A new commemorative park in Titahi Bay was officially opened on Saturday (2 December) which was demolished in 2021 after it was closed down in 2012 Designed by Boffa Miskell and constructed by Higgins the new community space balances community aspirations alongside a partnership with mana whenua Ngāti Toa - the design intention was to create a civic area reflecting what was previously there and making potential for future use A new toilet block also went in last year and while the timber clad portals mirror the outline of the former hall used as a movie theatre and to put on productions since the 1940s Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says it is exciting to see the park opened in time for the upcoming Titahi Bay Christmas Fair and hopes it will be a gathering place and activation point for events but what a space we have now," she says "It’s new and light and bright and inviting for residents and visitors I’m keenly aware of the history of this place with the Marines and the hall being part of the suburb’s furniture for some time but it’s been important to look forward and realise the potential of this land "In our city we’re blessed with fantastic spaces that help make Porirua such a liveable city Titahi Bay has been lacking a centre for some time and I hope that we have filled that vacancy with this beautiful commemorative park." Construction works to build the new Titahi Bay Commemorative Community Park next to the retail area in Whitehouse Road are about to start It’s been a long process and you can find out how this point was reached further down the page The works are expected to be complete sometime in July 2023 New temporary fencing will be put up at the site the week beginning 20 February and physical works will start at the site the following week The new community space extends from the boat shed canopies and existing paving through to the Titahi Bay Library The space blends into the existing cobblestone paving height and features new gardens and plantings There will be LED lighting on many of the structures and within some of the seating units A power switchboard is also being installed to enable power supply for community events in the future How will the retail area be affected by the construction works It is our goal to keep disruptions and negative impacts to a minimum throughout construction We will be working with the Higgins team to minimise dust and ensure ongoing and safe pedestrian access Access to the library will be maintained throughout and there will be full access to the retail area The footpath beside the bakery is expected to be closed for the duration of the construction works Access to the new toilet facility will be off Niblick Lane and there will also be a temporary pathway behind the library (see image below) the four parallel carparks beside the construction work area will like closed for some periods The Higgins team will use Niblick Lane as the main site entry and for parking If you have any questions about the space and ongoing work, contact our customer services team on 04 237 5089 or email [email protected] We thank you for your patience as this work is carried out The Marines Hall was built in Titahi Bay during World War II (1943) as a recreation hall for the 1500 US Marines stationed in the area The building was used for its original purpose for less than a year before the Marines returned home The building became a local government asset in 1954 and was used as a place for the community to meet and celebrate In 1976 Porirua Little Theatre occupied the building and called this building home until 2012 In 2012 the hall was deemed structurally unsafe and was closed A year later the building was also deemed at earthquake risk Porirua City Council voted in 2018 that consent be sought for it to be demolished Several groups looked into securing funding to restore the hall but the building work required was too extensive The Marines Hall in Titahi Bay has stood at the heart of the community for over 75 years and has a special place in the memories of local whānau the concept plan for the community space to replace the hall was shared with the community Many aspects of the commemorative community space are designed with the history of the hall behind it Some aspects of the concept plan changed as a result of what the community said It was also decided to upgrade the toilet facilities Currently work to complete the final design is under way and works are expected to start on site in early 2023 (Below is a render of the commemorative community space Titahi Bay’s Marines Hall is set to be demolished in the coming weeks after Porirua City Council satisfied resource consent conditions to do so A contract has been signed with Quality Demolition who have already started investigative works and will carry out the demolition constructed by US Marines based at a nearby camp in 1942 when it was deemed structurally unsafe and unsanitary Quality Demolition contracts manager Simon Miller says this is a building he knows well and while sad to see it coming down is excited to be involved in the next phase of the site "I was brought up in the Bay and can remember the Marines Hall as a picture theatre back in the day and then later on there were plays where you could take a chilly bin and some food in - it was great "But life goes on and I think what’s planned will be really good for the area." Quality Demolition will salvage and recycle as much material as they can from the former Marines Hall for future use Porirua Parks and City Services Operations Manager Mark Hammond says the Council has been through a thorough process to get to this point "We consulted with the community at many different stages along the way including last year over what should be on this spot once the building is gone "We’ve now met the requirements of the resource consent so the next phase can get under way and we’re one step closer to having a commemorative space that the Titahi Bay "We will soon have an updated design plan to share and hope to get started on the cleared site in the new year." more vegetation and multiple features that reflect the heritage of the hall Ngāti Toa and an independent archaeologist have been engaged as part of the project A new modern toilet block will also be put in During demolition and construction of the commemorative space car park and all shops will remain open and accessible but there may be some minor diversions in place The work is expected to begin in the first part of 2023 and is estimated to take three to four months Much of the work on site is weather dependent but at this stage we have allowed three to four months Porirua City Council submitted a resource consent application to demolish the Marines Hall and two independent commissioners granted the consent in February 2021 following hearings late in 2020 Quality Demolition salvaged and recycled as much material as they could for future use two of the remaining kowhai at the car park will remain as part of the commemorative space the toilet block is going to be replaced with something more modern and this will be completed prior to Christmas 2022 The new facility will go in the same place and will compliment the commemorative community space a heritage consultant was engaged to log the artifacts and attributes of the building This valuable resource will be made publicly available for years to come It is currently being made into a book and will be available at all Porirua City libraries There is also a number of publications on the history of the hall and the US Marines during the time they were in Titahi Bay These resources are also available at the Porirua City Library The current signage at the site shows a rendered image of generally what the space will look like Closer to the time of construction there may be updated images of what is planned for the space The commemorative landscape proposal recognised that the removal of the Marines Hall would also remove a memento of times spent in that building watching movies and performance the design evokes the halls presence and volume while extending its role as a gathering and performance space The design recognises that the hall and the proposed commemorative garden exist in the context of Ngāti Toa’s rohi the outline of the original walls and roof are conveyed through three portals while forming an entrance to the commemorative garden from the existing shops carry through building material from past to present and future The height change over the site is accommodated through a series of low oriented toward the casual stage and library These are covered in outdoor all-weather carpet creating casual seating reminiscent of being inside a building while within the commemorative garden acting as a series of storytelling devices as well as seating Transitioning into the reserves open space is an adaptable play and wananga space Tory Whanau launches Golden Mile project yesterday Become a Wellington.Scoop Supporter » Eight firetrucks worked to put out the blaze in Titahi Bay Porirua City residents were evacuated overnight after a fire ripped through a home in Tītahi Bay A Fire and Emergency spokesman said the wind was “roaring” through Titahi Bay overnight which caused concern about the fire spreading He said they arrived on the scene just after 11pm after “multiple calls” He said the surrounding houses were evacuated and gathered at a local fire station while firefighters fought the blaze a ladder truck and a command unit worked for an hour until the fire had been extinguished The spokesman said there was “extensive damage” to the home and some firefighters remained on the scene He said a fire investigator will be at the scene this morning 1news reported the home was “missing its floor and roof” He said one firefighter was injured after “taking a tumble” and she was getting x-rays on her ankle this morning An ambulance and rapid response vehicle are on-site Soul singer Louis Baker performs a special live session at his home at Titahi Bay to celebrate the release of his new EP Medicine Louis' music has earned him a Taite Music Prize nomination Silver Scrolls nominations and Aotearoa Music Awards nominations for Best Soul Artist and Best Maori Artist he has accumulated over 45 million Spotify streams Charlotte Ryan joined Louis at his house on the hill This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions See terms of use for easy access to all your favourite programmes St Pius X School in Titahi Bay is delighted to have Dr John Young join the school as its new principal John was welcomed to school with a pōwhiri in August He brings over 30 years of experience as an education leader mostly from within the Wellington region including as principal at St Anne’s in Newtown Dr Young has also had stints leading schools in Libya and Australia ‘My wife Anna and I returned to New Zealand in September last year after working in Aboriginal Education in Australia for the last 12 years but I am excited about the challenge of this new role,’ he said John spent the first two terms of the year as acting principal at St Joseph’s school in Taihape ‘It will certainly now be a shorter trip from home to work in Porirua,’ he says Board of Trustees presiding member Geoff Hayward says he is thrilled with the appointment ‘We see this as a positive tohu for us as we start a new chapter at our school,’ he said.  ‘No school can grow without the nurturing of those whose leadership and experience is valued and as we confront the new challenges ahead we know John will do a great job for our tamariki as well as the broader communities within the Bay and beyond.’ which has left him a passionate love of rugby and a devotion to the Crusaders Editor: Annette Scullion Ph: 04 496 1712
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welcomads@xtra.co.n The public are encouraged to attend Anzac Day in Porirua The different ceremonies around the city are a chance to reflect and come together as a community to acknowledge those who have served or are serving Please note the main civic service will be livestreamed on the Council Facebook page for those unable to make it A dawn service will be held at the RSA from 6am Parade will assemble at 5.45am in the RSA car park for the dawn service from 6am There will be a citizens’ parade at Whitehouse Rd from 10.30am The civic service will take place at the peace memorial at Te Rauparaha Park 8.30am – seating available at Te Rauparaha Park 8.45am – parade gathers for march at Hagley St Light refreshments will be available inside the Arena following the service A service will be held at St Alban’s Church from 10.15am followed by the laying of wreaths at the war memorial A service will be held at the marae from 10.30am A flag-raising will take place at Pukerua Bay RSA A service will be held at the community hall from 11am followed by a wreath-laying at Whenua Tapu Cemetery from 12pm A man has been shot in the legs trying to stop people breaking into vehicles in Porirua On Tuesday morning armed police stood watch over a cordoned off area in front of a two-storey home on a street in Tītahi Bay Investigators could be seen on their hands and knees searching the grass in a cordoned-off area in front of a single-storey home Further up the street officers were going door to door talking to residents Rachel Mariu who has lived on the street for 10 years said she heard the sound of at least four shots "in quick succession" at about 10.15 pm She told her children they were fireworks to calm them down Mariu said she heard footsteps "running full force" down the street minutes after the shots "We're all a bit of a tight-knit community Her children went to school with tamariki who lived at the home at the centre of the shooting Mariu said car theft and break-ins were a constant worry in the area The incident took place on Monday night and police are appealing for information police said officers were called to a Dimock Street address at about 10.20pm with initial inquiries suggesting "the man was shot after disturbing two people attempting to break into cars on the street" He was taken to hospital in a serious condition A man who did not want to be named - living adjacent to the property - said he was shocked that firearms were involved He said the family involved were good neighbours and he would speak to them on the street when he came across them Peter - another resident living nearby - said he heard the shots but thinking it was fireworks "thought nothing of it" He said his car had been broken into a couple of times on the street and his partner's car had been stolen The shooting would make him think twice about confronting anyone interfering with vehicles in the area Sometimes it's a bit better to just leave them be and let the insurance sort it out Police ask that anyone with information call 105 and quote file number 241029/7050 Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday New Zealand RSS Follow RNZ News Emergency services were called to a property in Kotuku St Police have released the name of a man who died in hospital after he was found critically injured in Porirua last weekend Police are treating his death as suspicious and want to hear from anyone who has information that could help Emergency services were called to a property in Kotuku St in Elsdon in the early hours of Sunday They found Remnant with critical injuries and he was taken to hospital Detective Senior Sergeant Peter Middlemiss said the 43-year-old has since died “Police remain focused on determining what occurred prior to Sean’s death and understanding the cause of his injuries “We know that Sean was at the address as a guest and was known to the occupants.” “Police extend our deepest condolences to his family who we will continue to keep updated as the investigation progresses.” Middlemiss said it was an isolated incident with no risk to the public “We’d like to hear from anyone who has information that could assist with this investigation.” Anyone with information that could help police can contact 105 and reference the file number 241201/7304 Operation Croydon People can report information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 Georgina Campbell is a Wellington-based reporter who has a particular interest in local government She joined the Herald in 2019 after working as a broadcast journalist Te Hīkoi mō te Tiriti is making its way south and is expected to arrive in Porirua on Sunday Hīkoi participants will be in Porirua on Monday before heading into Wellington on Tuesday morning With lots of extra people and vehicles in the city it’s inevitable that there will be some delays and disruptions Please plan accordingly and allow extra time if needed There will be temporary traffic management in place in some areas Things are likely to get busy from late afternoon on Sunday and Tuesday morning will also be a key time to be aware of crowds and congestion With a 6pm pōwhiri planned for Takapūwahia Marae on Sunday there could be delays for Titahi Bay residents and others using Titahi Bay Road and the surrounding streets Other locations that may be particularly busy across the three days Ngāti Toa Domain Ngāti Toa and hīkoi organisers are putting out more specific information on what is planned around the city but suggest you also keep an eye on those social media pages for the latest information We are continuing to work closely with hīkoi organisers all with the common goal of a peaceful and positive experience for all in the city over the next few days Te Puna Kōrero is the main committee that makes decisions about the city’s strategic direction and framework After confirming the minutes from their last meeting the committee approved a temporary road closure of Toms Rd and Beach Rd in Titahi Bay on Saturday 5 April for the Titahi Bay School Triathlon Approval was also given for the temporary closure of Wi Neera Dr between Titahi Bay Rd and Tutuira Place on Sunday 6 April for the Porirua Grand Traverse the committee received and discussed findings of value for money assessments undertaken by Wellington Water the committee approved the consultation document to go out for public feedback on the proposed Annual Plan 2025/26 with a rates increase starting point of 6.75% This year Council is also seeking feedback on the proposed Local Water Done Well water service delivery options Public consultation on these will run from 20 March to 20 April There were three speakers in the public forum who spoke on rates and the above-mentioned value for money assessments from Wellington Water a series of workshops were held where elected members were given updates on Porirua City’s Climate Adaptation programme Knowing Your Pipes programme and private water leaks Missed today’s meeting and workshops? You can watch them in full and read all the associated papers on the meetings page of our website You can also see what meetings and workshops are coming up with agendas posted a few days before each one The public is welcome to attend most Council meetings and workshops. They are also livestreamed on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@poriruacity After confirming the minutes from the previous meeting the committee went on to approve an easement and the temporary closure of parts of Cannons Creek Park This is to allow for the area to be redeveloped with construction of a wetland as well as stormwater and wastewater upgrades Public consultation on this closure was carried out in July The proposed park upgrade is part of Te Rā Nui – Eastern Porirua Development Project work – a partnership between Porirua City Council Next the committee approved temporary road closures in Titahi Bay for a Te Āhuru Mōwai community event The Te Āhuru Mōwai event is on Saturday 5 October from Dimock St to Shelley St in Titahi Bay being closed between 9am-3pm The Barefoot Triathlon takes place on Sunday 1 December with closures from 6.30am-12.30pm that day affecting parts of Grays Rd and Motukaraka Point Last on the agenda was the approval of several no stopping areas on parts of roads across Porirua After seeking some clarification on the process to decide on the areas and the consultation with affected parties the committee approved the new recommendations Public consultation on the recommendations will be carried out before any no stopping areas are put in place giving the community the opportunity to lodge objections if they have concerns In the public forum a resident asked questions about redevelopment work happening at Langwell Pl in Papakōwhai and at Aotea Lagoon Missed today’s meeting? You can watch it in full and read all the associated papers on the meetings page of our website Two men have been arrested over a firearms incident one of two events in towns just north of Wellington that drew armed police this afternoon officers observed a car with two men in it which has since been confirmed as a stolen car One man has been arrested and a firearm has been recovered.” Police arrested a second man a short time later was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition They were both due before the Porirua District Court tomorrow A local resident said there were “heaps of cops” and about 13 police cars blocking Grays Rd at the bottom of Pope St said her street was also blocked by armed police Another woman said there were multiple police cars on Grays Rd Police have also blocked off Owhiti St in Titahi Bay Another witness said there were ambulances parked up with police A Wellington Free Ambulance spokeswoman referred all questions to police Perkin said the police investigation was ongoing and additional staff were continuing to work in the Porirua area uniformed officers as well as the Armed Offenders Squad members were in Plimmerton in force A man was shot after trying to stop two people attempting to break into cars in Porirua last night Police are appealing for information from the public about the Tītahi Bay incident Officers were called to Dimock St at 10.20pm yesterday The man was taken to hospital with serious injuries A police spokesman said initial inquiries suggested “the man was shot after disturbing two people attempting to break into cars on the street” Police have asked anyone with information to contact 105 and quote file number 241029/7050 Information can also be offered anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 A new commemorative park in Titahi Bay was officially opened on Saturday with the Marines and their hall part of the suburb’s furniture for some time and can avoid Aotearoa's omnipresent cloud cover you might see a fiery interstellar visitor this evening The arrival of Comet C-2023 A3 over New Zealand skies has had stargazers grabbing their gear to capture the rare sight It's been the event of the weekend for astrophotographers like Rohit Vg, who told RNZ on Saturday that it was a "very memorable experience to photograph a visitor from outer space that only comes around every 80,000 years!" Comet C/2023 A3 is about 85 million kilometres away and only comes along once in a human lifetime It has not been seen in New Zealand skies for 80,000 years Stardome astronomer Josh Aoraki told RNZ the comet would soon start to dim as it leaves the solar system "The problem with the comet at the moment is because it's leaving the solar system it's moving away from the sun "The later you leave it the dimmer it's going to get and eventually it'll just fade out of view." Aoraki said the comet was best seen by looking to the western horizon just below the brightest star and to the right There will be an open day at Tireti Hall in Titahi Bay on the corner of Tireti Rd and Te Pene Ave for people to see inside the hall while submissions are open on its future use The hall has been leased to two leaseholders since 2019 and has not been open to the general public This is an opportunity for those unfamiliar with the hall but interested in having their say about its future to see it for themselves Porirua City has looked at how other councils manage their community halls and have come up with four possible options: The consultation is open now and closes on Sunday 12 March. Follow this link for more information and to make a submission: https://poriruacity.govt.nz/your-council/getting-involved/public-consultation/future-of-tireti-hall/ Porirua City Council has planned special events to engage with the public as a plan is developed to improve visitors’ experience and sense of safety at Titahi Bay Beach from 5.30–8.30pm as part of a ‘sunset and kai’ session the community is invited to bring along a picnic and kōrero about what Titahi Bay Beach means to them This takes place on the grass by the Bothamley Lane car park Council will also be at the Titahi Bay Easter Fair on Good Friday and are keen to hear peoples’ thoughts about opportunities for the beach There will also be pop-up sessions at libraries across Porirua and on the beach itself – check out our Facebook page for days and times This plan is being developed following results of a community safety audit in late 2021 that highlighted opportunities for improvement around parking A review of the Reserve Management Plan will also be included for Arnold Park and Titahi Bay Beach reserves Feedback from this consultation will form the next stage of Arotahi – the Titahi Bay Beach Development Plan which will be a concept development plan for the south end of the beach Once this is created there will be another chance for feedback later in 2023 The outcomes will be transferred to the Council’s Long-term Plan 2024–54 Engagement on a concept plan for the north end will begin in 2024 “Much of the planning for this work has come from the safety audit and the need to renew assets such as the toilet block,” says Council Chief Executive Wendy Walker “We’re really looking forward to hearing what our community has to say – everyone loves the Bay so we want to get this right for future generations.” Go to poriruacity.govt.nz/arotahi for more information Grays Road in Plimmerton and Owhiti St in Titahi Bay have been blocked by Police this afternoon MetService National Weather Update: May 7 - May 9 Police said emergency services were called to a Mahia Rd property just before 10am after a report of a person seriously injured Mairehau house fire: Firefighters battle two-storey house blaze 10 patients were assessed and treated by our crews in total Auckland commuters face a chaotic morning after two highways leading into the central city have been majorly disrupted by crashes NZ film industry faces uncertainty over US tariff ongoing decline in livestock numbers and questions over longer sentences reducing reoffending Reporter Sierra is at Magnificent Moa Day where experts are revealing their incredible 3.6 million year-old find Emergency services are attending the fire at a McDonald's on Pakuranga Rd A video of a dog abuse incident is circulating on social media showing a dog swinging in the air and slamming into the ground on a walk in Manurewa A memorial tree has been planted at the entrance of St John’s bush in honour of slain American entomology student Kyle Whorrall Victim of abuse is wanting a judicial review Goodman Group is upgrading Highbrook Crossing to add retail dining and public space to New Zealand’s largest business park in East Tāmaki where hip hop crews from all over the world are battling to see who’s the best and Parliament tackles alcohol and mental health The Coleman family has been melting down precious metals for more than 40 years This is the first time they've shared inside their multi-million dollar gold and silver operation The Prime Minister joins Mike Hosking in the Newstalk ZB studio to talk all the big politicial issues Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was joined by Deputy PM Winston Peters and Minister of defence Judith Collins to make a pre-budget defence announcement and 3D-printed limbs help child amputees in Gaza Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is expected to be joined by Defence Minister Judith Collins and deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters make a pre-Budget defence announcement Neighbours heard explosions as a fire ripped through a Mt Roskill house Mum pays tribute after Auckland bus stop killing Australians vote early and insurance companies brace for claims Megyn Cordner and Lucas Prince started their business from the back of a van in 2022 Andrew Che lost his life savings after sending it to the wrong account Barclays Bank has refunded his money after a prolonged battle for compensation Aerial footage reveals the scale of flooding across areas of Canterbury after a destructive weather system hit the region and prompted a state of emergency North Shore real estate agency chief responds to a Real Estate Disciplinary Tribunal decision Mark Mitchell provides an update on the state of emergency in Christchurch and Selwyn A possible mini tornado was spotted about Auckland Harbour as the latest band of wild weather hits the city Fire and Emergency NZ said it responded to more than 30 callouts overnight more Kiwis turning to methamphetamine and Drs are back at the negotiating table NZSA chief executive Oliver Mander speaks about CEO pay in 2024 Waiwhetu woman Julie Paterson heard 'a loud cracking' and saw a tree branch falling towards her during Wednesday's storm Heather Keats updates the powerful system battering New Zealand breaks down why Wellington is under a rare red warning with extreme winds and Local MP Hon Nicola Grigg speak to the media on the local state of emergency in Selwyn Gisborne locals and health workers marched to Heipipi Park where speakers highlighted what they say is a regional health crisis NZ Herald Live: Simeon Brown talks to media This week a security guard has taken up a post at the south end of Titahi Bay Beach to ensure the gate to the beach and boatsheds remains closed We’ve been having problems with the gate being left open or unlocked allowing vehicles to get onto the beach when they shouldn’t be there The guard will be in place during December and January while we wait for a recently ordered automatic gate to be installed There will be more information about the gate and how it will operate in January before it is operational Beach kaitiaki will also be back on the beach in the coming weeks If you see any vehicles that you believe should not be on the beach, please call Porirua City Council enquiries on 04 237 5089 or email [email protected] Changes are afoot for Titahi Bay Beach as a plan is developed to improve visitors’ experience and sense of safety In February and March 2023 there will be opportunities for the community to share their thoughts and ideas about what’s important to them about the popular Porirua beach There will also be the opportunity to provide feedback on issues raised in the late 2021 community safety audit such as parking Arnold Park and other aspects of the beach and its surrounds Council will work on this project alongside mana whenua Ngāti Toa as the plan is developed "We are looking forward to working alongside Council on upgrades to Titahi Bay Beach," says Naomi Solomon "The Bay beach is an important place in our community and it’s great to see Council working in partnership with Ngāti Toa and our community to breathe some new life into the area." The key messages gleaned from this consultation will form the next stage which will be a concept development plan for the south end There will be a further chance for the community to provide feedback on that plan later in 2023 the outcomes of which will be transferred to the Council’s Long-term Plan 2024-54 for implementation and funding Engagement on a concept development plan for the north end will commence in 2024 The future use of Tireti Hall and a desire to make better use of the Bothamley Lane parking area will be topics included in the scope of the south end development "Much of the planning for this has come from the safety audit and the need to renew assets such as the toilet block," she says "These were coupled with a general tone that Titahi Bay beach is tired and needs some attention "We’re really looking forward to hearing what our community has to say - everyone loves the Bay so we want to get this right for future generations." Police have opened a homicide investigation into the death of a man in Titahi Bay died at an Owhiti Street address in the Porirua seaside suburb on Friday 7 July "Enquiries in relation to the circumstances of his death are ongoing," Detective Senior Sergeant Peter Middlemiss said "We are continuing to appeal for information from the public to assist our enquiries We particularly want to hear from anyone who was in the Owhiti Street area on the afternoon/evening of Friday 7 July who may have seen or heard something relevant to the investigation." Anyone with information was asked to call Police on 105 and quote file number 230707/1182. Information could also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or on their website A relative of one of two motorcyclists who went missing overnight in the Akatarawa Forest had a few words to say about the incident The pair were found safe after a cold night in the bush People undergoing dialysis had to be evacuated from Christchurch Hospital after a gas leak on site caused by a digger on Monday morning The owner of one of the businesses broken into overnight told RNZ shop workers fear for their safety every day Police are investigating an alleged burglary after a truck carrying a tiny home crashed on West Auckland's Great North Road on Monday morning "Then we’ll add to or amend these principles following feedback.” You can also have your say online at https://survey.publicvoice.co.nz/s3/titahibayweb To find out more go to poriruacity.govt.nz and search key word “Bay Drive”, or visit https://poriruacity.govt.nz/your-council/getting-involved/public-consultation/bay-drive/ The well-known macrocarpa tree off Terrace Rd in Titahi Bay unfortunately has to be removed The upgrade to Porirua’s Wastewater Treatment Plant is gathering pace among other projects lined up for the facility and Titahi Bay A report to this week’s Wastewater Treatment Plant and Landfill Joint Committee noted the ultra-violet equipment upgrade work which began last month and carried out by Wellington Water is part of a larger project which aims to significantly increase the volume of wastewater that can be fully treated from 1000 litres per second to 1550 litres per second Currently the plant can receive up to 1300 litres per second during heavy rain so there are times when wastewater that has only been through primary treatment is discharged off Rukutane Point Other Wellington Water projects in the pipeline for the treatment plant and Titahi Bay in the next three years include equipment renewal for more than $2.5 million and a project to identify wastewater/stormwater cross-connections and other faults on private property in the suburb ($250,000) A new Porirua City Council Rates Remission and Postponement Policy has been approved which includes financial assistance to homeowners who need to carry out these repairs Wastewater Treatment Plant and Landfill Joint Committee chairperson Euon Murrell says the number of projects under way "Significant amounts of money are being spent in this space and it will make a huge difference to the city and our harbour," he says "The Council and Wellington Water are also dedicated to informing our community so you will be seeing more updates as well." The Council’s application to Greater Wellington Regional Council for a consent to continue operating the wastewater treatment plant for the next 20 years is expected to be notified for public submissions between March and June Above: the new mural on the electrical substation in Titahi Bay after unveiling A stunning mural on an electrical substation in Titahi Bay was unveiled this morning by Porirua City Council and the Titahi Bay Horticultural Society The Toms Road mural is part of Porirua City’s Adopt-a-Spot project with a sneak-peek inside one of the Bay’s iconic boatsheds says the Adopt-a-Spot project is a chance to do something practical to make a positive difference to the city and your neighbourhood “The mural is beautiful and includes so many Titahi Bay elements It’s a real example of the community stepping up and a great partnership between the community and Council.”  President of the Titahi Bay Horticultural Society says the artist Ellen Coup has done a wonderful job in capturing the spirit of the bay and everyone is delighted with the end result "One of the aims of the society is to preserve and enhance beauty spots in the district in conjunction with local bodies and government departments We chose the Toms Road spot as it is a key route to the beach and the Surf Club – and the Wellington Electricity box on the corner was crying out for some beautification with financial support from the Porirua City Council.”  Mural artist Ellen Coup took 10 days to complete the painting which provided additional challenges as a 3D object Ellen worked off photos of the nearby beach but had help from locals to fine-tune some of the details Ellen says she is honoured to join the other mural artists in the Bay and for her work to be part of the mural walk The artwork incorporates many key Titahi Bay beach activities in the beach scene with tamariki and whanau playing in the sand The nearby Titahi Bay Surf Lifesaving club is represented in the rescue board pictured at one end of the mural with the inside of a boatshed at the other The reverse side of the substation features Taupata There are two other adopted spots nearby in Titahi Bay and the Toms Road spot will form part of the Titahi Bay mural walk Others in Porirua are the Paremata rail bridge underpass Secret Valley in Pukerua Bay and Taupo Crescent in Plimmerton Adopt-a-spot can be a place near where people live or pass each day on their way to work People can enlist the help of their neighbours or community groups by getting them on board as well Groups looking to adopt a spot should get in touch with Richard Witheford Smith by emailing [email protected] More about the Titahi Bay Horticultural Society and their work can be found on their website Titahi Bay’s pipe network will be inspected in the coming months as part of a project will involve crews checking pipes in the public and private network "We’re all responsible for our waterways so this work is essential to reduce pollution in our rivers and harbour," says Porirua Mayor Anita Baker Some homeowners in Titahi Bay will receive letters shortly which includes low-risk smoke testing and dye tracing If there is any cost to fix faults on private property there will be the ability to apply for assistance to spread the cost via Porirua City Council rates from 1 July Wellington Water chief executive Colin Crampton says his organisation must band together to improve the existing water network Similar projects to what is starting in Titahi Bay are planned elsewhere in the region this year leaking or damaged pipe causes pollution to our rivers and it will the focus of our crews out there to check the public and private pipes "If we find an issue in the public network we will work with homeowners to get it repaired." For more information on the project, including FAQs, check out wellingtonwater.co.nz/knowing-your-pipes Firefighters have contained a 10-hectare blaze in the Porirua suburb of Titahi Bay Fire and Emergency said three helicopters with monsoon buckets and seven ground crews were still working hard to eliminate hotspots ahead of a windy forecast on Saturday Fire and Emergency received a call about the fire at about 11pm on Thursday and the first crews were onsite 10 minutes later By Friday morning the fire had burnt through 10 hectares of vegetation in Whitireia Park If you've witnessed the fire, and would like to share photos or your story with us, please email it to: iwitness@radionz.co.nz Fire crews will be on the scene throughout the day and overnight with more teams likely to be brought in tomorrow A drone crew will help identify hotspots on Friday afternoon Incident controller Steve Hudson earlier told Morning Report the 10-hectare blaze covered very hilly terrain and strong winds overnight had helped the flames to spread quickly Firefighters were hoping the forecast dropping winds would help the situation but there were a number of houses that could be in the firing line if the wind changed "We're at the top at the golf course at Gloaming Hill There are a number of properties that are along the top of the ridge they would be our concern if the wind changed and started crossing the gully where the fire currently is "So we have spare crews available to respond to exposure protection if that happened." Hudson said it was still unclear how the fire started "We roughly know where it started but we've asked for a specialist fire investigator from the Wairarapa to come in and do an assessment once it's safe enough to enter the area." Fire and Emergency said additional rural firefighters were being brought in to support and relieve the urban and rural crews who had been working overnight Smoke is affecting a large part of Porirua and the Public Health Service said those who are affected should go inside and close the windows and doors and turn off air conditioning units "The smoke is drifting across Porirua Harbour and people have been smelling it .. in the Hutt Valley and further afield as well even in parts of Wellington in the early hours of the morning," said Hudson "We actually fielded a lot of 111 calls to smoke in those areas but after investigation it was deemed that the smoke was coming from this fire." Porirua mayor Anita Baker said Fire and Emergency had the situation under control but people needed to stay away from the fire site A spokesperson said no homes had been told to evacuate but the public should stay away from the area Electrical crews were assessing any damage to power lines About 900 houses in the area were without power from about 11pm Thursday but all connections were restored by 5am Friday Wellington Electricity said it was too early to tell whether the fault was caused by the blaze or whether the fire had caused any other damage to its infrastructure Fire and Emergency incident controller Steve Hudson said there was an 11,000V (high voltage) powerline running through Whitireia Park Fire and Emergency incident controller Nick Pyatt said they were aware of an explosion in the area overnight but were unsure whether it was linked to the fire I would imagine a flash and an explosion would probably go together but we're not sure whether it was a result of the fire or before it." They were working closely with Wellington Electricity Papakowhai resident Liam Glanville said he and his partner saw a massive flash in the sky last night Two helicopters with monsoon buckets had been flying in the area this morning MetService meteorologist John Law told Morning Report the windy dry conditions forecast in the Wellington region would not be helpful to fire crews "I think looking at the wind speeds today around the Wellington area we're looking at mainly that northerly sticking with a fairly constant speed as we head through most of the daytime and so no great changes in direction there "We are likely to see that wind picking up tomorrow which I'm sure the team are very aware of and very concerned about those dry conditions and that wind and those high temperatures as well which are all adding into that risk factor Arran Mortimer is one of two Beach Kaitiaki looking after Titahi Bay Beach this summer Those seeking sun and surf at Titahi Bay Beach this summer are likely to see some friendly faces Porirua City Council’s two new Beach Kaitiaki have begun their summer of work ensuring everyone at the busy beach has a good time Porirua locals Arran Mortimer and Malia Gafa will be on the beach between 9am-7pm each day “They are there to chat to beachgoers who have any questions and provide advice about other things to see and do in the area,” says Council Acting Parks & City Services Operations Manager David Stone “They’re also up-to-date with all the rules around things such as dogs on the beach Mr Stone says Titahi Bay Beach becomes a popular spot during summer with many visitors from outside the region coming to the beach for some swimming or surfing “It’s great to have people on the beach with local knowledge who are happy to help.” Arran and Malia will also use their time on the beach to pick up any rubbish and make sure the area is in a nice condition for everyone to enjoy Arran says he’s had mainly positive interactions with people while working and is happy to chat with or offer advice for anyone enjoying a day at the beach Keep an eye out for them with their Porirua City caps and vests on if you have any questions or need some help The boatsheds at Wellington's Titahi Bay are a local icon Origin of name: Titahi means one cabbage tree Famous locals: Professional golfer Michael Campbell TV and radio personality Gary McCormick and actor Emmett Skilton of The Almighty Johnsons Also famous for: Many scenes from Taika Waititi's film Eagle vs Shark were shot here Best website: Check out titahibay.org.nz to find out what's going on or check out the noticeboard at The Lifeboat Cafe to learn all sorts of interesting things Old news: Legendary explorer Kupe first stopped in here in the 10th century and the place has been popular for water sports farmers would walk their cows across the causeway from Mana Island to Titahi Bay — but if the tide came in they had to swim rather they have a strong network of small business owners from plumbers to mechanics Source of pride: Aside from being a warm and welcoming community, the Titahi Bay Surf Life Saving Club is a strong feature of life here with the members giving their time to patrol the beach and keep swimmers safe Town fiestas: Coming up on November 27 at 4pm is the first ever Titahi Bay Boatsheds Festival with owners opening their doors to let you peek inside these historic little buildings From The Lifeboat Cafe down by the beach in Bay Drive stroll along the pushchair-friendly path above the beach to view the sculptures made by local artists that depict the history of the area this is a great place to stop and reflect a while Best reason to stop: To walk along the beach and those views to the South Island and the sunsets over Mana Island have to be seen to be believed Kids love: The beach of course and The Lifeboat Cafe where kids are not only welcomed they're also given paper and pens so they can create artworks to add to the walls nippers love the big grassy bank — roly polying down the hill is especially popular Best playground: There are about five parks in the bay walk up Bay Drive and turn left along Thornley St then trot up the road to the top of Mt Cooper and the radio transmitter masts If you've got the stamina continue down to Onehunga Bay and walk around the Onepoto Peninsula this is a decent walk and will take a few solid hours Best view: From the top of Mt Cooper in Whitireia Park look out to the South Island — on a clear day you can almost reach out and touch it Best place to pull over: On the road into Whitireia Park you'll find views along the northern coast across to Mana and Paremata and it's a very safe beach for smaller swimmers Nice arts: Check out the artworks on the walls of The Lifeboat Cafe or pop along on Thursday at 11am for the Arts Chat if you take a shine to some of the art on the wall Cream of the coffee: The Lifeboat Cafe not only does great coffee and those deck chairs out the front are great for lounging on and watching the world go by Baked: The Lifeboat Cafe again; their sweet treats and baked goods are all divine the most popular is currently pork belly and apple Their nachos are amazing and the fish pie always sells out the portions are generous so doggy bags are happily supplied Angela is a vegetarian so sometimes customers are called upon to taste the meat dishes to check how much salt she needs to add Even the milkman is expected to offer the services of his tastebuds Lend a hand: In summer it can sometimes be pandemonium at The Lifeboat Cafe with a million customers all clamouring for attention at once so the locals will sometimes slip out into the kitchen to clear the plates and load the dishwasher Wet your whistle: The best pub is in Whitby Best cycling: The Southern Clifftop Walk (2.8km) welcomes bikers on its sealed sections and the views out to Mana and the ocean are fab Best adventure: From Terrace Rd, tiptoe across the narrow causeway above the steeply sloping ditch to visit the pa site Te Pa o Kapo Best kept secret: At low tide you can view the remains of a 96,000 year old fossil forest a remnant of vegetation from before the last ice age when the seas weren't quite so high Wildlife: Penguins can sometimes be spotted paddling in the bay while geckoes live in the older buildings where they've been known to chew through electrical wiring Be warned: Lifeboat Cafe proprietor Angela is very fond of squidgy little babies advancing on them in their pushchairs to steal a cuddle Angela will quickly put an end to that nonsense and triumphantly reply "he's not now" before extracting said babe from his stroller Thanks to a group of lively locals for spilling the beans We’re working to develop a shared pathway between Wi Neera Drive and Onepoto and provide coastal resilience along the harbourside edge of Titahi Bay Road and Wi Neera Drive. We've come a long way, but there’s still a lot of work to do – find out more below. You can contact the project team at [email protected] the final resource consent for this project has been granted Final construction plans and specifications are well advanced and expected to be completed in July 2024 At that stage it had been intended to approach the market for construction however this is now very uncertain due to a change in Government funding priorities We expect to know more before September this year and will continue to keep you updated on this In the meantime, if you would like to view the shared pathway resource consent documentation, follow the link here It’s full steam ahead for the Wi Neera to Onepoto Shared Pathway and Coastal Resilience Works project we were thrilled to be granted resource consent for the coastal resilience part (stage A) of the project back in February 2023 the resource consents required for the shared pathway component (stage B) were lodged with Greater Wellington Regional Council and Porirua City Council on 7 December 2023 We should hear back on whether the application has been successful early next year Engineers are onboard and well underway with carrying out detailed design Tonkin & Taylor (along with support from Isthmus for landscape design and Salt Ecology for ecological input) were awarded the contract We then hope to be going out to the market for the construction contract in quarter two of next year A further land use resource consent was granted in June 2023 confirming a site for the construction operations (including a site office and construction machinery / equipment storage during the construction period) The construction phase of the project is aimed to get underway in July 2024 We are excited to be making real progress and look forward to sharing with you the final design drawings once they have been finalised We will continue to keep you updated as the project progresses We will make the shared pathway resource consent documentation available here in the new year (January 2024) Wi Neera to Onepoto Shared Pathway and Coastal Resilience Project - A major milestone achieved Resource consent granted for Wi Neera to Onepoto shared pathway and coastal resilience project and has involved a huge amount of effort and support but we are very pleased to announce that the coastal resilience part (Stage A) of the Wi Neera to Onepoto Shared Pathway and Resilience Project has been granted resource consent The project team received the consents from Porirua City Council on 22 December 2022 and Greater Wellington Regional Council on 9 February 2023 This means that we can now proceed with the detailed design phase for Stage A of the project The planning for getting engineers onboard to help do the detailed work has already started which will be a fantastic asset for our community and of enormous benefit to harbour health; has been a large undertaking Getting this far has taken a huge amount of effort and support We will keep you updated as the project progresses To make it easier to open all the documents linked within the report above right-click on your mouse and select 'open link in new tab' We are really pleased to announce that on Wednesday 2 November Council lodged its resource consent application for the coastal resilience part (Stage A) of this project The consent application and supporting information is now available at the link above The consent application itself has 31 documents attached ranging from the actual application forms to detailed assessment of effects documents such as wave height modelling stormwater assessments and community engagement We had hoped to have the resource consent application for Stage A: Coastal Resilience Works updated and lodged by 30 September 2022 Consent authorities have since asked for one further piece of work - identifying a site for construction operations The site is an area that will contain the site office and construction machinery equipment during the construction period We have identified a site and are now preparing a plan for how the site will be managed during the construction period permission to use the site will then be required under the Reserves Act and from neighbouring property owners The resource consent application will be lodged in October Porirua City Council has been working on a resource consent application for the Wi Neera to Onepoto Shared Pathway and Coastal Resilience Project assessments and reports have now been finalised A land ownership matter has been identified which needs to be resolved before the shared pathway can be built A Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) was recently carried out by the Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira (Ngāti Toa) as part of the necessary resource consent documentation New information came to light which shows that land ownership for a parcel of land covering a small part of Titahi Bay Road (Pt Tutae Paraikete 1) does need to be resolved by a formal application to the Māori Land Court previous discussions at the time indicated that it wasn’t an issue that would impact the project We want to press ahead with the vital harbour restoration part of the project while the land ownership matter (which impacts the shared pathway) progresses through the Court we are splitting the project into two stages – applying first for resource consent for the coastal resilience/erosion work as this aspect of the project remains unaffected by the land ownership matter then consent for the shared pathway will follow once the land ownership is resolved but the alternative was to pause the entire project until the land matter was resolved which would create longer delays and prevent the much-needed erosion control work on the harbour margin from beginning We are now delivering the project in two stages: Resource consent will be submitted within the next month to both Porirua City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council Once the land ownership is resolved we can proceed with submitting the resource consent for the shared pathway This stage includes any physical works for the proposed shared pathway and information on the history of the area Even though we are submitting resource consent for Stage A (Coastal Resilience Works) at this point in time the design takes into account the construction of the shared pathway and associated works at a future date Assuming resource consent is successfully granted we are estimating summer of 2024/2025 for construction of the coastal resilience works to begin it may take a while to progress and it is difficult for us to put an estimated timeframe on this The initial estimate project cost of $11.8m was based on 2020 construction rates There has been an approximate 15% increase in construction rates over since then As we progress through the concept design stage of the project we also have a better understanding of what the required detailed tasks Now that we are progressing with staging the project During the detailed design phase of this project costs will be better defined and the contingency allowance will likely be reduced Although Council have agreed to underwrite the project at $16.4m it is still anticipated that this will be subsidised by funding opportunities such as Waka Kotahi and Lottery Funding Grants What does the final concept design look like all resource consent documentation for both Stage A and Stage B will be made available on our website Good progress has been made on the resource consent application We anticipate lodging with Greater Wellington Regional Council at the end of June We realise this is slightly later than anticipated but we have been working hard to get this right We now have all of the detailed drawings prepared and engineering assessments undertaken Our consultants have been working hard to provide all of the necessary inputs required in order to draft the resource consent application The final tasks that we need to complete include: As part of preparing an application for funding we discussed the project with the Lottery Significant Project Fund Their advice has been that they require a resource consent to be in place before lodging an application We will continue to look at other appropriate Lottery funding grants as well as additional funding options for this project We are continuing to work with Waka Kotahi to ensure all the required information is ready in advance of their upcoming funding rounds to enhance our ability to ‘unlock’ Waka Kotahi funding for the detailed design and construction phases Once the final resource consent application has been lodged all the documentation will be made available for the public to view from our website Council has agreed to progress with a preferred option for the Wi Neera to Onepoto Shared Pathway and Coastal Resilience Project Delivery of the project is subject to resource consents and to securing external funding The preliminary concept design for the preferred option includes: We believe this is the best solution to deliver on the project objectives; to improve cycling and pedestrian connection and address harbour edge erosion and coastal resilience This preliminary concept design has been shaped by feedback from community and stakeholder engagement in recent years The preferred option we are progressing with has an estimated construction cost of $10.7m; $4m for the pathway $6.1m for coastal resilience alongside Titahi Bay Road The final cost won’t be known until we have obtained resource consent completed detailed design and expert costing reviews Council would need to contribute $3.6m to the project which is being sought through the Long-Term Plan Further funding is being sought from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and external funding sources If Waka Kotahi and external funding can’t be secured and the capital funding returned to the Transport renewal programme and to City Partnerships to complete Wi Neera Beach (subject to resource consent) Coastal erosion issues along Titahi Bay Road would be managed through the business as usual transport maintenance programme We look forward to your feedback and to seeing you at a drop-in information session We’re pleased to be able to update you on recent progress Consent-level Design and Resource Consents: We’ve further refined some elements of our coastal resilience design for the harbour edge following feedback from Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira and Wellington Water The feedback was received as part of the work to develop the consent-level designs and documentation to support resource consent applications to Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) and Porirua City Council (PCC) Some key refinements to the coastal design include: The updated consent-level designs for the shared pathway and Titahi Bay Road now include some small adjustments to the existing bus stop locations as well as two new crossing points and three possible harbour-side pause points in the north and south sections and near Ti Pene Ave We’ve also had an external road safety expert review these changes (as well as possible revisions to the existing speed limit alongside Titahi Bay Road) to ensure any identified risks to users are minimised Some elements identified within the consent-level designs such as the pause points and the stormwater outlet requirements will be further developed and costed during detailed design We’re hoping to wrap up these revisions within the next week at which point we’ll share the plans and other supporting information with Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira so they can complete their Cultural Impact Assessment Our technical specialists will also be able to complete their coastal landscape and environmental impact assessment reporting which will inform the draft resource consent applications to GWRC and PCC We’ll then be able to share these with GWRC and the Department of Conservation (and other key harbour stakeholders) for review and feedback prior to lodgement Alongside this we’ll check-in with other project stakeholders (including Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency harbour user groups and local emergency service providers) to progress our earlier discussions and seek feedback on the latest changes As soon as these consent-level designs are complete we will share them with you and make them available on the project webpage This will include a concept illustration (currently underway) showing what the proposed Wi Neera Beach could look like The ability to complete the project is no longer contingent upon Waka Kotahi and external funding as Council has agreed to underwrite the project if external funding can’t be secured we’ll be actively seeking external funding over the next 12-18 months Preparations are underway for an expression of interest to the Lottery Significant Project Fund (which has a “soft close” between October and December this year) in advance of formal applications closing (for three Lottery funds) in March 2022 We’re also continuing to work with Waka Kotahi to ensure all the required information is ready in advance of upcoming funding rounds to enhance our ability to ‘unlock’ Waka Kotahi funding for the detailed design and construction phases We’ll continue to give you progress reports as we have information to share This update is to let you know how the Wi Neera to Onepoto Shared Pathway and Coastal Resilience Project is tracking and what the next steps are We are progressing well with developing the consent-level designs and documentation to support resource consent applications to Greater Wellington Regional Council and Porirua City Council The aim is to lodge these applications within the next couple of months and we are doing all we can to achieve a non-notified consent process to save time and money The package of work being developed for the consent applications includes (among other things): Their endorsement of the proposal is critical to achieving a non-notified resource consent process Our revised time-frame for lodging the resource consent applications allows for further discussions and to allow for refinement of the consent-level design prior to finalising the environmental and cultural impact assessments Closer consideration of the design for the coastal resilience works has also been informed by feedback from Ngāti Toa Some elements of the design being reviewed following feedback include: The team is also preparing an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Lottery Significant Project Fund Feedback from this process will help us refine our formal application to the fund including the Community Facilities and Environment and Heritage Funds (among others) which also close in March next year The Long-term Plan includes a capital budget of $10.7m for the shared pathway and coastal resilience project: $3.6m (PCC) $3.9m (Waka Kotahi - NZ Transport Agency) and $3.2m (external funding sources) This is in addition to the $720k budget for pre-implementation works through to obtaining resource consent (While this includes a $40k allowance for a non-notified consent process the cost of a notified process could be in the order of $250k.) The project is progressing well and we’re keen to update you on a few things Porirua City Council has formally adopted its Long-term Plan (LTP) 2021-51 which sets the direction and budget for the next 30 years The LTP includes a newly-agreed capital budget of $10.7m for the shared pathway and coastal resilience project The ability to complete the project is also no longer contingent upon external funding - as Council has agreed to underwrite the project if Waka Kotahi and external funding can’t be secured Waka Kotahi is one of our project partners and has been closely involved in Waka Kotahi has previously agreed to part-fund the project through to obtaining resource consent and we’ll continue to work closely with our Waka Kotahi Investment Advisor in the coming months to further maximise the funding opportunities available towards the upcoming design and capital works stages of the project We also have a Funding Plan which includes requesting additional funding from other funding organisations Applications will be lodged to the Lottery Community Facilities and Significant Project Funds (among others) when they open later in the year - beginning in September Other potential funding sources with a focus on environmental cultural and heritage outcomes are also being investigated Key themes raised in recent feedback on the preliminary concept design: Some of the key themes from recent feedback on the preliminary concept design included: We’re continuing to work through the points raised (including the many questions asked) is helping to shape the consent-level design (currently underway) and also guiding our discussions with project stakeholders Some items we’re exploring in more detail with project stakeholders include: Consent-level design and resource consent applications: Work that’s currently underway includes preparation/development of: We’re also continuing our engagement with Ngāti Toa and other stakeholders and this will include a project update to Ngāti Toa’s Kaumatua Committee in early July The target timeframe for lodgement of the resource consent applications is the first quarter of 2021/22 - and the earliest possible commencement of construction (assuming non-notified consents and funding availability) is summer 2022 In our next update we hope to further detail how the project has responded to feedback received and provide responses to the many questions raised. We’ll also make this information available on the project webpage https://poriruacity.govt.nz/your-council/city-projects/wi-neera-onepoto-shared-pathway-coastal-resilience-project/ Thanks to all those who attended our recent ‘dop-in’ project information sessions and who gave feedback on the preliminary concept design for the shared pathway and coastal resilience works Your feedback is appreciated and the team is currently working through all of the points raised We’ll also be sharing this with our wider team in the coming weeks as they get underway with the consent-level design and assessment of effects reporting to support the necessary resource consent applications We hope to get back to you again in a few weeks to explain how the project is responding to the feedback received and to share our responses to the questions raised in written comments We’ll also be continuing our engagement with Ngāti Toa and other stakeholders and this will include a project update to Ngāti Toa’s Kaumatua Committee in the coming weeks You can find more about the project, the preferred option, and next steps on our project webpage This is a friendly reminder that feedback closes tomorrow (Friday 19 March) on the preliminary concept design for the preferred option for the Wi Neera to Onepoto Shared Pathway and Coastal Resilience Project You can find more about the project, the preferred option and the next steps on our project webpage Send your feedback to us by email to [email protected] (Our thanks to those who’ve already provided feedback.) some things you might like to think about are: While the feedback on the preliminary design finishes tomorrow we are always happy to answer questions and to take further comments as we move on with the project New drop-in information session and extended time for feedback We’re pleased to confirm that we’ve re-scheduled the second ‘drop-in’ project information session to Tuesday 9 March This is great opportunity to hear more about the Wi Neera to Onepoto Shared Pathway and Coastal Resilience Project We’ll have members of the project team available to talk to you about the project Where: Whitireia New Zealand (Porirua campus) – Room WK160 (which is located in the red-circled area below) Our thanks to all those who have given their feedback so far Because we value your feedback we’ve also extended the timeframe for public feedback on the preliminary concept design to Friday 19 March You can find more about the project, the preferred option, next steps and give feedback on our project webpage. Invitation to drop-in project information sessions & feedback reminder we’d like to invite you to a drop-in information session on Saturday February 13 and Tuesday February 16 to hear more about the Wi Neera to Onepoto Shared Pathway and Coastal Resilience Project We’ll have Council staff and expert consultants on hand to talk to you about the project This is also a reminder that feedback on the preliminary concept design for the preferred option closes on Wednesday 24 February (now being extended)  You can find more about the project, the preferred option, next steps and give feedback on our project webpage We’re pleased to confirm the following details for the drop-in information sessions: Whitireia New Zealand (Porirua campus) – Rooms WK134-WK136 This preliminary concept design has been shaped by feedback from community and stakeholder engagement in recent years We’d love to hear your feedback on the preliminary concept design. Take a look at the information on this page and share your feedback by emailing us at [email protected] before Wednedsay 24 February 2021 We also plan to hold public drop-in sessions in February to share details of the project Further funding is being sought from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency ($3.9m) and external funding sources ($3.2m) beginning with applications in the new year  Coastal erosion issues along Titahi Bay Road would be managed through the business as usual transport maintenance programme We look forward to your feedback and will keep you updated as we have more detailed information to share This is a quick update to let you know how this project is progressing We held a workshop with councillors last week (19 November) where we sought direction on a recommended option for the shared pathway and coastal resilience works the project team is now working to further develop a recommended option that will be presented to Council for approval at the next meeting on 16 December we look forward to being able to share more information with you Thanks for your patience as we work through all the issues Update - Wi Neera to Onepoto Shared Pathway and Coastal Resilience project In our last update to you we said we hoped to present Councillors with two preliminary concept options for the Wi Neera to Onepoto Shared Pathway and Coastal Resilience Project at a workshop in October 2020 However work done to develop and cost those options has made it clear they would exceed the currently available budget of $3.6m This work has helped us understand the full cost of the coastal resilience work which is similar to that of the pathway development and has understandably changed since we drafted budgets for the works some years ago will now regroup to review the two preliminary concept options we have had to readjust our planned timeframes and will now workshop a preferred option/options with Councillors at a later date and not October as originally planned Following Council input we will be inviting feedback from stakeholders and the community on aspects of the proposal before final design decisions are made and consent is sought It’s important to stress that feedback received during the life of this project has helped us shape the preliminary concept options  The design is being guided by the themes raised during engagement with Ngāti Toa and the more recent 2019 community workshop We’re aware that this project has been ongoing for some time and we appreciate your patience as we work through the challenging and complex issues it is presenting us with Projects next to the sea are often complex and in this situation that is no different  It’s really important that we get this right by coming up with best solutions and options for the city We hope to have more clarity around next steps and timings in the next few months and will keep you updated 2020) is to let you know how the Wi Neera Drive to Onepoto Shared Pathway and Coastal Resilience Project is progressing We are now well on the way to preparing the information required for shaping the best design solution for this project along Titahi Bay Road and Wi Neera Drive The project includes construction of a shared cycling and pedestrian pathway between Wi Neera Drive and Onepoto and erosion protection works to enhance coastal resilience along the coastal edge of Titahi Bay Road and Wi Neera Drive An experienced team has been assembled to ensure the design solution is appropriate for the area and to also understand what can be done to improve habitat quality within the inner harbour as a result of the project The design required for a comprehensive consenting process is significantly more complex than originally envisaged based on all the previous harbour-related works and includes investigations into coastal processes leading experts in coastal soft engineering and managing the effects of sea level changes are investigating how coastal resilience designs can work to protect the harbour edge using bathymetry (seafloor) data wave modelling and ecological analysis just offshore engineering specialists are investigating possible options for the pathway – and this will draw from the results of geotechnical investigations to help ensure the design will be resilient into the future Two preliminary design options are currently being developed and costed These will be assessed at a workshop with Porirua City councillors and a preferred option identified for Council consideration and approval in October Confirmation of a preferred option will clarify the project scope for the concept design and consenting stages that will follow The team is working closely with Ngāti Toa (who are supportive of the project and will have a representative on the project team) and we will also be inviting feedback from stakeholders and the public on aspects of the proposal before final design decisions are made naturally vegetated coastal margin that will help improve the health of the harbour establish a stunning natural landscape for residents in Takapūwāhia The path will allow for coastal resilience and become a link between recreational activities on Wi Neera Beach and Onepoto Park We appreciate your ongoing patience and interest as we work through this complex project We will provide ongoing updates as the project develops Our initial work included investigations into coastal processes leading experts in coastal soft engineering and managing the effects of sea level changes investigated how coastal resilience designs could work to protect the harbour edge using bathymetry (seafloor) data engineering specialists investigated possible options for the pathway and developed two preliminary concept design options taking local constraints such as the pohutakawa trees and seagrass into account and drawing from the results of geotechnical investigations These options were assessed and presented to Councillors at a workshop on 19 November 2020 The Council direction at the workshop was to ask staff to provide further information on Option 1 for consideration at a Council meeting in December 2020 This option currently has the support of our project partners – Ngāti Toa and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (and meets Waka Kotahi co-funding requirements) The main parts of the preliminary concept design include: The diagram below shows a typical cross section of the soft coastal resilience work which includes extensive areas of saltmarsh This project has a long history and affordability has been a key deciding factor along the way The project began back in 2002 with a harbour-side boardwalk proposal jointly started by Porirua City Council and Ngāti Toa In 2007 the Takapuwahia Village Concept Plan included a harbour-side timber boardwalk along Titahi Bay Road linking Onepoto to Wi Neera Drive There have also been a few feasibility studies exploring options to provide a path/cycleway and harbour edge erosion control works road construction and maintenance and building a shared pathway All of these matters need to be addressed through a resource consent process During Council consultation on the project for the Long-Term Plan 2018-38 73% of respondents who gave feedback on various pathway and coastal protection options supported a harbour-side path and erosion repairs to the harbour edge The majority of feedback urged Council to complete the project sooner than proposed (at the time) Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) endorsed a 4-Stage Business Case for a shared pathway between the Porirua CBD and Titahi Bay In 2019 a coastal expert was engaged to develop a concept for the shared pathway which saw the introduction of ‘soft’ coastal resilience/restoration works which people requested Soft engineering is a significant departure from previous ‘hard’ (concrete & rock) engineering solutions plus the earlier feasibility studies and option assessments and feedback from the community and stakeholders has informed how we have developed the current project and our assessment of the options The Onepoto Arm of Porirua Harbour has been extensively modified over the years Almost all the present Onepoto harbour margin is reclaimed The original coastline is 60-150 metres inland of the current coastline which was reclaimed during the 1950s The rest of the Onepoto harbour arm has also been modified particularly with the development of SH1 and the railway lines which have an ongoing impact on the health of the harbour The image below shows Titahi Bay road prior to reclamation The image below shows the harbour margin pre and post the 1950s reclamation work The images below show the current state of the seagrass beds The images below show the current erosion issues along the Titahi Bay Road foreshore There are three approaches we could take to protecting the harbour edge and addressing the erosion issues: Localised and ongoing erosion mitigation works will be required to repair and protect the road if we don't implement the preferred option rock armour protection would need to be installed along approximately 511m of the coast where the current bank edge is within 2m of the Titahi Bay Road edge Ongoing maintenance would be required along the length of the harbour edge and it would be just one storm away from substantial further damage that could potentially undermine the road Hard patch repairs could have a flow-on impact leading to erosion in neighbouring areas Installing rock rip rap would not provide any ecological benefits for the harbour and would not allow for the reinstatement of nearshore habitats Resource consent and coastal permits would be required from Greater Wellington Regional Council for reclamation and discharge and ongoing repairs over time Hard coastal engineering would protect the shoreline from the effects of erosion and sea level rise and would be long lasting Ongoing repairs could be required to the seawall following storm events Hard engineering would not provide any ecological benefits for the harbour and would not allow for the reinstatement of nearshore habitats The ease of consenting would depend on the footprint/reclamation required and a detailed assessment of the proposal Hard engineering does present a more challenging consenting pathway (than for soft engineering) It is noted that both the proposed Porirua City District Plan and GWRC plans favour soft engineering (rather than hard) as a primary method to reduce damage from sea level rise and coastal erosion protect coastal margins and preserve natural character Hard engineering works are harder to stage and in the longer term more costly The imagae below shows an example of harbour edge hard engineering alongside Portobello Road in Dunedin The diagram below shows a typical cross section of a hard engineering approach Soft engineering in coastal areas is used as a cost-effective way to protect shorelines from erosion and the effects of sea level rise associated with climate change It also reduces the effects of flooding on marine environments and helps increase harbour health Small rock reefs (chenier) are placed just offshore and then saltmarsh is planted in between the shore and the reef Natural examples can be seen around Pauatahanui Inlet where natural shell banks create the “rock reefs” The rock reef and the saltmarsh dissipate wave energy The coastline along Titahi Bay Road is ideal for this type of coastal engineering (which has been used successfully around New Zealand and has worked since the early 1990’s) See more information about the benefits of soft engineering in the FAQ section below The advantages of this approach are that it creates a natural harbour margin that would protect the shoreline from the impacts of sea level rise and storm damage It would also stabilise sediment entering the harbour and create habitat and be a food source for shellfish While more expensive to construct initially than patch repairs it would cost about the same as hard engineering upfront Longer term it would be cheaper to maintain with repairs possibly only required after heavy storms The ease of consenting would depend on the footprint/reclamation required The image below shows the shoreline of Pauatahanui Inlet which is protected by soft coastal engineering - a wetland behind a chenier (a sandy beach ridge) The image below shows a typical cross section of a soft engineering approach Preliminary concept design and cost estimates for Council decision How many options have been considered for this project Seven options have been assessed for this project The options were assessed through a two-step Multi Criteria Assessment process (explained in more detail below) MCA is a tool to assist and document decision-making where there are multiple options It helps carry out a comparative analysis of options (against consistently applied criteria) to decide which best meets a range of objectives set by stakeholders and the community for a project The MCA criteria were based on desired project outcomes and community feedback from earlier engagement – and these were reviewed by Waka Kotahi and Ngāti Toa representatives The assessment was carried out in two steps including: Options 1 and 3 scored the highest against the initial ‘sieve’ criteria (step 1) and progressed to step 2 alongside the project ‘Do Minimum’ option (option 4 - which included only essential erosion repairs Option 1 (the preferred option) was the highest scoring option in the detailed assessment (step 2) The Council decided to proceed with Option 1 (the preferred option) Council believe this is the best solution to deliver on the project objectives and will also: The option also has the support of our project partners – Ngāti Toa and Waka Kotahi (and meets Waka Kotahi co-funding requirements) A preliminary concept design is a more detailed look at an option after all options have been looked at by stakeholders the preliminary concept design (and initial cost estimate) includes the basic elements for the shared pathway and coastal resilience ‘Nice to have’ elements like seating and pause points (areas with signage or a seat for users to take a break) aren’t included at this point as we’ve tried to keep the costs down and don’t yet know how much external funding we’ll be able to source These elements will be provided for as we develop the landscape concept and work through the detailed design processes in order that they can be added in future There is no provision for parking along the length of the shared pathway Users would be required to park at either end While some aspects of the concept (such as the harbour-side route pathway width and ‘soft’ coastal resilience) are unlikely to change there’s more work to be done on other aspects such as the buffer zone (and treatments within that area) and lighting (through the developed design stage) cultural elements and pause points will be provided for as we develop the landscape concept plan and work through the detailed design process so they can be added later as funds permit We’ll progressively refine the details as we move through the resource consent and design processes and will be able to share more details and invite feedback on those elements in due course A shared pathway is a widened footpath (separated from the road) that may be used by pedestrians riders of mobility devices and riders of other non-motorised devices organised approach to providing necessary functions in a project at the lowest cost It promotes the substitution of materials and methods with less expensive alternatives That is – it’s a way of finding cheaper ways to achieve the same project outcome Current erosion damage is such that rock armour protection would need to be installed along approximately 511m of the project site where the current bank edge is within 2m of the Titahi Bay Road edge While ‘patch’ repairs would be cheaper initially ongoing maintenance would be required along the length of the harbour edge and it would remain just one storm away from substantial ‘Hard’ patch repairs could also have a flow-on impact leading to erosion in neighbouring areas – known as ‘end effects’ Four of the seven options we considered included essential erosion repairs (i.e As these options did not score well against the MCA criteria (or the other options) they didn’t proceed beyond the stage one initial ‘sieve’ It’s also noted that this approach would not provide any ecological benefits for the harbour or allow for the reinstatement of nearshore habitats The recurring stumbling block has been the mis match between cost and available budgets The 2021-51 Long-term Plan includes a capital budget of $10.7m for the project The preferred option has an estimated capital construction cost of $10.7m (including 30% contingency) Estimated construction costs for the key elements are: $4m for the pathway completed detailed designs and expert costing reviews Council’s contribution of $3.6m to the project has been confirmed as part of the 2021-51 Long-term Plan We have a commitment in principal from Waka Kotahi Further funding sources will be investigated over the next 12 to 18 months While the $10.7m does include 30% contingency the cost estimates are preliminary and based on preliminary concept drawings These costings will require an expert costing review and at a later stage we may seek contractor input to explore potential construction-related efficiencies The true final cost won’t be known until the tender for construction closes We have a Funding Plan which includes how we aim to request additional funding from other funding organisations If Waka Kotahi and external funding can’t be secured to meet the budget shortfall Coastal erosion issues along Titahi Bay Road would be managed through the ‘business as usual’ Transport maintenance programme Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) is one of our project partners and has been closely involved in This project is stage 2 of the 4-stage shared pathway project (between the Porirua CBD and Titahi Bay) endorsed by Waka Kotahi in 2019 We are working closely with our Waka Kotahi Investment Advisor through the concept design process to further maximise the funding opportunities available towards the developed design and capital works stages of the project Waka Kotahi has been very supportive of the harbour-side pathway proposal along with the coastal resilience works to restore the harbour edge and protect the road feedback received over the years from Ngāti Toa the community and other stakeholders has helped shape the preliminary concept design for the preferred option we have undertaken a safety audit of the preliminary concept design for the preferred option to ensure it is safe for all users The traffic speed on Titahi Bay Road would also be dropped to 50kmph along the full length to improve safety and reduce the risk to people crossing the road and users of the shared path Feedback received on this project during community consultation on the 2018-38 Long Term Plan showed a clear and strong community desire for a cycle and pedestrian pathway linking Titahi Bay – with 73% of submitters on the project in Long-Term Plan expressing a preference for a harbour-side pathway One of the seven options assessed through the MCA process included a pathway on the landward side of Titahi Bay Road with essential erosion repairs along the harbour edge This option didn’t score as highly as other options through the MCA process and wasn’t progressed beyond the first (initial ‘sieve’) stage An audit of the trees along this stretch of Titahi Bay Road has revealed that some are diseased and will need to be removed – however our aim is to keep as many trees as possible Soft engineering in coastal areas is used as a cost-effective way of protecting shorelines from erosion and the effects of sea level rise associated with climate change It also reduces the effects of flooding on our marine environments and helps increase harbour health we create small rock reefs or “sills” which are placed just offshore and then plant saltmarsh between the shore and the reef The rock reef and the saltmarsh dissipate wave energy and protect the shoreline Natural examples can be seen around Pauatahanui Inlet where shell banks create the “rock reefs” The low tidal mudflats along Titahi Bay Road are ideal for this type of coastal engineering (which has been used successfully around New Zealand and has worked since the early 1990’s) The present day Titahi Bay Road shoreline was formed by reclamation in the 1950’s and in many areas lies 60-150m seaward of the original natural shore Just 2% of the original saltmarsh area (which was once extensive) is left in the Onepoto arm of the harbour harbour water quality would be improved through stormwater filtration by the saltmarsh created along the harbour edge heavy metals and other contaminants going into the harbour and provide a significant habitat for our bird species which are currently declining Salt marsh is a large food source for our coastal ecosystems in Porirua Two thirds of the coast around our harbour is rock armoured Just 2% of the saltmarsh is left in the Onepoto arm of the harbour By replacing rock with salt marsh we can capture sediment and stop it from damaging other parts of habitat in the harbour Salt marsh is also a large food source for our coastal neighbours in Porirua over 400 tonnes of food is provided through the salt marsh to our coastal species in Pauatahanui Inlet The saltmarsh in Onepoto will also provide a significant habitat for our bird species which are currently declining This length of saltmarsh means a massive improvement for harbour health For this project we are using water sensitive designs to manage water What this means is using swales and saltmarsh (coastal wetlands) to slow down and treat stormwater before it gets into the harbour Swales and wetlands are natural wastewater treatment plants Saltmarsh as a wetland treatment for contaminants Contaminants like heavy metals and organic compounds from our cars and trucks are deposited on our roads and then washed into stormwater when it rains it can filter out contaminants in our stormwater The marsh absorbs heavy metals and stores them which means they are no longer deposited on the tidal mudflats where lots of our harbour life lives The saltmarsh also slows down the effects of heavy rain and flooding caused by stormwater Along the shoreline next to the pathway we may also put in swales which are u-shaped areas to hold and filter water The swales can be either grass or wetland plants to filter out contaminants and slow down flooding The slopes next to the shared pathway will be planted with coastal species naturally occurring around Onepoto The salt marsh formed will turn into a landscape similar to that along Grays road at Kakaho Estuary (see below) Pause points or viewing areas will allow people to see the saltmarsh close up and in time the many types of coastal bird species that people enjoy around Pauatahanui Inlet Two types of marsh plants can be used – oioi (which is a lovely golden brown colour and is mostly seen in drier areas of mudflats) and sea rush (which is a blue grey colour and lives where there is around four hours of seawater at high tide) A “huge” scrub fire in Porirua’s Titahi Bay overnight has reminded residents of a similar blaze in the area over a decade ago where more than 100 people had to be evacuated which is still going today and expected to take two days to fully extinguish had burned through 10 hectares by this morning Three helicopters and seven fire crews are fighting the scrub fire but Fire and Emergency NZ (Fenz) have said no homes are at risk Fenz incident controller Nick Pyatt said today would be an important day to get on top of the fire “With the weather forecast for high winds tomorrow we want to get as much of this fire out as possible “Our crews have done a great job to keep it contained to where they have and now it’s a case of getting as much of it out as we can today.” Resident Suzanne Whitehouse said her power suddenly went out about 11pm yesterday She then got a call from a friend who lived nearby “We went outside and that’s when we could see smoke coming from Whitireia Park.” Whitehouse went for a drive to see what was happening and could see firefighters working to access the fire we were a bit worried that it might come over the hill Whitehouse thought “the whole of Titahi Bay was out there” looking at the fire when a similar blaze broke out in the same area sparking the evacuation of more than 150 people A 14-year-old was charged with arson over the earlier fire Whitehouse could see and hear the helicopters and some smoke coming over the hill “With these conditions it’s quite hot and dry and that wind probably hasn’t been helping very much.” at the northeast end of the bay near the golf course is drifting into people’s houses from kilometres away Fire and Emergency NZ received a 111 call about 11pm on Thursday night and the first crews were on site six minutes later A Fenz statement said crews and specialist appliances from across Wellington had been called in, and two helicopters were on the scene from 6am to help fight the blaze. The public was advised to stay away from the area and keep windows and doors closed. Assistant fire commander Steve Hudson said crews had been at the scene all night, but the fire was still “burning quite well” in the middle of the park. Winds overnight had been high. “It’s still quite strong now — it’s ... pushing the fire along quite well into the unburned area.” “When we arrived ... we weren’t sure on the exact direction the fire was going to take. But if it had come up to the area that we were worried about, along the top of Gloaming Hill, there could have been as many as 50 houses that were at risk of burning. He said “luckily” a wind change had steered the fire to the other side of the ridge. Crews had then been able to start working their way around both sides of the fire, while the helicopters would be using monsoon buckets from above. The fire had gone to a third alarm, with 14 crews operating at one time overnight. Specialist rural crews and special appliances had been called in from throughout the Wellington district. The estimated 10ha burned was a “huge area”, equivalent to many rugby fields, though it was difficult to say because the terrain was hilly. People are advised to stay away, keep windows shut and washing off the line. “The smoke at the moment is still very, very strong and toxic,” Hudson said. Calls had come in from Hutt Valley and Wellington where people could smell the smoke in the early hours of the morning. A specialist in rural fires would be investigating because it was not yet known how the blaze had begun. That work could not begin until the fire was sufficiently under control. “If anyone’s got any ideas about coming into the park, please stay away until we can get on top of the fire,” Hudson said. To fully extinguish it was expected to take two days. Windy conditions were making it difficult to contain the fire, the Titahi Bay fire brigade said in a Facebook post just after midnight. “We have our crew along with other crews from around Wellington in attendance. Can we please ask everyone to stay clear of Gloaming Hill, Whitireia and surrounding areas so emergency services can access locations needed for emergency response. “If you live near these locations, please close your windows to keep the smoke out.” As of 12.25am, there was no threat to homes. The Porirua fire brigade also warned people to keep windows and doors closed if they suffered from respiratory conditions or “just don’t like the smell”, because the smoke was blowing across the harbour. Porirua Mayor Anita Baker said locals should keep their windows and doors shut. “I’m just down at Porirua at the moment and the smoke is all over the city going towards Wellington.” Baker was grateful to all the firefighters, including volunteers and rural firefighters. “I can’t thank them enough.” Meanwhile, in Canterbury, a grass fire also sparked up next to the Rangitata highway in Ashburton overnight. Crews from Hinds, Rangitata and Willoughby attended and extinguished the fire by 2.40am, Fenz southern shift manager Bailey Wells said. An ambulance and rapid response vehicle are on-site. Safety is the key factor in changes made to the speed limits on some Porirua roads, agreed to today by Porirua City Council. At Te Puna Kōrero this morning, councillors and Mayor Anita Baker signed off the city’s Speed Management Plan that will lower limits around schools, marae, the CBD, Papakōwhai Rd, and Titahi Bay Rd. Government rules, introduced last year, require a new approach to the management of speed on roads across New Zealand. Similar proposals to Porirua’s are being made by councils across the region as part of Waka Kotahi’s - which manages New Zealand’s major roads and highways - nationwide initiative, Road to Zero, for lower speeds. - 30km/h limits adjacent to schools and Porirua’s four marae, permanent or variable depending on the location - 30km/h for all roads within the CBD during business hours - 30km/h on all roads within Kenepuru Landing and on Ocean Parade (Pukerua Bay) - 60km/h on Titahi Bay Rd and 50km/h along Papakōwhai Rd - an increase to 60km/h on the Waitangirua Link Rd that joins with Transmission Gully. Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says the safety of people on our city’s roads is the objective. "We’re putting the safety of people first," she says. "We understand that we’re adding slightly to travel times by reducing speeds on our roads, but we need appropriate limits as more pedestrians and cyclists get around Porirua. "The submissions told us that our residents want these lower speeds, especially around our schools to protect our tamariki." Ninety-eight submissions were made on the Porirua proposals, with more than two-thirds in favour of lower limits around schools and marae, and 95 per cent supporting the Waitangirua Link Rd limit being raised. There was a 50/50 split from submitters on lowering speeds along Papakōwhai Rd and Titahi Bay Rd. A Council meeting in October will formally adopt the Speed Management Plan. The changes need to be formally accepted by Waka Kotahi’s Director of Land Transport, with the new limits to be implemented in the coming year. Police have confirmed a body found in Porirua's Titahi Bay earlier this year belonged to a woman missing since 1988. She was Patricia Theresa Burt, who was last seen on April 4 that year. The remains were found by a member of the public near the Whitireia Park walkway on January 31. "After a DNA confirmation from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research, police can confirm the identity of the remains," Detective Senior Sergeant Hamish Blackburn said this morning. "There is no evidence to suggest that the death is suspicious. "Police are happy to have found solace for Patricia's family and we would like to extend our condolences to them. "The family are being provided with support during this difficult time." The coroner has been notified, Blackburn added. Investigations continue after human remains found in PoriruaOfficers were called just before 11am yesterday after a person found "what they believed to be human remains" near the Whitireia Park walkway Crime and Justice New Zealand "We are proud of our staff who have spent months of hard work and dedication working on this matter. "The body will be returned to the family in due course." Search underway for Masterton man John Rafferty was last seen at Masterton Railway Station at about midday on May 4 Victoria Uni law students to sit handwritten exams due to AI fears Professor Geoff McLay said he had become "increasingly worried that the embedding of artificial intelligence in many students' laptops" Man charged after gun allegedly fired in Masterton MSD office Police said it was believed to be an isolated incident with no wider risk to the public Man's cigarette smuggling attempt stubbed out Customs said the body-packing of the more than 1600 cigarettes was "an attempt to defraud Customs revenue" Wellington Airport's giant eagles to depart terminal "They have been a huge success and travellers from around the world have loved admiring them." Wellington residents 'left in limbo' as power outages continue Thousands of homes lost power during the storm which battered the region this week Film industry anxiously awaits details on Trump's 100% movie tariff 7:17pm Search underway for Masterton man, 74, missing since Sunday 7:07pm Crooks, culture first order of business for Mike Bush in Victoria 7:05pm Charges filed against Woolworths over pricing, misleading specials 6:45pm Police, experts warn 'emerging risk' of 3D-printed firearms rising 6:33pm Trade war: Sir John Key's 'optimism' on Trump's next tariff moves 7:28pm 1US woman who disappeared for more than six decades found safe Sole survivor of poisoned beef Wellington takes the stand Two men's shared name brings years of trouble and a hefty bill to one Govt halts all current pay equity claims, makes it harder to lodge new ones Photos: Lorde among stars at 2025 Met Gala A$AP Rocky and Rihanna also revealed they are expecting their third child. Two arrested over alleged plot targeting Lady Gaga concert in RioBrazilian police said they thwarted an alleged bomb attack planned for Lady Gaga's concert on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. Lady Gaga rocks Copacabana Beach with free concert for over 2 million fansSun, May 4 Lorde announces new album name, dateThu, May 1 Kim Kardashian to testify in Paris trial over 2016 armed robberyMon, Apr 28 Chubby Checker, Outkast, Cyndi Lauper join Rock & Roll Hall of FameMon, Apr 28 Kim Kardashian to testify in Paris trial over 2016 armed robberyMon Police are working to identify human remains found near the Whitireia Park walkway in Titahi Bay yesterday Officers were called to the scene just before 11am on Thursday after a person found "what they believed to be human remains" near the Whitireia Park walkway Detective Senior Sergeant Hamish Blackburn said the remains were extricated from the scene last night and a forensic postmortem would take place "in the coming days" "Our priority is to identify the deceased and determine how they came to rest where they were located however it may take some time before we are in a position to confirm who the deceased is," Blackburn said Local iwi have been consulted to conduct a blessing of the scene in the coming days A search and rescue operation is underway for a Masterton man in his 70s missing since Sunday John Rafferty was last seen at Masterton Railway Station about midday on May 4 The 74-year-old did not board a train and left on foot about 20 minutes later Matheson said it was possible Rafferty was staying with a friend but police and loved ones "want to know he’s safe" and John doesn’t have his cell phone or wallet," he said A search team and a helicopter has been out looking for the missing man "We are really keen to know that he’s safe." Police have released an image from CCTV showing Rafferty on a station platform on the day of his disappearance He was wearing a blue jacket with 'NASA' written on the back Anyone who saw him was asked to contact police on 111 or online at 105 if there was Information after the fact A law student at Victoria University of Wellington said students had been "left in the lurch" after an announcement on Monday that said next month's exams for two law subjects would have to be handwritten also said a timetable had still not been provided he said he had become "increasingly worried that the embedding of artificial intelligence (AI) in many students' laptops makes ensuring that students' work is their own very difficult" He had hoped the university would have a technical solution although he hoped one would be available at the end of the year "This means that we will not be able to allow students to use laptops for exams next month," McLay wrote "I want to make this announcement as soon as possible so students have time to prepare for handwritten examinations." McLay added that there would be an exception for students with a disability that required them to use a keyboard The situation affected the LAWS 312 Equity and LAWS 334 Ethics exams The student said the announcement was stressful during an already stressful time a representative of the Victoria University of Wellington Law Students' Society said the Council of Legal Education had to be certain that everyone who passed the exams in Equity and Ethics deserved a pass (and did not cheat) "Previously in person invigilation has been sufficient to manage these concerns due to the increasing ability and sophistication of AI the faculty were concerned about the reliability of the exams leading to their decision to make the Equity and Ethics exams handwritten." The representative said the law students' society had expressed that students' preference was for typed exams — "reflecting how our professional lives will look" once it became clear that the faculty felt they needed to proceed with handwritten exams we emphasised that students should be informed as early as possible accessibility options should be made clear and exam content and timing should reflect the fact that many students have not done handwritten exams since high school and are not used to writing for extended periods of time." The representative added it was separate from the delay to the exam timetable Victoria University Provost Professor Bryony James said students' handwriting their exams meant the university could be confident that the results truly reflected the students' own knowledge and effort — free of any suggestion of the influence of AI James said she would ensure that no student was disadvantaged and was committed to working with students — including those with disabilities — who might need further support to participate in exams and final assessments as a result "As part of this undertaking the Faculty of Law will review this Trimester's exam results to ensure this cohort's performance is in line with previous years and confirm that students are not significantly impacted by this decision." President of Victoria University's Students' Association Liban Ali told Morning Report he was aware that this could happen as early as last year "It has been on the card as of last year I feel like there was something that was going to happen." Ali said the announcement had come at the wrong time and that the Students' Association were very concerned for students He said the Students' Association had engaged the Law Society and the faculty to determine the best way to support students He added that he would make sure that any changes were communicated early in the future rnz.co.nz A 25-year-old man has appeared in court after he allegedly fired a gun at another person inside a Ministry of Social Development office in Masterton yesterday Police were called to the incident on Lincoln Rd at around 12.40pm on Monday Wairarapa Area Commander Inspector Nick Thom said there were no reports of injuries from the incident "Following police's initial enquiries one person was taken into custody a short time later nearby." Cordons were put in place around the area and some staff were armed as a precaution Thom said it was believed to be an isolated incident with no wider risk to the public "Police would like to commend Ministry of Social Development staff for their prompt actions in following their lockdown procedures as this enabled police to provide a swift response to resolve this incident quickly." A 25-year-old man appeared in Masterton District Court today charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and conducting a dangerous act with intent to cause grievous bodily harm Wellington's famous eagles will take flight from the airport this week after 12 years in the terminal They will be replaced by a new display that is currently being kept under wraps Wellington Airport chief executive Matt Clarke said that the departure of the birds (and their passenger Gandalf) will be emotional for staff "They have been a huge success and travellers from around the world have loved admiring them After 12 years it's the right time for them to fly the nest “We’re working with Wētā Workshop on some exciting plans for a unique locally themed replacement to take their place." The eagles were created by Wētā Workshop as a tie-in with the Hobbit movies and unveiled in December 2013 Each bird weighs 1.2 tonnes and has a 15-metre wingspan Wētā Workshop co-founder and chief creative officer Richard Taylor said it's a "bittersweet moment" saying goodbye to them "There are many more stories to be told and we're looking forward to working with Wellington Airport on bringing a new chapter to life."  The eagles will be taken down and disassembled on Friday May 9 and placed into storage with long-term plans for them still yet to be decided "We’ll unveil what’s next later this year so keep watching the skies," Clarke said Tolkien fans will be relieved to know that Smaug the Magnificent will remain in the check-in area Frustration is mounting among residents in Wellington who have been without power since early Thursday but Wellington Electricity says some repairs will continue until the middle of next week Natasha Eagle and her two children have been coping without electricity at their Island Bay home for four days She said communication had been muddled and sparse and it was difficult having no idea whether restoration was hours or days away That view was backed up by Brooklyn resident Sean Keaney He said he and his family of five had been without electricity since midnight Thursday He said they were the only house in the street affected and an electrician had confirmed the problem was at the pole Keaney said communication from Wellington Electricity had been appalling "However there is absolutely no information for us and others like us I've called multiple times to be told 'we have no ETA' we don't have any information on when someone will be there' and when I pushed and asked to talk to someone to escalate this was told they 'don't want to talk to you and you can make a complaint when it's all resolved' "This is appalling communication from Wellington Electricity - they will have a schedule of work and an idea of when they could be out to fix but refusing to share it as our family of five approach 60 hours without electricity not knowing how long it will be and unable to plan." venting frustration about the lack of communication and updates from Wellington Electricity Wellington Electricity said it was progressively restoring power to single-premise outages - with faults being prioritised by how long they had been out "After the strongest winds in a decade lashed the Wellington region on Thursday Wellington Electricity has restored power to the bulk of affected customers," it said in a statement to RNZ on Sunday afternoon adding that 8000 customers had been impacted "Crews have worked 14-hour days since Thursday managing safety with regular check-ins and roster rotations to manage fatigue." "Wellington Electricity anticipates restoring the bulk of its remaining customers without power by Monday evening however further repairs will be necessary including streetlight circuit restoration." Anyone without power who has not been contacted should call their electricity retailer directly so repair crews can be dispatched to restore supply "Wellington Electricity acknowledges the extended disruption these outages have caused and thanks customers for their continued patience while final restoration work is completed." rnz.co.nz The next top cop of the troubled Victoria police force embraces his "outsider" status to curb its leadership malaise and has a stern warning for crooks Former New Zealand Police commissioner Mike Bush won the race to become Victoria's chief commissioner after months of top-level staffing woes The 40-year police veteran steps into the role on June 27 with a five-year contract The Kiwi conceded the job will be no picnic with Victoria's crime rate hitting an almost decade-high in 2024 everyone knows that," he told reporters today "These crime issues are actually global they are quite similar wherever you go but it's not good enough just to turn up after the act Rising youth crime and high-profile cases of alleged offenders committing crimes while on bail spurred the Victorian government to strengthen laws in March Bush said he was familiar with the crackdown but bail laws were just one part of the solution to tackling youth crime along with a "prevention mindset" He retired from the NZ police force in 2020 after joining in 1978 and spending his final six years in the top job Whakaari/White Island volcano eruption and Covid-19 pandemic were among the biggest crises Bush confronted during his tenure Bush also made headlines in 2022 after it emerged he had a past drink-driving conviction when unsuccessfully applying to become head of the UK's Metropolitan Police Former New Zealand police minister Stuart Nash describedr Bush as hard but fair He said Bush regularly met with police forces across the Tasman in his previous role and recalled travelling with him to every district across New Zealand once a year to chew the fat with communities and then we all had biscuits and a cup of tea," Nash told AAP "Mike is someone who had deep credibility in policing." The state government has not handed the reins of Victoria Police to an outsider since former NSW Police assistant commissioner Christine Nixon in 2001 The Kiwi was happy to wear the "outsider" tag and is already hatching plans to hit the ground running "I've got a lot to do to come up to speed," Bush said "Culture is a consequence of leadership." establishing relationships with community groups amid rising tensions and increasing police visibility on the beat were among his other top initial priorities Victoria Police was thrust into leadership turmoil in February with a no-confidence vote from officers costing chief commissioner Shane Patton his job Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent became acting chief and expressed an interest in making the move permanent before throwing in the towel in April Deputy Commissioner Robert Hill will serve in an acting capacity until Bush takes over Bush intends to speak with Patton before starting and said he wouldn't shy away from pushing back if he disagreed with the government Premier Jacinta Allan said a recruitment agency was hired and instructed to find a leader capable of addressing the "challenges" plaguing the force "Mike Bush is the best person for the job," she said whose union led the no-confidence vote against Patton following a bitter pay dispute admitted there was a disconnect between members and leaders The state police union secretary welcomed Mr Bush's appointment and pledge to listen to the mounting workforce concerns "We have a police force that is currently under-resourced that needs fresh officers," he said The Commerce Commission has filed criminal charges against Woolworths NZ for alleged inaccurate pricing and misleading specials that may have breached the Fair Trading Act The commission filed the charges against Woolworths in the Auckland District Court It indicated in December last year that it would be filing separate criminal charges against Woolworths and two Pak'nSave supermarkets the commission said there were ongoing issues with pricing in the supermarket sector and the operators may have breached the Fair Trading Act deputy chair Anne Callinan said operators should know what the expectations were "Supermarkets have long been on notice about the importance of accurate and clear pricing and specials and we're not satisfied with the continuing issues we're seeing across the industry "Pricing accuracy is a consumer right and an expectation of a competitive market well-resourced businesses that should invest the time and effort to get pricing and promotions right." She said the charges were filed to remind all supermarkets that they are expected to fix the pricing accuracy issues and implement better processes In a statement when the charges were announced Woolworths managing director Spencer Sonn said it was important customers could trust prices advertised at their supermarkets Woolworths said it has cooperated with the Commerce Commission's pricing investigation for some time rnz.co.nz Former prime minister Sir John Key says he remains optimistic about Donald Trump's domestic economic policy despite opposing the tariff strategy that has sent global markets into turmoil in recent months who served as prime minister for eight years was the keynote speaker at an Auckland business summit earlier today Sir John told 1News he believed Trump would ultimately take a more moderate approach to tariffs than initially proposed "I'm not a fan of tariff policies I don't think they really work," he said as I think the stock market is telling you at the moment that actually there will be a more sensible landing place for the tariffs that he's wanting to impose." Sir John said he "wasn't entirely surprised" at Trump's call to go ahead with the policy "They're just a negotiating point I think he simply put on widespread and high rates of tariffs on every country to give himself a leverage point and a negotiating point "What I think he actually grossly underestimated was the stock market reaction You can actually make the case that his own strategy hasn't worked The reason the markets have recovered is because he's taken those tariffs off the most part 'I'm going to negotiate case by case'." Sir John suggested Trump's economic policies could still generally be positive for the US but the tariffs could be trickier for the global economy Asked whether he stood by his October comments that Trump would be good for the economy he said: "Do I think he's going to reduce regulatory burden in the United States It depends on where things shake down in terms of tariffs." Sir John acknowledged that for certain industries Trump's policies could be "a really negative thing" particularly if the president's proposed 100% tariff on the film industry were to be implemented "I can't see how it would be cost-competitive to make a movie in New Zealand with a 100% tariff on it," he said noting that films such as The Hobbit would not have been made in New Zealand without government subsidies who now served as a director of US tech company Palo Alto Networks said he had "always been opposed" to Trump's tariff policies but believes they won't be the "dominant part of his economic solutions" "I don't think it's perfect from New Zealand's point of view but I don't think we should panic either and America will still be a very big market for us to sell things to," he said "There are growing markets around the world It's not a great thing from New Zealand's point of view We've got a very sound economy with lots of options in front of us." Sir John suggested a belief that the Republican Trump was was better "on balance" for the US economy than Democratic opponent Kamala Harris he expressed concerns about Trump's tariff approach: "China doesn't pay those tariffs middle-income consumers or consumers in America do because when a tariff goes on a good that you bring into a country He added: "I don't agree with the massive tariffs and I don't think you'll follow through with all of that and I certainly don't agree with this view on trade." Audrey Backeberg disappeared from a small city in south-central Wisconsin after reportedly hitchhiking with her family’s babysitter and catching a bus to Indianapolis Nobody ever knew where she went or what happened to her All that changed last week when she was found alive and safe in another state thanks to the fresh eyes from a deputy who took over the case in February Detective Isaac Hanson discovered an out-of-state arrest record that matched Backeberg which triggered a series of investigative moves that led to finding her alive and safe in another state Turns out Backeberg chose to leave the town of Reedsburg on her own accord – likely due to an abusive husband safe and secure; And just kind of lived under the radar for that long,” he said Hanson was assigned the case in late February and he and other officials met with Backeberg’s family to see if they had a connection with that region They also started digging through Backeberg's sister's Ancestry.com account obituaries and marriage licenses from that region they found an address where a woman was living that Hanson said shared a lot of similarities with Backeberg including date of birth and social security number Hanson was able to get a deputy from that jurisdiction to go to the address "I was expecting the deputy to call me back and say ‘Oh nobody answered the door.’ And I thought it was the deputy calling me I could sense that she obviously had her reasons for leaving.” Most of the information he learned during that call he declined to share saying that it was still important to Backeberg that she not be found “I think it overwhelmed her of course with the emotions that she had having a deputy show up at her house and then kind of call her out and talk with her about what happened and kind of relive 62 years in 45 minutes,” he said Hanson described discovering her safe after more than six decades practically unheard of And while he doesn't know what will happen next in terms of her family reconnecting he said he was happy that she can reach out if she wants to so she has my contact number if she ever wants to reach out or needs anything any phone numbers of family members back here," he said "Ultimately she kind of holds the cards for that.” Shane William Pritchard has been charged with crimes he didn’t commit and chased for debts he doesn’t owe That’s because the Dunedin man is not the only Shane William Pritchard in town While the duo’s shared name and age has sometimes been a handy loophole for one Shane for the other it has caused problems for 36 years It’s been years of fearing every knock on the door Years of wondering if he’ll be hand-cuffed and taken to jail to be honest,” says Shane William Pritchard a scout and a member of the Air Training Corp remembers getting quite a shock when her friend called one evening She'd been acting as a referee for a gun licence for Shane whose friend informed her that the police had a long list of offences against Shane’s name Not long after that the police turned up to where Shane was working at the local tannery to arrest him “You're scrambling in your head to think of ways that you can prove it's not you.” Another Shane William Pritchard had been born in Otago They were separated by just two weeks and about 50 miles – one growing up in Mosgiel the other in Milton – but also by the lives they’d been leading To watch the full video story go to TVNZ+ Shane from Milton had huge problems focusing at school He was raised in foster care and then boys’ homes I just wanted to look cool and get in trouble,” he tells Fair Go Milton Shane was used to run-ins with police he got pulled over in his car and asked about his driving licence one’s got a licence and the other hasn’t.’ And I’m like ‘obviously it must be the one with a licence’.” he went to his bank to draw out an ACC payment and was asked which bank account was his He says that at that point he was trying to figure out what was going on “I thought it was just an error.” But he took advantage of the situation and withdrew a large sum of cash Mosgiel Shane became aware of the withdrawal when a scheduled car payment was declined and when Milton Shane turned up at the bank to withdraw more money Identity fraud was considered but Milton Shane was legitimately expecting an ACC payment so the withdrawal appeared to be a genuine mistake and the police couldn’t take any action 'Anything I could get away with Mosgiel Shane thought the bank incident would have alerted police to the problem But his nemesis had cottoned on to the advantages of having a second identity to use Milton Shane acquired a suite of furniture on hire-purchase Milton-Shane clocked up more driving offences Mosgiel Shane thought about changing his name but realised he’d have to provide his previous name in the process the courts and debt collectors such as Baycorp should be able to distinguish between himself and Milton Shane The police first addressed the issue in the 1990s after Mosgiel Shane went to the media He was given a letter to carry with him should he be apprehended He and his parents felt his situation wasn’t being taken seriously Mosgiel Shane went to the media a second time in the mid-2000s the police gave their word that a record in their system would stop the misidentification from happening again This does appear to have worked as far as police action goes But while Mosgiel Shane was given the same reassurance by the Ministry of Justice he continued to receive demands from the courts for unpaid fines He’d also get stopped and questioned whenever he left the country for work trips or holidays It took a huge toll on Mosgiel Shane’s mental health not realising the constant stress it placed on his life John Pritchard says that at times his son felt his life wasn’t worth living worrying about what he was going to do to himself and that really ate me up.” he and his son were in tears as Shane admitted he was at breaking point He described going for days at a time unable to eat or sleep wondering what might happen next "Am I going to be in a position where they've got me in handcuffs or I've got debt collectors coming to the door?" ...You're spiralling into this black hole." He started taking anti-anxiety medication which helped And events regarding Milton Shane seemed to settle Milton Shane was charged for fishing without a licence in Twizel and failing to comply with fisheries officers But a court registrar incorrectly entered the birth date of Mosgiel Shane in the system both Shanes were being chased to pay the $1530 fine It was Mosgiel Shane who spotted the error and rang the court He also sent a statement from his manager saying he’d not been fishing in Twizel that day The reply he got was to say he’d been given the wrong form and that they wouldn’t accept his proof They just wanted to know how I was going to pay the fine.” The first Milton Shane knew about this was when Fair Go told him Mosgiel Shane had been chased for the fine He was told to pay up or face the consequences feeling he shouldn’t have to pay good money to correct someone else’s mistake But it cost Mosgiel Shane over $5000 in legal fees and took months of back and forth between him “Why should anybody have to pay their own money to right somebody else's wrongs and prove who they are I’m sick and tired of proving who I am all the time.” He wanted the Ministry of Justice to take responsibility and reimburse him for his legal costs saying court staff such as the registrar in this case have immunity if they make mistakes such as the one made here and if I make a mistake and it's affecting my client that it's going to cost them money to rectify a mistake that I've made.” he deserves a million apologies from those guys,” she says Milton Shane told Fair Go he still gets in trouble but wants the other Shane to know he doesn’t use his birth date anymore And he had a message for him: “We’ve got to get it sorted for you so you can have a good life with you and your family because I’m trying to get my life together with my son and my grandson” He offers to meet to see if they can sort it out together but I’m not interested in meeting him,.” says Mosgiel Shane He says he doesn’t hold any grudges and accepts Milton Shane’s apology And he believes the only way for that to happen is for the courts and the Ministry of Justice to give him a guarantee that mix-ups won’t occur in the future Fair Go asked the Ministry of Justice to appear in person to apologise and provide reassurance to Shane of its plans to guard against these mistakes The Ministry declined our request to be on camera saying any comment on an individual case would compromise the independence of the courts as the Ministry operates separately But it did send a written apology directly to Mosgiel Shane It also admitted mistakes can occur in clerical records but said instructions were clear and the importance of getting things right had been emphasised to staff Mosgiel Shane isn’t totally convinced that’s the end of it “All I want is for the Ministry of Justice and the courts to do their job I'd like to live without this hanging over me all the time his criminal check has come back showing a clean slate The government is making it harder to make a claim for pay equity that will cut costs There have been massive pay equity claims in recent years for nurses and resthome workers Workplace Minister Brooke van Velden announced the moves to raise the threshold for proving work has been historically undervalued to support a claim on Tuesday saying changes back in 2020 had created problems "Claims have been able to progress without strong evidence of undervaluation and there have been very broad claims where it is difficult to tell whether differences in pay are due to sex-based discrimination or other factors." Claims were concentrated in the public sector with costs to the Crown of all settlements so far totalling $1.78 billion a year "The changes I am proposing will significantly reduce costs to the Crown," she said "The changes will discontinue current pay equity claims." Van Velden told Midday Report she believes in pay equity but the current thresholds were "a bit too loose" Asked how she ensure women were not hurt by this the minister said "I'm a woman and I support women who work" "I also support removing gender based discriminations from our workforces but what I don't support are muddied laws and unclear laws," she said "So these changes are better for all women who are working where we can genuinely say hand on heart that what they are finding with their claims is genuine gender based discrimination." Van Velden told reporters at Parliament any current claims would be stopped and need to restart under the new threshold to show "genuine" gender discrimination and make sure the comparators were right She gave a figure of 33 current claims that would be stopped as the legislation was put through under urgency "You have librarians who've been comparing themselves to transport engineers We have admin and clerical staff at Health New Zealand comparing themselves to mechanical engineers." Social workers had compared themselves to air traffic controllers "We don't believe we have that setting right." Any comparison would now be between female employees and male employees at the same employer "But you cannot go fishing for discrimination across the New Zealand workforce." All current settled claims would continue but the government was drawing "a line in the sand" "We're not stopping claims." The nurse's union has this year had at least 10 pay equity claims in play The PSA union has said pay equity claims and settlements had resulted in significant improvements in pay and working conditions for many workers The union said the changes would make it "impossible for people in female-dominated professions to be paid fairly" "Women across the country will pay the price for this," PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said "The government's changes today are a dark day for New Zealand women as the government says it will repeal the pay equity law and extinguish 33 existing claims in a constitutional overreach "The PSA is exploring all possible avenues to oppose these unconstitutional amendments and stop this attack on women We will not be deterred in our fight to achieve pay equity for all." "This is a blatant and shameful attack on women," New Zealand Nurses organisation chief executive Paul Goulter said "Women in workforces predominantly performed by female employees have been underpaid and undervalued for generations That is what pay equity claims seek to rectify," he said "This move by the government will widen the pay gap between men and women." The union had at least 10 pay current pay claims across Aged Care These cover many nurses and support workers The E tū union also called the changes an attack on women and a green light to pay them less for work of equal value The government was pulling the rug out from under a 13-year-long fight in aged care "These changes are not about evidence — they are about saving money by keeping women underpaid," national secretary Rachel Mackintosh said in a statement A number of unions have called a snap rally at Parliament at 1pm today in light of the announcement the Council of Trade Unions and representatives of other unions say they will be "protesting the government's attack on women and the destruction of progress on pay equity..." rnz.co.nz Lady Gaga gave a free concert Saturday night in front of 2 million fans who poured onto Copacabana Beach for the biggest show of her career (...) Thank you for making history with me,” Lady Gaga told a screaming crowd kicked off the show at around 22.10pm local time with her 2011 song Bloody Mary Cries of joy rose from the tightly-packed fans who sang and danced shoulder-to-shoulder on the vast stretch of sand Concert organisers said 2.1 million people attended the show switching between an array of dresses including one with the colours of the Brazilian flag Some fans – many of them young – arrived on the beach at the crack of dawn to secure a good spot “Today is the best day of my life,” said Manoela Dobes a 27-year-old designer who was wearing a dress plastered with a photograph from when she met Lady Gaga in the United States in 2019 Madonna also turned Copacabana Beach into a massive dance floor last year The large-scale performances are part of an effort led by City Hall to boost economic activity after Carnival and New Years’ Eve festivities and the upcoming month-long Saint John’s Day celebrations in June “It brings activity to the city during what was previously considered the low season – filling hotels and increasing spending in bars generating jobs and income for the population,” said Osmar Lima the city’s secretary of economic development in a statement released by Rio City Hall’s tourism department last month Rio’s City Hall said in a recent report that around 1.6 million people were expected to attend Lady Gaga's concert and that the show should inject at least 600 million reais (NZ$178.3 million) into Rio’s economy Similar concerts are scheduled to take place every year in May at least until 2028 Lady Gaga arrived in Rio in the early hours of Tuesday The city has been alive with Gaga-mania since as it geared up to welcome the pop star for her first show in the country since 2012 Rio’s metro employees danced to Lady Gaga’s 2008 hit song LoveGame and gave instructions for today in a video A free exhibition celebrating her career sold out While the vast majority of attendees were from Rio the event also attracted Brazilians from across the country and international visitors More than 500,000 tourists poured into the city in the days leading up to the show according to data from the local bus station and Tom Jobim airport Rio’s City Hall said in a statement yesterday made a cross-continent trip from Colombia to Brazil to attend the show “I’ve been a 100% fan of Lady Gaga my whole life,” said Serrano who was wearing a T-shirt featuring Lady Gaga’s outlandish costumes over the years the mega-star represents “total freedom of expression – being who one wants without shame” Rio officials have a history of organising huge concerts on Copacabana Beach Madonna’s show drew an estimated 1.6 million fans last year while 4 million people flooded onto the beach for a 1994 New Year’s Eve show by Rod Stewart in 1994 that was the biggest free rock concert in history sixteen sound towers were spread along the beach Rio state’s security plan included the presence of 3300 military and 1500 police officers Among those present were Lady Gaga admirers who remember their disappointment in 2017 when the artist cancelled a performance scheduled in Rio at the last minute due to health issues “She's the best artist in the world,” the 25-year-old said I love you” in Portuguese rose from the crowd behind him whose real name is Ella Yelich O'Connor which also displayed what appears to be the album cover art — an X-ray of a pelvis "100% written in blood," the website read The new album's announcement came a week after she released her latest single What Was That The song's music video was filmed at a mysterious pop-up event in New York City's Washington Square Park that was initially shut down by police. The event ended up going ahead after all, and fans who stayed got to hear the new song for the first time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lorde (@lorde) It was the first sign of a follow-up to Lorde's previous album Her other albums were 2013's Pure Heroine and 2017's Melodrama she collaborated with British singer Charli XCX on a remix of Girl so confusing — on a re-release of the Grammy award-winning Brat Kim Kardashian thought she was going to be raped and killed when criminals broke into her bedroom in central Paris tied her up and stole more than US$6 million in jewellery 10 people will go on trial in Paris over the robbery abduction and kidnapping of the media personality and the concierge of the residence where she was staying during Paris Fashion Week the night of October 2 Kardashian’s lawyers said she will testify in person at the trial starting Monday and scheduled to run through May 23 "Ms Kardashian is reserving her testimony for the court and jury and does not wish to elaborate further at this time," they said "She has great respect and admiration for the French justice system and has been treated with great respect by the French authorities "She wishes the trial to proceed in an orderly fashion in accordance with French law and with respect for all parties to the case." In interviews and on her family’s reality TV show Kardashian has described being terrified as robbers pointed a gun at her In a 2020 appearance on David Letterman’s Netflix show she tearfully recalled thinking: "This is the time I’m going to get raped Twelve people were originally expected in the defendants’ box and another is seriously ill and can't be tried five of the 10 defendants were present at the scene of the robbery The French press has dubbed them The Granddad Robbers because the main defendants are elderly and have careers as bank robbers with long criminal records Kardashian told investigators she was taken to a bathroom next to her bedroom and placed in the bathtub Her attackers fled on bicycles or on foot and she managed to free herself by removing the tape from her hands and mouth She had also removed the tape from her feet and rushed to her stylist’s room She called her sister Kourtney to tell her about the theft Kardashian told investigators that she had not been injured adding that she wanted to leave France as soon as possible to be reunited with her children According to her testimony and that of the concierge at least one of the suspects had a handgun The gangsters stole many pieces of jewellery estimated to be worth more than US$6 million (NZ$10 million) Only one piece of jewellery — a diamond cross on platinum that was lost during the suspects' escape — has been recovered Two of the accused have partially confessed to the crime is one of two suspected robbers who allegedly entered the apartment his genetic profile was found on the tape used to gag Kardashian who was waiting for him in a parked car at a nearby train station The second robber said he tied up the concierge with cables but did not go up to Kardashian’s apartment said he acted as a lookout in the ground-floor reception area He said he was unarmed and did not personally threaten Kardashian but admitted he shared responsibility for the crime Abbas was arrested in January 2017 and spent 21 months in prison before being released under judicial supervision he co-authored a French-language book titled I Sequestered Kim Kardashian is the second alleged robber suspected of entering the flat although he was filmed by CCTV cameras and numerous telephone contacts with the other co-defendants show his involvement The other defendants are suspected of providing information about Kardashian’s presence in the apartment Others are accused of playing a role in the resale of the jewellery in Antwerp Joe Cocker and Bad Company will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — in a class that also includes pop star Cyndi Lauper the rock duo the White Stripes and grunge masters Soundgarden the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status and the late singer-songwriter Warren Zevon will get the Musical Influence Award pianist Nicky Hopkins and bassist Carol Kaye will each get the Musical Excellence Award who sang at Woodstock and was best known for his cover of The Beatles’ With a Little Help From My Friends a member of Elvis Costello & The Attractions who argued that Cocker is "about as rock and roll as it gets" Soundgarden — with the late Chris Cornell as singer — get into the Hall on their third nomination They follow two other grunge acts in the Hall — Nirvana and Pearl Jam Bad Company get in having become radio fixtures with such arena-rock staples as Feel Like Makin’ Love Can’t Get Enough and Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy The Ahmet Ertegun Award — given to nonperforming industry professionals who had a major influence on music — will go to Lenny Waronker Some nominees that didn't get in this year included Mariah Carey and subsequent Let’s Twist Again are considered among the most popular songs in the history of rock 'n' roll The 83-year-old has expressed frustration that he hadn't been granted entry before including telling the AP in 2014: "I don’t want to get in there when I’m 85 years old so you better do it quick while I’m still smiling." Lauper rose to fame in the 1980s with hits such as Time After Time and Girls Just Want To Have Fun and went on to win a Tony Award for Kinky Boots have six Grammys and a reputation for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop The White Stripes — made up of Jack White and Meg White — were indie darlings in the early 2000s with such songs as Seven Nation Army Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they’re eligible for induction The induction ceremony will take place in Los Angeles this fall Nominees were voted on by more than 1200 artists historians and music industry professionals The selection criteria include "an artist’s impact on other musicians the scope and longevity of their career and body of work as well as their innovation and excellence in style and technique" Dave Matthews Band and singer-guitarist Peter Frampton were inducted The Porirua Anzac Day Civic Service begins at 9am Anzac Day services are scheduled around Porirua The 25 April commemorations recognise the servicemen and women who have died assembling begins in the car park at 5.45am All members of the public are welcome to attend both gatherings The Porirua City Civic Service will take place at the peace memorial at Te Rauparaha Park from 9am This will be livestreamed on the Council’s Facebook page for those unable to make it or who would prefer to watch from home Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says Anzac Day in Porirua is an important time to reflect because it is about both national pride and acknowledgment of local people who have served “I particularly like Allan Dodson’s work for the civic service programme highlighting someonewho served in one of the world wars – Allan puts in so much effort to research Porirua people and their sacrifice “I love seeing and hearing about our city coming together for Anzac Day It’s a great sign of respect for a crucial time in New Zealand’s history.” The city centre service will be followed by refreshments in Te Rauparaha Arena