Petone Winter Carnival 2009

Just some of the festivities at the Petone Winter Carnival on the foreshore. Attended by many old and young alike and blessed with the joy of a Winters day of sunshine. Thanks to the key sponsors Leisure Active, Hutt City Council and the rest for the effort to put on this event

Circus Training taken advantage of by the young

Unicycles, Hula Hoops and Juggling

48 Metre new mural by artist Daniel Mills depicting “The Legend of Te Whanganui a Tara”

Fun Rides on the Petone foreshore

E Tu (Stand Up) Fire Sculpture Construction for that nights bonfires and fireworks.

Potty Training!

There are more photos on my twitter account www.twitter.com//HuttNZ or sidebar following twitter

Cheers to David St George for providing photos from Fireworks and Sculpture display that night, make sure you check out his profile and other photos on his site great work.

and also thanks to www.twitter.com/Greeenapple

and an awesome sequence from Matt Oliver a series of photos taken from Korokoro Road

Great work

Thanks to everyone for responding and your contributions

Lower Hutt: Bird Breeder sentenced in Court

A man who tried to smuggle a dozen fertile chicken eggs into New Zealand has been fined $5000 and sentenced to community work.

In Lower Hutt District Court yesterday, John Jakeman was convicted for violating the Biosecurity Act after sourcing eggs from an overseas chicken breeder and suggested the supplier falsify the packaging description.

The self-confessed poultry fancier had gone to lengths to try and bypass New Zealand’s border biosecurity screening programmes, the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry said today.

MAF investigations manager Greg Reid said Jakeman was aware what he was doing was illegal and it was disappointing that someone was willing to risk bringing potential disease into the country.

”It is frustrating responding to incidents where people selfishly put the wellbeing of our country at risk,” Mr Reid said.

Along with the fine, Jakeman was ordered to complete 200 hours of community work.

Hutt Rail: Police presence on trains underway

A regional initiative announced back in April to increase the police presence on trains is gaining momentum, with Lower Hutt police riding trains almost every day.

Each day, two to three constables from the police community engagement team usually jump on a train, check out the carriages and chat to passengers. Constable Paula Harris says the initiative started about six to eight weeks ago, with a training session from KiwiRail.

“We got taught basic safety stuff like how to move through carriages safely, holding onto the handrails,” she says.
Rail staff appreciate seeing police on trains, she says.

“They say sometimes they have problems on the Friday or Saturday night services with disorderly behaviour so we try and get onto those. For us, it’s an opportunity to raise our profile and be more visible. Public transport takes a lot of people everyday so it’s about getting used to seeing us, where people usually don’t.”

Though curious looks and questions of “Is something wrong?” were the most frequent reactions, Ms Harris and the team were hoping people would get used to the police presence and approach them if anything was needed.

In a recent survey conducted by Hutt City Council, 58 per cent of people said they felt at risk of being a victim of crime or sustaining an injury at train stations. And 51 per cent felt they were at risk on all public transport. A police presence, while rated below security wardens and better lighting, was listed as one of the top requirements for people to feel safer. Ms Harris was hoping to address that by having police on trains.

“It’s a chance to check out problems like tagging around stations.

“We get off at a station, have a look around, check for anti-social behaviour and get on the next train.”

Wellington Community Policing Manager Inspector Karen Smith says having police patrol the trains and platforms was a natural extension of the work they already do in the community.

Lower Hutt: Protesters group picket Loritz Circus

SAFE animal protection group protested today at Avalon Park outside of Loritz Circus in their campaign to free Jumbo the Elephant . This campaign to free Jumbo has been ongoing around New Zealand, and has had high media exposure for the action group as they have had some success in making the public more aware of Jumbos plight.

The story so far is that for over 32 years Jumbo has been little more than a circus slave, she is the last wild animal in a New Zealand circus. When not performing Jumbo remains either housed in a trailer with barely enough space to move, or regularly tethered by a heavy chain.

By attending the circus SAFE says you are continuing to condone this treatment of Jumbo, their protest today was to bring the plight of Jumbo to possible circus attendees.

The protest was successful on several levels in detering attendees and bringing wider exposure to SAFEs action in freeing Jumbo.

Please take the time to visit SAFEs website to make yourself aware of Jumbos situation.

Lower Hutt CBD Development plan

A $20 million new city council building is in the offering for Lower Hutt to give the city’s tired central business district a boost.

Retailers, business leaders and the mayor agree the central city lacks a heart and there is tentative support for the Hutt City Council’s ideas.

Along with the “multi-purpose civic building” proposed for High St near the Hutt River, councillors are also supporting a new bridge from State Highway 2 into the city, a riverside promenade and a green area around the NewDowse art gallery.

The ideas, backed by a council committee last night, are part of longterm plans to revitalise the central city by 2030.

A report prepared for the council says the central business district is unfriendly to pedestrians, full of big box developments and lacking in entertainment options.

Lower Hutt Mayor David Ogden has called for help from a local retailing figure, in the manner of Newmarket Business Association’s Cameron Brewer, because of the big number of empty shops in the city.

“I’ve been getting more and more frustrated that there doesn’t seem to be an effective way of addressing the lack of vitality and vibrancy here,” Mr Ogden said.

The new council building was a good idea because the council’s existing premises would need $15 million to $20m of earthquake strengthening in 2018, he said.

“I’m not prepared to put it off, so we would have to move out in any event … It behoves us to have a place where people will gather and have a social life together.”

The proposed building roughly costed at $21.5m would include 6000 square metres of space for the council, as well as space for parking and shops.

The council report suggests that moving into the struggling southern end of High St could spark development in the area, while a nearby public square would link the city and the Hutt River.

But moving from the council’s present Laings Rd site would also mean finding a new owner, such as a hotel.

Professionals Hutt City owner John Ross said the central business district “lacks soul” at present.

It would be easy to find a developer who could take on the existing council buildings, he said.

One retailer, Mandeep Pala, said there had been plenty of consultation about the proposals, though he was ambivalent about the council’s planned new home.

“If they could spend money on other things, that would be better. But it [council repairs] hasn’t been done in 50 years, so I think it’s probably justified.”

An artist's drawing of the proposed changes looking from Laings Rd toward the Hutt River.

Artists impression of development in Laings Road Lower Hutt looking towards Hutt River.

Naenae: Liquor Prosecution for selling to minor

Treadwell St NaeNae Liquor Store (here) will face a 2 day suspension of its licence to sell alcohol following a breach of the Sale of Liquor Act.

Police say alcohol was sold to a minor. The General Managers certificate, issued to Chhagan Patel, will also be suspended for a longer period of 4 weeks for failing to conduct the premises in a proper manner.

Lower Hutt police ran a controlled operation where a minor was asked to enter the store and purchase liquor. Its alleged the sales person made no inquiry as to the customers age nor requested any form of ID.

No Police Merger in Hutt Valley

The report is out, and it is good use for opponents of Project Awakairangi . This issue has caused a great deal of concern amongst the public and staff over the way this project has been handled. HuttNZ has also expressed concern over how this matter has played out and also expressed doubts as to the release of the outcome, I stand corrected and am glad the matter has been made public.

Announcement

The Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt police areas will not be merged, police bosses have announced.

Wellington district commander Superintendent Gail Gibson said today she had reviewed the report on project Awakairangi – which was looking at amalgamating the neighbouring police areas – and decided to retain Upper Hutt’s area commander role.

Police wanted to provide the ”best possible service” to the public, she said.

”We have decided that part of that service includes Upper Hutt retaining their area commander.”

However, reviews of police resources in the district would continue.

Ms Gibson thanked the Upper and Lower Hutt communities for their submissions on the proposal.

”During the project process, support for police in Upper Hutt and Lower Hutt was clearly apparent.”

Police authorities announced in February that they were looking at options for the two districts. At the time, Superintendent Pieri Munro said he did not want the number of frontline police to change or for police stations to close, but that a reduction in behind-the-scenes staff was possible. One of the area commanders might lose their job, he said.

The region’s civic leaders were upset by the merger proposal, Upper Mayor Wayne Guppy called it the biggest issue his community had faced, while Lower Hutt Mayor David Ogden said he could not understand why police would want to change something that was working effectively.

The two districts have about 240 staff in total.

Lower Hutt: Whats new in the Entertainment scene

I really get encouraged by people willing to give things a try in the hospitality scene, and at present there is a lot going on in Lower Hutt. While most businesses are looking to retrench or have gone into survival mode, I have to tip my hat to these four in trying something new in the Lower Hutt entertainment scene.

Loaded Hog High Street Lower Hutt

Loaded Hog

Recently taken over by James Thwaites who comes from a background in the hospitality business in Wellington. Major plans are on the cards with a current project to develop a 50 seat dining area upstairs. Also longer term is a 500 capacity band and nightclub venue next door, together with the intention to lauch a One Red Dog upmarket pizza restaurant above the night club. This restaurant will have an outside balcony looking out over High Street. That al fresco concept might also be a feature carried over into the upstairs part of the Loaded Hog. Paul Rowan, of ex Mange Tout is group executive chef. Paul has already changed the existing restaurants menu and the aim is to bring the Stonegrill concept to the new upstairs restaurant upon completion.

Las Margaritas Daly Street Lower Hutt

Las Margaritas

Open about a week in the former Workshop Cafe in Daly Street.

The result of a dream of 14 years by owner Andres Pimentel, is a restaurant that is a combination of Mexican casual and upmarket cusine. Chef Roberto Amaro from Puebla Mexico will be in the kitchen while Andres sister Marina is the maitre’d.

They hope to share their culture through the food and ambience they have created.

Several other outlets are in the planning and while not yet confirmed here are the other two.

Possible Upmarket Burger Restaurant Cadillac

Cadillac

Further down southern High Street is a conversion of a former curry joint into Cadillac an upmarket burger outlet. Work is still being completed on fitout.

Possible Mediterranean Food Warehouse

Mediterranean Food Warehouse

(check out the review on The Med Warehouse here)

Opposite McDonalds in High Street, this is a further outlet for the Mediterranean Food Warehouse group (Newtown Wellington).

Construction has taken longer than predicted through resource consent delays. Offering hard to source food supplies from the Mediterranean along with a cafe with an upmarket pizza outlet.

It is encouraging that these developments are progresing in the Hutt and offer a greater hospitality experience.

I wish them all the best, and if you know of any other new dining outlets opening soon please let us know at HuttNZ@gmail.com or dm www.Twitter.com/HuttNZ

Lower Hutt: Hairdresser wins employment payout

The Employment Relations Authority (ERA) has awarded $17,600 to a hair stylist who was sacked after arguably turning up to work five minutes late – and slated her boss for not showing up at personal grievance hearings.

Nadine Clarke started work for Lower Hutt firm B Hair and Beauty (<-see here,or here ->) View Larger Map in July 2008

There was no written employment agreement, but it was agreed verbally with the firm director Bianca Blake that she would work on the days the salon was open, from Tuesday to Saturday each week.

Ms Clarke told the ERA it was arranged that she could turn up before her first client arrived, but she said she turned up early anyway.

She took three days off from August 21 for a family bereavement.

She was not paid her wages for the previous week when they fell due on August 20, but when she rang the firm, she was told they had been paid. Her bank confirmed they hadn’t.

The next Tuesday she arrived at work at 9.05am and was told by Ms Blake that she was late. Ms Clarke had no client at the time.

She asked for her wages but was informed by Ms Blake that she needed to attend a meeting at noon ”to be dealt with,” the ERA said in its report.

She was asked to leave the premises and told that police would be called.

Ms Clarke felt she had been dismissed. She was not paid wages for the last two weeks she worked.

Ms Blake sent her two letters requesting she attend an investigation over her performance and behaviour.

Ms Clarke sought help from a lawyer and a personal grievance was raised on her behalf with a claim made for wages not paid.

There was no reply to that letter and Ms Blake failed to attend two mediation meetings that had been arranged.

Ms Blake did not respond to the ERA’s request for documents despite proof of service, and did not show at its investigation meetings.

”The respondent’s reprehensible behaviour in failing completely with my investigation means I have received nothing from the respondent to hear its side of the story and any defence to the claims,” said ERA member Paul Stapp.

He found Ms Clarke was dismissed unjustifiably. He ordered the hair firm to pay her $8820 for three months’ lost wages, $1700 in wage arrears, $4000 compensation for humiliation, loss of dignity and injury to feelings, $3000 to assist in her costs and $70 for a filing fee.

Swine Flu hits Rimutaka Prison

An entire unit at Rimutaka Prison has been put in quarantine after an outbreak of swine flu.

Corrections Department health manager Bridget White confirmed that three Rimutaka inmates were sick with suspected influenza A (H1N1) and had been isolated in their cells at the direction of public health officials. One had been tested so far.

“Any prisoner confirmed as being infected will be treated with Tamiflu,” she said.

Other inmates in the unit believed to house about 50 had been segregated from the rest of the prison.

The situation is being closely monitored to contain further outbreaks.