Otaki District newsletter
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Hey neighbours,
Good news – 2021 is set to be the year of the long weekend.
Five out of 10 public holidays will be Mondayised (or Tuesdayised in one case) next year, which means if you work a standard Monday to Friday week, you can look forward to some extended breaks.
In fact, once you’ve … View moreHey neighbours,
Good news – 2021 is set to be the year of the long weekend.
Five out of 10 public holidays will be Mondayised (or Tuesdayised in one case) next year, which means if you work a standard Monday to Friday week, you can look forward to some extended breaks.
In fact, once you’ve tacked on the weekends, you’ll end up getting a whopping 25 days off out of those 10 stat days, plus your region’s anniversary day.
To find out how to get the most out of your annual leave next year, click here.
Porirua mayor Anita Baker has decided to no longer use Facebook.
She says the level of abuse has given her no other choice.
What is your experience of Facebook?
If you do not want your comments used in a story, please put NFP (Not for Publication).
It’s all about ideas, inspiration, and exclusive show specials at the Wellington Home and Garden Show on from the 2 – 4 October at Sky Stadium. Join the fun with our 2 for 1 Adult Ticket Offer
There are so many fabulous reasons to visit the show with a huge range of Home and Garden … View moreIt’s all about ideas, inspiration, and exclusive show specials at the Wellington Home and Garden Show on from the 2 – 4 October at Sky Stadium. Join the fun with our 2 for 1 Adult Ticket Offer
There are so many fabulous reasons to visit the show with a huge range of Home and Garden Exhibitors, featuring everything from featuring Kitchens, Builders, Landscaping & Plants, Home Maintenance, Homewares, Art, and more! Be sure to check out the ‘Set the Mood’ Interior Design challenge and the Springfree Family Zone.
Save the date in your diaries and connect with local businesses from the 2 – 4 October 2020 at the Wellington Home & Garden Show
Fri & Sat 10 – 5, Sun 10 – 4
Sky Stadium, Wellington.
Adults $8
Gold Card Friday $4
Under 16 free
Capital E’s National Theatre for Children presents, The Lost Letter Office.
The Lost Letter Office is a love letter to handwritten letters. Using magic, movement, music and clown performance, it explores how these paper creations can deliver powerful gifts of love.
A young girl Nixie has … View moreCapital E’s National Theatre for Children presents, The Lost Letter Office.
The Lost Letter Office is a love letter to handwritten letters. Using magic, movement, music and clown performance, it explores how these paper creations can deliver powerful gifts of love.
A young girl Nixie has just moved into the neighbourhood and a retired magician NahNah is back from her world travels. Each alone in their homes, with a longing to write and connect with someone – their letters go on an adventurous journey. Book your tickets now! Saturday 10 October at Te Raukura ki Kāpiti – Performing Art Centre.
Some supernatural help has been hired in the hope customers and staff at the Resene shop in Cambridge will one day be able to see their favourite furry face again.
Timmy, a handsome 4-year-old tabby, disappeared one weekend in August from his cat house at the rear of the premises. Customer Paul … View moreSome supernatural help has been hired in the hope customers and staff at the Resene shop in Cambridge will one day be able to see their favourite furry face again.
Timmy, a handsome 4-year-old tabby, disappeared one weekend in August from his cat house at the rear of the premises. Customer Paul Norfolk and wife Gloria had looked all over town for their favourite store cat, along with the shop’s manager, Kerry Mason, and her staff.
“Timmy is such an icon around Cambridge, everyone knows him as the Resene cat,” Gloria said.
I have been going on about the infestation of rabbits in the reserves. There are now 4 that sit on the road verge in between Waimanu Lagoons. And today there was one hopping around inside my section.
The council doesn't seem to want to address the problem. Is there anyone that knows how to … View moreI have been going on about the infestation of rabbits in the reserves. There are now 4 that sit on the road verge in between Waimanu Lagoons. And today there was one hopping around inside my section.
The council doesn't seem to want to address the problem. Is there anyone that knows how to deal with this problem. Or can lend me a slug gun?
Following the Government’s alert level 1 announcement Metlink has confirmed that face coverings will not be mandatory on board bus, ferry and train services from Tuesday September 22 2020. While some passengers may continue to wear face coverings out of personal preference, the focus for all … View moreFollowing the Government’s alert level 1 announcement Metlink has confirmed that face coverings will not be mandatory on board bus, ferry and train services from Tuesday September 22 2020. While some passengers may continue to wear face coverings out of personal preference, the focus for all passengers should now be on personal hygiene measures and tracking journeys. Metlink is encouraging all passengers to log their travel, using the Government’s COVID-19 tracing app for contact tracing purposes. For further updates check out the Metlink website metlink.org.nz/covid-19
Six pairs mens trousers - St Michael (Marks & Spencer UK) - all as new condition. $10.00 each or $50 the lot
ALSO lots of quality suits all from Marks & Spencer UK
Do We Need An Airport?
Isn’t it funny how the term sustainable has changed? At its inception, I always thought it referred to something that could continue without damaging the planet. Now its any business concern that will make a buck. And so it is with the airport.
A Boeing 747 consumes … View moreDo We Need An Airport?
Isn’t it funny how the term sustainable has changed? At its inception, I always thought it referred to something that could continue without damaging the planet. Now its any business concern that will make a buck. And so it is with the airport.
A Boeing 747 consumes four litres of aviation gas per second. That is a fuel consumption of 12 litres per km, and on a one-hour flight, an estimated 15,000 litres. It is the biggest single use emitter of greenhouse gas. When the world went into lockdown in April, the sky turned a deeper shade of blue. It gave us all hope that if we stop destroying the planet, it will recover. By its very nature then, the Airline industry is not sustainable.
Airports are also famous for their noise pollution. A jet engine on take-off, emits approximately 140 Decibels of noise. This is more than enough to raise blood pressure and cause cardiovascular damage. I think we have all gained in health literacy in recent months and understand the benefits of peace and quiet and the ability to wind down and relax. 140 decibels of noise on a regular basis is not conducive to good health and well-being.
Economically, does it make sense? Not really. It employs a handful of people in Kapiti. In terms of investment it doesn’t add much to the local economy. On a cost benefit basis it probably doesn’t look too flash. Since the outbreak of Covid 19, Airline companies have reduced operations in the region of 70 percent. Air New Zealand expects to record a loss of $120 million for 2019/2020 and in this uncertain climate, it does not appear that Covid is going away anytime soon. With a third wave set to engulf Europe and the US showing no sign of peaking, predictions are for at least another three years of it. That’s a long time to mothball an industry. Few people are brave enough to fly in this climate.
Does the airport have other intrinsic qualities that make it desirable? I can’t think of any. My one and only flight to Auckland from Kapiti Airport was nerve wracking and uncomfortable. On my arrival at the airport I hoped to get a coffee but everything was closed. On boarding, I felt like I had been seated in a pressurised Bristol Freighter as the plane lumbered out of the airport and flew at low altitude to Auckland. It felt immeasurably slow. While it was nice to see all the landscape, it was not a comfortable feeling to be that low to the ground. The turbulence was distinctly unnerving and the plane shuddered alarmingly when this occurred. On my next trip I travelled to Wellington and boarded a nice big comfortable jet plane that whisked me away while I enjoyed a hot coffee on board. A much more pleasant trip.
With all this in mind, I’m puzzled then as to why the council and other business interests are so keen to retain the airport. There has been a lot of circular skulduggery going on it seems, in recent months, as various business interests jockey for position. Alarm bells went off for me when the Kapiti Coast Council CEO announced we should buy the airport. No meaningful community consultation has occurred on this but the council seems happy to spend ratepayers money on something of dubious merit and with no mandate. Noone has seen how the numbers stack up in order to make an informed decision whether they would support it. I haven’t seen the figures either, but having spent four years as a Treasury Analyst and another four as a Wall St Analyst in my misspent youth, I suspect they don’t stack up too well. Perhaps that’s why we haven’t seen any numbers. It would be very informative to see the current and projected rates of return for this enterprise.
I don’t think we need an airport. The Airport should be closed, the assets sold and the land returned to its rightful owners. The government has a moral obligation to return this land to its original owners and should never have appropriated the land in the first place. If government cannot return the land, the rightful owners should be compensated.
Rather than throwing good money after bad on a sunset industry, I would prefer to see council invest ratepayer’s money into ventures that are actually sustainable. That is, they are capable of continuing without damage to the planet. I personally would like to see the land adjacent to the airport, further developed with green industry such as solar technology or light industry such as health technology which would provide employment and career opportunities for Kapiti residents. With work from home arrangements now taking on a new ethos, there will be many business interests keen to establish operations outside of major cities. We all know Kapiti is a fabulous place to live, with great people and a supportive community. Why not capitalise on this with developments that will enable us to prosper. I will be deeply disappointed if Council buys this white elephant of an airport and saddles us with the debt.
What do others think? It doesn’t look like anyone is going to be given the opportunity to submit on community consultation regarding the airport, so let’s use Neighbourly as a forum.
Looking for a white kitten - we have had white kittens and cats in our family for over 60 years.
Lilly (below) was our beautiful cat in Melbourne for 7 years, however due to our rapid return to New Zealand in March we were not able to fly her back to NZ as planned due to the Covid restrictions at… View moreLooking for a white kitten - we have had white kittens and cats in our family for over 60 years.
Lilly (below) was our beautiful cat in Melbourne for 7 years, however due to our rapid return to New Zealand in March we were not able to fly her back to NZ as planned due to the Covid restrictions at the time. We were fortunate to re-home her with a good friend, and she is now very happy and settled.
As we are now living in our own permanent home in Waikanae, we are looking for our new fur baby - a lovely white kitten.
If you can help please message me.
Many thanks, Jan.
We bought this cot for our two grandchildren. It has been cleaned and the sheet washed. There are a few minor scratches but overall it is in excellent condition.
We are looking for a house to sit for 4 - 6 months. We are quiet and tidy and would be happy to look after pets and garden
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