Work is under way on a refreshed growth strategy as the Kāpiti Coast braces for an estimated 30,000 new residents during the next 30 years. The growth forecast is much bigger than previous estimates. Kāpiti Coast District Council says its existing growth strategy, the Development Management Strategy, is now outdated, relies on underlying... Keep Reading

A prize pool of $3500 was awarded at the Māoriland Film Festival for six short films created by some of Aotearoa’s youngest film-makers. The prize-giving at the Memorial Hall on March 26 also provided an opportunity for a premiere of the films that won the sixth annual E Tū Whānau Film Challenge, which is open to rangatahi aged... Keep Reading

We’re thrilled. With those words director Libby Hakaraia encapsulated her feelings after the eighth Māoriland Film Festival in Ōtaki from March 24-28. Without an international presence, she knew this year would be different, but its success surprised even her. Ticket sales to the speaking events, workshops, award presentations, closing... Keep Reading

Ōtaki is to have an average rates rise of 13.2 percent under Kāpiti Coast District Council’s proposed Long-term Plan. The proposed Ōtaki rates rise is 67 percent greater than the next highest of 7.9 percent in Paraparaumu/Raumati. Paekākāriki would see a 7.7 percent rise and Waikanae 3.9 percent. KCDC group manager corporate services... Keep Reading

Three Ōtaki organisations are among five in the Kāpiti region to receive $12,000 each from the Māori Economic Development Grants Fund to develop their services and products. They are:  Toi Tangata Studio Gallery Ltd in Main Street, to establish its inclusive art and community space. Toi Tangata, operated by Taryn Beri and Jerome... Keep Reading

The historic St Andrew’s Church at Manakau is likely to close. At the Anglican Parish of Ōtaki AGM on March 21, a motion was passed unanimously to close the church and subdivide the land at St Andrew’s into two parcels. One parcel would contain the church area, the second a paddock for possible use or sale. A final decision on the... Keep Reading

Sometimes the racists who make it to the media are obliging enough to answer each other’s questions.“Why are we listening to this monkey language?” said the racists in the Kāpiti council chamber standing next to our tamariki. “Can we move Scotty Morrison to the back of the America’s Cup report . . . because there’s far too much... Keep Reading

The decision to switch the tracks at Ashford Park, announced as we were going to print, was the right one. It was the only decision that could introduce any semblance of common sense into a saga that pitted two groups of the same community against each other – walkers and cyclists on one side (literally), horse riders on the other. It was... Keep Reading

Few would admit to being racist. Let’s face it, it’s not exactly a career-enhancing attribute in life’s journey. One would hope most people aren’t especially enthused by those who express hate towards others for no other reason than their differences.Where it is worn proudly as a “badge-of-honour”, the racist is inevitably... Keep Reading

If you like something, it has sentimental value or just has life left in it, don’t throw it out – fix it! If repairing something feels beyond you, then the Ōtaki Repair Café at the Memorial Hall on Sunday, March 21, could not only get your item fixed, but also give you some valuable skills to help you fix it again or tackle another... Keep Reading

A total of 135 riders from 42 schools competed in Ōtaki College’s annual equestrian show-jumping event at Waikanae in late February. The meet is the second biggest school equestrian event in the country, growing year-on-year with riders coming from as far away as Whanganui, Wairarapa and elsewhere in the Wellington... Keep Reading

If you’re a business owner or executive, every decision you make should be directed toward building value in your company, even if you don’t intend to sell for years. To grow value in your business, there are five factors to focus on: creating and keeping a healthy income stream ensuring a tidy profit after all costs and overheads are... Keep Reading