Hune (June) 2020WBRA newsletter
Kia ora koutou kātoa.
It's officially winter but there have been plenty of 'deck' days out in warm sun under a clear blue sky, and the beach, as always, has been fabulous. And now, ever so slowly, the days are growing longer.
We've been seeing a few visitors back in the rental baches but things are pretty quiet still.
- The most coveted holiday home in the country
- Property news
- Pizzas and veges
- Menacing dogs
- Winter visibility
- Manakau Quiz Night
- 1845 and no main road
- Drone photos
- Council News
The most coveted holiday home in the country
Once Queen's Birthday weekend rolled around and we could all travel about again, apparently interest in Waikawa Beach spiked. The Holiday Houses website, owned by Trade Me, saw a massive increase in people searching for a place to spend their 2020 Queen's Birthday weekend. The number one property that drew the most interest by travellers searching online, was an eight-bedroom beachfront mansion on Reay Mackay Grove. Read more at Interest in Waikawa Beach holiday home.
Property news
The house at 37 Sarah Street sold. There are still a few properties available on Amelia Way, off Emma Drive.
Pizzas and veges
Just up the road the Manakau Market will deliver boxes of fruit and veges, and on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays they also deliver pizza from 5 to 8 pm. Read more at Local business delivers veges and pizzas.
Menacing dogs
Each year the Horowhenua District Council reports on how many dogs are registered, how many of those are dangerous or menacing, and where those dogs are to be found. In 2018–2019 (the most recent information) there were 4 menacing dogs and no dangerous dogs at Waikawa Beach. Read more at 4 menacing dogs at Waikawa Beach.
Also: be careful around dogs while on the beach. A local resident's dog was attacked by a large white dog on the beach a few weeks ago. Animal Control are following up on this.
Winter visibility
It can be specially hard for drivers over winter, especially with the low angle of the sun, or on grey days with drizzle and gloom. Which means that folks out on bikes or horses, jogging or walking can be particularly hard to see. Add in dark clothing and there's an accident in the making. Unfortunately people and dogs are unlikely to come out of a collision well. Please, if you're out exercising wear fluorescent colours, or at least light and bright colours.
Manakau Quiz Night
Perhaps during the Shutdown you spent some time building your knowledge bank of history, literature, entertainment, sports? Then the Winter in Paradise Quiz Night on Friday 17 July 2020 will be your chance to shine. Read about it at Manakau District Community Association : AGM, Quiz Night.
1845 and no main road
So you think the days when SH1 is jammed up and it takes you 3 hours to reach Waikawa Beach are a hardship? You need to read The wonderful journey of Thomas Bevan in 1845. With no SH1, on a trip from Wellington to Waikawa Beach in 1845 several children and their guide slogged through dense bush, up and down hills, with numerous overnight stops.
Drone photos
Courtesy of Twitter, several photos of the village and river mouth: Drone photos from Queens Birthday 2020.
Ben Wood, Parks and Property Officer at Horowhenua District Council sent us 3 drone photos from May 2020: Dune photos from May 2020.
Here are those aerials taken during lockdown, I’ve put in a 2011 aerial. You can use the 2011 fence as a reference for how much we’ve been able to build the dunes. I measure it at around 50 – 60m!
The spinifex plantings from the last few years are definitely helping to build the dunes.
Council News
Horowhenua District Council Rates rebates applications close on 30 June 2020:
Horowhenua ratepayers who have yet to apply for a rates rebate for the 2019-2020 rating year are encouraged to do so before applications close on 30 June 2020.
Ratepayers with a household income up to $25,660 may be eligible for a rates rebate up to $640.
Those earning above $25,660 may still qualify for a rebate, depending on income, level of rates and number of dependants.
- Council voted to decrease the amount of rates income it will collect for the 2020/21 year, compared to the current 2019/20 year.
- Dog registrations are due.
- The Hank Edwards Reserve toilet block plans are progressing. No actual updates yet, but draft plans are nearing a stage where they could be ready for community comment. One potential difficulty is that as Horowhenua District Council needs to cut back on spending, the work might not be carried out this year. We'll update you once there's confirmed information.
Ehara i te tī! — You only live once!
The various species of tī (cabbage tree) are noted for their ability to survive in spite of the serious prunings they receive. Even one cut to ground level normally produces young shoots. Moreover they can easily be transplanted from cuttings. Man is quite the opposite. Once he falls (dies), he will never rise again.
— Te Ao Hou, No. 17 (December 1956)
Ngā mihi nui,
Miraz Jordan