The distinctive macrocarpa, known for its upturned bucket shape, is one of six finalists in the national competition.

NZ Notable Trees Trust chair Brad Cadwallader said the response from local readers had been extraordinary.

“The Bucket Tree’s rise has been remarkable. It shows that a good local story and strong community support can quickly change the leaderboard,” he said.

Only days ago, the competition was being led by the Mighty Old Mataī from Dunedin, but the Bucket Tree has now opened a strong lead on the latest leaderboard.

Brad said the result showed how strongly communities could get behind a local landmark.

The Bucket Tree was planted in the 1850s on Boscobel Farm in Tawa and has been trimmed into its unusual shape since about 1879. It is also known as the Earp Macrocarpa, after the property’s original owner, William Earp.

Voting remains open at www.treeoftheyear.co.nz/2026-trees-1/the-bucket-tree and closes at midnight on 8 July. The official site lists the 2026 finalists as Ancient Pūriri, Kissing Tree, The Sangro Survivor, Mighty Old Mataī, The Bucket Tree and Old Goff.

Owners Scott and Ash farewell the Tawa community after almost five years in Wellington, saying they are leaving the capital and moving to Auckland with their family.

“Sunday marks the end of a chapter for our family as we say farewell to Tawa and head to Auckland,” they said.

They said Wellington had been “a wonderful place” to raise their family, build friendships and be part of a caring, connected community.

“To our dear customers, thank you for having us in your community, it has been a privilege to serve you,” they said.

“You make this place what it is and without you, we wouldn’t be here.”

Scott and Ash also thanked the New World Tawa team for their hard work, dedication and commitment.

“You’ve been an incredible group to work alongside, the best in the business,” they said.

The store will close at 6pm on Sunday 5 July because of the change of ownership.

Scott and Ash said the store would be handed over next week to new owner Hamish.

“As we hand over the reins next week, we wish the new owner Hamish every success and happiness in his new journey,” they said.

“He is a great guy and we know the store is in great hands with him.”

The team trailed by 10 points with only minutes left, but finished strongly to claim the hard-fought victory.

Taylah Ford and Kody Kahu crossed for late tries, while first five-eighth Mitchell Potton kicked a sideline conversion to help seal the result.

The win keeps the Beard Trophy with Aotea College ahead of their next challenge against Porirua College on 22 July.

Supporters are being encouraged to head to Jerry Collins Stadium for the match as Aotea look to hold the trophy for the 2026 season.

The business, founded by licensed builder Simon Stone, makes Bluetooth hearing protection designed for tradies and job-site use.

Mufftech began after Stone pulled off his earmuffs at the end of a long day on a construction site and questioned why better options were not available.

After three years of prototype development and testing with tradespeople, Mufftech launched in 2023 with hearing protection designed to combine safety, comfort and strong audio quality.

Stone has described the product as being “built by a tradie, for tradies”.

The business is now sold in more than 20 countries, with most of its sales coming from international markets.

Porirua City Council congratulated Mufftech and other local businesses recognised at the awards, including PledgeMe, which won Supporting Gold.

Mayor Anita Baker also acknowledged Simon and Alana Stone from Mufftech, Canopy Camping Adventures, Preston Group and Malcolm Gillies, who received the 2026 Tribute to an Icon.

Mufftech’s win follows its selection as one of six Porirua finalists in this year’s Gold Awards. The awards recognise Wellington region organisations for performance, innovation, leadership and impact.

People wanting to hear Simon Stone’s story in person can catch him at BizFest 2026 at Te Rauparaha Arena on Tuesday 21 July. Tickets available here: https://tickets.ticketspace.co.nz/tickets/bizfest2026

The Wellington City Council event will run from 6pm to 9pm each evening, offering a free walk-through experience marking the Māori New Year.

The event honours the rising of Puanga and the Matariki star cluster, a time to remember loved ones who have died, celebrate the present and look ahead to the future.

Visitors are encouraged to dress warmly and gather with whānau and friends along the waterfront.

Each evening will include a Pōhutukawa and Hiwa-i-te-rangi ceremony. From 6pm to 7.30pm, people can write down the names and memories of loved ones who have died since last Matariki, as well as wishes and hopes for the year ahead.

The ceremony will begin at 7.45pm at the Solace in the Wind statue, where the names, memories and hopes will be released into the flames.

Local performers will also appear on the Aroha and Takoha stages during the event.

Matariki Ahi Kā runs from 6pm to 9pm, Thursday 9 July to Sunday 12 July, on the Wellington Waterfront. More information is available at wellington.govt.nz/matariki.

The crash happened on Friday, 19 June, on the Johnsonville-Porirua Motorway, and caused major delays for commuters heading through the area.

Police said they extended their condolences to Mr Diggins’ family and friends.

“Inquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing,” Police said.

Pōneke Football Club has paid tribute to Mr Diggins, remembering him as a much-loved member of its community and a “true club legend”.

The club said Greg had time for everyone and would not be forgotten.

Emergency services were called to the motorway after the crash in the southbound lanes near Grenada North.

The crash led to heavy congestion between Porirua and Wellington, with traffic backed up for hours.

Police have previously said fatal crashes must be thoroughly investigated for victims, families and the coroner.

Tiaki Wai is responsible for drinking water, wastewater and piped stormwater services across Porirua, Hutt Valley and Wellington. It is a council-owned organisation set up by Hutt City, Porirua City, Upper Hutt City, Wellington City and Greater Wellington under the Government’s Local Water Done Well reforms.

Porirua City Council said residents should contact Tiaki Wai directly for leaks or burst pipes, bad-tasting water, wastewater overflows, blocked street drains, billing and other general enquiries.

Urgent faults can be reported by calling 0800 TIAKI WAI, or 0800 842 549.

The handover comes after years of public frustration with Wellington Water and growing concern about the state of the region’s ageing water network. Tiaki Wai says the region’s water, wastewater and stormwater networks are under pressure after decades of underinvestment, and that improvements will take time.

The new agency has also started work in the shadow of the Moa Point wastewater failure in Wellington, which prompted public anger, health warnings and questions about accountability across the region’s water system.

For many Porirua ratepayers, the key question is why a new organisation with wider powers and coverage is expected to perform better than the model it replaces.

Council and Tiaki Wai have said the change is intended to give water services a regional focus, more funding options, new leadership and clearer governance. Tiaki Wai will absorb Wellington Water and take responsibility for water assets, funding and service delivery.

Water services charges will now be billed separately from council rates. Porirua City Council says property owners can expect their first Tiaki Wai water services bill in late July or early August, with bills then arriving every three months on the same or a similar schedule as council rates.

The change leaves several public questions still to be answered clearly, including how Tiaki Wai will be held accountable, what service improvements Porirua residents can expect first, how costs will be controlled, and how the new organisation will avoid repeating Wellington Water’s failures.

Residents can find information at tiakiwai.co.nz or poriruacity.govt.nz. Water faults should now be reported to 0800 TIAKI WAI.

Cr Duncan was one of five councillors representing the ward, which covers eastern and western parts of Porirua. Under electoral requirements, the council must hold a by-election to fill the vacancy.

Porirua’s Deputy Electoral Officer, Jack Marshall, said potential voters should check they are enrolled, while anyone considering standing should begin preparing their nomination.

“We’re entering a crucial period for Porirua and the wider region, with big issues such as amalgamation on the table, but there are also the important local decisions needing to be made by Porirua City Council’s elected members each week,” he said.

“Mike is a big loss for our community, we will miss his experience and attention to detail around the Council table. His replacement will have big shoes to fill but it’s vital we have full representation in place to discuss, deliberate and make the decisions that are required for the future of our city.”

Nominations open on 9 July and close at midday on Thursday 6 August.

The by-election will be held by postal vote, with voting papers delivered from 14 September. Votes must be returned by midday on 16 October, with counting and results to follow shortly after.

The other current Onepoto General Ward councillors are Hemi Fermanis, Kathleen Filo, Izzy Ford and Geoff Hayward.

Nomination documents are available from the council front counter on Cobham Court, Titahi Bay Library, Cannons Creek Library and the central city library. They can also be downloaded from poriruacity.govt.nz/elections.

Candidates will also be able to record a one-minute video outlining what they stand for, which will be published on the council website to help voters make their decision.

Voters can check whether they are eligible to vote in the Onepoto General Ward by using the ward finder at poriruacity.govt.nz/elections. Enrolment details can be checked at vote.nz.

Election queries can be emailed to elections@poriruacity.govt.nz.

Volunteers from the Wellington Coast Clean-Up Crew discovered the dead marine life during a clean-up on Sunday afternoon.

Lorraine Shaab, from the clean-up crew, said the group started about 2.30pm at low tide so volunteers could cross the inlet to reach an area where rubbish collects.

“Unfortunately, that’s how we saw all the rays,” she said.

“It was just heartbreaking.”

Shaab said some of the dead rays were found in the mudflats and others were in the water.

Biosecurity New Zealand’s Aquatic Health team manager Mike Taylor said recent stormy weather or possible predatory action from orca could be behind the deaths.

He said exotic disease had not been ruled out.

Specialist staff visited the site on Monday to collect samples for testing at an animal health laboratory.

The Department of Conservation confirmed it had been alerted, but said it would not be involved because the affected animals were not protected species.

Police and Fire and Emergency NZ were called to the scene about 10.35am.

Police said there were no reports of injuries, but the intersection was cordoned off while emergency services responded.

Motorists and members of the public were asked to avoid the area while the leak was dealt with.

Police said shortly before midday that the cordons had been lifted and the area was clear.