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Your free guide to Tō Tātou Pōneke life in the capital Our 1 April — 15 June 2021 Rārangi upoku Contents Acting now to deliver a city fit for the future

3 14 29 Kia ora koutou An important focus for the 2021 LTP is on Did you know you can… Planning for our future Autumn gardening tips This year will be shaped by the 2021 Long-Term infrastructure – renewing old pipes, ongoing Our contact details and Spotlight on the From the Botanic Garden Plan (LTP) and as such, is set to be a year of investment in resilient water and wastewater supply, and on a long-term solution to treat the helpful hints Long-Term Plan important, long-lasting, city-shaping decisions. 31 Every three years we review our LTP sludge by-product from sewage treatment. 5 16 Ngā huihuinga o te with a community engagement programme All this is expensive, and we’ve been Wā tākaro | Playtime Tō tātou hāpori | Our Kaunihera, ngā komiti me that sets the city-wide direction for the next working hard to balance what needs to be done with affordability. Low-cost whānau-friendly community ngā poari ā-hapori 10 years. It outlines what we will be investing in, how much it may cost, and how this will Your input into the LTP and planning for activities The life of a park ranger Council, committee and be funded. It provides guidance on how we Te Ngākau Civic Square, Let’s Get Wellington community board meetings 6 18 will make Wellington an even better place Moving and Climate Change will be critical in helping balance priorities and developing Pitopito kōrero | News Ngā mahi whakangahau 32 to live, work, play and visit as we go into the future. a shared future vision for our city in a year The latest news from around Put it on the calendar Te Koromatua me ngā An illustration of the scale of investment that won’t be “business as usual”! our city Events supported by the Kaikaunihera / The Mayor that we are considering in the LTP is For more on the 2021 LTP visit wgtn.cc/ltp Council and Councillors 10 featured in this edition of Our Wellington. and we look forward to a great year together. The people who represent With updates on key projects such as the St Ō tātou wāhi | Our places 22 you in Wellington James Theatre, Town Hall, Central Library, Mayor Building for our future: Keeping the capital moving Tākina – our new Convention and Exhibition Tākina Meet our roading team Centre – the Eastern Bays cycleway and the Front cover Deputy Mayor 13 24 Omāroro water reservoir. There's a lot going on right now Sarah Free Ō tātou wāhi | Our places Mahi toi | Capital arts in Wellington, with buildings Building for our future: New exhibitions going up, others being strengthened, and a whole lot Town Hall and St James 26 of construction taking place at multiple locations across Tautaiao | Eco city the city. Our cover art shows Para Kai food waste trial off that work and vibrancy as the builds for our future.

For more information about anything in Disclaimer We publish this magazine to this magazine, visit wellington.govt.nz encourage you to get involved in local events, to demonstrate the great work happening in No internet at home? You can phone our Wellington, and to show you some of the many Contact Centre any time on 04 499 4444 reasons there are to be proud of your city. has, to the best of its or use a free internet computer at one knowledge, sourced accurate information. of our libraries. We will not be held responsible for any errors, changes in pricing, or misinformation. Production: Wellington City Council We’re proud to use ’s indigenous Communications and Engagement Team language in our publications. If you come [email protected] across a word you don’t know, there’s an easy way to learn what it means – visit maoridictionary.co.nz

J012011 Did you know you can…

Get involved in your community Wellington's Community Centres A NEW provide resources, support services and activities to improve the quality of life in our communities. There are 27 Community Centres across Wellington, each with a variety of things on offer, ADVENTURE Contact us any time such as exercise, dance and music Phone: 04 499 4444 classes, advice and support groups, plus Free text: 3400 opportunities for learning, upskilling Email: [email protected] EVERY TIME and volunteering. Most activities are low Stay up-to-date on social media cost or free. Visit wellington.govt.nz/ facebook.com/wellingtoncitycouncil community-support-and-resources @wgtncc wgtncc

Your adventure at Stream movies for free Online movie streaming is available through Wellington City Libraries! supports conservation Thousands of titles are available via our for animals in two streaming platforms, Kanopy and and Beamafilm. Talk to your local librarian around the world. or visit wcl.govt.nz/elibrary Find out about rubbish and recycling For collection days, how to get a new green crate or wheelie bin, and information about what you can and can’t recycle, visit wellington.govt.nz/rubbishandrecycling

Access our city’s history online Are you interested in Pōneke’s history? Got a research project you need help Tell us when something needs fixing with, or want some information If you see Council property that needs about the heritage of your local fixing – such as a streetlight, leaking wellingtonzoo.com neighbourhood? The Archives team are pipe, or public toilet – you can phone us 200 Daniell Street here to help! You can search over 750,000 on 04 499 4444, text us on 3400, or use Newtown records at archivesonline.wcc.govt.nz, the FixIt app on your smartphone. It’s or contact the Archives by emailing free to download from the Google Play [email protected] store, iTunes store, or Windows.

3 Wā tākaro Playtime

Make the most of autumn in the capital with these whānau-friendly activities.

Explore Park As well as a vibrant modern playground, Karori Park is a great place to fly a kite or play a casual cricket game. Older kids can practise their single-track skills on the grade-two mountain bike trails through the Karori bush at the top end of the park. Why not climb the hill and find a place to build a hut or forage for pinecones? This is buggy friendly.

A little dirt never hurt Looking for messy outdoor play ideas? Try collecting different types of soils to make mud paint, have a go at making a floral potion, or try collecting twigs to make a broom!

The of making Did you know making stuff is great for kids’ brains, their curiosity, and confidence? This autumn why not try making a cubby in , or constructing a contraption with cardboard. Or pull together a home- made go-kart from objects at home!

Prepare for play in 5 ways Here are some tips from our team to ensure kids can always play when least expected. 1. Always keep a towel in the car for cleaning up or impromptu wet-play. 2. Ease up about mess. 3. Trust that kids can play in nature at any age. 4. Pack a snack and drink in case you stay longer than expected. 5. Keep a few playful items in your car or bag – a ball or an old blanket.

Newly refreshed playgrounds We're always improving our playgrounds to make them even more exciting. The renewal at Wall Park in Linden had the main playground installed at Christmas, with the final play piece – a flying fox – completed in February. Cummings Park and Shorland Park playgrounds are welcoming new builds in 2021, and after consultation in February, play spaces in Nuku Street, Strathmore, Elizabeth Street in Mt Victoria, and Pembroke Road in Northland are also in the pipeline. Find out more about our playgrounds: wellington.govt.nz/recreation/stuff-for-kids/play-areas/facilities 5 Pitopito kōrero News

Omāroro Reservoir Update Removal of cheques as payment option The site for Wellington’s new 35 million- All major banks within New Zealand are Band Rotunda redevelopment As a listed heritage building the litre water reservoir in the Town Belt has removing the use of cheques as a payment Preliminary works for the renovation of renovations will require resource consent now been fully excavated, water pipes laid option, including Wellington City Council's the Band Rotunda building in Oriental to be granted by Wellington City Council. across the upper field, and work is underway bank, ANZ, which isn’t accepting cheques Bay have started. The Band Rotunda, a The building’s heritage features will be on the pipe tunnel. Meanwhile, the more from 31 May. From 1 April onwards, Wellington waterfront landmark since an important part of the final design. than 48,000m3 of excavated material has Wellington City Council will no longer its completion in 1938, has been closed Developer Cheops Holdings and its sister been successfully stockpiled on the lower accept cheques as a payment option for since 2012 as it requires extensive company McKee Fehl Constructors are field and now lush with seeded grass to any of our services. This will give us time strengthening. The building will undergo leading the renovation work. The project help manage dust and runoff. The good to make sure all cheques received are extensive seismic strengthening and a is expected to be completed in late 2021. news is that so far, no material has had to processed ahead of the bank’s deadline. new fitout for a hospitality operator. wellington.govt.nz/band-rotunda be trucked offsite. Over the next year, work For more information, please visit your will continue on fabricating the reservoir bank’s website. floor and walls, installing the walls for the pipe tunnel, and constructing the structure. Active Transport Workplace Fund The project is set for completion in late 2023. Funding is available for workplace wellingtonwater.co.nz/omaroro programmes, infrastructure and services that will encourage employees to actively commute to work. The fund is focused on encouraging getting to and from work by active modes – such as walking, jogging and biking – rather than travelling by private vehicle, but all applications that meet the criteria will be considered. Visit wellington. govt.nz/funding

Load it right – cover it tight Are you planning a trip to the landfill? Whatever falls off your truck or trailer School holiday fun ends up in our backyards, in storm water Looking for things to do to keep the kids drains and pipes, in our streams, and in occupied during the autumn school break Taputeranga Marine Reserve. It only takes a sea wall repairs heritage. No disruption is expected as the (17 April – 2 May)? Check out the programmes minute to secure your load, so your rubbish We’re repairing part of the historic Oriental footpath is wide enough for repairs to be and activities available at our pools and ends up where it’s supposed to be. Help us Bay sea wall between Grass Street and made without impacting on the promenade recreation centres. A great way to keep your keep our community beautiful. Carlton Gore Road. From April to September or parking. This work will extend the life kids occupied and active over the holidays! we’ll be filling cracks, removing rusted of the century-old sea wall, helping protect Book now. wellington.govt.nz/holidayideas steel remnants and replacing degraded Oriental Parade for future generations. concrete – all while respecting the wall’s wellington.govt.nz/bay-sea-wall

6 7 Pitopito kōrero News

New loos for Lambton interchange Central Library progress Three new state-of-the-art automated loos Work on the design to strengthen the will soon replace the two existing public Central Library building to the highest toilets on the ground floor of the Lambton level has continued since the Council interchange terminal. The upgrade includes voted to adopt this option in late the addition of an accessible toilet and October 2020, following a special public will cater for the increasing volume of consultation process. commuters. The ‘hands-free’ facilities will Wellingtonians agreed on the need for a also improve public safety, hygiene and Central Library service in a building that accessibility. Construction is scheduled to be is safe, resilient and future-proofed at a completed in mid-April. Meanwhile, other cost that is affordable. However, people public toilets are available nearby at the train were split between strengthening the station, next to the ticket office. For more current building to the highest level or information check out wellington.govt.nz/ building a new one on the same site. lambton-interchange After considering revised engineering, design and cost information the Council voted to adopt Option C, the highest resilience, base-isolated option, and incorporate it into the draft Long-Term Plan (LTP). Since then, in response to decisions made by the Council, we have been exploring the opportunities and costs to make the building more sustainable and optimising the building footprint. We have begun the process to develop the design of the library service including engaging with key stakeholders and Spin past the sculptures planning the procurement process. New walking and bike paths along Cobham Drive are finished – and it’s a great spot to The public will be able to consider the get some sea air and spectacular harbour future of the Central Library alongside views amidst the wind sculptures. the other priorities through the LTP Remember, dogs need to be on leads to consultation. Once a final decision is keep kororā, the little blue penguins, safe. made through the LTP we will progress The improvements are part of Tahitai, the the project procurement and design coastal route from the east, and there’s more processes to deliver the approved option. under way and planned. Take extra care The Library was closed in March 2019 around Evans Bay and other places where after the floor system design was found work is happening. to present a high risk of potential failure transportprojects.org.nz/current/evans-bay/ in a significant earthquake.

9 Ō tātou wāhi Our places

Building for our future There are hundreds of Wellingtonians The first thing that strikes you is the scale. contributing to Tākina, both on and The and Exhibition off-site. Soon there will be up to 300 people Centre is shaping up to be immense, and onsite, including local tradespeople and given that it will be able to hold conferences new apprentices. for up to 1600 people, that’s not surprising. Wellington City Council Economic and Tākina will include 10,000m2 of meeting Commercial Manager Danny McComb says and convention spaces on the upper two last year’s lockdown proved an unwanted floors, and a 1280m2 exhibition gallery on delay, but the build was still on track. the ground floor. “We’ve bounced back really well, the team managed the lockdown brilliantly and had everyone back on site as soon as we were able. Having a local design and build team has been hugely beneficial in managing these disruptions.

“We're still on target for completing the build by early 2023, and opening to the public in mid-2023 after the internal fitout.”

Jack McGuinness, Commercial Manager of Jack McGuinness the Tākina construction for LT McGuinness, The second thing you notice is the design. says “everything is unique” in the building. With its flowing curved façades, the locally From state-of-the-art engineering, to a designed building’s unique shape is really New Zealand-first in the glazed façade. coming to the fore. “It’s a very special building that we’re very Nestling in nicely between Cable St and proud to be a part of.” Wakefield St, Tākina really is in the heart At a glance The building is designed to operate of the capital, a stone’s throw from the bars • More info including progress videos can Tākina is designed for small to medium- efficiently at all levels of use – from large and restaurants of Courtenay Place, and be found at www.takina.co.nz sized events to meet the needs of the conference events to smaller events. right across the road from Te Papa. national and Asia-Pacific market. It’s also designed to high standards of Over summer the site saw a lot of progress, Environmental sustainability is at the heart of seismic resilience, including being fully with concrete poured on the first floor, the design and construction of Tākina – which base isolated. steel structures erected on the second floor, will come with a 5-Star Green-Star rating. internal stairways installed, and civil works and entranceways completed on Wakefield Features will include enhanced thermal The $179 million building is 67 percent St and Cable St. insulation, a rainwater harvesting system, funded by the commercial sector and high efficiency LED lighting system, will support 864 construction jobs The next stage of the build will see internal automatic controls for energy savings, and and 372 jobs from operations. walls going up, plus the installation of an adaptable and demand-controlled air the façade. conditioning system.

10 11 Ō tātou wāhi Our places

Wellington Town Hall St James Theatre Strengthening a building as old as our Work to earthquake strengthen and city’s Town Hall is complex, with most complete targeted building and theatre of the current work happening at or upgrades on the St James Theatre and below ground level. So the team is using Counties building is progressing well. specialised equipment to work within the basement areas. Seismic works are due to be completed in mid-2021, with the remainder of the year Moving the equipment and materials focusing on the upgrades to the building, around the site is thanks to a crane which theatre systems, and general reinstatement was installed section-by-section within the of the building so it is ready to once again auditorium. If you look up you may see it in host the arts community for many years action as it comes through a small gap in the to come. roof, which will be carefully replaced when the crane is no longer needed. Work began in 2019 with a targeted completion date of the end of 2021. The Over the past months, a quarter of the project lost some time due to COVID-19- Town Hall’s new piles (125 of 460) were related lockdowns, as well as the increased driven deep underground and base isolators difficulty of managing key overseas are starting to be installed. Across these suppliers and theatre specialists in the seismic foundations sits the new, reinforced new COVID-19 environment. concrete floors. But the Council is really pleased with We also took down the 1990s bridge between how the project team, consultants Te Whare Whakarauiki and the Michael and contractors have been working Fowler Centre as it’s not being used and collaboratively and innovatively to doesn’t work with the new base isolation. keep the project on track.

Wellington Town Hall – Te Whare Whakarauiki.

13 Planning for our future

The Long-Term Plan (LTP) is the Council’s Wellington was also a different place when We will also need to make choices in this 2021 so we can begin to pay back that debt 10-year plan that sets out the priorities, core we last did the LTP in 2018. Many of the LTP. We need to decide where we will put and move towards balancing our budgets. services, activities and investment projects impacts of the earthquake were our focus over the next 10 years and make This will allow us to meet future challenges that will make Wellington an even better still being worked through, we didn’t know sure we are financially responsible. and to sustainably manage our assets place to live, work, play and visit as we go about the issues with the Central Library, In response to the cost pressures we have, and services. into the future. the symptoms of our aging water network including earthquake strengthening, a had not reared their head, and COVID-19 How to have your say This year, our draft LTP is about getting growing and aging asset base, and COVID-19 was unheard of. Collectively these have Our consultation document and supporting the basic foundations of the city right, and impacts, we now require a step up in the dramatically increased our financial information will be available on the LTP includes the largest capital investment level of rates we charge. challenges. website and at our libraries and Service programme we have ever made in the city Last year, our costs increased, and Centre from 6 April. You will be able to to achieve that. We are proposing to increase our debt level revenues decreased, but we recognised find out more about our plans for the next to invest in things that people have told The plan is bold, ambitious and diverse that many households and businesses were 10 years and have your say from 6 April to us are important, such as transport, three with increases in funding for three in uncertain times because of COVID-19. 10 May. waters, and improving the resilience of the waters infrastructure, climate change, The Council decided to keep rates low for city. We are currently in a strong financial Online: Fill out the submission form and transport, projects to strengthen our key 2020/21, and debt-funded the difference position to be able to do that. However, read more information at wgtn.cc/LTP civic buildings like the Central Library, between our costs and the reduced revenue there’s a limit to the amount of money we and broadly maintained levels of service coming in. We highlighted at the time that Libraries: Pick up a consultation can borrow, set by the Local Government everywhere else. this would mean rates needed to catch up in document and a submission form from Funding Authority. In order for us to your local library continue to be financially responsible, our proposed plan includes prioritisation of the In person: Look out for our LTP community investments we are planning to make. pop-up tour.

14 15 Tō tātou hāpori Our community Meet our Park Rangers “Pōneke is really unique – we have some Many people know what’s in store for them Adam says it’s a reasonably physical role, amazing intense forest that we can just when they walk through their office doors you must be adept at using power tools and walk to! on any given day. But Adam, on the other machinery, and think quickly on your feet. As a rule, Katie doesn’t spend too much hand, can’t easily predict where his job will time on the phone at work. The 25-year-old “On any given day, I may get calls that take In one day, he is called to cordon off a small take him. is more likely to be out and about offering me out to five different parts of Wellington. slip on the Skyline Walkway. Armed with gardening advice, ensuring outdoor public Sometimes there’s emergencies and we have A father-of-two, the 39-year-old is Park caution tape, he gets the job done, chopping events run smoothly, and chatting to to go and handle a situation, like fallen trees Ranger for Wellington’s western . away overgrown branches obstructing the community conservation volunteers. or broken glass. track on his way. “It’s very reactive in the job and it’s usually Katie is one of Wellington City Council’s “Then there’s the more everyday stuff, like something different every day,” he explains. Before leaving the track – and while five Park Rangers, caring for the city’s many community groups asking for advice on “We get jobs coming in from the public demonstrating an impressive ability to parks, reserves, and open spaces. weed control or on what plants are best for via the Contact Centre, or internally from handle a four-wheel-drive on seriously rocky certain terrain.” Council staff.” terrain – he checks all signs are visible so But on one particular day, a phone call took people using the walkway by foot or bike centre stage. On the other end of the line can find their way. was a woman who had become lost while cycling a trail. He’s then called by Mountains to Sea, one of the many community groups the Park “She called our Contact Centre and was put Rangers support by helping them achieve through to me,” says Katie. “I talked to her their restoration and environmental goals. until she was safely out. It was mostly for They’re after a tarp for work they are doing moral support – fortunately she ran into at . No worries! Adam says other cyclists who helped her – but I stayed he’ll drop one off. on the phone until she was out of the woods to make sure she was okay.” His next stop is to check out a reserve which is being used as a dumping ground. Katie, who uses they/them pronouns, says, “probably half the job is dealing with “This probably isn’t the most glamorous people”. And that’s the way they like it. part of the job, but it is important. We’re here to help ensure people can enjoy our “The people are the eyes and ears of our parks safely.” parks so it’s good to connect with the community. There are people from long- Adam, who studied conservation and marine standing restoration groups, predator-free biology, says the Park Rangers also make sure champions, and those who tend community freedom campers follow the rules, remind gardens. Some have been volunteering for dog walkers of guidelines, and issue permits, a decade or more and you can really see the as well as checking health and safety plans, work they’ve achieved.” for events held in public parks.

Originally from New Hampshire in the USA, “There’s definitely repetition but it’s never Katie studied biology and public health. the same – that’s what I like about the job. They love the diversity of their job and You get to see some really cool parts of simply put, they think their adopted home Wellington. We’re so lucky to have such a city is “remarkable”. green city with an amazing track network.”

16 17 Ngā mahi whakangahau Put it on the calendar Check out some of the Egg-cellent Adventure – Kids Go Free An Evening with Marlon Williams 9am-5pm, Fri 2 April – Tue 6 April | 7.30pm, Sat 3 April | The Opera House exciting events the Council is ZEALANDIA country crooner Marlon Williams supporting over the autumn Make the most of Easter weekend by visiting heads back to Wellington for a second show months. For more, visit beautiful and rare native species amongst as part of his solo tour of New Zealand. wellington.govt.nz/events lush forest tracks and trails. Pick up a special Easter map and join the hunt for a Kids’ Night Walks at ZEALANDIA series of 'eggs’. Return your map for a free Starts at dusk, Sun 4 April – Sun 26 Sept | chocolate treat and take part in some cool ZEALANDIA Make sure to check online conservation activities! Plus kids go free Bring the family on a special treat. Be guided For all events, please make sure to go during this weekend. Entry costs apply for through the home of little spotted kiwi, online for the latest Alert Level status, adults. visitzealandia.com as well as checking the event's website tuatara and glow worms amongst over 40 rare native wildlife species in New Zealand’s or social media page for up-to-date The Super Easter Egg Hunt venue and entry information. most accessible wildlife sanctuary. 9am-5pm, Fri 2 April – Mon 5 April | visitzealandia.com Pick up your Easter Quiz from the Lambton Wellington International Pride Parade The Wiggles Quay Ticket Office and enjoy an egg- From 6pm, Sat 10 April | Courtenay Place to 10am & 1pm, Thurs 1 April | Michael citing journey with us on the Cable Car Odlins Plaza, Wellington Waterfront Fowler Centre while finding out your answers. On each Join the Pride Parade and celebrate the Hot potato! The Wiggles and all their Wiggly day, the first 50 Easter Egg Hunters to LGBTQI+ community in the capital with friends are jumping in the Big Red Car and return your completed quiz to our staff at fun and colourful floats and festivities bringing their brand new Wiggle Fun Tour Lambton Quay will receive an Easter treat. embracing the city’s inclusion, diversity and to Wellington. wellingtoncablecar.co.nz talent. wipp.nz Tuatara Open Late Peachy Keen Sun 25 April | Various locations | Free v Crusaders 5-10pm, Thurs 1 April | City Gallery Sat 3 April | 6am: Dawn Service, Wellington | Entry by donation 3.35pm, Sun 11 April | Stadium Pukeahu National War Wellington's newest festival is a celebration It’s round 7 of Aotearoa and Memorial Park, Buckle Street Art, music, film, talks, beer, wine, and food. of women in music. Peachy Keen will the Canes take on the reigning champs Enjoy this ever-changing programme of bring some of the most iconic and well- 9am: Wellington Citizens’ in an early kickoff at Sky Stadium. Wreath Laying Service, late-night events on the first Thursday of the known female artists in New Zealand month. citygallery.org.nz hurricanes.co.nz Wellington Cenotaph, corner of music, alongside some of the coolest Lambton Quay and Bowen Street up-and-comers, to the Basin Reserve on 11am: National Anzac Day Service, Easter weekend. sopeachykeen.com Wellington Opera: Don Giovanni Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, Sat 17 April – Sat 24 April | The Opera House Buckle Street Take a journey of musical and theatrical 2.30pm: Wreath Laying Service at discovery with Mozart’s masterpiece Ataturk Memorial, Tarakena Bay Don Giovanni, performed by a dynamic New Zealand cast. wellingtonopera.nz

18 19 School holiday fun City Gallery Seniors Hurricanes v Highlanders Jersey Boys Sat 17 April – Sun 2 May | Capital E 11am, Wed 21 April, Wed 19 May 7.05pm, Fri 30 April | Sky Stadium Fri 21 May – Thurs 3 June | The Opera House City Gallery | Free Join in on holiday fun with Capital E The Canes take on the Highlanders in this The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four these school holidays. For tiny tots, check Join us for a free guided tour of our current round 10 clash in Super Rugby Aotearoa. Seasons is finally coming to Wellington in out puppet show, The Tree Friends, by exhibitions for visitors aged 65+, followed hurricanes.co.nz an utterly wonderful show full of vitality, String Bean Puppets, investigate sound in by complimentary morning tea. No prior pace and power. Oh, what a night of knowledge of contemporary art needed. quirky workshops or come along to play City Gallery Family Day magical memories! in SoundScapes at PlayHQ. For children citygallery.org.nz Sat 1 May | City Gallery | Free aged 8+, check out creative technology in Our popular Family Day returns with fun art Lōemis some outstanding workshops in the digital Level Up Workshops activities for the whole whānau, on the last Sat 12 June – Mon 21 June | Various venues studios. Check out the full programme and 9am–12pm & 1pm–4pm, Wed 21 & Thurs 22 Saturday of the school holidays. Join us for A mystical winter offering staged during the details at capitale.org.nz April | Capital E, 4 Queens Wharf hands-on art making, games, and a photo darkest nights of the year – Lōemis festival Learn the basics of making your very booth. citygallery.org.nz showcases a vibrant array of new shows, Seasons own games at NZ Games Festival’s Level bespoke food events, installations and craft 10am & 1pm, Mon 19 April – Sat 24 Up workshops. These workshops cover Mother’s Day at the Cable Car workshops, culminating with a fiery solstice April | Circa One many facets of game development like procession. For information and tickets visit 8.30am–7pm, Sun 9 May | Wellington Capital E National Theatre for Children programming, character design and Cable Car loemis.nz presents: SEASONS. Journey into nature’s gameplay design, with classes for ages 8-12 world of living creatures, colours, and sounds. and 13-16. Explore the line-up and book All mums travel free when accompanied Yotam Ottolenghi – Flavour of Life $10 per person, under-2s free. Book at at capitale.org.nz by fare-paying child or children. Come on kids young and old, here is a great addition 7pm, Tues 15 June | Centre capitale.org.nz to your Mother's Day gift while you spend Yotam Ottolenghi needs no introduction to quality time together! Grab a loving photo the foodies out there. The man who turned NZIA City Talks with your mum anywhere at the Cable Car sumac, pomegranate molasses and tahini Mon 19 April, Mon 17 May | City Gallery | Free and tag @wellingtoncablecar to be in the into pantry staples will share his food Be inspired by and learn about the role of chance to win a Mother’s Day Hamper. philosophy and culinary tips live. architecture in our lives at this ongoing wellingtoncablecar.co.nz series presented in with New Zealand Institute of Architects Wellington Royal NZ Ballet presents Giselle Branch. citygallery.org.nz Wed 12 May – Sat 15 May | The Opera House

Capital E. Credit: Stephen A'Court Romantic, mystical, and lyrical, the Royal Gallery Babes New Zealand Ballet’s Giselle is a timeless 11am, Tue 20 April, Tue 18 May, Tue 15 June Parris Goebbel presents The Royal production of one of ballet’s great stories. City Gallery | Free Family NZ Tour rnzb.org.nz Bring the baby and enjoy a tour of our 7pm, Thurs 29 April | The Opera House exhibitions. Gallery Babes is best suited to After performing around the globe alongside those with babies up to 12 months. Spaces Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez, are limited for this popular tour, so booking the Kiwi legend Parris Goebel finally brings is essential. citygallery.org.nz her award-winning dance crew The Royal Family to Wellington.

20 21 Keeping the capital moving

If the phone’s not ringing, that’s generally a “And no one writes in to tell us about a “It goes to show that level of commitment The bulk of the Council’s roading work is good thing for the Wellington City Council good job we’ve done,” he laughs. to that duty of care,” says Brad. delivered by two main contractors, Fulton Transport and Infrastructure team. Hogan in the southern city and CBD, and “We’ve long since adopted a mantra that “They love what they do, and they have Downer in the northern part of the city. The team plays a crucial role in the capital, says when things are quiet, we're doing a that feeling that they’re making a real maintaining a whopping $1.6 billion worth good job. When we start getting calls, that’s difference to our city.” Brad says the costs of road maintenance of city assets, including looking after when we might have a problem.” continue to increase, but the level of service The team is in charge of everything from 700km of roads and 2000km of footpaths. expectations stays the same. The team has 70 members – many of whom large projects such as the Cobham Drive “Yeah, it’s a big job,” says Brad have been with the Council for decades. cycleway, down to individual intersections “A good example is people really like asphalt, Singh, the Council’s Transport and Fourteen of them have been at WCC for and resilience work. but they don’t like chip seal. What people Infrastructure Manager. more than 20 years, and one has racked up might not realise is that chip seal is a third of That means all the road surfaces across the more than 50. the price of asphalt. city, all the footpaths, the drains, the street cleaning, the vegetation management. “The cost per kilometre for maintaining Wellington's roads is the highest for any Then there’s the emergency response work, council in New Zealand.” draining any flooding, and cleaning up after storms. Brad says he is “massively proud” of the team, who receive about 25,000 enquiries a year. They also manage all work undertaken by third parties on the city’s roads, which “It’s a team of dedicated public servants. This means traffic management, safety checks, is not a job that’s done just for the money, it’s a and various inspections. service to the community that they’re doing.

Finally, there’s the event management “And they’re thrifty. They understand we’re work they do – closing roads, providing dealing with public money, and at the end of bins, cleaning up afterwards. the day we’re all ratepayers.”

All of which has to be done with as little disruption as possible.

“We realise that life can’t just stop,” Brad Summer work Over the last six months: says. “People still need to be able to catch their bus, they still need to be able to do the • 14km of our streets and roads school run, they still need to be able to get have been resurfaced to work. • 12km of footpaths have been “We have to minimise any disruption, and resealed that involves a lot of planning.” • We worked at 460 locations

The central city is also “super busy” • Around $7 million was spent, with earthquake work on buildings, jointly funded by the Council and plus Wellington’s famous hills play their NZ Transport Agency part, too. • Find out more at wellington.govt. nz/resealing

22 23 Mahi toi Capital arts

Coming up at Toi Pōneke Gallery Bailee Lobb In Bathing, Bask Coming up at Sat 8 May – Sat 29 May Clayton Morgan TerraObscura Marianna Simnett CREATURE About City Gallery Wellington Bailee Lobb is a performance and installation Sat 10 April – Sat 1 May Thurs 4 March – Sun 11 July Be inspired by incredible contemporary artist who works with colour, soft structures, TerraObscura is a new exhibition of Horror meets fairy tale in Berlin-based art at City Gallery Wellington. and movement to create immersive and photography from emerging artist Clayton artist Mariana Simnett’s first New Zealand Showcasing both New Zealand and playful interactive environments. She is Morgan. This exhibition has come from show. Visceral and theatrical, her large-scale international artists, the gallery creating a series of new colourful works “contemplating what it means to be in a video and sculptural works tell wicked tales offers a busy and exciting calendar of for In Bathing, Bask that together form a slowly unfolding catastrophe called – Global of transformation with a cast of children exhibitions and events – from films and stimulatory playground for interactive fun, Warming”. The work uncovers how this and mutant beasts. Experience this talks to live music and more. After your sensory play, and self-regulation. awareness correlates to the psychological "breathtakingly good" show in the flesh. visit, be sure to stop in at the beautiful experience of the uncanny – an unsettling Below Gallery Shop or enjoy delicious food and Bailee Lobb and anxious feeling due to something Raspberry Jelly and Big Blue, 2021. Every Artist coffee at sunny Nikau café, next door. strangely familiar in an unfamiliar context. Sat 27 March – Sun 25 July Visit citygallery.org.nz Art history is too important to be left to art About Toi Pōneke historians. Local, national, and international artists remap, rethink, queer, and even Toi Pōneke Arts Centre is a home away gamify the history of art – often through from home in the heart of Wellington subverting traditional tools of art history for the artists and creators who such as charts, diagrams, and books. make up our city's vibrant creative community. Toi Pōneke exists to: connect, support and grow Wellington's creative communities; facilitate artists' and creators' learning and career development; provide a friendly, Need help fixing safe space and great facilities; spark experimentation and innovation by your bike? bringing artists together.

Visit toiponeke.nz Visit the friendly experts at Bikespace to learn how to fix your bike for free.

Right Marianna Simnett Find us on Facebook Blood In My Milk, 2018. @WellingtonBikeSpace

24 25 Brad Fiona Tautaiao Eco city Through the tunnel in , Brad Fiona, also a Seatoun resident, has been Wellington City Council is running Para and his whānau are using a traditional getting to know her Bokashi bin. compost bin. Kai, a year-long initiative which sees 450 In it goes the food scraps that produce a households on the trial “It’s pretty straight forward. We just dump fermented material, which is then buried one of three different composting methods. the food scraps in and every once in a while in the ground to allow for the composting We checked in with three residents to see we give it some water or some grounds process to finish. how they were getting on. from the coffee machine and mix it up. “It’s great because the kids can get involved Ashleigh “Time and heat does the work, then and being part of the trial has promoted whenever I need to do some planting loads of great conversations about Cats and caterpillars were once the only pet or want to refresh the garden I use the decomposition, reducing food waste, doing critters roaming Ashleigh’s Miramar yard, compost on everything from fruit trees our bit for the environment, what lives in but now she’s also the proud guardian of a to native bush.” the soil, and much more! clew of worms. Brad says the nutrient-rich compost “The liquid that comes out of the Bokashi has hugely improved the quality of his system is fairly potent. We have been sandy soil. diluting it and watering it on the plants.”

Everything from leftovers and paper Fiona says composting has reduced her napkins to broken-down cardboard household waste by half. boxes and green waste can go into the “We have been really surprised by how compost bin. Ashleigh much we actually threw out before, and “We’re putting out less waste and buying we’ve been saving a lot on rubbish bags." A keen gardener, Ashleigh was only too happy less compost so it’s a win-win,” Brad says. So would she recommend a Bokashi bin to take part in the trial and says she and her “Once you figure out how composting can to others? partner are loving their new worm farm. work for your household, it just makes “Absolutely! It's so satisfying to put food “It’s so easy! You get the bin and some total sense.” waste to a good use instead of it contributing instructions, put it together and give the to global warming in the landfill.” Samuel, Amelia, Fiona, and Alex. worms a little bit of time to get used to their new home.

“We have a container on the bench for all The collected food waste is delivered the things they can eat and every couple to the Capital Compost facility at While the home composters are hard at of days we lift the lid to see how they are the Southern Landfill and turned work in their own backyards, the kerbside getting on. Any cuttings from my garden into compost. also end up in there.” food waste collection being trialled by 500 households is also going strong. The results from the trial will be used Ashleigh says thanks to the worm farm, to inform a city-wide solution for Preliminary results show that their rubbish bin isn't nearly as full as food waste. it once was, and the worm tea has been participating households are diverting For more information about our home wonderful for her garden and indoor pots. an average of 3 kilograms of food waste per week from landfill, and have diverted composting and kerbside food waste “Our pet worms are providing nutrients for approximately 16,442kg combined since collection trials visit wellington.govt. my plants and saving food from going to the Para Kai launched in mid-October 2020. nz/foodwaste landfill. We should all have a worm farm!” Brad

26 27 Getting your garden ready for autumn Warm soil and cool air, the perfect conditions for your garden to grow, bloom and flourish this autumn. We had a chat with one Capital Compost of our Botanic Garden ki Paekākā gardeners, Dale Such, to get his Each batch is tested and made top tips on how to prepare your locally from recycled green waste. gardens for our autumn weather.

Our bulk range includes: compost, “At the Botanic Garden, we normally spend garden mix, veggie mix, lawn mix, autumn catching up with growth from the mulch and potting mix, ultra soil summer – cleaning up our lawns, trimming hedges and climbers, and pruning trees. It and top soil. is also a good time to cut back your roses so that they can begin to re-bloom.” Call 0508 To Grow (0508 86 4769) for information with the over-grown plants, because any on where to buy and delivery options. Generally, most weeds haven’t grown little piece you leave behind will grow back.” much around this time of year. Dale’s This product has met the Ministry of Health requirements for use in commercial and domestic plant growth. All our products meet New Zealand’s standard NZS4454:2005 recommendation is to start mulching your Autumn brings the best growing conditions garden at the start of autumn to help keep for those new plants you’ve always wanted the moisture in the soil and cover the weed to add to your garden. Use this time to seeds. You don’t want those weeds to grow prepare the soil by digging over and adding as it starts to get wet. compost. It is also the best time for planting berries, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, It’s important to keep your garden hydrated, beetroot, onions and salad varieties. especially after the dry summer weather, says Dale. And don’t forget your indoor plants! Here’s your reminder to give them a water, clean “We recommend using AquaTurf, an and trim. Autumn can bring mealy bugs and approved and safe wetting and re-wetting mites which can be easily removed with a agent, which will help you not only conserve little bit of diluted methylated spirits. your overall water usage, but also keep your garden hydrated and encourage growth in Dale’s final tip? “Sit back and enjoy the work trouble areas.” you have done over the summer and watch everything bloom in the second flush.” Now is also the time to clean up any overgrown areas in your garden before Send in your horticultural questions it becomes too wet to remove weeds or If you have any questions about gardening, overgrown perennials, says Dale. “Don’t be email [email protected] and our eager afraid to remove a few centimetres of soil team of gardeners will get back to you.

28 29 Ngā huihuinga o te Kaunihera, ngā komiti me ngā poari ā-hapori Council, committee and To SwimSafe, community board meetings All Council and Committee meetings are live Meeting dates and locations sometimes streamed via our YouTube page, so please tune need to change, so please check final join in at youtube.com/WgtnCC details at wellington.govt.nz/meetings SwimWell You are also welcome to attend any meeting or phone 04 499 4444. listed here, depending on the COVID Alert Level.

Wednesday, 7 April Tuesday, 18 May 9.30am – Council Controlled Organisations 9.30am – Regulatory Processes Committee Subcommittee Wednesday, 19 May 4pm – Youth Council 2pm – Grants Subcommittee Thursday, 8 April 4pm – Youth Council 9.30am – Strategy and Policy Committee Thursday, 20 May 7pm – Tawa Community Board 9.30am – Annual Plan/Long Term Plan Committee Wednesday, 14 April Tuesday, 25 May Free 9.30am – Regulatory Processes Committee reusable 5.30pm – Accessibility Advisory Group 6pm – Pacific Advisory Group swim nappy Wednesday, 26 May for under 3s Thursday, 15 April 9.30am – Council 9.30am – Strategy and Policy Committee Thursday, 27 May Wednesday, 21 April 9.30am – Annual Plan/Long Term Plan Committee 9.30am – CEO Performance Review Committee 4pm – Youth Council Wednesday, 2 June 9.30am – Council Controlled Organisations Thursday, 22 April Subcommittee 9.30am – Strategy and Policy Committee 4pm – Youth Council Thursday, 27 April Thursday, 3 June 5.30pm – Accessibility Advisory Group 9.30am – Strategy and Policy Committee Wednesday, 28 April Tuesday, 8 June 9.30am – Council 9.30am – Regulatory Processes Committee Wednesday, 5 May Wednesday, 9 June Grow your little one’s confidence 4pm – Youth Council 9.30am – Finance, Audit and Risk Subcommittee Thursday, 6 May 6pm – Pacific Advisory Group 7pm – Makara/Ohariu Community Board in the water and teach them Thursday, 10 June Monday, 10 May 9.30am – Annual Plan/Long Term Plan Committee swimming skills for life. 5pm – Environmental Reference Group 7pm – Tawa Community Board Wednesday, 12 May Monday, 14 June 6pm – Pacific Advisory Group 9.30am – Waste Management and Minimisation Plan Joint Committee Thursday, 13 May 5pm – Environmental Reference Group 9.30am – Strategy and Policy Committee swimwell.nz 7pm – Tawa Community Board All meetings take place at Council, 113 The Terrace, or in the suburbs for community board meetings.

30 31 Te Koromatua me ngā Kaikaunihera Motukairangi/Eastern Ward The Mayor and Councillors

The people who represent you Wellington City Councillors are elected by Wellington residents every three years. Their role is to represent the Sarah Free Deputy Mayor Sean Rush Teri O’Neill views of residents and help the Council make the best [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Chair Portfolio Leader Portfolio Leader decisions for the city. Not sure which ward you’re in? Long Term Plan and Associate Urban Development Natural Environment Annual Plan Committee Infrastructure Associate Community Well-being Visit wellington.govt.nz/wards Portfolio Leader Governance Associate Transport

Citywide Paekawakawa/Southern Ward Pukehīnau/Lambton Ward

Andy Foster Mayor Fleur Fitzsimons Laurie Foon Iona Pannett Nicola Young [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Chair Chair Portfolio Leader Portfolio Leader Portfolio Leader Portfolio Leader Council Grants Subcommittee Waste Minimisation Associate Urban Development Arts, Culture and Events Climate Change Portfolio Leader Portfolio Leader Associate Economic Development Associate Urban Development Associate Community Well-being Transport and Urban Development Community Well-being Associate Economic Development

Takapū/Northern Ward Wharangi/Onslow-Western Ward

Jenny Condie Jill Day Malcolm Sparrow Diane Calvert Rebecca Matthews Simon Woolf [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Chair Chair Chair Chair Portfolio Leader Portfolio Leader Council-Controlled Strategy and Policy Committee Regulatory Processes Committee CEO Performance Review Committee Community Engagement Sport and Recreation Organisations Subcommittee Portfolio Leader Portfolio Leader Finance, Audit and Risk Subcommittee Associate Community Well-being Portfolio Leader Māori Partnerships Associate Resilience Portfolio Leader Associate Transport Associate Community Well-being Economic Development

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