Last month I looked at the early history of soap making. I will pick up the story with the beginnings of the industrial-scale production of soap in the 1700s. The soap-making reaction (saponification) forms glycerine, a natural emollient and moisturiser. With large-scale production soap manufacturers started to remove the glycerine from soap as... Keep Reading

Grace Terewai Moffatt (nee Potete) was born on March 6, 1928, in Palmerston North. Her parents were Ben Potete and Rona Amelia Wallace. However, she was raised by her grandparents, Potete Manupiri Nopera and Makareta Marino (Maggie). Uncle Chum (Ernest Wallace) was also raised by Potete and Maggie. Maggie’s first husband was William... Keep Reading

Rockabilly is back. The 2019 Rockabilly Rock & Rev Festival is at Ōtaki Domain on Saturday October 19. This year’s festival features a programme with live bands and talented musicians, top rock ’n roll dancers and entertainers, rides and jumpy castles for the children, and martial arts demonstrations. There are plenty of stalls booked at the... Keep Reading

A piano gifted from Tawa College is music to the ears of Ōtaki chorister Ann-Marie Stapp. “This has been a long-time coming, after the old Memorial Hall pianos fell into disrepair and were unable to be tuned correctly,” Ann-Marie says. “They had become defunct over many years, and I have been trying to get a replacement for some time.”... Keep Reading

Further comedy is provided by a collection of gawky characters who are either in the company or on the fringe as owners. When the phantom (Ben Wakefield), who lives a lonely existence in the dark depths beneath the opera house hears that beautiful singing, he is stirred. He must possess her and she is putty in his hands. She cannot resist the music Keep Reading

Who went to the Ōtaki Community Expo on Saturday (September 7)? If you did, you will have seen what a wonderful community spirit this town has. Organisations of all types, many run by volunteers, support this community in a myriad of ways. There were the happy women in their green aprons from the Women’s Institute, the St John’s people... Keep Reading

The Kāpiti Equestrian Advocacy group celebrated a year since its inception with a ride from the Otaki Surf Life Saving Club to Waikawa Beach on August 25. The group was formed by Ruth Halliday, the equestrian representative on Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Cycleway, Walkway and Bridleway Advisory Group. The equestrian group engages with... Keep Reading

The newly resurfaced tennis courts got a good workout on Saturday (September 7) when the Ōtaki Tennis Club had an open day. The club hosted plenty of tennis enthusiasts – some who had previously played tennis and others who were trying it for the first time. With a ball machine firing balls across the court, coaching and just casual hitting... Keep Reading

Ōtaki’s Purutaitama senior football team is one win away from playing in the Wellington Capital competition next year. The team has already won the Horowhenu-Kāpiti division 1 title, but now need to beat a Wairarapa team to go in the Weallington league. Club trainer/coach Hape Porter says the team has had a great season. “I’ve been... Keep Reading

New vegetable and herb gardens near the entrance of the Ōtaki Library and outside the Memorial Hall have generated plenty of local interest and support. The plants are available for anyone to pick, and many people have taken the opportunity to help themselves to some fresh produce. The gardens are the result of planning and planting by local... Keep Reading

A funding squeeze is shutting out several services delivered by the Otaki Women’s Health Group. Funding from the Central Primary Health Organisation for sexual and reproductive health services was withdrawn recently after 18 years, leaving the centre wondering how it could remain viable with its main service and funding unavailable. “More... Keep Reading

Elevate Ōtaki is commissioning a survey of Ōtaki businesses so it better understands their issues and plans as the expressway edges closer to completion. More than 70 businesses will be surveyed, from Te Horo through the highway shopping precinct and in the township. “We know anecdotally what some businesses are doing and how they feel... Keep Reading

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

Louise Carkeek turned 97 on August 3, still sharp as a tack as she celebrated with friends and whānau at the Ocean View Rest Home. Louise moved into the rest home just after her 90th birthday, having lived independently in Ōtaki for many years. Among her well-wishers was fellow rest home resident Mae Carson, who at 96 is close in age and did her... Keep Reading