Kia ora Pōneke. Right here’s the newest information from round Wellington as we speak.

5pm: Motorcyclist dies after Remutaka Hill Rd crash

A motorcyclist has died after a crash on Remutaka Hill.

Police have been notified of the single-vehicle crash at 1.15pm on Tuesday and mentioned in an announcement the highway would stay closed whereas the intense crash unit examined the scene.

Motorists have been requested to keep away from the world.

Jasmine Higginson, media supervisor for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Company, mentioned it was unknown how lengthy the highway could be closed.

It will depend upon how lengthy emergency providers would stay on the scene.

About 4.30pm on Tuesday, Higginson mentioned the intense crash unit was nonetheless on web site finishing up its investigation.

Crews would then have to clear the highway earlier than it may open to site visitors. About 5pm a tow was on-site.

Motorists ought to delay their journey, as the one different route between Wellington and the Wairarapa is by way of State Freeway 1, State Freeway 57, then State Freeway 2 which might add round three hours to the journey, Higginson mentioned.

4.15pm: Shelly Bay Street intersection closed in a single day this week

Individuals eager to drive on Shelly Bay Rd after 7pm for as much as 5 nights from tonight should take an extended different route whereas a brand new raised crossing and new stormwater pipes are put in.

The highway closure might be on the intersection of Shelly Bay Rd and Miramar Ave, from 7pm every evening this week till 6am on Friday 23 July, climate allowing. Whereas 5 nights had been allotted for the work it may not take this lengthy.

Individuals who stay or work on Shelly Bay Rd will nonetheless be capable of drive to and from their properties throughout these hours by taking the longer route round Massey Rd, utilizing Awa Rd or Seatoun Tunnel.

Individuals on foot or on bicycles will nonetheless be capable of safely use the intersection (cyclists should dismount) however ought to take further care.

The council’s contractor, Downer, will set up a brand new raised pedestrian and cycle crossing on Shelly Bay Rd as half of the brand new strolling and biking paths now underneath building on the Maupuia aspect of Miramar Ave.

Raised crossings can even be stepping into on the Maupuia Rd and Tauhinu Rd intersections within the coming weeks.

3pm: Remutaka Hill Rd to be closed whereas emergency providers work

Jasmine Higginson, media supervisor for Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Company, mentioned it was unknown how lengthy the Remutaka Hill highway could be closed after a crash early this afternoon.

It will depend upon how lengthy emergency providers stay on the scene, she mentioned.

2.20pm: Transmission Gully not broken by storm

Transmission Gully builder CPB HEB has confirmed that final weekend’s storm didn’t trigger any harm to the under-construction freeway.

Crews carried out a full inspection of the positioning on Monday and located no points.

“The highway coped with the climate no issues. It’s designed to be super-resilient, and much safer and extra capable of stand up to storms, quakes and so forth than the coastal route … deliberate building work was disrupted over the weekend with the heavy rain of course, however no dramas,” spokeswoman Natasha Utting mentioned.

Paving on the highway is now 94 per cent full after asphalt groups laid 13,000 tonnes in June.

Asphalting or chip sealing in situations which might be too moist and chilly can improve the danger of faulty asphalt pavement, resulting in issues equivalent to potholes.

The highway is scheduled to open on September 27.

1.45pm: Decrease Hutt firearm incident in a single day

Police are making inquiries into an incident at a property on Bluff Shut in Kelson, Decrease Hutt, about 11.40pm the place a bunch of folks with a firearm entered a home.

One individual suffered minor accidents and the firearm was not discharged, a police spokeswoman mentioned.

“Enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing and no arrests have been made at this stage,” she mentioned.

About 20 minutes later, simply after midnight, police have been notified of a reported housebreaking at a house in Tawa.

A police spokeswoman mentioned it was reported two folks entered a residential deal with and assaulted the occupant earlier than stealing gadgets from the home.

The sufferer obtained minor accidents and police inquiries are persevering with, she mentioned.

12.40pm: Adjustments to highway structure, State Freeway 1 Mackays Crossing

From Monday, the southbound merge lane from two lanes to 1 lane on State Freeway 1 close to Mackays Crossing will transfer north by about 325 metres.

This transformation in structure is to allow the protected set up of streetlights on the northern finish of Transmission Gully.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Company mentioned delays are anticipated whereas motorists get used to the highway structure.

11.40am: New bike racks to satisfy rising demand

Simply over 50 new bike racks and 6 cycle restore stands are being put in round Wellington over the following few months to assist meet rising demand.

The Wellington Metropolis Council mentioned the work was half of enhancing services and infrastructure to make biking simpler and extra handy, encourage extra folks to make extra journeys by bike, and assist scale back emissions from highway transport.

Fifty-two new bike racks might be put in at 18 areas in Karori, Northland, Tawa, central metropolis, Oriental Bay, Seatoun, Lyall Bay, Hataitai seashore, Island Bay, and Miramar.

The brand new parking will convey the quantity of racks to about 650, offering parking for about 1300 bikes.

Six new fix-it stands will go in at Makara mountain bike park, Tawa, Khandallah, Lyall Bay, Strathmore and Glad Valley, including to the 17 stands already in use, which have instruments and bike pumps to hold out operating repairs or primary upkeep.

From August, the council can even set up a number of extra ‘‘push channels’’ on public stairways, so bikes could be pushed reasonably than carried up the steps.

Learn extra in regards to the modifications right here.

10.30am: Sightings of orca pod at Seatoun and Makara

Air and sea searches will proceed as we speak in an try to seek out the pod of child orca Toa.

The Division of Conservation mentioned sightings had been reported on Tuesday morning at Seatoun and Makara.

“Right this moment’s climate provides us the perfect probability to search for the orca pod, particularly with the credible sightings close to Wellington,” DOC marine species supervisor Ian Angus mentioned.

We could have a ship within the water and the aero membership helps with an air search.”

The orca stays in a short lived pool on the Plimmerton Boating Membership whereas seawater high quality is assessed and climate situations are monitored.

“Transferring the orca can create stress for it, so with dangerous climate anticipated from Wednesday night it could stay within the short-term pool till the climate clears later within the week, reasonably than shifting it twice,” Angus mentioned.

Any orca sightings could be reported to marinemammals@doc.govt.nz or 0800 DOC HOT.

Important data consists of location of the pod, course of journey of the animals, and pictures or movies which clearly present the saddle/again markings of the animals and their dorsal fins.

“When you do see an orca pod please report it immediately and be sure you hold a 50-metre distance from it,” Angus mentioned.

10.15am: Man makes an attempt to ram police automotive twice in central Wellington

A person has been arrested after failing to cease for police and trying to ram a police automotive twice in a single day.

Police discovered a automobile believed to include an individual of curiosity on Vivian St simply earlier than midnight Monday. Officers signalled for the automobile to cease, nevertheless it failed to take action.

A police spokeswoman mentioned no pursuit was initiated, and the automobile was seen turning into Lavaud St a short while later. The automobile then reversed and tried to hit a patrol automobile twice, the spokeswoman mentioned.

“On each events, police have been capable of reverse out of the best way earlier than being hit. No law enforcement officials have been injured within the incident,” she mentioned.

The person then fled on foot however was positioned close by and brought into custody.

6.45am: Visitors updates:

There are at the moment no recognized disruptions affecting site visitors round Wellington.

A 50kph pace restriction stays in place on State Freeway 2 Ngāūranga to Petone. A piece of the cycle lane after Ngāūranga interchange stays closed.

Climate as we speak:

There’s going to be a positive begin to the day, however showers are potential for later within the morning and night.

There’ll be recent southerlies to begin the day swinging round to northerly from the afternoon.

On this morning’s Dominion Publish:

Wheelchair ramp held up as regional council and Heritage NZ squabble

Wheelchair consumer Laura Stuart began crying when she started catching the prepare to and from Wellington’s essential railway station, as a result of of “how disabled” it made her really feel.

Stuart is one of many Wellington commuters nonetheless ready for a deliberate wheelchair ramp to be put in on the entrance of the town’s essential railway station, as disagreements proceed about who’s accountable for the hold-up.

Learn the complete story by Damian George right here.

Gun-violence directed at police fuels concern

New Zealand’s high cop says frontline law enforcement officials are involved after a spate of current gun-related incidents and violence in direction of them.

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster mentioned he’s seen a “actually worrying” pattern of criminals turning into extra more likely to flip firearms on officers.

Learn the complete story from Danielle Clent right here.

Many years of feathery style

Kiwi skins made right into a muff and matching tippets, and a peacock pelerine – it’s murderous millinery, vile and in vogue.

Te Papa’s Feathermania: Trend to die for/Te mate huruhuru: He kahu matemate addresses the environmental price of “plumiferious” style, the loss of hundreds of thousands of birds slaughtered for his or her feathers, and the consequential rise of conservation actions to guard birdlife.

Learn the complete story by Invoice Hickman and Kate Inexperienced right here.