Issue May 2014

Grant Robertson The first influence is a pickup in the arrival of UK immigrants, now getting used to the shrunken pound, and accepting that the...

Cheerful, fragile-looking pansies are one of the toughest performers for chilly winter gardens — and who can resist falling for that pretty, velvety face — whether plain, patterned, smudged or be-whiskered? They come in more colours than the rainbow — ruby red and regal purple, azure blue and glowing gold, apricot and rusty brown, snowy white and even black.

The spicy aroma and tangy taste of these green, South American natives is unbeatable, and their shape and size make them good lunch box fruit for children — manageable for small fingers in a hurry!

Waitohu School’s Fergus Carpenter set a new record for the year five boys interschool cross country race, completing two circuits of the Haruatai Park’s course in 7 minutes flat, ahead of the second placed runner, Braithan Collins in 7.39 minutes, and James Lei further back in third, a top three placing for Waitohu.

Who Are We ? The results for the national Census performed in March 2013 have just been released.

Otaki Village Promotions Group Inc. Chair, Ian Carson announced this week that regrettably, the Matariki Lantern Carnival planned for late June has had to be cancelled.

Otaki resident and author, Marion Rego, recently released her latest book, Africa for One, telling of her time in parts of Africa in the 1960’s. Content for her book came from memories and letters sent home to her parents, sister and brother-in-law, which her mother had stored in shoe boxes.

By Margaret Andrews Two significant birthdays have been celebrated by Otaki residents over the last month: John Saunders turned 95 at the end of April...

Gillian, Lady Deane recently accepted an invitation to become the patron of Waikanae’s Mahara Gallery, a move which has come at a pivotal time for the district’s art gallery, currently immersed in fund raising to redevelop facilities.

Three new exhibitions opened at Mahara Gallery last month: Stag Spooner, Wild Men of the Bush, ‘The Human Expression,’ created by John Lawrence, and in New SPACE is Jack Penman’s interactive display, ‘Party Lines: The Story of Waikanae’s Early Telephone Exchange Operators.’

The Kāpiti Coast Older Persons’ Council, a partner of the Kāpiti Coast District Council, is meeting in the Otaki RSA on Wednesday 25th June. John...

With the planting season on us, the Friends of the Otaki River held their first public planting day, the Pub Charity Family Planting, above Chrystalls Bend recently. About 30 people turned out and made short work of imbedding the 1000 trees, shrubs and grasses in the prepared holes.

The recent Otaki College ball was another outstanding success with attendees elegantly dressed to The Great Gatsby theme and most arriving in either 1920’s vintage cars or 1950-60’s classics.

Welcome aboard Kirsty Doyle — Careers for the Future Expo — PB4L and Restorative Practices — Principal’s Awards — Chromebook Update— Visiting Musician Bernard Mangakahia — Kids Can Cook Workshop — Equestrian Success

A new flagpole for Te Horo Hall The newly installed flagpole in front of Te Horo Hall was put to good use during Te Horo...