It's that time of year in New Zealand when mice and rats move in and share our bubbles as they seek warmth. That means, says Maree White, it's time for us to work together on being predator free. Paekākāriki has long taken a lead with likely the first backyard trapping group anywhere in New Zealand. … [Read more...] about A lovely seaside haven for rodents
Anzac Day 2020 Paekakariki
With Aotearoa in lockdown Anzac Day in Paekākāriki has begun with a dawn service at letterboxes. We would usually gather to march to Memorial Hall for the roll of honour to be called, addresses and the Last Post to be played. This year we present our Anzac Day ceremony online through services past, … [Read more...] about Anzac Day 2020 Paekakariki
Stronger together: What communities can do in the Covid-19 crisis
From Italy’s ‘Listen to Your Grandmother’ campaign and Bristol’s Mothers Turned Drug Runners to RongoCare in the tiny village of Rongotea, Louise Thornley has been researching great NZ and international community responses to the Covid-19 pandemic. A public health researcher, most recently … [Read more...] about Stronger together: What communities can do in the Covid-19 crisis
Hearts all day long
Sarah Bainbridge on her work as an essential worker in a Wellington hospital during lockdown I’ve never been afraid of hospitals. I actually find them sort of comforting. I was in a burns unit as a pre-schooler and I wonder if it imprinted on me somehow. The faintly antiseptic scent. The … [Read more...] about Hearts all day long
In lockdown with the kids of Paekākāriki
Tash Nilsson gathers together the creative ways tamariki and their parents are keeping sane in the Kapiti Coast village. When our village went into lockdown with the rest of the country, many parents were no doubt wondering how they would navigate this new reality: entertaining the kids … [Read more...] about In lockdown with the kids of Paekākāriki
Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre proposed for Emerald Glen Road
The NZ Transport Agency’s plan for a souped-up version of a truck weigh station, planned for land at the start of Emerald Glen Road, has hit some wobbles as locals and the Paekākāriki Community Board express their disappointment at the lack of consultation. NZTA has identified land — … [Read more...] about Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre proposed for Emerald Glen Road
The Paekākāriki Green Dream: Realising a Community Orchard and Garden Project
Work over the last seven years to create a commons space to encourage Paekākāriki’s self sufficiency and strengthen community is now a reality with Paekākāriki Orchards and Gardens. This year this local open group secured a four year license to use an acre of land at the northern end of the village … [Read more...] about The Paekākāriki Green Dream: Realising a Community Orchard and Garden Project
Remembering a Community Champion
John Newton Porter, a foundation member of the Kapiti US Marines Trust and tireless community advocate died earlier this year. He was 86. Allie Webber, friend and fellow Kapiti US Marines trustee, remembers a man deeply rooted in community values. John Porter or “J.P.”, as he was known, … [Read more...] about Remembering a Community Champion
Children and parents learn te reo Māori together
Whānau tupu ngātahi, or families learning together, is the kaupapa of Playcentre in New Zealand, and it’s what the whānau at Paekākāriki’s Playcentre do each week. “By supporting our Playcentre parents to increase their confidence with te reo Māori we empower them to nurture the language in our … [Read more...] about Children and parents learn te reo Māori together
Giving it right back
Paekākāriki resident Mark Galbraith’s company, McAra Air Conditioning (Wellington) are delighted to join us as second of two key sponsors for Paekākāriki.nz. Mark’s wish is for their ‘spot’ to be used to advertise what not-for-profit clubs and groups are doing. We wanted to find out more about this … [Read more...] about Giving it right back