April 2015
News
Local Women Supporting Cambodian School Libraries
Fourteen school libraries, a teachers’ conference and a farewell function for a school principal – Helen Walch and Judith Miller’s recent visit to Cambodia was definitely not a leisurely holiday. The two local women are trustees for Books for Cambodia, a small charitable trust that supports the development of some rural school libraries in two Cambodian provinces.
Growing Tomatoes the Watsons Way
At the annual Kapiti Home and Garden Show, local firm Watsons’ star tomato grower gave a demonstration of how the experts grow tomatoes in small spaces. Damon Braddock assisted by KCDC's Green Gardner Hannah Zwartz showed us a cunning device – the old number 8 bent wire trick – growing many tomato plants in pots contained within a large plastic container.
Gardening
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.
Developing a drought tolerant garden
Over the last four years in Otaki there have been long periods during summer that have been very hot and dry. Whilst this is great for spending time with the kids at the beach it can be challenging for gardens particularly for those in the Kapiti beach communities.
Bulbs for spring
Most spring-flowering bulbs can be planted from mid-February through to May. Choose a sunny spot – most spring bulbs need at least half a day of sun to flower happily, and loosen soil with a fork before planting. If you have heavy clay, dig sand or compost into the top layer of soil and, as a general rule, plant 2-3 times as deep as the height of the bulb.
Thumbs up, Thumbs down
Thumbs up
Otaki’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
To 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
Atea Fraser returns to Ngā Purapura
I first met te Rangiatea (Atea) Fraser 3 years ago, when I joined the gym at Ngā Purapura. He was completing a 3 year course at Te Wānanga -O-Raukawa in Sport & Exercise Science. I was an elderly pakeha in awe of Ngā Purapura’s wonderful new exercise complex, wanting to take advantage of it’s fitness-enhancing potential.
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.
History
Otaki Historical Society – Pip Devonshire speaking
The speaker for April will be Pip Devonshire, a nationally-known weaver who has exhibited her work around the world. She is a tutor of Maori Art and Design at Te Wananga o Raukawa where she teaches and creates from historic Maori designs, and with her creative talent presents them in a new form.
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.
Life
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.
Help for separating parents
How the family justice system works changed in April 2014, but separating parents are still unsure how to go about resolving their disputes over...
Business, industry & farming
Trinity Farm at Easter
Forget chocolate at Easter, indulge in some art for your garden!
Trinity Farm is hosting the second Heritage Arts & Crafts Show at Easter with...
Atea Fraser returns to Ngā Purapura
I first met te Rangiatea (Atea) Fraser 3 years ago, when I joined the gym at Ngā Purapura. He was completing a 3 year course at Te Wānanga -O-Raukawa in Sport & Exercise Science. I was an elderly pakeha in awe of Ngā Purapura’s wonderful new exercise complex, wanting to take advantage of it’s fitness-enhancing potential.
Sports, arts, music & entertainment
The Civic Chat — Pre-audition meeting 1 April, auditions 19th
Production meeting 1st April to discuss the show and characters. Auditions will take place on Sunday 19th April for , “Whistle Down The Wind”, a musical which premiered in the West End of London in 1996.
Otaki Historical Society – Pip Devonshire speaking
The speaker for April will be Pip Devonshire, a nationally-known weaver who has exhibited her work around the world. She is a tutor of Maori Art and Design at Te Wananga o Raukawa where she teaches and creates from historic Maori designs, and with her creative talent presents them in a new form.
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
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.
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.