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06 December 2022

Everything Kāpiti

Ngā Pitopito kōrero mai i te Kaunihera o Kāpiti

Kia ora Kāpiti

December's here, and with it the official start of summer – we're looking at Kāpiti's summer done right. Bring on those sunny lazy days at the river and beach (or one of our awesome pools), with a great library book and an eye on the kids!

We're also checking out the Aotearoa Bike Challenge for next February, getting prepared in case of flooding events (and continuing to look at groundwater), and taking a look at recreational water quality. We've opportunities for you to have your say on our annual Movies in the Park event, the Maclean Park skate park design, and the Government's proposed Resource Management Act reform.

Get out there and make the most of all that Kāpiti has to offer! Mā te wā – have a great week.

Our people and communities icon  Our people and communities

A Kāpiti summer is a summer done right

The weather’s warming and pōhutakawa are bursting into colour. Raumati (summer) is inviting us to visit, explore, experience, and be safe in Kāpiti, across our 500 hectares of parks and sports grounds, 100 kilometres of tracks, trails, and horse-riding paths, and 40 kilometres of beautiful beaches with incredible views. It’s easy to do summer right here!

Waikanae Pool and our splash pads are open, and there's inflatables, games, and parties at Coastlands Aquatic Centre and Ōtaki Pool throughout the holidays. If an awa (river) or the tātahi (beach) is more your thing, we have many swim spots, too.

Our libraries have a bumper summer of reading programmes and fun activities for the tamariki (children), or simply pop in to top up your holiday reading. We’re running and supporting a range of events like the Ōtaki Kite Festival, Heritage Weekend, and Movies in the Park!

We even have an activity sheet for the kids and prizes up for grabs when you share your holiday snaps with us.

Check out kapitisummer.nz

School sports ambassadors thanked for hard mahi

We recently celebrated our wonderful Paraparaumu College school sports ambassadors with a yummy lunch. Together with the College, each year we recruit year 10 students for the sports ambassador programme. The team help out with anywhere from 5 to 15 primary school events over the year.
They’re an invaluable resource to our school sports programme, and we couldn’t run our larger events without them. In return for their mahi, they gain leadership and organisational and people skills they can use for employment opportunities in the future.

A big thank you and well done to all our ambassadors for 2022!
Find out more about our School Sports Programme

Spotlight on Waimeha Domain playground

Located at Waikanae Beach, within easy reach of takeaway coffee and ice creams, the Waimeha Domain playground is a perennial favourite year round.
Kids can indulge in imaginative play in their own beach cafe/shop at the playground with two great slides, a maypole, swings, and plenty of climbing equipment. For the bigger kids there’s a volleyball net, tennis court, basketball hoop and petanque pitch! Handy public toilets are a bonus for everyone.
 
During summer, the beach in front of the domain is designated no-dogs 10am–7pm (and dogs must be on-lead 7pm–10am), so it’s a great environment for littlies who might be nervous of pups! You can find out more about our dog summer beach zones across Kāpiti.
Find a new-to-you playground!

Ride and shine with the Aotearoa Bike Challenge 2023

Do future you a favour, and sign up now for the 2023 Aotearoa Bike Challenge!
 
Head into the holiday season knowing that come February you’ll be on your bike, and in the draw to win an e-bike on Christmas Day.
The challenge runs for the month of February, and sees organisations and people across Aotearoa New Zealand compete for points for things like the number of days riding, encouraging new riders and using your bike for different tasks.
 
We've got the trails, we've got the weather – get involved!
 
This year we’ve partnered with Love to Ride to create Kāpiti Coast-specific leader boards, so you can see how you stack up against other locals (and maybe get a little rivalry going).
Join the Aotearoa Bike Challenge

Hot tip icon  Hot tip

Would you be ready if there was a flood tomorrow?

A year ago this week 350 Kāpiti Coast properties were cut off after landslides and surface flooding impacted roads and houses across our district. If it happened again tomorrow, would you be ready?

Make sure your household’s prepared by starting at home – work out what supplies you might need, and make a plan together for evacuating.

Clear out any spouting or drains, take steps to reduce potential flood damage, and make sure your insurance policy covers you for flood damage. If you live near an old landslide, steep slopes, streams and riverbanks, or coastal cliffs, inspect your property regularly.

More help on getting ready

Work updates icon  Work updates

North Manly Street beach access under repair

The boat launch access at north Manly Street in Paraparaumu is under repair, following recent storm damage.
 
We've been working to get the track fixed after it took a beating over winter and spring, and ask that two-wheel drive vehicles stay off it until the new surface has set. The track is relatively steep, and any wheel spinning will not help it stay solid. It's also not possible to dig a shallower track in without compromising the dune structure.
 
In the meantime, boats can be launched a few hundred metres away, at the Kāpiti Boating Club access. Please remember, only vehicles launching boats should be on our beaches.

Boat launching

Get involved icon  Get involved

Movies in the Park is back!

That's right Kāpiti, Movies in the Park is back on 18 March 2023 at Waikanae Park, and we need your help to pick the two movies we’ll be screening!
 
For the whānau, we'll be screening either Encanto OR Sing 2. Later in the evening, for teens and older, it's The Greatest Showman OR Princess Bride.
 
So grab a picnic rug, pack some movie snacks and join us outside for a fun evening for the whole whānau to see out summer. Accessible parking and viewing spots are available by contacting play@kapiticoast.govt.nz.
 
Movies in the Park is supported by Mike and Audra – Voyle & Co Realty.

Vote now!

The new Maclean Park skate park design – have we got it right?

Based on what our community told them, our skatepark designers have delivered the first concept design for the refreshed skatepark at Maclean Park, Paraparaumu.
We’re inviting you to check out the draft design and tell us if it’s about right, or if more changes are needed.
 
Visit us at Maclean Park 2–5pm Saturday 10 December to see our plans, chat with the team, and Have Your Say online.
See the design, and Have Your Say

Replacing the Resource Management Act

Central Government recently introduced the Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning Bills to the Environment Select Committee. These bills are proposed to replace the Resource Management Act 1991, with the Climate Adaptation Bill also expected to be introduced in 2023.

This would mean a single Natural and Built Environmental Plan will replace the current suite of regional and district plans in each region, along with changes to the related decision-making processes and consenting and enforcement regimes.
Through the Spatial Planning Act, Regional Spatial Strategies will be developed for each region, setting the vision and objectives for the region’s development over a 30-year timeframe and integrating different legislative frameworks, contributing to the management of our natural and built environment.
 
The proposed changes will significantly impact our planning and decision-making about growth, land use, and natural resource allocation. There’s a lot of information to work through before we make a submission by the tight timeframe of 30 January 2023. You’re also invited to make your own submission as part of this process.
Find out more about the resource management proposals

Your Council icon  Your Council

Water quality monitoring at our rivers and beaches

Water quality in our rivers and at our beaches is generally pretty good over summer, but there’s a few things to think about before you jump in.
 
Toxic algae can cause issues in our rivers during summer, especially when large amounts form mats that rest on riverbanks. Dogs are particularly at risk – never let your furry friend scavenge at the river’s edge.
 
Lots of rain can cause bacteria and other contaminants to wash into our waterways, increasing the risk of illness from swimming. Wait 2–3 days after rain, and avoid river mouths and stormwater outlets on our beaches.
 
We work with Greater Wellington to monitor our recreational swim spots, with water quality results regularly updated. Follow us for toxic algae alerts to help you make an informed decision about where’s safe for you and your friends.

Check the water quality at your favourite swim spot

Impacts of high groundwater

Record rainfall over the last year has caused significantly elevated groundwater levels across our district, with a wide range of impacts. Our water table is approximately 1 metre higher than it was at this time last year, thanks to all the rain we've had over the last year.
If you’ve looked out the window and seen ponding in your backyard during or after rain, you’re not alone. Current groundwater levels are impacting our land, infrastructure, and work programmes, as well as private property.

What can we do about it? Unfortunately, there are no easy fixes, but levels will drop given time.  We estimate we need 8–10 months without a significant weather event to return to normal groundwater levels.

We’re working on a number of things to improve our stormwater network that will help the situation too.
What we're doing to help with groundwater issues

What's new this week icon  What's new this week

Kāinga Ora purchase plot in Raumati Road

Our housing needs assessment captured comprehensive insights into the housing story of Kāpiti, and this has contributed to a central Government decision to invest further in public housing in our district.

The project’s in it’s very early stages, but Kāinga Ora has purchased a large vacant plot of land at 59–69 Raumati Road in Raumati Beach, and is exploring the number and type of homes that could be developed on the 4.6360-hectare site.

Kāinga Ora have indicated they’ll work closely with Council, iwi and local residents on how best to make sure these homes support the local community and new residents.

Photo credit: Kāinga Ora

Read more on investing in the future of the Kāpiti Coast

Dates to remember icon  Dates to remember

Save the date iconŌtaki Community Board meeting

Tuesday 6 December, 7–9pm, Ōtaki Memorial Hall, Main Street, Ōtaki
Members will discuss:

  • legislation for new elected members
  • election of community board chair and deputy chair
  • declarations of interest
  • appointment of board members to external organisations
  • community board remuneration 2022/23
  • draft calendar of meetings 2023
  • consideration of applications for funding.

More info

Council meeting

Thursday 8 December 2022
9.30am
Council Chambers, Paraparaumu

The public are welcome to attend this meeting. Please register with the Democracy Services team on (04) 296 4700 or toll free on 0800 486 486, or email democracy.services@kapiticoast.govt.nz. This meeting will also be livestreamed. See our Meetings and agendas page for the agenda and livestream link.

Councillors will discuss:

  • introduction to the Wellington Regional Leadership Committee
  • the Annual Plan
  • Heritage Fund
  • becoming a Living Wage employer
  • adoption of Memorandum of Understanding with Kāpiti Youth Support
  • six monthly update from the Economic Development Kotahitanga Board
  • appointment of Mana Whenua Representative
  • Notice of Motion – Make it 16
  • Notice of Motion – Whale Song. 
Find out more

Save the date iconStrategy, Operations and Finance committee meeting

Thursday 8 December, 1.30pm, Council Chambers, Paraparaumu

The public are welcome to attend this meeting. Please register with the Democracy Services team on (04) 296 4700 or toll free on 0800 486 486, or email democracy.services@kapiticoast.govt.nz. This meeting will also be livestreamed. See our Meetings and agendas page for the agenda and livestream link. 

Members will discuss:

  • Strategy, Operations and Finance work programme
  • positioning ourselves for reforms (FFLG and RMA)
  • formal decision to review Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2017.

More info

Save the date iconStop-motion workshop

Thursday 8 December, 3.30–4.30pm, Paraparaumu Library
Registration required.
More info

Save the date iconCoastlands Aquatics Summer Splash

Thursday 15 December–Sunday 29 January, 1–4.30pm daily 
Coastlands Aquatic Centre
More info

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.

Share your Kapiti icon  #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!

@joannedacombe
@kate.morganriggir


                                    
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