If you’ve ever seen Tina Pope in gardening action at Paekākāriki School, you quickly get a sense of how her enthusiasm and efficiency propelled the Paekākāriki Plant Sale to be such a success. Hands deep in soil, pushing a wheelbarrow, or passionately explaining to volunteers how best to pot … [Read more...] about Plant sale legend steps down
From retreat to revival: shifting a leading surf club
Coastal communities and surf lifesaving clubs around New Zealand bear dramatic early risks from climate change and sea-level rise. In Paekākāriki, one of the country’s oldest surf clubs is vulnerable – its boat ramp collapsed in last Spring’s storms. But this club is turning retreat into … [Read more...] about From retreat to revival: shifting a leading surf club
Cycling to recycling: turning food scraps into community gold
Bikes are increasingly seen on Paekākāriki’s streets, and eco-initiatives are also on the rise. But a different kind of cycling has just been introduced – Pae Cycle, an inventive scheme where food scraps are delivered to the community garden by a sleek black e-bike. Orange peel and onion … [Read more...] about Cycling to recycling: turning food scraps into community gold
A decade of deli goodness
Celebrating ten years on Paekākāriki’s main drag, the Beach Road Deli is – thanks to Covid-19 – overdue a party. We talk to the Deli’s dynamic owners Kelly Rees and Rebecca Robati-Busby. Here’s a business that thrived - as much as one can - in level three lockdown, Paekākāriki’s Beach Road … [Read more...] about A decade of deli goodness
Peter Rankin: Haere rā to a revolutionary thinker
Paekākāriki and Aotearoa have lost one of its revolutionary thinkers. Former Paekākāriki resident and Chief Executive of New Zealand Planning Council, Peter Rankin, passed away this week, aged 80. Friend Patricia Sarr shares her reflections on an extraordinary man. When I conjure up … [Read more...] about Peter Rankin: Haere rā to a revolutionary thinker
The Waikākāriki Wetland restoration
Nestled between State Highway One and the railway line at Paekākāriki, is a 1.6 hectare sliver of land that, with the help of Ngā Uruora and community volunteers, is emerging from invasive weeds to shine as an ecological treasure. The Waikākāriki Stream runs through the centre of this land, … [Read more...] about The Waikākāriki Wetland restoration
A century of service
Paekākāriki Auto Services has closed its doors after 100 years of repairing the cars of locals and those needing urgent help while travelling on State Highway 1 north of Wellington. It's the end of an era for the 'oldest garage on the coast'. Owner Chris Clarke is retiring and the building has … [Read more...] about A century of service
Plant seeds in people
"It’s crucial that we make time for blue sky thinking." Sophie Handford imagines Paekākāriki in 50 years. The second in our series of stories by young residents on what we will, or could look like in the future. Images by Louve Pharand-Doucet. Paekākāriki is a special place. It’s not just a … [Read more...] about Plant seeds in people
Diamond in the rough: One Eye Gallery
Gary Freemantle reflects on the time when Paekākāriki hosted a nationally acclaimed contemporary art gallery with a foreword by Mark Amery. New Zealand's regions are full of galleries representing the work of local artists. Rarer outside the cities are contemporary art gallery managers … [Read more...] about Diamond in the rough: One Eye Gallery
Paekākāriki Xpressed 2001-2011
Paekākāriki's great journalist and jazz DJ, Don Polly passed away this week. Earlier this year we were lucky to capture this piece from Don, reflecting on the incredible success of a local community newspaper. Earlier this month a group of 11 friends gathered in the radio station that Don Polly … [Read more...] about Paekākāriki Xpressed 2001-2011