Photo stories

Meet the locals

Sir Jon Trimmer’s love of Paekākāriki

Coral Trimmer shares her love for her brother, Sir Jon Trimmer, and their shared love of Paekākāriki. Listen to her chat to Sylvia Bagnall and Mark Amery on Te Pae.

A fascinating talk with Julia Bevin, Principal of Paekākāriki School

Dayll McCahon talks to the Principal of Paekākāriki School, Julia Bevin, about the importance of play-based learning and how that relates to children’s mental health and her PhD. You can also listen to an interview between Megan Salole and Julia about just this!

Holtom’s Art Studios: art in the heart of Paekākāriki

Located in the heart of Paekākāriki, Holtom’s Art Studios is a light, modern, welcoming space. Steeped in history, the building dates back to 1920 and various businesses have been based there over the years. Nik Bullard talks to Alan Wehipeihana, long-time resident of Holtom’s, who tells us about the art studio’s history.

Captain Sanderson: a visionary among the Paekākāriki dunes

Conservation visionary Captain E.V (Val) Sanderson devoted much of his life to preserving Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique flora and fauna. Judith Galtry profiles this tenacious and committed man, a one-time resident of Paekākāriki, where he restored his property to native bush and from where he could keep a keen eye on Kāpiti Island’s burgeoning bird population.

End of an era: haere rā to the Surf Lifeguards clubroom

McKenzie Jones has been part of the Paekākāriki Surf Lifeguards for 18 years. At the recent closing ceremony of the old club building, McKenzie shares her farewell speech full of rich memories and fulfilling experiences of her years with the club.

Heylo at the Crafty Christmas Market

Gina Goad wants her new jewellery range, Heylo, to pack a punch – but she’s not trying to pick a fight.  It’s more of a dirty little secret. The Paekākāriki Community Trust profiles Heylo ahead of their annual Christmas Market at St Peter’s Hall – check them out along with all the other crafty goodness this Saturday.

Behold The Live New Things

After an explosive beginning, Paekākāriki band The New Things go live in their founding village September 24 and Wellington October 7. Here’s Mark Amery with the words and radio interview, Kirsten Drysdale with the camera.

Pae Kai: ka pai kai!

Dayll McCahon had a vision to help feed community members in times of need. She tells how this vision came to fruition with the creation of Pae Kai and its delicious meals.

The Last Shear & More

‘The Last Shear & More’ exhibition at the Paekākāriki Station Museum honours the Smith and Perkins families who farmed land locally for 150 years. Dave Johnson, Station Master, worked with the families and Bride Coe, whose photos of the last shear at the Perkins farm in 2011 feature in the exhibition.

Margaret Griffiths: doing what needed to be done

Janet Holborow and Lynda Wards pay tribute to Margaret Griffiths, a dedicated, hard-working member of our community and tireless crusader for people who needed some help in life.

Paekākāriki Potty about Potters: Neil Gardiner

This village on the Kāpiti Coast is becoming known for its ceramics, with a clutch of artists taking to the wheel. Neil Gardiner’s time as a potter here goes back to the establishment of Paekākāriki Pottery in the early 1990s – but he began in the wild wood kiln-making days of the early ’70s. He talks to Te Pae to tell us about his journey with clay.

Our Fire Brigade

The Paekākāriki Volunteer Fire Brigade has been first responders from and within our village for 75 years. Sylvia Bagnall chatted to a number of the fire fighters and gives us an insight into this generous bunch of people and what they do.

Intelligible Cities: An interview with David Groves

Fantasically, ‘Intelligible Cities’, a new book by Paekākāriki resident David Groves, sees Marco Polo and Emperor Kublai Khan discussing the weird and wacky ways in which the inhabitants of 26 cities communicate with strangers who arrive at their gates speaking an unknown language. 

Community

Paekākāriki, how should we adapt to coastal hazards? 

The Takutai Kāpiti Coastal Adaptation Panel would like to hear what you value most about our coastline and how you think it should be protected at their community workshop on 7 November (or online).

Pae Cycle needs you!

Pae Cycle is going from strength to strength and is looking for new subscribers. Could this be you?

Paekākāriki Housing Trust: it takes a community to house us all

Seven years ago, The Paekākāriki Housing Trust was created in response to a local family being unable to find a house for rent in the village. Two former trustees, Tina Pope and Holly Jane Ewens, talk about what motivated them to get the trust up and running.

Paekākāriki Lets Get Prepared!

At the recent Paekākāriki Resilient hui, a series of speakers spoke of their experience in a natural disaster, or how to plan for one, and others brainstormed ideas on how to survive one. Kerren Hedlund shares the details.

Birds of a feather flock together: Forest & Bird celebrated

In late April 2023, Paekākāriki buzzed with excitement and activities commemorating 100 years of Forest & Bird | Te Reo of Te Taiao. Captain Val Sanderson, a pioneering conservationist, featured prominently in the celebrations.

Paekākāriki Surf Lifesavers to the rescue!

In the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle in February, Paekākāriki Surf Lifesaving Club deployed four of their members to help the search and rescue efforts in Hawkes Bay. Fiona Bailey tells us how it unfolded.

Fundraising for our regional gallery with a film that reveals NZ’s rich arts in education history

The Mahara Gallery in Waikanae continues to fundraise for their exciting new refurbishment due to open in 2023. St Peter’s Hall in Paekākāriki will host their film fundraiser, ‘The HeART of the Matter’, a documentary which profiles the ground-breaking post WWII educational shift that brought art and craft to the heart of schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. Fiona Gunter-Firth tells us more.

Responding to the Paekākāriki Stoat!

Predator Free Paekākāriki was recently awarded a local conservation grant by Wellington Zoo to set up community trapping lines around the village, including Campbell Park. Maree White tells us more.

Art wonderful art

The Paekākāriki Art Show is a major fundraiser for St Peter’s Village Hall and a must-see event on the local cultural calendar. Held this Waitangi Weekend (Friday 3 until Monday 6 February 2023), Julie Warren reflects on the success of the show and those who make it possible.

New QEP tracks open the park to regeneration and recreation

In great news for walkers, cyclists and horse riders formerly farmed areas of Kāpiti’s Queen Elizabeth Park have been opened to the public following the completion of 7.5 km of new tracks to the park’s northern section. Greater Wellington Regional Council tells us all about it.

Beyond Transmission Gully: the future of Beach Rd

The Paekākāriki Station Museum received a grant from KCDC to ask the community how Transmission Gully will affect the village. You are invited to participate in a facilitated discussion to help shape the future of Beach Road.

The Paekākāriki Wind Generation Project

Wind electricity power generation in this region is a viable sustainable option. Graeme Mills updates us on a proposed Paekākāriki wind generation project that has been in development for the last eight years.

Update on SH59 coast road closure

Wellington Transport Alliance is the highway maintenance partnership of Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Fulton Hogan and WSP engineering consultants. Here is an update on the repair work required for SH59 between Fishermans Table and Pukerua Bay.

Beware the kororā!

Vivienne Jeffs asks us to look out for our local taonga, the kororā (little blue penguin), as they come ashore to nest and reminds us how we can help protect them.

Predator Free Paekākāriki – got a trap?

Predator Free Paekākāriki traps rodents and records the results. They need your help to do this – you could even win $30 worth of goodies from Paekākāriki Fruit Supply. Maree White and Amelia Geary update us on Predator Free Paekākāriki’s latest trapping news from around the village and their upcoming event.

Paekākāriki Surf Lifesaving needs your help!

Karen Simpson provides an illuminating overview of the history and function of the Paekākāriki Surf Lifesaving Club. In continuous operation since 1913, saving many lives and providing numerous community services, the Club is now in desperate need of a new building. This is where the community comes in – it’s time to give back to this essential organisation to ensure its survival.

Matariki plant-a-thon

Megan Salole on a change of name for Paekākāriki’s Matariki planting project with a useful kōrero around the appropriate use of te ao Māori concepts. Buy a pack, and/or join others in the community at Wai Ata this Friday 24 June at 9am to help restore our natural habitat.

Do the stingray shuffle!

When walking in the sea, swish your feet along the bottom, urges Mark Amery. You’ll avoid crab bites, flounder slips or even – with freakish bad luck – a gash from a scared whai repo’s tail.

Creative non-fiction

History

Recovering Māori knowledge of the Tararua Ranges

Kāpiti researchers Te Kenehi Teira and Heeni Collins (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Haumia) recently came to Paekākāriki to explain some of the background behind a Ngāti Raukawa claim to the Tararua Ranges, presented in June to the Waitangi Tribunal. Their research reveals fascinating background on Māori relationship with the Tararua and connects to the stories of our own coast, including Ngāti Haumia chief Ropata Hurumutu, who welcomed people to Paekākāriki.

Robin White: Te Papa exhibition and Paekākāriki connection

Judith Galtry highlights the strong connection Robin White had to Paekākāriki and the creative people she knew here. Her exhibition, ‘Robin White: Something Is Happening Here’, is on at Te Papa Tongarewa until 18 September 2022.

News

Paekākāriki Seawall Update

Sean McKinley from the Paekākāriki Community Board provides as an update from Kāpiti Coast District Council on the progress of the seawall.

Paekākāriki Beach Rat Patrol

Paekākāriki resident, Birnie Duthie, enjoys checking and clearing the predator traps that help protect our kororā (little blue penguins).

The Paekākāriki seawall renewal: phase one

Tim Barlow is lead concept developer for the artwork that will accompany the first stage of the renewed seawall. He updates us on where the project is at, how mana whenua and others are involved and the kaupapa behind the mahi.

Events

Paekākāriki Set to Get into the Groove

The infamously popular Paekākāriki village dance and vinyl fair is almost upon us, inviting Paekākāriki and visitors for a vinyl action-packed day at St Peter’s Hall on Saturday 18 February.

Running for a cause

Help former Paekākāriki resident Noa Woolloff with his ambitious, generous gesture to raise much-needed funds to get his friend the life-saving cancer treatment he needs.

Introducing jazz musician Lucien Johnson

A native of Pukerua Bay, jazz musician, saxophonist and artist Lucien Johnson left the coast in his 20s for Paris and beyond, forming a free jazz trio. Mark Amery talks to Lucien on Paekākāriki 88.2FM ahead of his gig at St Peter’s Hall on Sunday 19 June 2022.

Introducing musician Miles Calder

Andrew Armitage speaks with Miles Calder on Paekākāriki 88.2FM ahead of his gig on Saturday June 4 at St Peter’s Hall. As part of a national tour, Calder goes on to play at San Fran in Wellington on Saturday 11th June and The Wine Cellar in Auckland on Saturday 2nd July.

Fiction

A different kind of Tsunami

An extract from Paekākāriki artist Ned Wenlock’s remarkable debut graphic novel Tsunami, available now from leading publisher, Earth’s End Publishing, followed by an interview with Ned on Paekākāriki.FM.

Poetry