuff's Wellington newsroom reported that the Turkish
angora was stuck in a car on Victoria St in central Wellington early
on Tuesday morning.
When reporters arrived at the scene, Mittens was inside the car and, evidently, eager to get out.
Help was soon on the way in the form of Mittens' owner Silvio Bruinsma
who plucked Mittens from the car to take back home.
It seems that Mittens had been wandering the streets and a
well-meaning member of the public put him in their car due to concern
for the cat. They had then called Bruinsma,, who (as he has done many
times before) went to Mittens' rescue. -Tom Hunt

Casual work for stacking firewood

Sabrina from Crofton Downs

Hi
I have got firewood delivered on Friday 12 March and need somebody to help me to stack them inside the shed. Will pay $20 per hour and estimating 2 to 3 hours max. Please mesaage me if you are insterested!
Thanks
Sabrina

Escape the city, head to Ruapehu

Visit Ruapehu

Immerse yourself in our wide-open spaces, epic activities, hidden gems, and untamed wilderness in the Ruapehu region. The perfect place to relax, refresh, and have a bit of adventure.

Get inspired and tick these off your bucket list:
- Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
- Take a ride on the … View moreImmerse yourself in our wide-open spaces, epic activities, hidden gems, and untamed wilderness in the Ruapehu region. The perfect place to relax, refresh, and have a bit of adventure.

Get inspired and tick these off your bucket list:
- Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
- Take a ride on the Sky Waka, NZ’s most unique gondola experience
- Cycle the Ohakune Old Coach Road
- Paddle down the Whanganui River
- Explore the Bridge to Nowhere
- Take a ride with Forgotten World Adventures ...and much more!

There's still plenty of awesome deals available in Ruapehu, so book now! Find out more

Home hacks: Your best tips for cleaning jobs around the house

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Wellington (The Wash House)

Most of these are free or inexpensive, and we can only assume they are tried and tested user-submitted hacks. It's interesting to note that the same everyday products crop up again and again, so let's hear it for dishwasher tabs. Here's what people to say...

IN THE KITCHEN

* … View moreMost of these are free or inexpensive, and we can only assume they are tried and tested user-submitted hacks. It's interesting to note that the same everyday products crop up again and again, so let's hear it for dishwasher tabs. Here's what people to say...

IN THE KITCHEN

* Dishwasher tabs are good to soak muffin trays and cake tins.
* I use dishwasher powder and a splash of bleach diluted in water to soak stained whites overnight. It will bring even whites that have been turned another colour in the wash back to sparkling white.
* Dishwasher powder works for the silver oven racks. I put them in a bath lined with an old towel, then add dishwasher powder, but the tablet would work and a bit of washing powder. Leave it to soak for four hours and it comes off pretty easily.
* To get tea stains off cups, use 1 tsp dishwasher powder and fill the cup up with hot water. Stir to dissolve the powder and let soak for a couple of hours. Put the cup in the empty sink so any overspill doesn't damage the benchtop.
* I clean my glass oven door with ash from my firebox. I clean my firebox glass door the same. Wet newspaper dipped in ash, rub all over glass, dry with clean newspaper. Brings it back like brand new. Used tea bags are also good with the ash.
* Got a pot which is filthy disgusting? Put a dishwasher tablet in put enough boiling water in to cover the filth, stick a lid on and leave over night. Amazing results.
* Soak your filters from the kitchen rangehood extractor fans in warm water and clothes washing powder. Grease and oil just melts off with no scrubbing at all. Good as new!
* Here are two tips to save your money. Let oven warm up. Once warm, the oil stain on door turns soft, and it just wipes off. Tip 2, if it's been baked on for years you just need a sharp blade. You can use one of those window scrapers, but no liquid. Scrape it (when warm); grab a vacuum and suck up all the dust.
* To clean stainless steel tub. Get a tube of Autosol from Mitre 10 or similar and clean with that. Have done it and it works brilliantly. First used to restore chrome on vintage car (brilliant) so gave it a go and delighted at the outcome.
* Oil of cloves is brilliant on mould. Smells a bit like dentist for an hour but it kills mould spores. The chemist sells it fairly cheaply, or Trade Me.
* We run a motel and polish the stainless steel every day. You need three rags. First rag works Polaris paste into the stainless steel. You end up with a rag caked with the paste. Add a little water and mop it up with a second rag. Then with a third clean rag you buff up the surface. We cut up old worn-out towels into squares to make rags.
Other cleaners such as Jif and Chemco also work, but Polaris gives the best shine.
* I put my oven racks and rangehood filters in the dishwasher and let that do the hard work. As soon as the cycle has finished, I remove the racks one at a time, closing the washer door between each one to keep hot, and just wipe over each rack with a Scotchbrite scourer dipped in hot water. The remaining grease marks come off easily; no hard rubbing needed. For the filters, I just rinse them in hot water and give them a good shake to remove as much water as possible then stand them on one edge outside to dry. I do this every three months and clean-up is easy. Oh, and if my oven door glass has grimy grease-spots, I use a putty scraper. It doesn't scratch the glass and it works a dream.

IN THE BATHROOM
* Try using dishwash liquid to clean your bath and shower, including the glass.
* Dishwasher tabs get brown stains out of your toilet.
* To get those stains off toilet bowls, use a very, very fine wet and dry sandpaper.
* Razor blades/paint scraper blades are awesome for removing water stains from around your taps or tiles.
* For the shower, I use 30 Seconds water spot remover to clean first. Then use Rain-X water repellent (the car windscreen stuff). The water just beads off the glass and makes cleaning easier. Reapply the Rain-X every few months when the beading has reduced.
* Try a piece of pumice – free from the beach. Wet the door and clean it with the pumice. It does a brilliant job and is also good on burnt saucepans.

FIREPLACE
* Dirty logburner glass? Dip a wet cloth in the ashes. Scrub with that.

Local hero: Mary Potter nurse, Amanda Haye

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

When Amanda Haye finishes work at the end of the day, she knows she has done some good. Amanda works as a Hospice @ Home nurse with Mary Potter Hospice – a team which provides care for patients and their families in their home.
"It is great being able to be a comfort, and provide … View moreWhen Amanda Haye finishes work at the end of the day, she knows she has done some good. Amanda works as a Hospice @ Home nurse with Mary Potter Hospice – a team which provides care for patients and their families in their home.
"It is great being able to be a comfort, and provide compassionate and quality nursing care in one of the most difficult periods of a person's life. It is an absolute privilege to do it in their own home. To serve patients in the community is phenomenal."
Many people assume the Hospice is a sad place to work. This couldn’t be further from the truth, according to Amanda.
“It is helping people feel like they are truly living. That may mean helping them organise a fishing trip, a family holiday or a meal at their favourite restaurant. We want people to enjoy every part of their life. Even when their life is coming to an end” Working alongside a multidisciplinary team was a huge help, Amanda says.

Tree pruning or arborist

Weng from Kelburn

Hey there, hope everyone is staying safe from Covid.
Can someone recommend a good tree pruning professionals? I have some overgrown trees that need some work done on. Thanks in advance.