And that bothers me

Just saw this image on a post about the WCC layoffs (I was distracted enough by the image that I can no longer find the post to link) but the point really is that I can't understand where it was taken.

I can't reconcile the background with the foreground at all - what am I not getting? Is it AI? Is it composite? Is it a real place that I should be embarrassed as a lifelong Wellingtonian for not recognising?

Help!

Edit: Okay I'm honestly relieved the consensus is AI but also equally mad now because there are like a billion public images of Wellington they could have used and any would have been fine

Moving the Wellington Museum from the heritage-listed Bond Store on the waterfront to the Tākina convention centre could cost $15 million, but the public purse might not need to pay the entire amount.

Wheako Pōneke Experience Wellington, the Wellington City Council-owned trust that operates the museum along with other attractions such as Space Place and Nairn St Cottage, will ask city councillors this month for $6.3m to fit out the museum in the convention centre.
The trust plans to cover the rest using its own reserves and through fundraising.

The option is cheaper than spending up to $28m to keep the museum at the Bond Store, according to estimates the trust presented at a council workshop last week, on top of tens of millions required to earthquake strengthen the Category 1 heritage-listed building.

Analysis from 2023 suggested that keeping the museum at the Bond Store could cost between $40-100m.
Martin Matthews, the trust’s chairperson and a former auditor-general, told councillors moving to Tākina was the “most fiscally responsible” way out. “The Tākina option provides, essentially, a purpose-built gallery space that can be easily fitted out for the museum experience.”
Tākina, which opened in 2023, has held exhibitions including Doctor Who and two Lego shows, with mixed success.

In 2024, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon criticized the $180 million convention centre as an example of wasteful council spending.

Being in the convention centre could reshape the museum to convey the capital’s history in a “more modern way”, Matthews continued. He added the trust was not entering the debate about the building’s heritage value.

“We recognise it’s a lovely building, but we also recognise anything you might decide with that building comes with a very big price tag.”

Dating back to 1892 and designed by Frederick de Jersey Clere, the Bond Store was home to the Wellington Harbour Board head offices.

Deputy mayor Ben McNulty said in July he wanted the Bond Store to be sold, arguing public money should go toward earthquake strengthening buildings with greater public utility, such as the Michael Fowler Centre.
“The best option, if we want to keep that building, is that we move the museum, sell [the building] off, and get Wellington ratepayers out of another strengthening quagmire,” McNulty said.

Historic Places Wellington chairperson Felicity Wong argued the Bond Store would not need earthquake strengthening until 2034 under new legislation, meaning work on specific areas could be spread across years.
“It does not need to be addressed [all] at once. … A prudent approach would be to actually cost the work, and consider a range of technological solutions over time.”

Im an international student living in welly. The recent news from the UN climate change report have made me pretty sad and anxious. Back home, when I get anxious I'll just go to a beach and pick up some trash, ik the impact it has is very small, but it helps me feel better for a while. Problem is, im not entirely sure where I can drop off bags of trash here in welly? My best guess is I could try to spread it across a couple of public trash cans? But I dont wanna clutter the public trash bins...would probably just cause more littering... Someone mentioned the landfill to me, problem is I dont have a car and ive heard its car access only? Does anyone know where i could drop off the trash?

Bubblesheep already posted it yesterday but just in case, here's the reason you're hearing booms through the city at midday.

Edit: Boom Boom Boom

Just thought I’d share here if anyone from the Kenepuru electorate were interested - not to mention any others who might have questions. Just note the rules, thanks. :)

We are planning to visit Wellington for a wedding in January 2027 and will be travelling with our two kids (2 and 4 years old) while I’ll also be 8 months pregnant 😅 Staying 4 nights total.

This will be our first time flying and travelling more than 1.5 hours from home since 2021 due to lockdowns and having kids, so would prefer something with a breakfast bar/buffet, maybe a family room, that sort of thing.

I’ve looked at the highly rated ones on Google but it says there’s a maximum of 3 guests per room so trying to gauge what our options are as I’d like us all to be together in the same room/suite.

Reviews can vary greatly from Trip Advisor to Google so thought I’d ask on here.

Any and all advice is appreciated! Thank you 🙏

I'd like to amble along some nice streams. What are your favourites? Bonus points if they're on a bus route :-)

Anyone know anything about the Pohutukawa cut down on Park Road? The stump looks like it was a fairly big one, and it would make me sad of it was some landlord hoping for some extra sunlight

Spotted on corner of Ghuznee and Victoria Street

2 years ago I got a quote to replace all windows in my house with double glazed PVC. I didn't end up doing that for reasons, but now I have one particular window frame that is completely rotten, and needs replacing anyway.

I asked the same company that provided me with the original quote to provide me a new quote just for that one window.

The original quote was around $600 for that window (in July 2024). Today I have received new quote, which is $1700 for the same window.

Installation is quoted separately.

I am wondering if it's just "go away, we don't want to bother with small orders" pricing, or if the prices have increased that much since 2024?

Also if you have any recommendations for companies that do reasonably priced PVC windows and could do a small job (i.e. just one window replacement) - I would love to hear that in the comments!

Hey Welly!

Does anyone know who stocks beeswax wraps (to put my sandwiches in) in the CBD?

TIA

Hi all, looking for recommendations for places to get my eyebrows done in the CBD - preferably places with experience working on not just women.

I normally don't touch my eyebrows but they're completely cooked from a past accident and whatnot so really want to get them sorted out.

Thanks!

It's not much, but it's been 3 plus years since I sustained a brain injury due to an unsafe work environment and while I'm still recovering I have so much to be grateful for.

In that time we've moved closer to family, now in the hutt and are just loving life.

We aren't rolling in cash but we are comfortable and I think in this current day and age just having some level of comfort I.e. a warm bed and a roof over our head. Is in and of itself a blessing I will always be grateful for.

I guess I just wanted to share some positivity to start everyone's Monday off.

Have a the best week you can guys.

All the best,

Ollie

(Photo of youngest pup awestruck by the chonkiest Kereru)

Inb4 all the NOISE?! posts. From NZDF:

At midday on Tuesday 8 September 2026, Gunners from 16th Field Regiment, Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery, will fire a 21-gun salute from Point Jerningham, Wellington to mark the Official Observance of the Anniversary of the Accession of His Majesty King Charles III.

I love the weather today. Admittedly, I could do with a little less wind, but the grey skies and rain are so cosy.

I know I’ll probably get hounded for this, but being able to go outside without squinting because of the sun is amazing 😂 Give me a gloomy grey day any time. Am I weird? Probably. Am I cosy? Absolutely.

Also FYI cars please put your lights on! I know it’s daylight and obviously we can see you, but you’re so much harder to see in this weather, especially light grey/silver cars. Headlights make such a difference.

There is a dead duck on the footpath of awamutu grove since yesterday and I'd like to bury it but I dont have a shovel

my fave card holder!! i would love to get it fixed, but have no idea who could do it. i tried the people in lambton square who do shoe repairs and stuff but they said no :<

Wellington Brick Show 2026 — this weekend!

Got LEGO fans in the family? Come along and check out an amazing collection of LEGO® creations from builders across NZ and beyond.

There’ll be huge displays, interactive areas, build zones, traders, competitions and plenty to keep the kids entertained.

📅 12–13 September 2026
📍 Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua

Tickets: Adults $10 | Children $7 | Family Pass $28

Tickets are available online or at the door.

More info & tickets: well-lug.nz/wellington-brick-show-2026

I've been trying to remove a small (slightly stripped) screw from an old camera to no avail - yes I've already tried the rubber band trick AND superglue. I've also tried a few device repair shops and a watch repair shop in the CBD. I'm pretty sure there aren't any specific camera repair shops, but is there somewhere that might be able to help that has slipped my mind?

The camera only cost $20 so I don't really want to drop $60 on a small dremel that I'd only ever use once to carve out a line across the head for a flathead.