Latest news with #IslandBay
RNZ News
7 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
New fare-capping scheme proposed for Wellington
Daran Ponter, Andrew Little and Tom James announce their public transport plan in Island Bay. Photo: RNZ / Bill Hickman A new fare-capping system could encourage an extra 300,000 trips on Wellington's public transport system each year, says mayoral candidate Andrew Little. Under the proposed new scheme, bus and train users would pay for up to eight trips a week - and any additional trips would be free. The plan was announced this morning - outside a rain-soaked Island Bay bus stop - as a joint policy alongside regional council candidates Daran Ponter and Tom James. Little said the move would help lower the cost of living, reduce congestion and encourage public transport use. "If you're a regular bus user - four days a week you take your bus to work - the fifth day you take the bus you'll get that for free. "Any travel you do in the weekend - you might go and see a Phoenix game, you might go and see [the] Hurricanes playing - you'll get that for free as well," Little said. Little said he was a regular bus user, but had passed up his usual express service into Wellington City in order to make the announcement. Ponter said the cap on bus and train fares was expected to cost up to $4.5 million each year - which the regional council would try to find "internally". "We can afford that if we juggle other things that we do. "Bus use in the Wellington region has grown by 110 percent since Covid, but we're still keen to maximise use on public transport. This proposal will really benefit those people who regularly use public transport by incentivising them further," Ponter said. The candidates said they were unified in their commitment to continue the implementation of a safe cycle network alongside expanding public transport use in the city. "You only have to look down Adelaide Road to see cycle lanes and bus lanes working superbly," Ponter said. He said the regional council was poised to add additional buses to cope with the estimated 300,000 extra trips the plan could bring. "We have an order of articulated buses for the number two route - precisely to deal with these types of circumstances - a route that is growing significantly and will come under additional use as the consequence of a policy like this," Ponter said. Labour regional council candidate Tom James said - if elected - the candidates would also be looking at other policies to help the reduce the cost of public transport further. "Auckland Transport works with businesses to subsidise their employees use. We'll be looking at teaming up with the private sector to reduce bus fares even more and also looking at places like New South Wales where they have brought in an all day off peak [fare] on their Friday. "We'll be considering further proposals like that to further encourage people to take the bus and train," James said. Daran Ponter, Andrew Little and Tom James in Island Bay this morning Photo: RNZ / Bill Hickman Island Bay locals greeted the proposal with cautious enthusiasm this morning. Regular public transport user David Barnes said the system would "make a big difference" across his weekly costs. "I think it's a great idea. It would bring Wellington into common practise with Auckland and other overseas cities and it's a direct incentive to use public transport. "It would save a lot of people money and probably not cost that much more because all those services are already running. I can't see any downsides," Barnes said. Veterinary regulator Kelly Etuata said she was in full support of the initiative and was encouraged that Little was "listening to the community". "With people that are normally catching the bus everyday to get to work - with the cost of everything these days - it probably does help a little bit," Etuata said. Island Bay resident Paul Brownie said something needed to be done to rein in the price of Wellington's bus services. "It really needs to be done in Wellington. The bus fares are ridiculous. The per section fares just don't make any sense anymore. "I was just over in Brisbane and they have a cap of 50 cents per journey. So we were basically travelling around Brisbane all day for a dollar a day. "You can't even get from one bus-stop to the next in Wellington for a dollar. The pricing scheme here is just way out of touch," Brownie said. Brownie said he was optimistic that the public transport system could cope with any added demand. "The service certainly has improved in the last six to 12 months to what it was a couple of years ago where - particularly on this run - you were getting two or three buses in a row cancelled. Last thing people want to be doing is standing at bus-stops for half an hour waiting to get home," Brownie said. He said the proposal would put a "definite plus" in the candidates' column when weighing up his votes for council. "As long as, if what they're proposing, actually happens. If they're going to put it as an election campaign then they have to stump up and actually do it. "Our roads around Wellington are not getting any wider and easier to drive around so if we can take a bit more traffic off the roads then it's got to be a good thing," Brownie said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Homelessness told through the eyes of a wāhine Māori
Teiti Nepia says her five-months outdoors was a form of art activism, peacefully resisting the 'high cost of living and unsustainable market rents'. Photo: Supplied A last resort turned into a social experiment then an art project, and is now a short documentary called HOME - where a well-travelled wāhine Māori proves that home is what you make of it. Teiti Nepia has lived many lives as a chef - including directly under Uluru in Outback Australia or in Brooklyn, Wellington - but she still struggled to find a forever home. Her entire immediate whānau moved across the ditch and Nepia tagged along, but after her mother's passing and 10 years in Ahitereiria, she felt the need to leave. When the wāhine born in the late 60s returned to where she first moved to in the 90s - Island Bay - she lived with a friend until she found a long-term place to stay. "After a few months of trying to look, I just couldn't find something I could afford," Nepia said. She had attended interviews for flats and house sharing, but the people who had advertised rooms were 30-years younger than Nepia. "Although I'd make a pretty cool flat auntie, I don't think they want to live with their auntie, it wasn't really appropriate." Teiti Nepia on the beach. Photo: Supplied / Facebook Viable flatting options were slim, so she looked into one-bedroom studio spaces, but the weekly rent prices were too high. "Even though I could have afforded $400 a week, it would have taken out at least 60 plus percent of my hard-earned wage, my income, and it didn't sit right with me." For the summer of 23/24, Nepia took her trailer-hitched e-bike to various locations between Princess Bay and Ōwhiro Bay in Pōneke and set up camp while documenting her journey with a young camera crew. From public spaces to beaches to people's gardens, Nepia would hunker down in each spot for a night or three beneath the stars. Reading the cosmos was something she had learnt while living in the Outback in her swag. And since her Mum passed away, she finds solace in looking at the stars. Although she was already 'good at camping,' her five-months outdoors was a form of art activism, peacefully resisting the 'high cost of living and unsustainable market rents.' Although Nepia is well-travelled and a 'good camper,' she still made sure she was allowed to stay on public and private grounds before doing so. Photo: supplied / Teiti Nepia According to the 2023 Census, an estimated 112,496 people - or 2.3 percent of the census - usually resident population were homeless/severe housing deprivation. Census data revealed there were more homeless women than men, with more than 57,000 women without a home. Meanwhile, a study by Ihi Research has also found that four out of five homeless women in Aotearoa were Māori, with some being as young as 15-years-old. "You can see with your own eyes, the situation." But Nepia's short documentary called HOME puts a different spin on homelessness. Instead, she shows people how to respect the land while being homeless, and how to do it without leaving a trace. Nepia said homelessness is not just about those sleeping on the streets in the CBD, but it is those who are freedom camping and the people living in their cars. "What happened to me was that I had this sort of 'activism' ignited in me, because I was so upset with the state of my country and more particularly, the state of my generation. "My generation was a generation where our parents were Māori, our parents were urbanised, and so my parents were encouraged to move away from where they had come from." Nepia's mum was from Ruatoria and her Dad was from Nūhaka. Both were native te reo Māori speakers, but when Nepia's parents moved away from the east coast, the language and connection to the whenua were lost, she said. The bike Nepia travels on Photo: supplied / Teiti Nepia Nepia is already planning her next documentary, and without spoiling it, she aims to follow the same kaupapa of camping freely outdoors, understanding other people's view on market rents and the cost of living while reconnecting with her parents' whenua - but she wants others to join her. "The premise is to come around aunty and help take Aunty T home." Since November, Nepia has been living in a social housing precinct developed by Kāinga Ora called Te Ō. "I feel so lucky to have got a forever home." HOME by Teiti Nepia will have its world premiere at the Doc Edge film festival , which begins next month. The film is automatically eligible for the Best New Zealand Short category. The winner of this category will receive an Oscar consideration for 2026. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
20-05-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Kindling callout in capital sparks Fire and Emergency warning
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Fire and Emergency is warning people to keep items away from heating devices after a callout overnight. It had a callout to a distressed Wellington couple in the suburb of Island Bay after midnight on Wednesday. Shift manager Alison Munn said the pile of firewood was sitting too close to the log burner and caught alight. She said the fire was out by the time firefighters arrived but it was a reminder, going into winter, to keep things "one metre from the heater". Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Football team pays tribute to 'club legend' who died in the middle of a match
The New Zealand football community is mourning the passing of 'club legend' and 'community man' Grant McKeen. Mr Mckeen tragically died during a match on Saturday at Wakefield park, in Island Bay. The footballer, who played for Waterside Karori AFC, leaves behind his parents, Sheryl and Rob, partner Marissa and son Vincent. Members of the Waterside Karori Football Club and Wellington City Council officials have since attended a blessing at the park. A police iwi liaison officer was also in attendance. The park will not be taking any match bookings until May 12. Tributes have been paid to the footballer by many from the Kiwi footballing community following his sudden passing. In his obituary, Mr McKeen was described as a 'devoted family man', a 'hero dad' and a 'deeply loved partner'. It adds that he died 'playing the sport he loved'. 'Devoted to his family, a passionate, generous and supportive community man. Loved by his family and friends. A true giver in life,' his obituary read. His club, Waterside Karori, published a tribute to Mr McKeen on Facebook, speaking of the incredible impact he had on the club in multiple capacities. 'As many of you will have heard, Grant McKeen – one of our true club legends – passed away on Saturday,' the statement read. 'Grant was a huge presence within the club for many years, as a player, executive committee member, sponsor, and supporter of all grades of football. We are all devastated by Grant's passing and our thoughts are with his wife Marissa and son Vincent, as well as his teammates and all of his wide group of friends and colleagues.' Mr McKeen was also a long-standing supporter and season-ticket holder of A-League side, Wellington Phoenix. 'The footy club also issued their deep condolences to his family, adding that there would be a moment's applause in the 47th minute of their match on Sunday against Perth Glory,' Wellington Phoenix wrote. 'We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Grant McKeen, a long-time Wellington Phoenix season ticket holder, Waterside Karori club legend, and a true servant of the game. 'Grant was a passionate supporter, junior football leader, and beloved member of the Wharfies Masters 2 side. 'Our thoughts are with his family and the wider football community.' Other local footy clubs have been sending their condolences to Mr McKeen's family. 'The Wainuiomata Football Community send their love and thoughts to Grant's whanau, friends and the whole of the football community at Waterside Karori during this time. R.I.P Grant,' Wainuiomata FC wrote on Facebook. The Island Bay United Association Football Club wrote: 'Please know that our thoughts are with Grant's family, friends, and everyone at Waterside Karori during this difficult time.' Mr McKeen's employers, Fusion 5, also paid tribute. 'One of the key contributors to our transformation has been Grant McKeen, who passed away suddenly over the weekend,' Fusion 5 wrote.'Grant and his IntegrationWorks team joined Fusion5 last year and have been influential in evolving our business to the one it is today.'
NZ Herald
29-04-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Goals galore: No lack of firepower as Napier City Rovers win on the road
That includes a brilliant performance from Sam Lack, with the young attacker scoring two goals and being a constant threat to the opposition defence. As the side prepare for another trip to Wellington this weekend, Robertson said he was proud – but not surprised – of the way his team had responded after the Upper Hutt City Football result. 'We set pretty high standards for ourselves,' he said. 'We expect to win our games at home, so a draw, it felt like a bit of a loss. It was certainly points dropped. 'The reaction against Island Bay, I did anticipate that. 'The boys were disappointed last week. The training had been good in the week leading up to Saturday's match. I was pleased with the reaction; it was a really good performance and a good win. 'The game was tight for a while, certainly in the first half. But we were quite dominant and then as the game opened up, we really stamped our authority.' Such was the performance from his players on Saturday, one of Robertson's most challenging tasks would have been singling out a man of the match. Every member of the starting XI stood up when their team needed it. Lack and Stephen Hoyle – who switched from defence to playing up front – regularly ran their way around or through the opposition defence. That duo, and fellow goal-scorer Harry Mason, were aided by some great delivery from the likes of Liam Schofield – who was one of his team's best – and Mason Johnson. Captain Jim Hoyle, who headed in a second-half corner from Schofield, George Andrew and Matt Jones showed their class and reliability on defence. Jones also highlighted the spark he can provide when going forward, running at speed to the edge of the Island Bay United box before passing to Mason who slammed home his second-half goal. The four players – including 17-year-old debutant Alex Biju – who came off the bench during the final quarter also provided some spark as the Island Bay United defence tired. Ethan Spencer, 17, who made his debut last year, scored his first league goal when he was brought into the match. 'Steve did a good job for us up front, linked well and obviously helped Sam grab a couple of goals,' Robertson said. 'And Sam had a good performance. 'It was really pleasing to see a number of other players stand up. 'We've got a debut for Alex Biju and Ethan Spencer at 17 has also got his first National League goal. It was great to see the young lads performing.' There's no let-up from southern road trips for Robertson's team this weekend. On Friday, they will again head to Wellington on the eve of their round-six Central League clash against Waterside Karori. Their upcoming opposition are fifth on the points table. It's a match Napier City Rovers are again eyeing three points from. Later on Saturday afternoon in Wellington, league leaders Wellington Olympic will host the second-placed Wellington Phoenix Reserves. 'We'll tick this win off now, get back to training and start to focus on Waterside Karori,' he said. 'Hopefully we can put in a similar performance [to what we did against Island Bay] and get a similar result.' >> Inside the Rovers video series: Episode 1: Match Fit Advertise with NZME. Episode 2: Teen's Dream Episode 3: New Beginnings Episode 4: For Keeps Episode 5: Kiwi Steve
