Latest news with #Wellingtonian
Scoop
2 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Public Invited To Dive In And Share Views On 10-year Coastal Plan
Wellington City Council and mana whenua are calling on residents to help shape the future of the Pōneke coastline – a taonga of the city. Public consultation on Tātou ki Uta – the draft Coastal Reserves Management Plan – is now open until midday Tuesday 5 August 2025. Covering coastal areas from Oriental Bay to Red Rocks, Tātou ki Uta sets out a 10-year plan for how the city and its people will care for, protect, and continue to enjoy our coastal reserves, beaches, public parks, and amenities like tracks, boat ramps, and public toilets. 'Our coastal reserves are a taonga, a treasure, and their future management must reflect the aspirations of Wellingtonians,' says Mayor Tory Whanau. 'We've worked closely with our community and Takai Here partners to create a draft plan that is integrated and forward-looking. This public consultation is an invitation for every Wellingtonian to help shape the future of our coastal spaces,' adds Mayor Whanau. Councillor Teri O'Neill, Chair of the Social, Cultural, and Economic Committee, says it's important to have your say. 'Our coastline is where so many of us feel most grounded; a place to meet friends and whānau, swim with the dog, or take in the wildlife around us. We've heard how much people care about the dunes, kororā (penguin) habitats, and cultural stories of these places. Now we want your voice in how we care for these taonga for the next decade.' The draft plan includes over 80 proposed actions, ranging from practical upgrades like improved toilets and tracks, to long-term efforts towards erosion control, protection of wildlife, restoring Māori names to reserves, and planning for climate adaptation in high-risk areas. Council has worked closely with mana whenua partners Ngāti Toa and Taranaki Whānui to develop the draft plan. The name Tātou ki Uta, gifted by mana whenua, means 'all of us on the land' and speaks to the shared responsibility of both iwi and the wider community in caring for the coast. Rawiri Faulkner, Pou Toa Matarau, of Ngāti Toa Rangatira, says the coastal environment is incredibly important to Ngāti Toa. 'We welcome the opportunity to strengthen our connection to the places we consider significant and to ensure our obligations to protect our taonga as kaitiaki is enhanced. 'We invite the community to participate in this process and join the council in ensuring our coastal environment is able to be enjoyed by current and future generations.' Tiamana | Chairperson Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika Te Whatanui Winiata says Taranaki Whānui is pleased to be a part of a kaupapa that once again highlights the importance of kotahitanga. 'Kotahitanga is working in partnership to maintain the cultural significance of our coastal areas. Kotahitanga is having a shared view on protecting our coastal areas. Kotahitanga is sharing in the development of the plan for our coastal areas. 'Taranaki Whānui is delighted with the expressions of kotahitanga with the Council and we look forward to more opportunities to collaborate.' Public consultation is open from Thursday 5 June to midday Tuesday 5 August 2025. You can have your say by: Completing the online survey at Filling out a paper submission form available online and at all Council libraries. Emailing coastalplan@ The full draft plan is available to read on Let's Talk or you can find a copy in Te Awe Library. Whether you're a surfer, swimmer, diver, dog walker, jogger, environmentalist, community volunteer, or a proud Wellingtonian, this plan is for everyone – and we want to know if we've got it right.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scoop
New Zealand Has A New Scrabble Champion
Press Release – New Zealand Association of Scrabble Players Wellingtonian Dylan Early has become New Zealand's 45th Scrabble Champion. The premier event in NZ's Scrabble calendar drew a large field of experienced players and grand masters to Hamilton this long weekend. Early won 17 of his 24 games just ahead of Lewis Hawkins of Christchurch on 15 games and 12-times winner Howard Warner of Wellington on 14. This year for the first time, the tournament was livestreamed with commentary from expert international Scrabble players. Thousands of viewers tuned in from all over the world to share the excitement, including expert players and non-Scrabblers. The 2025 national title tops off a very impressive year for Early. He also won the 2025 NZ Masters title and was a member of the winning NZ team which took out the Trans-Tasman Championship for the first time in 14 years. Originally from South Africa, Early has a very impressive international Scrabble record. He has won the South African national championships six times and has competed in six world championships in all parts of the globe. Reflecting on his win, he says, 'This was a very exciting tournament with a tough field and gruelling schedule. The lead alternated between several top players throughout the weekend which made it very exciting for players and spectators alike. I suffered two early losses on the final day so thought my chances were over, but then my luck turned and I managed to win the next four in a row. Each game was hard-fought and I'm elated with the result and my second national title.' The National Championships attracted 68 players from all parts of New Zealand and of all ages including 12-year-old Maheu T-Pole and15-year-old Cooper Ashley from Auckland. Mount Albert Scrabble Club took out the team prize. Winners by grade are as follows: GRADE A Dylan Early (Wellington) GRADE B Murray Rogers (Golden Bay) GRADE C Lynn Wood (Wellington) GRADE D Carolyn Kyle (Dunedin) GRADE E Tei Ngatai (Australia) GRADE F Cooper Ashley (Auckland) The Georgie Trophy for the player at the tournament with the biggest ratings gain went to Glenys Hansen from the Martinborough Scrabble Club. For the full results of the National Championship or to find out more about New Zealand Scrabble and where you can join a club go to: https: To watch the livestream use the following links:
Scoop
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scoop
New Zealand Has A New Scrabble Champion
Wellingtonian Dylan Early has become New Zealand's 45th Scrabble Champion. The premier event in NZ's Scrabble calendar drew a large field of experienced players and grand masters to Hamilton this long weekend. Early won 17 of his 24 games just ahead of Lewis Hawkins of Christchurch on 15 games and 12-times winner Howard Warner of Wellington on 14. This year for the first time, the tournament was livestreamed with commentary from expert international Scrabble players. Thousands of viewers tuned in from all over the world to share the excitement, including expert players and non-Scrabblers. The 2025 national title tops off a very impressive year for Early. He also won the 2025 NZ Masters title and was a member of the winning NZ team which took out the Trans-Tasman Championship for the first time in 14 years. Originally from South Africa, Early has a very impressive international Scrabble record. He has won the South African national championships six times and has competed in six world championships in all parts of the globe. Reflecting on his win, he says, 'This was a very exciting tournament with a tough field and gruelling schedule. The lead alternated between several top players throughout the weekend which made it very exciting for players and spectators alike. I suffered two early losses on the final day so thought my chances were over, but then my luck turned and I managed to win the next four in a row. Each game was hard-fought and I'm elated with the result and my second national title.' The National Championships attracted 68 players from all parts of New Zealand and of all ages including 12-year-old Maheu T-Pole and15-year-old Cooper Ashley from Auckland. Mount Albert Scrabble Club took out the team prize. Winners by grade are as follows: GRADE A Dylan Early (Wellington) GRADE B Murray Rogers (Golden Bay) GRADE C Lynn Wood (Wellington) GRADE D Carolyn Kyle (Dunedin) GRADE E Tei Ngatai (Australia) GRADE F Cooper Ashley (Auckland) The Georgie Trophy for the player at the tournament with the biggest ratings gain went to Glenys Hansen from the Martinborough Scrabble Club. For the full results of the National Championship or to find out more about New Zealand Scrabble and where you can join a club go to: https: To watch the livestream use the following links:
Otago Daily Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Little launches Wellington mayoral campaign
Andrew Little has highlighted two main policy platforms to his campaign: "A council that serves Wellington" and prioritising community facilities. Photo: RNZ Andrew Little has officially launched his mayoral campaign to a packed room of Wellingtonians, politicians and one of his rivals for the job. The former Cabinet minister and Labour leader announced he would run for Wellington's top job in April. Soon after, incumbent mayor Tory Whanau quit the race, saying she would not stand a second time for the mayoralty. Five other men have put their hat in the ring for the top job. One of those, incumbent councillor Ray Chung, was in the audience at Little's launch today. Little highlighted two main policy platforms: "A council that serves Wellington" and prioritising community facilities. Under those two banners was a focus on protecting assets such as the Khandallah Pool, the Begonia House, finishing the Karori Events Centre and no cuts to library or swimming pool hours, he said. Little also had a set of policies centred around public trust in council, such as ending the misuse of commercial confidentiality, restricting publicly excluded council meeting to only those where it was legally required and an annual "mayor's accountability report". Labour gave Little its backing and MP Ayesha Verrall spoke ahead of him today. Dr Verrall said the biggest problem with council was that it was at loggerheads with central government and Little couldn't be a better qualified candidate for the role. Little was respectful but could also hold officials' "feet to the fire", she said. Little said he once chose to build his life in Wellington and grow his career. "Today, I'm choosing it again - by putting my hand up to lead it as its mayor." He had been listening to community groups and other Wellingtonians since announcing his candidacy. "Wellingtonians have ideas. Big ones. Smart ones. Innovative solutions - for the kind of city we all want to live in." But he said the council had stopped listening. "I want to make the council more transparent, more democratic and, most importantly, more accountable to the people of Wellington." He spoke about the $32 million Reading Cinemas deal and the Town Hall cost blowout as examples of areas where the council had wasted millions with little oversight. Little said he would now ask the city to make a choice. "Every Wellingtonian will have the opportunity to choose what kind of leadership this city deserves. "I've made my choice - I've put my hand up. I'm ready to do the hard work."
Otago Daily Times
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Trumpeter's tones triumph
Wellington-based jazz trumpeter and composer Michael Costeloe. PHOTO: SUPPLIED A full house at Hanover Hall heard guest jazz trumpeter Michael Costeloe, of Wellington, play his compositions with Dunedin Jazz Club stalwarts Nick Cornish (alto saxophone), Bill Martin (piano and keys), and Carl Woodward (drums) with Wellingtonian Simon Eastwood (double bass). Costeloe has an enviable pedigree in performance and composing augmented by sojourns overseas. His performance stamina and credibility are phenomenal. Wonderful attention to rapidly woven rhythms, baroque-like melodic intricacies, overlapping harmonies and clever, energetic ensemble writing propel the music. The opening number, Zeno's Arrow, though overly repetitive, is the epitome of his frame of mind and ability to glean ideas from everyday sounds. The variety of his style ranges from the lazy bluesy triplets in The Coven and in the delightfully sinuous Amorphous which neatly evokes Greek zephyrs and enervating heat; the bass openings in To the Ninth Degree and the speed of Loose Unit. Clever writing for the drums shines in the brushes ofand compulsively disjointed patterns in His melodic sensitivity is revealed in the smooth poignancy of Fall from Grace. All musicians gave exemplary ensemble and solo performances. All have finely tuned rhythmic understanding and ability to lean into the harmonic nuances and sometimes brutish energy. All are a delight to watch. Cornish has an extraordinary ability to draw out a dissonance. Martin has a crisp touch and seminal ability to add vocal complexity to solo section harmonies. Eastwood is able to improvise over a diverse range of genres and Woodward is a revered Dunedinite with deep overseas experience. Costeloe's appreciation of what Dunedin's jazz fraternity has to offer should inspire his return.
