Category Archives: News

The Newtown Residents’ Association has a new President: Claire Pettigrew

September 27, 2014Newsmartinh123

A message from Claire:

Kia Ora! I’m Claire, and I’m looking forward to being your Newtown Residents’ Association President for the next year. Originally from North Canterbury, I moved to Wellington for university and quickly discovered Newtown was a fantastic suburb to be living in!

I’ve recently returned from Europe, and am now studying towards a Masters of Management. I am particularly interested in volunteer management, and mobilizing young people as volunteers. I have a background in youth development and community resilience. I am passionate about disaster risk reduction; I am a Search and Rescue squad member and a Civil Defense volunteer, and have been working to develop the Newtown Community Emergency Response Plan.

Over the next year I am hoping to work towards developing a vision of Newtown as we want to find it in ten years time, and taking the first steps to achieve that vision.

I welcome contact from anyone who would like to get to know me, discuss ideas or give feedback. I can be reached on newtownwellington@gmail.com

Read more about Claire in the September 22nd issue of the Cook Strait News – page 16, and also page 12.

Newtown Community Emergency Response Plan (CRP)

September 27, 2014Consultation, News, Worksmartinh123

The first session of the Community Response Plan process has been held at the Newtown Community Centre. The Community Response Plan is being led by the Newtown Residents’ Association and the Newtown Community Centre in conjunction with the Wellington Regional Emergency Management Office. The first session was attended by over 50 business owners, organisation representatives and community leaders. This was an introductory session that looked at Newtown’s strengths and vulnerabilities. The next session will focus on the details of what role different organisations will play in an emergency. We will keep you posted – or contact Claire at newtownwellington@gmail.com if you would like to know more.

Timebank fundraiser

September 26, 2014Local Events, Newsmartinh123

Aunty & the Star People

An amazing film about an inspirational Wellingtonian who sold her house to set up a school for orphans in Tamil Nadu, India.

Special one off screening at Lighthouse Cinema Cuba
Wednesday 8th October, 6pm . Tickets $25

You are invited to the Wellington Timebank annual film fundraiser. The Wellington Timebank is a great organisation where people exchange skills and knowledge for time credits. Everyone’s time is valued equally, regardless of what skills are exchanged. Read more about it and about the film here: wellingtontimebank.org.nz

Minutes of 2014 Annual General Meeting

September 26, 2014Meetings, Newsmartinh123

The 2014 AGM was held on Monday 15th September . You can download the minutes here. You can also download the NRA Audited Accounts 2014.

There was an important change to the Association Officers – Martin Hanley did not stand for President this year. Instead we welcomed Claire Pettigrew to the role – Claire is our youngest President, and the first woman since Annabel Taylor was President in the 1980s.

Kate Zwartz proposed and James Coyle seconded a vote of thanks to Martin for the work he has done for the Association, which was carried with acclamation.

The following were all elected unopposed:

President: Claire Pettigrew
Vice–presidents: Jeanie McCafferty, Kate Zwartz and James Coyle
Immediate Past President: Martin Hanley
Secretary: Rhona Carson
Treasurer: Peter Frater
Executive Committee: Ken Allen, Carol Comber, Steve Cosgrove , Steve Dunn, Ryan Kerr, Kevin Lethbridge -Membership, Laura Newcombe, Daphne Pilaar, Cheryl Robilliard
Newtown Festival Director: Martin Hanley
Newtown Festival Committee: Anna Kemble Welch, Tom Law, James Coyle, Rhona Carson, Keith Powell
Newtown Festival Review Team: Steve Dunn, Peter Frater, with authority to co-opt others.

Newtown Community Centre Art Workshops

September 16, 2014Local Events, Newsmartinh123

Community Art Workshops are back!

The Newtown Community Centre will be hosting their 5^th annual Community Art Workshops from Monday September 29th till Thursday October 9th

For the past four years, the Centre has organised a series of art workshops with the aim to make art more accessible to the wider community, offering a chance for participants to get creative and learn a new skill in a visual arts practice, at a very affordable rate and in a community friendly environment. The classes are headed by local art and crafters keen to share their time and skills with others in an informal and relaxed setting. The classes are designed to reduce the normal financial barriers, with most if not all materials being provided and entry fee being a koha of the participants’ choosing.

The workshops cover a wide range of arts and crafts, from making your own Native American dreamcatchers and traditional Pervian necklaces to purse making and how to make your own paint from natural clays and oil. See the Newtown Community Centre facebook page and website for the schedule and details for the workshops.

The Centre has always received great feedback from participants who have really enjoyed the opportunity to get creative without having to invest in a costly course or feel out of place at a formal art institution – they hope you can join them this year!

Newtown Community Centre Building to be 100 years old!

September 16, 2014Newsmartinh123

CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

The building for the Newtown Community Centre, located on Colombo/Rintoul Streets, was completed and officially opened in February 1915 as a church for the Church of Christ, making next year its 100 birthday! The building was designed by William Gray Young, the same architect for other important Wellington buildings such as The Wellington Railway Station, The Turnbull Library and the Wesley Club in the CBD.

In the early decades, the Church played a significant community role in Newtown, holding social events and offering various workshops/trainings, as well as their regular faith-based services and meetings. In 1970, a fire damaged the building, and it was eventually sold to Wellington City Council who, at the pressure of the local community, converted the building into the community centre which has operated at the site since.

To celebrate the centenary of the building, the Newtown Community & Cultural Centre Trust will be hosting a number of events at the centre in the first half of 2015. A visual timeline of events taking place between 1915 and 2015 will be created, with the main focus being on the Community Centre itself. Other important events which have taken place over this time both globally and in the wider Newtown community will be included, providing a backdrop for the events based at the centre. The timeline will be unveiled at an afternoon celebration at the beautiful Centre’s theatre, to be accompanied by cake (of course!), music and speeches, open to all those involved with the Centre, past and present. Celebrations will continue in the evening, with a musical journey over the past 100 years since WWI.

The Community Centre would love to hear from anyone who would be keen to share any in-depth historical knowledge they may have of the Centre and of Newtown, or from anyone interested in carrying out some research through local archives. You can reach Anna at the Community Centre on 389 4786 or at newtown.community.centre@paradise.net.nz

Seeking memories of Berhampore: from 1915 – 2015

September 13, 2014Newsmartinh123

Do you have memories of Berhampore or Berhampore School that you can share?

Berhampore School is turning 100 in 2015 and a group of parents hope to build a picture not just of the school itself through those 100 years, but also the community of which it is a part.

Berhampore School opened in 1915. Prior to this many Berhampore children went to South Wellington School (South Wellington Intermediate School) and it had become overcrowded. Former Berhampore students recall playing marbles in the driveway, doing handkerchief drills, and drinking curdled school milk. Today the school has a multicultural roll of 235 students and a reputation for inclusivity and community building.

Well-known Berhampore students of the past include writer Robin Hyde and sports commentator Keith Quinn, while playwright Roger Hall was a teacher there.

Stories from the Berhampore community past and present will be compiled into a book which will be sold during centennial celebrations over Labour Weekend 2015 as a fundraiser.

Anyone interested in being interviewed for the book should contact Sadie Coe on 9722270 or berhampore100@gmail.com or c/- Berhampore School, 105 Britomart Street, Berhampore, Wellington 6023

Facebook members can join the Berhampore School Centenary page.

W.C.C. Local Hosts for Newtown

September 13, 2014Newsmartinh123

October 2014 will see the Local Host team branch out into the suburbs for the first time.

Local Hosts are Wellington City Council ‘street ambassadors’, and they are starting their third year of operation in November. Their Team Leader, Gary Haddon, tells us that in the first instance Newtown, Kilbirnie and Miramar will see the team in green walking around the streets during day light hours on a Monday to Friday. A dedicated number of hours will be given to each suburb and the main focus will be on community. This will mean visiting community centres, Community Policing teams, drop-in centres, retailers, cafés and restaurants, libraries and so on. The team will continue observing and reporting on issues such as graffiti, city infrastructure, city safety and continue their relationship with the vulnerable community and service providers.

While they are starting with Newtown, Kilbirnie and Miramar, they will respond to need and visits to suburbs will change accordingly.

You can find out more about Local Hosts on the WCC website.

Next Meeting: Monday 15th September 2014 at 7.30pm

September 7, 2014Meetings, Newsmartinh123

At the Community Hall 71 Daniell Street, at the Constable Street playground

The September Meeting will be the Newtown Residents’ Association AGM

The main items of business for the AGM are the presentation of the Annual Reports and Accounts and the Election of Officers and Executive Members for the next year. If you are interested in becoming involved on the Executive of the Association, or would like to nominate someone else for a position (with their agreement), please let us know (by dropping us a line at newtownwelling@gmail.com). Nominations will also be accepted at the meeting. Please note that nominees and voters need to be financial members – if you haven’t yet paid your 2014/15 subscription bring along your gold coin and sign up at the start of the meeting.

Guest Speakers – details to be advised

In September the Wellington City Council will begin consultation on the Urban Growth Plan and the Long Term Plan. We are inviting WCC representatives to speak to the meeting about these initiatives.

Other items?

You are welcome to email us at newtownwellington@gmail.com if you have suggestions for the agenda.

Map: Location of the Newtown Community Hall, 71 Daniell Street, at the Constable Street playground

(opposite the Mediterranean Warehouse)

Keep Newtown Clean – Saturday 6th September

September 3, 2014Local Events, Newsmartinh123

Meet outside Newtown New World from 9am onwards this Saturday

Newtown has been looking really good, but there has been renewed tagging in the last few weeks, so there is work to be done!

Community feedback has been positive, and volunteers say that each time they walk past a wall they cleaned up they feel proud to be making a difference. This is your chance to join in a positive project! All equipment and materials supplied. Put on some old clothes and come along. There is a free sausage sizzle for volunteers, donated by Newtown New World.

Thank you to the sponsors who make this all happen:

Newtown New World – Sponsors – for the community BBQ, free food and drink

Amadeus Hair – Sponsors – Coordinators

Wellington City Council – Paint and Equipment

SB Maintanence – Contractors – Dave and Liz providing their free time

Colin McLellan – the official photographer

Special thanks goes out to all the volunteers, especially the regulars…well done! And extra special thanks to David Wilcock, who has been coordinating the monthly clean up ever since it started in July 2013.

See you this Saturday rain or shine. And if you can’t make it this month, remember that Keep Newtown Clean happens on the first Saturday of every month.

Meet the Candidates meeting: 7pm Thursday September 4th, St Anne’s Hall

August 23, 2014Local Events, Newsmartinh123

At St Anne’s Hall, 22 Emmett Street, Newtown

Newtown Residents’ Association and St Anne’s Newtown are hosting an evening to meet some of the candidates for the Rongotai electorate.

Among the candidates who have agreed to attend this gathering are:

Sultan Eusoff, Chris Finlayson, Annette King, Russel Norman, Ariana Paretutanganui-Tamati, Brent Pierson & Bruce Welsh

The meeting will be moderated by Patrick Morgan.

All are welcome to attend this meeting to listen to what they have to say and to ask questions.

The formal part of the meeting will be followed by supper.

The General Election 2014 is on September 20th.

Advanced voting is available from September 3rd.

More information here about voting in Rongotai – including where and when for advanced voting.

Next Meeting: Monday 18th August 2014 at 7.30pm

August 15, 2014Meetings, Newsmartinh123

7.30 at the Community Hall 71 Daniell Street, at the Constable Street playground

Cycleway Citizens’ Panel Update – what happens next?

Guest speaker – Paul Barker, Safe and Sustainable Urban Transport Manager, Wellington City Council.

Identifying Local issues

Report on current local issues.

Residents’ Association Consultation Process

Continuing discussion of ideas for improving our consultation process.

Wellington Urban Growth

Discussion of plans for residential growth along Adelaide Road – Riddiford Street.

Newtown Festival 2015 – the longest month ever!

6 weeks of events from 13th February 2015 – Celebrating Newtown!

125 stall bookings already received for Fairday.

Many inquiries from bands interested in taking part in next year’s Festival.

Zoo Carparks

Carparks in Mansfield St now p180, to allow more turnover of carparks for people visiting the zoo.

Next Meeting: Monday 21 July 2014 at 7.30pm

July 18, 2014Meetings, Newsmartinh123

7.30 at the Community Hall 71 Daniell Street, at the Constable Street playground

Newtown Community-Driven Emergency Response

Claire Pettigrew will report on the initial meetings that have been held to spark off a Newtown Community-Driven Emergency Response Plan.

The idea is this plan will cover how the community plans to self-activate and respond in the initial stages of a large-scale emergency – primarily the first 72 hours.

Supported by the Wellington Regional Emergency Management Office (WREMO), a community working group will develop a plan that details goals, identifies resources and vulnerabilities within the community, and clarifies the roles and responsibilities of those involved in responding.

While the Community Emergency Response Plan does have WREMO and WCC backing, ownership will remain with the community.

Consultation Process

Jeanie McCafferty will run a discussion on ideas for improving our consultation process

WCC Energy Challenge

Councillor David Lee will provide an update on the Shyft carshare scheme and the other council energy challenge projects

Cycleway Citizens’ Panel Update

Progress Report

Newtown Festival

2015 event update

Newtown Cycleway Update:

June 13, 2014Consultation, Newsmartinh123

Newtown Safe Cycleway 2014

This summer Red Design Architects were commissioned by Wellington City Council to convene a team of architecture and landscape post graduates and students to investigate options for the Cycleway project from Dee Street to John Street, through Berhampore and Newtown to Mount Cook.

The drawings and Newtown Safe Cycleway Design Report hosted here are a summary of the cycleway research and community design work undertaken by Red Design Architects’ Urban Activation Lab team* during the summer of 2013 – 2014.

Newtown Safe Cycleway 2014 Route Network Drawings – Edition 3.9

The Newtown Safe Cycleway 2014 PDF records a masterplanned network. The i page accompanying each route map summarises key details, explaining the content. The current latest copy of the book of the Cycleway Network Route Maps, which includes an outline of the safety configurations proposed, and the precedents researched can be downloaded here.

Right click on Newtown Safe Cycleway 2014 Route Network Drawings-3.9 and select “Open in a New Tab” This download file from Red Design’s Urban Activation Lab is 46MB because of the zoom in mapping it contains. After opening in a New Tab it displays best if you select download and open in Adobe Reader / Acrobat. For clarity when viewing the route maps the background and contours become more readable if you turn off “Enhance thin lines” which is a tick box found in the Adobe Preferences – Page Display options. Click here for step by step instructions.

Based on community ideas these Cycleway Network drawings were prepared over the several months using a living document protocol. Well resolved accurate drawings were prepared and used with the designers explaining the content and facilitating meaningful consultation of options with groups of cyclists, residents and retailers.

The drawings used for discussions with locals, cyclists, and schools were then modified, re-drawn accurately embodying local refinements and suggestions. Some detailed options were retired.

The resolved scheme content arrived at is the result of an evolving community blueprint, a framework still flexible and potentially open to the inclusion of future ideas based on fine grain community knowledge and experience. The Urban Activation Lab have paused work on this for the time being but after you have had a look at the detailed mappings do feel free to email them suggestions if you have something you’d like to comment on.

The team has worked hard to fit the Newtown Cycleway into the streets and parklands it connects and would welcome additional local input before it presents this work to the WCC convened Citizens’ Cycleway Advisory Panel.

Feel free to email suggestions to newtowncycleway@gmail.com

Urban Activation Lab

Urban Activation Lab Cycleway team summer 2013- 2014 Red Design* would like to acknowledge the efforts of the team of undergraduate and post-graduate architecture and landscape students from Victoria University of Wellington, coordinated by project manager Sean O’Brien, who contributed to our Newtown Safe Cycleway project. Their dedicated work ethic and professionalism have greatly benefitted the Newtown Safe Cycleway.

The Urban Activation Lab is the community project, urban design and public and social policy group of award winning Newtown-based firm Red Design Architects. Headed by Martin Hanley and Anna Kemble Welch, the team works nationally and internationally.

The group has been actively involved in projects relating to public consultation, public events, mainstreet revitalisation, transportation, parks, public art and sculpture, school amenities, ecology, community gardens, urban pathways, community resilience, disability support and healthcare, heritage and conservation since 1979.