Waikawa Newsletter July 2023
Kia ora koutou kātoa,
My eye was caught recently by this information:
A single spinifex plant can trap 16 cubic metres of sand a year, which makes it the perfect plant for quickly rebuilding dunes and restoring the natural landscape character.
That seems like an awful lot of sand, but then as I walk along the track to the beach and see how each spinifex plant sends out runners that can go a very long way it starts to seem more realistic.
The beach-building power of Spinifex, Pīngao and driftwood together is one of the most valuable (and cheapest) defences the people of Waikawa Beach have against encroaching seas.
Setbacks to the success of the plants include vehicles and pedestrians applying physical pressure on runners by not respecting the tracks and the Council's rules about staying off vegetation, driftwood being removed (especially the big bits), and rabbits and other pests eating the grasses.
Spinifex seedhead on a female plant.
The recently formed Waikawa Environment Group is working on actions to do with planting to build up the dunes and on controlling pests, especially mustelids (stoats — see photo below, ferrets, weasels). They hope to be able to run a workshop later in the year on building traps. For more information contact: chris@chriswood.co.nz.
This angry stoat had just killed several of my pet quail.
Mustelids aren't the only animal pests at the beach, of course. A response to a recent question about rabbits provided this useful information: Pindone, available at Farmlands and Mitre 10 is recommended for use in rabbit traps.
Please remember, if you're laying down poison, to make sure that pets can't get at it.
Meanwhile Kezna Cameron has been doing amazing work dealing with feral cats at Waikawa Beach. She's published a book: "The Wild Cats of Waikawa Beach" and is selling copies to help fund the work she's been doing. The book launch is on Saturday 12th August 11am - 12pm at 85 Reay Mackay Grove, Waikawa Beach. Please RSVP 0272801212. Books available for purchase on the day $22 - Cash only.
If you would like to come along to the book launch send [Kezna] a message!
Huge thanks to Michele Walls, Steven Bailey, Caroline Beaufort, Pamela Baron-Archer, Dominic Hayden, Sophie Campbell, Dave Lamb and Precise Print in Paraparaumu for making this possible! All proceeds to the cats - Wild Cats of Waikawa.
There will be tea and cake and a small talk about the book
Kezna tells me the book is very Waikawa and has some nice scenic photos of Waikawa. It also has some water colour paintings from local Waikawa artist Caroline Beaufort - Puna.
In bad news, there has recently been a small increase in break-ins and thefts at the beach. Report any suspicious behaviour you notice to the Police.
The median house price has dropped around $80,000 since March 2022.
Did you know last year's overhaul of the Facilities block ended up costing approx $500,000? The previous facilities block lasted about 60 years. If sea level rise doesn't drown it first, this one should carry the community through until nearly the end of the century.
If you noticed something weird with your electronic devices recently, it might be related to the three 'blips' of power interruption on 21 July 2023.
And if you're going down to the beach you may want to check what the tide's doing, how high (or low) it is, how much swell there is. Tidespy is a useful resource for that.
Getting a vehicle onto the beach at the moment depends a bit on tides and the river flow, as always. The HDC study into options for vehicle access is still in a consultation phase with Ngati Wehi Wehi and the land owner of the current beach access. HDC are also checking some matters with Horizons Regional Council. Findings from the study should go to Horowhenua District Council in August ready for wider community consultation.
As for vehicles in other places, Waka Kotahi has been building 3 turnaround areas between Ōtaki and Ōhau.
Horowhenua District Council have decided to talk to the community about possibly reducing the speed limits in the village and along Reay Mackay Grove.
Beyond speed limits, changes to the Land Transport Rule: Street Layouts 2023 gives Councils more power to make changes to the local streets, for example adding or removing speed bumps. I, for one, would love to see the speed bumps along Strathnaver Drive removed. They are a menace for cyclists.
All in all, there could be some very interesting discussions coming up before the end of the year.
Links
- A single spinifex plant can trap 16 cubic metres of sand a year
- Vehicles on beaches threaten fragile environments
- Thefts, tree trimming, local speeds, beach access, 19 July 2023
- Median Waikawa Beach house value $707,350 in June 2023
- 3 brief power cuts, Friday 21 July 2023
- Toilet block refurb cost approx $500,000
- To check the tides
- Nothing new on HDC vehicle access study
- Turnaround areas between Ōtaki and Ōhau
- 30 Kph speed limit on most Waikawa Beach roads?
- Land Transport Rule: Street Layouts 2023 gives HDC more power
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When a Tīrairaka | New Zealand fantail finally stays still long enough for a photo! What a cute face!
Me te aroha,
Miraz Jordan
WaikawaNews: https://waikawanews.nz
aims to provide accurate and factual information on matters of interest to the local community. And to share photos of and information about local wildlife and landscapes.