Latest news with #BenMcNulty
RNZ News
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Wellington Council cops flak after damaged car sits in carpark for week
Photo: RNZ / Jazlyn Whales An abandoned car, which has sat damaged across multiple car parks on a busy Wellington street for more than a week, is due to be towed Tuesday. The silver sedan has broken windows, no plates and a piece of police tape wrapped around it, and is parked diagonally across two spaces by Waitangi Park on the corner of Oriental Parade and Herd Street. The police said, as the car wasn't blocking a roadway or posing a risk to the public, it was not their jurisdiction to tow it, but the Wellington City Council's. The council told RNZ on Tuesday as it wasn't a traffic safety hazard, it had been giving the owner of the vehicle time to organise its removal - but it had become clear that wasn't going to happen. The plan was to tow it and put it into storage that day. Local resident Jose Ubiaga said he had first seen the car a week ago, and he walked past it each morning. "I just assumed it would be there for a couple of days, not thinking a week later it would still be sitting there, damaged, taking up two parks, and looking like an eye-sore," he said. His post on social media had garnered a lot of angry comments from other Wellingtonians. He said it wasn't a good look. "It's little things like this that degrade our city, and don't help us at all," he said. "It's crazy that it's still there." Councillor Ben McNulty had responded to social media discussion about the car online, and said he had sent a "please explain" request to council staff earlier on Tuesday morning. Photo: RNZ / Jazlyn Whales He said it was clear they were aware of the car, as there was a yellow sticker on the windscreen. Usually, they waited a period of 48 hours for the owner to make contact, and then towed the vehicle. "It's just a billboard for council looking like it hasn't done it's job, because it hasn't on this one," he said. "You couldn't have put it in a much more prevalent spot in Wellington if you tried." But the council said as the car wasn't posing a safety risk - although its location had meant it had attracted a high amount of public interest - it had given the owner some extra leeway to remove it themselves. "It's obviously become clear that the owner isn't willing or able to do the job so we'll do it and aim to recover costs."
RNZ News
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Wellington Council cops flak as after damaged car sits in carpark for week
Photo: RNZ / Jazlyn Whales An abandoned car, which has sat damaged across multiple car parks on a busy Wellington street for more than a week, is due to be towed Tuesday. The silver sedan has broken windows, no plates and a piece of police tape wrapped around it, and is parked diagonally across two spaces by Waitangi Park on the corner of Oriental Parade and Herd Street. The police said, as the car wasn't blocking a roadway or posing a risk to the public, it was not their jurisdiction to tow it, but the Wellington City Council's. The council told RNZ on Tuesday as it wasn't a traffic safety hazard, it had been giving the owner of the vehicle time to organise its removal - but it had become clear that wasn't going to happen. The plan was to tow it and put it into storage that day. Local resident Jose Ubiaga said he had first seen the car a week ago, and he walked past it each morning. "I just assumed it would be there for a couple of days, not thinking a week later it would still be sitting there, damaged, taking up two parks, and looking like an eye-sore," he said. His post on social media had garnered a lot of angry comments from other Wellingtonians. He said it wasn't a good look. "It's little things like this that degrade our city, and don't help us at all," he said. "It's crazy that it's still there." Councillor Ben McNulty had responded to social media discussion about the car online, and said he had sent a "please explain" request to council staff earlier on Tuesday morning. Photo: RNZ / Jazlyn Whales He said it was clear they were aware of the car, as there was a yellow sticker on the windscreen. Usually, they waited a period of 48 hours for the owner to make contact, and then towed the vehicle. "It's just a billboard for council looking like it hasn't done it's job, because it hasn't on this one," he said. "You couldn't have put it in a much more prevalent spot in Wellington if you tried." But the council said as the car wasn't posing a safety risk - although its location had meant it had attracted a high amount of public interest - it had given the owner some extra leeway to remove it themselves. "It's obviously become clear that the owner isn't willing or able to do the job so we'll do it and aim to recover costs."
RNZ News
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Wellington Council cops as after damaged car sits in carpark for week
Photo: Supplied / Jazlyn Whales An abandoned car, which has sat damaged across multiple car parks on a busy Wellington street for more than a week, is due to be towed Tuesday. The silver sedan has broken windows, no plates and a piece of police tape wrapped around it, and is parked diagonally across two spaces by Waitangi Park on the corner of Oriental Parade and Herd Street. The police said, as the car wasn't blocking a roadway or posing a risk to the public, it was not their jurisdiction to tow it, but the Wellington City Council's. The council told RNZ on Tuesday as it wasn't a traffic safety hazard, it had been giving the owner of the vehicle time to organise its removal - but it had become clear that wasn't going to happen. The plan was to tow it and put it into storage that day. Local resident Jose Ubiaga said he had first seen the car a week ago, and he walked past it each morning. "I just assumed it would be there for a couple of days, not thinking a week later it would still be sitting there, damaged, taking up two parks, and looking like an eye-sore," he said. His post on social media had garnered a lot of angry comments from other Wellingtonians. He said it wasn't a good look. "It's little things like this that degrade our city, and don't help us at all," he said. "It's crazy that it's still there." Councillor Ben McNulty had responded to social media discussion about the car online, and said he had sent a "please explain" request to council staff earlier on Tuesday morning. Photo: Supplied / Jazlyn Whales He said it was clear they were aware of the car, as there was a yellow sticker on the windscreen. Usually, they waited a period of 48 hours for the owner to make contact, and then towed the vehicle. "It's just a billboard for council looking like it hasn't done it's job, because it hasn't on this one," he said. "You couldn't have put it in a much more prevalent spot in Wellington if you tried." But the council said as the car wasn't posing a safety risk - although its location had meant it had attracted a high amount of public interest - it had given the owner some extra leeway to remove it themselves. "It's obviously become clear that the owner isn't willing or able to do the job so we'll do it and aim to recover costs."
NZ Herald
01-05-2025
- Climate
- NZ Herald
Weather live updates: Emergency Management Minister speaks to media amid destructive wind and rain
Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell is speaking to media as destructive weather ravages the region. He will speak in Canterbury at 4pm. The press conference will be live streamed at the top of this story. Torrential rain has triggered a state of emergency in Canterbury's Selwyn District, where the Selwyn River threatens to cut off access to communities. Residents of Selwyn Huts have been told to self-evacuate due to rising floodwaters and ongoing slips. Meanwhile, MetService has issued a rare red wind warning for Wellington, with gusts of up to 140km/h expected to cause widespread damage, threaten lives, and severely disrupt transport and power across the capital. Selwyn District Council is advising people to avoid driving unless absolutely necessary and to conserve water, as key water supplies are under pressure. Several roads, including fords and key rural routes, have been closed due to surface flooding. Wellington's red alert - the highest level issued by Metservice - came into effect at 10am and will remain in place until 3am tomorrow. MetService warned the gales would peak this afternoon, particularly around the south coast and hilltops, before gradually easing overnight. 'Destructive winds will cause widespread damage including to powerlines and roofs,' MetService said. 'Flying debris and falling trees pose a threat to life. Dangerous driving conditions and significant disruption to transport and power supply are likely.' Residents are being urged to stay indoors or find sturdy shelter away from trees, avoid travel, and prepare for possible power and communication outages. Strong winds have already forced the cancellation of most flights in and out of Wellington Airport, with Air New Zealand, Jetstar, and Sounds Air grounding all services until at least 6pm. Ferry crossings on Cook Strait have also been cancelled, as swells reach up to seven metres. Average wind speeds at the airport have reached 87km/h, making it the windiest day in over a decade for the capital. Hutt City Council has urged residents to remain indoors, with flooding closing Port Rd and causing delays throughout the region. Wellington City Councillor Ben McNulty is urging locals to report storm-related damage via the council's FixIt app or by calling 04 499 4444. MetService says the deep low-pressure system driving the wild weather will start to ease on Friday, with more settled conditions forecast for the weekend.
