Culinary icon Ruth Pretty moves on

MAY ISSUE

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Ōtaki College Roll

A call-out by Ōtaki Today to discover which former students and staff have died in the past 60 years has revealed a list. READ MORE.

BRIEFS

Swing bridge proposal on agenda

A proposal by Ōtaki-based Cr Rob Kofoed to pursue due diligence on swing bridges to bypass dangerous slips at Blue Bluff was included on the KCDC agenda for councillors to consider at the full council meeting on May 9. Ōtaki Community Board member Jackie Elliott suggested in a recent board newspaper column that “anyone who continues to promote this [swing bridge] option is being irresponsible to the extreme”.

Board member on notice

Waikanae Community Board  member Michelle Lewis is likely to receive an official complaint from the mayor after her submission at the council’s Long-term Plan hearings on May 2. During the submission she was critical of council officers. Mayor Janet Holborow asked her if she was speaking as a board member or personally. Michelle replied as both. Janet then said the council’s code of conduct prohibited public criticism of staff by elected members. “I invite you to apologise or I’ll be lodging a code of conduct complaint.” Michelle did not respond to the invitation. (Much of Te Horo falls within the Waikanae board boundary. – Ed.)

Bridge clip-on delayed

Waka Kotahi says work on the clip-on portions of the shared path on the Ōtaki River bridge won’t be starting in May as planned. A spokesperson said the transport agency was investigating a less disruptive installation method, which includes applying for resource consents. “We’ll inform and share updates with local stakeholders, residents, businesses and road users before any work starts,” he spokesperson said.

Sculpture lights back soon

New parts for the lights stolen from the southern expressway sculpture have been obtained by Waka Kotahi. The agency and KCDC are liaising to ensure better security at the site. KCDC will soon take over responsibility for the sculptures, which feature at the north and south of Ōtaki.

Main Street wifi at last?

Free wifi is expected to be installed in all of Main Street in the next few weeks, a council spokesperson has confirmed. Wifi was originally expected to be available in June 2019. It can be accessed from some areas of Main Street, but it’s not fully operational because some of the gear required was removed from the Civic Theatre when the roof was replaced during renovations. Contractors are working to full reinstate the wifi gear.

April brigade call-outs

Ōtaki Volunteer Fire Brigade had 17 call-outs in April. Five were for medical emergencies, three each for: rubbish, grass or scrub fires. and vehicle crashes. There were two each for property fires and "good intent", and one each for attending a private fire alarm and assisting with a rescue.

Kite dates set 

The 2025 Ōtaki Kite Festival will be on the weekend of March 8-9.