Waikawa Newsletter June 2024
Kia ora koutou kātoa,
This rather early edition of the Waikawa Newsletter contains a very brief roundup of news since last month's newsletter and an important announcement.
First up: this is the last Waikawa Newsletter — I've decided to quit updating the Waikawa News website and to stop publishing the newsletter.
When I set up Waikawa News more than two years ago in February / March 2022 it was partly because I'd realised that most things I've done in my life have been based on sharing accurate factual information with others.
I had also just left a 5-year tenure on the Waikawa Beach Ratepayers Association, during which time I published regular blog posts and newsletters on their behalf — well over 700 of them.
I also had an enthusiasm for Waikawa Beach and loved finding and sharing information that could be of use or interest.
Now, after more than 600 blog posts I've realised it's become harder for me to find the energy for it. Along with other changes in my life I've decided to focus my energies on other things.
I'd like to thank those who have freely given me supportive feedback — it has helped sustain me!
The website will stay in place for some time. I'll be rearranging some things though to try to make it easier to find information from the archive.
Thank you to all my readers for taking the time to read my work.
News roundup
The Kōtuku I mentioned last month stayed here for a good week. I haven't specifically checked lately but I'm pretty sure it's gone now. With any luck it will visit again next year.
An official information request revealed that the fences and bollards at the two walkways to the beach off Reay Mackay Grove and the 1.8 metre wooden fence across the beach end of Manga Pirau Street cost ratepayers around $15,000.
Did you realise that Awa Pukapuka, the little free library, has been in place now for 3 years. What an asset to the community!
Earlier this month a great deal of seaweed washed up on the beach, then a few days later a swathe of the tiny bits of driftwood that carpet the beach like mulch. There were many white five-armed starfish in there and I even spotted a hermit crab in a large shell!
In vehicle news, it's been a bad month. Up in Levin on Saturday 01 June 2024 hundreds of cars arrived to do burnouts on the streets. The participants tangled with Police before going on to Ōtaki. People were injured, cars impounded!
On Sunday 02 June 2024 there was drag racing on Reay Mackay Grove with one person spreadeagled on the car bonnet. A witness took photos and reported it to Police.
Then on Tuesday 04 June 2024 a truck caught on fire followed by a car pileup on the expressway heading north near Te Horo.
Going for a quiet walk along the beach has a particularly enormous appeal against those events.
Links
- The kōtuku white heron is still around
- World Oceans Day
- Awa Pukapuka third anniversary
- Costs for new fences and bollards at Reay Mackay Grove and Manga Pirau Street
This monthly newsletter was based on posts I've written during the month, with added sprinkles.
Thanks again everyone for the support. I've had a lot of great feedback on my newsletters. I really appreciate that. Thanks too for taking the time to read Waikawa News.
Me te aroha,
Miraz Jordan
kiaora@waikawanews.nz
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. It ceased publication in June 2024.