NZ Transport Agency are starting on developing a new a 4 lane expressway between Peka Peka and north of Levin. As this will go past Waikawa Beach, it’s something we need to keep an eye on.
NZ Transport Agency are starting on developing a new a 4 lane expressway between Peka Peka and north of Levin. As this will go past Waikawa Beach, it’s something we need to keep an eye on. Ćtaki to north of Levin engagement to commence:
We will be looking at how best to connect to the Peka Peka to Ćtaki expressway in the south, all the way up to the ManawatĆ« River. It’s really important to stress that there is no preferred option for this route currently.
“We need to check that what youâve previously told us is still relevant, to find out if there is anything new we need to know about, what the key issues are for the community, and how the project can support community aspirations,â says Mr IâAnson.
Previously contacted landowners will be contacted in May 2017 with an update on the project. We will be engaging closely with key stakeholders and community groups, as well as carrying out community consultation events in June 2017, where Transport Agency staff will be available to talk to people and hear their thoughts. People will be encouraged to contribute their ideas at those events, as well as through written submissions, and online options. Details of the events will be advertised widely.
Maybe a new road will help prevent accidents like this recent smash at Forest Lakes.
There are full details on the project page, where you can also subscribe to updates.
Check the Consultation page for details of where and when you can offer your opinions (June 2017).
In the summer of 2016–2017 the river by the footbridge often had elevated levels of dangerous E. coli.
Waikawa Beach is a popular spot for swimming, kayaking, fishing and puddling about in the water. Each summer the water is tested weekly at various spots around the country, including at and near Waikawa Beach.
Water monitoring spots at or near Waikawa Beach. Source: https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/swimming
Summer season monitoring: Many councils monitor popular recreational sites weekly over the summer months. This lets swimmers know what the most recent bacteria (E. coli) levels were. Remember, even for sites where the monitoring has shown an acceptable to swim test result, some conditions can make them unsuitable to swim in from time to time and we recommend that you avoid swimming after heavy rainfall for 48 hours.
Note: The quality of water for swimming is determined by measuring âfaecal indicator bacteriaâ (enterococci in coastal waters and E. coli in rivers and lakes) which indicate the levels of disease causing organisms in the water.
An E. coli count below around 260 or an enterococci count below around 200 is acceptable. Above that moves to Alert or Unacceptable. Acceptable counts have been marked in bold and green in the table below.
Water quality at the footbridge, summer 2016-2017.
In the table below, columns are for Waikawa at North Manakau Road (E. coli), Waikawa Estuary at Footbridge (E. coli), and Tasman Sea at Waikawa Beach (enterococci). There’s no rainfall or river flow data in the table, but personal observation is that this summer was exceptionally rainy.
Notice how the water up the road at North Manakau Road is very often green, or acceptable, while some 7 to 10 Km downstream here by the footbridge it’s very often not green. In the sea though seems to be mainly OK.
Sample Date
N. Manakau
Footbridge
Beach
02/11/2016
–
550
12
09/11/2016
–
250
96
16/11/2016
–
2500
24
23/11/2016
–
900
4
30/11/2016
440
180
24
07/12/2016
25
300
88
12/12/2016
30
260
4
20/12/2016
80
940
60
29/12/2016
25
3300
8
05/01/2017
21
190
120
10/01/2017
150
330
16
17/01/2017
16
190
28
25/01/2017
38
170
300
31/01/2017
81
200
28
08/02/2017
16
560
52
14/02/2017
53
230
56
21/02/2017
75
180
4
28/02/2017
70
220
12
07/03/2017
68
330
60
14/03/2017
48
360
28
21/03/2017
1000
290
4
28/03/2017
63
130
20
04/04/2017
900
2500
420
11/04/2017
34
1300
4
19/04/2017
30
340
4
27/04/2017
92
52
4
Blue water by the footbridge. After rain and at high tide the river’s muddy.
More detailed research on all of this and on ways to clean up our swimming water would be an excellent thing.
Step outside on any dark clear night and look up and south. You should be able to see the Clouds of Magellan, two galaxies that orbit our Milky Way galaxy.
Magellanic Clouds. Photo by European Southern Observatory (ESO).
These and all the other stars we can see from Waikawa Beach are a treasure not available to many people on this planet. For a start, the Clouds of Magellan are only visible from the southern hemisphere. But the bad news is that light pollution, even in a small city like Wellington, makes them invisible to many people who think to look up at night.
We’re very lucky here that our skies are mainly fairly dark, so we can see many stars that others have lost sight of.
Recently NASA released night sky images of the Earth from space. Waikawa Beach comes out really well for having a dark sky. You can see the lights of Waikanae and Paraparaumu, Levin, even Otaki and Otaki Beach in the screenshot below, but around here it’s good and dark.
Waikawa Beach is in the dark.
Compare that with Sydney for example, and all along that eastern coast in Australia.
East coast Australia night lights.
Bright skies, like those in Sydney or Levin, mean we can’t see so many stars, we’re likely to suffer sleep disturbances, and animals and insects are very badly affected. In some parts of the world people can’t see the stars at all.
Dark skies, like those at Waikawa Beach, mean lots of stars and a healthier environment for all of us.
A dark sky is yet another of the taonga we enjoy at Waikawa Beach.
What can we do to help keep our skies healthily dark? It’s easy:
Avoid having outside lights on at night unless they’re needed.
Keep outside lights pointed downwards — there’s no point burning up money lighting up the sky.
Avoid using lights that are brighter than they need to be.
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.
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 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.
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 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
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 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
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.
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.
