Kevin Burns sent in a couple of photos and said:
Here are a couple of pics I took recently that show the changing face of Waikawa usage. Families and their leisure activities.


To inform and advocate for ratepayers of Waikawa Beach
We see interesting things at Waikawa Beach.
WAIKAWA BEACH RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION
March has proved to be a very pleasant reward for battling through what was the most âbummer summerâ that we experienced in the Horowhenua region. Unfortunately because of the weather, some of the summer family fun days were cancelled. However, the traditional boat day did take place, albeit with lower entries owing to a date change. A sausage sizzle was also held and all who attended had a great time.
Golf events were able to take place and we thank Ngaire Hunter, John Hewitson and Frank Averes for their reports.
There was a little confusion with the start time for this event. However, the day was a good one for golf and those who participated enjoyed the playing conditions. From feedback, it may be that the date for this fixture would be better placed closer to the Christmas/New Year break. (Something for the committee to consider for the next event.)
Overall winner was Trish McKendry
Barry Smith won the menâs section
Second in the menâs group was Ash Roper and third David Hare.
Womenâs Section winner was Trish McKendry
Second was Ngaire Hunter and Cecily Archer third
Menâs Longest Drive: Tony McKendry
Womenâs Longest Drive: Cecily Archer
Nearest Pin for Men: David Hare
Nearest Pin for Women: Trish McKendry
The players returned to 4 Cathryn Street where a very pleasant refreshment break was taken and prizes presented. Thanks to the Brown Family for setting up chairs, etc.
Two teams shot 35 gross, so a chip-off was played to determine the winning team. The 8 players concerned hit a ball from the â19thâ (clubhouse BBQ area), onto the 18th green with Ken Archer securing the best shot for his team.
1st: Ken Archer, Ngaire Hunter, Joe Thomsen and Joe Sione. (35)
2nd:Â Cameron Walker, Brooke, Quintin Houpapa and Brendon Beirne. (35)
3rd: John Brown, Isaac Smith, Tricia and Tony McKendry (36)
It is very interesting reading the names of past winners. Both Ken and Ngaire added their names for the first time after being regular participants. The shield kindly carved and donated by Jack Veltman is now full after 18 years.
Other Individual Winners were:
Cecily Archer: Womenâs Longest Drive
Cecily Archer: Womenâs Tee Shot Closest to the Pin
Barry Smith: Menâs Longest Drive
Joe Thomsen: Menâs Tee Shot Closest to the Pin
Ngaire Hunter: Longest Putt
Ngaire Hunter
I was nominated Secretary of the Association at the AGM taking over from John Brown. John has, for many years, served us (like many other fine committee members) in an outstanding manner and this has been very much appreciated. John is remaining on as a committee member.
After having a lot of on-going connections with the Waikawa Beach community over many years, it is a challenge for me now to try out a âsecretary-shipâ. I intend to fulfil the role to the best of my ability, along with other committee members.
I (with my wife, Margaret) moved permanently to Waikawa Beach in December 2015 having owned our property for over 40 years. We had our new home built by April 2016 and have been residing in what we consider to be a pretty special area. We have learned a lot in our year here. We have much to give and we hope you will join with us to enhance our special âPlace in the Sunâ.
Please contribute whenever and whatever if you would like to promote and expound the virtues and joy of living/holidaying in the lower reaches of Horowhenua.
Changes have already been made within the local area as they affect the community. Check the Waikawa website for day-to-day happenings. There are interesting plans ahead, so as I say to my grandchildren in the backseat — âbuckle up and enjoy the rideâ.
Records are currently being updated, so please advise any changes of email, phone, address, etc. Further information and a list of contacts for any changes is listed below.
Kevin Burns
Secretary
Please advise any change of email, phone, address, etc. (wbra.committee@gmail.com)
Indicate whether you wish to be involved with Neighbourhood Support Groups (NSG)
Likewise, a Civil Defence network is being established (the need highlighted by the recent earthquakes)
Currently reformatting the Waikawa Beach website with new and interesting articles — check this out. I would like to thank Miraz Jordan for her contribution to the development of the website : waikawabeach.org.nz
Intending to produce a small handout for new residents to inform them of relevant Waikawa Beach information.
WBRA Secretary (Kevin Burns) and WBRA Chairman (John Hewitson) — both contactable through wbra.committee@gmail.com
Annual subscriptions of $25.00 for 2017.
Please send cheque to: E White, PO Box 30309, Lower Hutt 5040.
Internet banking A/c No. is 03 0667 0268929 000 – include name and beach address.
Newsletters and notices are sent to members by email. If properties have multiple owners, please advise all email addresses to receive communications.
The first meeting of the Waikawa Beach Ratepayers Committee for 2017 is being held on Easter Sunday, 16th April 2017, at 10 a.m. If you have any issues you would like raised at this meeting, please advise the WBRA Committee (wbra.committee@gmail.com) before the day.
Watch out for potentially poisonous shellfish — up at Hokio Beach there are warnings against eating some dead shellfish that have washed ashore.
Thousands of dead shellfish wash up at Horowhenua beaches [17 March 2017] says:
Thousands of potentially poisonous shellfish have washed up at two Horowhenua beaches.
The MidCentral District Health Board has warned people not to collect or eat shellfish from the west coast’s Waitarere and Hokio beaches, near Levin, after thousands of dead and dying shellfish washed up there.
In a statement, MidCentral medical health officer Dr Rob Weir said the alert covered the area between Waitarere Beach in the north and Hokio Beach in the south.
People were also told not to eat any shellfish that washed up on the beach just outside of these areas, Weir said.
Hokio Beach isn’t that far away, so take care if you’re collecting shellfish at Waikawa Beach.
A careless driver caused a 6 hour power cut in December 2016.
On a Saturday afternoon in December 2016 the power went off around lunchtime and stayed off for 6 hours or so. It was massively inconvenient for a lot of people. Now we know why the power went off — [January 25 2017] Man claims dropped cigarette caused him to crash car:
Just how Justin Benner crashed his car in Manakau was the centre of argument in the Levin District Court on Wednesday.
Benner pleaded guilty to careless driving in relation to a December 17 incident. …
Police prosecutor Sergeant Simon Chamberlain said a witness saw two cars driving next to each other down the road beforehand. Benner was driving the car on the wrong side of the road.
Benner ended up swerving out of the way of a car heading in the opposite direction, crashing into a power pole as a result.
Photographer Maree notes: …rain, hail or powercut, Countdown deliver the groceries (the actual reason I took the photo as you can see the Countdown truck by the 80k sign)!
Maree runs the Waikawa Beach Weather website. Thanks Maree.
There are a couple of places quite near Waikawa Beach to grab a bite to eat. Just up the road in Manakau we have the Manakau Hotel which has reopened in March 2017, under new management.
From a post on the Sunny Otaki Facebook page:
Kia ora WhÄnau, the Manakau Glade Hotel (Formerly the Manakau Hotel) is open for business. Cafe, Restaurant, Bar and Accommodation. Stop by for BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER, COFFEE, BEER. Food includes all the favourites like Eggs Benedict, Bacon & Eggs, Open Steak Sandwich as well as old-school dishes like Lambs Fry & Bacon, Black Pudding. Kids meals available too. Come down and be part of history in this heritage building.
OPENING HOURS
Wed – Fri 9am to Late
Saturday & Sunday 10am to Late
Honi Taipua St Manakau (Just over the tracks)
In the hot sun on 27 February 2017 contractors from Higgins were creating fresh surfaces on some of the roads around the village. By mid-afternoon they had resurfaced most of Reay Mackay Grove, a small patch on Strathnaver Drive, and Cathryn and Duncan Streets.
It’s great to see the place being maintained like this.
Update, 16 March 2017: after some discussion with the Council about the shingle left all over the grass beside the road, a crew has come to clean up. Thanks to Kevin Burns for the photo.