HuttNZ

Well, it arrives. The new Matangi train is not an urban myth, as footage below shows it on its first run ex Wellington 9.00am. Only two carriages, as was also expected.

Didn’t get onboard, but had a sneak peak inside from the outside. Got to laugh wondered why the door didn’t open, you need to press the button, modern.

Well its good to see Hutt Radio progressing so well since my last update in January.

The current lineup.

The BBC WORLD SERVICE is streamed whenever the programme is not “live and local”

Here’s the current schedule of local broadcasts:

Monday-to-Friday 10 am to noon: TEN TO TWELVE
Monday-to-Saturday 12 to 1 (or 2) pm: Kai Time/ music
Monday 7-to-9 pm: SOCCER + CRAIG & COMPANY
Wednesday 7-to-9: Wednesday Night Edition (live chat)
Wednesday 9-to-11 pm: JAZZ-Lite + BIG BANDS Doco
Thursday and Saturday 4-to-6 pm: Music & Local Info
Saturday 10-to-noon: TODAY In The HUTT REGION
Saturday 12-to-6 pm: Three Music-based Programmes

Sunday 11 am-to-5 pm: Music, Humour, Folk, Country
_____________________________________________

39 live hours per week. 15 studio personnel.
About 20 regular contributors per fortnight!

A small fire started in the eastern hills around 5pm today in the area between Naenae and Fairfield the closest houses being around Summit Road. It started near a water reservoir about 1/2 km up the fire break.
View Larger Map

The small fire was quickly contained by emergency services and the fire was out by 6.30pm.

This follows the more substantial fire two weeks ago in Wingate and the large one in Titahi Bay last week.

Thanks to Steve for footage below

Emergency services arrived at the blaze just after 2.30pm above Pick-A-Part Wingate.

The fire while initially small increased in size as a strong breeze picked up from the south. The Eastern Hutt Road, Peterkin Street and Cambridge Terrace were closed as the fire increased.

Wingate bridge was also closed.

A helicopter from Helipro and eight fire appliances were at the scene fighting the blaze.

By 7.30pm the fire is still been attended to.

No houses were being threatened by the flames.

A large crowd watched throughout the afternoon.

Thanks to Megan Leith for Photos

More comprehensive coverage here from Hutt Valley Fire Police Unit

The police say the driver of a car that crashed into a house in Naenae on Friday night was just 16 years old and had only a learner’s licence.

Two men were hurt, one seriously, and three passengers fled the scene after their vehicle failed to take a corner and ploughed into a brick house in the suburb of Naenae.

Mary Boyle was alone in the house at the time when she heard tyres screeching, and a huge crash. It felt like an earthquake, she says, but luckily she was unharmed.

She says her granddaughter Caitlin, aged five, sometimes stays in the room where the car hit, but was not there at the time.

The police are waiting for the results of a blood alcohol test before deciding whether to lay charges against the driver.

The house was structurally damaged.

via NZ Police

Last night around 9.30pm as we reported via Twitter a car crashed into a house on the corner of Naenae Road and Gibson Crescent.

A Toyota Corrolla sedan had lost control (apparently from burnouts) and hit the front of a brick house causing structual damage.

No one in the house was injured. Of the two male passengers, one has suffered moderate injuries while the driver had to be cut out from the car. It is reported that he has serious but not life threatening injuries.

The area around the incident was closed for several hours as the accident was investigated.

The Wellington Based Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called out late yesterday evening at 9pm to two Motocross riders both 35yr old males from Wainuiomata who had crashed into each other in the hills above Naenae.

The two riders both from the same riding group had crashed when one member was going up the track and the other was coming down.

The Helicopter with two Wellington Free Paramedics on board responded to the area.

A third member from the riding party was able to guide the helicopter into a landing site with a torch. The Pilot and crew were both wearing Night Vision Goggles which made seeing the torch very easy from approx 10km away. The Helicopter was able to land about 1km from the patients.

The Paramedics then walked up the track and assessed the two patients.

The patients was then flown to Wellington Hospital Emergency Department where they are being treated. One patient had Upper Leg Injuries and the other patient had suffered a Shoulder injury

Via www.lifeflight.org.nz

Earlier this evening a shop fire occurred in Hillary Court Naenae. At this stage no further details are available. Cheers to Steve http://twitter.com/stevebiddle who was on the scene.

 Larger view here

The Naenae shopping centre is looking great following the Big Splash Naenae Paintathon held today when locals picked up their brushes to add more shine to the Cambridge Terrace side of the Naenae shopping centre.

Local personality Billy Graham was to the for again, the atmosphere was fantastic, and in the video below you can see Billy in his whites contributing on the scaffold.

Thanks must go Hutt City Council’s retail coordinator Joanna van Walraven, Resene local paint manufacturer who generously supplied paint and Brian Ross who supply painting equipment.

Don’t forget to visit Billys event at the Naenae Community Hall tomorrow night starting at 5pm “How to punch above your weight”.

A great community effort everyone, and it looks great as the video shows.

Dan Mills has literally painted Naenae. Naenae has an interesting history and Dan includes elements of this history and character in his work. Dans murals have graced the Naenae Boxing Academy, the subway tunnel, the Naenae Dentist, Naenae Primary School, Rata Street School, Naenae Basketball Court, the Olympic sized Swimming Pool and the Pacific Health Centre all in Naenae.

His work was further seen at the live art installation at the Petone Winter Carnival. Here he is explaining the depiction illustrated in his 48 metre wall mural The Legend of Te Whanganui a Tara on the Petone foreshore.

Following on from this, different type of painting but contributing is that the Naenae shopping centre is preparing for the second Big Splash Naenae Paintathon on Saturday 7 November when locals will pick up their brushes to add more shine to the Cambridge Terrace side of the Naenae shopping centre.

Local personality Billy Graham says last year’s Big Splash was an incredible success and the atmosphere was fantastic. “Everyone was buzzing for days afterwards and the shopping centre looks great.”

Hutt City Council’s retail coordinator Joanna van Walraven has coordinated this year’s effort and is encouraged by the amount of support shown already.

“Everyone is really keen to pitch in and see the shopping centre come alive for everyone to enjoy.”

Painting will begin at 8am and volunteers are asked to wear old clothes and bring a hat, sunscreen and a water bottle.

Resene local paint manufacturer has generously supplied paint and Brian Ross will supply painting equipment. Food and drink aplenty will keep volunteers humming.

“We’re asking anyone who’s keen to register by Wednesday 4 November so we can make sure we’ve got enough gear for everyone.”

If you want to be involved on the day and for further information contact
Joanna van Walraven on 577 8095 or joanna.vanwalraven@huttcity.govt.nz