Save Begonia House
By Frank Neill
Mazz Scannell.
How to reach us
Phone (04) 587 1660 www.independentherald.co.nz
REPORTER
Frank Neill
herald@wsn.co.nz 027 490 3916
Sam Barnes
sam@wsn.co.nz 021 109 4406
Steve Maggs
steve@wsn.co.nz 027 765 8303
SALES
Brenda Ingram-Johnson
brenda@wsn.co.nz 021 640 152
A treasure loved by everyone
Continued from page 1.
The President of the Friends of the Botanic Garden, Mazz Scannell, has placed a “Save the Begonia House” petition on the Wellington City Council’s website.
“We, the undersigned request that the Wellington City Council commits to maintaining and improving the conservatory known as the Begonia House in a manner that continues unhindered public access within the financial constraints of the city’s finances,” the petition says.
“This petition is in response to the decision of the Wellington City Council to include the option to demolish the Begonia House as part of the 2024-2034 long term plan amendment consultation document.
“The petition gives Wellingtonians and people throughout the country and around the world the opportunity to show their objection to this proposal.”
The petition is at wellington. govt.nz/have-your-say/petitions/ petitions/current/2024-12-savethe-begonia-house.
“We are really encouraging people throughout the country to sign this petition, because the begonia house is bigger than Wellington,” Mazz says.
“We are the hosts and we should be looking after it.”
As well as the petition, the Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden are asking people to donate to the “fighting fund” to save the begonia
house.
People can donate to the fighting fund account, number 02 0500 0080203 02, or through the Friends’ Facebook page or web page, friendsofthewellingtonbotanic.wordpress.com.
“We are happy to raise funds to either contribute to the refresh of the building or alternatively if they [the council] think they might like to knock it down, we will use these funds to fight it in court,” Mazz says.
“I’d rather the former.
“We’d rather see it at the Rose Garden than at the dump.”
The begonia house, Mazz says, “is loved by everybody.
“All the messages and converstions I’ve had had about it I’ve never had one person say to me that the building should be knocked down.”
Wellington has a triangle of biodiversity, Mazz notes.
“We have the tari Bush, which showcases the New Zealand plants, and then we have Zealandia, which showcases native reptiles and birds.
“The begonia house represents the rest of the world. That’s important that people understand.
“You don’t have to jump on a plane to see it, and many people can’t afford to jump on a plane.
“For children it just opens them up to the world.”
As well as the petition and the fundraising, the Friends of Wellington Botanic Garden have been approached by tradespeople who have offered to help them.
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“I have had a number of offers from tradespeople to do pro bono costings and advice, which is really what we need, and I’ve been very grateful for that.
“I would really like Wellington businesses to step up and say: ‘hey, we would like to help you’.
“If we get to the stage where the council agree it should be saved and it should be repaired incrementally, because nobody’s got lots of money at the moment, then Wellington businesses can also contribute towards that process, maybe through monetary donations,” Mazz says.
Any surplus funds from the fundraising will be gifted as a philanthropic donation for the betterment of the gardens.
The fund will be managed by a dedicated committee and all usual charity and meeting protocols will be followed.
The Friends of Botanic Garden are a registered charity, and dona-
tions over $5 are eligible for a tax rebate certificate which will be issued electronically. Although demolition of the begonia house was included in the council’s consultation document on the 2024-35 Long Term Plan, the council did not vote to demolish it. Neither has the council voted to include funds for the building. At its meeting on 26 November, Wellington City Council’s Long Term Plan, Finance and Performance Committee voted against including funds for the begonia house remediation in the 2024-34 Long Term Plan. However it did pass a motion, by 12 votes to 6, which noted that the officers had completed an initial business case for retention of the begonia house and will be able to report back to the committee in 2025 with “finalised options for remediation, taking into account the fiscal constraints the city is operating under”.
I recently hosted a meeting which included local property developers and representatives from the City and Regional Councils. The background for the meeting was the need to ensure all people involved in providing more housing in our electorate, whether it be those building them or those regulating and permitting that building, understand the issues which govern the ability to build the houses everyone agrees we need.
Well, the political year has certainly built to a frantic end. Every country in the world suffered high borrowing, high inflation, and high interest rates as they dealt with COVID. In most of those same countries, including New Zealand, inflation and interest rates have come down, and their economies have improved as a result.
New Zealand is one of the few which hasn’t, and the economic figures released this week are bad. Clearly the decisions which are being made which have also resulted in climbing unemployment are not helping, especially here in Wellington where, depending on which economist you listen too, between 2000 and 20,000 jobs have been lost. For evidence of poor decision making, we need look no further than the Interisland Ferries.
There are essentially two types of development; greenfields and brownfields. Greenfields means building on currently undeveloped land, typically ex farmland on the edges of current urban areas, where infrastructure like sewers, water supply and other essential services don’t exist are usually built by the developer.
Brownfields development means rebuilding on existing sites, and there has been considerable discussion in recent times around how much intensification should be allowed in existing suburbs, especially changing of height limits to allow for more apartments.
Both have their advantages and disadvantages; the Regional Council in particular see their role to prevent more
Winston Peters, when Minister in the 2017 Labour NZ First coalition, signed a contract for two large ferries at a very good price. However, he made no provision
runoff and other material ending up in our harbours, especially the Porirua harbour in the case of development north of Johnsonville and Newlands. The Wellington City Council are concerned that the existing infrastructure cannot handle the pressure it comes under when new housing areas are developed. Existing infrastructure is aging and needs upgrading across our city, as evidenced by recent pipe failures. An advantage of intensification of existing areas means more people, therefore more ratepayers to pay for those upgrades.
for the fact new port facilities would need to be built at both Wellington and Picton, and during that post COVID inflation, those costs blew out. The incoming government in 2023 cancelled the contract with no new plan, literally by text message, and the fee to break that contract alone will cost up to half a billion dollars, before we even start to pay for new ferries or port facilities. It is poorly thought-out decisions like this which means many fellow New Zealanders will be doing it hard this year.
Developers of course need to make a profit, and wish to keep their compliance costs as low as possible. Many believe the Resource Management Act is too cumbersome. We as government for our part have undertaken to rewrite that act.
The feedback was good, but the success will be when there are sufficient affordable houses to meetdemand. That is certainly my goal as your MP.
We need to spare a thought, and maybe a few bucks or donations, for our fellow kiwis doing it tough. Such generosity is what Christmas is really about, ensuring we can all enjoy the festive season.
That, and of course having a vibrant and functioning Johnsonville Shopping Centre we can all be proud of.
There’s plenty to be getting on with.
Family is more important than expensive gifts, so enjoy those relations, with all the imperfections which are the reality of family! And whatever else, be determined to have an enjoyable Christmas and new year.
The Lady Norwood Rose Garden and the begonia house. Photo: Mazz Scannell.
Carols at Halfway House
Glenside’s Halfway House garden saw a good turnout enjoy both the perfect weather and performances of Christmas carols on 15 December.
Hosted by the Glenside Progressive Association, Christmas Carols in the Garden featured David Dell, David’s Take Note Singers and the Wellington Regional M ori Choir.
David led the singing, which saw those attending joining in and singing carols in both English and Te Reo M ori.
The oldest hymn sung was “Unto Us a Boy is Born”,which dates back to the 14thcentury, possibly earlier.
The most recent was a composition by David Dell, “Tane Mahuta’s Tribute”, which he wrote after visiting Tane Mahuta in the Waipoua forest, and realising the tree may have been a baby seedling at the time Jesus was born.
Sub-Antarctic exploration
Shelby Lockwood recently returned from a 12-day adventure exploring Macquarie Island and New Zealand’s sub-Antarctic islands, Campbell Island, the Auckland Islands and The Snares.
Shelby, who is a Glenside Water Quality Monitoring volunteer, was selected for a Heritage Expedition True Young Explorer Scholarship, which took placefrom 22 November to 4 December.
“Macquarie Island was my favourite of all the islands,” Shelby says.
“Located half way between Tasmania and Antarctica, it stands as a legendary example of a successful eradication programme, where cats, rats, mice and rabbits have been completely removed.
“In the 1800s, the hunting of elephant seals and penguins for oil nearly drove these species to extinction.
“However, after hunting was banned in the 1920s populations began to recover significantly.
“Today, the island is thriving, with over 750,000 breeding pairs
of Royal penguins and an estimated 500,000 King penguins, making it home to one of the largest King penguin colonies in the world.”
Shelby says she loved Macquarie for its many species of penguins, including the rock hopper penguin, Tawaki piki toka, which she had never seen before.
Shepreviously worked with the Department of Conservation withyellow eyed penguins. Shelby is currently thecommunity innovation worker with Nga Here Korowai, based at Porirua. Scholarship applications are open with Heritage Expeditions every year.
“To any other young conservationists out there – you should apply,” Shelby says.
“The memories will stay with you forever, and you won't regret visiting such breath-taking places."
Information about the scholarships for 18–30-year-oldsis on the Heritage Expedition website https://www.heritage-expeditions.com/blog/young-explorer-scholarships-are-open/.
Cheap uniforms
Hugo Moffet and a 17 year old school student have made a website to help combat what he describes as “the ridiculous price of school uniforms”. Hugo set up the website after he found out that some families were cutting down food to be able to afford uniforms. The website, www.getuniformed.co.nz, provides a platform where people can buy and sell second hand school unforms.
My office will close Saturday 21st December 2024 and reopen 9am Tuesday 21st January 2025
Right: The Wellington Māori Choir singing a Christmas carol at Halfway House. Photo: Claire Bibby.
Shelby Lockwood, along with a multitude of penguins, on Macquarie Island. Photo: Supplied.
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Advent & Christmas Services at the Cathedral
Choral Caroling Evensong - 4pm Sunday 15 December
Festival of 9 Lessons - 7pm Sunday 22 December
Christingle Nativity Service - 3pm Christmas Eve
Midnight Mass - 10.30pm Christmas Eve
Eucharist with Hymns - 7.45am Christmas Day
Festal Christmas Eucharist - 10am Christmas Day
Wellington Cathedral of St Paul 2 Hill Street, Thorndon, Wellington www.wellingtoncathedral.org.nz
Join the Christmas Crawl
Four city churches are holding a Christmas Crawl on Saturday 21, Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 December.
The aim of the Christmas Crawl is to give visitors an opportunity to escape the frantic lead-up to Christmas by popping into any of these four churches: St Peter’s on Willis, St John’s in the City, Wellington Central Baptist, and the Wellington Anglican Cathedral.
Each church offers a pleasant respite of serenity and a better appreciation of what Christmas is really about.
"We have run our 'Journey to Bethlehem' stations at St Peter's for a few years now,” St Peter’s Sarah King, says.
“I thought, why don't we see what the other churches do at this time and see what we can offer Wellingtonians.
“So four city churches got together to plan something special.
“The days after school finishes can be hectic with Christmas preparations, shopping and busy family life.
“Sometimes the original story of Christmas gets lost in all that.
Shopper Parking
“We are hoping that wh nau will enjoy time to visit, slow down and be present to the story, activities and experiences at each of these city churches."
The four churches are dressing up their buildings with displays, installations, activities and self-guided tours, all designed to give everyone – adults and especially children – a meaningful understanding of the Christmas story. They will be open from 11am to 3pm each day for visitors to spend a welcome break.
Details of each church’s particular Christmas display and activity can be found on their websites, and the location map is available for downloading at www.christmascrawl.co.nz.
Sarah King and Deirdre Tarrant of St Peter's on Willis Street - one of the churches in the Christmas Crawl. Photo: Supplied.
Onslow history – Begonia House
By Felicity Wong
It’s a short hop from Onslow to the Botanic Garden, (or at least it was before removal of handy car parks on Glenmore Street).
The Lady Norwood Rose Garden is an historic area and it’s Begonia House is a “contributing” building. That means a resource consent would be needed to pull it down. At 70% NBS the building is structurally sound (not earthquake prone) having been strengthened in 2012. The proposal for renewal has been in the Wellington City Council’s budget since 2021.
The Begonia House is a popular destination for visitors and residents alike. Demolition is not needed.
One of the first plant house buildings was the Fernery.
Built in 1910 it was located near the base of the present day Treehouse in the main garden area and open to the public on Sunday and Wednesday afternoons.
The Fernery was used as both a nursery to grow young plants and for displaying large ferns. It was a timber framed glasshouse purchased for 25 pounds some years earlier from a nearby resident.
In 1939 the New Zealand Exhibition Company proposed building a Fernery at the Kilbirnie Exhibition grounds for 2,000 pounds. Plants would cost 500 pounds and it was suggested it could thereafter be shifted to the Botanic Garden for 500 pounds.
The council accepted the proposal but if it was ever built it did not end up at the garden.
Instead the Fernery was revamped with materials salvaged from the Waitomo Caves exhibit. Pungas were used to line the walls and native orchids were established on them.
Donations of ferns were requested from “any fern grower who has a surplus of the rarer New Zealand ferns”.
After its closure as a fern house the struc-
ture continued to be used for storage until it was demolished in 1972.
Meanwhile in 1928 an extension was made to the other conservatory, the Propagating House, almost doubling its length. Both buildings then opened to the public on Saturdays as well. The main Propagating House had a boiler built in a brick lined pit with pipes carrying hot water to heat the building to display begonias.
During the 1930s and 1940s efforts were made to have a new “show” glasshouse built but to no avail. In 1944 the council agreed that 10,000 pounds be placed on its loans schedule to build the “Winter Garden” but nothing came of it, nor of another plan to extend the size of the existing glasshouse for 500 pounds.
Sixteen years later in 1960 the idea was attached to a gift of 20,000 pounds from Sir Charles Norwood.
The offer was too good for the council to refuse and in December 1960 the new building opened which brought together the two ideas of a tropical house and a cool greenhouse.
The apparent contradiction was successfully implemented and, since 1960, has provided a rich and diverse year round display.
The Begonia House sits in the Rose Garden, created between 1950 and 1953.
The Begonia House and the Rose Garden together provide a horticultural feature with early historical links to George F Glenn the “Keeper of the Garden” from 1901 to 1918.
In 1956 Lady Norwood had donated a fountain to become the centrepiece.
Since then, many further developments were supported by the Norwood family, including the waterfall, pond, brick shelter and wall etc, overseen at the time by Richard Nanson.
The area became a modern pleasure garden, free for everyone to enjoy.
KAPITI ISLAND NATURE TOURS
Friday January 17 -Twilight meeting at 2pm and Sunday January 19 at 12.25pm
Everyone FREE Entry
Come and enjoy a day at the races
Fun for all the family both days
Free Entry
Live music
Family Day Sunday Racebooks $2
Racing starts on January 17 with our Friday Twilight Meeting, first race at 2pm. and Sunday first race at 12.25pm.
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Kapiti Women’s Triathlon – NZ’s longest running women’s event Festival of Pots and Garden Art 2025
The Kapiti Women’s Triathlon, to be held on Sunday 23rd February 2025, is the longest-running women’s-only event in New Zealand.
This iconic contest began in 1983 with the aim of encouraging women and girls to get out and have a go, focusing on fun, fitness and health.
Exhibitions of: Iwi, World Wars, Rail, Marine, Colonial, the Signal Box
Sat, Sun & Public Holidays 11am to 3pm www.stationmuseum.org.nz
It remains an amazing ‘grass roots’ event for women, run by women with a low key fun and friendly approach where any woman can find a challenge to suit them.
One of the unique aspects of this event is the great Group training options available to everyone.
From openwater swim practices to cycle and run technique sessions and regular Sunday morning group swim sessions at Coastlands Aquatic Centre. Details can be found on the ‘Training’ page of kwt. org.nz website.
Women can choose to take part in the full triathlon, a duathlon, a team event, a fun run or the sprint distance triathlon for those who wish to push themselves.
From a 5km or new 10km fun run/ walk to a short/med/long-distance triathlon or duathlon, the Kāpiti Women’s Triathlon truly offers events for every ability – you choose your own level of challenge!
The bike (or E-bike) and run component offers mostly flat terrain while giving you the best of Kāpiti’s coastal scenery.
Enter with your daughters, mothers and friends, either as individuals or in a team, and feel completely welcome by other like-minded wāhine.
If you’d like to get involved as a volunteer, KWT can find a role for you.
Experience a stunning celebration of creativity at the Festival of Pots
Pottery Club. Set amidst the picturesque exceptional pottery, sculpture, and garden art from talented local and national artists.
Stroll through the vibrant displays, meet pieces for your home or garden. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a keen gardener, or simply looking for a delightful day out, there’s something for everyone. Mark your calendar and join us in January for a truly inspiring festival! Visit otakipotteryclub.org for details.
History at Paekakariki Station Museum
Come and join us at the Paekakariki Station Museum located on the railway station platform. Learn about our rich and colourful social and cultural local history through displays, stories, photos and archives.
a collection of WWII items from the U.S. Marines’ time here between 1942-44. Take time to pop into Kakariki Books
real gems. Museum open hours: Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays 11am to 3pm or by appointment.
Dinner and music at Finn’s Paekakariki!
Every month Finn’s have their monthly live music gig so it’s a great chance to have a good time.
Finn’s is a popular hub at Paekakariki and only a few minutes’ walk from the railway station and right on State Highway 59 which means it is very easy for visitors to get to by train from Wellington, or by car, making it the ideal
getaway destination for that weekend away from the pressures of city life and work. It is a boutique hotel of superior studio units with spa baths, king-size beds, microwave, tea and coffee-making facilities so why not book a room for the holidays?
Don’t forget to check out the nearby Paekakariki Station Museum!
Jenny Turnbull – Ceramics, Pottery, Sculpture
Work currently available in Jennifer Turnbull’s home studio is from firings using the newly built diesel kiln for the Mirek Smisek Trust – The kilns at Te Horo.
She is part of a group of potters who are of salt and soda, using different clays and glazes to achieve interesting surface effects, on porcelain and stoneware. Each piece is individual, not repeatable, making them one–off pieces of ceramic art.
Also available is gas fired porcelain domestic ware, framed lithography printed tiles and travel cups and gift boxed pottery – ideal for that very special gift.
Over the last few years, Jennifer’s focus has changed with the opportunities to become salt and soda, and the building of a diesel kiln at Te Horo for The Mirek Arts Trust. surface effects from salt and soda added to the these kilns produce juicy surfaces, and each piece is individual, not repeatable, making them one-off pieces of ceramic art. It is exciting to be involved and I feel very lucky to be part of this wonderful community project. Open weekends till 22nd Friday 2023 10am–3pm, also open by appointment telephone 021 295 7473.
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Supporting the Friends of the Wellington Botanic Gardens
The Friends of Wellington Botanic Garden have been in the news lately as they fight to save the Begonia House from demolition. However, the Friends are much more than an army of garden warriors, they provide year round support to the Garden and run a full programme of events that all can enjoy.
For the past three years the Friends have sponsored the Garden’s Artist-in
Residence. Next year the artist is Mary Self, who will be at the Treehouse stitching beautiful botanical works on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays during all of February and March. Mary owned Nancys Stitch Studio for nearly 22 years and has a degree in textile design from Victoria University of Wellington. Her artwork will be available to view and purchase for the whole of the residency
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and she is also running two workshops for the Friends which are now live on
Impressions’ to be held on Sunday, 23 February.
year’ competition will be held on Sunday 30 March 2-25 from 10.30am to 2.00pm. Entry is free and there are prizes for the winners.
The competition will be in three categories 3-10 years, 11-16 years and Adult. No pre-booking is required and anyone interested should meet at the
Begonia House at 10.30am on 30 March to register. The Friends also run guided walks throughout the year and other special events. Keep an eye out on their Facebook and Instagram accounts for what’s coming up. If you’re looking for Christmas gifts the Friends’ olive oil and chocolate is available at the Treehouse, Wellington Museum and the Cable Car Museum while from bottle stores and online. If you would like to join the Friends in their support for the Garden please email wbgf@gmail.com.
Landscape design - does your garden meet your needs?
As you relax in your garden this summer consider whether the layout you have enables you to make the most of your outdoor space. Does it provide the functionality you want?
Maybe a BBQ area, a vege garden, a kids play area, a swimming pool, or a private space for your own enjoyment. Does it provide an aesthetically pleasing and interesting setting for you to spend time in?
Good landscape design maximizes the best features of your site and addresses issues like exposure to the wind, lack of privacy, steepness, poor drainage and ease of access. It has natural flow, unity and harmony,
linking indoor rooms with compatible outdoor areas.
Landscape structures such as decks, retaining walls, pergolas, and screens help define use areas and can often be used to transform unusable areas into fully functional ones.
If you need landscaping ideas, or have your own and need guidance, we can help - with garden layout, structural features and plant selection. Our Groundplanz team specialises in high quality woodwork and has extensive expertise in paving and plant design. www.groundplanz.co.nz
Stay cool in summer – and warm in winter with Eco Doors & Windows
Eco Doors & Windows specialise in uPVC glazing. And as the cooler months are here after. Their windows are ideal for helping keep your house cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
uPVC has been used in windows and doors since the 1930s and offers superior thermal and noise insulation performance, well exceeding the current minimum requirements for joinery in New Zealand. uPVC offers significant benefits over aluminium and timber.
Combining uPVC’s natural insulating properties with double-glazing means Eco Doors & Windows achieve thermal insulation levels that far exceed even thermally broken aluminium – and at a very competitive price. Their uPVC doors also
uPVC windows and doors, the company has grown. They have a number of teams
of installers with plenty of experience backed by LBPs (Licensed Building Practitioners).
uPVC windows are perfect for heat and coolness insulation. uPVC is not a thermal conductor and by combining it with double glazing, windows can achieve first-rate insulation values.
As the uPVC joinery uses a double rubber gasket engaged by a multi-point locking system, windows and doors seal tightly and evenly against their frames, unlike legacy products like timber and aluminium joinery. Enjoy airconditioning costs this summer with uPVC joinery.
In addition to being an effective thermal insulator, our uPVC frames are also an extremely effective barrier to noise. When combined with double-glazing, overseas testing has measured sound reductions of up to 38dB!
Eco Doors and Windows are centrally located at 29 Hutt Road, Thorndon.
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Gifts for the whole family – get set for Christmas with Twigland!
Pop down to Twigland and pick up gifts for the whole family! We have an awesome array of giftware and garden decor - and of course, gorgeous Houseplants. With so much selection, there is bound to be something for everyone! However, if you can’t decide on a special present, but know someone who loves to garden – why not treat them with a Twigland Gift Voucher.
Christmas is coming up fast! Now’s the time to dress up the home and garden for Christmas and the summer!
We look forward to seeing you in store
over the coming week to complete your Christmas shopping – and to make life easy, don’t forget to ask about our free gift-wrapping service
Loads of new colourful annuals, perennials, shrubs and houseplants are landing this month, so there are plenty of fresh plants to get your place looking festive! Hydrangeas, Fuchsias, Gaura, Dahlias, Pelargoniums, Tropical Impatiens, Petunias and Salvias, are the favourites this month, all loving the warmth that summer brings! Gifts for Gardeners!
tank in the New Zealand climate
Water Conservation:
Kiwi summers are becoming hotter and drier, often leading to water restrictions. A rainwater tank allows you to collect and store rainwater for later use, reducing reliance on mains water and helping conserve this valuable resource.
Environmentally Friendly:
Rainwater harvesting reduces demand on local water supplies, crucial in droughtprone regions. It also lessens the energy needed to treat and pump mains water to your property. Plants also prefer rainwater.
Cost Saving:
Using rainwater for tasks like garden can lower your water bills, particularly during drought periods when mains water costs may rise.
Emergency Water Supply:
With natural disasters, burst pipes, droughts, and other water outages
having access to rainwater stored in a tank enables you to keep flushing the toilet, washing and when installed with a First Flush unit you can even drink it if needed. They also have an easy to set tank for bulk storage of drinking water, that is it’s not connected to your downpipe.
With summer fast approaching, why not think about investing in a rainwater tank and be prepared for the coming Kiwi Summer.
For a full range of tank options and setup advice for your situation give the Tank Guy a call – 0508 326 8888 – or visit their website – https://thetankguy. co.nz/product-category/garden-tanks/
Retirement village visit
The youngest students of St Benedict’s Primary School visited Malvina Major Retirement Village last Tuesday and came away with more than they gave.
The 24 New Entrant and Year 1 pupils of Room 2 spent an hour at the retirement village singing, handing out hand made gifts, reading stories and chatting to residents.
However, they also had several surprises: a delicious morning tea and a visit to the village goldfish and turtles.
Upon returning to school they spoke about how much they had enjoyed the experience, topped off with the thrill of receiving a thank you card from one of the residents.
When you think of blood pressure, think of water in a hosepipe. A certain amount of pressure is required to get water from a hosepipe so in the same way it’s important for us to have blood pressure so that blood can be circulated around our body.
The first published measurement of blood pressure was made in the 18th century, although it wasn’t until about a hundred years later that it was suggested that high blood pressure could be the cause of disease.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension may eventually cause health problems such as heart disease, stroke, heart failure and kidney failure.
During the course of the day our blood pressure goes up and down depending on a number of things, including what we are doing, how busy or how stressed we are, our physical activity and also the amount of caffeine, alcohol and tobacco being taken.
Therefore when measuring blood pressure it means that several readings may need to be taken.
People are considered to have high blood pressure when repeated measurements show a raised reading above a certain level and stays at a higher level even when they are relaxed and sitting quietly.
The problem with high blood pressure is that often people do not experience any symptoms at all and feel quite well, until the blood pressure is very high and causing other health issues. This is why it is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION)
There is no such thing as one “normal” blood pressure measurement, but there is a range which is considered desirable. When your blood pressure is measured two readings will be obtained. If the lower of these two readings (the diastolic pressure) is greater than 90, then treatment may be recommended.
The upper reading (systolic pressure) is usually over 100, but varies and usually increases with age. A few people with early-stage hypertension may experience dull headaches, dizzy spells or nosebleeds.
However these symptoms generally don’t occur until hypertension has reached an advanced stage. The only way a person can find out if their blood pressure is high is by having it tested regularly.
pressure because of their age, their race and their family history, all risk factors which cannot be changed. However there are other risk factors which can be changed and these include being overweight, doing very little exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, salt intake and stress.
High blood pressure can’t be cured, but it can be controlled. For all of us this means a healthy lifestyle and for some it also means taking medicines as well.
There are a number of different medicines currently available and these medicines generally have to be taken every day on a regular basis and it is important not to miss taking any of them.
This can be done by your pharmacist, doctor or nurse. Blood pressure should be measured at least once a year if you are over 40 years of age, or more often if you already have high blood pressure.
For 90-95% of adults with high blood pressure, the cause is not known and high blood pressure tends to gradually develop over many years.
Some people are at higher risk of high blood
If you are unsure about your blood pressure or any of your blood pressure medications then talk to your Self Care pharmacist and get your Self Care card on High Blood Pressure. It may be a good idea to get your blood pressure checked at the same time.
ON... O WHAT’S
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Wellington Male Voice Choir has practice sessions Mondays 7-9pm from 3 Feb. St Christopher’s Church, 1 Lyndhurst Rd, Tawa Music Director: Mark Stamper, President: Les Williams lesliewills47@gmail.com mob 022 106 1574
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48. Retract on opinion(inf) (4-5)
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Onslow Cricketers defeat Karori
By Frank Neill
Onslow’s premier Cricket XI emerged victorious in their clash with Karori at Nairnville Park on 14 December.
Batting first in the division one Ewen Chatfield Trophy match Onslow scored 220 before they were all out.
They then bowled Karori out for 156.
Onslow’s captain Sam Keegan notched up a half century before he was out for 51.
Daniel Rose added 44 runs from just 36 deliveries for Onslow while both Devan Vishvaka and Micah Conroy scored 38. In addition to batting well, Daniel also bowled outstandingly, taking three wickets for 28 runs.
Elliot Seddon also took three wickets, conceding 27 runs, while Matthew Scoble took two for 21, Daniel Rose one for 22 and George Holmes one for 27.
Karori’s top scorer was Kevin Weerasundara who ended up with 53, and Fraser Harding contributed 33 runs.
As well as scoring a half century, Kevin bowled outstandingly, taking four wickets for 40 runs.
He was one of two Karori bowlers took four wickets each, with Matt Rowe taking four for 51.
Following the match Onslow was placed second and Karori third on the Ewen Chatfield ladder.
Onslow’s next match is against Hutt Districts at the Hutt Recreation Ground while Karori play Eastern Suburbs at Karori Park on 21 December.
Johnsonville’s women Cricketers took out
the win over Petone Riverside in a fairly close encounter at the Petone Recreation Ground on 14 December.
Batting first, Johnsonville scored 120 for three wickets in their 20 overs.
They then restricted Petone Riverside to 111 for seven wickets.
With the win, Johnsonville moved to the top of the Wellington division one ladder.
Gemma Sims ran out of time to notch up a half century, and finished on 42 not out, while Anvi Verma scored 32, and then took two wickets for 15 runs
Vice captain Dhriti Girish also took two wickets, conceding 21 runs.
Gabriella Esterbuizen, Annissa Greenlees and Lily Hunt each claimed one wicket.
The Johnsonville women’s next match is against Upper Hutt United at the Petone Recreation Ground on 21 December.
The Johnsonville men were not so fortunate, losing to Wainuiomata at Bryan Heath Park.
Batting first Johnsonville was all out for 250. Wainuiomata won the match when they scored 262 for five wickets.
Sean Wakelin notched up a half century, reaching 51 from only 28 deliveries.
Will Martin scored 35 and Gareth Severin 34, with both Andrew Moir and Ben Stephen scoring 28.
Connor Lusty took two wickets for 34, Sean Wakelin one for 45, Maximus Petrie one for 72 and Ben Stephen one for 49.
Johnsonville’s next match is against North City at Alex Moore Park on 21 December.
New Release 13 Lifestyle Blocks Wellington
If you value the outdoors, land with native bush and a level of self-sufficiency, then this is the opportunity for you.
Having your own space, food sources, gardens and animals is a great asset to any family living in our trouble plagued world today.
This combined with the added security of a gated Estate and the community resilience of like minded families as neighbours.
Ahoroa Estate is now ready for you to create your own dream, that special once in a lifetime place, the place where family memories are made.
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• Roading and Civil works
