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    • Robotics team wins big in international competition
      • Student robotics team wins big in Australia. Nine students from Victoria University competed in the National Instruments autonomous robotics competition in Sydney. This annual event draws teams from New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, and Malaysia. Bonnie Mosen reports. The post Robotics team wins big in international competition appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • LISTEN: Calls for change to benefit system
      • The Green Party is calling for a more compassionate social welfare system. Increasing baseline benefits and combining Family Tax with the In-Work Tax Credit are all part of their initiatives to change the system. Its MP, Jan Logie says they want to utilise their resources to overhaul the welfare system and support those living in poverty. She says people need to make suggestions to the Welfare Expert Advisory Group who will collect the feedback and present it to parliament early next month.   The post LISTEN: Calls for change to benefit system appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • Benefit system failing the most vulnerable
      • The Green Party wants to give the social welfare system a makeover Party members Marama Davidson and Jan Logie are travelling the country campaigning to put the ‘heart back into our welfare system’. They’re hoping to gather feedback to be presented to parliament later this month by the Welfare Expert Advisory Group. Jan Logie says the Green Party has always been focused on the benefit system and are excited about the opportunity this could bring.     The post Benefit system failing the most vulnerable appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • Rainbow crossing a small step in the right direction
      • Members of the rainbow community say Wellington’s new rainbow crossing is a sign of visibility and pride for the capital. The crossing which was officially opened last week was a collaborative effort between the Wellington City Council and the rainbow community. Support group, Inside Out’s national coordinator, Tabby Besley says the crossing is important for Wellington but is only a step in the right direction. She says the crossing is a symbol that Wellington welcomes everyone, but the rainbow community wants safe spaces and more gender neutral bathrooms. The post Rainbow crossing a small step in the right direction appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • On yer bike!
      • New Zealand’s first bike-sharing initiative OnzO is being trialled in Wellington’s CBD The bike sharing service has been operating in Auckland for over a year and will be expanded to include the Wellington area if it proves popular. OnzO has developed a mobile app which lets you see where all available bikes are and you can pay Online,  just 25 cents for 15 minutes. Wellington City Councillor Sarah Free supports Onzo and is encouraging people to bike across town instead of driving or using public transport.   The post On yer bike! appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • WATCH: Cats Protection League needs your help
      • Our increasingly cashless society is making it harder for the Cats protection League to fund their organisation through an annual street appeal. President Iona Anderson says the appeal is their biggest fundraising effort of the year. “That’s our opportunity to get out on the streets in our aprons and cat ears and take money off the population of Wellington. “It’s becoming more and more difficult because fewer people actually have cash on them, and I think all of the charities find that,” she says. The money raised goes toward re-homing cats, providing them with cat necessities and paying vet bills. The league has organised around 25 volunteers to collect outside shops for the appeal where they get huge support from Wellingtonians. “They’re awesome. Absolutely awesome. The vast number of people will give us what they have and we get a lot of positive comments,” says Iona. Their next big fundraising event is the sale of their annual calendar. The post WATCH: Cats Protection League needs your help appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • PHOTO ESSAY: Colourful crossing opened
      • Wellington’s first rainbow crossing has been officially opened with a colourful street party. Mayor Justin Lester cut the ribbon at a ceremony attended by hundreds of enthusiastic attendees. The mayor says he wants the crosswalk to be the first step in developing Cuba Street into Wellington’s “pride precinct”. The unveiling included performances from drag queens, lip sync battles, and prize giveaways. Many of those attending dressed in rainbow colours to show support for the crossing and the LGBT+ community. Plans for the opening were hampered by vandals leaving tyre marks on the crossing just days after it was painted. The council has had to remove tyre marks from the $20,000 paint job on two separate occasions. Those attending the opening party say they were disappointed with the vandalism, but glad it was removed in time for the unveiling. Multiple new tyre marks have been left on the crosswalk since the unveiling. The post PHOTO ESSAY: Colourful crossing opened appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • LISTEN: Fun day highlights homelessness
      • Jamming with strangers, face painting and an abundance of food is how Wellington chose to spend World Homeless Day 2018. Wellington organisations held a community fun day as a way to bring everyone together. People attending the event at the Compassion Soup kitchen event agreed it was a good way for the community to recognise people doing positive work around homelessness in Wellington. The post LISTEN: Fun day highlights homelessness appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • Soup Kitchen invites you to join the whanau at open day
      • Wellingtons Soup Kitchen workers Clare Sutton and Paul Henry are preparing dinner for people in need. Wellington’s soup kitchen is flicking on its jug for people with and without housing to share a cuppa together as one whānau. World Homeless Day is this Saturday, and eight Wellington community groups and the people they’re helping are hosting a community fun day at Compassion Soup Kitchen. Compassion Soup Kitchen purposeful activity leader Matt Petuie, says they want locals to realise the good work groups are doing finding solutions for the homeless. “We would also like them to spend some time with some of our whānau, and get to know them because I think, there is often a lot of fear around things like homelessness and mental health.” He says, this year it’s important to the Compassion centre to involve the people they support and work for. “We want us to all come together, there’s no point in having an ‘us’ and ‘them’ it doesn’t work for anyone, it’s about all of us working together to achieve something,” he says. In previous years, the groups behind the event were part of the Salvation Army 14 Hour Homeless, where people sleep rough to raise awareness. Mayor Justin Lester says one of the council’s initiatives that focuses on giving people something to do and a sense of self-importance, is the soup kitchen’s Te Māra community garden which opened this year. “It is a space where activities are being run, it’s around community garden innovation to bring people together by having a sense of purpose and self-worth,” he says. The community fun day will have activities for all ages, including a koha café and an open mic for people to perform music, poetry or to speak. The event will be held in the carpark and te Māra, beside the Compassion Soup Kitchen this Saturday from 10am-3pm A member of the Wellingtons soup kitchen is getting the Māra ready for the community fun day that will raise awareness for the World Homeless Day.   The post Soup Kitchen invites you to join the whanau at open day appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • LISTEN: Wellingtonians at odds with Minister over surplus
      • Wellingtonians say the government should be spending the surplus announced yesterday, not saving it. Treasury figures have revealed a 5.5 billion dollar surplus is sitting in government coffers. Finance Minister  Grant Robertson, says the surplus should be saved for a rainy day. Wellingtonians spoken to on Lambton Quay were fairly unanimous that the government should be spending it.  The post LISTEN: Wellingtonians at odds with Minister over surplus appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • Diverse capital lays out a rainbow welcome
      • A final cleanup of skid marks before the rainbow crossing is officially opened on Dixon Street. Thanks to a last minute clean-up, Wellington’s brand new rainbow pedestrian crossing will go ahead as scheduled at 4 o’clock this afternoon. Wellington City Council has now twice been forced to send in clean-up teams after big black skid marks appeared on the 20 thousand dollar Dixon Street crossing. Spokesperson Richard MacLean says people need to start acting like adults and drive according to the law. “We can always just have a chat to the police if it starts becoming a regular thing, then we will look at our options,” he says. The city’s first rainbow crossing will be officially opened by Mayor Justin Lester at four this afternoon. The post Diverse capital lays out a rainbow welcome appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • LISTEN: Ratepayers likely to foot the bill for waterfront vandalism
      • Wellington’s Mayor says ratepayers could pay for some of the reckless vandalism of a beloved water sculpture on the city’s waterfront. The Len Lye water sculpture was snapped off by a man who was swinging on the artwork yesterday. The sculpture was about to be turned on for summer after a three hundred thousand dollar repair process. Mayor Justin Lester says while the council does have insurance, ratepayers could foot part of the bill.  The post LISTEN: Ratepayers likely to foot the bill for waterfront vandalism appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • Wellington expecting bumper cruise ship season
      • The cruise ship season has started and it’s going to bring Wellington a record breaking number of ships. Between October 2nd and April 22nd, 110 cruise ships are expected to visit Wellington. Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency Spokesman David Perks says tourists on board the cruise ships want to enjoy the Wellington experience and to see why wellington is our capital city.   The post Wellington expecting bumper cruise ship season appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • LISTEN: WOW windfall good for Wellington
      • You may have noticed the extra crowds and waves of purple in Wellington recently. WOW, The World of WearableArt Awards Show, is underway, bringing the masses to Wellington’s shops and hotels. Nico Hendricks has more.  The post LISTEN: WOW windfall good for Wellington appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • Wellington wins the race for wettest September
      • Wellington’s notched up another win. With NIWA ‘s latest weather stats showing it was the wettest of the country’s six main centres. Leah Tebbutt reports. The post Wellington wins the race for wettest September appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • PHOTO ESSAY: WOW factor nearly cost business dearly
      • A Wellington business was nearly charged $20,000 for their blinding window display in time for the Wellington World of Wearable Arts. The display was a part of the Welly Loves WOW Window Dressing Competition. Second in charge tea brewer, Dominique Hopson, ran the workshop making four different tea flavours. T2 took a creative turn with their display by including an interactive iced tea workshop. Tea brewer Dominique Hopson says this is the first time they’ve participated in WOW, and they did it by having shoppers make their own tea mixes. “We’ve always done workshops, but never like this where you can get a hands on experience and actually make the tea yourself. So it’s a fun, creative way to participate,” she says. Creations included a New York Breakfast milkshake, Chillin’ Beets iced tea and the store’s most popular tea, Fruitalicious. With the theme of deep blue and purple or reflection, pet shop Smack Bang on Tori Street matched its window to in store decorations. “We’ve done that in the obvious way in that they are literally reflective dots, but we also wanted to reflect what’s on the wall across the road,” explains owner Amelia Lingonis. The window is covered in gold confetti, to mirror their gold lights and decorations. “On a sunny day I think I’m blinding the office workers across the road which is always exciting,” laughs Amelia. “I think it stops people when they’re walking past, because it literally is shining in their faces.” Amelia planned for the gold confetti to extend to the footpath, but says the council threatened her with a $20,000 fine. Instead she is enjoying the competition between fellow Wellington businesses. “I think we’re all on the same boat. What I found with retailers in Wellington is that we’re all pretty happy to work together for the benefit of all of us. “Obviously there’s some friendly competition because there’s prizes at stake, but I think in the end we’ve all got the same goal that this should be an economically beneficial time for all of us.” The competition ends on 14 Sunday October. The post PHOTO ESSAY: WOW factor nearly cost business dearly appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • PHOTO ESSAY: The Rainbow Warrior tour sails into the capital
      • Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior flagship is touring New Zealand this month, celebrating a victory in the fight against oil exploration. After years of lobbying and petitions, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a ban on all new offshore oil exploration. Greenpeace spokesperson Angela Janse van Rensburg says activists were the main catalyst for the legislation change and it’s a great victory, but there’s still more to be done. The organisations next push will be encouraging New Zealand to move towards renewable solar energy. Greenpeace wants to end oil and gas subsidies, and use that funding to bring solar power to 500,000 homes by 2030 instead. The Rainbow Warrior open days are encouraging new volunteers to support the cause. Janse van Rensburg says activism can be a scary word, but there are many ways people can get involved, and it’s important that they do. Greenpeace relies on public donation and volunteers to keep afloat. The Rainbow Warrior was crowdfunded and built with sustainable materials to align with the organisations ethics. The post PHOTO ESSAY: The Rainbow Warrior tour sails into the capital appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • New visual-aid app seen as game-changer
      • Wellington’s blind community is rejoicing over the roll-out of a new visual-aid app in New Zealand. This month Aira app helps connect visually impaired people with a sighted professional will be widely available throughout Australasia. Wellington IT specialist Jonathan Mosen, who is blind, will be introducing Aira to the Australasian market this month. Nikita Rawnsley-Wratt reports. The post New visual-aid app seen as game-changer appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • LISTEN: Celia the documentary wins audience approval
      • Audience members question director Amanda Millar about her documentary on social activist Celia Lashlie at Nga Toanga. New Zealanders are being urged to head to a theatre and check out a new documentary about the life of social activist Celia Lashlie. A hundred people celebrating 125 year anniversary of New Zealand women getting the vote were treated to the last screening of Celia at Nga Taonga. The new documentary produced and directed by experienced journalist Amanda Millar documents Celia Lashlies unfinished work. After the screening audience members were full of praise for the film there were many different opinions, but all agreed that all New Zealanders need to see this movie. The post LISTEN: Celia the documentary wins audience approval appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • PHOTO ESSAY: Master showcases skills for Chinese Language Week
      • Master Chinese calligrapher Stan Chan spent an afternoon painting at the National Library of New Zealand Chinese Language Week. He translated people’s names into Chinese calligraphy as well as explaining the skill behind his art. “The ink block is actually like charcoal. You mix it with water to make ink,” Stan explains. “The way we make ink is a form of relaxation, meditating yourself. Imagine doing that and sipping some Chinese tea, some nice Chinese music.” Stan has been painting since he was 10, shortly after his family moved from China to Hong Kong. “I was so lucky that my father and my art teacher were really good friends. I always had chance to visit teacher’s studio, I could sit in the corner and watch him work. I am so grateful to my parents for let me be an artist.” For the next 46 years, he set out to paint and teach in New Zealand in his Wellington art studio, inkLink, which he set up in 1979. Some of his demonstrations included a kiwi, a panda and bamboo. “That’s 50 years in one minute,” laughs Stan. He says his favourite part about his job is teaching others. “Using the word teaching seems I’m being very proud of myself,” says Stan. “I rather use the word share my interest, share what I know. Because sometimes I can learn from my students, as much as they learn from me. Because we never stop learning.” Stan has art classes in Wellington for people ranging from under 10 years of age to over 60. “I have my dream come true. I can share my interest with people. Even today coming to do this in library, this little space to share with you, is also a dream come true.” The post PHOTO ESSAY: Master showcases skills for Chinese Language Week appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • Four car crash on Western Hutt Road
      • Four cars were involved in a collision on Western Hutt Road late this morning. Police were called to the crash in the southbound lane of SH2 near the Belmont Domain around 11:55 am. Matt Hancock who went to the aid of the people involved, estimates one of the cars was travelling at around 100 km/h at the time. Police say one person was taken away to be treated for moderate injuries. The post Four car crash on Western Hutt Road appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • PHOTO ESSAY: Tulip Sunday festival celebrates Dutch culture
      • Wellington Botanic Garden welcomed Spring by intertwining Dutch culture with Tulip Sunday last weekend. The event involved Dutch food stalls and displays among gardens of freshly grown Tulips. Andrew Moonen was one who stood out from the displays with his western european  street organ. The organ plays preset carnival-style tunes when he turns a rotating handle. “The holes in the paper open up a valve and let the air flow into the pipe,” explains Andrew. “There are 68 pipes in here and you can only use 31 at a time, so I can register it to change pipes.” He has been operating the instrument for the past five years. “It’s hard work, you’re standing all the time,” laughs Adrian. Her Excellency, the Netherlands Ambassador Ms Mira Woldberg also gave a talk about the importance of remembering the Dutch in New Zealand after WW2. The event was a part of the annual Wellington Spring Festival. The post PHOTO ESSAY: Tulip Sunday festival celebrates Dutch culture appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • How does a haka show mana with Kia Kaha Te Reo Māori?
      • Saint Bernard’s College use their personal Haka to show who they are and what they do. The haka was written to be a representation of the schools values and beliefs. Jayden Tamarua reports on the importance of the school’s haka and the role it plays in nurturing pride in te reo.   The post How does a haka show mana with Kia Kaha Te Reo Māori? appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • The reinforcing of mana in New Zealand
      • Wellington’s Catholic Archdiocese is encouraging people to recognise their Mana during Kia Kaha Te Reo Māori or, Maori Language Week. Saint Bernard’s College believes Mana is important for all students helping them stand up and be proud during periods of humility or failure. In the Maori Dictionary  mana is described as a type of empowerment and the more important the event, person or object is, the more mana it represents. Saint Bernard’s teacher Hamish Sutherland says mana helps develop students so they can appreciate where they have come from and he says it is an important role for the school to take on.   The post The reinforcing of mana in New Zealand appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • A whole month of Māori to refine your Reo.
      • You might know a few Te Reo words or phrases, but could you speak it for a whole month? Jacob McGregor is trying to speak as much Māori as possible during Mahuru (September). McGregor has been learning Te Reo since he was 13, but is always looking for ways to improve. He wanted to participate in Mahuru Māori to sharpen his ability to speak Te Reo. The post A whole month of Māori to refine your Reo. appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • PHOTO ESSAY: Māori Anglican church in Otaki one of a kind
      • Rangiātea Church in Otaki, one of few Māori Anglican churches that run Sunday services in both Māori and English, is approaching a special day. November 23 is anniversary of church being reopened in 2003 after being destroyed by fire eight years earlier. Reverend Georgia Hapeta explains ministers use a bilingual prayer book which translates English scriptures into Māori. “We might start off doing the service in Māori, then further on do a part of it in English,” she says. “It’s amazing how many Pākehā people we’ve had come in here.” Georgia says the church has a good connection with the community, with ministers often making visits to maraes in the Kāpiti Coast. “If you don’t have people coming to church, and you’re not really busy in the community, then you don’t get any funding,” she says. Recently they had the Gale Force Gospel, an acapella choir from Wellington, sing at the church alongside the Kapiti Women’s Choir. Their koha entry raised around $300. The post PHOTO ESSAY: Māori Anglican church in Otaki one of a kind appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • Māori music celebration a good end to Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori
      • Amba Holly sang at Moon bar in Newtown for Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori. Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori ended on a musical note with Māori singer Amba Holly at a Newtown’s Moon Bar. With just an acoustic guitar beside her, she sang a mix of her original songs and covers. “We’ve only played once before, which was last night. So it really is just a jam tonight,” says the musician from Waikato Tainui. This included singing a te reo Maori cover of Crowded House’s Don’t Dream It’s Over, as well as incorporating the Māori national anthem with one of her songs. Holly last year won the Radio Airplay Song of the Year by a Māori Artist in Te Reo Māori Award with her song Mau Tonu, and Best Female Artist in the Waiata Māori Music Awards. She enjoys writing in both te reo and English, using both languages in her music. “I’ve probably written more in te reo, but it’s around the same at the moment.” However, she feels a deeper connection to writing in Māori. “In English the words are what they are, whereas in Maoridom when you write there can be more meanings to it.” The night also included Māori rapper Te Kupu, who is the founding member of the Aotearoa hip hop group, Upper Hutt Posse. The Saturday event was to celebrate Māori musicians in New Zealand for Māori Language Week. For Māori Language Week Holly was featured by UNICEF and Stuff in a profile. The post Māori music celebration a good end to Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

    • WATCH: He kawhe koa?
      •   Wellingtonians have been testing their Māori pronunciation by doing something that comes naturally to most, what they know best, ordering coffee. The instructional coffee card Karaka cafe is using to help people order in Te Reo Maori. During the recent e Wiki o te Reo Māori, Māori Language Week, a waterfront café has been encouraging locals to order their coffee in Te Reo by offering instructional coffee cards. Karaka café worker Chelus Knowles, says working in a bilingual café helps her improve her knowledge of the language. “I am Māori and it’s quite cool to be able to speak Māori and learn even more Māori each day,” she says. The staff report tourists often order in Te Reo, and they’re encouraging locals to try too. “We do want to encourage people. Don’t be afraid to speak it and don’t be afraid to try even,” she says. Karaka Café owner Keri Retimanu, says they provide menus in both Te Reo Maori and English.   Karaka Cafe worker Chelus Knowles.       The post WATCH: He kawhe koa? appeared first on NewsWire.co.nz.

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