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THIS WEEK IN KĀPITI – 17 November 2020
Masthead image – four children in a swimming pool

Everything Kāpiti

Ngā Pitopito kōrero mai i te Kaunihera o Kāpiti

Kia ora Kāpiti

There's not a lot left of 2020 (only six weeks!), and we're starting to think about what 2021 might bring – relaxing at the beach with friends and whānau, barbecues, new ventures and adventures...

If you're thinking about the future too, check out our What Matters Most? story below and our pop-ups across the district over the next few weeks. What you tell us now will help shape our Long-term Plan, which lays out the mahi we intend to do over the next 20 years to reach our future aspirations. Make sure you have your say!

Mā te wā – have a great week!

Get involved icon  Get involved

What matters most as our district grows?

With our beautiful beaches, spectacular landscapes, friendly people and balanced lifestyle, it’s no surprise Kāpiti is growing.
 
With an expanding population comes higher demand for Council services, and we need to plan for extra capacity. Continued growth in key demographics like older persons and young families also impacts the types of infrastructure and services we will need to plan for.
 
How do we plan for growth, and the challenges and opportunities that it brings, ensuring Kāpiti continues to be a great place to live? Watch the video to see what some Kāpiti locals have to say about what matters most to them.

We're hosting the first of our pop-ups around the district this week, at Waikanae Library tomorrow (Wednesday), and at Paraparaumu Beach Market on Saturday – see Upcoming events for times and other locations.

Have your say

Beach Bylaw consultation closes

Ka pai to everyone who took the time to make a submission on the proposed Kāpiti Coast District Council Beach Bylaw 2021.

Image of child on beach with Kāpiti Island in background

We’ve received over 450 submissions, with more than 65 submitters indicating that they would like to speak to their submissions.

This has been a significant process for us all and we'd like to give a big shout out to everyone in our community that has contributed to the process. November 26 has been scheduled as the hearing date but further times may be required given the high number of speakers.
 
Submissions will be analysed and a report will be prepared for the full Council to consider early next year.

Voting in Waikanae Community Board by-election to begin

If you’re eligible to vote, but not on the roll, there is still time to get enrolled to make a special vote in the upcoming Waikanae Community Board by-election.

Two people sitting by garden in Mahara Place

If you live in the Waikanae Community Board area, visit vote.nz or call 0800 ENROLNOW (0800 36 76 56) to enrol or update your details.
 
Once your details are updated, contact the Electoral Officer by emailing
electoral@kapiticoast.govt.nz to request a special vote.
 
If you pay rates on a property in the Waikanae Community Board area but live
elsewhere, go to our website to find an enrolment form.

More information

Your Council icon  Your Council

Image of Council buildings in Paraparaumu

Council services opening at 10am this Friday

Council offices and libraries will open from 10am on Friday 20 November 2020, to allow staff to attend an early morning meeting.
 
Pools will open at their usual times.
 
Thanks for your patience – we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Our People and Communities icon  Our people & communities

Kapiti Arts Trail flag outside a row of shops

And... that's a wrap for the Arts Trail 2020!

The 20th Kāpiti Arts trail was a great success, with artists' studios, hubs and galleries humming over the past two weekends.

We are totally in awe of our talented, hardworking artists in Kāpiti, and thank them for all the effort they have put into creating amazing works for the Trail.

Remember you can arrange visits to most of our studio artists during the year, so do hang on to your Kāpiti Arts Guide, or pick up one from a Council Service Centre. 

Find the artists online

Keep tracking, Kāpiti!

Recording our details wherever we go will put us in the best position to act quickly if COVID-19 enters our community.

Hand writing a list on paper

It doesn’t matter how you track, as long as you do it – using the NZ Tracer app on your phone is fantastic but, if you find it easier, keep a notepad and pen on you to jot down a quick note.
 
Remember the three Ws…

  • Where did you go?
  • When?
  • Who were you with?

Stay safe and be kind, Kāpiti.

Interschool Athletics are go!

We're super excited to have been able to get out with local schools last week for the Junior Interschool Athletics, supported by our school sports programme.

Child doing long jump, while others watch on.

After earlier rain cancellations, and the year that 2020 has been, it was great to see the kids out enjoying their sport!
 
Huge congratulations and thanks to all the kids who took part, and the schools, parents, volunteers and staff who made the day possible.
 
The Senior Athletics School Competition will be this Thursday, 19 November at Paraparaumu Domain – weather permitting.
 
To keep up to date, follow our Facebook page for further updates. You can also get information from your school’s sport coordinator or teacher.

Waikanae Pool recycling bins

We’re really excited to have four new recycling bins around the grounds at Waikanae Pool.

A rubbish and a recycling bin at Waikanae Pool

They're ready to collect all plastic bottles and other plastics numbered 1, 2 and 5, as well as cardboard and cans, making it easy for everyone to do their bit to prevent plastic and other recyclable items going to landfill.
 
Thanks to EnviroWaste and Council’s waste minimisation advisors for getting this initiative up and running.
 
We also have a wrist band recycling bin at reception for when you leave the pool. Our bands are 100% recycled by Second Life Plastics in Levin, who turn them into cable covering. Ka pai!

Escarpment closure

Unfortunately, the popular Escarpment Track is temporarily closed 14–18 November.

Image of the landslide on the Escarpment Track

Te Araroa Trust and KiwiRail have advised us there’s significant work to be done on a major slip above the railway line, towards the southern end of the track. There are also some smaller, recent slips near the swing bridges that need fixing. Two of these are quite difficult to cross, which may cause issues for walkers.

The gates at SH1 Paekākāriki and Muri Road, Pukerua Bay will be locked and have signage while the track is closed, with temporary signs also at the railway stations at each end.

The Trust apologises for the inconvenience, but the safety of all walkers is paramount.

Work updates icon  Work updates

Former Minister of Veteran Affairs, Ron Mark, opening the new RSA arch

RSA arch and Ōtaki Cemetery refurbishment

On Armistice Day (Wednesday 11 November), we celebrated the successful delivery of a beautiful arch at a ceremony attended by the former Minister of Veteran Affairs, members of the Ōtaki RSA and local dignitaries.

The lower area of the Ōtaki Cemetery has also been refurbished in anticipation of the arch's arrival.

Delivering this project was a true community effort, with support from Veterans Affairs, Ōtaki RSA, the Council team and RSA local contractor Concrete Doctors.

Kāpiti Road footpath work complete

Four road cones on a road

Thanks for your patience as our contractors worked to renew the footpaths on Kāpiti Road in recent weeks. This important work is now complete.
 
Traffic management  and cones have been removed, and we're back to normal traffic flows on one of our busiest thoroughfares.

Parparaumu Memorial Hall work takes off

We are off with a hiss and a roar with work under way on the Paraparaumu Memorial Hall upgrade.
Image of Paraparaumu District Memorial Hall, covered in scaffolding

Beyond the scaffolding and building wrap, workers are busily removing fittings and preparing to earthquake strengthen this well-used local building.
 
Fire and emergency systems will be upgraded, the roof and external cladding will be repaired and the whole building will be repainted, resulting in a warmer, safer and more comfortable place to gather.

Kaitawa Reserve loos out of order

Just a quick heads up to our park-going community that the wharepaku (toilets) at the awesome Kaitawa Reserve will be temporarily closed while we repair some recent damage.
View of Kaitawa Reserve, including Outdoor classroom sign

We’re waiting on some parts to get them cleaned up and running again, and expect work to be completed within a couple of weeks.
 
The damage occurred over the weekend of 7/8 November, and police have been notified.
 
The park is still fantastic though, so get down there and show it some love!

  Dates to remember

Three women reading paper sheets pegged out as laundry

Lockdown Laundry invites you to air your lockdown memories!

The COVID-19 lockdown was a time when we couldn't easily share our lives with others. So how did you go? How did you feel, and how did you spend your days?
 
Lockdown Laundry is travelling the country and coming to the Paraparaumu and Ōtaki Libraries this week. We welcome everyone to share their ups and downs – we want to hear it, warts and all. 

  • Paraparaumu Library: Friday 20 November 10am–4pm
  • Ōtaki Library: Saturday 21 November 10.30am–3.30pm

Come and have a chat about your experiences with our lovely typist, who’ll capture your lockdown memories using her trusty typewriter. You can then hang them out to air on our washing line, alongside other people's Lockdown Laundry notes.
 
Lockdown Laundry is a public art project funded by the Creative Communities Scheme, which is aimed at supporting arts activities that celebrate Kāpiti culture and community involvement.

beach scene, with person jumping on a sandcastle, and the words "what matters most?"

What matters most? – pop-ups

Tell us what matters most to you! Councillors and Council staff will be at various places across our district to hear your thoughts.

  • 9am–12pm Wed 18 Nov – Waikanae Library
  • 8–11.30am Sat 21 Nov – Paraparaumu Beach Market
  • 8.30am–12.30pm Wed 25 Nov – Paraparaumu Library
  • 8am–12pm Sat 28 Nov – Waikanae Community Market
  • 2–4pm Wed 2 Dec – Paekākāriki Library
  • 8am–12pm Sat 5 Dec – Ōtaki Yard Market

See What matters most? for more information.

Dates to remember iconPedal Ready cycle course

Saturday 28 November, 9.30am–12.30pm, Te Newhanga Kāpiti Community Centre, 15a Ngahina Street, Paraparaumu

This 3-hour course is a great way to get back into biking or to build confidence for riding on the road for the first time. Please note this course is not suitable for complete beginners.
Bookings essential: www.pedalready.org.nz/events

  #shareyourkapiti

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!

@louisagaimster
Becky Kraakman


                                    
Copyright © 2020 Kapiti Coast District Council, All rights reserved.


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