Joint exhibitions explore ecological concerns and spiritual connections to the land

Photographs by Joyce Campbell

Adam Art Gallery Te Pātaka Toi at Victoria University of Wellington is proud to present two concurrent exhibitions that examine spiritual connections to place and bring precious taonga to public view for the first time.

Spanning over 20 years, the survey exhibition On the Last Afternoon: Disrupted Ecologies and the Work of Joyce Campbell will occupy most of the Adam’s three-level building. It draws on selected bodies of work that Campbell (b.1971) has produced since the late 1990s and is the first exhibition to substantially appraise her prolific career to date.

A parallel exhibition, Te Taniwha: The Manuscript of Ārikirangi, organised by Richard Niania (Ngāi Kōhatu, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa), a long-time collaborator with Campbell, presents for the first time publicly original manuscripts by prophet Te Kooti Ārikirangi Te Turuki (1832–1893), the Rongowhakaata warrior and founder of the Ringatū faith.

A Walters Prize finalist in 2016, Campbell is an interdisciplinary artist known for her ambitious bodies of work that span photography, film, video and sculpture. She was initially trained as a sculptor and her practice often draws on the material qualities of pre-20th century photographic techniques. Her work has a particular focus on the unique ways analogue photography, as a product of chemical reactions, might probe deeper connections to nature.

On the Last Afternoon is curated by John C. Welchman, a renowned Los Angeles-based art historian, curator and professor at the University of California. Campbell formed a friendship with Welchman over more than a decade of periodically living, studying and practising in Los Angeles. Since returning to New Zealand, she maintains strong ties to Los Angeles and regularly visits to reconnect with the city and produce work.

“The idea of working with John on a substantial book and exhibition had been percolating for a number of years,” says Campbell. “So when we entered a discussion with the Adam’s director, Christina Barton, about developing an exhibition, we felt the time was finally right to complete both projects.”

For Welchman, Campbell’s biography “mirrors her practice, oscillating between New Zealand’s verdant coasts and the smog-choked, climate-stressed systems of the Californian deserts. The show includes works made in various extreme conditions in North America, New Zealand, Australia and Antarctica, using a vast array of techniques from photography’s 200-year history”.

Barton says: “Campbell’s preference for 19th-century analogue processes gives rise to images of extraordinary detail, depth, richness and texture; but it also fulfils her ambition to depict subtle or ‘mysterious’ things and events that modern cameras and standardised equipment do not allow.”

The manuscripts in Te Taniwha: The Manuscript of Ārikirangi have been in the care of the Kūnaiti, Ranapia and Niania whānau of Te Reinga in Hawke’s Bay for the past 150 years. They were given by the prophet to Richard Niania’s ancestor Paratene Waata Kūnaiti in 1869 and handed to Niania by his grandmother Pare Īhaka Ranapia-Niania in 1988. She was the last-ever pou tikanga (church leader) of Te Parihi o Whakapūnake (the Parish of Whakapūnake) of Te Haahi Ringatū at Te Reinga, where Niania still lives.

In the appendix to her magnus opus to Ārikirangi, Redemption Songs, the late scholar Judith Binney speculated that original manuscripts from the Ringatū faith “probably do exist” but await “another time, and other writers”. For Niania, as the holder of this narrative legacy, the exhibition of these verified documents “removes any and all doubt about this”.

“After 30 years as kaitiaki [custodian] of these taonga, I truly believe this is the time for the scripts to take their place in a larger scheme of things, a scheme that arrives in 2019. The time has now come for other writers to pen their responses to these documents.”

Niania commissioned Campbell to produce the photographs that accompany Te Taniwha: The Manuscript of Ārikirangi as a continuation of their ongoing Te Taniwha series, which features in the On the Last Afternoon exhibition. Campbell’s images cataloguing the full collection of extant documents will be exhibited alongside the original manuscripts. Her images, which will be printed as well as presented digitally, will be shown alongside a translation by Niania of the first prayer contained in the notebook and his commentary on his ancestor’s role in the historic journey through their whenua (land) by Ārikirangi and his people in 1868.

“These joint exhibitions continue our focus in 2019 of partnering with guest curators and artists to produce in-depth, research-based exhibitions,” says Barton. “We are excited to present the full breadth of Joyce’s practice, from her remarkable multi-channel film installations to her important body of photography. It is also a privilege to welcome back Victoria University of Wellington alumnus Richard Niania and an extraordinary honour to be caretakers of this precious taonga.”

A substantial 320-page book will be launched during the exhibition, edited and with a lead essay by Welchman and with contributions by Niania, Barton, Geoffrey Batchen, Elizabeth Grosz, Bernard Stiegler, Mark von Schlegell, Tungāne Kani and others.

“This exhibition and publication represent our ongoing commitment to developing scholarship around significant New Zealand artists,” says Barton.

The exhibition is accompanied by a public programme that begins with a tour of the exhibition with Campbell, Niania and Welchman on the opening day and a lecture by Welchman at Massey University.

Exhibition: On the Last Afternoon: Disrupted Ecologies and the Work of Joyce Campbell, Curated by John C. Welchman

Te Taniwha: The Manuscript of Ārikirangi

Ngā kupu whakamahuki nā Richard Niania

When: 27 July– 20 October 2019

Opening: Friday 26 July, 6-8pm

Where: Adam Art Gallery Te Pātaka Toi, Victoria University of Wellington, Gate 3, Kelburn Parade, Wellington

Cost: Free

Events: Exhibition tour

With artist Joyce Campbell, Ngāi Kōhatu kaumatua Richard Niania and guest curator, Los Angeles-based contemporary art historian John C. Welchman

Saturday 27 July, 2pm

Adam Art Gallery

John C. Welchman: The Uncanny and Visual Culture

Tuesday 30 July, 5.45–6.45pm

Old Museum Building Theatrette, Massey University, Wellington

-Victoria University of Wellington

Hurricanes disappointed to lose Beauden Barrett

The decision by record points scorer Beauden Barrett to leave the Hurricanes was met with considerable disappointment from everyone at the club.

Barrett, who has scored a record 1244 points for the Hurricanes since his debut in 2011, announced today that he had signed with New Zealand Rugby for four more years but would move to the Blues to play in the Investec Super Rugby competition.

Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee understood the rationale behind Barrett's decision to leave the only Super Rugby club he has represented.

"We know Beauden plans to live in Auckland but we wanted to reach an agreement which would have still kept him at the Hurricanes for at least some of the four years," he said.

"Given the flexibility that is being afforded our top players to keep them involved in New Zealand rugby, we hoped that Beauden's long and distinguished career would continue at the Hurricanes. The process has been challenging but we sincerely thank him for everything he has done for the Hurricanes. He has been a great ambassador for our club and we wish him well.

"Beauden has made it clear that his decision to leave the Hurricanes were for non-rugby reasons and we respect that. He leaves us as someone who has made a contribution few can compare to and we thank him for that."

The 28-year-old made 125 appearances for the Hurricanes, fourth only to TJ Perenara, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith.

His career included two Super Rugby final and three semi-final appearances.

He has been the top points scorer in seven of the nine seasons and will always have a special place in the memories of the thousands of Hurricanes fans right around the world.

-Hurricanes

Mixed results for Public Place Recycling bin scheme

Wellington City Council introduced a Public Place Recycling bin trial to the capital last May, and now just over a year on, a recent audit show it’s doing well – but we could do better.

The first bin was installed in Cuba Mall, with eight additional recycling stations rolled out around the city for the public to recycle glass, plastic, cans and paper/cardboard items – with separate bins for rubbish.

An audit of recycling collected in the bins in October 2018 showed a few teething problems with a 48% contamination rate, compared with the most recent one which showed a much improved 17% contamination rate.

The trial, a joint project with the Love NZ/Be a Tidy Kiwi campaign delivered by the Packaging Forum, will determine the future of public place recycling in the future, and Mayor Justin Lester is happy with the results so far.

“This additional recycling system has resulted in a good number of recyclable items that can be processed and repurposed being diverted away from the landfill. 

“The Council has run a recycling trial in the past, but the bins were constantly contaminated with rubbish so it came to an unhappy end. We're pleased to see that public education and environmental consciousness, combined with a new design, multilingual instructions, and coordinated colour coding across the country, has proved to be more of a success this time around.”

Councillor Iona Pannett, Portfolio Leader for Infrastructure and Sustainability, says that although it’s good news to see the contamination rate appearing to decrease, at 17% there’s still room for improvement.

She also points out that the amount of products diverted from landfill throughout the trial is relatively small when compared with kerbside collection. Approximately 6 tonnes of plastic, paper, card and cans has been diverted and around 29 tonnes of glass, compared to the 6,920 tonnes of co-mingled recyclables and 4,650 tonnes of glass that are collected from households a year. 

“However, the bins do give out a good message about the need to recycle. The Council encourages Wellingtonians to figure out whether they need a product in the first place, or promotes use of products like keep cups for coffee that can be used again and again,” she says. 

Council’s Waste Minimisation Project Officer Aviva Stein says the results are promising, but a recent audit found the most common contaminants were soft plastics, dirty napkins and compostable packaging. None of these can be recycled and should go in the rubbish bin instead.

“It’s hard to compare with different trials as there are so many different models and audit methodologies – but so far, so good. The most disheartening thing though, is seeing a whole bin load of recyclable items ending up in landfill because it’s contaminated with unaccepted waste.

“We know it can be confusing, but we ask that people follow the instructions, think about what they’re putting in the bins, and if they’re really unsure to put it in the rubbish bin – and check out our online recycling directory later on for future reference.”

Council allocated $300,000 from its annual waste minimisation levy funds which it receives from the Ministry for the Environment. At the conclusion of the trial a decision will be made as to the practicality and cost of implementing public place recycling in Wellington permanently.

-WCC

Tall Poppy Launches BombBomb in New Zealand

Sam McIntyre

Tall Poppy Real Estate is the first real estate company outside of the United States and Canada to launch BombBomb, a new technology aimed at humanising digital communication, in an increasingly online world.

BombBomb is a US-based video software service which enables people to record, send and track short videos for instant face to face communication. Working through Gmail, Outlook and on the iOS and Android networks, it has more than 40,000 users globally.

Sam McIntyre, Co-Owner of Tall Poppy says studies show the words someone chooses to use in an email or in a conversation only account for 7% of total communication, the rest depends on how you say the words, and your body language.

“To be successful in the real estate market, we believe in the importance of building personal connections. Using video messaging like BombBomb enables everyone involved in buying or selling a house to communicate sincerely and immediately, easing what can be a stressful situation.”

Mike DelPrete, Global Real Estate Strategist and Tall Poppy Director, predicts personal interactive experiences will become more important in real estate.

“A salesperson empowered by technology, using it because it makes the experience better for buyers and sellers (and not just for technology’s sake), will enable a faster more transparent process, something I think people will want more of.”

Shane Ryan, of BombBomb says they’re excited to enter the New Zealand market.

“As companies look to innovate, and even automate, by taking advantage of all of today’s technology, it’s so important to keep a human touch. We’re honoured that a team like Tall Poppy, a company that has done just that, has chosen to stay face to face with the people who matter most in their business through video email.”

Sam McIntyre says the launch of BombBomb throughout its national network of salespeople, is the first of a range of technology announcements the company plans to make over the next 12 months.

“We believe being open to adopting new technologies is the only way forward for the real estate market. We are working on a number of projects to improve the experience for our clients and salespeople. Leveraging technology is at the heart of the Tall Poppy way of doing business, so I am excited to see how BombBomb will make buying or selling a home easier and more transparent.”

Tall Poppy is a New Zealand Real Estate Agency, headquartered on the Kāpiti Coast, north of Wellington. Founded in 2012, it operates throughout New Zealand and has saved New Zealanders $33 million in fees. It is working to create a fairer real estate industry for all Kiwis and prides itself in being an active member of the communities in which it operates. It plans to be available in all regions of New Zealand by the end of 2020.

-Tall Poppy

Seatoun Tunnel traffic signals to be tested before going live

Seatoun Tunnel’s new traffic signals will be tested next week (9-12 July) to check they work correctly. The new signals are at each end of the tunnel and will be used to control traffic during maintenance and improvement works and in the event of a major incident.

There’s a lot we have to check before the lights go operational,” says Wellington City Council Signals Project Manager Tim Kirby. “We’ll be doing the testing between 9am and 2.30pm to minimise any disruption. Once we’re happy that everything is working as it should, the signals will be turned off until such time as they are needed to help manage traffic during the installation of new interior lighting in the tunnel and earthquake strengthening work due to start in August.”

The new signals are a permanent fixture at both ends of the tunnel. When there are no works taking place in or near the tunnel, the signals will be turned off.

There is a traffic camera located at the Seatoun entrance to the tunnel and within the tunnel so we can monitor traffic flows and alter the phasing to deal with the busy morning and evening peaks,” says Tim. “The cameras are also there to ensure that people observe the road rules and stop when the lights are red.”

Once the signals are operational work can start on the installation of state-of-the-art LED interior lighting and emergency lighting. The quake-strengthening work will also start.

Work starts in earnest in August and is expected to be complete by mid-2020. “This is a major project and will make the tunnel safer and more resilient in an earthquake,” says Faiz Tawfeek, the Council’s Structures Team Leader. “We’ll be able to do most of the work between 9am and 3.30pm when traffic levels are lower and we’ll try to limit weekend work.”  The project includes strengthening the tunnel portals and retaining walls and repointing, cleaning and painting the brick tunnel interior.

While crews are working the tunnel will be down to one lane and all traffic (including cyclists) controlled by the traffic signals. Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use the tunnel throughout the project but at times they will have to wait and be guided through. 

“We’ll have electronic signage at both tunnel entrances to let people know what’s happening,” says Faiz. “We’ll also communicate directly with nearby residents and businesses, particularly when we have noisy work such as drilling to do.”

Installing the new interior lights will require the tunnel to be closed and traffic detoured. “We’ll do this work at night when the number of people needing to travel through the tunnel is significantly less than during the day,” says Faiz. “Rest assured we will let everyone know when we have to detour traffic.”

-WCC

Parking fee increase following adoption of Annual Plan

Wellington City Council has adopted its Annual Plan/Mahere ā-Tau for 2019/20, with changes to fees and user charges coming into effect 1 July 2019.

Wellington City Council provides parking to facilitate convenient access to the city by vehicle for residents, local businesses and customers.

A growing population and subsequent competing demands on the city’s street space (new cycleways, pedestrian-focused developments, priority bus lanes and construction sites) means that parking spots in the city are at a premium, while demand and the costs of maintaining the service continue to increase.

We need to make the best use of our limited street space and want to encourage more people to walk, cycle or ride public transport, instead of using private vehicle transport and parking.  

• Feedback from residents, retailers and businesses was that there is a lack of parking availability in the high-occupancy areas of the CBD. To maintain a healthy retail and commercial sector in the central city we have to be smarter and more effective in how we make the maximum use of limited parking spaces. Increasing fees in the central city will help us do that by quicker turnover and higher occupancy in the available parks.

• The fee increase proposal was part of the Council’s Annual Plan consultation. Residents were invited to provide feedback on the Annual Plan throughout May, which we do every year to give residents a say on the future of our city and the reasons changes are proposed. We also held a live question and answer forum where people could ask councillors and officers questions about the Annual Plan.

• The changes to the parking fees that were adopted by Council as part of the Annual Plan are as follows:

  • Limit free parking for Freyberg Pool and gym members to two hours per day, but with an additional two hours available at the hourly rate of $2.50 (increase $2.50 per hour).

  • Increase coupon parking, including suburban trade coupons (Monday to Friday) from $8.50 to $12, per day (increase $3.50 per day). The monthly rate would move from $135 to $200 (increase $65 per month).

  • Change the 60-minute free parking zone in upper Cuba St to 120 minutes metered parking.

  • Change the cost of metered parking on the city fringe from $1.50 to $2.50 per hour, seven days a week (increase $1 per hour).

  • Increase the cost of metered parking (Monday to Friday) from $3 to $3.50 per hour in the green zone and $4 to $4.50 per hour in the yellow zone (increase $0.50 per hour). See maps and zone descriptions here https://letstalk.wellington.govt.nz/parking

  • Change the annual cost of a resident’s parking permit from $126.50 to $195 (increase $68.50 per year).

  • Change the coupon exemption permit from $71.50 to $120 per annum (increase $48.50 per year).

  • These changes will make sure those who use our parking services pay for it. They will also support our city’s goals to encourage greater use of public transport and active modes of transport. Revenue from parking helps fund roading infrastructure work that would otherwise be funded from rates.

  • In addition to these fee increases we will be trialling the use of fixed cameras to improve enforcement of bus lanes, bus stops, clearways and broken yellow lines. This approach to enforcement is already in operation in Auckland and Christchurch and is expected to improve efficiency of enforcement as well as reducing health and safety risks for our parking officers in these areas.

  • The Annual Plan will be available on the Wellington City Council website from 26 July. In the meantime you can find the proposal here and the Council adoption of the plan here.

  • We are also reviewing the Parking Policy and the Mobility Parking Policy. You can have your say on the issues we need to think about and what principles could inform how we manage the limited parking here. Your feedback will help to inform the new draft policy that we will formal consult you on later this year.

Background info

• Let’s Get Wellington Moving (LGWM) is a joint initiative between Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council and the NZ Transport Agency that will ensure our transport system supports how the people of Wellington want our city to look, feel and function. Supporting LGWM are a number of significant projects such as Planning for Growth and First to Zero, that will help define how our city changes to meet the significant challenges that we will be facing in the next 30 years.

• We are facing some challenges in the coming 30 years that will have a big impact on how we live in Wellington:

  • accommodating population growth

  • increasing economic activity

  • moving more people with fewer vehicles

  • reducing greenhouse gas emissions

  • improving air and water quality

  • protecting and enhancing the qualities of our city that make people want to live, work, play and invest in Wellington.

-wcc

A new jobs and opportunities service for Wellington Region

Wellington Today is a community project supported by local businesses. The project has been running for two years and has built a substantial following across the greater Wellington region. It is linked into ‘sister’ projects which include Mana Today (Porirua Region), Hutt Valley Today, and Kapiti Now a very popular project based on the Kapiti Coast.

Today Wellington Today launches a service to help promote local jobs and local business opportunities to people across the Wellington Region. The cost to have your job or business opportunity/franchise opportunity promoted through Wellington Today is just $100+GST and the adverts can be promoted through a digital marketing network which includes the Wellington Today website and multiple social media accounts as well as a weekly digital magazine in total with over 40,000+ followers across the greater Wellington region. Each of these followers has on average 338 connections - meaning if everyone liked and share your advert your potential reach is greater than the population of the region*

*This only happens if your content is extraordinary and appeals to that wider audience.

“This is not a job board it is a full service digital marketing solution which will get great results and possibly just as important great local results”

Most organisations will find their advert will reach thousands of Wellington people who may chose to forward the opportunity to someone they know maybe interested . Dependant on the advert clients may find they need to run it a couple of times (like most advertising campaigns) but for some once will be enough. The Wellington Today service is backed by JobCafe and for those who want to reach beyond Wellington there are options to achieve this via this solution.

To view the jobs and opportunities service visit https://wellingtontoday.online/jobs-opportunities

To register to have your vacancy or business opportunity listed visit https://wellingtontoday.online/advertise

Love Wellington? ‘Like Wellington Today’
https://www.facebook.com/wellingtontoday/

Team @ Wellington Today

Wellingtonians step up for their communities

The character shown by Wellington’s Muslim community in response to the Christchurch mosque massacres has played a large part in this year’s Absolutely Positively Wellingtonian (APW) awards.

Four members of the Muslim community have been acknowledged in the awards, three of them - Tahir Nawaz, Khaled Said and Imam Nizam ul Haq Thanvi - in a joint award for their leadership.

“They went out of their way to promote understanding at a difficult time,” says Wellington Mayor Justin Lester. “The Kilbirnie mosque’s open day was brought forward several months to enable the Muslim community to show its appreciation to Wellingtonians.

“The Muslim community’s reaction to the Christchurch shootings, as epitomised by its leadership, provided an example of understanding and harmony that was noted throughout the world.”

Ibrahim Omer, the chair of ChangeMakers Resettlement Forum, also became an APW winner.

“Following the Christchurch shootings, Ibrahim represented his community on the world stage,” the Mayor says. “He organised vigils, connected with Muslim refugee communities across the country, gave media interviews to international media and much more.”

Ibrahim, came to New Zealand from Sudan in 2010 after escaping an oppressive regime in Eritrea and started work in Wellington as a cleaner. He has also been a campaigner for the Living Wage movement, is a union organiser, and is a community representative on Newtown Union Health Service Board.

The other winners’ contributions to the community took many forms, including years of service to their communities, mental health causes, special projects and excelling in their chosen field.

“A city is set apart by its people. We wouldn’t be the special place we are today without the generosity and open hearts of many in their communities,” the Mayor says. “These awards are about acknowledging those who selflessly give so much – people who volunteer their time and effort, and go above and beyond to make our city a better place.”

2019 APW winners:

Barbara Mulligan

In November 2016, Barbara Mulligan instigated a project to mark the impact on Wellington of the 1918 influenza pandemic and some of those who died in November and December  that year.  She organised the cleaning of the gravesites in Karori Cemetery of some of the 740 who died between October and December 1918. At least 50 volunteers were involved in the clean-up, which took place from 2016 to 2018. 

Bruce and Dawn Patterson

Bruce and Dawn Patterson have been champions of Grenada Village since moving there in 1988.  Bruce has served on the Grenada Village Community Association Committee for 27 years, nearly all that time as chairman. Dawn has been on the committee for 28 years.

Greg Hyland

Greg Hyland has been an active volunteer and advocate for the Wadestown and Highland Park community.  Since 2011 he has been a Highland Park Progressive Association (HPPA) Committee member, and its president from 2013 to 2018.   He represents the HPPA and works closely with city officials on a project to conserve the local historical site - Fort Buckley. 

Jason Te Patu

Jason Te Patu is a tireless advocate for mental health and well-being, using his skills as a yoga teacher, mindfulness and meditation instructor. Originally from Whanganui, Jason is of Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Ruanui and Ngāti Tūwharetoa descent. He has represented New Zealand in springboard diving, aerobics and gymnastics, as well as pursuing a career in performance.

Melanie Heaphy

Melanie Heaphy is an icon in Island Bay where she lives with her husband Devon and their three children. Melanie has a long history of community work.  As a teenager, through Girls’ Brigade, she did her Duke of Edinburgh and Girls’ Brigade Queen’s Award, which included community service at Kilmarnock Rest home in Island Bay, and running groups of Girls’ Brigade kids.

Tahir Nawaz, Khaled Said and Imam Nizam ul Haq Thanvi

Wellington was fortunate that its Muslim community showed strong and level-headed leadership in the wake of the tragic Christchurch mosque shootings, in which 51 people died. Emotions were raw after the events in Christchurch, but throughout the country the reaction of the Muslim community leadership provided a shining example of unity and understanding, rather than finger pointing.

Ngarangi Pritchard

Ask any Wellington Māori māmā who’s had a baby in the past four decades who their midwife was, and chances are they’ll say Ngarangi Pritchard. Ngarangi, of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngati Porou and Rongowhakaata descent, is one of Wellington’s most experienced, trusted and loved midwives. Her nursing and midwifery career has spanned more than 40 years and she has been instrumental in supporting Māori and Pasifika families to be confident as new parents.

Ray Henwood

Multi-talented actor Ray Henwood has been a mainstay of Wellington’s theatrical scene since the mid-1960s.  Originally from Wales, Ray moved to Wellington in 1962, aged 24. However it was not to work an actor, but to teach maths and science at Mana College. He then worked as a forensic toxicologist at the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. While there he was partly responsible for the introduction of the breathalyser to New Zealand.

Susan Price

Susan Price made headlines this year when she gave away a landmark property that she and her parents had lovingly restored. Chevening, an apartment block at 90 Salamanca Road, Kelburn, was designed in 1929 by Llewellyn Williams, who also planned the Embassy Theatre. The neglected building, desperately in need of care, was bought by the Price family in 1979.

Warren Dion Smith

Hair, makeup and special effects artist Warren Dion Smith exudes talent and flair. Warren emerged from Waikato, where he was recognised early on by the Māori King Tūheitia Paki as a talented artist. He has really established himself in Wellington, where he has dominated as the pre-eminent hairstyle artist over the past 10 years, winning a succession of national and major regional titles.

-WCC

Onzo bikes will continue to roll in Wellington

Wellington City Council has extended the licence for Onzo to continue operating their ‘dockless’ bike hire system in the capital until the end of 2020.

Councillor Sarah Free, Portfolio Leader for Walking and Cycling, says the popularity of the Onzo bikes for short trips around town shows there is a demand for more transport options. 

“Over 110,000 trips were recorded during the six-month trial and the feedback shows that most people use the bikes because they are fast and convenient. The Onzo bikes have increased the access to cycling for many people who might not choose to own a bike.

“We’ve extended the Onzo bike licence to align with the e-scooter trial so we can look at these micro-mobility options together. It’s great to see the large uptake of these bikes as part of changing transport patterns – and that some people are choosing to use an Onzo instead of their car.”

The Council surveyed residents as well as Onzo users to find out what people think about the dockless bike share. While there were some concerns about pedestrian safety, most of the residents surveyed thought people using Onzo bikes were generally safe and responsible riders, and that the scheme should continue.

In the coming weeks, bike numbers will be back to what they were at the start of the trial (200) with another 100 bikes likely to be added later in the year.

The Council will be working closely with Onzo to discourage people from riding on footpaths and improve the availability of cycle helmets as part of the ongoing licence conditions.

“Footpaths remain an area where pedestrians have priority. We are continuing to plan for more separated bike paths and will be looking at whether e-scooters will be able to use these.”

Data from Onzo shows that the areas of constant high use on weekdays and weekends are Wellington train station and Victoria University’s Pipitea campus, where many people start and end their trips. From Monday to Friday, people are starting and ending trips along Featherston Street and the Golden Mile to Kent Terrace. The waterfront is reasonably busy during the week, however more trips are finished along the waterfront and Oriental Parade at weekends.

Onzo’s Wellington Fleet Manager Max Kempthorne says it’s great to see Wellingtonians embracing the bikes so quickly. “We look forward to continuing to offer an easy transport alternative in the capital.”

Council officers are likely to report back on the e-scooter trial in early 2020, and consultation and engagement on a micro-mobility transport policy for shared schemes including bikes would happen in the following 12 months. 

-WCC

Plastic is rubbish

Wellington City Council is supporting numerous events, organisations and initiatives this Plastic Free July to help change plastic habits for good.

For Plastic Free July 2019, Council will be trialling going single-use plastic bottle free in its five swimming pools, two gyms, four recreational centres, and the ASB sports centre.

Currently New Zealanders send 828,189,600 single-use plastic bottles to landfill per year, the equivalent of 165 Olympic swimming pools. Wellington City alone uses enough bottles annually to fill seven Olympic sized pools.*

Wellington City Council wants to reduce this number by encouraging pool, gym and recreation centre goers to consider alternatives to single-use plastic bottles through a creative campaign for Plastic Free July.

Meanwhile, from 1 July, Council-managed Harbourside Market will be providing shopping baskets at every stall, and mesh produce bags will be available as single-use handled plastic bags will no longer be allowed to be supplied by vendors.

We’re also proud supporters of the Great Kiwi Bottle Drive event, which will kick-off Plastic Free July early on Saturday 29 June with a chance for everyone to drop-off their empty bottles and cans in return for cash.

In 2017, Wellington Mayor Justin Lester led a campaign calling on the government to impose a levy on single-use plastic bags in an attempt to reduce their use – and is pleased to see this being implemented now.
“We got the ball rolling on getting rid of plastic straws around the waterfront, pushed hard for the abolition of single-use plastic bags, and we support and fund numerous organisations and initiatives committed to waste minimisation and single-use plastic reduction.

“These projects fit our vision of developing the capital as an Eco City by addressing the environmental challenges we have, and reducing the impact they have on our natural assets, to enable a more sustainable and resilient future for Wellington.” 

Councillor Iona Pannett who chairs the Wellington Regional Governance Group says that the Council is trying to reduce waste to landfill by 1/3 over the next 7 years.

“Plastic Free July is a great chance for Wellingtonians to look at alternatives to single-use plastics. Getting a reusable coffee cup or drink bottle for example is an easy way to save money and help the environment,” she says.

Other initiatives Council is supporting throughout Plastic Free July include:

• Southern Landfill will be running ‘Bags in the Wild’ landfill tours again to show first-hand the effects of discarded plastics on the environment. Tour bookings can be made by calling 04 383 4442 or email waste.education@wcc.govt.nz.

• There will be weekly competitions on Council’s Facebook page with prize packs for plastic free related challenges

• On-going support and funding for waste minimisation and environmental groups and initiatives like Boomerang Bags, Again Again, RefillNZ, The Formary, Bubble Busters, Ghost Fishing, and Sustainable Coastlines

• There is also a Plastic Free July page on the Council website with tips on how to reduce plastic and where to go for more information: wellington.govt.nz/plasticfreejuly

* Estimate based on https://www.bottledwater.org/economics/industry-statistics. On page 20 it lists consumption per capita and though New Zealand is not listed the lowest consumption is 24 gallons per year which is approximately 180 bottles (500 ml each).

-WCC