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.

The Health of our Nation event will run from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on Monday, August 24 at Pātaka, 17 Parumoana Street. Entry is free and the event is open to everyone.

The meeting is being organised by Kaitiaki Hauora | Together for Public Health, a volunteer-run organisation campaigning for what it describes as a properly funded public health system.

Organisers say the event is intended to bring clinicians, patient advocates, health leaders and members of the community together to discuss pressures facing healthcare and possible changes.

Speakers advertised for the Porirua event include Dr David Galler, former MP Louisa Wall, health advocate Malcolm Mulholland, Dr Lucy O’Hagan and Luca Zampese.

Kaitiaki Hauora says its wider work includes public events, research, advocacy and national campaigns focused on the future of public healthcare.

The Porirua meeting is being promoted as a community conversation rather than a formal health service consultation.

Johnson (Ngāti Rārua), a mother of three, nana, aunty, sister and wife to Stephen, was remembered by Porirua Mayor Anita Baker as someone who loved the city and the people in it.

“Tracy was very well known across Porirua for her organisational skills, her ability to bring people together and, most of all, the relationships she built with people,” Baker said.

Mana MP Barbara Edmonds said Johnson’s warmth and love for the Porirua community were evident to those who knew her.

“Tracy brightened every room she entered and loved our Porirua community,” Edmonds said.

“My alofa to Stephen and her family, whom she loved dearly and was so proud of. Ia manuia lau malaga Tracy.”

Johnson had a long involvement in Porirua before becoming an elected representative.

She held events and economic development roles at Porirua City Council, was a former Executive Director of the Porirua Chamber of Commerce, President of Kapi Mana Netball and Chief Executive of the Capital Shakers.

Baker said Johnson often remarked that working with people was what she loved and what drew her to community-focused roles.

“Put simply, she loved Porirua.”

In 2022, Johnson was elected as one of four councillors representing the Pāuatahanui General Ward on Porirua City Council.

Fellow councillor Geoff Hayward, who was also elected that year, recalled being seated beside Johnson at the council table and the conversations they had as new councillors.

Hayward said they came from different backgrounds and did not always see things the same way, but Johnson’s willingness to listen and understand others had stayed with him.

“The way she wanted to know more without judgement is something too important not to share,” he said.

“To her whānau, thank you for sharing her with us, even for a short while.”

Johnson served one term on the council before stepping down due to ill health.

Baker said many people would not have known about the health challenges Johnson faced.

“Many people will not know that Tracy endured long-term health challenges, because she was always so upbeat, positive and focused on others,” Baker said.

She said Johnson had many friends across Porirua who would be sharing in the grief of her whānau and those closest to her.

“She gave a great deal to Porirua and to the people around her. Our city is now missing one of its shining stars.”

The proposal is one of two submitted by councils within the wider Wellington region.

Government will now decide whether to accept the proposal, and advise next steps.

The Government invited councils across New Zealand to explore potential local government amalgamations through a fast-tracked “Head Start” process.

This process gave councils a limited window to work together to explore options, test ideas and put forward regional proposals that reflect the needs of local communities. If councils did not lead this work themselves, the Government said it would step in and make the decisions.

Porirua City Council worked with councils across the wider Wellington region – including Kāpiti, Wairarapa, and Horowhenua – to participate in this process to ensure our communities have a voice in shaping any future proposals. Councils had until 9 August to put forward amalgamation proposals.

On Thursday 6 August Porirua City Council voted to submit an amalgamation proposal based on a single unitary council, supported by strong community councils, but said a referendum should be included in the next steps.

The proposal was developed by councils in the Wellington region as part of Government’s Head Start process, as part of its Simplifying Local Government reforms.

No decisions have been made by the Government.

The new citizens came from countries across the Pacific, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas, including American Samoa, Algeria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, China, England, Germany, India, Kenya, Kiribati, Pakistan, the Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom and the United States.

“Citizenship tonight another 70 candidates, 53 families from 21 nationalities were sworn in. Welcome to Porirua,” said Mayor Anita Baker.

Porirua City Councillor Ross Leggett also attended the ceremony.

Citizenship ceremonies mark the final step in becoming a New Zealand citizen, with participants taking an oath or affirmation of allegiance before receiving their citizenship certificate.

For the 70 people sworn in this week, the ceremony marked a new chapter as citizens of New Zealand and members of the Porirua community.

The fund supports projects and initiatives designed to make a significant difference for children and young people living in Porirua.

Eligible initiatives can focus on areas including diversity and inclusion, environmental projects, and health and wellbeing.

The fund aims to involve tamariki and rangatahi in activities that support personal development while making a positive contribution to local communities.

Six successful applicants will each receive a one-off grant of $6000 to support their initiative.

Applications close on Friday, 18 September.

David Leo Kluger, 49, was sentenced in the Wellington District Court on July 31 after pleading guilty to charges including possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, and four counts of money laundering.

The offending came to police attention during Operation Chestnut, an investigation into methamphetamine supply across the central North Island and upper South Island.

Police watched Kluger’s Johnsonville home in August 2021, during the Covid lockdown, when an associate delivered a battery pack containing one kilogram of methamphetamine.

Kluger kept 700 grams of the drug and returned 300 grams to the associate, along with $130,000 in cash and containers of high-grade motor oil.

Two months later, police stopped Kluger while he was travelling to meet an associate in Oriental Bay.

A search of his vehicle found methamphetamine, liquid ecstasy and MDMA, along with a loaded pistol and $190,000 in vacuum-packed cash hidden inside a bag of dog food.

Police also searched properties connected to Kluger in Horowhenua and Marlborough.

At a Crail Bay property, officers found 15 firearms inside a locked safe, including prohibited military-style weapons, 10 prohibited magazines and at least 16,000 rounds of ammunition.

Kluger did not hold a firearms licence.

Crown prosecutor George Fitzgerald told the court Kluger played a leading role in a commercial drug operation and used the proceeds to buy assets, including a catamaran, a Marlborough property and a Ford ute.

Kluger’s lawyer, Ron Mansfield KC, accepted the offending was commercial but disputed the Crown’s description of it as sophisticated.

He told the court Kluger had spent four years and 10 months in custody awaiting sentencing and had addressed his drug and alcohol use while in prison.

Mansfield said the firearms were part of a collection, with some used for hunting on a rural property.

Judge Noel Sainsbury set a starting point of 14 and a half years for the methamphetamine offending, with a further two and a half years added because of the number of firearms and amount of ammunition involved.

The judge recognised Kluger’s previous good character, guilty pleas and personal circumstances before imposing the final sentence of 11 years and 11 months.

Judge Sainsbury said Kluger had chosen to make money by selling methamphetamine into the community, causing harm to individuals and families.

The case was reported by Open Justice.

The New Zealand Community Trust grant comes as the Ngāti Toa Domain-based club prepares for further growth in the 2026/27 season.

Known as ParePlim, the club has more than 200 active members, ranging from T-ball beginners to elite athletes.

Its men’s team is moving into Premier 2, while new Premier 1 and Premier 2 women’s teams are being established.

Junior convenor Mike Popata said outside investment was needed to bring the club’s facilities and equipment up to the standard of its players’ talent and on-field achievements.

“This support helps our teams step onto the diamond with pride, confidence and a stronger sense of club momentum,” he said.

Under-17 girls player Alissa Kay, who is moving into premier senior softball this year, said new uniforms and improvements to the club’s main diamond would boost players’ confidence.

“A new uniform isn’t just clothing, it’s a reflection of the hard work and hours invested by members of the club,” she said.

Kay said improved facilities and senior players who modelled positive behaviour could inspire younger players to follow in their footsteps and develop a love for the game.

Men’s premier player and under-17 boys coach Nathaniel Ward said new uniforms could also lift team spirit.

“For players, it’s a fresh start, a symbol of the new season and a chance to represent your team with pride,” he said.

“From a coach’s point of view, seeing the team in good new gear can also be motivating. It shows investment in the team and can contribute to a more professional and unified atmosphere.”

NZCT general manager of grants, marketing and communications Ben Hodges said the trust was pleased to help fund the club’s growth.

He said the funding was made possible through NZCT’s gaming machine fundraising partnerships with Legends Bar, The Mariner and The Sandbar Mana.

Paremata Plimmerton Softball Club was named Wellington Softball Association Club of the Year for 2025/26.

The club continues to grow through its junior development programmes, expanding premier teams and a commitment to keeping softball accessible to the Porirua community.

Porirua Fire Station, on Mungavin Avenue, is part of the Te-Upoko Fire District.

The nationwide strike will run from noon to 1pm on Friday, July 31.

New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union members taking part nationally include career firefighters, 111 emergency centre dispatchers, volunteer support officers, trainers and staff working in risk reduction, health and safety.

The union said the repeated industrial action followed more than 50 days of negotiations with Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

It said members had not received a pay rise since July 2023, despite bargaining beginning in 2024.

According to the union, FENZ’s only formal offer was made in July 2025. It proposed a 2 per cent increase for the first year after an agreement was ratified, followed by increases of 1.5 per cent in each of the next two years.

The union said FENZ recently announced a 2.4 per cent increase for managers and workers who were not NZPFU members.

It said firefighters wanted to return to bargaining, but expected FENZ to present a new offer before negotiations continued.

The NZPFU said recruit and entry-level firefighters were paid from $25.86 an hour, while senior firefighters earned a base salary of $80,682 for a 42-hour week.

In a social media post, the union said members were striking to ensure emergency communication centres were properly staffed and crews had working equipment when responding to 111 calls.

The union also criticised payments to FENZ board members and senior executives while frontline firefighter wages remained unchanged.

The supplied information does not confirm whether Porirua Fire Station staff will take part in Friday’s action.

The New Zealand Blood Service facility is more than three times larger than the previous blood bank and has been designed to meet growing demand, improve resilience and allow for future expansion.

Health Minister Simeon Brown officially opened the facility alongside representatives from the Blood Service and Health New Zealand.

The Wellington Blood Bank operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It manages blood and blood products for the region and carries out specialist testing before transfusions.

New Zealand Blood Service chief executive Sam Cliffe said demand had increased significantly since the blood bank was established at Wellington Regional Hospital more than 45 years ago.

“Most people never see the work that happens inside a blood bank, but it is a critical part of modern healthcare,” Cliffe said.

“Behind every transfusion is a team of highly skilled professionals working around the clock to make sure patients receive the right blood products when they need them most.”

The new laboratory has space for a second blood analyser and increased refrigerated storage, helping ensure services can continue during periods of increased demand or disruption.

Its team of 15 staff, including 13 scientists, carries out about 40,000 tests each year.

Their work includes storing and managing donated blood, compatibility testing before transfusions and specialised testing for services including kidney transplantation.

Cliffe said the larger facility would also provide room to grow the workforce and resume practical laboratory training for pathology professionals from across the Pacific.

The new blood bank will support hospitals and health services across the wider Wellington region as demand for transfusion and specialist laboratory services continues to grow.