Introduction
Paekākāriki is an engaged and expressive community. Public consultation in 2016 told the Community Board that supporting the development of a web platform for Paekākāriki was important for a strong, sustainable community.
Paekākāriki.nz is developed and managed by the community. We are lucky in Paekākāriki to have a wealth of excellence in communications, web design, editing, photography and writing.
Hundreds of Paekākāriki writers, photographers, businesses and supporters are contributing to the site’s content. If you live here, we ask you to join them. If you are visiting, nau mai hāere mai!
Paekākāriki.nz is published by Paekākāriki Informed Community Incorporated (PICI). Between 2001 and 2011 PICI produced Paekākāriki Xpressed, a local newspaper by the community for the community. It was acclaimed for its independent journalism, and its community advertising and editorial support. In 2012 PICI published a community skills directory, delivered to households, and in 2013 it established community radio station Paekākāriki FM. In 2012 Paekākāriki Tauhokohoko, a trading site for residents was established on Facebook, and has become renowned for its success as a community communications tool.
There is a strong need for Paekākāriki to be resilient and sustainable, with more outward-facing services as a visitor destination. That is where Paekākāriki.nz steps in. We welcome collective support to run it – with content, volunteering or becoming a supporter for $95 per year.
This is our pocket universe, make it yours too!
The original team
GIF: Mark Coote
Paekākāriki.nz is managed by a publishing collective under the governance of PICI, a registered charitable trust.
The current team of 2025
Editor and newsletter Producer: Jude Walcott
Stories Editor: Jude Galtry
Site manager and business liaison: Mark Amery
Web host : Anna Butterfield Help Me Net
PICI advisor : Mark Amery
There are many locals who have volunteered their creative talents to this site with stories and images, since its inception in 2018. We thank them all and invite others to contribute in the future.
The original volunteer team who created this site include
Managing editor/Project coordinator: Mark Amery. Web developer: Miles Thompson Web designer: Catherine AdamWeb software engineering advisor: Grant Lees. Editor, illustrations: Mark Coote Editor A-Z directory and Clubs & groups / logo designer: Holly Jane Ewens Editor Walks & rides: Louise Thornley and Tina Pope. Editor Meet the Locals: Sylvia Bagnall. Editor Eat, drink, sleep: Amelia Nurse. Strapline Queen/Systems Wrangler: Jan Hinde. Administrator / proofer: Linda McLaughlan. Information architect: Maria McMillan. Fundraising: Paul Radich. Proofing: Hannah Zwartz and Sigrid Woolloff. Initial design advisor: Gina Goad. ‘Directory of everything’ advisor: Flo McNeill.
Writers:
Mark Amery, Sarah Bainbridge, Harriet Bright, Nik Bullard, Sam Buchanan, Vanessa Crowe, Amy Delahunty, Kate Drury, Kirsten Drysdale, Anja Foley, Rob Hack, Gilbert Haisman, Dinah Hawken, Shona Jaunas, Erica Julian, Michael Keith, Tina McIvor, Andy McKay, Maria McMillan, Jan Nisbet, Vicky Noon, Carolyn Parker, Meryl Richards, Liana Stupples, Apirana Taylor, Louise Thornley, Mercedes Webb-Pullman, and Carlos Wedde.
Photographers:
Kata Brown, Mark Coote, Kirsten Drysdale, Himiona Grace and Michael Perkins.
Concerns?
If you have any concerns about what you’ve read on this website, or how we operate, please give feedback in writing. We will coordinate the response from the relevant person/people and will endeavour to reply in a timely manner. All correspondence will be reviewed at our meetings. If you would prefer to speak to the chair of publisher PICI contact Mark Amery 027 3566 128.
Paekākāriki Informed Community Incorporated (PICI)
PICI meets bi-monthly.
Its objectives are to:
- Provide reliable community information
- Provide a platform for education for our youth
- Be the people’s voice, representing and promoting the diversity of our community, our needs, and the unique character of Paekākāriki.
- Promote environmental awareness, in particular our native birdlife, flora and fauna
- Represent the concerns of local tangata whenua
- Share the community’s stories, histories and provide discussion of different views
- Develop, present and record local DJs, musicians, artists and writers, and prioritise locally produced content
- Entertain and stimulate
- Develop an oral history of the community
- Provide the facilities, advice, training and technical support for residents to create and broadcast their own radio programmes
- Establish and nurture mutual interests and relationships with other like-minded communities and individuals, whether in the region, nationally or internationally.