Everything Kāpiti
Ngā Pitopito kōrero mai i te Kaunihera o Kāpiti
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Kia ora Kāpiti
We hope the school holidays are treating you well! It's great to see the tamariki out enjoying the wonderful activities on offer – see our upcoming events for more fun events at our pools, libraries and parks.
In this week's edition, we look at what's planned for ANZAC Day, the Government's Three Waters reset, funding open for applications, flood protection works at Waikanae River, and much more.
Mā te wā – have a great week.
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 What's new this week
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Join us in honouring the ANZAC spirit
Lest we forget. Please join us on Tuesday 25 April to remember those New Zealand and Australian soldiers who bravely served together to defend Aotearoa New Zealand.
Services are being held across our district and we warmly invite you to stand alongside our local RSAs, serving and ex-serving personnel and their whānau to acknowledge the strength that comes from working together to overcome adversity. Visit our website for more details.
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 Your Council
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Council facilities' hours for ANZAC Day
With another public holiday next Tuesday, some of our opening hours will look a little different.
For ANZAC Day, Tuesday 25 April:
- Ōtaki Pool will be open 1–6pm only
- Coastlands Aquatic Centre will be open 1–8pm only
- our service centres and libraries will be closed
- Otaihanga transfer station will be closed.
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Three waters reset a step in the right direction
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Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Local Government Minister Kieran McAnulty recently announced a reset to the Three Waters reform.
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This includes a move from four Water Services Entities to 10, with our Council now proposed to be part of a Wellington–Wairarapa Entity rather than a much larger one.
A smaller entity will still provide for the economies of scale needed to invest in water infrastructure for the long term, while significantly improving our local voice.
The transfer of our assets and people has also changed from 1 July 2024 to sometime before 1 July 2026.
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Achieving sustainable development for Ōtaki
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Next up in our deep dive of our work to support key infrastructure, public transport and housing in Ōtaki, we shine the spotlight on how we can achieve good, sustainable development.
As well as housing stress, there is also pressure on key infrastructure, public transport and central government health, education and social services. Parts of the community have also expressed legitimate concerns about how further growth will impact Ōtaki.
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We need to make sure the right people with the right resources are involved from the start to coordinate the right infrastructure, services and facilities.
Recognising this, Ōtaki has been selected as one of seven ‘Complex Development Opportunities' (CDOs) in the Wellington Regional Growth Framework. CDOs bring all the agencies and relevant parties together with the community to plan and coordinate current and future development.
Working together through the CDO, we can retain the unique characteristics and cultural identity of Ōtaki while addressing current and future housing needs for residents and mana whenua.
Over the coming months, you’ll hear more for us and your elected representatives on this important mahi.
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 Our people and communities
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Got to catch 'em all!
We’re teaming up with districts across the Wellington region to encourage participation in this year’s City Nature Challenge – an annual international event that challenges people around the world to find and record wildlife in their cities, districts or regions.
It’s easy to get involved using the iNaturalist app (free on the app store). Just join the Wellington City Nature Challenge group and log sightings of wild plants, creatures, or organisms, living or dead, on the land, in the sea, from the coast to the hills, and even in your backyard.
All (and only) observations made starting 12am Friday 28 April 2023 (NZ local time) and up to 11.59pm Monday 1 May 2023 will count for the City Nature Challenge.
By getting our communities to actively connect with nature and the environment, we can all start to see how unique the biodiversity in Kāpiti is, and how and why it is all worth protecting.
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Waikanae Community Board Capital Improvement fund open
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Waikanae community organisations can now apply for funding support through the Waikanae Community Board’s annual Capital Improvement Fund Grant.
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Applications are open for this year’s grants, with approximately $37,000 available.
Grants are available for capital projects that will benefit a significant portion of the Waikanae community – projects like upgrades to property and buildings, or the purchase of equipment.
Applications close 5pm on Friday, 2 June 2023 and will be considered by the Waikanae Community Board at their June meeting.
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Māori Economic Development fund closing soon
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Kāpiti whānau, hapū, iwi, ngā mātāwaka and Māori businesses are encouraged to apply for Māori Economic Development Fund by 21 April.
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The fund is a great opportunity for up-and-coming businesses to get some much-needed support, and has helped some pretty cool local operators.
For Ōtaki artist and gallery owner Hohepa Thompson, the fund helped establish a destination art studio, gallery, café and community space at Ōtaki Beach.
Kim Tasker also says the fund played a big part in helping her business get going. “I encourage any Māori pakihi that has a valuable kaupapa to tap into the support on offer."
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 Hot tips
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Splashing good time at our pools
Our Aquatics team have families covered at our pools these school holidays with daily SPLASH! sessions offering inflatables, activities, and fun each day, from 1–4.30pm.
On Saturday from 5pm, 8–13-year-olds will rule the pool, spa and slide at Coastlands Aquatic Centre’s SoundSplash event. With a night full of tunes, swimming, big bombs, dunk-tanks and TikTok dance challenges this event is popular, so pop in and grab your tickets now.
And remember to book your term two swimming lessons, which start next week!
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Flood protection works at Waikanae River begin
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This week Greater Wellington begin essential flood protection work on the Waikanae River, between the Otaihanga footbridge and Greenaway Road.
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During this time, they’ll be removing gravel from this stretch of river. This will make more space for floodwater when water levels rise, and help reduce the risk of flooding for nearby homes.
To keep everyone safe while this work is being done, the Waikanae River trail between Otaihanga footbridge and Greenaway Road will be closed on weekdays only, between 17 April and 31 May 2023.
Have questions? Contact Greater Wellington on 0800 496 734 or info@gw.govt.nz.
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Vaccination, isolation and masks here to stay
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Last week the Government announced face masks must continue to be used in healthcare settings, and the current seven-day isolation requirement for people who test positive for COVID-19 remains in place to help keep everyone safe this winter.
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Vaccination continues to be the key line of defence. Anyone over the age of 30 can now have the new COVID-19 bivalent vaccine, as long as it’s been at least six months since their last COVID-19 booster or positive COVID-19 test. Flu vaccines can also be given at the same time.
Flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be booked at www.BookMyVaccine.co.nz.
Kia kaha Kāpiti. Remember, if you are feeling unwell, please don’t visit our facilities.
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 Dates to remember
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Keeping fed: Household emergency planning
Wednesday 19 April
1–2pm
Ōtaki Supper Rooms, next door to Ōtaki Memorial Hall, Main Street, Ōtaki
Thursday 20 April
10–11am
Meeting room, Paraparaumu Library
Local Emergency Management Advisor Renee Corlett will chat about how a disaster could affect keeping you and your whānau/family fed, and what you can do to reduce the impacts and share ideas together. Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.
These events are part of our Kāpiti Community Garden events, running 2 April–1 May 2022 across Kāpiti.
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WREMO: Ōtaki Emergency Response Practice
Saturday 22 April
11am–1.30pm
Ōtaki Memorial Hall, Ōtaki
Wellington Region Emergency Management (WREMO) are running this emergency response practice for the Ōtaki community.
Come along and find out more about Ōtaki Community Emergency Hubs and the types of help that may be needed after an emergency. Have fun meeting together and practicing various volunteer roles with an interactive earthquake scenario.
Find out more.
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Introduction to composting, worm farms and Bokashi
Saturday 29 April
10–11am
Raumati Village Community Garden, 10 Weka Road, Raumati Beach
Composting is a great way to stop food and garden waste going to landfill, to create great fertiliser for your garden, and even to help protect our climate. Check out our range of composting workshops!
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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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