Pollen often settles on the surface of water at this time of year and into spring, creating yellow slicks that can look like an environmental spill.

Greater Wellington said it regularly receives reports about the unusual-looking material and appreciates people raising concerns.

It said it would rather investigate a natural occurrence than have someone stay silent about possible pollution.

Wellington residents who are unsure about substances in waterways or coastal areas are encouraged to keep reporting them so they can be checked.

The millionth tree was planted at Queen Elizabeth Park during a live TVNZ Breakfast broadcast, marking a major milestone in efforts to restore former grazing land.

Greater Wellington chair Daran Ponter said the programme showed what could be achieved through partnerships with mana whenua, community groups, volunteers and local businesses.

“A million native trees is a special milestone for our region, and a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together for te taiao,” Cr Ponter said.

“Recloaking Papatūānuku is about much more than planting trees. It’s about restoring the health of our regional parks, improving habitat for native species, enhancing the wellbeing of our waterways, and giving communities a practical way to care for the whenua that sustains us.”

Since 2019, about 420 hectares of the roughly 2,000 hectares of former grazing land in regional parks has been replanted.

Greater Wellington expects about 200,000 native trees to be planted each winter in the coming years.

Parks restoration project lead Kellie Benner said the programme relied on a wide network of nurseries, contractors and community groups.

Plants are sourced from nurseries including the Rimutaka Prison nursery in Trentham and iwi-run nurseries such as Otaraua in Kāpiti.

“Park visitors can see the transition for themselves,” Benner said.

“In just a few short years, the land has changed from pasture with very little biodiversity to regenerating native areas that are full of life.”

Greater Wellington manages eight regional parks covering 33,000 hectares. Much of the land was historically converted to farmland, reducing biodiversity and displacing native wildlife.

Director of delivery Jack Mace said restoring the parks also improved streams, wetlands, rivers and inlets.

Planting along waterways helped create habitat for fish, reduce erosion and limit sediment and nutrients entering the water, he said.

Emissions from grazing in regional parks have nearly halved since 2019 as stock has gradually been removed from restoration areas.

Greater Wellington also runs community planting days during winter. Upcoming community planting days will be held at Battle Hill Farm Forest Park at 1pm on Sunday 26 July and Edgewater Park in Waikanae at 10.30am on Thursday 30 July. Event details are available on the Greater Wellington website.

The festival is returning after a one-year hiatus, with several pre-festival events also planned from September 23.

Most of the programme will be staged at The Hannah, alongside book launches, workshops and creative activities at nearby venues.

New co-directors Gabrielle Vincent and Kate McDonald said the programme would retain the festival’s focus on storytelling, curiosity and connections between writers and readers.

“Programming our first Verb Festival is both an enormous privilege and an exciting opportunity,” they said.

“This year’s programme honours that heart while bringing together artists that are familiar to Verb as well as fresh voices, and plenty of surprises to the stage.”

The first two artists confirmed for the festival are former New Zealand Poet Laureate Chris Tse and Shihad frontman Jon Toogood.

Toogood will appear in Jon Toogood: Home Again, an intimate conversation and live performance chaired by music writer Nick Bollinger.

The event will explore Toogood’s 37-year music career, from his Wellington childhood to international performances with Shihad and The Adults.

He will also discuss songwriting, mental health and the personal cost of life in the music industry, while performing several songs.

Tickets for the event go on sale on Thursday, July 23, with general admission starting from $25.

Tse will return with his fourth poetry collection, Dance-Floor Romance, which explores joy, nostalgia, vulnerability and life within the strobe-lit world of nightclubs.

The collection will be published by Auckland University Press on September 10.

Tse served as Aotearoa New Zealand’s Poet Laureate from 2022 to 2025 and is also the author of How to be Dead in a Year of Snakes, HE’S SO MASC and Super Model Minority.

Vincent is a curator and live-performance producer from Auckland and is also the family and schools programmer for the Auckland Writers Festival.

McDonald has previously worked with Verb as its volunteer coordinator, front-of-house manager and festival bookselling team leader.

The full Verb Readers & Writers Festival programme will be announced on Friday, August 14, when general festival tickets will also go on sale.

Verb’s weekend crawl event will return on November 14, with its programme to be announced in October.

Unity Books will continue as the festival’s official bookseller, selling books and providing advice at festival events.

Russ died peacefully on June 18, 2026, one day after his 80th birthday.

He represented New Zealand in billiards and finished runner-up at the national championships six times.

One of those finals was against his father, Herb Robinson, who was also a national champion. Russ also competed in national finals against leading players including Dave Meredith.

He became a respected figure in Wellington’s billiards and snooker community, both as a player and through his work in sports administration.

Former New Zealand Billiards and Snooker administrator Nigel Wilson described Russ as a fantastic player and an all-round gentleman.

“He will be missed and remembered fondly,” Wilson said.

Friends and fellow players gathered at the Johnsonville Club to farewell Russ and share stories about his life.

Kevin Bracken was among those who spoke at the gathering, alongside long-time supporters of billiards in Wellington.

Russ was also involved in cricket and rugby. He played for Naenae and Hutt Districts and was remembered as a Poneke Rugby stalwart.

Those who knew him also recalled the encouragement and knowledge he offered younger players.

A private cremation has taken place in keeping with his wishes. A further gathering for family and friends will be held at a date to be advised.

Students, staff and alumni from Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington, will take part in the university’s annual planting days on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July.

This is the sixth year of the Growing our Future project, which has already seen more than 23,000 trees planted at the site.

Children from the university’s on-site University Kids childcare centre will also take part this year, learning how to plant trees before developing a garden in their own backyard.

University Kids Fairlie Terrace head of complex Leanna Miratana said the centre regularly took children on beach trips, forest walks and other outings that helped them connect with nature.

“Being involved in this project will be an amazing hands-on learning experience for them, and a special way to contribute to the environment,” she said.

Growing our Future is a partnership between the university and Wellington City Council.

The university has leased 26 hectares of land from the council for 33 years and is working to restore native forest across the site. Researchers will monitor the forest as it develops.

The planting helps fill a gap in Wellington’s Outer Green Belt, creating safer places for native birds and other wildlife to nest and live.

The project also supports the university’s goal of reaching net zero carbon by 2030.

Fifteen native species have been planted at the site, including kānuka and mānuka.

Researchers and master’s students from the university’s Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology are monitoring the area as a living laboratory for teaching and research.

Findings from the project are expected to help guide similar forest regeneration work across the lower North Island and upper South Island.

Rail Minister Winston Peters announced the decision on Friday, saying KiwiRail’s long history operating the Interislander made it the right choice to run the new vessels.

“KiwiRail has run the Interislander since its inception in 1962, and in our book, experience counts,” Peters said.

The rail-enabled ferries are being built by Guangzhou Shipyard International in China to replace the ageing Interislander fleet. Each vessel will be about 200 metres long and able to carry up to 1,530 passengers, 70 crew and rail freight across Cook Strait.

Under the agreement, KiwiRail will operate the ferries for their planned 30-year lifespan, with the arrangement to be reviewed after the first 10 years in 2039.

The Government has reaffirmed its contribution to the programme will be capped at $1.7 billion. Peters said the project would save taxpayers an estimated $2.3 billion compared with the cancelled iReX project.

The new ferries will be supported by upgraded port infrastructure in Wellington and new infrastructure in Picton. CentrePort and Port Marlborough are contributing $100 million and $110 million respectively towards the work, while Ferry Holdings will fund $373 million of the Picton redevelopment.

Peters said the names reflected New Zealand’s maritime history.

“These are proper names. Historic names. New Zealand names.”

Labour transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere criticised the announcement, saying the Government had delayed replacing the ferries after cancelling the previous iReX project.

The new ferries are expected to enter service in 2029.

The awards recognise volunteers and not-for-profit groups contributing to communities across the wider Wellington region.

Wellington City winners and runners-up will be announced at an awards function in late July. Local winners will then go forward to the regional awards, where they will compete for the overall award in their category and the Supreme Winner title.

The Wellington City finalists are:

A–F

Bella & Bio-Bot (Youth-led STEM Storytelling Initiative)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wellington
Birth Wise
Cats Protection Wellington
Challenge 2000 Foodbank
Community Networks Wellington
Compassion Soup Kitchen
Devbhoomi Charitable Trust
Ekta NZ
FEET with Heat 4dance Studio
Franken Art Bursaries (FAB)

G–M

Ghost Diving Wellington
Good Bitches Baking Wellington
Great Harbour Way Trust
Interpreting New Zealand
Kaicycle Inc
Karori Lions Club
Katherine Mansfield House & Garden
Kauri Theatre Company Incorporated
Kia Ora Netball Club Wellington Incorporated
Kiwi Sports Network (KSN)
Leififi Boxing Gym (LBG)
Life Flight
Madoc Benfell Memorial Trust
Mary Potter Hospice
Matairangi Trail Builders
MenzShed Wellington in Hataitai
Mothers Network

N–S

New Zealand Cricket Museum volunteers
New Zealand Red Cross – Wellington
Newtown Budgeting and Advocacy Service (NBAS)
North City Cricket Club
Nourish Trust
NZ Eid Day – Wellington
Onslow Historical Society
Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust
Pakistan Association of Wellington New Zealand (PAWNZ) Inc.
Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Aotearoa (PADA)
Rainbow Wellington
Roadworn Upcyclers
Rotary’s Lifting the Lid on Youth Mental Health
Seatoun AFC
Signature Tautai Trust
South Coast Arts Trail
Sri Lankan Seniors’ Association
Swimming Wellington Technical Officials

T–Z

Take 10
Tawa Brownies
Tawa Junior Rugby Football Club
Tawa School Whānau & Friends
Te Aka – Wellington East Girls College
Te Aro Eats
Te Toi Mahana Kaitiaki
The Circus Hub
The Nepalese Society of Wellington
The Nest Collective NZ Charitable Trust
The Runathon – Wellington College
Tiriti Action Group Pōneke
TSKF-ISKF Wellington Dojo
Tu Tagata Secondary Schools Poly Festival – Wellington
United Nations Youth Wellington
VietKidsNZ
Vogelmorn Community Group Trust (VCG)
Waitangi parkrun
Wellington Basketball Association
Wellington City Mission – Whakamaru
Wellington Community Revitalisation Society
Wellington Family & Foster Care Association
Wellington Free Ambulance
Wellington Indian Association
Wellington Kidney Support Society – WELLKiSS
Wellington Kids Cricket Community
Wellington Samaritans
Wellington Softball Association
Wellington Sri Lankan School
Wellington Volunteer Coastguard
Wellington Women’s Health Collective
Wellington Writers Walk
WIT (Wellington Improvisation Troupe)
World Marudào Karate Organisation
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne

Award categories cover art and culture, education and child or youth development, health and wellbeing, heritage and environment, and sport and leisure. A Rising Star Award also recognises emerging groups.

Wellington Airport and the region’s five councils have run the awards since 2004.

The Year 12 student will perform Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 at the NZSO’s Let There Be Light concert at the Michael Fowler Centre on Friday, 24 July.

Liu will join renowned Spanish conductor Jaime Martín for a programme that also includes Kaija Saariaho’s Lumière et Pesanteur and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4.

A former NZSO Emerging Artist, Liu also appeared as a featured soloist with the 2024 NZSO National Youth Orchestra.

Last year, he became the youngest winner in the 57-year history of the National Concerto Competition in Christchurch.

The NZSO said his mainstage solo debut marked a major step for one of New Zealand’s most promising young classical musicians.

Martín last conducted the NZSO in 2018. He is chief conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Ireland’s RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, and music director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

He previously worked internationally as a flautist before moving into conducting full-time in 2013.

Let There Be Light will be performed at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington on Friday, 24 July, from 6.30pm.

Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.nzso.co.nz/the-nzso/events-tickets/tickets/let-there-be-light-wellington

The seabird was found on July 10 and returned a positive test on Wednesday.

Lower Hutt Deputy Mayor Keri Brown said the case involved one bird and there was no evidence the virus had spread to other wild birds or poultry.

“This is one individual seabird and there’s no evidence of spread to other wild birds, and no detections in poultry,” Brown said.

She said the Ministry for Primary Industries, Department of Conservation and health agencies had been preparing for the possible arrival of H5N1 for years and a response was under way.

Officials have checked Petone Beach and found no other signs of illness. Monitoring of the beach and surrounding area will continue.

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said there was no evidence of mass wildlife deaths or transmission between wild birds in New Zealand.

The detection has raised concerns about the possible effect of H5N1 on vulnerable native species.

The Department of Conservation has begun vaccinating 300 breeding birds from five threatened species: kākāpō, takahē, tūturuatu or shore plover, kakī or black stilt, and kākāriki karaka or orange-fronted parakeet.

H5N1 can affect many wild bird species. Birds that gather in large groups, including gulls, gannets and terns, could be among those most at risk.

The risk to people remains low. Human infections are rare and are generally linked to direct, close and prolonged contact with infected birds or animals. Eggs and poultry remain safe to eat.

People are being asked to stay away from sick or dead birds, keep pets away and avoid touching or moving wildlife.

Anyone who sees three or more sick or dead birds together should call the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

Reports should include the location, photographs or video where possible, the type of bird and an estimate of how many are affected.

Among the graduates is patrol dog Phoenix, who was named after Wellington Phoenix FC’s women’s team. After completing his training, Phoenix will head to Whanganui with first-time handler Constable Matt Stevenson.

Matt said training Phoenix had been a rewarding experience.

“Phoenix has been an awesome dog to train. He has a great ‘on and off’ switch that makes handling him enjoyable.

“We’ve both been lucky enough to have had great support from Sergeant Maxwell Spedding, Taranaki Dog Section, and my colleagues from Whanganui.

“I picked up Phoenix as a puppy so it’s special and I’m lucky enough to graduate with him. It’s a full circle moment.”

Another newly qualified patrol dog, Striker, will begin duties in Wellington with first-time handler Constable Chelsea Warman.

The remaining graduates are Constable Mike Robertson and Kroc, who will be based in Whakatāne, Constable Corey Waite and Frost in Auckland, Constable Regan Wilson and Huxx in Dunedin, and Senior Constable Karl Hansen and Bruce in Christchurch.

Karl, who has spent 21 of his 29 years in Police as a dog handler, was recognised during the graduation for mentoring new handlers throughout the course.

His latest patrol dog, Bruce, was named in honour of former Canterbury Police dog handler Senior Constable Bruce Lamb, who died in 2023.

“I think it’s really great that this dog was named after Bruce Lamb, and it’s special to carry on that legacy, especially since we have Bruce’s son Michael working here as a dog handler in our unit,” Karl said.

Assistant Commissioner Jeanette Park congratulated the six new operational teams and highlighted the important role Police dogs play in supporting frontline staff.

“The dog teams are magnificent. You’re there when there’s a critical incident. You’re there when our staff are in danger and need your help and support,” she said.

“Frontline staff at an incident know that when Delta is on their way, things will be good. Dogs are coming, and they will have it under control.”

Inspector Todd Southall, National Coordinator Police Dogs, also acknowledged Wellington Phoenix FC head coaches Bev Priestman and Chris Greenacre, who attended the graduation to support Phoenix and his handler.

He said Phoenix was one of three puppies named after women’s sporting teams in the region, with fellow recruits Poua and Pulse still progressing through the Police dog programme.

Todd also praised the work of trainers, handlers and support staff involved in developing the new operational teams.

“These graduates have worked very hard to obtain this operational qualification and it’s a pleasure to see them graduate today,” he said.