August 28, 2018
It’s tui time again in Houghton Valley
Those of you who live in the lower part of Houghton Valley will be once again surrounded by the continuous sounds of tui as they call to attract mates or fight off competitors. The Council may not approve of our abundance of karo trees, but the birds are certainly happy with their sweet flowers. Play the recording below for to experience their sounds near Hungerford Road.
Photo above is by our ex-local bird man, Peter Reese.
Are you going to our iconic event: The Great Debate?
This Thursday Houghton Valley Playcentre is holding its 21st annual “The Great Debate”, a comedy debate between central and local government politicians, and TV and local personalities. This year’s moot is that “It is easier running the country than being a stay-at-home-parent”. The fantastic line up of speakers are:
- JO RANDERSON (writer, actor)
- TAMATI COFFEY (TV presentor, Labour MP)
- ANAHILA KANONGATA’A-SUISUIKI (Labour MP)
- BRIAN DAWSON (Wellington City Councillor)
- FLEUR FITZSIMONS (Wellington City Councillor)
- DAVE TOWNSEND (local personality)
- NICOLA YOUNG (Wellington City Councillor)
- all led by our charming host and MC MP for Rongotai PAUL EAGLE
There will be nibbles provided, drinks available for purchase at the bar and raffles on the night. Local band The Wooden Box will be playing live music.
This is one of the Playcentre’s big fundraisers for the year, all proceeds go towards our fabulous volunteer-run Playcentre in Houghton Valley. The details are below:
- The Great Debate
- Thursday 30 August @ The Pines
- Doors open 6.45 pm, debate starts 7.30 pm
- Tickets $25
Milk delivery update
Eketahuna Country Milk have been really pleased with the response to glass bottle milk deliveries. They are looking to start the market supply in about 6 weeks. Some details:
- The milk will be pasteurized;
- The milk will be full cream (the old silver top);
- It won’t be skimmed initially;
- They will look to develop the range in the medium term;
- The milk isn’t registered organic but is free from hormones and antibiotics;
- The cows are all grass fed and free range;
- The herd that the milk comes from is a jersey X herd. They haven’t tested for A2 milk but approximately 80% of the herd are A2.
There is enough demand for them to develop a home delivery system. There will be a delivery charge, yet to be determined but as low as possible, and hopefully as the number of customers increase they will revisit this charge.
They deliver meat as well at the same time as the milk and they plan to deliver in the early hours of the morning, so you will wake up with your meat and milk at the door.
Timber for the community gardens
The old telephone pole jarrah timber planks have been delivered and carted in to the community gardens near the school for rebuilding the beds on the lower site (pictured). The new beds will be constructed collaboratively, organically, and in true vernacular style. Come along on Sunday afternoons about 2 – 5 pm if you want to be involved, or just come to look, chat or help weed the the other beds.
Koha coffee – Saturday September 1
Koha Coffee will be held in the community hall from 10.30 am til about 12.30 pm this Saturday. Come and share your news and ideas with other locals and enjoy good food and coffee.
(171 recipients, 95 opens)