Photo stories

Meet the locals

Ngāti Haumia ki Paekākāriki: hikoi and land loss

Part one in a Paekakariki.nz series looking at the whenua in relationship to Ngāti Haumia ki Paekākāriki, Thane Maxwell, local historian, in partnership with the Farrell whānau, takes us on an historical journey of iwi hikoi and land loss in our region.

Hilary Baxter: Nothing humdrum about Hilary

Hilary Baxter, a powerful but not widely recognised poet, was a Paekākāriki identity. Judith Galtry has updated her original story with new content and we share it here.

Come Gardening with Potty Potters

Potty Potters is a local voluntary group enabling kids to learn gardening skills at Paekākāriki School. And they need your help!

Betty Perkins remembered

At a St Peter’s Hall memorial service in June 2024, Leo Watson, a former resident of Paekākāriki, fondly remembers Betty Ann Perkins (1940 – 2024) and her many endeavours, both in Paekākāriki and further afield.

Come sauna with me

Mark Amery on why, if you’d like to experience a gorgeous Paekākāriki community sauna this winter, you need to commit a little by 16 June to make the dream a reality!

Frances Cherry: washing up in Paekākāriki

Judith Galtry writes on the life in Paekākāriki of her late friend, the prolific author Frances Cherry. Frances and her whanau’s life in the village from the 1960s on reveals many a story about Paekākāriki’s rich social history.

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.

Community

Paekākāriki Film Wins Award

The short horror film S(p)lash, filmed and produced in Paekākāriki, took the award for Best Sound Design at the recent Te Whanganui-a-Tara finals of the 48 Hour Film Competition. Sam Buchanan, who features in the film, tells us more.

Paekākāriki: the implications of population growth

If Paekākāriki’s population continues to grow, Dennis Rose argues that the village will have to convert to reticulated sewage rather than septic tanks. How Paekākāriki can accommodate more people and dwellings will also need to be considered.

Circle of Fifths presents Summer Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet!

As part of the 2024 New Zealand Fringe Festival, local producers Circle of Fifths is presenting an outdoor production of the classic Romeo and Juliet – but with a Paekākāriki twist. Staged from the 1st – 3rd March at Campbell Park, there may even be a skateboard or two.  

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 welcomes 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.

Creative non-fiction

History

Growing up in Paekākāriki

Jane Cherry writes about her childhood in Paekākāriki. Her family ran the Queen Elizabeth Park amusement park with its boating pond, train, chair-o-plane, and trampolines. The park was a regional attraction, with families coming from far and wide to visit it.

Keeping Ahi Kā – the responsibility we have for the land we live on 

Mark Amery outlines the history of land at the northern end of Paekākāriki, whose alienation from the whānau of Miriona Mutu Mira Budge of Ngāti Haumia ki Paekākāriki has seen community members working with landowners to see a site for her house at the end Wainui stream found.

Celebrating Paekākāriki’s photographic past

Finns Hotel in Paekākāriki recently hosted a celebration at the completion of Paekākāriki’s historic photo display and the launch of two books on local history. Local museum and history volunteers along with a group of students from Paekākāriki School attended the celebration. 

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.

Kid's Corner

Daffodils and Paekākāriki

Paekākāriki School, home of the play-based, bare foot learner is proud of its tamariki’s creativity. Albie Calder has kindly shared two poems – ‘Daffodils’ and ‘Paekākāriki’.

News

Captain Sanderson’s House for Sale: A heritage opportunity for Paekākāriki?

The former Paekākāriki home of Captain Val Sanderson, founder of Forest & Bird, is shortly to go on the market, according to real estate company Harcourts. The current owner has put considerable effort into looking after the cottage and its trees, keeping the character of the original building and the Sanderson plantings. But there are no legal protections in place to prevent the house being demolished and the trees removed.

Tell us your tail

Predator Free Paekākāriki has heard some great tales over the years. Share yours and go in the draw to win one of our prizes – one of two trapping tunnel packages, or a jar of premium Fix and Fogg human consumable peanut butter, kindly donated by Paekākāriki Village Grocery Store. Submit your tale by 5pm Sunday 11 August to be in to win!

May 2024 catch report

Registering your traps and recording catches on Trap.NZ helps us monitor the success of the project and identify any areas we need to focus on.

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.

Reviews

Events

Fiction

Pari Pari

In this story, Dani Deluka celebrates Mahuru Māori, the recent month-long kaupapa aimed at using te reo in everyday situations. Pari Pari refers to the historic Māori settlement found just south of Paekākariki on the escarpment. The story beautifully expresses how to overcome adversity through aroha, whakapapa and pākahukahu (strength).

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.