Te Upoko o te Ika a Māui / Wellington

The weather's not looking great for tomorrow, so if suck with kids and looking for something to do this could be a decent morning / afternoon activity. I took my 4 year old today and he absolutely loved it.

The official website is a bit light on info but ticket prices are (not including obligatory Lego set tax):

• adult $10
• child (3-17) $7
• under 3's free

Open from 9 - 4 Sunday.

Open for feedback until Sunday 8th October on proposals for:

• a new parking scheme as well as bus, bike, and pedestrian improvements from Berhampore to Newtown
• bus, bike, and pedestrian improvements from Karori to the Botanic Garden

Original title: Report analyses impact of street changes Linked report

Initial findings show that overall, retail spending has not been negatively affected by changes to street layouts.

Encouraging to see that this hasn't significantly affected consumer spend in these areas. Hopefully this would lead to less resistance to other such schemes in the future.

Always good to head up Mt Kaukau on a nice day. At 445m high you get great views over the city and harbor area, as well as over Makara and the South Island beyond.

It took me and my 4 year old about and hour and a half to reach the top (from the Clark Street track), but without kids I'd reckon it'd be more like 30 mins to an hour up.

https://wellington.govt.nz/recreation/outdoors/parks-and-reserves/outer-green-belt-reserves/mount-kaukau

With Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh buying the land, that seems like a surprisingly agreeable outcome...

Thoughts?

My current spectacles are getting a bit bent out of shape, so I'm looking to get some new ones.

My last few pairs have been through SpecSavers, but they've ended up wearing out in similar ways. Could easily relate to a pattern of mistreatment on my part, but I'm keen to try somewhere else anyway.

Where do you guys suggest around the city? Ideally still budget friendly (would like to stick around $400 if possible), but open to all suggestions.

More tickets have gone on sale this morning. I'm don't have a source for this information but I did manage to buy four tickets an hour ago (there were none last night).

(hopefully this is alright to post, meant more as a heads up than a promotional post)

A recent survey shows no native birds are seriously at risk in the capital anymore, and regionally bird numbers are soaring sky high.

Holy shit guys, second Terrace and Mt Vic tunnels! I wonder if trenching SH1 so Taranaki, Cuba, Webb, and Willis can pass overhead is a possibility? Eliminating that series of lights would make life easier for everyone.

I've spent over an hour getting from the airport to the Terrace tunnel before, something had to change.

Possibly a little known / under appreciated gem in our city.

Did an unofficial (you can pay for guided tours) glow worm walk this evening in Otari-Wilton Bush - organized via my kids Childspace. I've lived nearby for years, and walked those trails many times without realizing that they were there.

We walked a short walk from the Northern carpark and all along the trail there were hundreds of glow worms right on the trail banks. I've never seen so many, so close (aside from Waitomo). Would definitely recommend for those with kids or anyone really.

Please let me know if you do

Sailing into Wellington harbour on the Interislander as the sun goes down

My parents and in laws are here visiting NZ. They were getting a bit bored in the house so wife and I decided to take them fishing this coming long weekend. We have rods, and baits but we are still undecided/have no idea about a lot of things.

Any tips on where to fish? We live around Johnsonville so would prefer somewhere around 30 min driving distance. Also, is there any website that is useful for fishing e.g. regarding minimum fish sizes, weather checker that suggest the best time to fish?

Does any one know any details of the warehouse fire on Tory st? Was surprised to see it closed. Haven't heard any news about it.

Yesterday my partner was assaulted by a woman on Manners Street in broad daylight. Out of nowhere she was hit to the ground, before the woman called her a "f***** b****" and kicked her twice on the ground. She'd never seen this woman in her life.

Two people helped her pick up her things, but I was disappointed to hear that no one stayed with her to see if she was okay / wait for the police, given there was a bus stop with people waiting across the road.

I called the cops and they arrested the woman immediately, luckily. They told us my partner was the third person she'd assaulted by 11AM...

Injuries were largely superficial (bruising), but she's pretty shook up. It's worse knowing she's not from NZ originally, it feels hard to tout Wellington as the safe city I remember growing up in. I suspect she'll be avoiding Manners Street for a while...

BY:CC:SA

We've got some family visiting from around the country in a few weeks time, and we're going out for brunch.

Rather than sticking with the same handful of places, where would you recommend? Any faves or hidden secrets?

Only requirements are they (1) have good vegan options, and (2) have good non-vegan options!

Just a heads up if you're thinking about driving in this morning (also assume this will mean busier trains as people seek alternatives).

We're member of the Hutt Valley tramping club, but they mostly do 6+ hour walks. Also the average age is quite high. I've done long walks, but most of the weekends I'm looking to do shorter ones, up to 4 hours. There is a Wellington Tramping Club on Meetup.com but they also do longer walks.

Perhaps I can set up a separate meetup for people looking to join me on shorter walks?

I've got 2 kids (10 and 7), so feel free to join if you have kids, but it's absolutely no requirement. I'm based in Lower Hutt.