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Upper Hutt State Of Mind – brilliant parody

Credit, where credit is due, this parody by former Upper Hutt college students Vinny Rittossa and Emma Judd of Jay-Z song “Empire State of Mind featuring Alicia Keys’ is important for anyone to see if Upper Hutt was your stomping ground in your youth, past or present. In fact the contemporary take on Upper Hutt will have some realising it’s all too true.

The Chorus below so you can sing along

Upper Hutt

Suburban town where dreams don’t come true

There’s nothin you can do

now you’re in Upper Hutt

Homeless people will try to mug you

McDonalds will employ you

Lets hear it for Upper Hutt, Upper Hutt, Upper Hutt.

I’m sure Mayor Guppy, will be hoping like hell that this parody doesn’t go far,that is nationwide,  but its a great piss take by the two, and excellent production from the team involved, if there was a New Zealand Saturday Live, it would be top material. Chrrrr

http://youtu.be/uwPFOkGCNOA

Final word goes to OoshMultimedia

The video was produced entirely over a 2 week period, including writing, shooting, audio production, and editing. By basing the video around common associations with Upper Hutt in a light hearted and self deprecating manner, we have been able to successfully appeal to a youth audience and get them involved and interested in The Hutt City. This controversial approach is more meaningful to many youth, as they can relate to what is being said, when opposed to an ‘Upper Hutt is so wonderful’ form that they would take little notice of.
It’s great that so many people have taken an interest in the product, and are willing to voice their opinions.

Rimutaka Hill Road upgrade: Muldoons corner now gone

NZTA opened up the $16.5 million developments at the top of the Rimutakas to two way traffic last week. With a weekend in the Wairarapa it was a chance to capture developments in this ongoing project.

This work has seen the removal of the notorious hairpin Muldoon corner (so named because of how tight it is), don’t think I followed politicians when I use to regularly take the motorbike over the hill for a blat. The Tin Hut wasn’t as posh either (normal watering hole)

But certainly from a travellers perspective whilst the works only shave seconds of the trip, it will make the journey a lot safer, with clear visibility to oncoming traffic, and most certainly for the large rigs.

The job is expected to be completed by the middle of next year.

Matangi Train on new inaugural fare paying run – Footage

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.

Petone: Its changing character?

Following on from comments yesterday on Twitter, I have compiled the developments underway, or proposed within Petone.

It is no doubt that the attraction of Petone is its village look aka Parnell, but I feel that by 2014 if some of these proceed, traffic, car parking, and in essence the character of Petone  will change for good.

I am not against development, but equally, it seems that the plan for Petone is shambolic at best, and has little to do with what makes it attractive at present.

Links and the backstory here.

I wil be adding and progressing story on that link, as I’m sure there are more than I have addressed. Appreciate your inputs.

Release of list of Earthquake prone buildings in the Hutt

Peter Dunne of United Future released today a list of Earthquake prone buildings in Lower Hutt and Petone. Upper Hutt City council as of yet has not released its list.

No doubt all of this relevant given the recent quakes.

Follow the full story here with links to articles and peoples comments ex Twitter.

We do appreciate your comments as this issue is important certainly for the future of Petone and the issue around Jackson Streets character buildings.

AmeriCarna hits the Hutt Valley

This weekend sees the AmeriCarna car carnival arrive. AmeriCARna will bring in excess of 400 American cars, along with drivers, passengers, supporters, and enthusiasts for four days. A celebration of the American car by enthusiasts from around New Zealand. The event will see cars in various places this weekend, road closures are here and events schedule here

The video below shows the numbers and types that are visiting the valley this weekend after yesterdays registration. If you get a chance take an opportunity to have a look at these cars at one of the scheduled events.

Phyllis Tarawhiti

Dear Hutt NZ, I am trying to contact a resident of the Hutt
Valley – Phyllis Tarawhiti. She returned to New Zealand in 2008
after spending 11 years in the notorious Bangkok Hilton jail. The
following link takes you to an article on her story
http://www.stuff.co.nz/249411. The reason I would like to contact
her is that Raw Television, the television production company I
work for in London produce a National Geographic programme called
Locked Up Abroad. The show has been running for 6 series. Each
episode tells the cautionary tale of someone who has lost their
freedom through bad judgement or bad luck in a country far from
their home. I am struggling to make contact with her at the moment
but do know that she lives in the Hutt Valley – I am aware also
that this is a very large area – could you recommend any local
newspapers or organisations I could get in touch in order to find
her. If her story ends up being used on one of our programmes a
small finder’s fee could be arranged. The website for the series
has clips of past shows.
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/locked-up-abroad
Please let me know if you would like anymore information. I look
forward to hearing from you. Many thanks Julia Julia Nottingham
Development Assistant Producer 2nd Floor Solecast House | 13-27
Brunswick Place | London | N1 6DX Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7017 1650 | Fax:
+ 44 (0) 20 7017 1651 http://www.rawtelevision.co.uk

Video Highlights 2010

Bit of lattitude here as it does involve some things from late 2009. Dominated by Fires, weather, and the Hutt River. This year I moved more toward Twitter rather than this blog as this does take up a lot of time.

Has links inserted into video that content can from.

Linking stories below:

Wingate Fire Feb 7th UH Farmers Market Dec 2 Farmers Cres Dec 6 Petone Fair Feb 20 Eastbourne Carnival Nov 30 The Empire Dec 12 Cadillac Dinner Dec 2 Cornwall House Fire Nov 15 Mayor Race Sept 29 Duck Race Apr 15

Best Fish & Chips Oct 09 (only because I go there)