In the world of filmmaking, it all starts with the passion of the filmmaker. And for over half a century, the New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) has been the platform that showcases this very passion to audiences across the country. From its modest beginnings in 1972, where a mere 5000 tickets were sold, the festival has evolved into a cinematic extravaganza, selling a staggering 80,000 tickets so far this year. Spanning across 5 Wellington cinemas, the NZIFF boasts a remarkable lineup of 120 captivating films, each crafted by talented directors from around the globe. The NZIFF was driven as…

WATCH the story of how a reputable bar owner is treated like a loser and taken to the edge by people using a system to assert maximum control. Meet Greig Wilson from Epic Hospitality. The company owns Vinyl Bar, Shady Lady, Eva Beva and El Barrio. Greig is trying to open a new bar in the beautiful Paramount Cinema, it’s taken 14 months now with another 9 months to wait.He has never had a hearing in 14 years and now he faces a wall of appeals, endless difficulty and costs. WCC emailed him 3 weeks ago giving him the green…

Many have not heard of the small independent charitable trust, Laura Fergusson (LFT), tucked away in a quiet suburb on the edge of Waiwhetu Stream.A key provider of services to those with physical disabilities, reducing barriers and providing opportunities to people with disabilities. They aim to uplift people to pursue supported and independent lifestyles, and have done so for over 40 years.An independent report recently commissioned identified for every $1 spent LFTs residential facility achieves a social outcome of $1.30 – no mean feat!The trust has also moved into supported living space, working with clients in their own homes, and again the report noted…

The health system in Wellington is under enormous strain and the cracks are appearing – emergency departments are beyond capacity, surgeons are warning about operations being dangerously delayed, patients are complaining about six month wait times and health professionals feel overworked.It seems that in 2023 people are fighting and/ or begging their way into health services, meanwhile their health gets worse and permanent damage is done. With 40,000 + people on the waiting list for cardio treatment, heart failure is a huge concern for New Zealanders.Cardiac Sonographer and Physiologist, Will Robinson is revolutionizing diagnostic cardiology testing by supporting patients on their journey to…

As the warm embrace of summer approaches, Wellington Live is thrilled to present a curated selection of picnic spots that cater to your every whim. Whether you’re a doting mom in search of family-friendly adventures or a hopeless romantic yearning for a tranquil escape, our versatile list promises to be your seasonal guide to picnicking perfection. Percy Reserve WaterfallPercy Reserve Waterfall was recommended by one of our followers as a must see picnic destination. Located in lower Hutt, just five minutes from Petone, this spot offers just a short walk into full immersion of nature. Percy Falls is the perfect family…

In a step towards enhancing community safety, Wellington Police’s Regional commander and a team of 14 District constables recently convened with local stakeholders at Tākina for the community wellbeing forum. During the meeting, a multitude of pressing concerns related to the safety and overall welfare of Wellington’s suburban communities and surrounding areas were deliberated upon.The issues discussed included the escalating challenge of retail theft, which has become a problem affecting several prominent retail areas on Cuba St, Lambton Quay, and adjacent streets within Wellington. Amid these concerns, the “Eyes On” security initiative has emerged as a promising solution. This collaborative effort between…

What are we up to in Wellington?WCC is rightly focused on implementing a hyper-local strategy – the 15min city – as we move to a cycle and pedestrian friendly environment. This simple move has the ability to radically improve our urban streets. But what about beyond the infrastructure, what is going on?There are numerous inner city sites unrented, boarded up or sitting empty. With much of the public sector workforce still working from home, are we losing our soul? The canary in the coal mines was the closing of David Jones, followed by Hurricane Jeans, Gubbs Shoes, and now Wishbone.…

 Te Papa Museum : Explore New Zealand’s national museum. It’s a perfect indoor activity, offering diverse exhibits and interactive displays. Café Crawl: Enjoy Wellington’s renowned coffee culture by visiting local cafes like Fidel’s, Customs Brew Bar, or Midnight Espresso. Midday: Weta Workshop: Take a tour of Weta Workshop, famous for its film industry creations. It’s an immersive experience showcasing movie props, costumes, and special effects. City Gallery Wellington: Dive into contemporary art at the City Gallery. They often have thought-provoking exhibitions worth exploring.Afternoon: Zealandia: Visit this wildlife sanctuary with indoor exhibits and walking trails. It’s a great way to experience New Zealand’s natural history while…

Recent reports from the World Economic Forum (WEF) (2023) have unveiled intriguing insights into the state of gender equality worldwide, and it turns out New Zealand is not such a bad spot as an aspiring female. The WEF report delves into multiple dimensions of gender equality, encompassing women’s economic participation, gender pay gaps, employment and leadership roles, education attainment, literacy rates, health, life expectancy, and female representation in politics.   Our commitment to diversity extends beyond gender, reflecting our multicultural society with an increased presence of women, people of colour, LGBTQ+ individuals, and indigenous MPs. This inclusivity is mirrored in…

Where are they now?”Where are they now?” is a new series where we catch up with Wellington Legends that you may not have heard from for a while.Episode 2: Clem GriffithsClem takes us on a journey around one of his Cafe & Inn’s in Wellington Chapman Taylor Cafe & Inn. Displaying amazing historic items within the cafe, from James Chapman-Taylor.