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This is notice of our AGM to be held on Saturday, 7th June, 10.30 am – 2 pm at the Tawa Union Church, 6 Elena Place, Tawa, Wellington. Our speakers will be Emma-Jean Kelly and Maureen O’Sullivan, talking about their Irish ancestors James O’Grady and Mary Lane Ambrose, who both died in mental… View moreThis is notice of our AGM to be held on Saturday, 7th June, 10.30 am – 2 pm at the Tawa Union Church, 6 Elena Place, Tawa, Wellington. Our speakers will be Emma-Jean Kelly and Maureen O’Sullivan, talking about their Irish ancestors James O’Grady and Mary Lane Ambrose, who both died in mental institutions.
We will be celebrating 20 years of the LNI Irish Interest Group with an Irish-themed cake! Registration, tea and coffee from 10am with the AGM starting at 10.30am.
If you'd like to join our committee, or want to nominate someone else, you can email the completed Nomination form to Irish.LowerNISIG@genealogy.org.nz or bring it along to the AGM. We'd love some new committee members - we usually have around 4 meetings a year in Johnsonville.
As the days grow shorter and the temperatures begin to drop, winter brings a unique set of challenges for homeowners, renters, and businesses alike. From protecting valuable belongings from the elements to making space for seasonal changes, self storage offers a practical and secure solution to … View moreAs the days grow shorter and the temperatures begin to drop, winter brings a unique set of challenges for homeowners, renters, and businesses alike. From protecting valuable belongings from the elements to making space for seasonal changes, self storage offers a practical and secure solution to help you transition smoothly into the colder months.
Outdoor furniture, for example and other items such as BBQs will last longer if stored inside. But this takes up space better used for other things.
Winter is all about staying warm and cozy indoors. But a cluttered home can make that harder than it needs to be. By moving non-essential items into storage, you create breathing room at home.
You can safely store away summer clothes and linen while keeping your winter essentials within easy reach. For families with young children, storage is also a great way to manage growing wardrobes. Hand-me-downs can be boxed, labelled, and stored for the next child neatly and out of the way.
Winter can be a slower season for some businesses, especially those in trades, events, or outdoor services. If you're scaling back operations for the season, a storage unit gives you a secure place to house tools, promotional material, or excess stock without paying commercial rent for unused space.
Our local storage facility staff are also just a phone call away to help you decide. Contact us now For personalised service and deals on storage and packaging at one of our 4 Locations. Get a Quote.
For handy tips on winterizing your home, Read: Is Your Home Ready For Winter?
www.kiwiselfstorage.co.nz...
Follow the link to find out more and get a quote to make space this winter.
www.kiwiselfstorage.co.nz...
Call: 04 478 4786
Thorndon, 20 square metres, level street access, would suit a small business storage and distribution use. Located in St Mary Street, Thorndon, electricity is included. Suitable for long term business, household goods storage, etc.
Monthly rates apply, no GST to pay, will negotiate the rental.
… View moreThorndon, 20 square metres, level street access, would suit a small business storage and distribution use. Located in St Mary Street, Thorndon, electricity is included. Suitable for long term business, household goods storage, etc.
Monthly rates apply, no GST to pay, will negotiate the rental.
Call me at anytime for more details.
Neil 027 499 1212
Rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck into a ANZAC woodwork project has been the perfect way to forge a friendship, say Patrick Hogan Village residents Roger and Tony.
“We’ve made eight soldiers and 20 poppies plus the smaller poppies that go on the soldiers’ chests which we will … View moreRolling up their sleeves and getting stuck into a ANZAC woodwork project has been the perfect way to forge a friendship, say Patrick Hogan Village residents Roger and Tony.
“We’ve made eight soldiers and 20 poppies plus the smaller poppies that go on the soldiers’ chests which we will place around the gardens and outside the resident lounge here,” Roger says, agreeing that they will make a perfect backdrop for the village’s planned remembrance morning tea.
Click read more for the full story.
? **Autumn Gardening & Section Clearing Services** ?
Hello, I'm Ian! As the leaves fall and the season changes, it's the perfect time to prepare your garden for winter.
? **Services Offered:**
- Garden clean-up
- Section clearing
- Leaf removal
- Planting for winter
Tree … View more? **Autumn Gardening & Section Clearing Services** ?
Hello, I'm Ian! As the leaves fall and the season changes, it's the perfect time to prepare your garden for winter.
? **Services Offered:**
- Garden clean-up
- Section clearing
- Leaf removal
- Planting for winter
Tree work
Let me help you create a beautiful and tidy outdoor space this autumn! Contact me today for a free quote.
? 0272430951
? wellington wide
Transform your garden with expert care!
Great things happen when people come together! The Volunteer Team Award celebrates a team of volunteers who are making a real difference through their collective effort.
Nominations are open! Know a volunteer team doing amazing mahi? Nominate them now using the link.
It might not be too late for you, but some people look back and wish they had taken a different career path.
If you could go back in time, would you choose something different? Let us know what you would have chosen in the comments below.
Police are monitoring gang movements through the Wellington region for a funeral today.
Motorists can expect to see a large number of gang members add associates travelling around the wider Wellington region. Police will have a visible presence as vehicles travel from Moera towards Foxton at … View morePolice are monitoring gang movements through the Wellington region for a funeral today.
Motorists can expect to see a large number of gang members add associates travelling around the wider Wellington region. Police will have a visible presence as vehicles travel from Moera towards Foxton at around 11am.
We remind those travelling on our roads to not act in a way that puts anybody’s safety at risk. Any unlawful behaviour where Police cannot take action at the time will be investigated and followed up with enforcement action.
If you have concerns for your safety, or witness illegal behaviour happening now, please call 111 immediately.
To report or send in any video footage of anyone causing concern, we encourage you to make a 105 report, either online or over the phone.
Information can also be anonymously provided via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
We hope you have a wonderful long weekend!
Maybe you have done some Easter baking, created an Easter egg hunt or decorated the house Easter themed - whatever your plans, share a photo of your Easter weekend moments below.
You'll be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card which you can spend on … View moreWe hope you have a wonderful long weekend!
Maybe you have done some Easter baking, created an Easter egg hunt or decorated the house Easter themed - whatever your plans, share a photo of your Easter weekend moments below.
You'll be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card which you can spend on chocolate, or whatever else your heart desires!
Behind every great community are small businesses with big hearts.
The Prospa Local Business Hero Awards celebrate the unsung heroes who do more than just business by bringing kindness, support, and joy to our neighbourhoods. Do you know a local business owner - or a member of the team - who … View moreBehind every great community are small businesses with big hearts.
The Prospa Local Business Hero Awards celebrate the unsung heroes who do more than just business by bringing kindness, support, and joy to our neighbourhoods. Do you know a local business owner - or a member of the team - who always goes the extra mile? Nominate them today and show your appreciation.
They could become New Zealand’s next Local Business Hero and earn a well-deserved reward for their incredible community spirit - plus you could win great prizes too!
Get the jump on winter with our Easter Price Busters.
Terms and conditions apply.
Thorndon, 20 square metres, level street access, would suit a small business storage and distribution use. Located in St Mary Street, Thorndon, electricity is included. Suitable for long term business, household goods storage, etc.
Monthly rates apply, no GST to pay, will negotiate the rental.
… View moreThorndon, 20 square metres, level street access, would suit a small business storage and distribution use. Located in St Mary Street, Thorndon, electricity is included. Suitable for long term business, household goods storage, etc.
Monthly rates apply, no GST to pay, will negotiate the rental.
Call me at anytime for more details.
Neil 027 224 3041
Would you like a clean Garden? Call today for free quote
O272430951
Ian
Natures choice Gardening
‘Fernhill’ and her families
Last month, when we went hunting for the stables in Hanover Street, we unearthed the story of the ‘Fernhill’ stables that housed Winnie, the beautiful black horse that a former pupil remembers being ridden by Euphemia Maxwell, who owned and was school mistress… View more‘Fernhill’ and her families
Last month, when we went hunting for the stables in Hanover Street, we unearthed the story of the ‘Fernhill’ stables that housed Winnie, the beautiful black horse that a former pupil remembers being ridden by Euphemia Maxwell, who owned and was school mistress at ‘Fernhill’ …
Farm cottage to family home
‘Fernhill’ is one of the earliest houses in Wellington, “a rare example of early Colonial architecture”. The oldest part was a humble cottage on five acres of farmland bought by Charles Pharazyn in 1845, after the 1841 subdivision of Wadestown by James Watt and John Wade. It was built from matai and totara cut on the site. Additions in 1860 made it the family home that a young widow, Euphemia Maxwell, bought in early 1866 for her four children, her mother and her 8’6” grand piano! Before they moved in, a conservatory and lean-to were added. There is a delightful description of the bullock cart journey of her piano over the steep hill from Wellington to ‘Fernhill’, in Julie Green’s book “Family Connections - Fernhill, Crofton and The Elms”.
Wadestown’s earliest school
From 1874 until 1881, when Wadestown School was established, Euphemia’s home served as a school and Sunday school for local children. In 1878, she added a large room to better accommodate her grand piano and her school and church activities.
Fernhill subdivision
In 1888, after the Maxwell family moved to Tauranga, the property was subdivided, making 26 sections in Fernhill Terrace as it now is, and 12 sections on the west side of Pitt Street. The building sites were in “the most picturesque and healthy suburb of Wellington ...[with] a charming view of bush scenery... well sheltered from the southerly winds.” It sold as 39 lots over the next decade. The large section between Fernhill Terrace, Pitt St and Wadestown Rd was later sold by Euphemia to St Luke’s Church. ‘Fernhill’ itself was on a larger section, and its stable on one of the new Pitt St sections. ‘Fernhill’ was not sold until 1894, after seven years of deterioration as a tenanted property.
Later ‘Fernhill’ families
‘Fernhill’ continued as a family home throughout the rest of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, to date. From 1903, it has been home for a combined 115 years, to just two families.
Edward and Ellen Mayhew lived here with their four children for 47 years, until Ed’s death in 1950. There are some lovely anecdotes in Julie Green’s book, like Ed grazing his horses in the gully between Fernhill Terrace and Weld St!
In 1956, on the 75th anniversary of Wadestown School, Keith and Jackie Matthews acquired ‘Fernhill’ where Jackie was still living, in 2024, after 68 years. They raised their four children in ‘Fernhill’ and made sympathetic additions in 1960 and the late 1970s. Keith and Jackie retained the ‘street scape’, footprint and quirkiness of the house Euphemia left behind, but created better visual and physical access to the pleasant garden at the rear, changes that Jackie hoped will be recognized, like Euphemia’s, as part of ‘Fernhill’s history.
Heritage covenant – a lasting tribute to Jackie Matthews 1926-2024
In June 2012, Jackie Matthews signed a heritage covenant with the NZ Historic Places Trust “to protect, maintain and preserve Fernhill as an historic place”.
ϗ With thanks to the Matthews family, and to Julie Green ϗ
Footnote: the ‘Fernhill’, ‘Crofton’ and Hanover Street farmhouse connections
There are some fascinating connections between ‘Fernhill’, ‘Crofton’ and the Hanover Street farmhouses.
An “H. Ashworth” and his wife and children were tenants at ‘Fernhill’ in 1893 and probably longer, while the Fernhill subdivision was in progress (‘Fernhill’ was tenanted from 1887 until sold in 1894). If this was Nettie (Henrietta) Ashworth (daughter of John Holmes of Kaiwharawhara) and her husband Henry, it seems likely that they rented ‘Fernhill’ before they moved to 27 Hanover Street when her father purchased it in 1896.
As a footnote to our February post on 27 Hanover Street, we note that the same John Holmes bought the historic Crofton homestead in Ngaio in 1895, which his family owned until 1931. Shortly after, a “Mr and Mrs John Holmes” bought sections 37 and 38 of the Fernhill subdivision in January 1898, with frontage to Fernhill Terrace and Elizabeth Street (now lower Weld Street, which backs onto Hanover Street) [“Family Connections Fernhill, Crofton and The Elms” pages 47 and 31]. Was this the same John Holmes, and did he build on his sections in Fernhill Terrace if he was living in ‘Crofton’? Yet another piece of the heritage jigsaw for someone to explore and fit into place!
© Neighbourly 2025
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