Wednesday Edition – 11th of November, 2026

Website: uhconnection.co.nz
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– A resurfacing for the carpark at Kaitoke Regional Park

Visiting Kaitoke Regional Park in Upper Hutt just got a little smooooother.

The carpark at the Pākuratahi River, just beyond the campground, has been resurfaced. This improves access to the Pākuratahi River Walk, which connects to Rivendell and the Swingbridge Track.

Tucked in the Upper Hutt Valley with beautiful old-growth rainforest, Kaitoke Regional Park is one of Greater Wellington’s most popular destinations. It offers native forest walks, swimming spots, camping, and amazing river scenery.

This upgraded carpark, and all of the excellent maintenance and improvement works our teams carryout, help visitors enjoy easy access to our much loved park, particularly during busy holiday and summer times when carparking is stretched.

Are you visiting Kaitoke this summer?

Source: Greater Wellington Regional Council

09/11/26

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– Disability Matters – Part 2 – November 2026

This article is part of a series advocating for the rights of disabled people, contributed by Dr Pamela J. MacNeill, Managing Director, Disability Responsiveness New Zealand Ltd: https://drnz.co.nz/

Digital Barriers Are Still Locking Disabled People Out

We hear a lot about how technology is making life easier. Government services are moving online, forms can be completed from home, and people can access information at the touch of a button. But what happens when those digital systems are inaccessible?

I once tried to register a business using a government website. As a blind person using screen-reading technology, I encountered barriers that made the process impossible to complete independently. What should have been a straightforward task became a lesson in how government systems can still exclude disabled people.

Wanting to resolve the issue, I followed the channels that citizens are encouraged to use. I contacted my local Member of Parliament. The problem was then referred to the Minister for Disability Issues. Rather than investigating why a government website was inaccessible, the matter was eventually directed to an organisation that supports blind and low-vision people.

This response highlights a problem that many disabled New Zealanders know all too well. The organisation I was referred to does valuable work, but it has no authority to change a government website. It cannot fix coding errors, enforce accessibility standards, or require government departments to remove barriers. The only people who can do that are those responsible for the website itself.

When disabled people report inaccessible public services, the response should not be to send them somewhere else for help, such as a service provider. The response should be to fix the problem.

Too often, accessibility issues are treated as personal challenges that disabled people must work around. The burden is placed on the individual rather than on the system that created the barrier in the first place. This approach reflects a deeper issue in the way disability policy is developed. Decision-makers often rely on advice from service providers, organisations, allies, and family members. While these groups have important perspectives, they do not experience disability in the same way as those who live with it every day.

As a result, accessibility problems can be misunderstood. A broken website is seen as a support issue rather than a failure of public infrastructure. An inaccessible online form is treated as an inconvenience rather than a barrier to participation.

Disabled people need to be at the centre of decision-making about disability issues. Government ministers and local body advisors need direct access to reference groups made up of people with lived experience. This means disabled people ourselves, not people speaking on our behalf. These groups could meet regularly to identify problems early, provide practical feedback, and ensure that accessibility remains a priority across all areas of government. Reference group members would be paid for their time and expertise.

This is not about creating another layer of consultation. It is about ensuring that the people most affected by inaccessible systems have a direct voice in how those systems are designed and maintained.

When a government website prevents someone from registering a business, applying for a service, or accessing information, the consequences are real. Opportunities are lost. Independence is reduced. Participation is restricted. Accessibility is not a favour. It is not a charitable extra. It is a basic right of equal citizenship.

If governments are serious about inclusion, then they must stop treating accessibility failures as individual problems and start treating them as system failures that require system solutions.

The voices of disabled people must be heard directly, not filtered through others. Only then can we build a society where everyone has equal access to the opportunities that many take for granted.

A “thank you” to Dr Pamela J. MacNeill, Managing Director, Disability Responsiveness New Zealand Ltd for sending this article to The Upper Hutt Connection.

09/11/26

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– Have your say on the future of Upper Hutt’s open spaces: Submissions close 12.00 pm, 7th of December 2026

Upper Hutt residents are invited to help shape the city’s parks, reserves, sportsgrounds, playgrounds, rivers and recreation spaces for the next 30 years.

Council is developing a new Open Spaces Strategy for 2027–2057 and wants to hear what the community values, what could be improved and what is missing.

Feedback is being sought before the first draft is written, with residents, sports clubs, schools and other stakeholders encouraged to take part.

People can read the engagement document, complete an online survey and drop pins on an interactive map to share location-specific feedback.

Have your say at https://letskorero.upperhutt.govt.nz/our-open-spaces by 12pm, 7 December.

The feedback will help inform the strategy’s direction and priorities for how Council plans, manages and invests in open spaces over the next 30 years.

Formal consultation of the drafted strategy will be held early next year.

Source: Upper Hutt City Council

04/11/26

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– NZCT community grants across the Wellington region total – $666,369.75

_{New Zealand Community Trust}

Wellington	Age Concern Wellington Region Trust	$6,196.16	Equipment; Salary	120213
	Asert Tatou Development Trust	$7,000.00	Salary	119503
	Boat and Beach Wise Trust	$14,565.00	Equipment; Contractor	119701
	Creative Capital Arts Trust	$20,000.00	Event costs	120630
	Hutt District Cricket Club Incorporated	$27,000.00	Contractor	118829
	Hutt Valley Softball Association Incorporated	$36,000.00	Salaries	119993
	Karori Bridge Club Incorporated	$15,000.00	Kitchen renovation	118736
	Karori United Tennis Club Incorporated	$3,700.00	Coaching	120055
	Khandallah Tennis & Squash Club Incorporated	$5,000.00	Lighting upgrade	120251
	Marching Wellington Incorporated	$4,615.07	Venue hire; Toner for multi function printer	119689
	Onslow Amateur Athletic Club Incorporated	$3,800.84	Equipment; Coaching fee	120153
	Papakowhai School Board of Trustees	$24,465.00	Gym lessons; Swimming lessons; Swimming pool heat pump	120306
	Paremata Boating Club Incorporated	$8,703.00	Contractors	120214
	Partners Porirua Trust	$15,000.00	Salary	119695
	Petone Football Club Incorporated	$20,000.00	Contractors	119091
	Pōneke Watersports Incorporated	$13,051.90	Dragon boat and paddles	119995
	Rongotai BEST Academy Charitable Trust	$15,000.00	Contractors	120119
	Southern Hearing Charitable Trust	$7,762.10	Salary for role reaching clients in Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Manawatu/Wanganui and Wellington	120057
	Squash Wellington Districts Incorporated	$11,200.00	Contractor	120353
	Te Kohanga Reo National Trust Board	$2,000.00	Equipment	119539
	Te Ohu Ikaroa Touch Incorporated	$15,524.21	Salary for delivery of the sport in Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Kapiti Horowhenua, Manawatū, Taranaki, Wellington, and Whanganui	120050
	Te Whānau Tupu Ngātahi O Aotearoa – Playcentre Aotearoa	$23,000.00	Playground upgrades in Karori and Roxbugh	118955
	The Kairangi Bridge Club Incorporated	$20,000.00	Clubroom roof replacement	120047
	The National Foundation for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Manatopu Incorporated	$10,480.00	Car lease; Salaries	119643
	The Northland School Board	$10,000.00	Turf replacement	120203
	The Taita Central School Board	$90,000.00	Playground project	120479
	The Titahi Bay School Board	$57,141.26	Scooter racks; Platform seating; Multi surface play area	120275
	The Wellington Youth Choir Incorporated	$4,100.00	Fees for musicians	120452
	The Whitby Tennis Club Incorporated	$16,565.21	Flooring	119642
	Triathlon New Zealand Incorporated	$4,500.00	Salaries and contractor fees for roles working in Bay of Plenty, Wellington and Canterbury	119194
	Victoria University of Wellington Cricket Club Incorporated	$5,000.00	Cricket balls	119878
	Wellington North Badminton Association Incorporated	$30,000.00	Shuttles; Salaries	119311
	Wellington Rugby Football Union Incorporated	$120,000.00	Salaries	120147
Wellington Total		$666,369.75

A “thank you” to New Zealand Community Trust for sending this article to The Upper Hutt Connection.

04/11/26

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– Send an article to The Upper Hutt Connection

Did you know that it costs nothing to put up an article on The Upper Hutt Connection? It doesn’t matter if you’re a professional journalist or not (I’m certainly not!), any and all articles are welcome on The Upper Hutt Connection.

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When sending an article to The Upper Hutt Connection please be sure to include the following.

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Email your articles to editor@uhconnection.co.nz

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– Wellington Regional Arts Review 2027 entries open – Entries close Monday 8th of February 2027

_{Retrieved from Whirinaki Whare Taonga}

Whirinaki Whare Taonga biennial Wellington Regional Arts Review provides an opportunity for emerging and established artists from across the Greater Wellington Region, including Kāpiti and Wairarapa, to showcase original work completed within the past 24 months.

Entries will be selected by an independent panel of judges for exhibition at Whirinaki Whare Taonga. Awards include:

Supreme award of $3000
Two Merit awards of $500
People’s Choice Award

The Supreme Prize for the Wellington Regional Arts Review is supported by a grant established by the Upper Hutt Community Gallery Inc. following its closure in 2002, with the purpose of supporting artists in the Wellington region.

Entries close Monday 8 February 2027. See full application details below.

Wellington Regional Arts Review Application Form

Entries can be submitted using a physical application or an online application, a link to both can be found below. Please ensure you have read and understand the Conditions of Entry before submiting.

Click here to download a printable PDF application form. Once completed, please bring your physical application and two images to Whirinaki reception or mail to PO Box 40 594.

Click here to acces the online appliccation form. If you experience any issues, please email review@whirinakiarts.org.nz and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

For more information please visit https://www.whirinakiarts.org.nz/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibitions/wellington-regional-arts-review-2027

Source: Whirinaki Whare Taonga

06/11/26

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– Your neighbour wants a new fence. Do you have to pay?

By Rachael Ayling and Kathryn Campbell

You’re quite happy with the fence. Your neighbour has other ideas. They’ve picked a design, found a contractor and casually mentioned that your half will be a few thousand dollars.

Hang on. Your half?

Or perhaps you’re on the other side of the conversation, watching rotten posts wobble while next door insists the fence is perfectly fine.

Boundary fences can become a surprisingly tricky topic between neighbours, particularly when it comes to deciding what needs doing and who should pay.

So, what are the rules?

Do you automatically have to pay half?

Under New Zealand’s Fencing Act 1978, neighbouring property owners are generally expected to share the reasonable cost of an adequate boundary fence, provided the proper process is followed. [1, 2]

However, that doesn’t necessarily mean splitting the bill for whatever your neighbour decides to build.

The key word here is “adequate”. A fence should be reasonably suitable for its purpose, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be the most expensive option available. [1]

There are also exceptions, including certain agreements, covenants and circumstances where one party is responsible for damage. [1, 2]

What if the fence is fine, but your neighbour wants something nicer?

There’s a difference between a fence that needs replacing and one that’s simply looking a little tired.

If the existing fence is still adequate, your neighbour wanting a new look doesn’t automatically mean you’re required to contribute.

Likewise, if a straightforward replacement would do the job but one neighbour prefers a more expensive design, they may need to cover the additional cost themselves. [1]

It’s always worth discussing the options and agreeing on costs before any work begins.

What if the fence really does need replacing?

If the posts are rotten, the fence is leaning or it’s clearly no longer doing its job, it’s worth getting a professional opinion.

Sometimes a repair might be enough, while in other cases a full replacement may be the better long-term option.

Getting a couple of quotes can help both neighbours understand what’s needed and what a reasonable cost might look like.

What happens if you can’t agree?

Ideally, a friendly conversation will resolve things. However, when neighbours can’t reach an agreement, the Fencing Act provides a formal process.

This generally involves serving a written fencing notice outlining the proposed work and costs. The notice must meet the requirements of the Act. [2, 4]

The neighbour receiving the notice generally has 21 days to formally object by serving a cross-notice. If they don’t respond within that time to a valid, properly served notice, they may be treated as having agreed to the proposal. [2, 4]

This is an important process with specific legal requirements, including how notices must be prepared and delivered. Simply emailing a quote to your neighbour isn’t necessarily enough.

If you’re considering issuing a fencing notice, or you’ve received one that you disagree with, we’d recommend getting advice from your solicitor or Community Law before taking further action.

If the disagreement can’t be resolved, the Disputes Tribunal or District Court may be able to help, depending on the circumstances. [4, 9]

Can you put up a 1.8 metre fence in Upper Hutt?

A 1.8 metre fence is a common choice, but it’s important not to assume the same rules apply to every property.

Fence height and design requirements can depend on where the fence is located, the property’s zoning, visibility requirements and any applicable covenants or consent conditions. [10, 11]

Front boundary fences may also be treated differently from side and rear fences.

Before committing to a design, check with Upper Hutt City Council to confirm what applies to your particular property.

Remember, not needing a building consent doesn’t necessarily mean a fence automatically complies with all planning requirements. [3]

Who gets the ‘pretty side’ of the fence?

This is one of those little details that can cause a surprisingly big disagreement!

With a traditional timber paling fence, one side usually has the exposed rails and posts, while the other has a more finished appearance.

Rather than assuming one neighbour gets the better-looking side, it’s worth discussing this before construction starts.

You might even decide on a design that looks similar from both sides. [12]

Check whether any covenants or existing agreements apply, and make sure you’re both happy with the design before the contractor gets started. [11]

Does the new fence have to follow the old fence line?

Not necessarily.

Just because a fence has been in the same position for years doesn’t mean it sits exactly on the legal boundary.

If there’s any uncertainty, it’s worth checking the property records and speaking with a licensed cadastral surveyor before replacing or moving the fence. [11]

This is particularly important if you’re buying or selling a property, as boundary issues can become more complicated once a sale is underway.

What if your neighbour wants a taller fence for their dog?

Perhaps your neighbour has recently welcomed a large dog into the family and wants to increase the fence height.

While dog owners have responsibilities to keep their pets under control, that doesn’t automatically mean their neighbours have to contribute towards a taller or more expensive fence. [1, 14]

If the existing fence is already adequate, additional fencing requirements for a pet may be something the dog owner needs to fund.

As always, the circumstances matter, so it’s best to discuss the options and get advice if you can’t agree.

What if a tree or vehicle damages the fence?

Not every damaged fence is automatically a 50/50 expense.

If damage has been caused by someone’s actions, responsibility for the repair costs may be different. [2, 11]

The cause of the damage, any relevant agreements and insurance cover can all play a part.

Before agreeing to pay, it’s worth establishing what happened and seeking advice if responsibility isn’t clear.

A conversation now could save a headache later

Most fencing disagreements start with two people having different ideas about what needs doing.

A simple conversation, a couple of quotes and a willingness to find a reasonable solution can often prevent things from becoming unnecessarily complicated.

And once you’ve reached an agreement, put it in writing to ensure everyone understands what’s being built, who’s paying and when the work will happen.

If you’re thinking about selling, it’s also worth looking at your boundary fences as part of your property preparation. Identifying potential issues early gives you time to investigate them before a purchaser raises questions.

For information about your legal rights and obligations, speak with your solicitor or Community Law. For fencing heights and planning requirements, contact Upper Hutt City Council. If you’re unsure where your legal boundary sits, a licensed cadastral surveyor can help.

And if you’re getting your home ready to sell, we’re always happy to have a chat about presenting your property at its best.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and is not legal, surveying or building advice. Fencing obligations can vary depending on individual circumstances, property documents, agreements and applicable rules. We recommend seeking independent professional advice before making decisions about fencing work, costs or boundary disputes.

This monthly property feature is brought to you by Rachael Ayling and Kathryn Campbell. We’ve worked together for many years in Upper Hutt real estate, helping local homeowners prepare their properties for sale and buyers understand what they’re purchasing. Through these articles, we share practical insights from that experience to make everyday property questions a little easier to understand.

Whether you’re preparing to sell, considering your next move or wondering where to start, we’re always happy to have a conversation and help point you in the right direction.

Sources

[1] Consumer NZ: Fencing law

[2] Community Law: Fences

[3] MBIE: Fences and hoardings

[4] Fencing Act 1978

[5] Disputes Tribunal: Making a claim

[6] Disputes Tribunal: What to expect at a hearing

[7] Disputes Tribunal: Forms and fees

[8] Disputes Tribunal: Decisions and enforcement

[9] Disputes Tribunal: Claims it can hear

[10] Upper Hutt City Council: Planning and building maps

[11] New Zealand Law Society: Disputes between neighbours

[12] PlaceMakers: Paling fence design guide

[13] Ministry of Justice: Court fees

[14] Dog Control Act 1996

Rachael Ayling
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
7 Gibbons Street, Upper Hutt
M: 021 0230 8357
P: 04 566 2233

A “thank you” to Rachael Ayling and Kathryn Campbell for sending this article to The Upper Hutt Connection.

06/11/26

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As well as this, your advertisements will also be shown weekly on The Upper Hutt Connection’s Facebook page.

If you’d like me to create your advertisement for you, I’m happy to do that as well. I intend for advertising to be affordable for everyone in Upper Hutt, from the local dairy or fish and chip shop, to the biggest names in town.

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CLUB NEWS

COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE MATTERS

For all information on past and upcoming council and committee meetings, including workshops, agendas, minutes, and other related content please visit https://www.upperhutt.govt.nz/Council/About-Your-Council/Council-meetings/Meeting-agendas-and-minutes

– Council Engagement and Helpful Contacts

Engaging with Council

Engaging with councillors/mayor

Don’t be afraid of engaging with the elected members as they have been voted in to be the communities voice. But remember when engaging, to be concise, clear and respectful.

Mayor – peri.zee@uhcc.govt.nz

Deputy Mayor – corey.white@uhcc.govt.nz

Community and Economy Committee Chair’s

Other Councillor’s

CEO

geoff.swainson@uhcc.govt.nz

Other helpful Council Contacts

General Council Enquiries: https://www.upperhutt.govt.nz/Home Phone (04) 527 2169
Noise Control: https://www.upperhutt.govt.nz/Services/Health-and-safety/Noise-Control
Rivers, Regional Public Transport, Bulk water supply, Flood protection, and Regional parks: Cr Ros Connelly from the GWRC – Ph: 027 733 5076 Email: ros.connelly@gw.govt.nz
Dog Control: https://www.upperhutt.govt.nz/Services/Dogs-and-animals/Animal-control-services
Roading and Parking: https://www.upperhutt.govt.nz/Services/Roads-and-parking
Tree Management: https://www.upperhutt.govt.nz/Services/Tree-Management
Drinking Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater: https://www.upperhutt.govt.nz/Services/Water
Waste and recycling: https://www.upperhutt.govt.nz/Services/Waste-and-recycling

Speaking Rights and Submitting at Council

If you see a council meeting, usually 2-5 days before an agenda will come out and you can apply for speaking rights to speak in the Public Forum, which is usually in the first 30 mins of a meeting.

Following links explain more :

Speaking at Council Meetings: https://www.upperhutt.govt.nz/files/assets/public/v/1/meetings/attending-and-speaking-at-council-meetings.pdf

Meeting Agendas: https://www.upperhutt.govt.nz/Council/About-Your-Council/Council-meetings/Meeting-agendas-and-minutes

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UHCCCommunityService

A “thank you” to NZ Empowered for providing this article for The Upper Hutt Connection. Please note that this article is published each week.

02/02/26

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SPORTS

DISCUSSING AI WITH HEATHER NEWELL

Have a question about AI? Email your questions to Heather Newell at Heather@foresee.co.nz

GARDENING

KAITIAKITANGA IN ACTION (ENVIRONMENTAL GUARDIANSHIP)

– An outstanding natural environment needs more than good intentions

_{Tree Planting on Silverstream Railway Land October 2026.

Photo credit: A. Sheppard}

Upper Hutt is surrounded by nature. But being surrounded by nature is not the same as protecting it.

Upper Hutt City Council’s vision includes having an “outstanding natural environment”, supported by an outcome that says:

“We’re immersed in natural beauty. We care for and protect our river, our stunning parks, and our natural environment.”

That’s an aspiration worth embracing. It’s also one against which we should be prepared to measure ourselves.

If we say we care for and protect our natural environment, the test is not simply how green Upper Hutt looks. The test is whether its indigenous biodiversity is being protected and recovering: whether native vegetation is regenerating, streams are becoming healthier, environmental weeds and predators are being controlled, and the habitats native species depend upon are being retained and connected.

Caring is an intention. Protecting requires action. And claiming success requires evidence.

Nature needs us

A recent article in Nature, provocatively titled Ecosystems depend on people: don’t abandon them, challenges the assumption that protecting biodiversity always means removing people from nature. Its central message is that human activity is not inevitably destructive. In some ecosystems, continuing human care and management are important to maintaining biodiversity.

In Upper Hutt, our forests, streams and river margins might look wild and self-sustaining, but much of what survives within them increasingly depends on what people do.

Do we control rats, possums and mustelids? Do we prevent invasive weeds from overwhelming native vegetation? Do we restore degraded streams and forest margins? Do we retain existing indigenous habitat? Do we maintain connections that allow native species to move through an increasingly modified landscape?

The uncomfortable reality is that simply leaving many of these places alone will not protect them.

Nature increasingly needs active guardians, not simply appreciative spectators.

We can see it happening in our own backyard

Upper Hutt already provides plenty of examples of what active guardianship looks like.

Pest Free Upper Hutt involves residents across around 25 suburbs in backyard predator control with reported catches running into many thousands of rats and possums, as well as stoats and weasels. But pest control brings a difficult reality with it: stop controlling predators and they return.

The same applies to weeds. Old Man’s Beard doesn’t stop growing because a piece of bush is environmentally important. Without people finding it, cutting it, treating it and returning year after year, it can smother regenerating native vegetation.

Members of the Upper Hutt Branch of Forest & Bird and Friends of Mawai Hakona Stream are among many local volunteers undertaking this sort of work, including native planting, pest control, restoration around waterways such as Hull’s Creek and Mawaihakona Stream, and Old Man’s Beard control.

At Silverstream Forest, around 30,000 native trees have reportedly been planted as former plantation areas are progressively returned to native forest. The area is also important as an ecological connection between natural areas on opposite sides of the valley.

Along Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River, environmental planning recognises depleted biodiversity and water quality among the issues requiring active attention, including improving aquatic ecology and biodiversity along the river margins.

These are not examples of people leaving nature alone.

They’re examples of people choosing to care for it.

That’s the central lesson from the Nature article in a distinctly Upper Hutt setting: people are not separate from the task of conserving nature. In an increasingly modified environment, our continuing involvement can be essential to its survival.

Protection has to match the threats

Predator control illustrates a bigger challenge. Rats, possums and mustelids are not a peripheral environmental issue. They prey on native birds, chicks, eggs, lizards and invertebrates, and possums also damage native vegetation. Controlling them is a fundamental part of protecting a functioning indigenous ecosystem.

Yet Upper Hutt City Council currently makes no direct financial investment in animal pest control. Much of the work within our community instead relies on Pest Free Upper Hutt, community groups, individual residents and Greater Wellington.

That creates an uncomfortable contrast with our stated ambition to have an “outstanding natural environment” and our commitment that “we care for and protect” it.

This doesn’t mean Council has to catch every rat or set every trap. Nor does it mean Council should replace the considerable work already being done by the community.

It does mean that the threats we say matter need to be matched by a credible response.

If controlling introduced predators is an integral part of protecting indigenous biodiversity, we need to be clear about the scale of the problem, who is tackling it, what resources are being committed and whether the effort is enough.

Volunteers are one of Upper Hutt’s greatest environmental assets.

But there is a fundamental difference between community participation and community substitution.

Volunteer effort should strengthen an environmental programme, not become a substitute for sustained investment in one.

But restoration cannot replace everything we lose.

The same principle applies to restoration.

Planting trees, setting traps and restoring streams are enormously worthwhile. They should never become an excuse for being complacent about what already exists.

A newly planted hillside has value, but it’s not immediately equivalent to established native forest. A recreated wetland does not instantly acquire the ecological complexity of one that’s developed over generations. Planting a thousand seedlings somewhere else does not necessarily compensate for habitat lost today.

Restoration takes time. Recent research highlighted by Nature found substantial recovery of biodiversity in regenerating tropical forests over a period of about 30 years. New Zealand’s ecosystems are different, but the underlying lesson remains relevant: ecological recovery takes decades.

We cannot assume that what we lose today can simply be recreated tomorrow.

Upper Hutt will continue to change. We need homes, businesses, transport, infrastructure and recreational opportunities.

The challenge is not to stop change. It’s to make sure we understand what we have before we lose it and retain the ecological fabric that makes restoration and recovery possible.

Protection begins with knowing what we have

You cannot protect what you do not know exists.

And you cannot know whether biodiversity is improving if you don’t monitor it.

That leads directly back to Upper Hutt’s commitment that “we care for and protect” our natural environment.

How do we know whether we are succeeding?

Environmental reporting can tell us how much work has been undertaken: plants put into the ground, pests controlled, restoration work carried out, money spent or projects completed.

Those things matter – but they measure activity, not necessarily ecological outcome.

The thousands of trees that Upper Hutt Forest & Bird planted in Upper Hutt in 2025/26 is an achievement. Whether those trees survive, create functioning habitat and support recovering native species is an outcome.

The hundreds of predators Pest-free Upper Hutt trapped in 2025/26 is an achievement. Whether native birds, lizards and invertebrates consequently become more abundant is an outcome.

Stream restoration is worthwhile activity. Whether ecological health and indigenous aquatic life recover is the outcome that ultimately matters.

Investment is part of that accountability too. If predator control is necessary for biodiversity protection, public reporting should show us what control is occurring, who is undertaking it, what public investment supports it and whether ecological outcomes are improving.

Otherwise, substantial community activity can give the impression of a coordinated environmental response while much of the work continues to depend on volunteers.

If Upper Hutt is committed to caring for and protecting its natural environment, its Annual Report and other environmental reporting should enable the community to see whether that environment is actually getting healthier.

We should be able to answer some basic questions:

How much indigenous habitat do we have, and are we retaining it?
Are important habitats becoming better connected or increasingly fragmented?
Are environmental weeds expanding or retreating?
Are native birds and other indigenous species recovering?
Are our streams becoming ecologically healthier?
Are restoration efforts producing sustained ecological improvement?

These things are harder to measure than plants planted, volunteer hours or projects completed.

But they tell us far more about whether we are achieving the environmental outcome we have set ourselves.“We care for and protect” should be something Upper Hutt can demonstrate, not simply something we say.

We cannot protect what we do not know

Monitoring does more than tell us whether our interventions are working. It tells us what we have to lose.

Which native species still survive in the fragments of bush scattered throughout the valley and surrounding hills?
Which streams retain healthy indigenous aquatic life?
Where are our remaining wetlands and damp areas?
Where are the ecological connections that allow birds, lizards, insects and plants to move between larger areas of habitat?
And which apparently ordinary places are performing ecological functions we have never recognised?

Nature does not organise itself according to property boundaries, reserve signs or lines drawn on planning maps.

An untidy stand of mānuka can form a stepping stone between two larger habitats. A damp depression can support species absent from the surrounding land. Mature native trees in suburban gardens can help form pathways used by kererū and other birds across the valley.

Sometimes we discover the ecological value of a place only after it has disappeared.

Looking green is not enough

Upper Hutt has an enormous advantage. Look towards the hills from almost anywhere in the valley and our city appears remarkably green.

But a green landscape is not necessarily a healthy or biodiverse landscape. And counting environmental activity is not the same as knowing whether biodiversity is recovering.

A hillside covered in vegetation may be dominated by introduced plants.
A forest can look magnificent while invasive predators quietly remove its birds, lizards and insects.
A stream can appear clean while supporting only a fraction of the aquatic life it once contained.

We cannot confuse looking “green” as shorthand for being “ecologically healthy”.

If our ambition is an outstanding natural environment, the real questions are more demanding:

Is it healthy? Is it diverse? Is it resilient? And is it getting better?

There’s one question in particular that our environmental monitoring and public reporting should be capable of answering:

Is Upper Hutt’s natural environment healthier today than it was five or ten years ago?

If we can’t answer that with reasonable confidence, we need not only to examine what environmental work we are doing, but whether our effort and investment match the outcomes we’ve promised.

Community participation, not community substitution

Upper Hutt already has people who spend countless hours trapping predators, pulling Old Man’s Beard, growing and planting native trees and restoring streams.

Their contribution is enormously valuable.

We can’t applaud their work and then leave responsibility for protecting our environment to them.

A commitment to an outstanding natural environment belongs to the whole community.

Council has responsibilities. Landowners have responsibilities. Developers and businesses have responsibilities. Schools and community organisations have responsibilities.

And every one of us can contribute.

That can mean putting a trap in the backyard. Removing an invasive plant before it seeds. Choosing locally appropriate native plants. Keeping rubbish and contaminants out of waterways. Joining a planting or weeding day. Reporting an environmental problem. Learning what native species live around us.

It also means ensuring that the people already doing this work have the support needed to keep doing it.

Caring for nature is not something somebody else does on a Saturday morning.

From aspiration to evidence

The message from the recent Nature article is ultimately an optimistic one: people do not have to be nature’s enemy. Ourtui involvement can also help sustain biodiversity.

Upper Hutt already demonstrates that through predator control, weed removal, native planting, stream restoration and thousands of hours of community effort. But an ambition to have an outstanding natural environment demands more than good intentions.

We say:

“We care for and protect our river, our stunning parks, and our natural environment.”

Those words set a standard.

Caring means recognising and valuing what we have.
Protecting means retaining it and tackling the threats to it.
Investment means putting resources behind the outcomes we say matter.
Partnership means supporting community effort rather than depending upon it as a substitute for public action.
Stewardship means restoring what has already been damaged.
Accountability means being able to demonstrate that our natural environment is healthier as a result.

The greatest danger to Upper Hutt’s natural environment is unlikely to be one dramatic event – it’s cumulative loss.

A stand of native vegetation here. A wet area filled there. Another forest edge disappearing beneath weeds. Another degraded stream. Another habitat connection broken. A few fewer kererū, tūī, riroriro, skinks, insects or native fish.

Each individual loss can appear insignificant. Added together over years and decades, they can leave us with a valley that is still beautifully green, but much less alive.

Upper Hutt has set itself a clear vision. We should embrace it and hold ourselves collectively to it.

If we say we care for and protect our natural environment, let’s make sure we can prove it.

Barry Wards

Chair, Upper Hutt Forest & Bird

A “thank you” to Barry Wards for sending this article to The Upper Hutt Connection.

07/11/26

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COMMUNITY EVENTS: To view all upcoming and regularly occurring community events, please visit https://uhconnection.co.nz/community-events/

– Community remembrance service: Wednesday 9th of December, 7.00 pm

Location: Silverstream Retreat, 3 Reynolds Bach Drive, Stokes Valley

Community Remembrance Service
A Time to Remember

Join us for an evening of remembrance, connection and
community as we honour those that have gone before.

Whether remembering someone special, supporting others or simply coming together as a community.

All are welcome.

Source: Harbour City Funeral Home

04/11/26

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– Southern Cross Staffordshire Bull Terrier Society Inc. Stafford Match: Sunday 29th of November, 11.00 am

Hi from the Southern Cross Staffordshire Bull Terrier Society (Inc) – we are a Society promoting the welfare, wellbeing and image of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and supporting owners.

Our CHRISTMAS FUN DAY is coming!

Sunday 29 November
Meet at 11am
Trentham Memorial Park, Barton Road, Upper Hutt
$5 per dog — includes match entry and all novelty games! Pay on the Day!

Stafford Match — everyone can enter – all age classes – boys v girls!

Christmas Novelty Games & Prizes:
Best Smile
Waggiest Tail
Best Trick (30 seconds per dog!)
Best Festive Costume — Staffords, handlers or matching duos!

Jo Moore Photographer will be there! Capture beautiful festive photos of your Stafford and family — perfect for Christmas gifts and keepsakes.

Barbecue- $4 hotdogs & bacon sandwiches
Raffle featuring a beautiful handcrafted Rusty Deer Stafford coat and lead rack!

Bring your Stafford, family & friends, your Christmas spirit and your biggest smile! Everyone is welcome!

Follow our page to keep up-to-date with our events around the Wellington region! Southern Cross Staffordshire Bull Terrier Society (Inc)

Source: Upper Hutt Community Page (with permission from the Southern Cross Staffordshire Bull Terrier Society)

05/11/26

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– Summerset at the Course Trentham -Village Fair Saturday 21 November 10 am to 3 pm

Summerset at the Course, Trentham residents are holding their Village Fair on Saturday 21 November and proceeds as in previous years are shared between Te Omanga Hospice and Wellington Free Ambulance. Most of the items on sale at the fair are made by the residents in the village. The event is regarded as a major opportunity for residents to be active together on a project. They really appreciate the help and support they get from Summerset staff.

Summerset at The Course Trentham – Residents Team invite residents of Upper Hutt to our village fair on Saturday 21 November 10 am to 3 pm. Lots of fun and community spirit to be shared. Proceeds to Wellington Free Ambulance and Te Omanga Hospice.

We’ll have lots of items to grab your attention – toys, puzzles, cakes, plants, handmade cards -something for everyone. Great gifts for your family and friends and grab a bite and barista coffee at our Divine Café.

A “thank you” to Paul Lambert for sending this article to The Upper Hutt Connection.

09/11/26

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– Te Marua Playcentre photo session fundraiser: Sat 28th of November / Sun 29th of November

It’s back for another year.

Our much loved mini photo session fundraiser is here. Grab the whanau and update your family photos this November while supporting Te Marua Playcentre.

Dates: Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th October

Price: $130 (includes digital copies of at least 10 photos)
Session Length: 10 minutes
Location: Kaitoke Regional Park, Upper Hutt

Bookings are open, and we have a feeling that these spots are going to fill fast! Our amazing photographer is one of our very own from the Playcentre village, so you’re in great hands!

Plus, it’s all part of our fundraising efforts to keep making magic happen at Te Marua Playcentre.

Don’t miss out on these Spring Mini Sessions – book yours now at www.jupiterhearts.as.me/minis

Source: Te Marua Playcentre

05/11/26

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– Toy Collectors Fair: Sunday 15th of November 2026, 11.00 am – 2.00 pm

A “thank you” to Julian for sending this article to The Upper Hutt Connection.

06/11/26

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– Heather Newell community presentations

Looking for a speaker for your community group in 2027?

Heather Newell is an enthusiastic speaker on topics related to artificial intelligence for lay people. No scientific jargon included! Heather knows our community well and is the chair of SeniorTech Skills which encourages older people to become more confident with technology. She is currently studying for a doctorate focusing on the impact of AI on older people. Contact her – heather@foresee.co.nz or phone on 027 2762730 or drop into the office at 13 Savage Crescent where Heather works.

Heather Newell
MComms, FFINZ
Researcher – AI and Future of Ageing
ph 027 2762730
www.foresee.co.nz

A “thank you” to Heather Newell for sending this article to The Upper Hutt Connection.

05/05/26

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– Lane Park Church craft group: Mondays, 10.00 am – 11.30 am

A “thank you” to Marilyn Gentle for sending this article to The Upper Hutt Connection.

12/10/26

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– Lane Park Church Drop-In Centre: Mondays, 10.00 am – 2.00 pm

Location: 22 Lane Street, Wallaceville, Upper Hutt

We have set up a community initiative for a drop-in centre that operates on a Monday from 10 am to 2 pm (closed on public holidays) for anyone to drop by if they want to have a chat over a cuppa. It is for those who are lonely or who needs a listening ear or who have some question about the Christian faith or anything else they want to talk about. It is open to anyone who just want to drop in (no appointments required). We have a yellow flag facing the street to show we are open.

All welcome.

Need more information? Please contact dropin@laneparkchurch.nz

A “thank you” to Michelle for sending this article to The Upper Hutt Connection.

03/06/26

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