Smart and innovative Lower Hutt

We’re on the lookout for new technology and fresh thinking that will make our city an even better place to live, work and play.

It could be something that improves our city’s sustainability, reduces running costs or energy consumption, or makes life more productive and fun for residents, businesses and visitors.

See some of the innovative things we’re doing already: 

Pay by plate parking

Lower Hutt is moving to a ‘pay by plate’ parking system, with dozens of paperless parking meters now installed around the city.

The parking machines look the same, but new technology is being installed inside them that enables customers to enter their licence plate number when paying for parking, instead of getting a paper ticket. The new system saves money on the regular maintenance associated with the meter’s printing function, and will save the production of thousands of paper tickets every year. 

Trialling new dog tag technology

Hutt City Council is one of two New Zealand Councils to trial Doggone technology - a new and innovative dog tag and app developed to quickly and safely reunite lost dogs with their owners. The technology includes a Bluetooth tag and app that sends location updates when the dog passes within 60m of someone else with the Doggone App. CEO of Doggone Ltd, Tracy Austin, says the inspiration behind Doggone was the opportunity to reduce the anxiety and stress felt both by dog owners and dogs in the event of a dog being lost.

Bridging the digital divide

The TAKA WIFI initiative has seen 125 tamariki at Naenae’s Rata Street School given access to Wifi at home in an effort to bridge the digital divide. The initiative is a partnership between Hutt City Council, the TAKA Trust, Chorus, the Ministry of Education and Network for Learning.

Council’s aim is to extend this initiative across all schools in the north east. Mel Laban, Council’s divisional manager community projects and relationships, says digital literacy is essential in the 21st Century and is a critical part of learning for all tamariki.

Te Whiti Riser Track Sensor

Hutt City Council’s Active Leisure team operates a sensor on the popular walking track the Te Whiti Riser to gather information on who’s using it.

The sensor measures the number of track users, whether they’re walking or biking, and in which direction they’re going.

The technology is used to measure the use of tracks and assess the need for maintenance, improvements and further development.

See some of the innovative things other cities are doing:

Smart rubbish bins in Christchurch

Dublin’s carbon neutral fire station

Santiago reduces childhood obesity

Denmark designs future lighting solutions