Opinion from Inner-City Wellington
It is vital that any redesign of Te Ngākau – Civic Square recognises that inner-city residents now make up the largest suburb in Wellington in terms of population (in the smallest area of land in Wellington) and, as this population is expected to grow considerably, it is essential that, as well as being developed as the Civic heart and cultural hub of the city, the Square can also be seen as the heart of the inner city community. Key to this is retention of outdoor space, especially green space, and inclusion of surrounding internal community amenities at ground floor of ‘new’ buildings. Read more »

Press Release – Capital and Coast District Health Board
A neonatal physiotherapist at Wellington Regional Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has been awarded for implementing a tool to help diagnose infants at high risk of motor disabilities such as cerebral palsy. Read more »

Report from RNZ
Some families in emergency housing are reporting their children are becoming emotionally distressed because of their living conditions. Demand for emergency accommodation has escalated last year with the number of emergency housing grants increasing by half. Read more »

Press Release – Jordan Harcourt-Hughes
Mindfulness is increasingly being recognised as a practice that can support health, wellbeing and stress management techniques. From February, Kāpiti locals will have the chance to explore mindfulness through art and creativity, with workshops running out of the studio of Kapiti artist Jordan Harcourt-Hughes. Read more »

Report from RNZ
A ragtag group of about 150 people gathered on Parliament’s forecourt today to demand an end to Covid-19 lockdowns. Read more »

Press Release – Greater Wellington Regional Council
The message from Wellington communities is loud and clear, Greater Wellington needs to prioritise better environment health as part of its 2021-2031 Long Term Plan (LTP). Read more »

News from Wellington Water
Due to an increase in water demand and low river flows, a residential sprinkler and irrigation system ban in Featherston and Greytown will take effect from 5:00pm today. Read more »

Press Release – Kapiti Coast District Council
Kāpiti Coast District Council is advising dog-owners to keep an eye out for toxic algae in the district’s waterways as the temperature rises. That includes lagoons in parks and reserves as well as rivers and streams. Read more »

Wellington.Scoop
Swimmers and dogs are being warned to keep out of the water in three regional rivers because of poisonous algae. Read more »

News from NIWA
A NIWA dive team visited 20 sites in the Wellington and Porirua harbours during November working in low-visibility conditions to collect sediment samples from the seafloor. Read more »