Category: Nearby

Late in 2020 Waikawa Glen did very well in national awards for olive oil and now they’ve won international gold too. Well done, folks!

You’ll find these growers on Waikawa Beach Road at the blueberry farm.

Thrilled and overwhelmed, Lisa Buchan and partner Glenn Wigley, of Waikawa Glen Olive Oil, have won gold at the prestigious New York International Olive Oil Competition for their 2020 blend.

With a record 1100 entries from 28 countries, the New York competition is considered to be one of the most prestigious in the world …

Registered as organic and committed to sustainable growing principles, Waikawa Glen is a boutique grove of about 500 trees. …

Their award-winning oil, a boutique medium blend, was judged against other organic, medium-intensity blends and was awarded a gold medal, which refers to excellence across multiple quality dimensions.

Kāpiti olive oil makers win in prestigious New York competition.

From our friends at the Manakau District Community Association:

The Annual General Meeting for the Manakau District Community Association will be held on Tuesday 25th May at 7pm in the Manakau Hall.

Light refreshments will be served at the close of the meeting. Should you wish to include an Agenda item please notify me prior to the AGM.

Please see the Minutes attached for the last AGM.

Nga Mihi

Esther Sweet
Secretary

Manakau AGM Minutes 21st July 2020.docx (130 KB)

A message today from Esther Sweet about St. Andrews Church in Manakau:

We have been advised that a meeting will be held at 2pm on Wednesday 17th March 2021 at St. Andrews Church, to discuss the future of the Anglican/Methodist Church in the village.

Two options are outlined in the motion below to be presented at the Otaki Parish AGM on the 21st March. Whilst this may not concern everyone in our community, it may be of interest to those with family links over the past century and those keen to retain the heritage and historical value the church represents. You are welcome to join us.

Kind regards

Esther Sweet

Motion for AGM –

A motion that the Anglican Parish of Otaki deconsecrates St Andrew’s Church. Further that we subdivide the land at St Andrew’s into two parcels. The first parcel, known as “the Church”, will contain St Andrew’s, the driveway and garden, with required setbacks to create an acceptable lot. “The Church” will be transferred into a Trust or such like entity for the purposes of the Manakau Community to continue to be used as a community church whilst its heritage and character are preserved for generations to come.

The second parcel, known as “the paddock”, will continue to be held by the Board of Trustees with the Parish entering discussions with the Board to consider resale or development options. If the land is unable to be subdivided, then the entire block will be considered for resale or development purposes.

Tim Horner

Not too far from us, on the Taranaki coastline, a protected Leopard Seal has been making use of the beach. It’s feasible it could come to Waikawa Beach for a visit.

If it does, there are some important things to know, including keep your distance.

Taranaki beachgoers are being warned to take care around a 1.8m-long leopard seal that has been spotted at several locations along the province’s coastline over the past week [mid-November 2020].

Sightings of leopard seals are uncommon in the North Island, and although the Taranaki arrival looks a little worse for wear, the Department of Conservation is warning the species has a nasty bite.

“Our key message for the public is to keep clear of her – to give her at least 20m of space, keep dogs on a leash, and make sure children are at a safe distance and understand she needs to be left alone,” Marine Ranger Cameron Hunt said. …

Leopard seals behaviours people should be aware of:

• If a seal lying on a beach lifts its head to look at you – it’s aware you’re there but doesn’t consider you a threat.
• If a seal raises its head for longer than a few moments, it has become concerned about your approach. Repeatedly lifting and lowering its head means it has become agitated by your presence.
• If a seal was resting and moves its orientation away from you as you approach, it has likely been disturbed – so slowly step back a few metres and monitor the seal. If it lowers its head and returns to rest mode, this is the ‘comfort’ distance for the seal and you shouldn’t get any closer.
• If a seal moves off because you approached it, you have harassed and disturbed it and displaced it.
• When a seal opens its mouth directly at you, it’s “gaping”. It may be accompanied by a head jerking movement – typical threat displays of many animals, and a clear warning the seal wants you to back off.
• If a leopard seal makes rumbling growls or hissing noises, it is highly agitated and would be classified as harassed and disturbed.
• A seal may repeatedly yawn while you are watching it. Sometimes it is purely yawning (typically seen when the seal’s head is lowered and its eyes are closed). However, if its eyes are open, then it is monitoring you and may be giving you a warning. Slowly step away from the seal.

Leopard seals are protected under the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978 and are classified as “naturally uncommon”.

DOC records all sighting and incident information in the National Marine Mammal Database. This adds to the pool of information that is available for this species. Sightings can be reported via 0800 DOC HOT.

Horowhenua District Council has recently adopted two more Community Plans — for Ōhau and Manakau:

A Community Plan is the voice of that community and will highlight their goals and aspirations. It will outline what the community wants to preserve in their area and outline ways to enhance and develop other areas of importance.

Council has formally adopted the Waitārere Beach, Ōhau and Manakau Community Plans. These plans were developed based on extensive engagement with the community and set out the vision, values, priorities and actions of each community.

Ōhau’s plan includes things like fresh water, beach access, recreational pathways and a community group, such as a Progressive Association. There is concern too about roads, travel and transport.

Manakau’s plan makes mention of their strong links with Waikawa Beach. Again, the plan includes things like fresh water, recreational pathways and issues around roads, travel and transport.

Both plans are worth a look, and provide foood for thought about a possible Waikawa Beach community plan. What things do we value?

Consultation has begun on a proposal to change the designation of 420 hectares of land zoned for lifestyle blocks to make way for the most significant residential development in the history of the district.

The development, Taraika, is proposed for the southeast side of Levin and will become home to around 5,000 people living in approximately 2,500 homes. The development will have parks, reserves, a local shopping centre, a primary school, stormwater retention areas, and several roads and a shared pathway to ensure Taraika is an integral part of Levin. …

The submission process runs from Monday 16 November 2020 through to 5pm on Monday 1 February 2021. You can find out more about the submission by visiting horowhenua.govt.nz/PPC4 or by picking up a copy from Council’s Office on Oxford Street in Levin, or any Council Library in Levin, Foxton and Shannon.

Source: Feedback sought on Proposed District Plan Change 4 – Taraika – Horowhenua District Council.