WBRA Paenga-whāwhā (April) 2021 Newsletter
Kia ora koutou kātoa,
It's been a quiet time recently at Waikawa Beach: you can go down to the sea and not see a soul.
Or maybe, like John Hewitson, you catch sight of a suspicious looking black lump on the sand and find a penguin entangled in discarded fishing net, unable to swim or feed. That lucky little bird ended up at Wellington Zoo for care: The penguin says: down with death trap nets!
Or perhaps you spot a young seal, resting up on the sand. It seems early in the season for that, but we've heard of at least one this month, north of the river.
Keep an eye open for our wildlife.
Awa Pukapuka open for reading
The Little Free Library has been put in place at the corner of Drake Street and Waikawa Beach Road, stocked with books and more and is already being well-used. The artist has drafted up some designs for the sides and a couple of other finishing touches are on their way. Once it's all done we expect an official launch: speeches, drinks and nibbles, and everyone in the community is invited. We'll let you know when. Check the guidelines for Awa Pukapuka at Awa Pukapuka open for reading.
HDC matters
There are a few matters related to the Horowhenua District Council:
Problems with Waikawa Beach Road — sometimes we hear grumbles about Waikawa Beach Road, such as the corner near 554 Waikawa Beach Road by the Heritage Trail sign where several cars have left the road over the last year or so.
The thing is, Horowhenua District Council are unlikely to fix things like that if they don't know there's a problem. If you have an issue with the road or anything else you think the Council should 'fix' then tell them about it directly. The more voices that chime in with facts and accurate information the more likely there will be action. Council contacts: Email: enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz, Phone: 06 366 0999.
In the Horowhenua District Council's draft Annual Plan we spotted a proposal for a new Waikawa Beach walkway that no-one had heard anything about before. It would go from the footbridge to the sea. Check details at HDC Long-Term Plan and a new Waikawa Beach walkway.
Should Horowhenua District Council introduce a Māori Ward? You can have your say by 04 May 2021.
Local News
In May 2020 Tim Clapham from Wellington High School took a sample from the river at Waikawa Beach. The results of Sample number: 501185 show the presence of environmental DNA from cattle, pigs, birds such as shags, pūkeko, silvereye and geese, fish such as flounder and mullet, eels and īnanga, as well as snails, worms and other lifeforms. Read more at What’s in the river water at Waikawa Beach?
The Horowhenua District Council funded spinifex plantings over recent years have done a great job of reclaiming sand and extending dunes. See some photos at Spinifex superpowers.
Property
Recent property listings: 6 James Street, 4/17 Strathnaver Drive (sold), 668 Waikawa Beach Road (sold).
Is your WBRA Subscription due?
WBRA subscription $25 per year, is due every October. If you haven't paid yet, please do now. Make sure to provide us with your email address! Everyone: please see Subs form to make sure we have your up-to-date contact details. Visit Become a member for how to pay.
Special note: the address for posting cheques to has changed. It's now 93 Mandel Mews, Waiwhetu, Lower Hutt 5010, but pretty soon Westpac will stop accepting cheques anyway.
Waikawa Beach is perfect for the outdoorsy life, so this is a handy phrase to know: Tama tu, tama ora; tama noho, tama mate kai. : One who stands lives; one who sits, perishes. — Better get moving!
Ngā mihi nui,
Miraz Jordan