Everything Kāpiti
Ngā Pitopito kōrero mai i te Kaunihera o Kāpiti
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Kia ora Kāpiti
This week we welcome six Kāpiti locals to our community-led coastal adaptation panel. We take a closer look at modelling behind the Government's Three Waters Reform Programme, introduce our new Destination Management Plan, and celebrate two talented tamariki. Grab a cuppa and read on to find out more!
Mā te wā – have a great week
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 Your Council
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Coastal adaptation panel members named
We’re delighted to welcome six incredible locals to the coastal adaptation panel led by former Prime Minister and Waikanae Beach resident Jim Bolger.
This is part of the Takutai Kāpiti project, set up to look at possible solutions to future sea level rise and coastal erosion in our district and present Council with recommended options.
The process including the panel was co-designed by a working group drawn from our iwi partners, Coastal Ratepayers United, North Ōtaki Beach Residents Group, Waikanae Estuary Care Group, and regional and district council staff. The panel will hold its first meeting next week.
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Leaky analysis begs further questions of Three Waters Reform
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The Government's Three Waters Reform Programme is a big deal and we've spent some time looking at the modelling that has been used to inform the proposed water services entity (WSE) model.
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The main argument behind the case for change is that the proposal will be cheaper for everyone. However, our analysis of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) model shows that it does not accurately represent the Kāpiti Coast situation. For example WICS has estimated the value of Kāpiti's water assets at $940 million, but the actual replacement value of our assets is $548 million.
Councillors will meet again in the coming weeks to explore other aspects of the proposal before formalising their feedback to the Government by September 30. No decisions to opt in or out are being made at this stage.
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Collaborative plan to help Kāpiti live up to its destination potential
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Council has adopted a new Destination Management Plan to help attract more visitors to our district.
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Drawing on extensive engagement with iwi, local partners, and sector stakeholders, and research by Colmar Brunton, the plan provides a strategic framework and over 60 key actions to help increase the number of visitors to the Kāpiti Coast, their length of stay and their ability to spend more while here.
The Economic Development Kotahitanga Board will now take the lead in implementing the three-year plan. This includes pulling together a panel of stakeholders to enable the plan and developing partnerships and collaborations within the visitor sector.
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Our Council is a great place to work and we have some amazing opportunities on the go for people who are passionate about delivering quality services and facilities for our community. Check out our vacancies page to find out more.
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 Work updates
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Te Uruhi site cleared for work to begin
Last week Elected Members, Council staff and representatives from our district’s three iwi – Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongatai and Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki – gathered at Te Uruhi for a dawn whenua clearing ceremony.
Mayor K Gurunathan said the ceremony acknowledged old conflicts and breathed new life into positive beginnings, and recognised iwi ancestors who inhabited the area as well as the activities that took place in and around Te Uruhi.
Works to improve the ecology of the Tikotu Stream near Marine Parade will start later this month. New retaining walls will be installed, and the stream banks will be prepared for planting native species. A resource consent is in place for these works.
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New water bores for Hautere and Te Horo
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Work to increase the safety and resilience of the Hautere public water supply is progressing at pace. This water supply is fed by two shallow bores that are located within the floodplain of the Ōtaki River which sometimes limits our ability to consistently provide high quality water.
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We’re currently testing the water from three potential new bores, and if the quality, reliability, and volume is acceptable, we’ll soon start laying new pipes to the water treatment station.
Once connected, the new bores should reduce the need for residents who access this supply to boil their water as a precautionary measure after prolonged periods of heavy rain.
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 Hot tip
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Soft Plastics recycling drop-offs are back!
After a pause to sort supply and demand issues, our friends at the Packaging Forum have re-started soft plastics recycling bins at several supermarkets in our district.
If you can scrunch you plastic packaging into a ball, it's a soft plastic and can be dropped off at:
• Ōtaki Countdown
• Waikanae Countdown
• Waikanae New World
• Paraparaumu Countdown
• Paraparaumu New World
Please make sure your packaging is clean as it will be made into a range of plastic products for sale in New Zealand. Remember – soft plastics must not go in your kerbside recycling bin.
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 What's new this week
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Talented young artists design new library cards
Congratulations to Arlo (age 9) and Jamie (age 5), the deserving winners of our creative library card competition.
Our library staff received 47 entries from talented tamariki across our district which made selecting the award winning designs really tough. Arlo’s and Jamie’s designs will feature on new library cards issued from our Paekākāriki, Paraparaumu, Waikanae and Ōtaki libraries from next week.
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 Our people and communities
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#LoveLocal, love shopping our boutiques
Life's been a bit tough on everyone lately, including our local retailers. So, why not treat yourself or a loved one to a little something special. We're lucky to have some fabulous boutiques, with clothing for women and men, special gifts, gorgeous florals and more, right here on the Kāpiti Coast.
If you love quality goods and love supporting local independent stores check out our boutique-shopping list.
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Play it safe and get vaccinated
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While tonight’s move to Alert Level 3 for our whanau and friends in Auckland is welcome news, we must not let our guard down.
The Delta variant is far more transmittable and it is important that we continue to play by the rules, get tested if we are feeling unwell and get vaccinated – it’s easy and it’s free!
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This will help ensure we do not lose sight of any of the gains we have made and will help keep our whanau, friends and community safe.
Remember the Alert Level 2 golden rules:
- Scan QR codes everywhere you go
- Everyone aged 12 and over must wear a face covering when visiting public facilities including libraries, gyms, supermarkets and shopping malls.
Keep 2 meters apart from people you do not know while out and about. Act as if you and others around you have COVID-19.
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School Sports Programme brings dance to local schools
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If you have tamariki at our local schools, chances are they have participated in at least one of our School Sports Programme events.
The programmes are run in partnership with local schools and aim to provide opportunities for Kāpiti tamariki to get involved in sport.
Schools are currently signing tamariki up for our virtual dance off so if you notice a bit of extra spring in your child’s step chances are they’re getting some practice in for our virtual dance off.
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 Dates to remember
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SwimBegin school holiday programme
Our Aquatics team is taking bookings for our October SwimBegin school holiday programme. Sessions run daily from Monday 11 to Friday 15 October at our Coastlands Aquatic Centre and Ōtaki Pool. Spaces are limited so book now by calling 04 296 4746 or email swim@kapiticoast.govt.nz
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 Ako Skills Café workshop about Zoom meetings
Join our libraries for a free online workshop and increase your confidence and skills around online meetings.
Friday 24 September 10.30-11.30am
Register to secure your spot
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Daylight savings begins this weekend!
Clocks go forward at 3am on Saturday 26 September.
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 #shareyourkapiti
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We want to see your Kāpiti snaps!
Do you have beautiful Kāpiti Coast photos? If so, follow us on Instagram and use the hashtag #shareyourkapiti for the chance to feature in Everything Kāpiti. If you don't use social media, you can upload your images to our website, at #ShareYourKapiti. Get sharing!
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© Steve Radburn
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© Paul Barker
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Everything (Kāpiti) is better with friends 
Would you like to share the Everything Kāpiti newsletter with friends? Forward it to a friend and they'll be able to sign up too.
Or share the signup page directly. We look forward to welcoming them to the whanau.
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