Everything Kāpiti
Ngā Pitopito kōrero mai i te Kaunihera o Kāpiti
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Kia ora Kāpiti
The weather was perfect for the opening weekend of the Kāpiti Art Trail 2022. It was fantastic to see so many people out on their journeys exploring around some of our region's best artist studios, galleries and shared spaces. There's still one more weekend to hit the trail, so make sure you take the opportunity to check out our amazing art scene!
In this week's edition we take a look at our efforts to keep motorbikes off our sand dunes; put a spotlight on the community services we delivered in 2021/22; introduce you to one of our star swim teachers, and much more!
Mā te wā – have a great week.
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 What's new
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Don't be an egg! Keep your motorbike off our dunes!
Regulatory Services Manager Jacquie Muir and Team Leader Environment and Ecological Services Andy McKay were on hand as we revealed our new signs to encourage motorbikes to stay off our dunes on Friday.
Our dunes are an important habitat for endangered native birds and lizards.
Coastal vegetation stabilises the dunes and works with driftwood to help reform them when they get eroded by the wind and sea. Our dunes are vital for protecting public and private land from the sea, but they're fragile and easily damaged by motorbikes and other vehicles.
We've put up the new signs where we know motorbikes access the beach and dunes. It's a tongue-in-cheek approach with the serious intent of educating people. Please help pass on the message.
Remember, while some vehicles are permitted on parts of the beach at very low speeds, motorbikes are not allowed anywhere on our beaches or dunes at any time, and no vehicles are allowed in the dunes.
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 Your Council
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Delivering community services for Kāpiti
This week we’re putting a spotlight on our parks and open spaces, pools, and libraries, which were busy places during our 2021/22 financial year.
In addition to renewing the hockey turf at Mazengarb Reserve, we consulted on, designed and planned replacements for the Lorna Irene, Shotover Grove, and Milne Drive playgrounds, which will be built this financial year.
Over 200,000 people visited our Coastlands Aquatics Centre, Ōtaki Pool, and Waikane Pool, and more than 500,000 library books were issued. We also continued to invest in our community facilities by beginning the Mahara Gallery rebuild project, exploring options for a permanent Waikanae Library and Service Centre replacement, and opening new public toilets in Waikanae.
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Putting our building inspectors to the test
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Our building inspectors are set to be put through their paces in training exercises to quickly assess the safety of buildings following natural disasters.
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Next week, the team will be out in the field to make rapid assessments about the safety of buildings based on mocked up images and information to determine whether they warrant a red or yellow sticker.
We always think it won't happen to us, but past earthquakes and recent floods and landslides around the motu have highlighted the need to be prepared.
Training is essential for stress testing our processes, technology and judgement, so we're ready to act quickly and effectively in a real event.
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Libraries Customer Satisfaction Survey
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We want to hear about your experiences at our libraries.
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Our annual Libraries Customer Satisfaction Survey gives us a better understanding about how our four libraries – Ōtaki, Waikanae, Paraparaumu and Paekākāriki – are servicing your needs.
Fill out the form at the link below or pop into your local library to fill out a paper version.
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Further submissions for Plan Change 2 - Intensification
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We're about to call for further submissions on Plan Change 2 - Intensification.
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We received more than 200 submissions in September and have been summarising the decisions you asked for.
These will be on our website from Thursday 10 November. You'll then have until 5pm Thursday 24 November to make a further submission.
If you need help, the free Friend of the Submitter service is available to help you with the further submissions process.
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 Work updates
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Updating our stormwater consent
Our existing stormwater resource consent expires in May 2023 so we’re applying to Greater Wellington Regional Council for a new one.
The consent will describe how we’ll manage the microbial and chemical quality of stormwater. It'll also cover how we’ll manage our stormwater network to ensure flooding issues are not made worse and demonstrate how we’ll give effect to Te Mana o Te Wai (part of Government’s national direction on freshwater).
We’ll lodge the application with Greater Wellington Regional Council in February 2023, and they'll manage the consultation process.
We’ll keep you up to date as it progresses and let you know when and how you can have your say.
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Safety first on Ōtaki Gorge Rd walking track
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Plans to open a walking track over the Ōtaki Gorge Rd slips blocking access to Ōtaki Forks are on hold pending further geotechnical and other expert assessment.
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While a track has been built over the slips, the incredibly wet winter caused further movement and instability.
We're taking a cautious approach in the interests of public safety and will keep the new track closed until we can be sure the area is stable enough to open.
We know this will be frustrating for many who had hoped to return to the Forks area and wider Forest Park this summer, but public safety is at the forefront of the decision.
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Wesley Knight Dog Park closed today
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We need to temporarily close Wesley Knight Dog Park on Ocean Road, Paraparaumu Beach today to take care of some pesky Tradescantia (or Wandering Willy as you might know it).
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This prolific weed can cause allergic skin reactions in dogs and is difficult to get rid of once established, so it's important that we eradicate it.
We'll be spraying and while there is minimal risk from residual spray, for your safety and the safety of your pooch, the park will remain closed all day. There will be signage and barriers at both entrances during this time.
The Kāpiti Coast has some fantastic off-leash areas where dogs can run and play freely while the park is out of action.
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Work starts on Jim Cooke Park bore
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A small portion of Jim Cooke Memorial Park will be fenced off from today while work is carried out to replace the bore.
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The work will include a bore drilling machine, which is able to drill down 50m, and will allow us to connect up to the existing irrigation system.
It will take 3-4 weeks. Crews will be on site between 7.30am and 5pm with some truck and vehicle movements down Nimmo Street West.
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 Our people and communities
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Wendy Donnelly: star swim teacher
Meet Wendy Donnelly, one of our awesome Kāpiti Aquatics swim teachers.
Wendy works across our three pools helping people of all ages learn to swim or grow their swimming ability.
Along with many of our aquatics staff, Wendy is in the process of adding new qualifications and skills to her teaching toolbox. Ka rawe Wendy, your mahi is appreciated by many.
As a mum of a special needs child who has found comfort in the water, Wendy also has a special connection with the pools and considers them a home away from home.
She brings a true passion for swimming and water education to work every day and we're lucky to have her on the team.
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This week is Sport New Zealand Play Week and our libraries, aquatics and parks teams have joined forces to create a great line-up of activities for the whole whānau to help you find your play.
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Channel your inner musician at instrument play sessions, enjoy Waka Kori pop-ups, try out the libraries' tech — there's something for everyone.
We're even bringing our Waka Kori Play Trailer for some poolside play at Waikanae Pools from 1pm- 4.30pm, Saturday 12 November.
Let's get out there and have some fun Kāpiti!
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Final Art Trail weekend coming up
Don't miss out on the final weekend of the Kāpiti Coast Art Trail 2022!
This Saturday and Sunday is your last chance to explore our local art scene and get some Christmas shopping done at the same time.
Watch art in the making, discover cool spots and hidden gems, get your Art Trail Rewards card stamped to go in the draw to win an arty prize, and discover new ways of exploring our creative enclaves, such as by the Blue Train or e-bike.
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Ōtaki feedback and coastal insurance in TK e-news
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Our coastal team has been busy analysing feedback from the Otaki, Te Horo and Peka Peka community workshop.
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It's clear there is a high awareness of coastal challenges due to climate change and an appetite for community Takutai Kāpiti involvement in finding ways to adapt.
You can read the analysis along with the Insurance Council of New Zealand's position on climate change and coastal communities in our latest Takutai Kāpiti e-newsletter.
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Kāpiti Half Marathon - still time to sign up!
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There's still time to sign up for the Kāpiti Half Marathon this Sunday 13 November.
Photo credit: Kāpiti Half Marathon
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You’ll wind your way through river trails, lake loops and board walks on one of the 21km half marathon, 10km, 5km or 2km Kids Kick It options. All courses are suitable for buggies, walkers and wheelchair athletes.
To keep the kids entertained, Hoop Club Kāpiti will be on site from 8:15am with three hoops running their normal Sunday sessions. All kids are welcome to come and have a go.
We're proud sponsors of the Kāpiti Half Marathon through our Major Events Fund.
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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 sign-up page directly. We look forward to welcoming them to the whānau.
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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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