Louise sharp as a tack at 97

The signing of a memorandum of understanding between two district health boards will give greater clarity to Ōtaki and Te Horo residents, says Dr John Sprunt of Ōtaki Medical Centre. “This means that if we do have to refer a patient in a certain direction, mainly going south, I’ve got something at registrar/consultant level,” Dr... Keep Reading

James Cootes has confirmed he will stand again for the position of Ōtaki Ward councillor in the local body elections. Polling day is October 12. James has represented the Ōtaki Ward for the past three years, and nine years before that as a member (and chair) of the Ōtaki Community Board. Some surprise names might emerge after the close of... Keep Reading

People have used honey for thousands of years to treat infected burns and wounds. Honey’s antibacterial properties are due to a combination of factors: the high concentration of sugar, its acidity and trace amounts of hydrogen peroxide. All things that bacteria don’t like. And then along came an even more powerful antibacterial honey –... Keep Reading

Reduced soil fertiliser and chemicals for animal health can have environmental and cost benefits for farmers. Carbon emissions and nitrogen pollution are reduced and spending on animal remedies is saved. Respected former Ruakura scientist Dr Clive Dalton has reported that our highly efficient conversion of grass to animal products has been eroded.. Keep Reading

If you haven’t heard about it already, at the June 27 council meeting I succeeded in passing recommendations to conduct an independent review of Kāpiti Coast District Council. Although it took more than an hour on the day to get the recommendations across the line, it took weeks of planning and discussions to get the support to make it happen.... Keep Reading

Many years ago, a friend was enduring a marriage breakup. The not-uncommon battle over asset division and “ownership” of the children led to acrimony and no small amount of bad behaviour, probably on both sides. Her former husband had decided she was no longer the love-of-his-life but had consigned her to be the enemy-of-his-life, which... Keep Reading

I love Ōtaki because it has many parts of it to love – and the fact that something that is secret generates its own attraction. And, let’s be honest, to most travellers Ōtaki is just a two-block strip of shops either side of the state highway – a strip bounded by New World in the south and to the north, what at peak times must be... Keep Reading

If we’re friends on Facebook or real life, you might know the whole Israel Folau situation makes me feel like saying things you’re not meant to print in the paper. If we’re not, I’ve summed up those feelings here. If “the fight of your life” is to be allowed to tell your 280k followers that my gay mates and whānau are inherently evil,... Keep Reading

The newest motel in town, Littel Ōtaki, is a cool little place that’s big on comfort, style and convenience. Located on the old Railway Bowling Club grounds in Dunstan Street, Littel Ōtaki is everything a travelling business person or family would want in a motel. The style is evident, from the colourful etchings on the roadside wall... Keep Reading

Ōtaki Museum Trust treasurer Neale Ames was watching the Cricket World Cup final early on Sunday morning when he got a call that the museum had a break-in. A window was broken a little after 12.30am to gain entry and money from the museum’s donation box was stolen. Up to about $150 was in the box. Neale, police and a security firm attended... Keep Reading

The Ōtaki Bowling Club is frustrated and angry that weekend burglars are regularly targeting their clubrooms on Waerenga Road.  The burglars have broken into the clubrooms four times in less than two months – on May 27, June 10, June 16 and on July 7. In the process, they’ve smashed windows – and in the latest incident a window... Keep Reading

The woman after whom the memorial clocktower is named was Emma Gertrude Atmore (née Applegate), a much-loved doctor in Ōtaki. After graduating from Otago Medical School in 1920, Gertrude became a house surgeon at Invercargill Hospital and medical superintendant at Coromandel before taking the same role at the Ōtaki sanitorium in... Keep Reading

The 76th Ōtaki Scholar arrived in Ōtaki on Monday (July 15) and was welcomed with a pōwhiri at Raukawa Marae. It was a special occasion for Rohan Mudkavi, who sees the links between Ōtaki College and his own Robert Gordon’s College as particularly special.  “Although our schools are so far apart geographically, there is... Keep Reading