Pop Up Business School is coming back to the Kapiti Coast

Following on from the success of the inaugural Kāpiti PopUp Business School in 2018, the free ten-day business course is coming to Paraparaumu again in 2019.

Budding business people living or working in Kāpiti will get the chance to learn practical ways to get a business idea off the ground, thanks to the support of the Kāpiti Coast District Council, Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency (WREDA), and the Ministry for Social Development (MSD).

We’re about giving people the confidence to start as well as the basics around financial and legal set up. The learning environment means participants gain new skills and have fun while they’re doing it,” he said.

“Then it’s about a really positive step-through of everything from finding a premise to building an online presence. In the end it’s about winning customers and launching fast.”

“If this sounds like you or if you’ve always wanted the chance to create your own business, then register now.”

Course registrations are now open on the PopUp Business School Aotearoa website. The course will run from 24 June to 5 July, five days a week between 9.30am to 2.30pm each day in the Grace Hall at the Kāpiti Impact Hub.

-PopUp Business School

Kāpiti Coast District Council sets carbon zero target

The Kāpiti Coast District Council is set to become carbon zero by 2025 following a unanimous vote at yesterday’s Council meeting.  

Mayor K Gurunathan says the commitment to reduce the Council’s greenhouse gas emissions to net zero comes on top of the Council declaring a climate change emergency and supports the three year focus of the Toitū Kāpiti Long term plan 2018-38 to provide an effective response to climate change.

“Now is the time to act. Climate change is one of the key environmental, social and economic challenges facing our nation and we can no longer sit on our hands,” he said.

“Setting a target is the first step to improving the Council’s environmental resilience and sustainability and I urge the Greater Wellington Regional Council, who play a significant role in our district, to follow suit.”

The motion that will see the Council become carbon zero by 2025 was moved by Councillor John Howson and seconded by Deputy Mayor Janet Holborow.

Councillor Howson says he’s delighted to have been able to successfully argue the case for the Council to be carbon neutral by 2025. 

In making the case for change, Councillor Howson said: “We owe it to our community, and future generations, to be leaders in addressing the challengers of the climate crisis.” 

“To those who say that it's futile, that anything we do is just a drop in the ocean, it's your ocean and it'll be coming to your backyard soon.

“The science is incontrovertible. Anyone around this table who doubts the seriousness of the crisis, you're at the wrong council table,” Mr Howson said.

The next step for the Council will be to assess its existing Emission Management and Reduction Plan and to look at, and cost, what additional measures it needs to put in place to reduce its carbon footprint.

-KCDC

Kāpiti artists line up to open their doors

This year’s Kapiti Arts Trail will include 110 destinations for visitors to experience the creative process live.  

Applications for the Council-run Trail closed this week and artists have the next five months to get ready for the two-weekend Spring event due to run in the first two weekends of November. The Trail sees artists open their studio and gallery doors and demonstrate their art-making in action. 

Twenty of the studios, galleries and group exhibitions that have signed up will be taking part in the Trail for the first time. The annual Kapiti Arts Guide and guide to the sites open during the Trail is due out by August.

-KCDC

Waste Minimisation Taskforce set up to review Kāpiti action plans

A taskforce has been formed to look at the waste minimisation approaches set out in Kāpiti District’s Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP) 2017. The plan outlines Kāpiti Coast District Council’s key policies for managing solid waste in the District and reducing the amount that goes to landfill. 

The nine-member Waste Minimisation Taskforce, chaired by Ōtaki resident and retired former Chief of Navy, David Ledson, held its first meeting this week.  It will report back to Council on how the District’s plan can most cost-effectively reduce the volume of waste materials in Kāpiti. 

The taskforce approach was developed during Council’s 2018-38 Toitu Kāpiti Long Term Plan process and follows approval by Council’s Strategy and Policy Committee in March this year. 

Council is represented on the taskforce by Mayor K Gurunathan and Districtwide Councillor Jackie Elliott. Membership includes community, iwi and youth representatives. 

General Manager for Infrastructure Services at the Council, Sean Mallon, says the the 2017 plan highlights a number of key issues for waste management in Kāpiti. 

“We have been seeing a steady increase in waste volumes and the challenges identified in the plan include improving the quality of our data on landfill waste volumes and upping our game as a District when it comes to recycling. 

“The taskforce will be working alongside us to work on the best ways to meet these kind of challenges effectively to help ensure community perspectives are considered as we do that,” Mr Mallon says. 

The plan sets a challenging target for Kāpiti to reduce the annual amount of waste sent to landfill from 600kg per person, down to 400kg per person, by 2026. 

The complete waste management plan is available on Council’s website. 

https://www.Kāpiticoast.govt.nz/media/22307/wmmp-waste-minimisation-management-plan-final-adopted-versionjuly-2017.pdf

-KCDC

Mayor Welcomes Greater Wellington’s $80k Investment in Waikanae River

Statement by Kapiti Coast District Mayor K Gurunathan

I welcome Greater Wellington's announcement of an $80k investment to remove 3000 cubic meters of wet gravel from the Waikanae River in the vicinity of the Expressway bridge. The rationale that this will reduce the risk of flooding on neighbouring properties is a prudent one. What has not been highlighted is that this will prevent this material eventually moving further downstream to adversely affect the vulnerable ecology of the Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve. 

I would hasten to alert GW regional council and DOC that this announcement will, without a doubt, trigger calls by others, and especially the vocal Waikanae Estuary Whitebaiters Network, for similar work to remove the gravel and sedimentation at the mouth of the river. The Network has long argued that this build up plugs the mouth and increases the potential for flooding upstream. They have argued that this build up has continued to degrade the environmental quality and biodiversity of the Estuary which is a classified Scientific Reserve deserving very high protection.  

The project is jointly funded by NZTA, M2PP Alliance and GW because the build up is directly related to the widening for the Expressway bridge in 2016. I welcome the removal of the 3000 tonnes of upstream material as that will mean this material will not move, over many years, downstream to further damage the Estuary.  

Given the consenting process, which would have needed DoC support, has successfully resulted in this project going ahead the question raised by the Whitebaiters Network remains to be answered. They have said that since 2007 discussions between GW and DOC to remove wet gravel from the Estuary area has not succeeded. Given this week's announcement will GW and Doc review the situation at the Estuary?

Medium-term solution confirmed for Waikanae library and customer services

At the end of next week the Council will start work to kit out 9 Mahara Place (currently Artel’s Gallery) as the new location for its customer and library services in Waikanae for the next few years. 

“It’ll be a much more pleasant environment, with more books available, more room for browsing, and better customer facilities and services,” says Kāpiti Coast District Councillor Michael Scott.  

Mr Scott says the Council will continue with the lease until it is in a position to secure a permanent solution for library and customer services in Waikanae. 

“The option reflects the wishes of the community and local businesses to have a library located in the town centre, rather than somewhere on the outskirts of Waikanae.”   

“The Council made a real effort to keep these services going since the Waikanae library closed in December last year. While this isn’t a permanent solution, it’s a big improvement on what we've got and a real step forward.”   

“It’ll be around for a few years and will give the people of Waikanae the breathing space to talk about what new library and customer services might look like in the future.”   

“At this point we haven’t made any decisions about the future of the original library building.” 

James Jefferson, Group Manager Place and Space, says the library will open for business in mid-July and Council will spend the next couple of months preparing the building for operation. 

“Between now and the opening we’ll be working to upgrade the building’s security and carrying out a few minor renovations. We’ll also be re-carpeting, installing cabling to run the IT and customer services, and adding furniture.”

-KCDC

“I’d like to thank the Mahara Gallery team, who have agreed to continue hosting the pop-up until the opening. Libraries are at the heart of our communities and we’re grateful for all their support in helping us to keep these essential services running for Waikanae.”    

More information will be available on the Council’s website shortly.

Waikanae kids’ story telling talent revealed in Council letter-writing competition

From the left: Sue Lusk, from Destination Waikanae; Lola Fifield (winner of the 5-10 year old category); Zahira Masters (winner of the 10-15 years category); Emmeline Vallance (winner from the under-fives category).

Nearly 50 Waikanae kids showed their flair for creative storytelling in the Council’s Why I love Waikanae letter writing competition, held over Easter. 

“Our panel had a hard time picking winners because all the entries were excellent – there were so many great stories and pictures to choose from,” says Infrastructure Programme Delivery Manager, Michelle Parnell. 

“In the end we picked winners for three age categories – Zahira Masters from the 10-15 years category, Lola Fifield from 5-10 years and Emmeline Vallance from the under-fives.” 

Ms Parnell says the Why I love Waikanae competition forms part of the Council’s broader #lovemyneighbourhood campaign, which encourages communities and people to celebrate and recognise the people and places that make our neighbourhoods great. 

“What came through very strongly is that, like adults, kids have a strong attachment to their neighbourhoods, whether it’s friends and family, our local playgrounds, our local shops or beaches.” 

“Congratulations to the winners and everyone who took part. We’ll have copies of the all entries on display on the old library building soon.”  

Ms Parnell says the Waikanae town centre has been humming with activity lately, with the recent Easter Market and the Council’s Mahara Place improvements really taking shape. 

“With the underground piping and electrics now in, we'll spend the next few weeks pouring concrete to form the pathways, laying the foundations for the canopies and adding topsoil to the flowerbeds. Pop in and check out the progress.” 

Ms Parnell says following the success of the letter-writing competition, the Council’s planning more events in Mahara Place over the next couple of months – starting with Creative Crafts Day on 22 May. 

“It’ll be a great day, with Mahara businesses sharing the tricks of their trades with everyone. There’ll be classes on all sorts of things like how to make bunting, sew cushions or take the perfect photo on your phone. We’ll have more information about the day coming out soon.”

-KCDC

Kāpiti Community Centre building condition looked at

Te Newhanga Community Centre users and Kāpiti Coast District councillors heard today that Council is working on developing options to address recommended remedial work for the Centre’s  Paraparaumu building over the next 12 months. This is part of continued preparations and work with the community to eventually shift Centre services back to a community-based provider.

Council took over day-to-day operations on an interim basis in 2018 to get the Centre on a sustainable footing before awarding its annual contract to a new service operator for the Kāpiti community.

“As part of our work to better understand this asset prior to handover, testing has highlighted weather-tightness issues,” Group Manager Place and Space James Jefferson said.

The latest test report has shown evidence of moulds contained in the building’s walls including low levels of stachybotris spores which can affect people with low immunity or who are unwell.

However, unlike the Waikanae Library which necessitated immediate closure, air quality testing showed stachybotris was not present in the air at the Centre.

Centre users can keep using the site for their programmes and activities and Council has completed further air-quality testing this week.

If it becomes necessary to temporarily shift programmes Council will work directly with programme providers on alternatives suitable for their situation.

“We’re actively monitoring the situation and repeating these tests regularly so we can stay on top of any changes as a result of the weather-tightness issues,” James Jefferson says.

General Manager, People and Partnerships, Janice McDougall says the Council has taken a community partnership approach in looking after the Centre.

“We know the services the Centre provides are highly valued by all users, programme providers and participants.

“It’s likely that the Council will need to continue its role as caretaker kaitiaki of the services for a little longer than planned and we’re committed to working in collaboration with the community as we consider the next steps.

“We’ll continue our focus on shaping up strong and sustainable community wellbeing services,” she said.

-KCDC

Kāpiti projects get over $20k Creative NZ funding

Photo: Mark Thompson Media

Fourteen creative Kāpiti groups and individuals benefitted from the first 2019 round of Creative Communities Scheme grants for community arts projects.

Just over $22,200 was awarded by Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Grants Allocation Committee on the recommendations of the Council’s Creative Communities Committee, which includes community, iwi, and youth representatives.

Cr Mark Benton, Chair of the Grants Allocation Committee, says the Committee continues to be impressed with the high quality of applications for the funds.

“It’s been another tough process to select from so many worthwhile projects from our creative communities but it’s great to see the range of arts projects put forward for funding continue to grow,” he says.

“It’s been pleasing to see more arts groups working to get their organisations on a more sustainable footing and be able to present regular projects to audiences.”

There were also more applications for projects with a focus on Ngā Toi Māori (Māori arts) in this round in this round, he said.

“Kāpiti residents can look forward to events that had great responses last year, like the Kāpiti Music Festival and Toro Piko Piko puppet shows, as well as exciting new projects like Island Sway Pasifika dance classes and the Intergenerational Women’s Whakapapa Quilting workshop and exhibition at Māoriland Hub,” Cr Benton says.

There will be a second grant process later in 2019 with applications closing on 18 July. More information on the grant criteria and how to apply is on the Council’s website.

The successful grant applicants and their projects for this round of the 2017/2018 financial year are:

1        Aotearoa Kinesthetic Educational Entertainment Toro Piko Piko for rock-art puppet show Te Rereka – The Flight 2019 Kapiti Coast Tour and rock-art puppetry workshops in schools in Kāpiti.

2        Māoriland Charitable Trust for Tai ki Uta – 60 stories from 60 children. A creation of a public artwork at Māoriland Hub, Ōtaki.

3        Island Custom for Island Sway, Pasifika dance classes for the community, in Paraparaumu.

4        Maungarongo Te Kawa for Intergenerational Māori women workshops and Whakapapa quilt exhibition at Māoriland Hub, Ōtaki.

5        Erola Whitcombe/Mukume Taiko for a taiko drumming masterclass by visiting Japanese Master Gene Maehara, in Raumati.

6        Shona Jaunas for developing a community musical theatre production, Small Town, in Ōtaki and Paekākāriki.

7        The Mahara Gallery Trust for Frances Hodgkins, from Dunedin to Waikanae, a public programme at Mahara Gallery in Waikanae to celebrate the 150th anniversary of this major Kāpiti artist.

8        The Kapiti Youth Orchestra for their 2019 rehearsal programme and combined workshop with Wellington Youth Sinfonietta.

9        The Little Dog Barking Theatre Ltd for the puppet theatre production The Pond, to tour Kāpiti Coast early childhood centres and schools.

10     Te Ara Korowai Wellbeing Centre for creativity workshops at the Hope Café in Otaki.

11     The Kāpiti Music Festival 2019 $3,310 for the free community event Jazz in the Garden in Raumati.

About the scheme

Creative New Zealand set the criteria, and provide the standard application form and guide.

The Creative New Zealand funds are population-based, with a small Council top-up. The three main funding criteria are:

1.     Broad community involvement – the project will create opportunities for our local communities to engage with and participate in arts activities.

2.     Diversity – The project will support the diverse arts and cultural traditions of our local communities, enriching and promoting their uniqueness and cultural diversity.

3.     Young people – The project will enable and encourage young people (under 18 years) to engage with and actively participate in the arts.

-KCDC

Raumati shoreline wall strengthened

The Council is starting work to strengthen part of a Raumati beachfront wall to protect a local sewer main. 

The wall will better protect the local community from the risk of coastal erosion impacting the sewer. 

“Back in mid-2016, we built a temporary block wall along the Wharemauku Road beachfront, after the original wall was damaged during a bad storm,” says Sean Mallon, Group Manager Infrastructure Services Kāpiti Coast District Council. 

“Over the next few months we’ll be reinforcing and strengthening the wall so it’s more resilient and will provide better protection from the elements for a good few years.” 

Mr Mallon says the wall will provide stronger protection for the medium term and will eventually need to be re-assessed in future years. 

“This strengthening work is what we need to do right now to ensure our infrastructure is doing what it should and to protect our community. 

“Like many other councils around the country in similar coastal locations we have challenges ahead to continue to respond to these types of issues. 

“We’ll be considering longer-term solutions for the Wharemauku wall as part of our work with Greater Wellington and others.”  

He said disruption for traffic or residents would be minimal and beach access will not be affected.

-KCDC

Sarah Frater teaches fruit tree pest management at community garden party

Photo is of Matai Community Garden party from 24 March.

Codling moth in your apples? Leaf curl on your peaches? A rare chance to workshop with fruit tree master Sarah Frater is coming up on 28 April in Raumati South, as part of Kāpiti Coast District Council’s community garden parties programme. 

Sarah will be at MOA community orchard for a free workshop that includes pest and disease management. MOA community orchard provides a chance to examine which trees are doing best in local sandy conditions, and discuss common issues. Sarah will look at seasonal pruning, which rootstocks are best for various soil types and locations, which varieties of tree make compatible pollinators, and which types do best in local conditions.  

Sarah supplied most of the trees for the Jeep Rd orchard that was first planted in 2011. The orchard is now coming to fruition with good crops of plums, peaches, and apples. But pests like codling moth and pear slug are an ongoing issue, says orchard co-ordinator Cree Hatfield.  

“There’s been a lot of codling moth in the orchard, so we’ll certainly be asking Sarah about how to manage that. We’re thrilled for this chance to benefit from Sarah’s wisdom gained over decades of working with fruit trees, without having to travel to her Edible Gardens Nursery near Palmerston North.” 

Watering has also proved an issue with establishing the trees, especially in dry summers. The orchard group will be on hand to share waterwise techniques like deep pipe watering, creating mulch pockets, and providing effective shelter. 

The workshop is part of the Council’s Community Garden Parties series that celebrates local knowledge on waterwise gardening, food growing, and community building through free workshops, activities, and festivities. From zucchini sizzles to wheelbarrow races, fruit tree pruning demonstrations to pou whenua making to wildplay, the parties will be happening in seven gardens across Kāpiti throughout April. 

For more information on the programme, see https://www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/Our-District/on-to-it/community-garden-parties

-KCDC

Rimu Road improvements to start next week

The Kāpiti Coast District Council will make the most of quieter roads during the school holidays to make improvements to Rimu Road. For two weeks, from Monday 15 April until Friday 26 April between 7.30am and 5pm, the Council’s contractors will carry out repair and resurfacing works on the section of Rimu Road between Ihakara Street and Raumati Road. A detour will be in place to reduce the amount of through traffic moving through the worksite.  

Group Manager Infrastructure Services Sean Mallon says these important works will help keep this busy road up to scratch.  

“We’ll replace the existing surface with a new asphalt surface to repair wear and tear and help keep this busy road waterproof.” 

Mr Mallon says he’s aware it’s a busy road, connecting Paraparaumu to Raumati, so Council and the contractors carrying out the work will doing everything possible to minimise disruption.  

“We’ll carry out the work in stages during the school holidays while the roads are quieter. We’ll start at the southern end of Rimu Road (near Raumati Road), moving north to finish just south of the businesses near the Ihakara Street intersection. We need to keep access open for these businesses, so this part of the road will be resurfaced at a later date to minimise disruption for them.” 

To carry out the work efficiently and safely, Council will reduce the amount of traffic using this section of road, by having two types of traffic management in place:

·        A detour will be in place to direct through traffic to use the alternative route, via Ihakara Street, the main road (old SH1) and Raumati Road.

·        Stop/go will be in place to let residents, buses, pedestrians, cyclists and business customers through.

Signage will be in place, and traffic managers on site will direct people as they approach, depending on where they’re going.   

“Managing traffic on this busy road will be complex, so there are likely to be delays, but we’ll do everything to keep them to a minimum. Please follow the direction of staff on site or ask for direction if you’re unsure, and avoid the area if possible.”

-KCDC