Jonathan Harker

Web secretary, Pukrerua Bay Residents' Association

SH1 shops footpath repair and widening finally underway

Contractors Mills & Albert have confirmed with PCC that they will be starting the widening and resurfacing of the shared SH1 footpath from the Pukerua Bay shops north to the overbridge next Tuesday, 19th of May. This was originally scheduled for 23rd of March, but was put on hold due to the COVID-19 lock-down.

The red line indicates the extent of the works, from the shops north to the overbridge. The blue line indicates the footpath diversion while the work takes place.

This $45,000 Porirua City Council village planning project has been in the pipe for at least ten years to improve the safety of pedestrian and cyclists along SH1. It is now going ahead with matched funding from NZTA to bring the total project funding to $90,000. This funding will allow bringing the pathway up to the required NZTA standard for shared pathways, in particular that it be a minimum of two metres wide.

The existing footpath path will be widened up to 400 mm in some places with wooden edging and retaining walls where necessary. In the three locations where the path is failing and slipping down the adjacent slope, a full width path reinstatement with be undertaken. At the end of the widening works, the widened areas will be full-width resurfaced.

The minimum NZTA standard width for a shared pathway is two metres.

Footpath diversion will be in place

Mills & Albert estimate the works will take 20 working days. During this time unfortunately a footpath diversion will be in place, similar to when the retaining wall was constructed last year, but for only 4 weeks. In addition, the shortcut to the shops across the school field will be cordoned off and unavailable while this work is being done.

You will also be able to go between the overbridge and the shops via Te Motu Road and the SH1 pedestrian refuge at the shops.

These signs from the retaining wall works will be reused.

SH1 shops footpath repair and widening finally underway Read More »

Waikākāriki Wetland Weed Whackers Working Bee

Now we’re in Level 2, if you’d like to help Ngā Ururoa Kāpiti Project with their first working bee clearing weeds in the Waikākāriki Wetland, please let Andy McKay know by text or email. Do not just show up on the day, please read the details below around Level 2 restrictions.

Sunday 17 May 2020 at 9am – 11 am (ical)
South end of Escarpment access track (not the Escarpment Track itself), Paekākāriki

Walk along the Southern end of the access track to the Paekākāriki Escarpment Track to the meeting spot (not the actual Escarpment Track!) The exact area is shown in the map:

Meeting place, on the Escarpment Access Track, Paekākāriki (map)

During Alert Level 2 things will have to work differently. There is a limit of 10 people, so do not just show up, please RSVP to Andy McKay by text or email first. Other things to be aware of:

  • Minimise the spread through personal hand hygiene, gloves and other personal protection equipment
  • No sharing of equipment or tools
  • Physical distancing of 1m will be maintained
  • No sharing of food, drinks or cutlery
  • It is important anyone feeling unwell stays home
  • Shorter time frame 9am-11am to fit to 2 hour limit on gatherings

If you can only make it for a short time that’s totally fine, drop by at any time, just text before hand!

Waikākāriki Wetland Weed Whackers Working Bee Read More »

March 2020 Residents’ Association meeting minutes

Tuesday, March 10 2020

Present: Paul FitzGerald, June Penhey, Nikky Winchester, Mel Galletly, Margaret Blair, Jonathan Harker, Iain MacLean, Bill Jackson, Pauline Morum, Nathan Waddle (PCC), Jenny Brash (GWRC)
Community: Brian Sullivan, Gillian Candler
Apologies: Kate Dreaver
Approval of previous minutes: moved Iain MacLean, seconded Bill Jackson, none opposed, carried.

March 2020 Residents’ Association meeting minutes Read More »

Litter Survey results

The Pukerua Bay Litter Monitoring Group undertook its first Litter Collection Survey on 8 March. The area we surveyed had previously been surveyed three times in 2019 by other volunteers in the Litter Intelligence project. The results of our survey are logged on the Litter Intelligence website.

We’ll be repeating the survey every 3 months, with the date of the next survey to be advised. This time, 11 local volunteers received training in the litter survey method. We welcome other volunteers, but please be willing to take direction from the Lead Citizen Scientist and follow the survey method.

Key points about the Litter Intelligence project

We repeat the survey in the same place every three months, so that the data can be compared over time. While we clear rubbish off this particular area, the focus is not so much on a beach clean up as on investigating what litter we have found. We categorise the litter and count and weigh it. This part of the survey takes longer than picking up the litter. Our data is added to a nationwide database which can be used to identify problems and trends. Over time, we hope that the litter monitoring community will also be able to come up with solutions to the litter problem.

Sustainable Coastlines provide us with infrastructure, support and equipment, including survey tools, gloves, and litter sacks.

For more information about the Litter Intelligence Project, including ideas about how you can reduce litter in the environment, visit the Litter Intelligence website.

Litter Survey results Read More »

Call for Litter Survey helpers, March 2020

Are you interested in being a part of the Litter Monitoring survey here in Pukerua Bay? This is a Citizen Science project. It’s a bit different from a beach clean up in that we pick up litter in the same area each time, classify it, weigh it or count it and then add the data to the nationwide project. The site is already chosen, and a few surveys have already been run, in June 2019 and December 2019. It’s not difficult terrain, and it is done four times a year. There is training for this project and our first survey will be in early March. See litterintelligence.org for more information, and if you’re keen to participate, please contact Gillian Candler with the form below.

Call for Litter Survey helpers, March 2020 Read More »

Surfers’ Remembrance Unveiling

A new seat by the beach, the Surfers’ & Remembrance Seat, will be unveiled next month, dedicated to Trevor James Douglas and other past surfers from Pukerua Bay. It will be placed at First Point Surfbreak, just back from the foreshore.

10.30 am, Saturday 1st February 2020 (ical)
Pukerua Bay Beach, at the bottom of the goat track (map)
All welcome!

Surf at Pukerua Bay Beach (image via WannaSurf)

There will be refreshments at the RSA afterwards, and a donation box towards ongoing maintenance costs.

David Pepperell thanks the many local businesses, particularly Placemakers Porirua, G&S Civil, Coastal Fasteners, and Big Mac Slabs, the Porirua City Council, as well as the many other individual donors and supporters who have contributed their time, labour and skills to the project.

Surfers’ Remembrance Unveiling Read More »

Eat Drink and be Crafty 2020

Enjoy the very best of locally-made crafts, artisan food, and refreshments in a lovely rural setting at the Eat Drink and Be Crafty Fair. There will also be a live band and plenty of entertainment for all ages – it’s sure to be a great family day out for everyone.

10am, Saturday 25 January 2020 (ical)
Battle Hill Farm Forest Park, 608 Paekakariki Hill Road (map)

Brought to you by Mana Lions.

Cellphone coverage in the area of Battle Hill is patchy and affects EFTPOS machines, in the past cash has proved to be the most reliable means for transactions.

The proceeds from the day will support Wellington Free Ambulance and local Porirua Community Charities.

Eat Drink and be Crafty 2020 Read More »

Christmas on the Field is back!

4pm, Saturday 14 December 2019 (ical, Facebook)
Pukerua Bay School (map)

LINE UP: The Miti’s • John O’Connor • Amba Holly • C410 • SWPT Dance Crew • Audrey Tupua • Hugh • Bridget O’Shanassy • Pukerua Bay Kindergarten • Pukerua Bay School

The Pukerua Bay Hub team welcome you to come together and celebrate the year! There will be food trucks, live music and performances, carols, kids rides and Santa of course!

This year we ask you to please bring a can of food to donate to our ‘Cans for Christmas’ appeal. These will be given to Porirua people in need on Christmas Day.

We hope to see you all on Dec 14th – please share the event with your friends and family!

Note: some food trucks and rides will be cash only.

Christmas on the Field is back! Read More »

2018 Residents’ Association AGM minutes

7.30 pm, Monday 29 October 2018

Attendance

Committee: Iain MacLean, Jonathan Harker, Paul FitzGerald, Brian Sullivan, Kate Dreaver, David Olsen, Pauline Morse, June Penhey, Beccy Davis.
Community: Lucy Wiles, Gillian Candler, Ben Knight, Mack Morum, Pauline Morum, Kerry Gray, Jacqui McIntosh, Josh Wrightson, Angela Brown, Kelly McClean, Barbara Donaldson (GWRC), Anita Baker (PCC), Ross Leggett (PCC), Dale Williams (PCC), Jenny Brash (GWRC), Lee Begg, Jenny Dawson, Nikky Winchester, Megan Winchester, Jenny Wrightson, Trevor Thompson (QE2 National Trust), Yvonne Fletcher, Bill McAulay, Anna Geling, Fiona Sutton, Melvin Galletly, Kate Dreaver, Christine Ford, John Ford, Iesha Warren, Damien Stairmand.
Apologies: Guy Marriage, Margaret & Ashley Blair.

2018 Residents’ Association AGM minutes Read More »