The competition is part of ChoctoberFest, the annual celebration of chocolate and local hospitality businesses, which runs throughout October.

This year, 29 Porirua cafés, bars and eateries are taking part in the wider festival, creating 44 treats and drinks using chocolate from Porirua-based Whittaker’s.

The festival has two separate competitions. The Whittaker’s Bake Off features 20 cakes, slices and desserts from 1 to 18 October, while Top of the Chocs features 24 chocolate drinks and continues until 31 October.

There is no single Bake Off venue or scheduled tasting session. Customers visit participating businesses during their normal opening hours, purchase the creations they want to try and rate their favourites.

Among this year’s entries is The Ninth Planet ($22) from Gear Homestead in Aotea, a chocolate dessert shaped like a planet, complete with chocolate rings.

The creation features Whittaker’s dark chocolate mud cake, milk chocolate mousse and a salted caramel centre, covered in a glossy dark chocolate glaze.

In central Porirua, Peppermill Café on Norrie Street has entered a Triple Chocolate Basque Burnt Cheesecake ($14).

Made with Whittaker’s dark, milk and white chocolate, the cheesecake is served with raspberry-infused Chantilly cream and a strawberry and raspberry compote.

At the Supply Room in Paremata, Wit’s End ($18) combines a Whittaker’s Creamy Caramel chocolate cheesecake with a molten caramel centre on a dark chocolate brownie base.

Tuk Tuk Thai Kitchen in Hartham Place North has brought Thai flavours to the competition with It’s Guay Guay Time ($19).

Its entry features deep-fried banana wrapped in thin pastry, served with Whittaker’s Banana Caramel chocolate, vanilla ice cream and a traditional coconut caramel sauce from Daeng’s grandmother’s recipe.

Nearby, Top Taste Restaurant on Hagley Street has entered Bavarian Queen’s Killer Cream ($12.90), a Bavarian cream dessert made with Whittaker’s 72% Dark Ghana chocolate and finished with dark chocolate ganache.

These five creations are part of a much wider selection available across Porirua, with participating businesses stretching from Plimmerton and Whitby to Titahi Bay and the city centre.

Customers have a say in the results by voting for the creations they try.

When customers purchase a participating Bake Off dessert, they receive a unique code to enter when completing the online rating survey.

They can then submit their rating through the ChoctoberFest voting form.

Customers who purchase an entry and submit a rating using their code also go into the draw for prizes, including a Whittaker’s factory tour for four people or a chocolate-inspired high tea at Café Kaizen for four.

A separate competition offers 100 Whittaker’s Peanut Slabs to someone who posts a review and photograph of a ChoctoberFest entry in the festival’s Facebook fan group.

The Bake Off closes on Sunday 18 October, but the wider ChoctoberFest celebrations and chocolate drinks competition continue until Saturday 31 October.

The full list of all 20 Bake Off entries, their prices, participating businesses and opening hours is available on the official ChoctoberFest Porirua website.

Five familiar members are returning for another year, while Golden Thai Massage Therapy in Tawa joins the Directory as a new member.

The returning Porirua News Business Directory members are:

• Lukes TreeWalkers
• Flex Electrical
• Little Adventurers’ Early Learning Centre
• Lexus Landscaping
• The Pink Flower Truck

Together, they cover a range of services people across Porirua and Tawa use throughout the year.

Lukes TreeWalkers provides professional tree care, including tree removal, pruning, hedge trimming and stump grinding.

Lexus Landscaping helps homeowners create and improve outdoor spaces through landscaping, retaining walls, decks, fencing and other property work.

For families, Little Adventurers’ Early Learning Centre provides early childhood education and care from its Heriot Drive centre in Porirua.

Flex Electrical provides residential and commercial electrical services, along with solar installations, across the wider Wellington region.

Whitby-based The Pink Flower Truck provides fresh flowers and arrangements for birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations, condolences and other occasions.

Joining them in the Business Directory for the first time is Golden Thai Massage Therapy.

Based at Unit 5, 182 Main Road in Tawa, Golden Thai Massage Therapy offers traditional Thai massage, oil massage and deep-tissue massage, providing another option for people looking to relax and unwind.

The continued involvement of returning members, alongside new businesses joining the Directory, helps Porirua News keep community news free and accessible for people across Porirua and Tawa.

The Porirua News Business Directory gives readers a practical place to find businesses providing everything from childcare and electrical work to landscaping, flowers, tree care and health and wellbeing services.

More familiar businesses will be welcomed back as the series continues, alongside new businesses joining the Directory.

The second-hand shop and recycling centre at 20 Broken Hill Road collects unwanted furniture, household goods, clothing, electronics, sporting equipment and other reusable items.

Some goods are sold through the shop, while others are reused within the community or recycled rather than being sent to landfill.

Trash Palace says donated items have supported a wide range of organisations and projects across Porirua and the wider Wellington region.

Bicycles have been supplied to Green Bikes Trust, while dictionaries have gone to Arohata Women’s Prison to support education and literacy.

Items have also been supplied to Bush Sprouts Nature School for outdoor education programmes.

Reusable mugs have gone to Victoria University of Wellington to support its No Disposables on Campus campaign, while Trash Palace has worked with local schools on e-waste collection and sustainability education.

The organisation says finding new uses for unwanted goods means donated items can sometimes have a second, third or even fourth life.

“Our goal has always been simple: take things that might be considered trash and give them another chance to become someone’s treasure,” the Trash Palace team said.

Trash Palace says its work relies on people and businesses donating goods they no longer need, allowing items to be reused, resold, repurposed or recycled.

The anniversary comes as Porirua prepares for major changes to waste services at Spicer.

Resource consents to operate Spicer Landfill expire in 2030 and Porirua City Council is considering what will replace the existing landfill operation.

In May, the Council adopted a public refuse transfer station as its interim preferred option for further investigation.

Under that option, residents and small businesses would still be able to drop rubbish at Spicer, but the waste would be transported to another landfill rather than buried on site.

Trash Palace would remain operating at Spicer under the preferred option, along with recycling and green waste services.

The proposal will undergo further consultation through Porirua’s 2027–37 Long-term Plan process before a final decision is made.

For Trash Palace, the focus remains on keeping usable goods in circulation and finding another use for items that might otherwise be thrown away.

Launched this year, the OTA Upskilling Initiative trains Operating Theatre Assistants (OTAs) to take on additional non-nursing responsibilities in theatre, including helping position patients, preparing theatres and supporting equipment needs – allowing Registered Nurses (RNs) to spend more time on critical clinical duties.

Wakefield’s Peri-operative Manager Rae Billing, who co-developed the programme, says the initiative is about making the best use of the skills across the whole theatre team – and is also motivating some into new healthcare career opportunities.

“Investing in our OTA’s upskilling has helped ease workload and physical demands on RNs and strengthen teamwork across our theatres. For patients, that means having a well-supported theatre team with the right people focused on the right aspects of their care.

“One of the most satisfying outcomes of the programme so far has been our OTA, Ryan McQuinlan, who is now preparing to qualify for medical school after being inspired by his expanded role working alongside surgeons and theatre teams.”

Ryan says he was always keen to see where his career in healthcare could take him, and the OTA programme has advanced those opportunities.

“I have been able to start doing very hands-on, non-clinical support activities before, during and after surgical procedures in theatre, plus they are activities that involve greater patient interaction than what I was previously doing as an OTA which is something I really enjoy.”

Ryan’s proud Tongan and Māori heritage is also a big motivation in advancing his medical career.

“My Māori father is a doctor and my Tongan mother is a nurse, so I have plenty of support and encouragement for where I’m heading. I know it would also make my grandmother very proud. She was one of the first nurses from Tonga to migrate to NZ in the 1950’s and work here as a nurse, so continuing to represent my whakapapa in medicine is a big part of why I want to go as far as I can.”

Billing says Ryan’s example shows the wider impact investing in our people can have – strengthening our teams today while creating opportunities for people to grow and build their careers in healthcare.

OTAs taking part in the programme receive supervised, hands-on training in theatre alongside formal education through Elevify, an approved online course provider, giving them the skills and confidence to safely take on greater responsibilities.

“The initiative was initially developed in response to workforce pressures in orthopaedic spine and neurosurgery, where complex procedures require highly skilled theatre teams and experienced RNs. It is already having a positive impact within Wakefield’s orthopaedic spine and neurosurgical theatres, and feedback from the teams involved has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Billing.

Building on its early success, Wakefield Hospital is now exploring opportunities to expand the model into other surgical specialties, including urology.

Wakefield Hospital General Manager Carole Kaffes says the OTA Upskilling Initiative reflects Wakefield Hospital’s commitment to developing its people and strengthening theatre teams for the future. By making the best use of skills across the team, Wakefield is building a more resilient workforce and continuing to deliver safe, high-quality care for patients.

Zane O’Gorman was named Learner of the Year – Drilling at the inaugural MITO Industry Summit and Awards, held at Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre on 1 September.

O’Gorman works for Griffiths Drilling, part of the Griffiths group headquartered on State Highway 58 in Pāuatahanui.

MITO said O’Gorman had progressed rapidly from working as a driller’s assistant to independently operating a drilling rig.

He was recognised for his technical ability, initiative and professionalism, including consistently achieving strong core recovery and producing high-quality bore logs.

MITO also highlighted his approach to safety, reliability and willingness to take responsibility on the job.

O’Gorman was presented with the award by MITO board director Iain Haycock and chairperson Sturrock Saunders.

The awards formed part of MITO’s first Industry Summit, which brought more than 200 representatives from industry, government, education, employers and training organisations to Wellington.

The summit covered industries including automotive, transport and logistics, drilling, mining and quarrying, and gas.

Minister Shane Jones delivered a keynote address focused on the role those industries play in New Zealand’s economy and the importance of industry training in developing the future workforce.

Griffiths has operated in New Zealand for more than 50 years and carries out geotechnical and environmental drilling, water bore drilling and specialist drilling projects around the country.

Deviation House was designed and delivered by the team at Pou Architecture. The award submission was formally recognised under the name of Pou Architecture co-founder and registered architect Esekia Faiga, as the individual ADNZ professional member.

The project expanded the rural two-storey home from a 125-square-metre footprint to 314 square metres, creating more space for a growing family while retaining the original building.

A new open-plan kitchen and living area became the centre of the house. The redevelopment also added a rumpus room and double-garage workshop at ground level.

Pou Architecture said the design was based on “deviation”, deliberately moving away from the constraints of the original Lockwood layout.

The old and new parts of the house are distinguished through their form and materials. A curved brick base anchors the building, while dark Abodo timber cladding and large windows define the upper levels.

Inside, previously compartmentalised rooms were reconfigured to improve light, flexibility and connections between living spaces.

The project team included structural engineers StrucD and main contractor NZ Proud Property Improvements. The completed house was photographed by Ashley Alexander Agency.

Faiga is Samoan-born and has more than a decade of experience in architecture. Before co-founding Pou Architecture, he worked at CCM Architects and was involved in designing and managing the Samoa High Commission’s chancery building in Wellington.

Deviation House received its Commended Award at the Wellington regional awards on 21 August.

The 300 square metre home, named “A Growing Perspective”, was built by Abode Homes and received Regional Gold in the Wellington and Wairarapa Bunnings New Home $1 million to $1.5 million category.

The award recognises some of the highest quality residential building work across the country, with homes judged on design, workmanship, materials, functionality and overall execution.

“A Growing Perspective” was designed around creating a home that works for family life while making the most of its setting.

The project features a contemporary layout with multiple living spaces, quality finishes and a focus on natural light and connection with the outdoors.

The home also included four bathrooms, with bathroomware supplied by Newtech Bathroomware.

Newtech said the project demonstrated the level of detail and product selection involved in creating a high-end residential build.

The award adds to recognition for Porirua’s growing residential building sector, with local homes increasingly featuring in regional and national design awards.

For Abode Homes, the result highlights the company’s focus on delivering architecturally considered homes that combine practical living with distinctive design.

The Registered Master Builders House of the Year Awards celebrate the best new residential builds across New Zealand each year.

The funding will go towards practical support including care packages and emergency supply kits for families experiencing sudden financial pressure.

Porirua Whānau Centre Chief Executive Liz Kelly says the grant reflects a relationship built over several years between the charity and Mercury.

“This relationship has grown out of years of Mercury genuinely turning up for our community, so we’re extremely appreciative of the extra support,” she says.

The partnership began through Mercury’s Here to Help programme, which has worked alongside the Whānau Centre to help whānau stay connected to power when previous credit issues may have prevented them from securing an electricity connection.

“Power is one of those things people don’t talk about until they don’t have it,” Kelly says.

“Mercury has patiently worked with us for years to help whānau who’d otherwise be locked out because of a bad credit history can still get connected. That’s a good community partner.”

Porirua Whānau Centre is a kaupapa Māori community hub supporting whānau throughout the greater Wellington region through services including housing support, budget facilitation, early childhood education and wider wraparound assistance.

Kelly says the additional funding will make a practical difference for families who need support.

“We’re grateful Mercury sees the value in what we do here every day.

“We appreciate this isn’t a life changing amount, but anything extra we can put towards supporting our whānau and community is money well spent.”

Mercury says the grant is part of its ongoing commitment to supporting communities and organisations that provide essential services for local families.

Porirua City Council has highlighted three significant developments this week, including the launch of a new Porirua Harbour restoration plan, proposed dune restoration at Ngāti Toa Domain and a major construction milestone for the new Whitby reservoir.

Porirua Harbour restoration plan launched

The five partners in the Te Wai Ora o Parirua Porirua Harbour Accord have launched a new action plan aimed at improving the health and mauri of Te Awarua o Porirua.

The plan sets out 20 priority actions across four key areas and is intended to turn the Harbour Accord’s shared vision into coordinated restoration work.

The harbour remains one of Porirua’s most important natural assets and has been the focus of long-term efforts to improve water quality, biodiversity and environmental health.

Ngāti Toa Domain dune restoration proposed

Council is also proposing restoration work along sections of the coastline at Ngāti Toa Domain.

The work is intended to improve dune stability, restore native biodiversity and strengthen the long-term resilience of the coastal environment.

Council says the proposal follows coastal assessments, technical advice and commitments made through the Porirua Harbour Accord and Long-term Plan.

Public feedback is open until Tuesday 22 September.

Whitby reservoir reaches major milestone

Work on the new reservoir beside the existing Whitby reservoir has reached a major construction milestone with completion of the base slab.

Around 520 cubic metres of concrete was used for the pour, roughly equivalent to the volume of eight 40-foot shipping containers.

Once completed, the reservoir will hold nine million litres of clean drinking water.

It will increase total water storage for the area to 13.5 million litres, help meet future demand and improve resilience by providing an additional connection to upper Whitby.

Construction will now move on to forming the reservoir walls.

The three projects form part of wider efforts to improve Porirua’s resilience as the city grows, while protecting important natural environments and strengthening essential infrastructure.

Elemental Eats in Kenepuru and Sushil’s Musclechef Café in Aotea were named among the finalists in this year’s Visa Wellington On a Plate burger competition.

Elemental Eats is in the running with What’s the buzz?, a $22 burger featuring a smashed beef patty with bacon, mozzarella, onion crisps, Elemental Coffee espresso BBQ sauce and aioli in a brioche bun.

Sushil’s Musclechef Café made the final with The Street Whisper, a $34 burger inspired by chef Sushil’s childhood in Chennai.

It features South Indian spiced twice-cooked chicken in Manchurian sauce, Napa cabbage coleslaw, crispy noodle sadeko, pickled red onion and kimchi ketchup in a curry leaf milk bun, served with Sichuan-spiced fries and momo sauce mayonnaise.

A vegetarian and vegan version is also available.

The other finalists are Bellbird Eatery, Lazy Juan and The Old Quarter.

The five finalists will now face final judging to decide the 2026 Burger Wellington champion.

Burger Wellington ran from August 3 to 23 and featured more than 240 burgers across the Wellington region.

With two of the five finalists coming from Porirua, the city is well represented in the race for this year’s title.