News in brief
Join a planting day
Greater Wellington organises and supports tree-planting days in regional parks from June to September. If your corporate group would like to organise a planting day, phone 04 803 0382 or email catherine.hunt@gw.govt.nz. If you would like to join a community planting day see our website.
Get Sustainable Challenge
Improve your business' sustainability by joining this year's Get Sustainable Challenge, run by the Sustainable Business Network (SBN). Businesses are assessed on waste, transport and energy use, and receive advice and support to improve their environmental performance. They can also enter the Get Sustainable Challenge Awards and receive one year's free SBN membership. Greater Wellington is the Challenge's principal sponsor for the lower North Island.
Celebrate Life Totara Grove
Since Kaitoke Regional Park's Celebrate Life Totara Grove opened in 2004, more than 200 totara have been planted to mark life's special occasions, such as births, important birthdays or when a family member has died. To order a totara, phone 04 802 0327 or email eloise.page@gw.govt.nz. The $30 cost includes a totara sapling, certificate and tree maintenance.
Chrystalls Lagoon Walkway
Otaki has a new walkway along the Otaki River to Chrystalls Lagoon, starting at SH 1. The walkway was made possible due to the completion of the Chrystalls Bend extended stopbank, a $2.11 million project to protect the Otaki township from floods. The new walkway is an addition to the highway to sea walkway, which opened last year.
New Flood Protection Advisory Service
Do you need advice on the flood risk affecting your property? Flooding is a frequent hazard in the region and can affect the Hutt Valley, Kapiti Coast and central Wairarapa floodplains. Greater Wellington has flood hazard information for many of the region's rivers and can advise you on the best place to build and avoid flooding. Call 06 378 2484 for advice on flood risk in the Wairarapa or 04 802 0328 for the rest of the Wellington region.
Akura Conservation Centre open
Greater Wellington's Akura Conservation Centre is open now, with a range of native and exotic trees for shelter, erosion control, timber or old-fashioned beautification. Expert staff can provide advice on tree selection and planting. The centre is located on Akura Road, 1.5km from Masterton, and open Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings, from June until the end of September. Email akura@gw.gvt.nz or call 06 370 5614.