from Island Bay Marine Education Centre:

"Judy here.

I have devastating news for all our friends, supporters and followers.

Victor has died.

I’m beyond sad.

For those of you who have known us from the very first when we created our Island Bay Marine Education Centre at the old Marine Laboratory over 30 years ago, you will know that Victor was my best friend. He was also the most kind, compassionate and humble person I’ve ever known.

He was Dr Shark. I was Ms Orca. We were a team. With Victor at my side, I felt that we could achieve anything.

All he wanted in life was to make people happy. And if he could inspire them to become as passionate about caring for our marine environment as he was, then that was a bonus.

He was an excellent communicator and had a formidable intellect which he shared with everyone in a fun, accessible and exciting way. I think he did a good job.

As well as his role as a mentor, inspirer and consummate host, he was a respected Scientist and Marine Biologist who travelled the World from Antarctica to China and many other countries sharing his knowledge. He touched a lot of people in many different ways.

I’m still working through things, and I ask for your patience while I figure out the best way to help everyone share their memories of Victor and celebrate his life to the utmost.

He hated funerals but he liked parties. So, I’ll try to find a way to help everyone remember him in a fun way. Maybe a party at Octopus Headquarters. I won’t be able to respond for a while but if you feel like sharing your memories of Victor then please do so.

Our little Education Centre is thriving despite a year of sewage pollution, storms and other setbacks. I’m determined for it to continue to operate for a long time. That would make Victor very happy.

I’m so grateful to have Sam Chan as our Aquarist and Luca, Kris and Sean looking after our booked groups and Open Sundays @ the Bait House. And, of course, our awesome Volunteers who help make a visit to the Bait House memorable.

Riposa in pace, my best friend, Vittorio Costantino Antonio Anderlini.

You were one of a kind and you made the World a better place."

Its been quiet out in the bay this winter. I could hear one down the valley. Ast year year we had a pair that called to each other and another thst sounded like a toad..

you can now buy hot donuts at the Wellington railway station and crikey you can smell them the second the train door opens.

Time for a service on my motorbike and found out that Boyle’s Motorcycles (next to Maccas at the Basin) has closed :( I’ve been going to them for 10 years now and they were great.

Can I please get some recommendations of some friendly and honest shops? I’ll admit I don’t know too much about motorbikes and only use my low Cc bike for city commuting, so looking for someone who can explain things in plain language if need be.

Thanks!

(There should be a recommendation request flair perhaps?)

'They should be at work': Christopher Luxon on 10,000 striking public servants https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1207896/they-should-be-at-work-christopher-luxon-on-10-000-striking-public-servants

I didn’t know about this strike and will definitely be showing up to tautoko! You’re hearty as

Imagine if we had a Lidl or Aldi here?

It would change so many people's lives.

We’ve recently had new neighbours move in and they use their wood-burning fireplace multiple times a day. I think, legally, this is ok but it is really affecting our home and family. I have three children, one with asthma and I’m getting worried that he will get very ill from the smoke. I constantly smell smoke. The amount coming out of the chimney just seems wrong. I don’t know if the previous homeowners just didn’t ever use the fireplace but I’ve never noticed the smoke before.
Does anyone know how I can handle this? What can I do to prevent the smoke from coming in? I live in an old house so there are lots of places where the smoke can creep in.
Also, we brought it up with them when it first happened and they admitted they were burning wet wood and said they wouldn’t do it again but I’m not sure that has stopped.

I want to learn to speak, and eventually maybe read and write te reo Māori.

My parents are immigrants, so I don’t have any Māori background myself, just European/Sri Lankan roots. But I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. With everything going on right now (the pushback on Māori language and culture from certain corners of politics ^cough^), it feels like the wrong time to sit on the sidelines. If anything, that’s exactly why it matters to actually put the effort in and connect properly with the whenua I live on and the culture that’s foundational to Aotearoa, not just admire it from a distance/walk around as I know most immigrants/ descendants of immigrants do (this is my personal experience, i may be wrong but oh well)

I’m a total beginner, am genuinely starting from zero. When I say starting from zero, I do of course understand commonly used words and phrases but that’s about it.

So if anyone in Wellington has done a good intro-level course, or knows a class that’s welcoming to people with no prior exposure to te reo or tikanga, I’d really appreciate the pointer. Doesn’t need to be fancy, just somewhere I can actually start learning properly xx

Thought this might be of interest, Audioculture covering the history of Cuba Dupa festival!

Can anyone tell me why our trains frequently wait outside Wellington station for a platform? Currently on the 8.05am express from Waterloo and we’re stopped just north of the stadium.
Do we have that many trains moving around that we can’t just go straight into Wellington station to a platform? Or is it something else?

I've been a Molemap person for the last probably 10yrs at least, always making sure I book an appointment to get a check no matter how expensive it was... however there was a post on Reddit awhile back (though I think they were Auckland based) about how they missed a spot (that even got sent away to check) that did turn out to be cancerous. Given how expensive it is, I'm wondering if I should try going somewhere new

So I'm wondering if anyone has any skin specialists (that aren't Molemap) in Wellington that they go (and recommend highly) to have their moles and spots checked?

Just admiring the absolutely wonderful weather we are having today.

Took my bike out of the garage and CRCd it for the spring and summer. A brisk cycle up and down the culdesac to make sure it still works as per normal.

Tui snapped happily feeding on nectar from the kofis this morning right above me as I worked away.

Have an amazing Tuesday everyone.

For businesses that use AI to enhance your products you must be aware of the Fair Trading Act, you wouldn't want to be done for 'Misleading Descriptions.' If nyone turned up to your business expecting what they see on your advertising and the product doesn't meet expectations, you could find yourself in trouble.

This is a totally selfish post, as a Graphic Designer this absurde use of AI truly makes your business look terrible.

Kia ora folks. if your looking for something different to do this saturday, I came across this Korean Festival at the Michael Fowler Centre. Its from 12pm - 5pm and free entry, theres gonna be Korean food, KPop, cultural performances, cooking shows, arts & crafts and K-Food/K-Beauty stalls.

Thought I’d share it here incase anyone wants to go along and have some fun, maybe try something new this weekend haha

Im not the organiser or involved with the event btw, just came across it and thought it looked pretty cool so thought I’d share 😊

selling vintage clothes on the 27th of september starting 12pm, 12 hunter street, hope to see you there 😉

@everythingontheracks and @sam_antha_margaret on ig!

https://www.instagram.com/everythingontheracks?igsi=N3I3OTN4bHJyZW9w

https://www.instagram.com/sam_antha_margaret?igsi=MTJsMG95NzJ3ZmdoOA==

There’s a carpark by the Airport Retail Park with buses picking people up? I assume film related as there’s security and signage about crew.

Anyone know what’s going on?

Make sure you have your water and food stocked up and your plan to get home.

Had a huge traffic jam after the Paremata Roundabout turning to Mana espl. Turns out this huge ass truck was parked here while the clearway was operating.

Reported cause driver was riding with no helmet (which is a common thing in the Hutt), they asked me for more information cause it was stolen! If you see this bike please call police to report it!

Considering the snow leopards but I'm wondering if the kids will be disappointed, because it's not exactly like you can reach out and pat the snow leopards...

Red Pandas are a no-go because they're all booked until next year.

Hi all today I was walking over the Denis McGrath bridge (the pedestrian bridge that connects the two sides of the graveyard) and saw a beanie on the floor of the bridge.

I've left it on the end of the rail on the CBD-side of the bridge as seen in the photo.

The beanie had C.C branding but there was no hint of ownership. Hope that whoever it belongs to can find it.

Note: I've left as much info as possible in this post as I am unlikely to respond to questions as I am not on Reddit often.