Trans-Tasman artist exchange builds capital bond

The inaugural Canberra Wellington Indigenous Artist Exchange programme starts this month, with Canberra’s Dean Cross arriving in Wellington, and local artist Ana Iti going to Canberra on 28 May.

Dean Cross from Dropping the Bullshit (we look like this too) series

The programme supports a Wellington-based artist to go to Canberra for six weeks and a Canberra-based Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artist to visit Wellington for six weeks each year.

Designed to strengthen cultural connections between the two cities, as part of our Sister City Agreement initiated in 2016, Mayor Justin Lester says this is a great example of the trans-Tasman partnership.

“As our closest neighbour, it’s invaluable for both countries to have stronger cultural, economic and political ties between our two capital cities.

“Where we have so many similarities like our tourism industry, innovation and smart city initiatives, and business links, there are also big differences – and this artist exchange programme provides the opportunity to study, identify, acknowledge, and celebrate these,” adds the Mayor.

While here for six weeks, Dean Cross will explore the shared histories of Indigenous ANZAC’s.

“There is a long history of First Nation's military service in both Australia and Aotearoa,” says Dean.

“I am interested in exploring in what ways this impacts the First Nation's people and their legacies within a colonial landscape. Through this I hope to develop a deeper understanding of the similarities and differences between our two cultures,” he adds.

In May, local artist Ana Iti will visit Canberra and will base her research on the complexities and effects of learning, re-learning, and continuing to pursue indigenous languages.

"The area of research I’m entering into for this residency is around the use of language within the practice of indigenous artists. Being an ongoing learner of te reo Māori myself I’m hoping to open up conversations between artists about the complexities and difficulties that learning language brings up within our work," says Ana.

There are over 1,000 different aboriginal dialects/languages in Australia, and it’s not as accessible as Te Reo in Aotearoa. This is particularly relevant this year, as 2019 is the year of indigenous languages.

-WCC

Wellington Mayor calls for insurance forum

Wellington Mayor Justin Lester is calling for a forum with the Government’s Earthquake Commission Minister, insurance companies, and affected stakeholders to discuss rising insurance premiums.

Photo by James Coleman on Unsplash

The Mayor was responding to an announcement by Insurance Australia Group (IAG) – New Zealand's largest general insurer – that it will start to charge higher home and contents premiums for customers who live in areas prone to natural disasters and severe weather.

“IAG has between 40 and 50 percent of the Wellington market, so this could potentially affect a lot of our residents,” he says.

“This will be a daunting prospect for those facing increasing premiums on the homes they already own, and also make it even more difficult for first home buyers.”

The Mayor says he had raised the issue with Megan Woods, the Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission, and he will be convening an insurance forum and inviting the Insurance Council, IAG, body corporate and home owner representatives who are significantly affected by premium increases.

“I want to canvas issues in the Wellington market and look at the immediate and long-term future for people needing insurance.

“It may be that the Government needs to consider what insurance companies are required to offer in a market, and they may have to offer an affordable option where they operate.

“Residents, businesses and property owners are now facing the prospect of higher premiums. Some may not be able to afford it.

“Insurance is crucial for a city. It has to be available and affordable for banks to lend, for businesses to operate efficiently, and for people to have peace of mind.”

-WCC

Working together for te reo Māori in the capital

Wellington City Council and Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori have signed a mahi tahi agreement with the goal to work together on revitalising te reo Māori in the capital city.

Mayor Justin Lester and Te Taura Whiri CEO Ngahiwi Apanui signed the agreement at a small ceremony on Monday, April 15.

“This whakaetanga kia mahi tahi is a great opportunity for Wellington on our journey to become a bilingual te reo Māori and English city,” Mayor Justin Lester says.

“We have already partnered with Te Taura Whiri on projects such as the haka pedestrian lanterns and te reo Māori street flags, so formalising the relationship is important.

“I am excited to work together on many other initiatives in the years to come.”

The mahi tahi (work together) agreement commits the two organisations to combining resources to increase the use, status and modern-day relevance of te reo Māori.

This could include advice, research and planning support, collaboration on projects in the city, the sharing of language resources, partner on events of city, regional and national significance.

Wellington City Council also agrees to use licensed translators for publications and promotional material, and interpreters at public events when required.

“We need partnerships like this to help us put the building blocks in place for a New Zealand that embraces and proudly speaks te reo Māori,” Te Taura Whiri CEO Ngahiwi Apanui says.

The agreement was an item in the action plan of Wellington City Council’s Te Tauihu policy. 

E mahi tahi ana mō te reo i te tāone matua

I waitohua e te Kaunihera o Pōneke rāua tahi ko Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori te whakaaetanga e mahi tahi ai rāua kia rauora ai te reo Māori i te tāone matua.

I haina te Koromatua a Justin Lester me te Tumuaki o Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori a Ngahiwi Apanui i te whakaaetanga i te Rāhina 15 o Paengawhāwha.

“He huarahi whakahirahira tēnei whakaaetanga mahi tahi e tere ai a Pōneke i tana haere kia reo rua ai tō tātou tāone,” hei tā te Koromatua a Justin Lester.

“Kua mahi tahi kē mātou ki Te Taura Whiri ki te hanga i ngā rama whakawhiti kapa haka me te waihanga haki reo Māori, nā reira i nui ai te whakaōkawa i te hononga i waenganui i ngā whakahaere e rua.” 

“Ihihi ana ahau ki te mahi tahi i ētahi kaupapa anō ā ngā tau e haere ake nei.”

Ka here te whakaaetanga mahi tahi nei i ngā whakahaere e rua ki te whakatōpū rawa e nui ake ai te whakamahinga, te mana me te hāngai o te reo ki te ao o muri nei.

Ka tae atu tēnei ki te tuku whakamāherehere, te rangahau, te tautoko i te whakamahere reo Māori, te tohatoha rauemi me te mahi tahi i ngā kaupapa reo mō te tāone, te rohe me Aotearoa whānui tonu.

E whakaae ana hoki te Kaunihera o Pōneke ki te whakamahi i ngā kaiwhakamāori kua raihanatia ki te whakamāori i ngā tānga me ngā rauemi whakatairanga, ki te whakamāori ā-waha anō hoki ki ngā kaupapa tūmatanui a te Kaunihera. 

“Mā ēnei momo rangapū e ita ai te tūāpapa mō te Aotearoa matapopore, whakahīhī anō hoki i tana kōrero i te reo Māori,” hei tā Ngahiwi Apanui te Tumuaki o Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori. 

He kaupapa tēnei whakaaetanga i te mahere hohenga o te kaupapa here reo Māori a te Kaunihera arā Te Tauihu. 

-WCC

Expressions of Interest open for Waitohi café

Wellington City Council is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the café at Waitohi, Johnsonville’s new community hub.

Waitohi brings together a new, larger library, with on-site café; Keith Spry Pool; Johnsonville Community Centre; and Whānau Manaaki Kindergarten; with access through to Memorial Park via a new outdoor landscaped area.

The Council is looking to partner with a café operator to help achieve its vision for Waitohi – Te Manawa o te raki: the vibrant heart of the north.

Waitohi is currently under construction and is due to open next summer. The Council expects more than half a million people will visit Waitohi each year.

Café operators have until 5pm, 9 May 2019 to respond to the EOI.

More information and EOI documentation is available on the Council website. 

-WCC

Significant increase in residents support for Predator Free Wellington

Wellington residents are right behind the Predator Free Wellington project, and more people are rolling up their sleeves to get involved.

Photo: Bob Kattenberg

A massive 92% of Wellingtonians said they support the project, this is significantly more than 84% when we last surveyed in 2017. Over one thousand people completed the survey (1008) from a demographically representative panel, as well as Wellington residents who opted-in to the survey.

Predator Free Wellington Portfolio leader Councillor Andy Foster says “Wellingtonians are increasingly involved in hands on restoration work and  70% of survey respondents are currently actively involved in controlling predators in their backyards or in reserves, or have done some predator control in the past”

“Checking a trap, and enjoying tui or kākā in your backyard are now a regular part of life in Wellington” Councillor Foster said.

Survey respondents' reasons for being involved in controlling predators varied, however most people wanted to protect native species and also people just don’t like having predators on their land due to the damage they cause to property and the diseases they can carry.

Predator Free Wellington Project Director James Willcocks says "This is fantastic feedback from Wellingtonians and reinforces what we are hearing from people and their desire to live in a city where our amazing native species can flourish without rats, possums, stoats and weasels.

“It is incredible to see so many Wellingtonians stepping up to define the type of city they want to live in by getting involved in all sorts of ways and it’s really encouraging to hear that even more people are wanting to contribute." 

Predator Free Wellington is an ambitious project which aims to increase native wildlife by making Wellington City free of rats, possums, stoats and weasels.

The first phase of the project is to eradicate rats, stoats and weasels from Miramar Peninsula before extending throughout the city. The Miramar Peninsula was chosen as the initial area of focus as it has been possum free since 2006. As a peninsula it is more defendable from predator reinvasion. While work proceeds in Miramar, Predator Free Wellington will continue to support backyard trapping across the city and the other ways people can get involved. Wellington City Council is supporting a large number community groups trapping predators across its reserve network.

The project is a partnership between Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Counci, mana whenua and the NEXT Foundation. It is also supported by central government’s Predator Free 2050 initiative.

-WCC

State of the arts gets a boost in the capital

A low budget film making challenge, a Samoan arts workshop, a glow in the dark puppet show, and queer and trans drawing classes are just a sample of the diverse recipients of this year’s Creative Communities Scheme (CCS).

The biannual funding scheme, a partnership between Wellington City Council and Creative New Zealand, supports projects that reflect the diversity of the capital’s culture and traditions, gets young people participating, have broad appeal and community involvement, and encourages engagement in the arts.

The CCS panel allocated $73,138 in this round, which was awarded to 23 recipients that met the grant criteria (see list below).

The CCS panel is made up of 12 members (including one high school student) with expertise on everything from dance to kapa-haka, zines to youth theatre, visual arts and other art forms – and chaired by Arts Portfolio Lead, Mayor Justin Lester.

The range and diversity of the recipients demonstrates how Wellington is a hot house for talent and creativity, says Mayor Lester.

“Our partnership with Creative New Zealand, and their commitment to support grassroots activity and emerging artists, compliments our investment in arts and culture as one of our top priorities – both recognising the creative sector as the beating heart of the capital.

“This is evident in some of the accolades the city has received including coolest little capital, world’s most liveable city, and retaining our crown in the Infometrics Creativity Index.

“The talent and creativity we support and invest in now will go towards maintaining the appeal and attractiveness of the capital to innovators, investors, visitors, businesses, students, and residents alike.”

Team Leader Funding Mark Farrar says there are numerous ways the creative community can receive funding for their projects.

“The next CCS funding will close at the end of August, in the meantime there are a lot of Council funding opportunities available for all sorts of projects, organisations, and initiatives that add to the cultural fabric of Wellington.

“We encourage anyone who may not have applied before to visit our wcc.govt.nz/funding section and see what’s available and whether they fit the criteria for a grant.”

-WCC

Local street art promotes moped rider safety

Wellington City Council is using street art from around the CBD to help promote safe riding to people on mopeds (small scooters up to 50cc), and encourage them to be aware of their surroundings.

The Council’s Transport Safety Education Coordinator, Anna Blomquist, says the campaign features some of the fantastic urban art in Wellington’s central city and targets the behaviour of moped riders with three simple messages to improve their safety.

“We’re focusing on riding situations where there’s an increased risk of crashes: looking out for hazards on the road such as slippery surfaces, making sure that other road users can see them, and riding in a predictable manner.”

The most recent figures from the New Zealand Transport Agency show that in 2018 there were 33 crashes involving moped riders in Wellington City. Fifty percent of those involved in crashes were under the age of 30.

Wellington District Road Policing Prevention Co-ordinator Laurence Vautier says recent joint Council and Police motorcycle checkpoints have shown some worrying examples of under-inflated and bald tyres. 

“While a moped does not require a Warrant of Fitness it does need to meet the Warrant of Fitness standard, and the Police will enforce this. Maintaining a safe vehicle will reduce your risk of a crash.”

Councillor Chris Calvi-Freeman, the Portfolio Leader for Transport Strategy, says moped riders tend to be younger and need to take extra care to stay safe. 

“We also encourage riders to invest in good quality riding gear, especially gloves and a full face helmet, and consider taking a riding skills course.”

The campaign is jointly funded by the Council and New Zealand Transport Agency, and is live until the end of April.

Council staff worked with moped riders, rider instructors, retailers and the NZ Police to come up with the safety messages, and the featured artists are acknowledged as part of the designs. We’d also like to acknowledge the on-going support of Scooterazi.

-WCC

First pop-up library service for CBD in Manners St

Wellington Mayor, Justin Lester, today announced the return of library services to the CBD with a new pop-up space set to open in Manners Street.

“Manners Street is an ideal location to provide convenient services right in the heart of our city. I am thrilled we have been able to quickly secure this site for the first in what will be a network of library services across the CBD.

The new library services pop-up will share 12 Manners Street with the Council service centre that was already planned for the site. It will be great for people to have access to a range of services under the one roof. Both services will open in late May,” said Mr Lester.

At the pop-up, customers will be able to browse and borrow a range of popular and new items, pick up reserves, and return books and other library resources. Self-service options will be available and Library staff will be on hand to answer questions, process payments, register new customers, and provide support and advice on the wide range of online content available through our eLibrary.

It is anticipated the pop-up service hours will include late nights and weekends.
 
A small range of seats for reading, study and work, along with free wifi and some printing, photocopying and internet access facilities will also be available.

“Work to set up the pop up service is already underway. There are lots of moving parts to manage - first we need to complete a fit out, set up our IT infrastructure, select which parts of our collection will be available, and work with our staff.  

“We know Wellingtonians want more access to library services in the CBD and this will take some time. Since the closure of the Central Library, in addition to locating suitable pop up spaces, we’re also working to find innovative ways we can partner with other providers to quickly offer other services like internet access, printing, WiFi, and research services at CBD locations,” said Mr Lester.

Councillor Fleur Fitzsimons, who holds the community facilities portfolio, says Council has also increased capacity in our branch network of 11 community libraries. 

“Central Library staff are being relocated throughout our branches, to provide additional hands on deck as well as increased opening hours at some libraries,” she said.

The Manners Street pop-up is just the first in what will be a network of library services residents can access across a range of CBD locations. Details of other pop up locations and services will be announced in the coming weeks.

-WCC

FutureFit - a new climate action tool

Wellington City Council and Auckland Council have developed New Zealand’s first gamified carbon calculator to help people to make choices to reduce their impact on climate change.

FutureFit lets people work out the carbon impact of their lifestyle and lets them choose positive changes in the way they live to help reduce it. The change the tool helps will support New Zealand’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and Wellington City Council’s goal to become a low carbon capital.

The tool has been tailored for people in Wellington, Auckland and the “rest of New Zealand” and its calculations reflect the differences of living and transportation in those cities. It measures and quantifies individuals’ climate impact based across four categories – Transport, Food, Energy and Living.

FutureFit then provides people with everyday actions and challenges, tailored to their personal carbon emissions profile, and will remind them each week via text or email for as long as they want to participate. People can share their results and have fun competing with others.

Wellington City Council’s Climate Change Portfolio leader, Councillor David Lee, says the tool is a great use of technology to tackle New Zealand’s climate footprint.

“The Council developed FutureFit as a key part of Wellington’s low carbon capital plan to support the community in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Giving people information about the climate impacts of their lifestyles helps them make choices about what they do and consume,” says Cr Lee.

People who use the tool would first estimate their carbon footprint, register to develop their carbon reduction actions and reminders, and even invite their friends, co-workers and whanau to a friendly competition to see who can reduce their footprint the most.

“Everyone can make a difference. The little reductions individuals make can add up to big reductions in the carbon we produce overall.”

FutureFit is free for individuals. You can find it at FutureFit.nz

-WCC

Recycling just got a lot clearer

Wellington City Council will soon be delivering free packs of recycling bags to Wellington households – and although they are no longer green, they’re much greener than before.

The new see through bags, being delivered to 26,000 households over the next couple of months, are now recyclable alongside the items that are put in it.

The change comes in part due to public demand for the bags. The bags are the same size as before, and take the same materials – clean paper, cardboard, plastic, tins and cans. Being clear, they will also reduce contamination and risks to collectors, according to Mayor Justin Lester.

“Together Wellington City residents recycle about 12,000 tonnes of materials a year. This reduces the amount of waste that would otherwise end up in the Landfill by about 20 percent – but obviously we’d like to see this number grow.

“Part of the problem, is about 10% of recycling ends up in Landfill due to contamination, so now the collector will be able to clearly identify any contamination including harmful items or glass.”

The main kerbside recycling contamination:

• Glass going in with co-mingled materials instead of being separated into crate

• Food contamination in plastic packaging, glass jars and pizza boxes

• Garden waste

• Dirty nappies

• Plastics being mixed into glass crates with glass

• Polystyrene contamination

The Council’s Infrastructure and Sustainability portfolio leader Councillor Iona Pannett says this is a step in the right direction, but there’s still a long way to go to reduce waste in the capital. 

“Over 50% of what is in rubbish bags or private wheelie bins is potentially recyclable – paper and cardboard 28% and plastics 36% are the biggest offenders. Food is also an issue so the council will be undertaking a trial of a kerbside composting trial later in the year. 

“We know most residents are good at recycling, but we encourage anyone who is unsure about what they can recycle to check on our online directory for how to better reduce, reuse, and recycle.

“We’re pleased to say these new recycling bags are a more sustainable alternative, which conforms to the necessary requirements like strength, shelf life and affordability. 

“The bags will be processed off-shore in Malaysia whilst a market exists. Longer term we hope that these bags can be recycled on-shore and that a market will develop for products made from them,” adds Councillor Pannett.  

The new bags will be recycled back into LDPE pellets, as a ‘raw’ material as part of manufacturing of new products.

LDPE is widely used for manufacturing various containers, dispensing bottles, wash bottles, tubing, plastic bags for computer components, and various molded laboratory equipment. Its most common use is in plastic bags. Other products made from it include trays and general purpose containers.

Not every address will receive the free pack though, with inner-city residents having a different process for recycling, and with some streets on a blacklist because of ongoing rubbish offences.

Green recycling bags will still be collected. The Council also has 2000 green recycling bags in stock which will be distributed in the first stages of delivery – which started this Saturday 30 March.

-WCC

Terracotta Warriors exhibition: Wellington City residents free day

Wellington City residents will be able to enjoy a free day at Te Papa’s Terracotta Warriors exhibition next month.

To celebrate Wellington City Council’s relationship with Te Papa, Wellington City residents are eligible for free entry into the Terracotta Warriors exhibition at Te Papa on Tuesday 9 April 2019.

The free day will take place between 10am-9pm with the exhibition having a timed entry. The first 1-hour session starts at 10am, and the last is at 8pm (closing at 9pm). Tickets can only be collected on the day.  In the past, free day has been extremely popular, and entry tickets go fast – so get in early.

Who is eligible?

The event is open to Wellington City residents to acknowledge Council's support of Te Papa. Residents living in rental properties are also eligible for free entry. Hutt and Porirua residents are not eligible for a free ticket as they do not pay their rates to the Wellington City Council. Check out this map (PDF 340KB) for all the ward boundaries.

What do I need to bring on the day?

To gain entry you’ll need to bring in suitable proof that you are a Wellington City resident (like a bank statement or utilities bill with your name and address on it).

Where can I get tickets from?

Tickets can only be collected on the day and must be picked up in person. They will be available at the Level 2 info desk from 9am to 10am, and then from 10am onwards they will be available from the exhibition desk on Level 4.

Can I book tickets in advance?

There will be no pre-booking online. You may queue on the day and collect tickets for sessions later in the day. Tickets for evening and afternoon sessions are expected to go quickly. Each session is limited to 280 people.

How many tickets can I get?

Each resident with ID is entitled to four free tickets.

How long does each session last?

Sessions will run for 1 hour maximum, and a gong will sound at 45/50 minutes to indicate the end of the session. The first session will be at 10am and the last will start at 8pm.

How can I find more information about tickets on the day?

There will be live updates about ticket availability throughout the day on this Facebook event page. 

Will audio guides still be available?

Audio guides and catalogues will be available for purchase ($5.50) on the day.

Can I still buy a ticket on the day?

Yes, there is a small allocation to each session for visitors who are not eligible to enter for free as Wellington City residents.

Will other parts of the museum be open between 6pm-9pm on the day?

No, the rest of the museum will be closed at 6pm – just the Terracotta Warriors exhibition will remain open. The level 4 café will remain open until 8pm.

How do I find out more about the exhibition?

Visit the Te Papa Terracotta Warrior exhibition page

-WCC

Wall of aroha in the heart of the city

A space is being created in Te Ngākau Civic Square where the public can express their feelings and messages of support through art and words.

Following the tragic events in Ōtautahi Christchurch on Friday 15 March, the people of Wellington have been asking for a space to draw or write messages to demonstrate their aroha.

The site that has been identified for this is on a section of the hoarding surrounding the Town Hall says Mayor Justin Lester.

“We recognise that the people of Wellington want a place to demonstrate their support and aroha for the Muslim community, migrants, and those from a refugee background. Council staff have worked with the community to create a safe, inner city space where the public can do this through artwork and written words.

“It’s also apt that it’s located in Civic Square as the te reo name Te Ngākau gifted to the area means the heart – the centre of the city for all ages, cultures, and gatherings.”

After the terrorist attack in Ōtautahi Christchurch, graffiti messages of support appeared around the capital. Given the outpouring of grief, Wellington City Council asked its contractors to show discretion around positive messaging in the public realm until we could come up with a solution – and now it has.

Council has commissioned local artist Greta Menzies to paint a message to be a permanent feature of the wall. The rest of the space will be painted with black board paint for the public to write messages in chalk. Chalk will be left out for people to use each day. Work on the mural will start this week, weather permitting, so will be available for the public to add their messages by the weekend.

Paint/tag/spray paint/graffiti is not for this site – if people want to use paint they can do so at the wind shield walls at Waitangi Skate Park.

The Te Ngākau Civic Square message site will be up for three months, but given it’s for chalk and works may be rubbed or rained off, we suggest people take a photo to record their creations. It will eventually be removed or painted over to make way for another series of artworks.

Wellington City Gallery is very supportive of the commemorative wall. Council’s Local Hosts and security guards will keep an eye on the site, and any messages containing objective material will be reported and removed immediately.

-WCC