OTAKI TODAY: February 2019
Our sixth issue of Ō
taki Today and we're already up to 32 pages full of news and views that matter to this town.
Our lead story was probably always going to be about NZTA's decision to not build the Peka Peka interchange. A public meeting in Te Horo showed how riled many locals were at the decision – but there were a few at the meeting who thought it was the right decision. Read about both sides, including a response from NZTA after we asked them for clarification on the main questions that came out of the meeting.
We also talked to Yvette McCausland-Durie about her Pulse netball team's special relationship with Te Wānanga o Raukawa, and have a great photo by our photographer, Simon Neale, of the weekend's netball. There are some interesting historical stories, including one about Jean Whetren, 92, who recently left Te
We also have our regular line-up of comment from our local politicians, Fraser Carson opines on opinions, Barb Rudd tells why she loves Ōtaki, garden expert Kath Irvine looks towards winter already, and we continue with Daniel Duxfield on fitness and Ken Geenty with his farming focus.
There's always lots going on here.
Click the link above to read online, pick up a paper at the library or from
November 2018
The damage was repaired initially using asphalt to fill the gouges (seal delaminated areas, in roading terms), then a week later by re-application of heated aggregate (chip) as hot weather returned, allowing for the chip to stick to the surface. Contractor Capital Journeys completed the repairs on Wednesday, with traffic being managed down to... Keep Reading
MARCH AGAINST METH Ōtaki has had enough of the drug problem plaguing the town and is marching against meth. At 10am on Saturday, December 1, marchers will gather on the corner of the highway and Mill Road – at Sunrans Spas – and progress along Mill Road to Main Street in the township. There will be speeches and informat... Keep Reading
An Ōtaki man who’s making Christmas special for thousands of disadvantaged children, has won an ASB Good as Gold award. Pera Barrett grew up in Ōtaki and still calls it home. Now living in Wellington and working as an IT manager, he organises Christmas presents every year for kids whose parents and care-givers are close to the poverty line.... Keep Reading
Ōtaki Bowling Club is inviting business houses, sports clubs, community organisations, schools and individuals to join it for twilight bowls during summer. On the Thursdays of November 22 and 29, December 6, January 24 and 31, and February 7, the club is hosting teams of three (join a team on the day if an individual) to enjoy a relaxed, friendly.. Keep Reading
A warning about collecting and eating shellfish from Ōtaki region beaches has been lifted. The Ministry for Primary Industries issued the alert for west coast beaches from Waikato to Te Horo in mid-August. It removed the warning on September 20. Shellfish and seawater samples are taken every week from popular shellfish gathering are... Keep Reading
Our sense of community and interdependent connectivity was once almost unshakable. Nowadays, perhaps in the face of overwhelming globalisation, rampant inequality and relentless information (and misinformation), we seem less certain. In fact, we are seeing a worldwide trend towards protectionism, isolationism and populist nationalism. Some of... Keep Reading
The trophies look good in the clubhouse cabinet, but Kahura Cameron is a man more focused on the journey than the result. The big No 8 for Ōtaki rugby league club Whiti te Rā relishes every season, and he’s seen a few. With his 40th birthday just around the corner, it’s been a long journey, and hanging up his boots has been on his mind... Keep Reading
A Health and Wellbeing Plan for Ōtaki was presented to the Ōtaki Community Board on Tuesday September 4. The plan, presented by MidCentral District Health Board project manager Kelly Isles, set out a strategy over the next five years. It was guided by four strategic intentions: to partner with people to support health and wellbeing; to connect and Keep Reading
The horses are back in town and the Ōtaki-Māori Racing Club is champing at the bit to get the party started. Races are on again at Labour Weekend Sunday, October 21, with a full card and all the excitement that’s been a hallmark of Ōtaki racing for more than 130 years. Race day will be a family day that includes entertainment for adults and... Keep Reading
The Māoriland short film initiative NATIVE Slam III has been selected for the ImagineNATIVE film festival in Toronto. More than 4000 films were submitted to the festival this year and Māoriland has five films in the programme. NATIVE Slam is a 72-hour international indigenous collaboration challenge held in the week prior to the Māoriland... Keep Reading
Back in the day when the Civic Theatre sold movies and Edhouses sold everything else, we used phone party lines to arrange a meeting at the Ritz Milk Bar or to organise a spot of whitebaiting at the Ōtaki river. A hamstring hadn’t yet been invented as a rugby injury, alcohol and cigarettes were harmless and a bet on the horses required a... Keep Reading
Otaki Kite Festival2 minutes ago, Sat 16 Feb 2019, 10:00 am
Festivals
Otaki
Come fly with us at the Ōtaki Kite Festival held annually at our stunning Ōtaki Beach on the Kāpiti Coast, just an hour’s drive north of Wellington. This year will be the 7th kite festival presented by the Ōtaki Promotions Group. There will be spectacular kites from around the world, stunt kite displays by Queensland’s Phoenix Kite... Keep Reading
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