Lower Hutt

Cadillac Diner – Worth a Family Visit

Well I didn’t write it, but I paid the bill. So here’s the review from http://twitter.com/HuttValleyChick, who felt it was necessary to say something about this new dining experience in Lower Hutt.

Looking for a fun place to eat in The Hutt? Then look no further than Cadillac Diner and Café on High Street. This new 1950s themed diner is worth a visit. The décor itself is magnificent – we loved the opportunity to check out a pink Cadillac up close!
The food? Well, if you’re planning on going – make sure you’re hungry! The burgers are HUGE. And they average at $12 each (fries are separate). We dropped in for a light lunch last Saturday and were a bit disappointed they didn’t have a smaller burger option, like a cheeseburger, priced around $8 to $10. We reckon the good test of a burger is that you can pick it up! These burgers are just too big and eating them with a knife and fork seems weird.
But – you gotta hand it to them – it’s a good spot for families. Your kids will love it. And with kids’ meals priced from just $5, your wallet will love it too!

Cadillac Diner and Café, 112 High Street, Lower Hutt.

Looks like a school holiday wet weather idea!

Lower Hutt: Cadillac Diner opens this Saturday

Hop through to our review of this establishment here

Are you a fan for the atmosphere and way of life evoked in Happy Days, American Graffiti, even the 1950s ‘Milk Bar’ scene in New Zealand? Big American cars, good times with family and mates, dine-in and take-out burgers that really satisfy the taste buds?

Come along to the Grand Opening this Saturday, you’ll find the diner in mid-High Street near the Laings Road corner.

There will be:

– Two live bands
– Cadillac/Hot Red Cars
– Wellington Rock’n Roll Dancing

Where: Cadillac Diner
112 High Street
Lower Hutt

Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Date: Saturday, September 26, 2009

via HuttValleyNZ.com

Well it will be good to see another of the outlets profiled in Entertainment Whats New finally opening. This themed outlet will no doubt add to the increasing entertainment options in Lower Hutt. I wish them every success, and they will need your support.

On a side note, somewhere in my memory I think the original teenage delinquent problem was identified as happening in Hutt Valley Milk Bars, Mazengarb inquiry resulted if I remember right, life does go full circle in the Hutt.

Appreciate first comments from those early diners.

Also don’t forget Mediterrean Food Warehouse opening in early Oct, no need to go to Newtown now, and I love their pizzas, unique, opposite McDonalds

Epuni: Railway station to re-open early

The refurbished Epuni Station on the Hutt Valley Line will re-open to passengers on Tuesday 22 September.

Wellington Region Rail Programme Director David Gordon thanked passengers for their patience during construction.

“We initially thought Epuni wouldn’t be completed until October but good progress means we’ve been able to re-open the Station ahead of schedule,” David Gordon said.

Epuni Station has been closed to passengers since mid-August to allow the platform to be upgraded. The 1700m platform area has been re-sealed with the addition of passenger safety features such as yellow tactile strips at the platform edge.

Electrical ducting was also installed in preparation for the introduction in future of a real-time passenger information system by Greater Wellington Regional Council.

Work is still continuing on Petone station as part of the service upgrade.

“Passengers have been understanding about the amount of work that has been happening during the year – with the upgraded platform open for use, hopefully they will start to see some of the benefits of all the work we’ve been doing.”

The work is part of the wider rail upgrade, the Wellington Region Rail Programme, a joint initiative between KiwiRail (Tranz Metro and ONTRACK) and GWRC to improve passenger rail services.

Lower Hutt: World Record attempt at 10 Pin Bowling succeeds

A Lower Hutt man has set a new world record for non-stop 10-pin bowling.

Stuart Wridley started bowling at 5.00pm Sunday at the Lower Hutt Strike Entertainment Centre and broke the record just after 5pm Friday after bowling for 122 hours.

Wridley has gone for days without a decent sleep while bowling his way to the record.

“Tattoo Stu” was determined to beat the old record by two hours but at times his supporters thought he would not make it.

“There’s been some real rough patches…had to call mum in a couple of times.”

Wridley’s mum Linda kept turning the bowling balls so he could conserve energy but she says at one stage he got disorientated and couldn’t figure out how to get his fingers in the ball.

Published: 8:19PM Friday September 18, 2009
Source: ONE News

Awesome effort Stu you can take that well deserved break now. Unbelievably I heard that you’re thinking of joining a bowling league, after 122 hours I thought you would have had enough. Awesome effort for you and Canteen.

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Well, having just popped in to Lower Hutts Strike Entertainment, I’m more than impressed with Stuart Ridleys effort in this task, and also with his efforts raising money for Teen Cancer.

By 5pm he will have broken the record of 120 hours, but the goal is to continue until 7pm, he will make it I’m sure.

If you have the chance pop down after work, he needs all the support he can get.

Catch up with the news item more in depth from TVNZ on this mornings Breakfast show

Lower Hutt: Schoolgirls fight

There has been another ugly incident involving two groups of female school students in Lower Hutt. The schools concerned are believed to be Wainuiomata High School and Hutt Valley High School.

Police say they attended an incident at Westfield mall in Lower Hutt yesterday afternoon because of reports of fighting between two groups of girls reported by Westfield staff. One witness described seeing some of the students from rival schools in the Hutt Valley having blood on their school uniforms.

Police made no arrests as the 30 to 40 girls involved in the fight ran off as officers arrived. As yet neither High Schools are making comment.

Lower Hutt: Housing battle at Farmer Cres cost New Zealand more than $250,000

ONE News

WATCH the video (2:15)

The battle to evict a group of state house tenants with gang connections in Lower Hutt’s troubled Farmer Crescent, has cost taxpayers more than a quarter of a million dollars.

In March, Housing New Zealand gave five tenants who are either the partners or friends of Mongrel Mob members, three months to leave their state houses.

However the move has promoted allegations of gang intimidation, and now Housing New Zealand is paying up to protect the property.

Figures obtained by ONE News show legal costs have reached at least $15,000 whilst installation and monitoring of security systems have cost around $13,500.

But the biggest cost has been community security patrols that have cost more than $56,000 and security guards that have cost more than $230,000.

Housing New Zealand says security is part of their business where they have troubled communities.

via tvnz.co.nz

This no doubt explains the presence of security personal outside of HNZ offices at Lower Hutt in recent months, as a precaution and the protection of staff who might have been intimidated by Mongrol Mob members. This issue is still not resolved, is it a sign that we are over cautious in our dealings with gang related issues in NZ.
Is our political correctness getting in the way of protecting others from their rights, that is normal citizens. I’m quite sure Michael Laws if in charge of HNZ might have the issue resolved by now!

Posted via web from HuttNZ’s posterous

Mountain Buggy Redundancies in more detail

NZI Business this morning played an item on Mountain Buggy and its production moving offshore.

Unfortunately as our earlier reports have mentioned, it is exceedingly difficult for local manufacturers to compete against their business opponents if they are manufacturing offshore, especially in China.

Wages rates in China are the equivalent of about $100 US per month, and unattainable wage rate in NZ. Akin to nearly all manufacturers, including the new owners Phil & Teds, intellectual property is retained in New Zealand and production is moved overseas, generally to a lower cost base.

Lower Hutt: Dulux big reinvestment in modernising its factory

Mayor welcomes Dulux’s $28m investment in Hutt City

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Mayor David Ogden today welcomed paint manufacturer Dulux’s announcement that it plans to invest $28m modernising its factory in Hutt City.

“Dulux has been part of our community for 70 years and a significant employer of local people,” he said.

“The decision of Dulux to reinvest in Hutt City strengthens our reputation for manufacturing and confirms this is a great place to invest.

“Especially in these challenging economic times, this, along with other examples such as Flight Group moving to the old Griffins site, inspires confidence that our city has a positive future.

“They all have an important role to play in helping to drive economic growth which will enable Hutt City to emerge quickly from the recession.

“Today’s announcement is wonderful news,” Mayor Ogden said.

via huttcity.govt.nz

More good economic news. What with the possible move of army personal to Trentham and as mentioned above the movement of the Flight Group to the old Griffins site the Hutt Valley has not totally lost its employment base. Resene another local company recently won an award for research (see video) against stiff competition. Local firm and family great work (those Christmas parties in the 1990s were legendary apparently)

There is no doubt in my mind that the Hutt Valley with its stable work force and large flat geography (space) provide avenues that are not available in other parts of the Wellington region. Some businesses are taking the opportunities in the current climate to reestablish or strengthen their positions. I’m very happy for them to see the Hutt Valley as a place to base themselves.

Posted via web from HuttNZ’s posterous

Hutt Valley Community Arts Survey

via hvca.org.nz

From the excellent resource on the Hutt Valley Community Arts site showing Petone artistic venues. The map is interactive on the site with links to the venues mentioned. Found while completing this years survey (found under resources)

Make sure you complete a survey as they are looking for input if relevant to you, must be completed by 18th September.

Posted via web from HuttNZ’s posterous

Lower Hutt: Colin McCahon painting to stay

Mayor welcomes decision on McCahon painting ownership

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Mayor David Ogden has welcomed the decision by the Council’s Finance and Audit Committee to retain the Council’s ownership of Colin McCahon’s ‘Through the Wall of Death’.

“The painting is one of the most notable works in TheNewDowse collection and is considered a significant painting by possibly the most important 20th century New Zealand artist. This decision will ensure that it continues to be enjoyed by Hutt residents for generations to come.

“TheNewDowse has rightly been described as a jewel in the crown for the city. Last night’s decision acknowledges that we are the guardians of the institution and its collection for future generations. It also keeps the faith with the many supporters and benefactors whose commitment over the years has literally built TheNewDowse.”

via huttcity.govt.nz

Considering this painting has a valuation of roughly $1.5 million, I struggle with the retention of this work of art.

Firstly the HCC role should be supportive of the arts and culture but not to the exclusion of new works by local artists (It originally cost $3000 in 1976, a tidy sum back then).

Given that I am in agreement with several councillors who stated that the council would not currently buy a $1.5 million painting, as the ratepayers would balk. Equally the logic applies the other way, why are we holding on to such a painting, and given that we have, at what expense to ratepayers to provide the security & insurance it requires.
If the ratepayers are asked to subsidise The New Dowse because of revenue shortfalls this year equally the council should divest itself of works that could help in that regard given the current economy.

I’m not asking they don’t support developing artists either by purchasing new works akin to the original purchase of the McCahon. But the logic of calling on ratepayers first for art funding shortfalls, or conversely holding on to assets to placate egos (or avoid hard decisions) is not something I trust to any council.

I would be happier to retain this work if it were by a local artist, it therefore would hold more value to the local community, not the arts community overall.

Posted via web from huttnz’s posterous