Latest news with #Wellingtonians
Scoop
6 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.
National Business Review
6 days ago
- Business
- National Business Review
Business is blooming for Wonky Box founders
In the three years since Angus Simms and Katie Jackson started delivering misshapen fruit and vegetables to Wellingtonians under the name Wonky Box, they've entered the Auckland market, expanded to the South Island, and now attracted interest from one of the country's largest flower Want to read more? It's easy. Choose your best value subscription option Student Exclusive FREE offer for uni students studying at a New Zealand university (valued at $499). View terms and conditions. Individual Group membership NBR Marketplace Smartphone Only Subscription NZ$29.95 / monthly Monthly Premium Online Subscription NZ$49.95 / monthly Smartphone Only Annual Subscription NZ$299.00 / yearly Yearly Premium Online Subscription NZ$499.00 / yearly Premium Group Membership 10 Users NZ$385 +GST / monthly $38.5 per user - Pay by monthly credit card debit Premium Group Membership 20 Users NZ$660 +GST / monthly $33 per user - Pay by monthly credit card debit Premium Group Membership 50 Users NZ$1375 +GST / monthly $27.5 per user - Pay by monthly credit card debit Premium Group Membership 100 Users NZ$2100 +GST / monthly $21 per user - Pay by monthly credit card debit Yearly Premium Online Subscription + NBR Marketplace NZ$999.00 / yearly Already have an account? Login
Scoop
7 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Wellington's Te Ngākau Civic Precinct
Wellington City Council's elected members have been briefed on the latest progress in Te Ngākau Civic Precinct. The precinct is now nine months away from reopening, with a city-wide celebration planned for March 2026 when Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui – the Central Library - reopens its doors. The reopening event will reflect the City Council's partnership with mana whenua and the creative community, drawing Wellingtonians from all walks of life into the new building with music, art, performances and interactive experiences. Precinct Properties and the Council are negotiating a deal to activate the former CAB/MOB site while Precinct Properties completes all the necessary design and planning work for a new building. The activation space will be brought to life with art, retail, and hospitality offerings. The site will be activated for up to five years, while Precinct does its due diligence on the new building. City Council Chief Operating Officer James Roberts says it's essential to activate the area in a creative way until construction begins. "We'll use this opportunity during the planning phase to create a vibrant and exciting new space right in the heart of our city." He says the intent for the new development on the site remains the same – a five-star green building that includes retail, hospitality, co-working, and office space, alongside civic and cultural spaces. The agreement with Precinct Properties will be considered by the Council's Environment and Infrastructure Committee in August. Te Whare Whakarauika Town Hall continues to make good progress, with the refurbishment of the Town Hall itself, plus the construction of the new annex building, due to be completed by July 2026. The design of the annex has evolved following engagement with groups including NZSO, NZSM, WellingtonNZ, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and Council regulatory teams. It will provide the main entrance to the Town Hall and feature front-of-house facilities including three bars, toilets, and offices. The Town Hall will re-open in early 2027. Other key parts of the precinct are also due to be completed in time for the March 2026 reopening of Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui, including City Gallery maintenance and strengthening work, civic basement strengthening, and Te Ngākau Civic Square landscaping and redevelopment. The City Council head office move to 68 Jervois Quay will also be underway in early 2026, bringing the Council back to the Te Ngākau neighbourhood to play a key role in the area's revitalisation. The Te Ngākau Precinct Development Plan is currently being refined with input from the Wellington architecture community via a new urban design panel. The development plan will provide the blueprint for completing the precinct in future years, as the Council's funding and priorities permit. The plan is due to be finalised in July 2025.
Scoop
7 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Andrew Little And Regional Council Candidates To Deliver Cheaper Public Transport
Cap on bus and train fares to lower household costs and increase uptake Commitment to advocate for change in Government policy to make public transport more affordable Wellington Mayoral candidate Andrew Little and Labour's Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) candidates Daran Ponter and Tom James have today released a joint policy to reduce the cost of public transport. Under the weekly fare cap, public transport users will pay for a maximum of eight trips per week, with any additional trips free. This means if someone commutes to work four days over the course of a week, the fifth day and any weekend trips will be free. Andrew Little said: 'For many Wellingtonians, transport is a significant cost. A weekly cap on bus and train fares will help to lower the cost of living, reduce congestion and increase public transport usage and reliability. 'This is a commonsense, affordable policy where if someone takes eight trips in a week, the rest are free. This fare cap will make a small but material difference to people's back pockets, with a regular commuter from Strathmore into the city saving over $400 a year. 'Central government also has a significant role to play in making public transport affordable and reliable. If elected, I will work alongside the regional council to advocate for the government to ease up on its requirement for increased private charges on public transport.' Daran Ponter said: 'As Chair of GWRC, I have worked hard to continue to grow ridership to reduce congestion and lower our city's emissions. This policy will mean an additional 300,000 trips on our buses and trains, helping to unlock our city. 'I have a proven track record of working with central government and my fellow councillors to deliver more buses to more places and securing funding for better rail services. I look forward to working with Andrew as Mayor to deliver this cost of living relief in the next term of local government.' First-time GWRC candidate Tom James said: 'I'm standing for regional council because I want to get more people on buses and trains, lower costs for families, and reduce emissions. A fare cap does all three and is affordable for ratepayers.' The policy also includes a commitment to investigate other measures to improve affordability. These include encouraging workplace subsidies for staff to travel by public transport, modelled on Auckland Transport's successful Fareshare scheme, as well as looking into targeted off-peak fares (for example on Mondays or Fridays) as has been done in Sydney to encourage travel at times when public transport is underutilised.
Kiwiblog
21-05-2025
- Business
- Kiwiblog
Little saying the right things
Stuff reports: Andrew Little has promised to act on what Wellingtonians want: saving Begonia House and Khandallah Pool and complete the Karori Event Centre. However, the Wellington mayoral candidate did not make any mention of the Golden Mile project in his campaign speech. He has correctly said that the Council should not sign any further contracts around the Golden Mile. Nominations open in less than 50 days, and the new Council should be allowed to decide what is best for the city. Little promised to end public excluded meetings, ending the 'misuse of 'commercial confidentiality'', which was code for 'we don't want to tell you'. He pointed to areas where the council has wasted millions with little oversight: like the $150 million town hall blow out. Great on ending public excluded meetings. Incidentally the blowout ion the town hall is more than $150 million. It could be over $270 million.
