Karori, Wellington

Wellington Sports Fans Meetup Group

Tim from Thorndon

www.meetup.com...
Do you like to watch sports alongside true sports fans?

Wellington Sports Fans is not just for watching sports live at the Basin Reserve or SKY Stadium. It’s for getting together with other true sports fans to watch our favourite events at bars, fan zones, or even going the … View morewww.meetup.com...
Do you like to watch sports alongside true sports fans?

Wellington Sports Fans is not just for watching sports live at the Basin Reserve or SKY Stadium. It’s for getting together with other true sports fans to watch our favourite events at bars, fan zones, or even going the distance around New Zealand or to other countries. It’s about the great Kiwi tradition of getting up at all hours to see global events live from far-flung time zones around the world.

2021 promises to be a massive year for international sport, because of several 2020 events carried over from last year. Big events of 2021 include:

• Black Caps v Pakistan (January, Christchurch)
• Australia v India (January, Australia-wide)
• Prada Cup (America’s Cup Challenger Selection Series) (January/February, Auckland)
• Black Caps v Australia (February/March, NZ-wide)
• America’s Cup (March, Auckland)
• Black Caps v Bangladesh (March, NZ-wide)
• UEFA Euro 2020* (June/July, Europe-wide)
• Tokyo 2020* Summer Olympic Games (July/August, Japan)
• Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 (September/October, Auckland/Whangarei)
• FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying (Oceania dates TBA)

I’ve included above tournaments and series particular to 2021, that’s without the events that (usually) happen around the same time each year:
Tennis Grand Slams, Golf majors, EPL, NBA, NBL, IPL, MLB, NHL, NFL, NRL, AFL, Rugby Championship, Rugby Six Nations, plus Silver Ferns and All Blacks matches to be announced.

All sports fans in Wellington welcome!

Art Workshops at Inverlochy Art School in Te Aro

Cheryl from Karori

Fabulous summer art workshops for children, teens and adults available at Inverlochy Art School in Te Aro
www.inverlochy.org.nz...

Is Whittaker's your dream job?

Reporter Community News

It’s every kid’s dream to work at a chocolate factory. Megan Sinclair, the new product development manager at Whittaker’s in Wellington, is living that dream – albeit without the chocolate rivers – designing flavours and roasting batches of beans in her little lab on the factory floor.
… View moreIt’s every kid’s dream to work at a chocolate factory. Megan Sinclair, the new product development manager at Whittaker’s in Wellington, is living that dream – albeit without the chocolate rivers – designing flavours and roasting batches of beans in her little lab on the factory floor.
Megan Sinclair, the new product development manager at Whittaker’s in Wellington, is living that dream – albeit without the chocolate rivers – designing flavours and roasting batches of beans in her little lab on the factory floor.
It’s called the micro-lab, and within its walls there are cupboards of flavours and scents, everything from cake batter to beetroot, a mini bean roaster, and a mixing machine called a melange.
In this, she can make 12 kilogram batches to test flavours, or 45kg batches in the one in the room next door; small quantities compared to the tonnes pumped out by the main factory on a daily basis.

Free outdoor concerts return to Wellington Botanic Garden

Reporter Community News

Grab a rug, a picnic, your friends and whānau for many evenings of free outdoor entertainment because Wellington’s annual concert series Gardens Magic is back.
Starting on January 12, the concerts return to the Soundshell at the Botanic Garden over a three-week period.
Gardens Magic, January … View moreGrab a rug, a picnic, your friends and whānau for many evenings of free outdoor entertainment because Wellington’s annual concert series Gardens Magic is back.
Starting on January 12, the concerts return to the Soundshell at the Botanic Garden over a three-week period.
Gardens Magic, January 12-31, concerts 8pm-9.30pm, light displays 9pm-10.30pm.

Wellington has the fastest growing property values in NZ

Reporter Community News

Wellington’s property values recorded the fastest growth out of the main centres in 2020, with prices rising as the capital’s housing stock plumbs the lowest level in decades.
Over the coming year, the average property price for Wellington would cross the $1 million mark, said Nicki … View moreWellington’s property values recorded the fastest growth out of the main centres in 2020, with prices rising as the capital’s housing stock plumbs the lowest level in decades.
Over the coming year, the average property price for Wellington would cross the $1 million mark, said Nicki Cruickshank, a real estate agent with Tommy’s Wellington. “You can't really get a three-bedroom house in Wellington under $1m now, anyway.”
Porirua City experienced a 20.8 per cent annual growth in residential property values, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt cities both experienced 17.2 per cent growth, and Kāpiti Coast 18.3 per cent.

SPCA Pet of the Day: Meet Smokey

Reporter Community News

Smokey is a rehomed cat who is loving his new life with his happy new owner.
“He is really relaxed now, loves purring and is extremely happy, although is still on guard with unfamiliar noises. Smokey started off being quite afraid of most things, but now is a well-behaved cat who is newly … View moreSmokey is a rehomed cat who is loving his new life with his happy new owner.
“He is really relaxed now, loves purring and is extremely happy, although is still on guard with unfamiliar noises. Smokey started off being quite afraid of most things, but now is a well-behaved cat who is newly learning to use his scratching post, rather than a carpet! Smokey loves routine and "helps" people by sitting in their laps when they are trying to work or type. He has become an integral part of a piano teaching studio and loves both music and all the students.”

Is it safe to swim?

Reporter Community News

Summer is a great time to enjoy our coast and waterways, but it pays to check first to see if the water is safe to swim in.

The rare but impressive yellow pōhutukawa

Reporter Community News

Thank-you to everybody who came forward with tips on yellow pōhutukawa. There are certainly more in the region than many people realise.

Your 2021 Challenge!

Kelly from Karori

Do you like to help people?

Are you an empathetic listener?

Are you looking for a new purpose in 2021?

If so, you could you be a volunteer with Samaritans!
… View moreDo you like to help people?

Are you an empathetic listener?

Are you looking for a new purpose in 2021?

If so, you could you be a volunteer with Samaritans!

Join us for an obligation free INFORMATION SESSION to find out about Samaritans and what we do for our community

Venue: Samaritans, in the crypt of St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, Hill Street, Thorndon

Date(s): Saturday 16 January AT 2pm OR

Thursday 11 February at 6pm

RSVP: kellywright41p@gmail.com to register or for more information

Did you feel the shake this morning?

Reporter Community News

There was a short but quite intense earthquake this morning, centred near Upper Hutt. Did you feel it?

Happy 2021 from NVE!!

Stacy White from New Vision Enterprises Ltd.

Happy 2021! From the NVE family & staff to yours, we wish you all the best for the new year.

NVE will reopen for regular business hours tomorrow, January 5, 2021. Email or give us a call to discuss how we can help with any repairs, installs, or projects!

#HappyNewYear #2021 #tradiesNZ … View moreHappy 2021! From the NVE family & staff to yours, we wish you all the best for the new year.

NVE will reopen for regular business hours tomorrow, January 5, 2021. Email or give us a call to discuss how we can help with any repairs, installs, or projects!

#HappyNewYear #2021 #tradiesNZ #NZTradies #nzgasfitters #nzplumbers #plumbing #heating #plumbingservices #plumbingservices #plumbinglife #drainage #homeimprovement #roofing #drains #nzdrainlayers #supportlocal #nzowned #localbusiness #HappyHolidays #nveplumbing #nvegasfitting #nveroofing #nvedrainlaying #nvecentralheating #nverenovations #GratefulForOurTeam #FamilyOwned

Free fill

Colin from Wilton

I have approx 1 cubic metre of fill - 2/3 needing shovelled up and 1/3 in containers. Mostly soil/clay/stones.
So you'd need to shovel and load it into your vehicle.
Message me if you'd like it. It's in Johnsonville.

Free

Punching ball

John from Northland

Adjustable height punching ball, unboxed and assembled but not used since purchase.

Base fills with water for stability

Pickup only

Free

Protecting your home from fires

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Wellington (The Wash House)

1. Check your smoke alarms
Smoke alarms provide an early warning in case of a fire inside your home. Traditional alarms beep when they detect smoke or fire, while smart detectors also send an alert to your phone. There should be a smoke detector in every room in your house except bathrooms, for … View more1. Check your smoke alarms
Smoke alarms provide an early warning in case of a fire inside your home. Traditional alarms beep when they detect smoke or fire, while smart detectors also send an alert to your phone. There should be a smoke detector in every room in your house except bathrooms, for maximum protection. You also need one in the hallway between the living area and bedrooms.
Crucially, you are highly advised to test your smoke alarms at least once a year to ensure they still work. You are four times more likely to die in a house fire without a functioning smoke alarm!

2. Get a fire extinguisher
Having a fire extinguisher handy can make the difference between a small kitchen mishap that was successfully contained, and the house literally burning down. There are different types of fire extinguisher, classified according to the kind of fire they’re designed to tackle. Make sure you are aware of what the differences are and how to use each one in an emergency situation. A typical home extinguisher should have an ABC rating:
• Class A – combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, household rubbish, most plastics
• Class B – flammable liquids, solvents, oil, petrol, paints and lacquers
• Class C – gases including methane, propane, hydrogen, acetylene and natural gas
• Class D – combustible metals including magnesium and aluminium swarf
• Class E – Electrical fires
• Class F – chip pan fires, as an alternative to a fire blanket

3. Create a fire stopping landscape
A fire originating from outside, such as a wildfire, is best thwarted by preventing it from reaching your house in the first place. You can use landscape gardening design to slow down or stop the spread of fire towards your home, by adhering to these tips:
• Use hard landscaping such as concrete, stone or gravel around the house
• Clear any dry vegetation from around the home, particularly in the summer
• Use fire resistant plants such as lavender and honeysuckle for soft landscaping, and spread them out, to slow down fire and stop it from spreading
• Keep outdoor plants well watered during the summer months. Lush green planting is less likely to burn.

4. Use fire retardant materials
Let’s start with building materials; some are more vulnerable to fire than others. Using fire retardant alternatives and fireproofing your interiors are good first lines of defence against a potentially serious tragedy. Make the changes when you are refurbishing or redecorating your home. The Building.govt.nz website has a comprehensive list of everything you can do to help prevention of fire occurring. Designing for fire can also be designing for sustainability which is without a doubt a win-win!

When it comes to materials, concrete panels, stucco or brick for exterior walls, steel framing for windows and concrete or metal for roofing are all good choices. Fire retardant paint is also a good idea. For decking, concrete, tiles, stone or brick are better than wood.

Inside your home, choose fire resistant curtains and upholstery fabrics. Additional flameproofing can also be administered to your existing home fabrics and upholstered furniture in situ. Curtain Clean can service your existing upholstery anywhere in the country. Call us on 0800 579 0501 for prices and to find out more.

Summer City kicks off with a bang this New Year’s Eve

Seamus Boyer from Wellington City Council

Kia ora Pōneke!

Wellington City Council’s jam-packed Summer City programme kicks off this New Year’s Eve, and with events and activities happening all over the capital there’s something for everyone.

Check out all the info here: wellington.govt.nz...

#OurWellington #TōTātouPōneke … View moreKia ora Pōneke!

Wellington City Council’s jam-packed Summer City programme kicks off this New Year’s Eve, and with events and activities happening all over the capital there’s something for everyone.

Check out all the info here: wellington.govt.nz...

#OurWellington #TōTātouPōneke #MeriKirihimete