News

Stokes Valley: Kindergarten damaged by fire

Last Thursday night a Stokes Valley kohanga reo (Maori language school) was been badly damaged in what police say is a suspicious fire.

Lower Hutt CIB said today they wanted to hear from anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in the area at the time.

Photos and other details here courtesy of  Hutt ValleyFire Police Unit.

Upper Hutt: Fire seriously damages Auto Repair Shop

Fire appliances and emergency services attended a serious fire at Kiwi Race Cars an automotive Repair Workshop in Goodshed Road Maidstone Upper Hutt around lunchtime. Damage to the race car workshop was extensive. The workshop was divided into two areas, the section in which the fire started was seriously damaged along with two vintage cars. The other area containing several cars suffered light damage.

For more details checkout details and photos, click here courtesy of Hutt Valley Fire Police Unit who attended.

Petone: The Empire, Jackson Street

Formerly the Empire Hotel, now ‘The Empire’, the new gastro-pub on Jackson Street (opposite Murphy’s Bar) is ‘O for awesome’. 

Paul Rowan, of Mange Tout fame, has opened this new establishment in time for Christmas.  The place looks amazing and the garden bar  is a real feature. In fact for summer days this will be the place. The short video gives a quick insight, but you must visit it yourself. Interested in the backstory over the demise of the old Empire Hotel check here and here. Its a credit to Paul in the quick turnaround and changing a blot on Jackson Street to what will be an entertainment asset.

We had lunch there today (opening day) – the burger was good and the chicken and cider pie was very tasty.  If you like the food at Lonestar and Speights Ale House, then you’ll like The Empire.  The food is somewhere in between the two places, with meal prices under $20 for the burger or pie – and a bit more for the stonegrill.  They’ve got Macs range of beers and Stella on tap, with others in the fridge.  I had the Oyster Bay sav which is always good.  We also spotted a couple getting the platter, so we’ll be back again over Summer – maybe next time we’ll sit in the garden bar if the weather behaves!! 

The private function room out the back is an ideal venue for a Xmas party, or office function.  And if gaming is your cup of tea, the pokies return to The Empire in late January. 

The Empire, 175 Jackson Street, Petone.  Call 589 5502.

Lower Hutt: House Fire in central Hutt

There was a large fire in the early morning at a house in central Lower Hutt.
The house where the fire started was completely destroyed and six neighbouring houses were damaged.

At this stage the fire is being treated as suspicious.

Full photos and article courtesy of  Hutt Valley Fire Police Unit

Lower Hutt: Another home invasion this time in Avalon.

Early this morning saw the second home invasion in the Hutt Valley. Whilst not on the level of the Stokes Valley attack it is rather worrying that the nature of these attacks is increasing. Two things spring to mind economic hardship and drugs

Three people, including an elderly woman, were upset, but physically unharmed, after four men forced their way into their Lower Hutt home early today.

Lower Hutt police said the woman, in her nineties, and another adult couple were awoken by the four men forcing the front door of the Charleston Avenue, Avalon, home.

“The males made a hasty search before leaving with some property and the victims’ BMW motor vehicle,” said Detective Sergeant Mike Sears of Lower Hutt CIB.

“The victims are obviously very upset, but thankfully received no physical injuries.

“We are still investigating the motive for this crime.”

via Stuff

Police are trying to establish if there are any links between this and the Stokes Valley incident, and need help to locate the four young men.

Keep your eyes out for the stolen car, a blue BMW, registration ZX9069.

More indepth detail in this Herald report has emerged (Sunday) and Police now believe of the posssibility that a gang  of assilants is operating in the Hutt Valley.

 

Lower Hutt Police seek details around Stokes Valley assault

Lower Hutt Police are seeking sightings of a red or maroon Mazda Astina 4 door liftback vehicle believed to be linked to an overnight home invasion in Stokes Valley.

The vehicle had been stolen from the lower level of the Westpac Stadium car park during business hours on Wednesday 11 November. At about 10.00 last evening Police discovered the car burning in the car park of Taita Bowling Club. An examination of the vehicle will take place today.

Also anyone noticing any suspicious behaviour around the Taita Bowling Club within the same time periods as the assault occurred.

Please contact the Lower Hutt Police Station with details

Stokes Valley: Serious armed attack overnight

Stokes Valley was in lockdown mode last night as Police were hunting for at least two armed offenders after the pair stormed into a Stokes Valley home and shot one man and bashed a woman with a gun early this morning.

“The intruders kicked in the door and fired at least two shots in the house, striking the male victim in the leg. His female partner was struck over the head with the gun, police said.

At least three children were in the house at the time.

The male victim, 37, suffered serious gunshot injuries to his leg. He was flown by Westpac rescue helicopter to Wellington Hospital after the armed invasion about 9.40pm.

The woman was able to call for an ambulance, as did neighbours who heard the shots. She was taken to Hutt Hospital with moderate head injuries. The victims’ car was also shot at and damaged.

Stokes Valley was in lockdown last night as police cordons prevented anyone from entering the entrance to the suburb and a helicopter circled overhead.

The two offenders wore balaclavas and black hooded sweatshirts when they entered the Amundsen Grove home and started shooting. Police believed they had a sawn-off shotgun.

Four men were in a red, four-door sedan that left after the shooting. A red car was found a short time later burnt out at Taita Bowling Club.

Police are investigating whether it is connected to the incident.

Armed police were still searching for the offenders early this morning.

Inspector Mike Coleman said the home invasion was premeditated. “It was obviously a planned attack. It’s possible they have mistaken the address and got the wrong people.”

via Stuff

 

 

 

 

 

Naenae: A lick of fresh paint

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.