{"id":1165,"date":"2025-08-06T21:57:39","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T21:57:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/news\/?p=1165"},"modified":"2025-08-06T22:02:51","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T22:02:51","slug":"newsletter-no-259","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/newsletter-no-259\/","title":{"rendered":"Newsletter No. 259"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"765\" height=\"297\" src=\"https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/76ae7c46-fb96-0d85-ba3e-118ab57b01e6.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1166\" style=\"width:1200px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/76ae7c46-fb96-0d85-ba3e-118ab57b01e6.jpeg 765w, https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/76ae7c46-fb96-0d85-ba3e-118ab57b01e6-300x116.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 765px) 100vw, 765px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Huit\u0101nguru \/ February 22, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vote for your playground!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Submissions are due on the playground options by 5 pm on Monday 24 February. So if you haven\u2019t voted yet please do!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Option 3 is the design that included ideas from the community.&nbsp;The limitations of budget did restrict what was achievable in the end, but elements we did manage included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Houghton Valley School children\u2019s drawing\u2019s etched onto wind-break panels;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A representation of the buried waterways underneath the playground in the surface matting design;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>More natural timber and less plastic in the playground materials.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course we\u2019d love you to vote for Option 3 after all our community effort, but it is up to you (or your children) to decide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The WCC website has large rendered pictures to show the options, and some background to the process we have been through. The website renders for the third option don\u2019t show the play value inside the central tower with interesting climbing opportunities, so we have shown an image from a slightly earlier version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To make your choice, go to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.letstalk.wellington.govt.nz\/houghton-bay-play-area-renewal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Let\u2019s Talk Wellington<\/a>&nbsp;before 5 pm Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Seeds-to-Feeds Haewai Harvest Dinner<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Saturday, March 8, 5.30 pm \u2013 8.30 pm&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"899\" height=\"309\" src=\"https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1ee5039e-7dbd-85f5-6f70-b808a2ac75fc.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1167\" style=\"width:1200px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1ee5039e-7dbd-85f5-6f70-b808a2ac75fc.jpeg 899w, https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1ee5039e-7dbd-85f5-6f70-b808a2ac75fc-300x103.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1ee5039e-7dbd-85f5-6f70-b808a2ac75fc-768x264.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 899px) 100vw, 899px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Have you got your tickets yet to our local food dinner at the Community Hall at 80 Houghton Bay Road?&nbsp;The meal will include locally grown and foraged ingredients as well as some from not far away. We have another delicious vegetarian menu with plant based and gluten free options, created by Leone and the Seeds-to-Feeds helpers, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Foraged salad, homemade bread, preserves, dips;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Roast tomato tarts and green vegetable and pesto pasta;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fruit and vegetable-based cakes and desserts;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drinks from the wild South Coast.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Please sign up now to secure your place! Bookings are koha based, with a recommended $20 for an adult and $10 for a child if you can afford it. Otherwise you can just pay what you can afford, or if you can\u2019t afford anything we don\u2019t mind, we\u2019d love to see you anyway. Some proceeds go to help the Seeds-to-Feeds team do their magic, the rest goes towards community projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Get your tickets&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/events.humanitix.com\/haewai-harvest-dinner\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Little Library<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"198\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/fc17ec39-42c8-52b5-7b5f-92c0d68f3511-198x300-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1168\" style=\"width:300px\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>We finally have another Little Library nearly ready to be installed near the View Road bus stop. The cabinet has been made by local retired builder Barkie and painted by yours truly. It will start with some books from the Southern Landfill Recycle Centre, who we thank for a discount on their already low prices!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So hunt out some books you\u2019d like to donate or swap and keep a look out for when it arrives. There is a focus on children\u2019s books, but there is an upper shelf that can be for older readers.&nbsp;If you decide you want to keep a book, that\u2019s no problem, but have a look out for something that you can put back in its place when you find the right thing. If you haven\u2019t anything at home pick up something next time you are at a recycle centre or Op Shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The cabinet has been designed to keep the weather out, the latch is a little tight, but it is important to latch it when you are done: press the door firmly to make it easier to clip in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Community Gardens Open Days<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"267\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/aa95628b-d25d-b1eb-d75a-2567854cc6f0-267x300-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1169\" style=\"width:300px\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Sunday, March 16, 10 am \u2013 2 pm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both our local community gardens are participating in the WCC Community Gardens Open Sundays as part of the eastern suburbs event. The gardening artists involved are making the day extra special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Houghton Valley Gardens<\/strong>&nbsp;next to the school has common plots with vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers and you can meet the volunteer gardeners, help out for a bit, or just relax and observe the birds, bees, butterflies and insects. There will be a display of local summer and autumn plant dyes on cloth and you can enter a draw to win a mixed floral\/herb\/vegetable bouquet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/houghtonvalley.org.nz\/playing\/Community%20Garden\/garden-how-to-get-there.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to get&nbsp;<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/houghtonvalley.org.nz\/playing\/Community%20Garden\/garden-how-to-get-there.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">to the Houghton Valley Gardens<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"245\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/9459fb17-b206-d140-17d4-419d3337d0b0-245x300-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1170\" style=\"width:300px\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Te Kawakawa Commons<\/strong>&nbsp;has a small vegetable garden, some fruit trees, shady seating spaces and beautiful regenerating bush to wander through. There will be an art trail for kids to explore, with little painted houses for them to view (and parents to purchase, with proceeds to buying more compost).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The entrance is&nbsp;up behind the bus stop near No. 44 Hornsey Road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Events calendar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are lots of things happening in the next few months both in Houghton Valley and round about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>March 1 \u2013 9:<\/strong>\u00a0Local food Week organised by Wellington City Council. Check out the events on their\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/wellington.govt.nz\/climate-change-sustainability-environment\/sustainable-living\/sustainable-food-initiative\/sustainable-food-events\/local-food-week\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">website<\/a>. They include our own Haewai Harvest Dinner.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>March 2:<\/strong>\u00a0The annual Newtown Festival. Check out their\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.newtownfestival.org.nz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">programme<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>March 8:<\/strong>\u00a0Seeds-to-Feeds Haewai Harvest Dinner at the Haewai Houghton Valley Community Hall. See above for details.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>March 9,16 and 30:<\/strong>\u00a0Community gardens Open Sundays. Check out their\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/wellington.govt.nz\/climate-change-sustainability-environment\/sustainable-living\/sustainable-food-initiative\/community-gardens\/community-gardens-open-sundays\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">programme<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>March 16:<\/strong>\u00a0Houghton Valley Gardens and Te Kawakawa Commons Open Sunday. See above for details.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>April 5:<\/strong>\u00a0Koha Coffee at the community hall (Saturday).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>May 3:<\/strong>\u00a0Koha Coffee at the community hall (Sunday).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>May 25:<\/strong>\u00a0Haewai Houghton Valley Community Association AGM at the community hall, starting 3pm. We have a speaker as well,\u00a0save the date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>June 7:<\/strong>\u00a0Another Ceilidh at the community hall, save the date!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>(170 recipients, 123 opens)Posted on<a href=\"https:\/\/www.houghtonvalley.org.nz\/forum\/?p=2719\"><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Huit\u0101nguru \/ February 22, 2025 Vote for your playground! Submissions are due on the playground options by 5 pm on Monday 24 February. So if you haven\u2019t voted yet please do! Option 3 is the design that included ideas from the community.&nbsp;The limitations of budget did restrict what was achievable in the end, but elements &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/newsletter-no-259\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Newsletter No. 259<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1165","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1165"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1165\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1171,"href":"https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1165\/revisions\/1171"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/haewaihoughtonvalley.org\/happenings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}