Everything Kāpiti
Ngā Pitopito kōrero mai i te Kaunihera o Kāpiti
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Kia ora Kāpiti
The year is racing by, and Christmas (and summer!) must be just around the corner. Things aren't slowing down any here at Council though – our new elected members have been busy learning about our district's assets, our staff continue to upskill to support our facilities and infrastructure, and keep things in tip-top shape! You can read on for more on these stories, and much more!
On a recreational note, the Ōtaki Triathlon is on this weekend, and there's still time to sign up! If cheerleading's more your style, get out there and support those keen beans this Sunday. See our story below for more info.
Mā te wā – have a great week, Kāpiti!
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 Your Council
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Elected members school up on our district
Last week councillors and community board members joined Council staff on a bus tour around our district as part of their induction programme. Staff introduced them to some of our coastal stormwater assets, the Rau Kūmara Solar Farm, Zero Waste Ōtaki, and historical and cultural sites of significance. The Raumati Community Board also had its first meeting.
Elected members will continue their journey over the next couple of weeks, with briefings on Council’s regulatory functions, access and transport and some of the big projects we have on the go. They’ll also participate in a session with the Wellington Regional Emergency Management Office (WREMO) to learn about the role Council plays in an emergency.
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Libraries and service centres late opening this Friday
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Our libraries and service centres will be opening an hour later than usual this Friday, 25 November.
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This is to allow our staff to attend an early morning meeting. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Doors will open at 10am, and staff will be on hand to help with any queries from then.
Please share this message with anyone who may be planning an early visit on Friday.
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Rapid building assessment exercise
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Our teams regularly train to improve our knowledge and processes for responding in an emergency. A recent training exercise refreshed our Building team’s knowledge in quickly assessing the safety of buildings following a natural disaster.
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Pictured are Jeremy and Gareth from the Building team, reviewing the criteria for red and yellow building stickers.
While we regularly update and refresh our skills, it's essential you’re prepared too. Did you know you should be ready to look after yourselves and each other for up to seven days after a natural disaster? That's because we’ll can't guarantee we’ll immediately be able to access the conditions, utilities and resources needed to rescue or evacuate people.
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Building inspections timeframes delayed
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Our Building Inspections team has been the latest to be affected by COVID-19 and other illnesses. This is traditionally already a busy time of year for the team, and our ability to maintain our prompt turnaround periods on building inspection requests has been affected, meaning delays of possibly up to a week.
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These delays are also having a knock-on effect on other services, such as pool inspections, which are typically booked a month in advance.
Please be patient as we deal with these capacity issues; if you have an inspection booked, please avoid cancelling on the day. Advance notice means that we can reorganise and prioritise our workload.
We’re honouring building inspections that are already booked, and doing our best to accommodate everyone where we can, including responding to risk-based inspections as a priority.
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 Hot tip
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500 hectares means a lot of fast-growing grass to mow!
If it’s your job to mow the lawns at your place, you’ll know how quickly the grass has been growing! Spring really is perfect grass-growing weather, and our wonderful maintenance team is working hard to tame the new growth in our parks and reserves.
Thanks for your patience as they get around the 500 hectares of parks and sports grounds we look after. Make sure you give the crew a wave when you see them – they’re working hard to make our public spaces beautiful and safe for us all to enjoy!
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 Work updates
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Resurfacing Wharemauku Stream path
We’re working on renewing the gravel surface on the popular Wharemauku Stream pathway. Starting at Matatua Road, work will progress to Rimu and Tahi roads over the coming weeks.
The Wharemauku Stream is an easy path for walkers and cyclists commuting between Paraparaumu Town Centre and Raumati Beach, and connects to the Expressway shared pathway. The number of people using the pathway has significantly increased in recent years, and this work will mean there’s a safe surface for different modes of transport, and people with different accessibility needs.
The track is open to users throughout this work, but please take extra care and follow the instructions and signage as there will be heavy machinery on site.
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 Our people and communities
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Spotlight on Manawa Avenue Reserve playground
Continuing our spotlight on playgrounds around our rōhe (district), have you checked out the Manawa Avenue Reserve playground? Handy to Rimu Road and Ihakara Street (and takeaway kawhe (coffee) for parents and caregivers!), this tree-lined play area is a great one for families to bring a picnic and chill out on the grass under a shady tree, or at one of the picnic tables provided.
There's swings, slides and climbing equipment in spades, and plenty of room to kick or hit a ball around if that's more your speed.
There's also parking on Manawa Avenue, where it's much easier to help the kids safely out of the car than on busy Rimu Road – especially if you have a small runner!
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Friends don't let friends do triathlons alone
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We’re welcoming the Ōtaki Triathlon back to Haruātai Park this Sunday, and there’s still time to get a group together and sign up!
Aquatics Programme and Events Manager, and Acting Manager at Ōtaki Pool, Shelley is super excited about getting in the pool – but she’s recruited some help to tackle the rest of the events.
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Steve and Daniel, also from our Aquatics team, will be taking on the run and bike ride to share the load.
It’s a whānau affair for our wonderful Ōtaki Pool receptionist Penny. She’s tackling the event with her mum Pip and husband Tia. Her three children will be on the sidelines cheering them on!
“This is my first multisport event, and they’ve always felt intimidating and unwelcoming. The ŌT has been the complete opposite – it’s a really supportive group of people, all at different fitness levels. It’s not about being the fastest; it’s about having a good time," says Penny.
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Community groups shine at awards
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Congratulations to Energise Ōtaki Charitable Trust and the Paekākāriki Surf Club, who took out awards at last week's Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards.
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Energise Ōtaki Charitable Trust won the Heritage & Environment category, and the Paekākāriki Surf Lifeguards won the Education & Child/Youth Development category.
Energise Ōtaki connects Ōtaki’s power source – its people – with energy projects that help make healthy environments, while Paekākāriki Surf Lifeguards is a volunteer club who've been patrolling our coast at Paekākāriki for over 100 years.
Well done folks, it's fantastic to see the work of our community and volunteer groups recognised at these awards.
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 Dates to remember
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 Waikanae Community Board meeting
Tuesday 22 November, 7pm
Waikanae Community Centre, Utauta Street, Waikanae
This week members will discuss:
- M2PP revocation update from Waka Kotahi
- Te Horo beach access at the northern entrance on Rodney Ave
- Waimanu Lagoons/Estuary access
- appointment of Board members to external organisations
- community board remuneration 2022/23
- draft calendar of community board meetings 2023
- consideration of applications for funding.
More info
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Meeting this week – Council
Thursday 24 November, 9.30am
Council Chambers, 175 Rimu Road, Paraparaumu
This week councillors will discuss:
- notice of motion – Te Uruhi project
- Mayoral appointments
- Governance structure and delegations 2022–25 triennium
- appointment of the Chair and Deputy Chair of the District Licensing Committee
- elected member remuneration and positions of responsibility
- draft calendar of meetings 2023
- adoption of standing orders 2022–25 triennium
- members' declaration of interests
- recommendations on Waste Levy Grant applications 2022/23 – community projects and business waste reduction.
See our Meetings and agendas page for the full agenda. Watch the livestream, or see the coverage on our YouTube channel within three working days of the meeting.
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Closing – Further submissions on Plan Change 2: Intensification
Thursday 24 November, 5pm
More info
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Kāpiti Food Fair
Saturday 3 December, 10am–4pm
Mazengarb Reserve, Paraparaumu
The Kāpiti Food Fair is an indulgent and tasty day out that fills your life with good friends, good times and GOOD food. An extravaganza that will make a lasting impression on all foodies and have you returning year after year. This event will run rain or shine. To find out more, visit kapitifoodfair.co.nz/
We're proud sponsors of the Kāpiti Food Fair 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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