An initiative that aims to provide shoes for all students has caught on at Ōtaki College, Thanks to young students Meleane Nelson-Latu and Alyssa Te Wiata, the Share a Pair scheme has already had more than 100 pairs gifted. The students say many more are needed to ensure that local families – not just college pupils – can have good shoes.... Keep Reading

A local driver found the corner of Marine Parade and Rangiuru Road too much for him about 5.50am on May 10. He was driving a Subaru and travelling at high speed south on Marine Parade, but failed to negotiate the sharp bend on the corner. He lost control and crashed through a residential property. The driver fled the scene but was arrested... Keep Reading

Kāpiti Coast District Council has unanimously backed a call for a rethink on the decision by the NZ Transport Agency to not build a full interchange on to the expressway at Peka Peka. The Finish Our Road (FOR) group welcomed a recent council decision to support a FOR investigation into a new business case for the full interchange and support... Keep Reading

Every now and then we’re faced with difficult decisions that challenge our thinking or our values. Defining moments when you have to step up and do what you believe is right regardless of the criticism. Recently I’ve had to make a couple of those decisions, one I can’t talk about just yet, but the other I felt needed explaining. I’m... Keep Reading

Most Ōtaki residents look forward to the time when traffic stops clogging our main north/south road and passes by on the completed PP2Ō expressway. Fridays, holidays and weekends with traffic at a standstill for kilometres in either direction should be a thing of the past. Our shopkeepers, business owners and operators aren’t so sure. There... Keep Reading

Maude Heath is the latest arrival at the main highway retail hub. Comfortable in her gallery, she is framed by an explosion of colours. There are large paintings by Waikanae artist Vincent Duncan. On a large easel stands his latest; kites in primary colours on an energetic shades-of-blue Ōtaki sky, with the paint still not quite dry. It was a... Keep Reading

I attended a wonderful, powerful performance by Pare and Ari at the Māoriland Hub recently. Congratulations are in order. This team is the latest iteration in a long tradition of outstanding Shakespeare performances by Ōtaki College and Ōtaki pupils. How did this all start? In 2001, two Ōtaki College students were performing with a Kāpiti... Keep Reading

One of the outcomes of the First World War was the formation of the Royal New Zealand Returned Services Association. On July 15, 1915, HMNZTS Willochra arrived in Wellington with casualties from the Gallipoli campaign. On board was Captain Donald Simson, who in discussions with his comrades felt that returning soldiers needed an organisation... Keep Reading

Mahatma Gandhi was once quoted as saying that the greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated. I have to admit to being a bit of a softie for animals. When the family pet dies I have to find a quiet corner and have a good blubber. Then I have to dig the obligatory hole in the back yard and gather the family for the... Keep Reading

Friday March 15, 2019, started for many like any other weekday in New Zealand. People’s daily habits would have meant snatching a bit of early morning news on the iPhone, running a Google search or two to find a bit of ready information and checking for anything juicy on Instagram and Facebook. The world probably seemed fine as people headed... Keep Reading

Pirimi Pererika Tahiwi was born on September 16, 1890, at Otaki. His father, Rawiri Rota Tahiwi, a Native Land Court assessor, was of Ngāti Raukawa and Ngāti Maiotaki. His mother, Keita Koa, who was also known as Kapu Meaha and Keita Pera, was of Te Arawa, with links to Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Pukaki, Ngāti Tahu and Ngāti Whaoa. Pirimi was... Keep Reading

The former Air Force network enginner is happy to be part of what he says is a progressive and welcoming club. “I’ve been in Ōtaki two years, and I’ve found the RSA here really warm and welcoming.” Nathaniel was born in the United States but raised in Christchurch. He married his wife, Teresa, who has links to Ngāti Raukawa and is... Keep Reading

The town and surrounding district contributed more than its fair share in terms of numbers signing up to serve. The Ōtaki RSA was established in 1919 to recognise the commitments of these people, to provide a place where they could gather and receive support. Subsequent wars and peace-keeping efforts since have involved more Ōtaki people, and... Keep Reading

Elevate Ōtaki and Kāpiti Coast District Council, along with Flightdec, are engaging in a project looking at how to showcase the best of Ōtaki as the expressway approaches. We’re seeking to better understand and define the fundamentals that showcase the town, and the stories and things that make the community work for people’s well-being. We... Keep Reading

The Ōtaki Community Emergency Hub Planning Group, in conjunction with the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (Wremo), held a hub activation exercise at the East Hub on Saturday, June 8. Ōtaki has two designated hub sites – an east hub at the library and a west hub at the Baptist Church in Te Manuao Road. Community members were... Keep Reading