131 days ago

Porirua scrub fire

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Fire crews continue to fight a scrub fire in the Porirua seaside area of Titahi Bay this morning (Friday) which began late on Thursday night and northerly winds pushed a veil of smoke from the blaze over Wellington’s northern suburbs. Smoke was also reported in the Hutt Valley and the Wellington coastal suburb of Miramar.

What you need to know:
- Fenz was alerted to the blaze at 11.04pm on Thursday, and the first crews arrived by about 11.10pm.
- About 7.15am Friday, Fire and Emergency NZ said eight crews were still working to bring the vegetation fire under control. Helicopters with monsoon buckets would also be working on Friday morning.
- The fire was burning over about 10ha in Whitireia Park, and people were asked to stay away from the area. No homes were at risk, Fenz said.
- Residents in Wellington’s northern suburbs woke to the sight of a red glow in the sky and the smell of smoke in the air.
- Commuters travelling into Wellington city from the north were also driving through heavy smoke over the motorway in the central Porirua area.
- Fenz said smoke was affecting a large part of Porirua, and the National Public Health Service had advised that people in an area where there was smoke should go inside, close the windows and doors and turn off air conditioning units. Anyone who had been exposed to the smoke and was feeling unwell should contact Healthline (0800 611 116) or ring their doctor for advice.

Beware of inhaling smoke:
People should avoid exposure to smoke if possible.
Smoke may irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and airways. Symptoms could include watery or sore eyes, dry or sore throat, sore nose, cough, tightness of the chest or difficulty breathing. In healthy people, most symptoms disappeared soon after exposure to smoke ended and did not cause long-term health problems. Smokers, the elderly, children, and those with heart disease, asthma or other lung disease were at the greatest risk of harm from smoke inhalation.

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More messages from your neighbours
2 days ago

Share your most delicious (but affordable!) go-to meal...

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Winter is knocking at the door and the cost of living has already made itself at home. So let's help each other out by sharing your meal ideas that don't break the bank.

Comment below with your go-to meals that are delicious and affordable.

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.

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27 minutes ago

Volunteer role Sunday 23rd June!

The Team from Volunteer Wellington

Check this super fun and unique volunteer role supporting Heart Foundation NZ!

The Heart Foundation NZ is the official charity partner for the Wellington Marathon again in 2024, and they are looking for a friendly fun-loving energetic person to be "Hearty" the Heart Foundation Mascot on race day Sunday 23 June 2024 (9:30am - 12pm). Hearty also needs someone to help them get around and make sure they are in the right spot at the right time. Hearty will be at the start line to cheer everyone on, wave off the ‘kids magic mile’, be at the kids prizegiving, and be around the stand for photos. Hearty is popular so you will be in high demand! You need to be friendly, energetic, and proactive and have good physical fitness. Full costume provided!

For more information, and to register your interest, please see our website at:

tinyurl.com...

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G
5 hours ago

What's On: WAIKANAE BEACH MONTHLY INDOOR MARKET

Gary from Waikanae

Enjoy a day out in Kapiti with your Family &visit this great Community Market which has highly talented stallholders showcasing a huge variety of quality, reasonably priced items and Gifts.
WAIKANAE BEACH MONTHLY INDOOR MARKET
  • Waikanae Beach Community Hall