Kāpiti flavoured events offered a chance at funding

Costella

The 2019 Kāpiti Major Events Fund, offered through the Kāpiti Coast District Council’s economic development programme, has opened for applications to run events that have a unique Kāpiti flavour and will help bring visitors to the District.

Council approved a $40,000 addition from its economic development budget to the contestable fund this week, bringing the amount available to support events that will build the Kāpiti District’s long-term economy to $200,000.

Kāpiti Coast District Council Economic Development Manager Darryn Grant says the Council has also updated the application criteria this year to help make it more clear for applicants what types of events might be successfully selected for financial support.

“The additional funds in the pool this year mean we can look at supporting new or bigger events  that show the potential to be self-sustaining in future years and bring long-term benefit to the District,” Mr Grant says.

“We’re definitely hoping to see some fresh ideas as well as continuing to build events that have already become iconic ones in Kāpiti.

“We’re keen to hear what innovative ideas are out there to showcase and profile the Kāpiti Coast and its community and in particular, attract visitors in the off-season between April and October.

“Our goal is to build a diverse calendar of events that attracts visitors, adds vibrancy to our communities and ultimately provide a return on investment for the local economy,” he says.

A maximum funding level has been set for the major event category which event organisers can apply for, spreading available funds across a range of event types and activities. This includes an allowance for events that are at the conceptual stage and require feasibility studies to get them off the ground.

Over the past three years eight Kāpiti events have received funding support, including the Kāpiti Food Fair, the Maoriland Film and Ōtaki Kite festivals, Coastella and the Kāpiti Coast Jazz Festival.

The full criteria and information about how to make an application are on the Council’s website. Applications close on Wednesday 24 July at midday.

The fund was established by the Council in 2016 to help develop and grow signature events on the Kāpiti Coast, with event development identified as a key driver in achieving long-term economic development in the District.

Final decisions about which events will receive funding will be made by the Council on 8 August 2019.

www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/majoreventsfund

-KCDC

What is Sensory Art Therapy

Sensory Art is based on nonscientific research, psychological theory and expressive art therapy. Practicing sensory art focuses on the brain is capacity to adapt and develop pathways to learning through stimulation of the senses.

Sensory art activities have been shown to produce changes in the brain that reflect improvements in enhanced attention skills and cognition with participants often showing significant gains in emotional awareness, communication, coping, emotional awareness, creative thinking and sensory information processing. 

The sensory art program also involves the fine tuning of fine and gross motor ability, visual and hand eye coordination.
Kapiti Art Therapy offers Sensory Art programs for individuals, groups and community based programs.

For more Information about Sensory Art Therapy please go to KapitiArtTherapy.com

I’m looking forward to hear from you

Corinne Allan

POPUP BUSINESS SCHOOL TRADE SHOW COMING TO COASTLANDS

Photo by Adeolu Eletu on Unsplash

Participants in Kāpiti's second PopUp business school will be sharing their business ideas with the public at a one-off trade show at Coastlands.

The budding business-operators will be at the Coastlands Garden Court from 1pm to 2.30pm on Tuesday 2 July to present the ideas they've been working on as part of the fee-free business course.

Sponsored by the Kāpiti Coast District Council, Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency (WREDA) and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) the course helps participants understand the potential of their business idea and map out a pathway to success.

Kāpiti Coast District Council Economic Development Manager Darryn Grant is very pleased with the interest and participation in the school this year, with over 50 people attending.

“The entrepreneurial ideas and the buzz over the first few days of the course has been really impressive and we’re so pleased to be able to support such a great initiative that’s focused on future growth of Kāpiti business.”

Mr Grant encourages people to come along and support the district’s future start-ups at the trade show.

"Last year's trade show was a huge success. Our entrepreneurs will be showcasing their business ideas and will have products and services for sale. Thanks to the support and hospitality of Coastlands, this is a great opportunity to have some fun and support our District’s budding business people. Coastlands really enjoyed hosting us last year and looking forward to another successful show," he says.

School facilitator Tony Henderson-Newport says the show offers course attendees a great opportunity to experience a retail environment.

"They'll draw real business knowledge from this involvement and engagement with potential customers. Showcasing their product or service in this way provides invaluable insight during the start-up phase.”

For more information about the PopUp Business School Aotearoa, head  http://www.popupbusinessschool.nz/kapiti-coast.html

-KCDC

New location for Waikanae library services to open shortly

Improved library and customer services will be available to the Waikanae community from the beginning of July. 

“From 1 July 9 Mahara Place (formerly the Artel Gallery) will become the new location for Waikanae’s library and customer services for the next few years,” says Kāpiti Coast District Councillor Michael Scott.  

“It’s an exciting development for the community, offering library-goers more space, more books on the shelves, better IT facilities and a return to full Council customer services.  

“The Council was fortunate to be able to secure the premises which, as well as being in a central location, will also provide a much warmer, more pleasant environment for customers as the winter sets in.” 

Councillor Scott says the new library will be a welcome addition to the town centre as the Council’s improvements to Mahara Place head towards completion in early spring.  

“It’s been a busy year at the Waikanae town centre following the closure of the original library building and the ongoing construction works. Having full Council customer services and up-scaled library services available again to the community is a big step in returning to business as usual.”  

The Council’s pop-up library, which is currently housed in the Mahara Gallery, will be closed on Thursday and Friday (27 and 28 June) while the books and furniture are transferred into the new building.  

“I’d like to thank the Mahara Gallery team for hosting the pop-up while the Council worked on a solution for Waikanae’s library services. Libraries are at the heart of our communities and we’re grateful for their support in helping us to keep these essential services running for Waikanae.”      

The library will be open for business on 1 July at 10am. More information will be available on the Council’s website shortly.

-KCDC

Annual dog registrations now open at the Kāpiti Coast District Council

The Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Animal Management team is reminding the community that it’s dog registration time and registration packs have been sent out to dog owners in the post and via email.  

Between now and 31 July, it’s easier than ever to register and pay for your canine companion. New for the 2019-2020 registration period, the Council’s hosting a series of dog registration pop-ups around Kāpiti where owners can register their dogs and receive new tags on the spot, as well as get more information about what registration costs cover and why they’re so important.  

Dog owners can also register and pay through the Council’s online payment portal or in-person at any of Council’s service centres. 

Owners who pay on time will go into a draw to win one of three registration refunds. 

For a full dog fee schedule and a pop-up event schedule, see the Council website https://www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/dog-registration

-KCDC

Kāpiti Town Centres Need Greater Focus

Kāpiti, Thursday 20 June 2019 - The five town centres which make up the Kāpiti Coast need more support if they’re to flourish and grow, with Transmission Gully due to open next year and the Peka Peka to Otaki Expressway in 2021. 

More than 100 local businesses attended the Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce’s annual business briefing at Southwards last night for an economic update on the region.  Speakers included the Kāpiti Coast District Council and local economist, Mike Copeland. 

Heather Hutchings, Chair of the Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce, says work by Mike Copeland, which considers the impact of new roading projects on towns in Kāpiti, has highlighted the need to support businesses in town centres.  

“Paekakariki, Raumati, Paraparaumu, Waikanae and Otaki will all soon be bypassed when the new roads open up. While the Council is investing heavily in Waikanae and Paraparaumu town centres, we believe more needs to be done to ensure businesses in towns either side are also supported.  

“Early economic data has identified a short-term increase in local spending, but once these roading projects are finished, the extra workers leave Kāpiti and visitors can drive straight past our towns we will need to give people a reason to visit towns they would have otherwise called into,” says Heather Hutchings. 

Mike Copeland has provided economic analysis on a number of local roading projects, including Transmission Gully.  He says there is a risk the businesses between town centres will be affected.  

“There are a number of businesses between town centres - in places like Te Horo and Peka Peka.  The Expressway will take people past them through to the north of Otaki. Whilst retail businesses within the town centres are likely to continue to principally rely on local residents and visitors staying one or more nights, retail businesses outside of these centres that are reliant on the passing motorised trade may suffer,” says Mike Copeland. 

Heather Hutchings says the future of town centres will form part of the Chamber’s Local Election Manifesto for the 2019 Local Government Elections.  

“We’ve identified key areas we would like Mayoral and Councillors to address, including investment in infrastructure, being ‘Open for Business’, and ensuring the future viability of town centres.  Small businesses, like those found in town centres, are the backbone of our economy and contribute to local communities and their character. The Chamber will continue to support these business owners and advocate on their behalf,” says Heather Hutchings.  

The Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce exists to advance the economy by creating wealth and employment and solve local business issues by providing a collective voice for business in Kāpiti. Over 300 members in Kāpiti belong to the Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce to stay connected, network and gain knowledge and support from our local membership.

ENDS

What do you do if you find a fire at your place (work or home)?

Because you are a person with forethought you have had the intelligence to purchase a Fire extinguisher and/or a Fire Blanket, well done

You have the means but do you have the knowhow to use these devices. Fortunately the instructions are on the items themselves and are simple to understand. We recommend that you read and understand the instructions and have your family understand the instructions so that if they are ever needed you can engage the fire quickly to minimise damage, of course if the fire is larger than you think you can handle get everyone out of the building ASAP and call 111.

If you would like more information about how to use a fire extinguisher see the article on our website here https://www.jimstestandtag.co.nz/how-to-use-a-fire-extinguisher.

For fire blankets the instructions on the container are all that is needed.

The Jim’s Fire Safety arm of Jim’s Test & Tag have access to a great range of Fire Extinguishers Fire Blankets and First Aid Kits, we would be happy to talk to you about getting your business or household set up with the items you need in case of emergency. You can make contact on 0800454654 and ask for fire services to be put through to your local Jim’s representative

NOTE:

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Regards

Brian Martin

FRANCHISOR WELLINGTON REGION

P: 0800 454654

M: 0272850912

E: brian.martin@jimstestandtag.co.nz

W: www.jimstestandtag.co.nz

W: www.jimsfiresafety.co.nz

5 good reasons to stay at home when you’re sick

There have been several articles and segments in the media recently about the hard hitting effect of flu and colds at this time of year. Think you should ‘soldier on’ and go to work when you are sick? Wrong! Here are five reasons you should stay home when you are unwell or recovering from illness.

1. To avoid making your colleagues sick

By going to work when you are sick, you increase the risk of spreading illness to those around you. Consider the burden this creates in the workplace as more and more colleagues become sick.

Studies have demonstrated that it only takes one person to significantly spread an infection, which then extends the duration of the outbreak.

According to Dr Alan Hampson, Chairman of the Australian Influenza Specialist Group, you are generally considered to be at greatest risk of catching the flu from someone when you are within a metre of the sick person, though there is evidence that infectious flu-containing particles can travel even further. When you consider how closely many people work alongside colleagues, the risk of infection in the workplace is alarmingly high.

2. To stop the spread of illness

It is not only your colleagues who may be affected by your illness: what about other people that  you come into contact with each day – on your coffee run, buying your lunch, on your commute to and from home? Although young, fit people can recover from the likes of a cold or virus relatively quickly, other demographics – such as the elderly – may incur more serious complications.

3. To recover properly

By attending work, you could exacerbate your health problems and later have to take a longer period of sick leave to recover.

It is generally recommended that people stay home at least 24 hours after becoming free of fever without taking analgesics. Painkillers suppress symptoms but do not aid recovery, and it is therefore irresponsible for people to suggest you can carry on with your daily activities in this scenario. Returning to work too soon can also have serious health implications. In the case of the flu, it can lead to a number of other problems as your immune system is suppressed and your respiratory tract is left susceptible to infection.

4. To avoid wasting time at work

By going to work when sick, you are not working to your full capacity.  A study from 2018 found that ‘sickness presence’ (or ‘presenteeism’ – continuing to work when unwell) accounted for more working time lost than absenteeism. The study also found that going to work when sick had a more negative impact overall than simply taking those days off.

5. To minimize disruption for your employer

Not allowing your body to recover properly possibly resulting in more time off, more sick co-workers and none of you working efficiently is not good for business.  According to a 2016 New Zealand government report,  the annual indirect costs of ill-health in New Zealand – not including accidents and injuries – are at least $5.4 billion and could be as much as $13b

So, next time you are feeling under the weather, consider staying in bed!

based on an article

http://www.australianunity.com.au/health-insurance/existing-members/wellplan-online/general-health/stay-home-when-sick

Heather Knewstubb
Time Genie Personal Concierge Services
Kapiti Coast
Ph: 022 394 8493

heather@timegenie.co.nz

www.timegenie.co.nz

Kāpiti creative funds on offer again

The second round of this year’s Creative Communities Scheme funding grants offered through Creative NZ and the Kāpiti Coast District Council has just opened.

“The grants support arts activities that celebrate Kāpiti culture, community involvement and our diversity, particularly youth and Toi Māori,” Acting General Manager Place and Space for the Council, Ian Littleworth says.

“We’re asking again for the arts community to tell us their inspiring ideas for activities that bring our community together to celebrate the special nature and breadth of our arts scene here on the Coast.”

The funding round earlier this year saw fourteen grants totally $22,200 made for events that included classical concerts, workshops on Samoan dance, traditional Ngā Toi Māori whakapapa quilting, and Taiko drumming, interactive theatre for young people and children’s puppet theatre.

Applications for projects to start after 29 August this year close Friday 19 July 2019. Council’s Grants Allocation Committee (Creative Communities) makes the funding decisions on 29 August.

About the scheme

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

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

Annual Plan 2019/20 for Kāpiti published

The complete Annual Plan document outlining what Kāpiti Coast District Council will work on in the next financial year has been released. The plan is available online from today and will be in Council’s service centres in the coming weeks.

Starting 1 July, the 2019/20 plan includes budgets and key focus areas ranging from water treatment upgrades to community facility renewals.

Kāpiti residents will see major work progressed across the District in 2019/20, particularly around further strengthening of the District’s water supply and roading networks.

The new budgets mean an average 4.8 per cent rates increase across the District.  This works out at an average increase of $2.73 per week per household. Actual increases will depend on the value, location and type of property.

The plan follows the direction set out in the Council’s 2018-38 Toitu Kāpiti Long Term Plan for a sustainable future for everyone in the Kāpiti Coast community.

Mayor K Gurunathan said the plan is a great result because it means Council can continue progressing the priorities that came out of the community engagement and consultation to set its direction as part of the 2018-38 Long Term Plan development.

“We are keenly aware that affordability is an issue for many in our District, and we’ve worked hard to keep the rates increase as low as possible,” he said.

Ratepayers can visit the Council’s website to get an indicator of what their new rates will be. Final rates are scheduled to be struck at a Council meeting on 27 June.

www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/annualplan2019

-KCDC

Speed limit changes confirmed for Kāpiti local roads

The Kāpiti Coast District Council has confirmed new speed limits for 47 rural roads and three village centres (Paekākāriki, Raumati South and Raumati Beach) in Kāpiti, following community consultation earlier this year on Stage 2 of a districtwide review.

Council’s Group Manager Infrastructure Services Sean Mallon says the review was in response to public requests for particular roads to have their speed limits looked at by Council, and aims to make roads in Kāpiti safer and more efficient.

“This review has been all about achieving speed limits that reflect the form and function of their road network and importantly, make it safer for all road users,” he says.

The roads under review were assessed and new limits proposed on the basis of safety risk, the road environment including land development, speed limits on adjoining roads and any changes on those roads since original speed limits were set. Council also took into account national rules and guidelines for speed limits administered by the NZ Transport Agency. This was the second and final consultation in the review, which began in mid-2017 with Stage 1, and saw speed limit changes brought in for 36 roads across Kāpiti. 

Mr Mallon thanks everyone who’d contributed to and made comments or submissions on the proposed changes. That included residents, Community Boards, the Police, the NZ Transport Agency, the Automobile Association, Kapiti Cycling Action, the Road Transport and Heavy Haulage associations.

“We received 224 submissions, which showed majority support for each of the proposed speed limit changes. We know there will be some who don’t agree with the decision, but this is ultimately about safety and helping people move around our district for efficiently.” 

The full list of speed limit changes and the rationale can be found on the Council’s website. Council will be in touch with submitters and residents with the details of the final changes.

It’s expected that the new limits take effect from mid-July 2019.

About other speed limit reviews:

The Council’s review of local roads is separate from NZ Transport Agency’s speed limit review of old SH1 roads between Raumati and Peka Peka, which is part of their SH1 revocation work.

-KCDC

Kapiti Ultimate Duo

Te Atawahi Maginness

New Zealand Ultimate named the Under 24 Mixed Team  to compete at the 2019 Malaysian Opens in Malaysia from 22 to 23 June 2019. The squad, coached by Liam Haberfield has been preparing players for the tournament with two national training camps. Selected were past Kapiti College students Ballad Woodley (21) and Te Atawhai Maginness (20), both who play for the University of Canterbury Ultimate team. Woodley and Maginness picked up the game 2 years ago and play and train with local Christchurch clubs and the university. They will be playing for Mangopare the NZ under 24 mixed team. Both are very excited about the upcoming trip and to be representing NZ in the sport. Woodley-Hanan made up his mind 18 months ago to make a NZ team in the sport, "I absolutely love the game and knew from being a competitive swimmer I had the discipline and I just took every opportunity to play any game I could to gain experience". 

Following the Malaysian tournament Maginness who was also selected for the NZ women’s under 24 team will head for Europe for the Ultimate world champs, in Heidelberg, Germany from Saturday 13th July to Saturday 20th July, 2019. Maginness has shown herself to be a great force in the team and was nominated this year for outstanding emerging talent for the sport. She says her  life has been ridiculously busy with uni, work and training's. " I’ve been sprint training, strength training, and playing in 3 leagues, I'm so excited to be finally going".

Ballad Woodley-Hanan

Ultimate Frisbee or Ultimate as its usually called combines the non-stop movement and athletic endurance of football with the aerial passing skills of netball, a game of Ultimate is played by two teams with a flying disc or Frisbee™ on a field with end zones, similar to touch rugby. Ultimate is considered unique because even at international level the sport is self-refereed, governed by the Spirit of the Game which is written into the rules. It is hoped that the Olympics in 2024 will include the game.

Article - Amanda Hanan