Of buses and boats

We see interesting things at Waikawa Beach.

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.

Get your boating in.
Get your boating in.
Hutt Park Racing.
Hutt Park Racing.

March 2017 newsletter

WAIKAWA BEACH RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION

MARCH 2017 NEWSLETTER

March has proved to be a very pleasant reward for battling through what was the most ‘bummer summer’ 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.

18 Hole Golf

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 men’s section

Second in the men’s group was Ash Roper and third David Hare.

Women’s Section winner was Trish McKendry

Second was Ngaire Hunter and Cecily Archer third

Men’s Longest Drive: Tony McKendry

Women’s 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.

Ambrose Golf

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 “19th” (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:  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: Women’s Longest Drive

Cecily Archer: Women’s Tee Shot Closest to the Pin

Barry Smith: Men’s Longest Drive

Joe Thomsen: Men’s Tee Shot Closest to the Pin

Ngaire Hunter: Longest Putt

Winners (L to R): Joe Sione, Ken Archer and Joe Thomsen with Ngaire Hunter in front holding the coveted trophy.
Winners (L to R): Joe Sione, Ken Archer and Joe Thomsen with Ngaire Hunter in front holding the coveted trophy.

Ngaire Hunter

Hi to all Newsletter Readers from your new Secretary — Kevin Burns

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 ‘secretary-ship’. 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 ‘Place in the Sun’.

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 — ‘buckle up and enjoy the ride’.

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

FURTHER INFORMATION

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.

Beware potentially poisonous shellfish

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.

Shell mania. Photo submitted by Kevin Burns.
Shell mania. Photo submitted by Kevin Burns.

Power was out for 6 hours thanks to a careless driver

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.

Waikawa Powercut, photo by Maree Grant.
Waikawa Powercut, photo by Maree Grant.

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.

Manakau Glade Hotel opens in March 2017

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 Whānau, 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)

Manakau Hotel, photo from January 2015.
Manakau Hotel, photo from January 2015.

Road resurfacing starts in February 2017

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.

New road seal on Reay Mackay Grove, looking south.
New road seal on Reay Mackay Grove, looking south.
New road seal on Reay Mackay Grove, looking north.
New road seal on Reay Mackay Grove, looking north.
New road seal on one patch of Strathnaver Drive.
New road seal on one patch of Strathnaver Drive.
New road seal — Duncan Street.
New road seal — Duncan Street.
New road seal — Cathryn Street.
New road seal — Cathryn Street.
New road seal — Cathryn Street, photo by Kevin Burns.
New road seal — Cathryn Street, photo by Kevin Burns.

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.

Shingle cleanup after road resurfacing.
Shingle cleanup after road resurfacing.