Long serving Johnsonville resident Sister Cyprian will reach a major milestone when she celebrates her 100th birthday on 24 June. Born in Frankton and named Meryl Wilson, Sister Cyprian first came to Johnsonville in 1936 and has lived most of her life since then in the suburb.
Continued on page 2.
Sister Cyprian, who becomes a centenarian on 24 June. Photo: Frank Neill.
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Centenarian loved the Brigidines
Continued from page 1.
“I went to school at St Brigid’s and I met the Brigidine Sisters.
“I just loved them and I thought ‘I want to be one of them when I grow up’.”
So that is what she did.
In 1943 she travelled to Sydney to join the sisters and trained to be a teacher.
TheBrigidines are a globalRoman Catholiccongregation, founded byBishopDaniel DelanyinTullow, Ireland, on 1 February 1807. The sisters’ apostolate is education. Following her time in Sydney, Sister Cyprian taught primers in Foxton and then came back to Johnsonville.
“I think it was in 1950,” she says, and she has lived in Johnsonville since, apart from making two trips to Ireland.
Travelling to Ireland was one of the major highlights of her life, she says.
“It was wonderful to go to Ireland.
“I went to Tullow where the Bishop started our sisters off.
“It was a real highlight.
“And then I went a second time. They were two wonderful things.
“My grandad came from Tullow.
“He came to New Zealand when I was a teenager and he used to tell us all the stories about Ireland.
“I still can’t believe I’ve seen all the wonderful places,” Sister
Cyprian says.
During her time with the Brigidines, the sisters established St Benedict’s School in Khandallah and sister Cyprian taught there for many years.
The sisters also established Catholic schools in Tawa, Porirua and Titahi Bay.
As well as teaching, Sister Cyprian was also involved in other community activities.
That has included working as a parish assistant for the Church now known as St Francis of Assisi.
“I would visit the five rest homes, anyone who couldn’t get to Church and anyone who needed a visit.”
Ngaio Town Hall celebrating
Ngaio Town Hall will be celebrating its centennary on Sunday 3 August.
The celebration will be an afternoon tea, starting at 2pm, hosted by the Ngaio Crofton Downs Residents Association in conjunction with the Onslow Historical Society.
Everyone in the community is welcome at the celebration, and bakers are asked to bring a plate.
The Ngaio Town Hall opened on 1 August 1925.
The Council did not have the money to fund the hall.
Under pressure from the newly established ratepayers group – the Ngaio Progressive Asso-
EMERGENCY PLANNING EXPO
Khandallah Town Hall, 29th June, 2.30pm - 5.30pm
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ciation, the forerunner of today’s Residents Association – agreement was reached to conduct a local ratepayers’ poll on whether to borrow money to build a hall.
The Loan Poll was successful.
The vote was 191 to 61 in favour of agreeing to a £5,000 loan for a period of 10 years to be repaid by an additional rates charge on Ngaio ratepayers.
The City Architect drew plans, tenders called and building began in October 1924. The hall was completed the following July.
The grand opening was on Saturday 1 August 1925 with a vaudeville concert and speeches
from dignitaries including the Mayor, Charles Norwood.
Events held at the hall include fetes, fundraisers, dances, parties, weddings, films, lectures, sporting activities, musical events, concerts, shows and church services. The list is long.
“The hall has formed a back note to people’s lives for a very long time,” says Viv Chapple of the Joint Centenary Committee.
“We’ve thought long and hard about how we can celebrate this achievement and so as well as the afternoon tea (which is being done in a traditional way) we are launching a fundraising drive to put a Blue Plaque on the Hall.
Sister Cyprian still lives in her home in Johnsonville.
“I’m so lucky to be here, not in a rest home,” she says.
“When I look back I’ve had a pretty amazing life.
“I’ve met so many wonderful people in my life.”
Her recipe for living, especially to reach 100 years, is simple.
“All you do is keep breathing.”
On her birthday there will be a mass at St Francis of Assisi Church and following that she will go for a meal with her family and the family of Sister Francis who lives with her. The next day St Francis of Assisi Church will put on a party for Sister Cyprian following the mass.
“Blue Plaques, organised by Historic Places Aotearoa , are run along the British model of identifying something special about the ‘place’.
“It links passers by with the historical, social or cultural values of where they stand.
“We think that the Ngaio Town Hall is an ideal candidate to have the third plaque in Wellington after Randell Cottage in Thorndon and St Peter’s in Willis Street,” Viv says.
“Plaques cost around $2,500 and donations can be made to NCDRA 12-3223-0086781-00 with your name and Blue Plaque as the reference.”
I am currently being forced to spend time at home recovering from a fairly hefty dose of COVID. They said the virus would weaken over time and while that may be true, it’s still got a good bite to it. It’s got me reflecting on the whole epidemic.
I recently hosted a meeting which included local property developers and representatives from the City and Regional Councils. The background for the meeting was the need to ensure all people involved in providing more housing in our electorate, whether it be those building them or those regulating and permitting that building, understand the issues which govern the ability to build the houses everyone agrees we need.
COVID has had a major impact on the whole world, and we still haven’t quite worked out the longterm results of it. It essentially closed the world down for up to a year.
There are essentially two types of development; greenfields and brownfields. Greenfields means building on currently undeveloped land, typically ex farmland on the edges of current urban areas, where infrastructure like sewers, water supply and other essential services don’t exist are usually built by the developer.
Mass inflation, high interest rates, loss of social cohesion, and lack of confidence in incumbent governments have been some of the results, not to mention mass deaths.
Brownfields development means rebuilding on existing sites, and there has been considerable discussion in recent times around how much intensification should be allowed in existing suburbs, especially changing of height limits to allow for more apartments.
But at least we in New Zealand, while suffering the same economic impacts as everyone else, didn’t have the death rates others did. As the virus knocked me off my feet, I reflected how many of us
Both have their advantages and disadvantages; the Regional Council in particular see their role to prevent more
are still alive because of the way we kept it at bay until the vaccines arrived.
Yes, the cost was high financially; wage subsidies, business subsidies and massive testing and vaccine regimes didn’t come cheap.
runoff and other material ending up in our harbours, especially the Porirua harbour in the case of development north of Johnsonville and Newlands. The Wellington City Council are concerned that the existing infrastructure cannot handle the pressure it comes under when new housing areas are developed. Existing infrastructure is aging and needs upgrading across our city, as evidenced by recent pipe failures. An advantage of intensification of existing areas means more people, therefore more ratepayers to pay for those upgrades.
We’ve forgotten about watching thousands dying in places like Italy where doctors and nurses were being laid out in body bags with the rest of the victims, and ambulances were jammed up trying to get into emergency departments.
Developers of course need to make a profit, and wish to keep their compliance costs as low as possible. Many believe the Resource Management Act is too cumbersome. We as government for our part have undertaken to rewrite that act.
The feedback was good, but the success will be when there are sufficient affordable houses to meetdemand. That is certainly my goal as your MP.
I do get annoyed at those trying to rewrite or forget our COVID history for political purposes. It’s a mistake because failure to acknowledge something means you don’t understand its impact.
That, and of course having a vibrant and functioning Johnsonville Shopping Centre we can all be proud of.
There’s plenty to be getting on with.
Meanwhile, I’ll battle through this dose, grateful that we were the most successful country in minimising the impact of COVID on our population.
Supreme award for Predator Free Wellington
Wellington City Council and Predator Free Wellington won the Supreme Award at the LGFA Taituara Local Government Excellence Awards held at Takina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre on 12 June.
These awards celebrate programmes, projects and approaches that demonstrate professional excellence in local government management.
They are open to any council or council-controlled organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand.
After taking the top award for Excellence in Environmental Leadership, Predator Free Wellington went on to win the overall Supreme Award out of all the category winners.
“What a night for Wellington,” Mayor Tory Whanau says.
“This is a well-deserved national recognition that highlights the groundbreaking conservation work happening in our city.”
That work “underscores Wellington’scommitment to kaitiakitanga or environmental stewardship, and the role our
community plays in achieving these ambitious goals,” Mayor Whanau says..
Wellington City Council is a partner of the Predator Free Wellington project (PFW), which is working hard to eliminate rats, stoats and weasels from Poneke and has already been successful on the Miramar Peninsula.
“This award recognises the dedication of the PFW team and also reflects the power of collaboration between local government, volunteers and engaged communities,” the Mayor says.
“PFW’s work is making a huge difference to our local biodiversity and we are proud of their achievements and eager to continue supporting their bold vision for a predator-free capital.”
The award is great recognition of years of collaboration and the amazing mahi of all its volunteers, Predator Free Wellington Project Director, Kaiwhakahaere Matua, James Willcocks says.
“This award reflects the strong partnership between Wellington City Council and Predator Free
Wellington, built on our shared commitment and investment in creating a predator free Wellington.
“Together, we’ve created a
Buses replacing trains
Buses will replace trains over the Matariki long weekend, as KiwiRail carries out planned infrastructure upgrades and rail improvements across most rail lines.
Delays are expected and passengers are encouraged to check timetables before travelling.
Buses will replace trains from Friday 20 June to Sunday 22 June, with rail services resuming on Monday morning, 23 June.
KiwiRail upgrades include track and formation works, seawall strength-
ening and work on the Te Ara Tupua cycleway.
It follows on from recent level crossing safety upgrades and significant maintenance projects under way to build long term reliability into the network.
Once planned rail upgrades are completed, delays are expected over the following two to three days as tracks settle and service levels resume.
Metlink passengers are advised to plan ahead using the latest travel information on the Metlink website, app or by calling 0800 801 700.
blueprint for transforming urban environments worldwide, demonstrating that cities can be placeswhere both people and biodiversitycan thrive.”
At the awards presentation (from left) Daniela Biaggio, WCC’s Urban Ecology Manager, Myfanwy Hill, Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Environmental Operations Manager, and James Wilcocks, PFW’s Project Director. Photo: Supplied.
Humanoid Olympiad
A new Olympiad will be held at Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games this year.
The inaugural International Humanoid Olympiad will run from 29 August to 2 September at the International Olympic Academy in Olympia.
The event will see humanoid robots will participate in demonstrations and Olympic-inspired games, showcasing their dexterity and intelligence.
Global leaders in robotics and AI will also share insights through expert talks and workshops.
Blending millennia-old values, ethos and ideals with a bold vision for the future, the event will spotlight how human creativity and robotics are shaping the future.
Initiated by Acumino, a pioneering scale-up in Robotic Intelligence, and co-organised with Endeavor Greece, the organisation that helps high impact entrepreneurs scale and multiply their impact, the Humanoid Olympiad invites the world to witness how humans and machines can learn, evolve and inspire one another.
Latest kiwi graduate freed
By Frank Neill
A kiwi named Maui is now free to roam on Wellington’s western hills.
Maui has now grown big enough to defend themself against stoats and has had their monitoring transmitter removed.
Maui, Capital Kiwi’s most recent graduate, hatched on Terawhiti Station in October 2024 and has now joined more than 200 kiwi who are free ranging in the hills around Makara.
“This liberation marks a significant milestone for kiwi comeback in the capital, says Capital Kiwi project founder Paul Ward.
“In short it shows that the network of protection Wellingtonians have woven together to welcome kiwi back home is working,”
Maui making “fight weight” is a huge milestone as it means the team have managed to hit their target from just the first seven birds.
“Maui was named by our ranger Rawiri because of his cheeky fighting spirit. He lived up to that ingoa (name) on the day, escaping the team’s slip cordon twice out on the Makara hills,” Paul says.
To grow a kiwi population,
a minimum of 20% of chicks need to survive.
Capital Kiwi’s Department of Conservation permit target is for 30% of the first 20 chicks monitored (or six birds) to make it to 1.2kg.
Since 2018 the Capital Kiwi Project has partnered with locals, iwi and landowners – including Wellington City Council – to transform the hills surrounding the capital city into a place for kiwi to thrive in the wild.
Kiwi are tough and resilient animals.
With predator threats controlled to appropriate levels this national icon and taonga can come home to the trails, reserves and paddocks of the capital.
More than 200 kiwi are now free ranging out west around Makara, translocated in more than a dozen releases since 2022.
A key goal for Capital Kiwi to create a growing sustainable population is to see chicks born in the wild and survive their early months when they’re at risk of predation from stoats, so they can grow to a weight they can fend off that threat.
In areas with no pest control, kiwi chick survivorship is 0 to 5%.
The main reason for this is the stoat, a mustelid introduced in the nineteenth century in a failed attempt to control rabbits. When adult birds die they are not replacing themselves with future generations, which means kiwi numbers could head towards the way of the moa with no animal predator control. This is tragic because at around
Current social housing initiatives
Greg Foster, the Salvation Army’s Territorial Director of Social Housing and Property, was the guest speaker at the May meeting of the REBUS Club of Khandallah.
Greg has had extensive experience working with development projects in other countries – Bangladesh, Jordan and Tanzania and has also worked with Habitat for Humanity in South Africa and Slovakia.
He has visited Jordon, Amman and Iraq, and also met with Palestinian Refugees. In Tanzania Greg organised the building of houses using microfinance.
He lived in South Africa for seven years
and worked on house building projects there.
He came back to New Zealand nine years ago to work with the Salvation Army.
He talked about current social housing initiatives in the Porirua area in particular.
The Salvation Army has built 300 houses and plans another 400.
They use a product made of polystyrene with a compressed product covering the outer and inner sides. This is precut at the point of manufacture and then assembled on site.
REBUS is a social club for retirees, and usually meets on the last Friday of the month.
1kg (after 6-8 months) a kiwi can fight off a stoat with their big, sharp raking claws.
A big adult kiwi can fight off most all-comers and can live 40 or more years. The purpose of Capital Kiwi’s 24,000 hectares stoat removal network is to give kiwi chicks a fighting chance to reach that mark. To grow a kiwi population a minimum of 20% of chicks need to survive.
The next meeting will be held on Friday 27 June at 10am at the Khandallah Bowling Club, Woodmancote Road.
The guest speaker will be Marian Hobbs, a former Minister for the Environment, who will be speaking about “My Life in Parliament.”
She will not be talking about politics, but from the aspect of her working life in Parliament, with all the issues such as training, learning, promotion etc.
Visitors will be welcome.
For more information internet search “Khandallah REBUS”.
Rawiri the ranger with Maui the kiwi. Photo: Supplied.
Greg Foster delivering his speech at the REBUS Club of Khandallah. Photo: Supplied.
Skyline Restoration Group thanks Rotary
The Skyline Restoration Group is very thankful to the Rotary Club of Karori for the grant provided this year to support their efforts.
A selection of equipment was purchased for use in the restoration of the section of the Skyline walkway between the Karori Park pine trees and the top entrance from Montgomery Avenue.
The group was joined for their weekly work party by members of the Rotary Club of Karori on Saturday 14 June. Rotary members took the opportunity to see the restoration work and to plant some of the 3,500 natives trees the group will get in the ground this season.
By the end of August they will have added around 15,000 plants over the four years they
have been active.
As well as planting new plants the group has been cutting channels through the 2 to 3 metre high barberry and gorse to allow sunlight and rain to get to the self-sown plants, freeing them to grow, while also providing spaces to plant new species.
Success is shown where self-sown plants have grown from 300mm to over 2.5 metres in two years.
For people who are keen to volunteer with the group it has a range of light, moderate and grunty jobs, as well as some people can do independently.
Contact 2skylinerestoration@gmail.com to be added to the news group to advise initiatives, weekly Saturday 1-3pm work party locations and other things of interest.
Letters on issues of community interest are welcomed. Guidelines are that they should be no longer than 150 words. Email them to news@wsn.co.nz. Please note that your name must also be provided in e mails.
In Robert Mann’s recent letter to the editor he mentions that he had never heard Mt Kau Kau pronounced Mt Cow Cow. My husband and I grew up in Wellington in the 1940s and we both pronounced it as Mt
Cow Cow, as did other people – even though Robert Mann did not hear it pronounced that way. I don’t have an opinion on what the ‘correct’ pronunciation is.
Heather Nelson
Way too harsh
I am writing to voice my disquiet at the very long suspensions imposed on the three Te Pati Maori MPs.
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, the Te Pati Maori co-leaders, have been suspended for 21 days and Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke has been suspended for seven days.
While I understand that Parliament may well need to sanction the three MPs for breaking the rules, I am concerned at how big a punishment was handed out. It was way too harsh.
Before the three Te Pati Maori MPs were suspended, the longest suspension in Parliament’s 171-year history was three sitting days.
The 21 day suspension is seven times as long as that.
The seven day suspension is more than twice as long as that.
And all this because they performed a haka in opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill.
From my point of view the harshness of the sentence is a bit like imposing life imprisonment on a person for shoplifting.
While I think the three MPs should have faced a consequence of breaking the rules of Parliament, in my view they should have received a sanction rather than being suspended at all.
I need to add that I have no Maori ancestry, nor do I support or vote for Te Pati Maori. But I do like to see the haka performed at appropriate times, such as a school prize givings and at sports events, and even in Parliament.
I am not prepared to put up with being hassled because of this view, so I am writing this letter to the Editor anonymously.
Haka fan
Ken Drayton and Debbie Bidlake of the Skyline Restoration Group with Graeme Titcombe and Allan Frazer of the Rotary Club of Karori at the Skyline. Photo: Supplied.
READER COMPETITION
Independent Herald News readers can win a family pass to “The Heidi & Sean Show”
See www.kidzstufftheatre.co.nz for more details.To be in the draw email your name, address and phone number to: win@wsn.co.nz by Wednesday
25th June 2025.
A complimentary pass will be emailed to the winner and you can book into the show which suits you best!
For bookings: email kidzstuffnz@gmail.com or ph 027 567 5664
The Heidi & Sean Show
Regularly featured at the Hawkes Bay’s iconic Art Deco Weekend. Heidi and Sean Show combines the unique talents and personalities of Heidi Jean Lougher and Sean Kaata Dwen.
A real hit with family audiences. You will be delighted and intrigued with juggling, balancing, clowning around, lots of audience interaction and the added bonus of a tall unicycle finale. The Heidi and Sean Show seamlessly blends circus arts, comedy and a little bit of danger. Heidi and Sean have recently returned from training and performing in Iceland, Scotland and Vietnam.
A background as a visual artist with experience in impromptu acting and a passion for physical theatre. Heidi has a Bachelor of Arts Practice. Sean is an internationally renowned street performer. Specialising in balancing and juggling arts. A Bachelor of Science and Diploma of CircoArts holder.
When: 28th June – 5th July 2025
Monday – Saturday 10am
Tickets $15.00 pp, Children under 2 Free $7 Special Preview, Saturday 28th June 2025
Bookings: www.kidzstufftheatre.co.nz PBA.
Local history – J’ville Town Board
By Felicity Wong
Wellington ratepayers are required to spend $28.7 million on new waste collection.
Each household will be issued a separate bin for organic waste (food scraps etc).
The scraps will be collected and trucked to a new waste plant to be erected somewhere north of Levin.
115 years ago in 1910 something similar was rejected.
Johnsonville had its own Independent Town Board responsible for its rates, waste and water. It was a very modern town, operating its own waterworks (located inside the neighbouring Onslow Borough), and innovative electric street lights.
The Town Board area was surrounded by that of the Makara County Council, on which its Chairman Mr Frank T Moore also sat. To its south the Onslow Borough comprised Raroa, Khandallah and Crofton (now called Ngaio).
Just within the Onslow Borough’s northern boundary was Paparangi.
In those early days, Paparamgi contained a number of piggeries which would not have been allowed if it had legally been part of Johnsonville.
About 40 men were involved in fetching food scraps from across Wellington City.
The “pigswill” was daily carted up the old narrow steep Ngauranga Gorge by horses and carts to the piggeries.
In 1910 those carters petitioned the Makara County Council to prohibit using the Ngauranga Road traction engines and motor lorries.
The noisy machines were ”terrorising” their horses, they said.
Adding insult to injury it was reported that some motor lorry drivers would be “giggling” at the pigswill carters if the lorries were held up by difficulty with the horses.
The piggery operators appeared before the Makara Council along with a local resident whose wife had broken her arm being spilled from his trap upon his horse shying at a motor lorry.
Frank Moore was sympathetic to the petitioners and residents, saying “protection of life was paramount”.
Mr Mace, a motor wagon and quarry owner, presented a counter view.
He suggested a deputation to the government to widen the road.
Mr Mace said using his motor wagon was cheaper than using a horse and dray.
He reminded the Council of his contracts for delivering road making material.
If his motor wagon was prohibited he would have to close his quarry business and take legal action against the Council.
The Makara County Council prevaricated.
One of the pigswill men reminded Frank Moore in a letter to the newspaper that the issue would be remembered at election time.
Mr Moore, who was also an elected member of the Wellington Hospital Board, proposed that private collection be banned and that Wellington set up a Municipal collection of the city’s pigswill “for health reasons”.
The carts were described as ”a disgrace to civilisation”.
Mr Moore said he was confident that the city would receive 2,000 pounds per year from collecting the pigswill and selling it to the piggeries.
His colleague “opined that instead of the City Council making 2,000 pounds a year by undertaking the work, they would lose that amount.”
Mr Moore voted alone in favour of his motion, every other member opposing it.
In 1912 the Johnsonville Town Board opened its new council chambers in Railway Terrace (now called Frankmore Avenue).
The building, on the site of the Children’s Play area, was since shifted and is now the Nga Hau e Wha o Paparangi Community Centre. It was built within the budget of 800 pounds.
Opening the new building, Mr W H D Bell, the local MP “congratulated the board on keeping within the amount authorised by the ratepayers for the undertaking.”
He “hoped that that was not unusual for Johnsonville as it certainly was for some other local bodies.”
At the ceremony the Mayor of Wellington, Mr D McLaren said he had “received a lesson in good management from Johnsonville that day.”
He “thought the fact that the board had kept within the estimates should be brought within the notice of the Minister for Internal Affairs, who was in charge of local government.”
“The charge of extravagance would not apply to Johnsonville, however much as it might be true of other places,” he said.
He “hoped it would not be long before Johnsonville became a borough.”
Mr J I Luke of the Johnsonville Town Board reportedly “pointed out that Johnsonville onlv required 50 babies to raise it to the status of a borough, and so conferring upon its chairmen the dignity of Mayor, and to its members the title of Councillors.”
Instead, in 1953 the Johnsonville Town Board merged with Wellington City Council.
Lots on at local libraries
All Wellington City Libraries branches are closed for the Matariki public holiday on Friday but it ’s business as usual from Saturday 21 June.
Rainbow Youth Night will be held at Te Mahanga Karori Library from 5pm to 8pm on Saturday 21 June.
“Celebrate Out On The Shelves with an only slightly more than usual rainbow themed Youth Night,” Wellington City Libraries says.
“We'll be open after hours for rainbow and takatapui youth (and friends but no adults) to socialise, have fun and chat to a librarian about your favourite queer literature.
“ As usual, there will be pizza, gaming, crafts and a quiet spaces to chill out.
“Our Youth Nights are totally free (pizza included) but you do need to be14 and older, and still at high school, in order to come, so please be prepared to show your student ID.
“Once you’re in, our spaces are yours.”
Out on the Shelvesis an annual initiative supported by InsideOUT which aims to connect young rainbow and takatapui people to their stories and each other.
The Karori Library Book Group will meet from 5:30pm to 6:50pm on Thursday 26 June at Te Mahanga Karori Library.
This is a community-run group that meets upstairs on the last Thursday of each month.
Participants explore and discuss a different nominated book genre at each meeting.
Wadestown Conversations with Khadro Mohamed will be held from 6pm to 7:45pm on Thursday 26 June at Otari Wadestown Library.
For people who missed local author Khadro Mohamed at Waitohi last Saturday there is another opportunity to hear her talking about her new novel,“Before the Winter Ends”.
Spaces are limited. Nau mai ra tatou katoa.Everybody is welcome.
Local Matariki celebrations
By Frank Neill
Matariki and Puanga is being celebrated across Wellington, including events in the Independent Herald’s area.
A community celebration will be held at the Johnsonville Shopping Centre at 5pm today, 19 June.
Kapa haka performances by local schools and a display of local school artwork will feature at the Johnsonville celebration. There will also be an interactive light installation, a Matariki star hunt and kids activities and the screening of the film Matariki Kanohi Ite.
A puppet show entitled “Once in a Full Moon” will be performed at Zealandia Te Mara a Tane from 10:30am to 11:30am on 20 June.
Performed by Anna Bailey of String Bean Puppets, the show is suitable for all ages and will be performed in Zealandia’s visitor centre foyer.
The puppet adventure introduces the audience to an intimate encounter with a few of New Zealand’s special native creatures, and stars a kiwi.
A Puanga and Matariki display is on at Wellington Botanic Garden ki Pakaka until 13 July.
The Display Garden features putuputaweta plants representing each of the Matariki whetu (stars).
Each one has a sign, encouraging people to reflect and connect with the stories and meaning behind the stars.
This is the second year this display has taken place during Mataraki and Puanga.
The putuputaweka plants are still young and the Botanic Garden plans to continue celebrating Puanga and Matariki each year as the plants grow to maturity.
“Hakari Below the Stars: A Matariki Celebration” will be held at the Space Place, 40 Salamanca Road, Kelburn, from 5pm to 9pm tonight, 19 June.
People attending will enjoy live star talks in the planetarium theatre with Space Place’s Colin Smilie, a whanau activity with Tayla Hartemink, kai from Granny's Kitchen and live music throughout the night from Petone local Jhan Lindsay and friends. Booking is essential and can be made
athttps://bit.ly/4dnvAlz.
People have an opportunity to create their own Matariki star craft at the Space Place on 20, 21 and 22 June.
Between 10am and 5pm people can create a Matariki star with wool and popsicle sticks, a star they can take home and keep, to mark the Maori New Year.
Matariki Ahi Ka – a whanau-friendly celebration of fire,projections, performances and kai – is now running in central Wellington.
This year’s Matariki festivities include Mana Moana Poneke, a series of indigenous short films projected onto a water screen in Whairepo Lagoon, running on weekend nights from 7 to 22 June.
Matariki Ahi Ka will light up the waterfront every night from 6pm to 9pm from tonight, 19 June until 22 June, offering a self-guided experience that journeys through past, present and future.
Each zone will be marked with a tomokanga (entranceway) that embodies its kaupapa (purpose), guiding attendees through fire installations, large-scale projections, live performances, interactive storytelling, traditional M ori games and kai from food trucks.
Local talent will take to the Aroha and Takoha stages with acts including the Ngati Poneke Young Maori Club, Tom Knowles (reggae, roots), Rei (bilingual Urban and Electronic), Tui (soul, pop) and Awerangi (old-school jams).
In a tribute to those who have passed since last Matariki, names submitted by the public will be projected onto a Memorial Wall on the side of Te Papa near the Solace in the Wind statue.
Each evening of Matariki Ahi Ka, a ceremonial walk will start at 7.40pm from the Barnett Street car park.This moving procession follows the journey of the Matariki whetu (stars).
Visitors are invited to write down names, memories, wishes, and aspirations, and place these in baskets located at the Memorial Wall and Whairepo Lagoon before 7.30pm.
These will be released into a ceremonial flame following the procession, sending them to the stars above.
Local author Khadro Mohamed. Photo: Supplied.
Leadership chance with Army Reserve Force
Combining culture, leadership and community service, Wellington-based Second Lieutenant Nikau Wi Neera has found a winning combination of all three in the New Zealand Army Reserve Force.
The newly commissioned officer of Ngati Toarangatira descent, says the culture of high standards and leadership training has equipped him with skills he can incorporate throughout many elements of his civilian life.
He joined the NZ Army Reserve Force in 2021, serving as an infantry soldier in the 5th/7th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (5/7 RNZIR).
“Service to the community is something important that was taught to me by my cultural upbringing. I felt that joining the military was the natural fulfilment of an obligation to serve,” Second Lieutenant Wi Neera says.
“Coming from a culture in which leadership is by example, I have looked up to my iwi leaders in their consistent exercise of rangatiratanga (chieftainship).
“The military leadership training I have received has accorded me further exposure to effective leaders and has given me tools for the rest of my life.”
Demonstrating painga (willingness) right from the outset, Second Lieutenant Wi Neera says he speaks on behalf of his course at Rongomaraeroa-o-nga-hau-e-wha (Army National Marae, Waiouru) and was given the privilege of leading the haka at graduation.
Company Sergeant Major (CSM), Warrant Officer Class Two Michael Dale of Wellington Company, 5/7 RNZIR says he has the privilege of watching soldiers like Second Lieutenant Wi Neera develop throughout their Reserve Force careers.
A CSM is the key adviser to the company commander on matters related to welfare, training and discipline of soldiers, and ensures the company functions effectively and standards are maintained.
“Second Lieutenant Wi Neera has consistently placed himself out of his comfort zone,” Sergeant Major Dale says.
“I think it’s something at his core. He has a lot of mana. He listens and takes on advice and I’m looking forward to seeing his development as a young officer.
“His first main leadership role will be on Exercise Tauwharenikau where he can practise some of the learnings from his commissioning course and concentrate on developing his own leadership style,” he says.
Exercise Tauwharenikau, held in late July at Waiouru Military Training Area, is an annual NZ Army Reserve Force training activity, involving up to 250 personnel from different corps and units around New Zealand.
The soldiers are able to maintain and enhance their technical skills in a largescale training activity utilising a range of NZ Army weapons and capabilities.
Second Lieutenant Wi Neera is an accomplished film composer and will soon finish his term as City Councillor for Wellington’s Whanganui-a-Tara Maori Ward.
He has studied te reo Maori, speaks German, holds a Bachelor of Music, a Postgraduate Diploma in Anthropology, and is about to embark on a Master of Arts in Archeology, not to mention awards in short story writing and many composing awards.
Second Lieutenant Wi Neera says he has enjoyed serving in 5/7 RNZIR under the “ruthlessly efficient and extremely funny CSM who understands the philosophy behind good leadership”.
“Military leadership is second to none. The culture of high standards, trust of subordinates, discipline and making mates for life are one of the many reasons I stay.
“I’m looking forward to Exercise Tauwharenikau and developing the skills gained from my commissioning course.”
Each Reserve Force company has its own training programme in line with its battalion ’s training focus. Company level training typically occurs one weekend a month with platoon level training occurring once a week.
Any Defence Recruiting enquiries can be directed to 0800 1 FORCE.
Mentoring milestone celebrated
Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Zealand (BBBSNZ) celebrated its 5,000th mentoring match this month.
Since its establishment in New Zealand in 1997, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been dedicated to fostering the potential of tamariki and rangatahi through long-term, one-to one mentoring relationships.
This has included mentoring young people who live in the “Independent Herald” circulation area.
Today, the organisation has more than 50 staff members across the country and is currently supporting over 1,150 young people with volunteer mentors.
“Our mission is to help young people realise their potential and build their futures,” BBBSNZ CEO Drew Evan says.
“Reaching 5,000 matches is not just a number. It represents 5,000 stories of connection, hope, and opportunity.
“We believe that with a strong support system, our young people are more likely to thrive and less likely to walk a path that limits their potential.”
The organisation says it is also excited to
officially welcome Art and Matilda Green as its newest Ambassadors.
The well-known New Zealand personalities are passionate about the wellbeing of young people and feel a genuine connection to the work being done through BBBSNZ.
“As new ambassadors, we’re honoured to stand beside Big Brothers Big Sisters and help raise awareness of the power of mentoring.
“Every young person deserves someone in their corner,” Art and Matilda say.
BBBSNZ operates with a commitment to its core values – Whanaungatanga (connection), Manaakitanga (care), and Kotahitanga (unity) – and upholds the belief that every child has incredible potential.
Guided by a kaupapa that is child-centred and whanau-focused, the organisation works collaboratively with communities to create positive, lasting change.
The celebration of its 5,000th mentoring match was formally recognised at the organisation’s National Hui in Auckland on 9 June.
The event will be attended by the Minister for Children, Karen Chhour.
Leaders working on J’ville homelessness
By Frank Neill
Community leaders are working on the issue of increasing homelessness, and the disruptive behaviour that has come with it, in Johnsonville.
A meeting of the community leaders was held on Monday 16 June that walked around the Johnsonville triangle with a view to “proactively addressing the increasing homeless in Johnsonville,” the Johnsonville Business Improvement District (BID) Manager, Oliver Smith, told the “Independent Herald”.
The meeting comprised personel from the BID and DCM (formerly Downtown Community Ministry), Wellington City Council officers, and the three Northern Ward Councillors, Cr Tony Randle, Ben McNulty and John Apanowicz.
The meeting looked “first hand” at the people living on the streets and at the graffiti they had created, Oliver said.
The homessless, he said “is starting to impact the local businesses.”
“We had a good walk around,” Cr Randle says.
“People pointed out issues – spots where there are safety concerns.”
That included hearing about “disruptive and disgusting behaviour in some of the public
toilets, and damage as well.”
Homelessness “is a growing problem in Johnsonville, as is disruptive people hanging out in the streets.
“It is not a major problem like it is in the CBD.
“We don’t want to follow that. We want to get on top of it and keep our town centre safe,” Cr Randle says.
One of the places the team visited on Monday was the Johnsonville Community Centre.
“The community centre used to have a bench outside, but when people started sitting on the bench and yelling abuse into one of the meeting rooms, they took the bench away.
“It was just attracting the wrong sort of person.”
What the community leaders want is that when people notice either disruptive behaviour or homessless that they report it.
“If people feel they are unsafe they should ring up the Police on 111 and then report it to the [Wellington City] Council.
“We want to hear from people who notice.
“We want to get a measure across the whole Johnsonville CBD of what the problems are and where they are.”
People can make a report by visiting https:// wellington.govt.nz/report-a-problem.
Keeping itLOCAL
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community celebration of Matariki at Johnsonville Shopping Centre
Tonight from 5pm at the Johnsonville Shopping Centre the public will be able to enjoy Kapa Haka performances and a special gallery opening event with artwork by local children.
There will also be an interactive light installation, activities for kids including a Matariki star hunt with prizes, creative and reflective activities to keep the little ones entertained
while learning about Matariki, and ‘Matariki Kanohi Iti’ a film from the
Vision, observing this year’s theme; together.
Bring your Whanau, let’s celebrate together.
Centre open till 7pm and Food Court till 8pm.
Superior materials and engineering by Eco Wellington
Aluplast is one of the leading developers the world, and the brand is recognised internationally for its innovations. They are based in over 80 countries and have 1400 business partners.
We are supported from the other side of Germany. For 35 years they have been products.
are treated for the New Zealand UV environment and are sure to last over 50
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last 40 years or more in New Zealand.
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be easily cleaned with soapy water. Some periodic maintenance of hinges and moving parts is recommended.
Wellington Kebab Grill
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Double Glazing with German PVC Joinery
Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ’s ProstFIT programme supports men living with prostate cancer at any stage of diagnosis or treatment. It not only combines physical and cognitive activities in a social environment, it creates space for connection and shared experiences.
Delivered by registered exercise professionals and supported by Dry July NZ Trust, Prost-FIT ensures an individualised
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The programme promotes wellbeing through movement, laughter, and mateship, helping men stay active and engaged. Join us 11am Mondays at Jenkins Gym for FREE (T&Cs apply), 497 Hutt Rd, Alicetown. Contact Trainer Daisy Hutton daisy.hutton@tbihealth.co.nz 0272 603 443
Every day people regain their independence with an Acorn
stairlift
All Acorn Stairlifts are easy to use, easy to maintain, and all feature the very best in design, engineering and safety. There are additional features built to keep you safe and provide a smooth ride around the curves of your stairs. As people enjoy longer lives and wish to remain living independently at home, the demand for domestic stairlifts continues to grow. Acorn Stairlifts are innovative on every level, making Acorn the safest alternative for staircase use in every home.
blocking a door or walkway at the bottom of the stairs, as well as eliminating any trip or hazard situations.
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Regain your independence, Retain full use of your home, and Remain in the home you love.
Installing an Acorn Stairlift turns your home into a bungalow, by removing the obstacle of stairs if they become too challenging and restrict full use of yourhome.
As an example of Acorn’s commitment to excellence and safety, they are proud that their products have earned the prestigious Ease of Use Commendation from the Arthritis Foundation.
This commendation is only awarded to companies whose products have passed rigorous testing proving they are easy to use for people with arthritis.
Acorn is the world’s biggest company dedicated solely to the manufacture, direct sale, installation and maintenance of home stairlifts.
Cherries – helping support heart health and joint mobility
Diet plays a huge role in our health with foods that offer specific health
Cherryvite’s Montmorency tart cherries is one such food.
As one of nature’s richest sources of your body’s free radicals, and support heart health and joint mobility, reduce stress and enable a better night’s sleep. Montmorency tart cherries are warmed and pressed to remove the cherry juice. Cherry juice is concentrated to 68° Brix by removing water. Cherryvite products contain no additives, preservatives or colouring
agents and are 100% natural. Tart cherry juice concentrate can be reconstituted into a single-strength beverage.
Are you, or someone you know, coping alone?
The number of people living alone has traditional family support is often unavailable. In response, Wellington-based CaringStay offers a solution to bridge the gap between medical care and daily life support. CaringStay provides two options for recovwhere individuals stay with everyday Kiwis,
such as teachers and former nurses, who offer care and companionship in a welcoming environment.
The second is care in your own home where in-home support services, including meal preparation, light housekeeping, and companionship, allow individuals to recover while remaining in familiar surroundings.
Learn more at CaringStay.co.nz
Hand and wrist therapy
Hand Therapists use splinting, casting and taping to support and protect injured hands, wrists and elbows. Exercises are used to regain range of motion, improve strength and reduce sensitivity. Hands on treatment and education help you know what you’ve injured, what you
should do and what you should avoid to get back to your normal tasks as quick as possible.
Let us help you get back to doing what you love after injury to your hand, wrist or elbow. Phone 04 237-0229 www.handwristandelbow.co.nz
The optional hinged rail section
Low rating for WCC decision-making
By Frank Neill
Only 23% of residents think Wellington City Council (WCC) makes decisions that are in the best interests of the city, the latest WCC survey shows.
The latest Residents Monitoring Survey (RMS), conducted by the Capital Views WCC research panel, was released on 17 June.
There has, however, been a slight increase in the percentage of residents who think WCC makes decisions in the best interests of the city.
In last year’s survey just 21% of respondents said they considered the Council made decisions in the city’s best interests.
Overall satisfaction with the Council also rose – from 29% in
2024 to 36% this year. Respondents who said they were dissatisfied with Council performance were asked to explain why. Excessive spending and non-essential spending was the biggest reason people gave for dissatisfaction with Council performance, at 33%.
“The most commonly cited themes related to concerns around dissatisfaction with Council spending, Council priorities, elected officials and cycle lane implementation. Each one of these themes appeared in approximately a third of comments from dissatisfied respondents,” the survey report says.
“On a related note, a quarter of comments noted concerns about rates or rates increases as a reason for their dissatisfaction.
“A wide range of other themes were also noted including concerns about Wellington and its perceived decline, infrastructure issues, consultation and communication with residents and transport and parking issues.”
A majority of people think that Wellington is a great place to live, work and play.
This year’s survey showed that 67% think it is, although that is down from the 73% in 2024.
It is also well down on the high of 95% recorded in 2017.
However only 45% of respondents say they feel a sense of pride in the way Wellington looks and feels.
This is down from 50% in 2024 and a high 85% in 2025, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Many peopole are also worried
about night safety in the central city, with 43% saying they were concerned.
That figure is down from the 57% recorded in 2022.
There is some good news in the report, however.
Wellington has a rich and diverse arts scene, 81% of respondents said.
Residents were also happy with council events (86%), council facilities like pools, libraries, sports facilities and green and open spaces.
A big increase was seen in how easy it is to travel on public transport, rising from 38% last year to 58% this year.
Wellington’s connection with nature scored a very high rating in the survey.
Ninety percent of respondents said that connection improved their
quality of life.
“We’re heartened that Wellingtonians continue to value many of the services we provide,” Mayor Tory Whanau says.
“We also acknowledge that there are areas where we must do better.
“We hear you, and the identified areas for improvement will be a priority for us.”
The latest RMS was conducted in February 2025 with the Capital Views Wellington City Council research panel. This panel is recruited and managed by PublicVoice on behalf of the Council.
The RMS is conducted annually to provide the Council with an estimate of what residents want and need.
The Council uses the results of the RMS to assist its decision making.
3
Don’t
ON... O WHAT’S
Chuck It. Fix It
Ngaio Repair Cafe is free, open Saturday 21 June,10am - 1pm, Ngaio Union Church, corner Crofton Road and Kenya Street
Second supreme award for Nga Mokopuna
By Frank Neill
Public Notice
(Managers of Khandallah Town Hall & Cornerstone Community Centre)
Wednesday 2 July 2025 at 6pm Refreshments from 5.30pm
Khandallah Town Hall Centre 11 Ganges Road, Khandallah Ph: 04 479 5420 ALL WELCOME View the Independent Herald online www.independentherald.co.nz
Nga Mokopuna, situated at Victoria University in Kelburn, has won a second major award when it was named the supreme winner at the 35th Property Industry Awards on 13 June.
This follows Nga Mokopuna (formerly The Living Pa) being recognised as the pinnacle of commercial construction at the 2025 New Zealand Commercial Project Awards on 16 May.
A three storey, 3,000m² educational facility rooted in Maori values, Nga Mokopuna was constructed to complement the whare whakairo, and first university-based marae in the country, Te Tumu Herenga Waka.
The marae was closed for three years during the construction process and both buildings were unveiled in December 2024.
Constructed by LT McGuinness and designed by Tennent Brown Architects, Nga Mokopuna is a collaborative space used for both recreational and corporate activity.
On the ground floor is thewharekaifor the marae complex. The second floor houses student study areas, group and seminar spaces and a larger flatfloor teaching space, and office for the marae team.
The third-floor housesTe Kawa a Maui – School of Maori Stud-
Mokopuna, which has just won a second supreme award within a month.
ies, theOffice of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Maoriand the University’sSustainability Office.
Built to demonstrate Victoria University’s commitment tomanaakitangaandkaitiakitanga, and to place more care towards people and the natural world, Nga Mokopuna plans to enhance and protect the community and sacred value of Te Tumu Herenga Waka.
Chief judge Andy Evans says that Nga Mokopuna embraces the past, while still looking to the future.
“You don’t just walk into Nga
Mokopuna, you walk the path of those before you,” Andy says.
“It breathes with the heartbeat of those who came before, while opening its arms to those yet to arrive.
“It’s a rare thing: a building that doesn’t speak for the land, but with it.”
The vision of Nga Mokopuna is to have a positive impact on the land, its people and future generations.
This building has been thoughtfully designed to integrate with its surroundings, rather than be an imposition.
nearby buildings.
The structure is made primarily from locally sourced engineered timber, helping to sequester more carbon than it emits, and over 95% of construction waste was diverted from landfills.
Natural ventilation and daylight are optimised, with 95% of occupiable spaces receiving fresh air and sunlight, aligning with passive design principles.
Graham’s Painters
Nga Mokopuna is designed to meet the rigorous Living Building certification, one of the world’s most demanding sustainability standards, and the standard is hoped to be reached by Victoria campus as a whole.
Nga Mokopuna is one of approximately 35 projects worldwide hoping to achieve full Living Building Challenge (LBC) certification. The site generates 105% of its energy needs through 550 solar panels and features a closed-loop water system that recycles 180,000 litres annually for irrigation, while treating wastewater for use in
A building that holds a Living Building certification must be regenerative, self-sufficient and remain within the resource limits of their site, and create a positive impact on the human, community and natural systems that interact with them. As part of the ecosystem, Nga Mokopuna embodies a respectful relationship with the environment, rather than representing a disruption that must later be reconciled.
“Nga Mokopuna is in partnership with the land, and our whakapapa,” Andy says.
“Every beam, every panel, every drop of water in this space is part of a choreography that gives more than it takes.
“It’s proof that architecture can be humble and alive.
His works include’Madam
‘ & ‘Tosca’(7)
Number (5)
Tolerates (7)
Interpret wrongly (11)
Droops (5)
Nourishing (11)
Abandoned
bed room house to rent at 43 Rangoon Street Khandallah, Wellington.
Nga
Photo: Supplied.
Mixed cup results for Wharfies
By Hamish Wareham
Waterside Karori donned Petone
Memorial as a makeshift home ground on Saturday for both of their men’s and women’s sides respective Chatham and Kate Shepphard Cup games against defending champions Wellington Olympic and Miramar Rangers respectively.
Much like their hammering at the hands of Petone the week before, the Wharfies’ mens side went
down a goal early against Wellington Olympic when Ben Mata headed home a Jack-Henry Sinclair corner.
Despite dominating the majority of the first half, Karori were unfortunate not to find a levelling goal when Scott Basalaj had to be at his very best twice to deny Theo McIntosh.
Jack-Henry Sinclair would extend Olympic’s lead to 2-0 with a free kick with the last play of the first half.
Jack would add a second in injury time as Olympic booked their spot in the next round of the Cup, while Karori are left to focus on the league. Sitting sixth on the table but only four points off a fabled National League spot they take on Upper Hutt at Maidstone Park this Friday at 3pm.
Elsewhere in the Chatham Cup, Napier City Rovers came to Wellington and saw off Miramar Rangers 3-0.
It’s in the Ballot election meeting
It’s in the Ballot Productions will hold an election meeting at the Khandallah Town Hall and Cornerstone Community Centre on 8 August.
It will feature candidates for the MakaraOhariu Community Board from 3pm to 4pm, followed by the Wharangai/Onslow-Western Ward candidates from 4pm to 6pm and the Wellington Mayoralty hopefuls from 7pm to 9pm.
Run by Sam Somers, It’s in the Ballot election meetings, which are also available with a live screening on the internet, debuted at the 2022 elections.
It’s in the Ballot is introducing a new one hour show for community boards this year. This has been launched in response to feedback from local bodies 2022.
It will feature up to 10 questions for the candidates to answer using the hard hitting questions format.
The candidates will need to work as a team to decide which box the host opens.
This year the section of the show featuring the Wharangi/Onslow-Western Ward candidates will be broken into two parts, with the first half being the box questions, where candidates pick a box number and answer the question in the box, along with each candidate getting two Butt In cards and one Defer the Question card.
The second half continues with Hard Hitting Questions, which is the section where candidates are all asked the same question (No Butt In or Defer cards allowed).
One qiestion will be how candidates are planning on voting on the Retaining Maori Ward Referendum and why they are planning on voting this way, to give voters the candidates’ views and policies on the important issues in their area.
Western Suburbs cruised past Island Bay 5-0 at Wakefield Park and on Sunday Palmerston North United bested Stop Out 3-1 in Palmy.
In the Kate Sheppard Cup, despite falling behind in the 27th minute to a Crystal Phillips penalty, Waterside scored three unanswered goals to Kya Stewart and a double to Renee Bacon advancing them to the quarter final stage where they will meet Phoenix Reserves who knocked
them out in the same stage last year in a 3-2 thriller at Karori Park.
Wharfies have a big game in the league this weekend also. Sitting third on the ladder they face league leaders Wellington United Diamonds.
The Wharfies will be desperate to try and close the nine point lead United have on them at the top of the table with the game being played at Newtown Park on Friday evening at 7pm.
Clown standing for Mayor
Pennywize the Rewilding Clown has announced his candidacy for the Wellington Mayoralty.
However, the clown’s campaign will need help with crowd-funding the candidate deposit of $200, and so he has launched a Givealittle page.
“Having moved from small town USA I have taken up residence in the pipes holding the Waitangi Awa and am now running for Mayor,” Pennywize says.
“When I first moved in I was delighted to discover that I could change to a pescatarian diet living off the koura and banded kokopu which call the piped awa home.
“But I want more.
“If we are to enjoy all the fruits this city has to offer we need a thriving ngahere and thriving awa in the city. Let’s rewild Wellington,” Pennywize says.
GARDENING THIS WEEK WEEDS:
With the weather we are currently having, has lead to a slow but sure, continual growth of weeds.
I was quite surprised how the weeds in my vegetable plot had advanced in the last couple of weeks when I checked the area the other day.
temperatures still reasonable, vegetables are growing nicely, but so are the non wanted plants called weeds.
By the way what we call a weed, is really a plant that you don’t want growing where it is.
But these plants (weeds) can be very useful as food for the soil when they are cut off just below the soil level and left to be absorbed back into the earth.
Many weeds have great health and eat them, far more benefits than vegetables you buy at the supermarket.
See https://juliasedibleweeds. com/ Julia has passed now but the remarkable work she did teaching people what weeds to eat, her Legacy lives on.
In my case I don’t worry too much about the weeds as I have chickens which need their greens so the weeds become an asset for them. Every few days I will harvest a crop of weeds and toss them to the chooks. Which has lead me to the conclusion it would be a good time to discuss weeds and their removal. Firstly I do not use any chemical herbicides (weed killers) as they do damage the soil life and worm
populations, also as I have free ranging chickens along with my 3 dogs and I do not want these to be affected in any way, from toxic sprays.
Thus most of my weeding is done and a good way of relieving any stress from day to day living.
It is interesting to note that a
the UK proved that as little as 20 minutes a day gardening, or being amongst plants made a substantial contribution to ones well being.
Two hours a day reduced the chances of heart problems by a good percentage. It can be summed up as; gardeners have better health overall than non gardeners!
I believe that healthy plants share their health with you by not only eating them but being around them.
Weeding by hand is a little art in its self, you can use a hand trowel a sharp, long blade, carving knife the best.
You slide the blade into the soil next to the weed and slice through the top section of the tap root or root system while holding the weed in the other hand.
The foliage comes away cleanly leaving the remaining roots to rot down and feed the soil.
Then you simply leave the foliage of the weed on the soil to rot down and disappear quickly into your healthy soil.
I am always amazed at how quickly nature absorbs back organic material; like for instance,
if you mow the lawn and don’t use a catcher, the clipping are often completely gone within a few days.
Pulling of weeds by hand often breaks the weeds off near ground level where they will come away again. This happens more so in dry or heavy soils where the roots have a good hold on Terra Firma.
If you wish to dig over. or fork over an area, then the removal of makes for a better job. Many dugin weeds, especially grass weeds, have a tendency of reappearing later on unless removed or buried deep.
For those that do not want to weed by hand there is always hoes such as the Dutch Hoe that can be used to also slice off weeds just below the surface and then dug in or better left to rot into the soil which is Natures natural way..
For gardeners that do not want to use chemical herbicides but spray the weeds still then you can use solutions of vinegar, seed oils, salt and ammonium sulphamate. For these to work well the soil needs to be on the dry side and the spray applied on a sunny day when the weeds are a bit dehydrated. Then they will further dehydrate the weed’s foliage. Perennial weeds will reappear and require further treatment.
If you don’t mind using chemical herbicides then you have a good range to choose from with the glyphosate ones such as Roundup been the most widely known and
“If you want a Poneke where we get back to the basics of rewilding Wellington then I am the clown for you.
“If you want a Poneke where we have some common sense, daylight our piped awa and use them as part of an innovative public transport scheme involving de-extincted species then I am the clown for you.”
By Wally Richards
used.
Glyphosate’s action works on the growth of the weeds, it is translocates to the roots, where it comes back up through the plant with its growth, killing the roots and foliage.
If there is zero growth, (which can happen in winter and during summer drought conditions) there is no kill. If the chemical cannot enter the foliage because of surface tension on the leaf, shiny leaves or hairy leaves then there is no kill.
Thus knowing this you can enhance the weed killer in two ways. Add Raingard to the mixed spray and it will act as a bridge to assist with the chemical to enter the foliage. Then add nitrogen to the mix by dissolving the likes of sulphate of ammonia or urea in water and adding to the spray. The nitrogen stimulates growth and speeds up the kill factor.
The likes of Roundup is recommended to be used at 10 ml to one
litre of spray water. The 10 ml rate is the highest rate needed to kill the hardest to kill weeds (that glyphosate can control) If you doubled the dose to 20 ml you would not get any better results.
By adding the Raingard to the of 5 ml per litre will do a nice job on most weeds that glyphosate can control.
Then add to this the nitrogen and your time factor till the weeds are dead will be marking reduced.
If you would like the dead weeds to disappear faster then you can add either Mycorrcin or Thatch Busta to the spray and either of these two liquids will speed up the decomposition of the weeds greatly. Basically that is what we want, the total removal of weeds as quickly as possible to make areas tidy.
Another aspect of placing the Mycorrcin or Thatch Busta into the glyphosate spray, helps counteract the damage done to the soil life by the chemical, so its a win, win situation.
Pennywize the Clown, who is standing for Mayor of Wellington. Photo: Supplied.
