April 2015

News

Te Horo’s horse rescuer

A forgotten, potholed road turns from the bustle of SH 1 and winds past a cluster of forlorn deserted buildings, derelict structures that once housed the Mary Crest Catholic Girls’ Home. But once through this slightly disquieting area you’ll come across rolling hills and flat pasture – you’ve arrived at specialist horse sanctuary, the Riverside Retreat Equine Rescue and Re-homing Centre.

Scouting Awards Celebrated

Sunday 22nd February was ‘Founder’s Day’ which celebrates the birth of Lord Robert Baden Powell, the founder of the Scout Movement is a day for celebration and recognition of good works within the scout movement. Roger Beech- Pooley was awarded the Medal of Merit for Good Service to NZ Scouting.

Gardening

Transition Town Otaki: Sustainability in action

Food forest, sustainable gardening, permaculture, locavore—words once unfamiliar to gardeners now crop up regularly in the media and in gardening conversations.All are talking about a way of gardening that is both productive and efficient, making the best use of soil, sun and water. Planting intelligently with a mixture of different trees, shrubs and crops and using chooks, worms or other animals to keep the garden fertile and abundant without expensive fertilisers and pesticides.

Little ballerinas

A fuchsia’s ballerina-like blooms lift and brighten the gloomiest spots in our gardens, and most of us remember the large, flamboyant, double-flowered hybrids, those lovers of dappled shade, that were popular in our grandparents’ gardens.

Otaki Daffodils

Hooray! we have locally grown Malvern City daffodil bulbs for this year’s planting season. Malvern City is a classic all yellow trumpet daffodil. It is tall-growing (50cm) and an early flowering variety, a perfect cut flower.

Garden tasks for April, 2015

April is a busy month in the garden

Thumbs up, Thumbs down

Thumbs up

  • R-ThumbsupOtaki’s Manihera Tehei — top scoring Maori language student in Year 13 winning an outstanding scholarship
  • To all those who ‘Shave for a Cure’
  • Otaki College being powered by the sun
  • Otaki Sunsets
  • New Café at the beach
  • Save the Capital Connection Group http://www.savethecapitalconnection.nz/

Thumbs down

  • R-ThumbsdownTo the rubbish dumpers who will not use the receptacles provided, or the Refuse Centre. The community bears the cost of your rubbish!
  • The dumpers of fish heads and bones by the Waitohu Stream

Taking Ōtaki's Pulse

Pink Bales Succeeds

Remember those pink bales dotted round the countryside raising money and awareness for country women who have cancer? $23,000 was raised which will go a long way in supporting women and their families as they live with secondary cancer.

Cancer Society

Anyone affected by cancer, whether they are the patient or support person is welcome to come to our Support Group Meeting, held on 3rd Monday of the month 2pm, Gertrude Atmore Supper Rooms, Memorial Hall, Aotaki Street.

History

From the Otaki Mail, March 18, 1935

When Noel Coward, brilliant young English writer, launched his sensational stage success “Cavalcade”, dramatic critics said he had borrowed from the technique of making films. He had used kaleidoscopic symbolism, the close-up and panorama. In their screen play of the subject, which will screen its grand return season to-morrow, Fox Films are paying back with interest; they put “Cavalcade” where it really belongs – into the fluent medium of action – the movie.

OTAKI MUSEUM: The exhibition Otaki Remembers World War I is in...

Otaki Remembers World War I focuses on Gallipoli, as 25 April 2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the landing at Anzac Cove. After eight months of battles and heavy losses, the troops had to be evacuated. Gallipoli was a costly failure; the Allies suffered 141,547 casualties of which 44,150 died; Turkey had 251,309 casualties of which 86,692 died. New Zealand had around 8,000 casualties, of which 2,779 died. Otaki just after the war is also featured.

Life

College Heads Settle In

A new year and a new team of student leaders have settled into their roles at Otaki College, with the head boy, Tevita Kata and head girl Clare McInerney-Heather at the helm.

When Your Cat Can’t Pee…

Sometimes we notice our cats frequently going (or trying to go) to the toilet. We may describe this as straining, or think that they are constipated. Sometimes they manage to pass little drops of urine which may be tinged with blood. At other times, nothing seems to happen. Your cat may cry out, seem distressed, or become quiet and depressed.

Business, industry & farming

Te Horo’s horse rescuer

A forgotten, potholed road turns from the bustle of SH 1 and winds past a cluster of forlorn deserted buildings, derelict structures that once housed the Mary Crest Catholic Girls’ Home. But once through this slightly disquieting area you’ll come across rolling hills and flat pasture – you’ve arrived at specialist horse sanctuary, the Riverside Retreat Equine Rescue and Re-homing Centre.

Birds and Bees, Flowers and Trees!

Last night I had the pleasure of attending the monthly meeting of the Otaki Buzz Club.A group of men and women united by their passion for Bees. Most have hives, some like me are gathering information and getting up to speed before taking the plunge.

Sports, arts, music & entertainment

Otaki Golf Club survives the drought

At the far end of Te Rauparaha Street is the picturesque Otaki Golf Club, looking green and immaculate despite this summer’s drought. How do they do it? I wondered.

Ōtaki College News March 2015

From the Principal Major Achievement for Otaki College Solar Energy Project Stage 1 of the Ōtaki College 21kw solar energy installation has gone live. With support...

KCDC Update

KCDC Meetings for April 2015

DayDateMeetingTimeVenue Wednesday 1 April Open Day – Long Term Plan 7.00 pm Ōtaki College, 233 Mill Road, Ōtaki Thursday 2 April Corporate Business Committee 10.00 am Council Chambers Ground Floor, 175 Rimu Road, Paraparaumu Wednesday 8...

Are you missing out on your rates rebate?

It seems that Otaki ratepayers may be missing out on rate rebates said Trevor Daniell Local Body spokesperson for Kapiti Coast Grey Power. The 2013 census shows that 987 Otaki ward households earn less than $30,000 a year but only 420 claimed the rates rebate and 194 have applied for rates remission due to hardship.

Environment

Birds and Bees, Flowers and Trees!

Last night I had the pleasure of attending the monthly meeting of the Otaki Buzz Club.A group of men and women united by their passion for Bees. Most have hives, some like me are gathering information and getting up to speed before taking the plunge.

Transition Town Otaki: Sustainability in action

Food forest, sustainable gardening, permaculture, locavore—words once unfamiliar to gardeners now crop up regularly in the media and in gardening conversations.All are talking about a way of gardening that is both productive and efficient, making the best use of soil, sun and water. Planting intelligently with a mixture of different trees, shrubs and crops and using chooks, worms or other animals to keep the garden fertile and abundant without expensive fertilisers and pesticides.

Our people

Focus On : Graham ‘Ras’ Rasmussen

When it comes to woodchopping and contracting, the name Rasmussen is pretty well-known in Otaki.

Scouting Awards Celebrated

Sunday 22nd February was ‘Founder’s Day’ which celebrates the birth of Lord Robert Baden Powell, the founder of the Scout Movement is a day for celebration and recognition of good works within the scout movement. Roger Beech- Pooley was awarded the Medal of Merit for Good Service to NZ Scouting.

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