Waste and Your Workplace will be held from 8am to 10am on Thursday, May 7, at the Performing Arts Studio, Pātaka Art + Museum, 17 Parumoana St, Porirua.

The free Porirua City Council event will feature waste expert Kate Fenwick, who will share practical ways businesses can reduce waste and lower costs.

Registrations, refreshments and networking begin at 8am, followed by the presentation from 8.30am to 10am.

The seminar is open to all ages and free to attend.

The one-day event, jointly organised by Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira and Porirua City Council, aims to celebrate the city’s “village economy” while inspiring local businesses to grow together.

Headlining this year’s programme are Bev Priestman, Ruby Tui and Sir Ian Taylor. The event will be hosted by Eteroa Lafaele.

Running from 9am to 4pm, BizFest 2026 carries the theme Build Your Village, building on last year’s focus on resilience with a new message encouraging businesses to thrive together.

Organisers say the theme reflects Porirua’s long-standing approach to business, grounded in whanaungatanga and kotahitanga. The programme includes interactive workshops led by local experts, structured networking opportunities and an exhibitor marketplace for small business support services.

Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira chief executive Helmut Modlik said the event was about more than listening to speakers.

“This is about connecting and feeling proud of where you are, being excited to continue building our village and benefit from that,” Modlik said.

He said the concept of “te mana o te takitini”, or the strength of many, had always underpinned Porirua’s business community.

“BizFest gives that approach the infrastructure it deserves.”

Porirua Mayor Anita Baker said the event offered a chance for businesses to turn inspiration into action.

“Porirua is a place to do business. Our city is humming and, importantly, somewhere we look out for one another,” Baker said.

“What we want is lasting economic success, the village continues to work and flourish long after the event ends.”

Tickets for BizFest 2026 are available online at https://tickets.ticketspace.co.nz/tickets/bizfest2026

Organised by Porirua City Council, the 2026 programme begins with Rotuma Language Week from 10–16 May. A community event is scheduled at Pātaka Art + Museum on Monday 11 May, marking the first of 12 Pacific language weeks to be observed this year.

The annual celebrations highlight the importance of preserving Pacific languages, as global concerns grow about language loss. The United Nations estimates that at least 40 per cent of the world’s 7,000 languages are at risk of disappearing.

Mayor Anita Baker said the events are an opportunity to recognise the city’s cultural diversity and strengthen community connections.

“Raising the flag at the Peace Memorial or hosting celebrations at Pātaka is one small way we can honour and recognise the vibrancy of the nearly 27 per cent of Porirua’s population who identify as Pacific,” Baker said.

“We have one of the most culturally diverse populations in the country and I love that we highlight it wherever we can.”

Baker said the council’s Pacific Strategy, adopted in 2023, aims to ensure residents from all backgrounds feel welcome and able to celebrate their heritage.

“I watch our residents, young and old, developing relationships and revelling in what makes their language so unique. We need to continue to support and applaud that pride,” she said.

The 2026 programme includes language weeks for Samoa, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Tonga, among others. Bislama, the official language of Vanuatu, was added to the calendar in 2025, bringing the total number of Pacific language weeks to 12. Māori Language Week will also be marked from 20–26 September.

Individual themes for each language week will be announced closer to the dates, with updates shared on council channels.

Pacific Language Weeks 2026 dates:

• Rotuma: 10–16 May
• Samoa: 31 May–6 June
• Kiribati: 5–11 July
• Vanuatu: 26 July–1 August
• Cook Islands Māori: 2–8 August
• Tonga: 16–22 August
• Papua New Guinea Pidgin: 6–12 September
• Tuvalu: 27 September–3 October
• Fiji: 4–10 October
• Niue: 18–24 October
• Tokelau: 25–31 October
• Solomon Islands Pidgin: 22–28 November

Residents are encouraged to take part in local events and follow updates as Porirua prepares to celebrate its Pacific communities through language, culture and shared identity.

Eleven students from four local colleges were welcomed into council teams last week, where they will work one day a week during term 2. Placements span a range of departments including Arena Fitness, Economic Development, Pacific Strategy, Māori Strategy, Waste Minimisation, Democratic Services, Policy and Strategy, Pātaka, and Communications and Marketing.

The programme is designed to give students practical experience of the workplace. Participants prepare a CV, apply for a role, and complete an interview process before starting their placements.

Mahi Rangatahi was first introduced as a pilot in 2022 following feedback from local schools seeking more opportunities for students to explore career pathways.

Porirua Mayor Anita Baker said the initiative supports the council’s goal of putting young people at the centre of decision-making.

“It’s fantastic to see these young faces around our council teams, learning real skills and hopefully getting some genuine experience with their mentors. I wish them well,” Baker said.

At the end of the programme, students receive references from their managers to support future job applications. Feedback is also gathered from students, parents, mentors, and careers advisers to help refine the programme.

Students interested in exploring career options can also attend the Porirua Careers Expo on Tuesday 5 May at Te Rauparaha Arena. The free event runs from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

The Phoenix will face the Brisbane Roar over two legs, with the second match to be played in Porirua on Sunday, May 10. The first leg will take place in Brisbane on May 3.

The winner on aggregate will advance to the grand final.

The semi-final marks a milestone for both the club and the city, with the Phoenix reaching the finals series for the first time in their history. It will also be the highest-profile women’s football match hosted in Porirua.

Club officials say a temporary stand will be installed at Porirua Park to meet expected demand, as local supporters prepare to turn out in large numbers.

Brisbane secured their place in the final four with a 3-0 win over Adelaide United in Saturday night’s elimination final.

In the other elimination match, Melbourne Victory beat Canberra United 3-1 to set up a semi-final against Melbourne City.

The Phoenix and Roar have shared results this season. The sides drew 2-2 in January before Wellington recorded a 3-0 win at Hnry Stadium in March.

The Porirua leg is expected to draw a strong crowd, with the Phoenix aiming to secure a place in their first A-League Women grand final on home soil.

A dawn service at the Porirua RSA on McKillop Street began at 6am, following early morning preparations and a parade assembly at Mungavin car park. Attendees stood in silence as the service marked the start of a day of remembrance.

In Titahi Bay, a dawn service at the Titahi Bay RSA began at 6.30am, drawing members, families and the wider public. A citizens parade is set to follow later this morning from Whitehouse Road.

The city’s main civic commemoration is taking place at Te Rauparaha Park, where the Porirua City Civic Service began at 9am at the Peace Memorial. Residents gathered earlier for seating and a march from Hagley Street ahead of the formal service.

Services are continuing throughout the late morning across Porirua’s communities.

In Pāuatahanui, a memorial service at St Alban’s Church began at 10.15am, followed by wreath-laying at the local war memorial. At Takapūwahia Marae, a service is under way from 10.30am, reflecting the significance of Anzac Day across iwi and community spaces.

Further north, Pukerua Bay residents began their commemorations earlier with an 8am flag raising and recitation at the RSA. A community service at St Mark’s Church is scheduled for 11am, followed by a midday wreath-laying ceremony and Last Post at Whenua Tapu Cemetery.

Across Porirua, the spread of services highlights the strong local participation in Anzac Day, with events ranging from formal civic ceremonies to smaller community and marae-based gatherings.

Anzac Day commemorates New Zealand and Australian service personnel who have served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping missions. For many in Porirua, the day is marked not only through organised services, but also through personal acts of remembrance with whānau and community.

Services and gatherings are expected to continue into the afternoon, as residents reflect on the shared history and ongoing impact of conflict.

Lest we forget.

One household in Porirua has been evacuated as torrential rain sweeps across the region, with nearby areas including Pāuatahanui and Plimmerton among the hardest hit.

Pāuatahanui resident Andrew Frazer said the downpour was unlike anything he had seen in decades.

“We just had perhaps the heaviest rain I’ve ever seen, sort of like tropical hurricane-like rain storm, and this rain just came up really, really quickly,” Frazer told RNZ.

Floodwater entered his home for about an hour before receding, leaving behind silt and damage.

In Plimmerton, residents are spending the day sandbagging properties and clearing drains after a nearby stream overflowed into homes. One property reported flooding in a garage and bedroom, with neighbours stepping in to help while the homeowners were away.

Local volunteer Damo said flooding in the area was a recurring issue.

“The stream floods pretty much every time there’s a big storm,” he told RNZ, adding blocked drains remained an ongoing concern despite repeated requests for maintenance.

His mother, Irene, said the repeated impact on residents was frustrating.

“This is the second time in four to five years that they’ve been flooded out like this,” she told RNZ.

Fire crews are working alongside residents to clear drains, helping water levels drop more quickly than in previous events.

Porirua Mayor Anita Baker said 40mm of rain fell in Plimmerton over a two-hour period, contributing to the flooding.

Wellington Region Emergency Management Office regional manager Dan Neely said two further bands of heavy rain are expected later on Saturday, around 2pm and 8pm.

“We know we have two big rain bands coming, but there is a lot of uncertainty about where they will hit and how much rain will fall,” Neely said.

“We are urging people to avoid all non-essential travel for the rest of today, but particularly around those times,” he said.

Neely said there was concern for already affected areas and key routes.

“We have concern for the areas already impacted, including around SH2, SH58 and SH59,” he said.

“If you are travelling on those routes when the heavy rain hits, you may be impacted by flash or surface flooding. Do not drive through floodwaters.”

Across the wider region, 25 households have been evacuated in Stokes Valley, while Porirua has recorded one evacuation. Most displaced residents are staying with family and friends, with a small number housed in council facilities.

Neely urged residents to take precautions ahead of the next rain bands.

“Stay inside and don’t drive unless absolutely necessary,” he said.

“Act quickly if you see rising water. Do not wait for official warnings. Move to higher ground.

“Never try to walk, swim or drive through flood water.”

The arrest follows an investigation into alleged illicit drug dealing in the local community.

Kāpiti-Mana Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant Jen Blackwood said Police acted on information about a property believed to be involved in drug distribution.

On Thursday 9 April, officers from the Kāpiti-Mana Tactical Crime Unit executed a search warrant at the address, supported by the Police Safety Team, Offender Prevention Team, a dog handler and the Kāpiti-Mana Beat Team.

During the search, Police located $14,490 in cash along with 121 grams of methamphetamine, 27 grams of ecstasy and 60 grams of cannabis. Ammunition was also found at the property.

Blackwood said sheds on the property were also searched, where officers discovered several vehicles believed to be stolen. These included two motorbikes, three electric bikes and two electric scooters.

Four people were present at the address and were taken into custody without incident.

The man faces charges including possession of methamphetamine for supply, possession of ecstasy for supply, possession of a cannabis plant, possession of cocaine and unlawful possession of ammunition. He has been remanded in custody and is due to reappear in Porirua District Court on 12 May.

Police are continuing inquiries and are working to return the recovered vehicles to their rightful owners.

The hospital will operate as a day-surgery service for patients who face long public wait times and cannot afford private care. Referrals are expected to come mainly through GPs.

Trust chair Dr Graham Sharpe told RNZ finding a suitable building had taken about five years, with earlier options falling through due to site constraints and ownership changes. He said the chosen property meets key requirements, including ceiling height and electrical capacity for clinical equipment.

The ground-floor space will be developed into two operating theatres, a recovery area for up to six patients, consultation rooms, and staff facilities. The hospital will focus on same-day procedures and will not admit patients overnight or treat those under 18.

Chief executive Vito Lo Iacono told RNZ the fit-out is expected to cost between $10 million and $13 million, with annual operating costs of about $1.5 million. Funding will come from donations, alongside in-kind support from professionals contributing discounted or free services.

The project is backed by philanthropists Dame Dorothy Spotswood and Sir Mark Dunajtschik, whose support is funding the build.

Sharpe told RNZ more than 40 surgeons and anaesthetists have already expressed interest in volunteering their time, working around their commitments in the public and private sectors.

Initial services are expected to include procedures such as endoscopies and colonoscopies, with plans to expand into cataract and minor general surgeries like hernia repairs and varicose vein treatment.

Board member Dr James Tietjens told RNZ the service aims to address growing unmet need in the health system.

He said some patients meet criteria for hospital care but are not seen in a timely way, while others struggle to access primary care or referrals.

“This is about improving access for people who are currently missing out,” he told RNZ.

The building is undergoing earthquake strengthening, expected to be completed mid-year. Organisers say the design allows for potential expansion within the building in future.

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little told RNZ the development is a significant step forward for local healthcare and reflects strong community support.

The hospital is aiming to begin operations in February, initially running one operating theatre while systems are established before expanding services.

The Wellington Regional Leadership Committee brings together nine mayors from across the Wellington region and Horowhenua, along with iwi representatives and the regional council chair, to coordinate long-term planning on growth, infrastructure and the environment.

Modlik said the committee would continue to provide a space for councils and iwi to work together on shared challenges.

“Together, councils and iwi can better manage growth, infrastructure planning and climate change with a regional spatial plan that strengthens environmental stewardship by respecting mana whenua relationships with land and water,” he said.

He said embedding iwi values and priorities into planning would help support stronger partnerships across the region.

“When iwi values, priorities and boundaries are visible in spatial planning, it creates clearer pathways for partnership. That clarity supports a stronger Te Tiriti-based approach to resource management, while improving the health of our environment and outcomes for the region.”

Ponter said the committee’s role would be increasingly important as councils and iwi prepare for changes to resource management laws.

“Through the Future Development Strategy, the committee has experience with regional spatial planning, which is likely to be a cornerstone of the legislation set to replace the Resource Management Act,” he said.

He said the work already completed had laid a foundation for a plan that reflects Te Ao Māori alongside the aspirations of councils and communities, while helping guide investment, development sequencing and environmental protection.

The committee’s current programme includes a range of regional projects focused on housing supply, climate adaptation, industrial land and economic growth.

It will also begin preparatory work on a regional spatial plan as part of wider resource management reform.