Annual reports for this year’s Annual General Meeting are available online. These include the Chair’s report from the committee, the financial statements, and reports on activities by various groups operating under the umbrella of the Residents’ Association.
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Minutes Tuesday 8 October 2024 7:30pm–9:00am RSA Wairaka Road
Apologies: Gay Hay, Jonathan Harker, Chris Kirk-Burnnand. Attending: Paul FitzGerald, Margaret Blair, Nikky Winchester, Iain MacLean. Community members: Dorothy Ibrahim, Pamela Nunn.
Council updates (PCC)
Report by Councillor Ross Leggatt.
Three Waters. PCC has to develop a Three Waters Delivery Plan for government by the end of this year outlining which option they would prefer for the region: a council-owned company (CCO) or a stand-alone organisation. Horowhenua, Wairarapa, Kāpiti, Porirua, Hutt City, Upper Hutt, and Wellington are local authorities that could be included in the regional stand-alone organisation. This is likely to be similar to Wellington Water, and the assets of the existing councils would be transferred to it.
Sixty percent of PCC capital expenditure is on water infrastructure. This new organisation needs about 30 percent more staff to do the work that is required throughout the region.
Good progress on water leaks. The number of recorded leaks has dropped from 240 to 32. Pukerua Bay is now saving three percent of its water.
Papakowhai shared path: This will be opening in a couple of weeks. There is no money for changing the intersection by Aotea College.
Mormon temple: The Church of Later Day Saints is applying for resource consents to build a new temple on the Gear Homestead site. It has owned the land for around 30 years. The application will be considered by a panel of three commissioners. One issue will be the impact of traffic while it is being built.
Other roads: The shared path to Onepoto is off the table as the government has withdrawn funding, and a number of other roading and intersection projects will be delayed.
Last month’s minutes
Moved Paul / seconded Iain. All in favour. Carried.
Matters arising
None.
Financial report as at 6 October 2024
BNZ $ 12,563.36
Income:
$ 18.21 Interest
$ 350.00 CGFF Tea Towels
$ 10.00 CGFF Seed Sales
$ 20.00 Kōrero
Expenditure:
$ 1.80 Fees
$ 153.00 CGFF Pavilion
$ 395.00 CGFF Rongoa
$ 8.00 Haywards Horse Manure
$ 58.25 Waste and Compost
Invoices – Issued
$ 20 Kōrero
Invoices – Paid
$ 20 Kōrero
Invoices – OutstandingAccount balances as at 6 October 2024
Res Assn 000 $ 459.15
He Ara 001 $ 1165.82
CGFF 002 $ 1296.37
Kōrero 066 $ 1158.77
Surf Seat 067 $ 174.73
On Call Acct 025 $ 8318.52
Grants and donations
CGFF $1000.00 Tree Crop Grant
CGFF $1000.00 Donation
CGFF $ 500.00 Donation
He Ara $5000.00 Donation
Kōrero $ 750.00 Pelorus Grant
Residents $ 68.52 Interest
Margaret has prepared the financial statements for the 2023-24 year to present to the AGM.
Project updates
Community garden food forest
Compost – Great job from Brian, Ralph, and Paul shifting the cape ivy to compost. Theu brought back soil and compost to the flower garden. Then returned for 3 m3 for the Rongoā. Half a bin of compost ready to be used.
Hoses – Work in progress. Gay would like every tap to have a sprinkler and and a hand held nozzle. Donations welcome. Gay has sorted out the hoses to dahlias, lemon and tomato, potatoes and water tank. Soaker hose by gooseberries has split. Last year we divided the watering into areas, which worked ok.
Finances:
002 Acc $1344.62 On call $1000.00 Grant $1000.00 Donation $500.00 Donation
Southern side mulched ready for compost and planting.
Tomato seedlings – Vicky has some spare.
Vicky to build structure for runner beans
Zuchini, pumpkin and corn ready. School involved.
Potatoes and Kumara looking good.
Rongoā – Cardboard needs to go under the sacks as sacks aren’t smothering the cape ivy and bindweed. Ziggy’s cardboard is great!
Dahlia – We’re extending the dahlia bed up the hill a bit. Miranda suggests putting the cafe au lait dahlias and cosmos in the raised flower bed. Plans to sell tubers and cut flowers.
Garden club visit – A local garden club has asked to visit and we’ve arranged 11 Feb.
Berry Tunnel – Ashley was proved right about the netting last year. We will leave it off until the fruit starts to set.
Battling bugs –
Last year we got passion vine hopper and shield beetles.
Peaches and apricots we used seaweed and copper band. Only one tree has curly leaf.
We used Corey’s soil conditioner. John has applied to trees.
Gay and Judy went to a biodynamics workshop and they got some stuff which John has painted the trees with it.
Coddling moth confusers are hanging in the trees.
Vasoline and cardboard around the apple and pears.
Worms – the worms are great at the moment although we do have slugs. Event – we need an event to sell worms, dahlia and celebrate the pavillion.
Summer Celebration – maybe Sat, 7 Dec.
Fundraising – still thinking about fundraising calendar and a possible garden tour.
Security – the cameras seem to be effective.
He Ara report October 2024
The fencepost on Muri Road, dated AW (Antony Wall II) 1929, from the corner of Wall property has been removed and stored following a conversation with Simon Barber.
PKB Hub Pop-Up Parlour session “Do you remember” on 10 September was very successful. Forty people attended, enjoyed Macaroon cake from Mrs Charles Gray’s recipe, and contributed to lively discussions on Pukerua Bay’s past from the night cart to mushrooming to growing up in the Bay.
Research of the Mulhern family involved a visit to St Joseph’s Church, Pauatahanui. Brian Murphy was a superb host. Lunch followed at GroundUp using the vouchers the team won at the school quiz.
Work is progressing on the website.
Isaac du Toit has been commissioned to illustrate and produce a story book about the Bevan children’s walk from Wellington to Waikawa in 1845. Their overnight stay in Pukerua is recorded in great detail in Thomas Bevan’s book The Reminiscences of An Old Colonist.
Gun Emplacement – no word from PCC.
Pou Panel – kaumatua to be contacted.
Heritage Festival event 9 November – planning underway. Unfortunately Barbara Edmonds is unable to open the event.
Korero
We’re assembling copy for the final issue of the year, to be published in November. Our theme is writers and writing, a kind of mirror to the theme for November 2023, which was reading. We have many talented writers in our community, and illustrators and designers
This issue will also promote some of the events planned over summer, as well as reflecting on some of what has happened over the last month, with the very successful Parlour Pop-up and Climate Action series.
We would like to thank the RA committee for endorsing our application for a grant from the Pelorus Foundation. It was successful and will cover our costs until early next year.
In the next month or so, we will be planning themes and topics for next year. We’re always interested in your ideas!
General business
Fireworks
Pamela Nunn raised the issue of fireworks being set off next to neighbours’ houses. After last Guy Fawkes day, when her neighbour set off fireworks within a few metres of her house, she approached the RA and Council about whether we were able to stop this. She wrote to Josh Trlin as local councillor, who told her the council has no power to stop people setting them off, but does have to respond to noise complaints.
Committee decided we would do some publicity asking people to be considerate and promote public events families can attend.
Train replacement bus shelter
Paul has had a response from Greater Wellington Regional Council. He has suggested an alternative route around Pukerua Bay that includes drop offs and pick ups at Teihana Road, which are closer to the train station and shops.
Bike on Raroa Reserve
Margaret was told about some people riding powered bikes up the track through Raroa Reserve. This is obviously a danger to people walking there. Paul will write to PCC asking for a barrier at the bottom to stop vehicles without interfering with other things like buggies.
Annual General Meeting
To be held on Wednesday 30 October, 7:30pm Pukerua Bay RSA.
Publicity has started with an item in latest Kōrero issue. We will create an event on our website and share it with community Facebook groups. We will send emails directly to members.
The Residents Association was approached for comment on the Mt Welcome farm housing development being included in the 149 in the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Plimmerton Farm development is also included in the list of 149.
This is the response we sent to the journalist.
“We understand the need for extra housing and the Northern area of Porirua has been identified as a high-growth area. We generally support the approach being taken so far. Pukerua Bay residents, and the Residents Association have put a lot of work into ensuring that any development meets both the social needs of the community and protects the environment. We submitted to the council’s review of the district plan and there is a special district plan (Variation 1) that covers the area the Classic developers land is in. This includes a high degree of protection for freshwater in the area, particularly any water that flows into the Pauatahanui arm of the Porirua Harbour. It is also based on medium-density housing, which our RA supports. The environmental protection in the district plan is strongly supported by local residents.
“PCC had been working with Kāinga Ora on a potential Specified Development Project for the Northern Growth Area, which would have integrated all the housing developments between Pukerua Bay and Plimmerton, to ensure a joined up approach for roading, community facilities, public transport and other infrastructure. We would not support any developments being taken out of that holistic approach by this Fast Track process.
“Taking individual developments out of this integrated approach looks like a step backwards for the city if it allowed developers to ignore the work council, residents, developers and Kāinga Ora have already done and take a short-cut that can ignore the appropriate environmental protection. Any approvals under the fast track process should include the conditions and environmental protections that have already been negotiated by council and developers.”
Attending: Paul FitzGerald, Gay Hay, Margaret Blair, Jane Comben, Iain MacLean, Chris Kirk-Burnnand Apologies: Jonathan Harker, Ross Leggett
Council updates
a. GWRC Still hasn’t got the garden access. Still hoping but KiwiRail are occupied elsewhere.
Long term plan: Goal is better management of transport. 74% increase of staff since 2020 (some taken off contract) Transport – large shortfall. 23 mill debt funding. Over the last 3 years 36 mill funded operational costs, debt funded for 10 years. Half operating costs from Waka Kotahi, but less funding coming. May affect in Porirua: • New bus route from between Cambourne, Plimmerton and Pukerua Bay. • Regional Busways Programme: Funding to work with WCC, PCC and HCC to develop high-frequency, bus prioritisation corridors including roading and traffic signal changes. • Porirua Subway Ramps: Seismic strengthening of subway walls. • Porirua Bus Hub: New bus interchange infrastructure and accessways. • Council depot and charging infrastructure implementation: Required for future bus growth, fleet electrification and competitive tending of bus services.
Centreport hui last month. Increasing returns that offset rates and they are looking good.
Bus Train Replacement – No southbound shelter. Action: Chris will put in a request for information
Planting Lots of planting going on especially around TG, Belmont and around inlet. Pest control of stoats coming down TG towards Wellington. Lots of rabbits at St Albans but not considered same pest as rats, stoats etc.
b. PCC
None
July 2024 minutes (August was an interim meeting)
Motion:Paul moved to accept July minutes, Gay seconded – all agreed, carried.
Matters arising
Judy McCoy has been contacted about the guest speaker for AGM – waiting to hear (About impact of tree removal and development to Tāupo Swamp).
Financial Report
Finance Report to September 2024 Meeting as at 6 September 2024 BNZ $ 12,691.20 Income: $ 15.35 Interest $ 530.00 CGFF Tea Towels $ 52.00 CGFF Refund
Account balances as at 6 September 2024 Res Assn 000 $ 459.15 He Ara 001 $ 1165.82 CGFF 002 $ 1552.22 Kōrero 066 $ 1138.97 Surf Seat 067 $ 174.73 On Call Acct 025 $ 8300.31 CGFF $1000.00 Tree Crop Grant CGFF $1000.00 Donation CGFF $ 500.00 Donation He Ara $5000.00 Donation Korero $ 750.00 Pelorus Grant $ 50.31 Interest
Motion: Paul moved to move Financials, Iain seconded – all agreed, carried.
Correspondence
From website: Ashleigh Price about bus replacement shelter on southbound side – 18 Aug (Jane replied it would be brought to the meeting). Paul has emailed person in charge of bus stops – has yet to hear.
Gay Hay has resigned as the community garden rep to the RA – 5 Sept
Action Items
JUNE /JULY ACTIONS: Completed: Paul to contact other local Residents’ Associations about a hui. Not completed: Iain to respond to Brian about colour in Kōrero
SEPTEMBER: Action: Chris K-B will put in a request for information about the southbound bus stop.
Project updates
Community Garden & Food Forest
Security: Cameras and signage (gate, shed and pavillion) installed. Police dog handler local has been dog walking regularly. Neighbour has been collecting cans, we’re going to send a thank you note.
Codling Moth: Spirals purchased from Tree Crop Assoc. We’ll put out the pheronome trap, spirals and cardboard & vasoline trunk wraps.
Rongoa: Ara has been in touch with local tangata whenua. Meetings planned when everyone is available. Some plants are purchased and we’re waiting the meetings and appropriate blessings before the plants go in. All receipts to go to Pukeruarbayresidents@gmail.com
Tea towel sales: 52 left to sell.
Garden Rep to RA: Gay is resigning from attending RA meetings as the garden rep.
Funding: The garden are investigating applying to Pelorus Trust for funding (For KiwiRail access) with the help of Iain.
Toru Education: Doris for POG has asked us to become a partner on the Toru Education website. Gay with write some words and Jane will set up a partner bio. We can then add our events etc.
Compost: Gay has purchased the mesh bag and is willing to lend it to the garden for brewing compost liquid.
He Ara Pukerua
He Ara was invited to the PCC farewell for Bill Inge, Village Projects Coordinator. Bill has guided He Ara through the intricacies of installing 19 regular panels and four major installations around the Bay. He will be missed for his extensive knowledge at PCC. We presented Bill with a Freedom of Pukerua Bay certificate as an acknowledgement.
Great response to the PKB Hub Pop-Up Parlour: Session on 10 September – “Do you remember…” 40 people came from as far away as Dannevirke and as old as 93. Representatives from the Waddiloves, Ryans, Beauforts, Willcocks and Quayles.
Pou: Kaumatua has returned from overseas but at present at Kīingi Tūheitia tangi.
Website: Anne has put up several stories and their images. We met with her Friday 6 September to fine tune layout of stories which have many sections.
Several stories have been written and now being checked by the Naïve Enquirer.
Heritage Festival Programme released on 8 September.
Gun emplacement: No response to date from PCC.
Kōrero
Latest edition distributed and on the website.
Waste Free
Climate Action Rōpu
Notes: Successful Crop Swap & Recycling Collection. There are plans afoot for another date. Ella Garnham is updating the recycling information that Nikky had.
The Spring Series finishes soon with Mike Jebson’s talk and community supper.
General Business
Living without Village Planning – Update
The hui was held on Sunday and everyone was invited from the 14 Village groups. We had Whitby, Plimmerton, Pauatahanui, Titahi Bay and Paremata attend. The meeting was to ensure that the good things that came from Village Planning could continue despite the council pulling their funding. Most of the RA were created as part of the Village Planning process. There were 4 and now there are 14. The process of Village Planning prompted consulting with communities. That method is still sound. The main thing for us is who is our contact at the council to get things done now that Bill Inge is gone.
Annual General Meeting
Date set and advertised in Kōrero. More advertising required. Hoping to hear back from Judy.
Apologies: Gay Hay, Iain MacLean, Nikky Winchester Present: Ross Leggett, Paul FitzGerald, Margaret Blair, Jane Comben
Council updates
a. GWRC
b. PCC
Wellington Water CE left, changes to be made. Work goes on with the wastewater holding tank and work in Eastern Porirua. Local Water Done Well – maybe more info next week. Hard to see what will happen with discussions ongoing about various councils joining a new water body. Councils work through the figures and model, and then after govt legislation has passed, putting together a new entity.
Aotea Lagoon renewal to start soon. New toilets and exercise area. Papakowhai shared path is progressing.
Pathway by Brora Crescent had lots of leaks so the water main being put in at the same time as shared path.
Titahi Bay Road, price has gone up so cycleway yet to roll out.
Gun emplacement – resource consent sought.
Pathway between Dairy and Overbridge – two sections with slip. Paul has talked with PCC about it.
Footpath by Railway/old goods shed collapsing. Ashley having conversation with Claire Giblin.
Discussed the leaving of Bill and who will be our new contact at the council.
AGM set for 30 October.
Financial Report
Finance Report to August 2024 Meeting as at 13 August 2024 BNZ $ 13924.44 Income: $ 7.09 Interest $ 150.00 CGFF Tea Towels $ 400.00 PCC Annual Grant $ 210.00 Korero Invoices $ 750.00 Korero Grant Pelorus Trust $5000.00 He Ara Donation
Expenditure: $ 200.00 Rent to RSA $ 713.00 AON Insurance $ 2.00 Bank Fees $ 3000.00 From On Call Account repayment of loan of $3000 for printing of TT Invoices – Issued $5000.00 Lindsay Family
Account balances as at 13 August 2024 Res Assn 000 $ 455.19 He Ara 001 $ 6948.42 CGFF 002 $ 2239.11 Kōrero 066 $ 2568.07 Surf Seat 067 $ 174.73 On Call Acct 025 $ 1538.92
Action: Transfer fund not immediately needed to go to the on-call interest bearing account.
Correspondence
None
Action items
July Actions:
DONE:
Paul to follow up with Richard Poll at the council.
Jane will respond to Patrika about the garden saying that it is a long standing issue. We have provided the council planting plan for the area and council agreed with it but were objections from NZTA about traffic management. This has stalled the project until the impasse can be resolved.
Margaret to follow up with Bill when chasing the PCC Invoice and also ask about the Plunket Rooms.
Paul has emails other local Residents’ Associations about a hui. Some have responded. Will follow up with others that haven’t responded.
Paul has resolved the garden boundary situation. PCC were responsible, they have put up a new fence.
NOT COMPLETED:
Iain to respond to Brian about colour in Kōrero
Project updates
Community Garden & Food Forest
Vicky is collating a plan of crops planted over the last 3 years to establish a rotation of root, legume, leaf and fruiting vegetation. We will display plan in pavilion windows for community to share.
To battle the codling moth, we have purchased pheromone confusers, we will see what happens. We will continue with the compost liquid to improve the soil quality. We should continue with the corrugated cardboard tray.
Ara and Ralph are meeting with Pania Solomon next week to move forward to purchase plants from PCC. Beating the Cape ivy is a big challenge. Good to have another stash of sacks coming.
Pukerua Bay School kids prepped for planting seed potatoes.
Crop swop 25 August at the Pop-up pavilion 25 August.
He Ara Pukerua
Pukerua Bay Meals on Wheels volunteers, 1974
Pou Panel: Waiting to hear from kaumatua.
Potatoes: Ashley has been asked to talk to some of the classes about the history of growing potatoes in Pukerua Bay. Loosely based on the FB story published in 2022.
Gun emplacement: Waiting to hear back from PCC
He Ara FB: A new story put up about Meals on Wheels. Set up 50 years ago.
Website: These stories have been handed over to designer: Mystery Trains; Ames family; Wall family; Charles Gray; Stores; Post and Telegraph; Electricity. Other stories are being worked on.
PKB Hub Pop-Up Parlour: Ashley has been asked to facilitate a session on 10 September – “Do you remember?”
Donation: He Ara are grateful for a very significant donation from the Lindsay Family so He Ara can complete on-going projects.
PCC: Advice from Bill Inge that there is now no need in Council for a Village Projects Coordinator. We gratefully acknowledge all the time and expertise which Bill has given to He Ara over the years.
Wellington Heritage Festival: He Ara presentation on Saturday 9 November at the RSA.
The garden party at the Community Garden when we revealed the panel for Ngita Woodhouse featured in the July issue of NZ Gardener and on Stuff on 8 August.
Kōrero
None
Waste Free Pukerua Bay
None
Climate Action Rōpu
Notes:
Spring Series have been incorporated with the Hub’s Pop-up Parlour. There is going to be a CropSwap, Recycling collection, and Mike Jebsons talk at St Mark’s. The final talk will be at the RSA.
General Business
AGM – ideas to appeal to new people. Possible talk – perhaps Judy McCoy, Friends of Tāupo Swamp? Mike Jebson? Friends of Mana Island?
Apologies: Nikky Winchester, Chris Kirk-Burnnand. Present:: Ross Leggett, Paul FitzGerald, Jonathan Harker, Margaret Blair, Jane Comben, Gay Hay, Iain MacLean.
Council updates
a. GWRC
b. PCC
Long Term Plan passed and rates to go up. 17.76% increase in Pukerua Bay increase. Village Planning gone but review into how PCC can support local areas. Intention to still talk to the local Res Assocs. There is a capital works programme from Wellington Water which Ross can give us a copy of. Wendy Walker is on the new ‘water done better’ group. They’re working away on it but not sure who will be in the group in the lower North Island. Sea wall strengthening taking place between Domain and Plimmerton by KiwiRail. Not sure of changes in Porirua with government changes to Kainga Ora Still asking comment on the wetland and managing storm water for Eastern Porirua. Wastewater infringement notice about sludge in the treatment centre. PCC will put a submission into speed limit consultation. Ross doesn’t think Porirua will be particularly affected by the new planning requirements of 30 years planning. Aotea Lagoon redevelopment to southern end. Rose garden going and toilets moving. Ross followed up about insurance and will continue but he got push back. We’ll talk to other community gardens to gather more information about what cover they have.
Approval of June minutes
Motion:Paul moved to accept June minutes, Iain seconded – all agreed, carried.
Matters arising
None.
Financial Report
Finance Report to June 2024 Meeting as at 9 July 2024 BNZ $11322.35 Income: $ 9.20 Interest $ 300.00 CGFF Tea Towels $ 65.00 CGFF Scrap metal sales $ 1000.00 CGFF Grant $ 50.00 CGFF Matariki Koha $ 200.00 He Ara Donation $ 25.00 He Ara Matariki Whare $ 80.00 He Ara Matariki Koha $ 260.00 Korero Invoices
Account balances as at 9 July 2024 Res Assn 000 $ 255.19 He Ara 001 $ 1948.62 CGFF 002 $ 2803.31 Kōrero 066 $ 1608.67 Surf Seat 067 $ 174.73 On Call Acct 025 $ 4531.83
Motion: Margaret moved to move Financials, Paul seconded – all agreed, carried.
Correspondence
4 emails through website
Brian Sullivan about having the Kōrero in colour – 6 June
Hoya about Kimchi for sale at Dairy – 19 June
Michaela Pearson about advert in Kōrero – 18 June
Patrika Gillon about garden on corner of Wairaka and SH59 – 3 July
Action items
June Actions: DONE: Iain to talk to Jonathan about website email forwarding. NOT COMPLETED: • Iain to clarify will the council support for Residents’ Association continue. NO was waiting for more information. Margaret to follow up when chasing the PCC Invoice. • Paul to contact other local Residents’ Associations about a hui. – Yet to be done as waiting for wording in Long Term Plan
Project updates
Community Garden & Food Forest
Area for Rongoa Māori planting underway. Ara has contacted local iwi (Pania Solomon) for support and guidance . Ara and Gay visited PCC nursery, Andrew Jinks, was very enthusiastic support. Trees that are purchased will be cared for in the school shade house.
Potato tubers have been given to each class at school to chit. Ashley has been asked to talk to students about growing our local potato. Area for planting has been identified. School has shown an interest in caring for fruit trees. Need to talk with Clare.
Kindergarten plan to visit last Wednesday of July.
Compost bin ready for rotation. Thanks to Vicky and Brian managing this process
Brian has transcribed Cory’s presentation re compost, Lenka has edited this to one page. A wonderful resource. Gay is working on a page of visual instructions to make the liquid compost extract. We may pursue this as a community money making project for the garden.
Gay purchased micron mesh pocket ($54) we need to acquire stronger spray pump.
Brian investigating mulcher that Tony Jackman is selling.
Garden team happy to support recycling initiative.
Gay has taken up the free membership offered by Wellington Horowhenua Tree Crops Assoc.
Tea Towels continuing to sell slowly.
He Ara Pukerua
Sharing Stories of the History of Pukerua Bay is the theme for our Heritage Festival event on 9 November, RSA 10am to noon. We will launch the website at this event.
Pauline has written an excellent piece on the fauna of Pukerua Bay for our website. It will be illustrated by her paintings and some photographs.
Matt Ward is writing about the flora of Pukerua Bay.
The School Fundraising Trust asked He Ara to submit a set of questions for their quiz, and to enter a team – We won!
Machine Gun post. No further developments.
Matariki – We made hundreds of star biscuits, a biscuit whare (which someone wanted to buy) and the Hub asked us to mind the bonfire. Altogether a brilliant night and we added a little to our funds.
Still waiting for the Pou panel.
Margaret approached Tony Jackman about having a goodbye Tony event. Unfortunately he can’t do it. So instead he’ll be granted a Freedom of Pukerua Bay certificate. Moira has written something for Kōrero.
Kōrero
Contents flooding in and we’ve sent a grant application to Pelorus Trust to cover printing expenses until end for first Issue early next year.
Waste Free Pukerua Bay
Gay, Margaret and Iain are keen to support Nikky with recycling.
Iain has talked to Nikky about supporting what she does with a regular collection at the RSA. In the meantime Vicky, Gay, Jane and Margaret will run at test collection St Mark’s (During Pukerua Bay Hub’s Pop-up parlour) on 31 August.
Climate Action Rōpu
We’ve had a hui and have organized two workshops with Mike Jebson and Hugh Evans. There is likely to be another workshop around Emergency Preparedness. Also, we will promote the recycling collection (mentioned above).
General Business
Subsidence. Margaret noted the subsidence on the footpath between shops ans school entrance has become more unsafe. For our community safety Paul emailed Bill and he forewarded it to Richard Pole. Action: Paul to follow up with Richard Poll at the council.
Penguins. Kapiti Coast Biodiversity Projects – maildrop to alert locals that penguins are nesting and dogs need to be on leads. Flyer to be put in the RA noticeboard.
Enquiry into Climate Adaptation – parliamentary select committee. A submission went in last year. They’re now having hearings. Conor Twyford is speaking and Iain MacLean is going in to support. On 16 July. They are meeting on Thursday to plan. From RA – we strongly support the action group. Since the submission the District Plan came out and that had something explicit in it about taking Climate change into account when planning new developments.
Pukerua Bay Hub Pop Up Parlour. The Hub have got funding for a pop up community space during Aug and Sept.
Community Garden. A neighbour of the community garden has questioned the removal of cape ivy and believe the removal has encroached on their property. Paul will be talk to Julian to resolve the situation.
Action: Paul to follow up with Richard Poll at the council.
Action: Jane will respond to Patrika about the garden saying that it is a long standing issue. We have provided the council planting plan for the area and council agreed with it but were objections from NZTA about traffic management. This has stalled the project until the impasse can be resolved. (Done)
Action: Iain to respond to Brian about colour in Kōrero
Action: Margaret to follow up with Bill when chasing the PCC Invoice and also ask about the Plunket Rooms.
Action: Paul to contact other local Residents’ Associations about a hui. He was waiting for wording in Long Term Plan
Action: Paul to talk to Julian to resolve the garden boundary situation.
Apologies: Nikky Winchester, Chris Kirk-Burnnand. Present: Ross Leggett, Paul FitzGerald, Margaret Blair, Jane Comben, Gay Hay, Iain MacLean.
Council updates
a. GWRC
b. PCC Long Term Plan. Rejigged 3 waters priorities – update to Rukutani Point pump station fixed up in 3 years. (not increase rates as this in lieu of another project). Kerbside collection. Village Planning ended (no capital spend) but hopefully liaison with council is continued. Ross would personally like to see it resurrected. Onepoto walkway – There is some funding but need to talk to Waka Kotahi about it. Difficult to know with change of priorities with change of government. Alcohol licensing fees – looking to full cost recovery for that. Increase in various fees. Mana Esplanade with Medium density development. NZDA are saying no to new ones the developers wanted to do with parking.
Related Special Development Plan – council in principal want to look at that with a set of conditions. Change of government may impact Kianga Ora who were going to be in charge of it. That may also affect development in Eastern Porirua. First part of Plimmerton Farm under fast track. Not sure of timing due to state of the economy.
Parking at Pukerua Bay Station. What happens with ongoing development? Under Special Development Plan they will look at that. Ross will ask the planners about Pukerua Bay. Plimmerton parking to be made bigger (by Council and GWRC). Porirua – they are looking at paid parking.
Margaret told Ross about the Gun Emplacement erosion and tilt. He will follow up with Tracy Steel (who responded from PCC).
Gay asked Ross if he’d be willing to receive letters form the school children as part of their Action for Change. Margaret noted it’s $655.50 insurance this year. $462 for Kiwi Rail
27 June Council Meeting to approve final LTP and set the rates for next year.
Approval of May minutes
Motion:Iain moved to accept May minutes, Gay seconded – all agreed, carried.
Matters arising
None
Financial Report
Finance Report to June 2024 Meeting as at 10 June 2024
BNZ $9424.35
Income: $ 10.71 Interest $ 11.00 CGFF Seeds $ 1160.00 CGFF TT $ 5.00 CGFF Donation $ 70.50 CGFF Work Day Koha $ 140.00 He Ara Panorama $ 60.00 Korero Invoice
Expenditure: $ 678.50 Korero $ 5.00 Bank Fees $ 100.00 CGFF Koha for Expert $ 49.50 CGFF Reimbursement
Funds Transfer
Invoices – Issued $ 400.00 PCC $ 530.00 Korero
Account balances as at 10 June 2024
Res Assn 000 $ 255.19 He Ara 001 $ 1644.02 CGFF 002 $ 1538.31 Kōrero 066 $ 1289.47 Surf Seat 067 $ 174.73 On Call Acct 025 $ 4522.63
Motion: Paul moved to move Financials, Iain seconded – all agreed, carried.
Correspondence
None Talk about getting the website email forwarded onto Jane or Paul. Action: Iain to talk to Jonathan about it.
Action items
None
Project updates
Community Garden & Food Forest
Composting – bins complete and ready for filling, should be ready to use in 6 weeks
Wellington Horowhenua Tree Crops. Successful application, granted $1000. There is a list of requirements from them. Tabled. Suggest Ara leads this project.
Plan for garden workday Saturday 8 June. Allocation of a person to each work area to direct helpers. Margaret to record on white board. Contributions to morning tea appreciated
Hazel nut tree. Request to purchase an ‘Alexandra’ hazel nut to ensure cross pollination. Lenka to investigate
Tea towel sales, slow, cost of production not yet achieved
Proposed calendar to be postponed this year. Could we have a community open garden day as a fund raiser and get photo pages from this
Claire from Pukerua Bay school has contacted Gay to investigate their involvement in the garden.
Support to the Hub for Matariki celebration. We have the Crankie ready, Ralph willing to be storyteller and Ara leading a harakeke star making session. Help with set up please and mats etc. for audience to sit on
Nick Vincent bringing Predator Free traps to sell and explain at workday
Reinforcing of rail at the end of the herb garden needed
Deck extension for easy access to pavilion under way
He Ara Pukerua
WW II MG Post, Pukerua Bsy Beach, May 2024
WW II Gun Emplacement, Ocean Parade. This has been deeply eroded by the stream. Ashley has emailed a number of organisations about the undermining. He will also write to the RSA for support.
Margaret was a guest at the celebration to mark 60 years of the Woodhouse Garden Club. It is the longest running garden club in New Zealand. Check the July NZ Gardener.
Request to Nikau Trust for a grant has been declined.
Two panorama images have been sold.
Still more gems coming from Tony Jackman.
The museum at the school has been cleared and items returned, or passed on to appropriate people or organisations.
Copy for website on flora, fauna and fish.
Many hours spent at National Library, Archives and Pataka.
Several stories are ready to be added to the website.
FB stories continue to receive great feedback, even stories posted in 2021.
MP Barbara Edmonds is a keen follower of He Ara Facebook page.
Ngati Toa and PCC have erected pou at Northern Lookout
Kōrero
Version 3 distributed. Planning meeting for Health/Hauora for next issue. Iain will do another grant application for printing.
Waste Free Pukerua Bay
Gay, Margaret and Iain are keen to support Nikky with recycling. Perhaps with a monthly collection at the RSA similar to Margaret’s church.
General Business
PCC Long Term Plan (See Iain’s email 9 June). Suggestion to organise a hui with other Village Planning groups to come up with ideas to present to Council. Margaret wondered if PCC will
Nikky asked about plans for St Mark’s. We have not had any further contact from the Anglican Diocese.
No further word about the Plunket Room.
Action: Iain to talk to Jonathan about website email forwarding.
Action: Iain to clarify will the council support for Residents’ Association continue.
Action: Paul to contact other local Residents’ Associations about a hui.
Attending: Ross Leggett, Chris Kirk-Burnnand, Paul FitzGerald, Margaret Blair, Jane Comben, Gay Hay, Jonothan Harker, Iain MacLean. Ashley Blair, Hugh Evans Apologies: Nikky Winchester
Council Updates
GWRC
Summary of submissions out today – plenty have come through. Hearings starting soon. Drop in sessions.
Community Garden – has a reply for a meeting with KiwiRail. Escarpment Walkway have access way and questioning why we can’t back onto that. Chris says GWRC They have leverage on other issues
Meeting with Simeon Brown mentioned about ferry terminal cancelled. Was going to be 1000 year resilience and pointless if everything else was is damaged in a massive earthquake.
PCC
Long Term Plan consultation Paul and Iain presented a submission today.
We aren’t the only ones who commented on Village Planning. There is a conversation for councillors on that.
Plimmerton Farm have applied for fast track consenting. A panel will be put up from PCC and fresh water experts etc. Draft comments PCC generally supportive of development. The extra special development (SDP) would be led by Kainga Ora and planned properly. Council are having a briefing in coming weeks about benefits of PCC taking part or not. In theory a good idea but in practice more mixed. PCC don’t have to take part in it. Barber development would be part of SDP. Some developers including Barber are ready to go. PCC worried about downstream load on sewage, silt, mana waste-water, etc.
Wellington Region water options are open to discussion.
Love Local trade show coming up again.
Career expo in Arena was successful.
New hub sign installed to replace Civil Defence
Ross on Transport Committee – new government seems to be moving away from cycle ways but being addressed in other ways.
Escarpment domes and replanting
Discussion with Hugh Evans (Floruit)
Regenerative Tourism — focus as social enterprise, investing in marginal farmland to plant mostly native forest. Looking at 5 sites around NZ. This is a pilot and test for accommodation for revenue to plant Verity and Pamela’s farm. ¾ through build. Resort consent for 5 years with strict conditions. 3 domes accommodation, 1 is a communal dome. Max 12 people on site. First year just over hectare planned for planting. They are interested in relationship of people and place. Larger model will have a membership model. Plan for 2040 timescale.
Previous project Thankyou Payroll transitioning to steward ownership. Into a trust with all profits into a trust to be a self-funded charity. They want a similar approach with this project. Profits from carbon sequestration, all sites will have grant making and employment opportunities. They starting people staying in one month.
Fencing needs to be done with Hamish the farmer. They only need about 500 metres. Access through Woolshed road and their carpark on a 4 wheel track. Composting and waste water large dispersal field.
Approval of April 2024 minutes
Motion: Paul moved to accept April minutes, Iain seconded – all agreed, carried.
Res Assn 000 $ 255.19 He Ara 001 $ 1504.22 CGFF 002 $ 396.41 Kōrero 066 $ 1907.97 Surf Seat 067 $ 174.93 On Call Acct 025 $ 4511.92
Motion: Paul moved to accept May financials, Gay seconded – all agreed, carried.
Correspondence
Contact through website looking for Margaret Blair.
Project updates
Community Garden & Food Forest
Tea Towel sales 108 sold, need to sell 50 more to cover costs. Payment made to printers We need to develop a marketing plan to complete sales. Action Jane to promote on Facebook through all channels we can think of.
Matariki & Crankie Thanks to Peter Stevenson (Welsh artist /storyteller) for his generous contribution of his talent and time to this concept. Thanks to Brian for the wonderful Crankie construction.
Compost Paul and Brian have built an amazing set of 3 bins. Vicky will manage the making of compost with help from Brian and Cory (Wellesley Sustainable Trust).
Tree Crop Trust Application and project. $1000 applied for to buy trees, signage and promotional pamphlets. Thanks to Jonathan for his computer skills to complete application.
Tree Crop visit Approximately 20 people from Wellington / Horowhenua Tree Crops Association will visit garden 18 May at 1pm. Jane to welcome, Ara to present history of the garden, Gay to talk about current projects. We will provide afternoon tea and promote tea towels.
Work day 9 June Poster in Residents Association notice board, Facebook promo. Cory from Wellesley Sustainable Trust has agreed to talk about liquid composts we can make for our gardens. He asked for a Koha.
Kindergarten visit Proposed for last Wednesday of May (29th). They have asked for a Crankie presentation of the Matariki story at the kindergarten. We need to confirm with storyteller.
Identifying of fruit trees Paul has made good progress with this. Agreed to purchase a ‘poker’ to write names onto wood. More computer details to access information may be added later. Lenka has asked for our support to cater John’s birthday at RSA. She will make a donation to the garden.
Cranky Thanks to the generous contribution Peter Stevenson from Wales made to us having a Crankie. During his visit to Aotearoa last year and his visit to our Garden, Peter put forward the idea of a Crankie for our Community Garden. Peter is a world renowned story teller, illustrator and collector. Peter’s son is now resident in our country and so Peter will visit him for several months every year. When he was planning his trip this year, he suggested to me that if he could stay in my studio he would paint a Crankie for us as a donation to our Garden. Gay, can you help me here? Was it after meeting with you and Moira Wairama, that we as a collective came up with the idea of a Matariki themed story for the Crankie. Gay arranged permissions from Moira and also Margaret Tolland who illustrated Moira’s book ‘Nanny Jo and the Wild Mokopuna’. Peter based his illustrations on Margaret’s work. He did not copy but was inspired by Margaret’s work. Within Moira’s book Nanny Jo tells the story of the great fisherman Taramainuku and it is this story that Peter painted onto our Crankie Scroll. Brian Sullivan took up the task of creating the frame within which the Crankie scroll sits and is turned for the telling. Brian met with Peter, Peter provided drawings and dimensions for the Crankie house and Brian created a most wonderful home for our Crankies. There are many people to thank for this Crankie we now have and it began with and was facilitated by Peter’s generous offer to our community. Peter is also a story collector and during his next visit to our shores, Gay has suggested the idea of Peter collecting stories of Nobby Clark and creating a Crankie of Nobby’s story.
He Ara
He Ara Facebook story about the RSA embroidered tablecloth was well received. Excellent connections made on ANZAC day at the RSA.
A very successful team visit to the Mt Welcome Bush as part of research for the Natural History section of our website.
The panel for Pou Tangaroa has been through the approval process and is now being manufactured.
Tony Jackman has passed to us large crates of papers. The first two covered the bypass v TG issue, reclaiming the gully which is now the Secret Valley, and a few other gems, including an advertisement for the very first Matariki walk in Pukerua Bay.
We have been helping to clear the space which housed the Museum at Pukerua Bay School.
Rail Comes to Pukerua now on our website:
He Ara has registered to be part of the 2024 Heritage Festival
Kōrero
Kōrero is working on this year’s Matariki issue, which incorporates the theme of music. We’re grateful to the Hub for its koha. It means we can support them in their mahi, while also helping to cover our own costs.
We will be making this, or a similar statement, in the editorial:
The Kōrero whānau joins with the Residents’ Association in grieving Council’s decision to end the Village Planning Framework, a process and funding source that has helped facilitate so much that is good in Pukerua Bay, including many of the initiatives and activities shared in these pages. We hope to play a part in finding other ways to give residents a voice in shaping our community and place to be what we want it to be.
The next issue will be published in September and will be on the theme of hauora. The November issue will focus on writers and writing.
We will be applying for a grant from Pelorus Trust after this issue, looking for sufficient funds to cover two issues.
Climate change
May 14 2024 – Moira Visited the local Repair Café in Raumati and we have talked about running another workshop series in September/October.
General business
PCC Long Term Plan – Iain and Paul talked at submissions. There was another submitter talking about composting.
Shared Pathway repairs. – From shop to overbridge. 2 parts to it. Drainage issue meant water eroded. Council and engineers are discussing and Engineering firm may have to redesign and cover the costs. Further slip – being bundled with other Whitby slips and out for tender. May start in December once process complete.
Motion: to accept the finincial report. Moved Paul, seconded Gay. Agreed.
Motion: Pukerua Bay Community Garden Food Forest to make an application to the NZ Tree Trust to cover any shortfall in expenses for the project to develop a rongoa medicinal garden. This is likely to cover specimen and ground cover trees, signage and pamphlet. Can apply for up to $2,000. Proposed Gay Hay, seconded Nikky Winchester. Approved by committee.
Correspondence
Email from Adele Hickford about drop-in session (PCC report forwarded by her).
Action items
None.
Project updates
Community Garden Food Forest
Compost bins. Work in progress. Being painted.
NZ Tree Trust application is being processed.
Developing a worksheet with aerial photo to encourage people to nominate areas they can work in as part of working days
Winter prep for garden. Group discussion needed.
Plan for focused work day on the second Saturday of June.
Matariki — plan forJune 22. Peter Stevenson Welsh story teller has painted pictures for Cranke / story-telling performance. Ara leading harakeke star making. There will be an opportunity for shared kai.
He Ara Pukerua
A replacement seat in memory of Delma Mosen has been installed in Muri Reserve and Brian Pool’s memorial bench there too. The families and locals have expressed appreciation and presumably Te Araroa walkers are happy. And no, the seat does not block the gate! Thanks due to Dave Stone at PCC for organising this to happen.
He Ara Facebook stories have received good feedback. Stories about the seats, benches and sculptures around the Bay will be put up on a regular basis.
We displayed our panorama and Waikokako prints at the school gala. Good connections and conversations.
Application for grant submitted to Nikau Foundation.
A team visit to the Mt Welcome Bush has been organised as part of research for the Natural History section of our website.
A panel for Pou Tangaroa has been designed and is currently going through the approval process.
Kōrero
Issue 2 at final proofing stage. Delivery from 19 April
Issue 3 (themes Matariki and music) underway and stories already being sourced. 1 May deadline
Waste free PKB
Nothing to report.
Climate Change
Nothing to report.
General business
Long term plan
Three topics to focus on in submission:
Water meters from year 4. General agreement in committee to support their compulsory installation as a conservation tool.
Kerb side recycling and rubbish collection. Do we agree with this? Proposal to sort glass at kerb side is good idea, but probably don’t have a choice with proposed changes to the general rubbish going into large bins. Residents can’t save money by not putting out bin. Big bins don’t provide incentive to reduce their waste. Can PCC provide the black plastic bags for people who want to save money? Please bring back the non-organic recycling collection.
Village Planning – focus should be on community development, rather than Capex funding. Staff costs in operational budget, rather than capital expenditure on projects, structures, etc.
Provide a Kōrero story on LPT. Summarise RA submission, and link to full response on RA website.
PCC drop-in meeting
Publish PCC report on website.
Penguin signs
PCC putting in new penguin signs at beach. Dog bylaws being reviewed in 3 years. Rules and signs need simplifying.
The Residents Association made the following submission to Porirua City Council on its 10-year plan up to 2023.
The increased costs ratepayers are now expected to pay for necessary work in the city are a direct consequence of the approach of previous councils to keep rate increases as low as possible by not investing in infrastructure. This same error has come back to bite councils across the country, and we hope that has changed the approach PCC will take in the future. We understand this might be unpopular with ratepayers, but there are important intergenerational equity issues in this, and councils cannot continue to ‘kick the can down the road’ for any longer.
