Notices
Birds nesting around the estuary and near the north track off Reay Mackay Grove. Please avoid and keep dogs away. Watch for Oystercatchers, Pied Stilts, Dotterels.
Roadworks ongoing at intersection of Waikawa Beach Road and SH 1.
Beach access for vehicles: currently washed out.
Recycling: collected every 2 weeks;
next: 04 and 18 December 2023.
Water quality between 01 November 2023 and 30 April 2024.
Latest: 04 December 2023 : 749 n/100 mL (red)
Season totals: 2 green, 0 orange, 3 red.
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For sale: 11 James Street. Section, 4056 m² land area, Freehold. Deadline Sale closing Wednesday, 31 January 2024 at 2.00pm (unless sold prior). Listed on 06 December 2023. -
For sale: 30 Strathnaver Drive
For sale: 30 Strathnaver Drive. Lifestyle section, 4056 m² land area, Freehold. Deadline Sale closing Wednesday, 20 December 2023, 11.00am. Listed on 4 December 2023. -
Pied Stilt chicks in the estuary
Well, we seem to have our first chicks of the season: a couple of tiny Poaka | Pied Stilt. Photos are a bit fuzzy, thanks to the heat haze, I’m afraid. Look out for the chicks if you’re heading down to the beach. You’ll know you’re in about the right place if the adult stilts dive-bomb you. Single chick in the water. Two chicks on the bank, with swallows swooping around. -
Endangered, annoyed or frightened by nearby shooting? Ring the Police
It’s a common complaint that there are too many rabbits around Waikawa Beach. They damage gardens, dig holes in the grass and also chomp their way through spinifex and pīngao on the dunes. Some local farmers shoot the rabbits on their own properties. With the permission of the relevant landowner you too can shoot on private property. Recently a member of the local community mentioned a concern about a practice called spotlighting where people drive around in a vehicle equipped with a spotlight and then shoot rabbits from the vehicle. -
New Manakau Facebook Group
A Manakau District Community Page has been formed on Facebook: This group is a gathering place for the residents of Manakau (Horowhenua), or anyone interested in the happenings within our lovely area. It serves as a digital town square where we can distribute news about our community, orchestrate and publicize local events, offer mutual aid, share services and items, look out for our neighborhood, our furry friends, and our natural surroundings, and, most importantly, foster connections among us all. -
Racetrack beach seen as disruptive, aggressive, frightening
This article about disruptive vehicles on Waimārama Beach will strike a chord with some. Note the HDC mentioned in the full article is the Hastings District Council, not Horowhenua. Driving on Waimārama beach ‘disruptive and frightening’, claim residents pushing for change, 23 November 2023: … locals are experiencing a greater number of “intimidating encounters” with motorists on the beach. [Councillor Siers] accepts some people use utes or quad bikes to transport fishing equipment, chairs, chilly bins and the like to spots on the beach. -
The Laws, Bylaws and Policies that determine acceptable vehicle use on the beach
HDC Councillors recently rejected creating a new Beach Bylaw in favour of strengthening and enforcing current provisions. See Beach Bylaw Workshop November 2023 — report. The problem is that most people who use vehicles at the beach (98% according to Cr. Brannigan) are careful and considerate but a few create havoc. Below are the provisions already in place, but that need enforcing. Current laws, Bylaws and Policies lay down expectations: no dumping waste (eg garden rubbish, other stuff) no disrupting the enjoyment of other beach visitors (eg with loud engine noise), endangering wildlife or other people or damaging plantings etc stick to the speed limit (30 Kph) drivers to be licensed, wear any required safety gear (eg motorbike helmets) vehicles to be licensed, registered, have relevant WoF, and display a number plate vehicles are to be only on the 'road' part of the beach (between the sea and the high tide line) no vehicles on dunes or tracks where vehicles are forbidden The Police are the ones who enforce the law. -
Waikawa Newsletter November 2023 published
Glossy Ibis feeding in a lake. Photo by Kezna Cameron and used with permission. Published on 28 November 2023: Waikawa Newsletter November 2023. The monthly newsletter is based on posts I’ve written during the month, with added sprinkles. If you’d like to automatically receive posts by email as they are published subscribe. If you know of Waikawa Beach things that would interest others or if you have comments on this newsletter or the websites please let me know at kiaora@waikawanews. -
Fundraiser clothing sale Sunday 26 November 2023
The Second-hand Clothing Sale fundraiser for Wild Cats of Waikawa was held on Sunday 26 November 2023, 10 am - 2pm at Hank Edwards Reserve. Organiser Kezna Cameron reported a steady flow of customers all day and that about $500 was raised to fund the work of the group. There was a lot of clothing and a few other items available, thanks to the generous donations of community members. Many thanks to all those who came along and supported the Wild Cats of Waikawa work. -
Community get together 2023 went well
On 25 November 2023 around 30 people joined in on the Community Get-together at Hank Edwards Reserve. Folks spent a couple of hours chatting with neighbours, friends and new acquaintances. Many thanks to Michele Walls and Steven Bailey for the photos below that show some of those attending. Many thanks too to Recreation Services for bringing the trailer with the BBQ and to HDC for paying for some of the food and soft drinks. -
Glossy Ibis: an unusual visitor
Glossy Ibis feeding in a lake. Photo by Kezna Cameron and used with permission. Local resident Kezna Cameron spotted a Glossy ibis on the lake on 27 November 2023, and gave me permission to post her photos. She managed to grab a few shots of the very hungry bird just as it was getting dark. It seems to have moved on overnight. Keep your eyes peeled. Update 30 November 2023: Kezna managed some even better photos today. -
Vehicle entrance update, 27 November 2023
The eroded end of the vehicle access. I asked about what is happening with the currently disrupted vehicle access to the beach and about the upcoming community consultation about vehicle access. Stephan Titze, HDC Parks and Property Project Lead | Kaihautū Kaupapa Papa Rēhia, Rawa replied: To answer your question on a quick note. a.) re-establishment of existing vehicular access at end of Manga Pirau: The reestablishment of the current access way depends on several aspects Evaluation of river conditions: To my knowledge is the river currently still undercutting the vehicle access. -
Chorus cabinet art at Waikawa Beach
An item from Horowhenua District Council: Waikawa residents may have seen Louise [Praat] and her pooch perched in their area today! [Thursday 23 November 2023] As part of the Chorus cabinet art initiative, local artists are selected to leave their mark on chorus cabinets around the district. This year, 5 cabinets were chosen to be beautified, with Louise being selected for the Waikawa area. Louise and Bowie arrived at 4. -
A new bird joins the estuary crew: a Black-fronted Dotterel
I was taking photos at the estuary today of what I thought were Pohowera | Banded dotterel. They didn't look quite right though and on checking I discovered they were actually Black-fronted dotterel. I've never seen them at Waikawa Beach before, as far as I know. They look like a sort of more upmarket Banded Dotterel. These tiny Native, Naturally Uncommon birds are hard to see and dart about surprisingly fast. -
Freedom Camping proposal would allow for 2 parks at Hank Edwards Reserve
Today I had it confirmed that the Proposed Freedom Camping Bylaw would allow for camping at two spaces at Hank Edwards Reserve. The arrow on the map below points to the area where vehicles could park. This comes under the heading Restricted Areas and would allow a maximum of 2 vehicles to stay for 1 night. This is the only place at Waikawa Beach where Freedom Camping would be allowed. -
Vehicle access to Waikawa Beach, public consultation update November 2023
Public consultation on the 3 beach access options for vehicles may begin soon. See also Vehicle access, next steps and a small correction and HDC will consult public on options for Miratana Track vehicle access and no access. The Agenda of Horowhenua District Council for the Wednesday, 22 November 2023 meeting has the usual update for the Council Actions Monitoring Report 2023, as at 10 November 2023. One item is for the vehicle access to the beach that has been under investigation for a couple of years: Reference: 21/502 Resolution/Action: That the Chief Executive provide a full report on all options in respect of vehicular beach access at Waikawa Beach. -
More delays with the intersection roadworks
I was wondering what had happened to the roadworks at the Waikawa Beach Road and SH1 intersection so I asked. The response from Kate at Waka Kotahi: I apologise that there have been some changes to the programme at Waikawa Beach Road due to unforeseen delays. I have just contacted our contractor Downer, who has advised that they are sequencing their work at Waikawa Beach Road, with WTA's resealing work which is due to start on Sunday evening [19 November 2023]. -
Birds back for summer, November 2023
A few of the two dozen Godwits feeding at the river mouth. Coming up to summer is a wonderful time to see birds reappearing at the estuary. I couldn’t get them all in one shot, but this morning a couple of dozen Kuaka | Godwit were feeding at the river mouth. Duck and Shoveler in the estuary. Also in the estuary were various ducks, Kuruwhengi | Australasian shoveler, Paradise Shelducks, Pohowera | Banded dotterel, Poaka | Pied Stilt. -
Great turnout for planting 1600+ spinifex
On Sunday 12 November 2023 a couple of dozen people turned out, including some very welcome new faces, to plant 1600+ spinifex provided by Horowhenua District Council. Did you know A single spinifex plant can trap 16 cubic metres of sand a year? Some plants filled in gaps in a previously planted area south of the river near where the birds nest, while about half were planted between the groyne and the Miratana Track used by vehicles — an area that is severely eroded. -
Makaka | Ribbonwoods planted by the river
Salt Marsh Ribbonwood just planted. On Sunday members of the Waikawa environment group planted 40 Salt Marsh Ribbonwood (makaka, plagianthus divaricatus) along the banks of the river near the footbridge. Plagianthus divaricatus is an upright shrub with closely interwoven branches. The shrub is found in coastal environments in areas with salt swamp, sandy banks and throughout estuaries. The plants were donated by one member (Sally). With about 8 people it took only a few minutes to plant. -
Beach Bylaw Workshop November 2023 — report
On 01 November 2023 HDC Councillors attended a 'Proposed Beach Bylaw' workshop. The public were able to attend, but not to ask questions or make comments. The roughly 1 hour Workshop was held at Foxton and so was not live-streamed. I attended and have asked for a PDF of the slides but haven't yet received that. Update, 19 November 2023: Beach Bylaw presentation Council workshop 1 November 2023 (1.6 MB PDF). -
Help protect the vehicle access and the nesting birds with spinifex
5 speckled Oystercatcher or Pied Stilt eggs near a piece of driftwood in November 2022. Note: the plantings near the groyne in particular will help prevent erosion in that area, directly protecting the village and the track used for vehicle access. Please join in on the additional spinifex planting on Sunday 12 November 2023, starting at 9.00. Meet on the beach by the north track off Reay Mackay Grove. Craig Kidd from Horowhenua District Council will bring an unknown number of spinifex for us to plant. -
Summer swim spot monitoring begins 06 November 2023
Waikawa News aims to provide swim spot monitoring results over summer. The info will be included in the Notices section at the top of each page on the website. Summer swim spot monitoring begins in Horizons Region: Horizons Regional Council begins its summer swim spot monitoring programme on Monday 6 November [2023], giving everyone in the region the ability to check the quality of water at their favourite spots before taking a dip. -
Have your say on Proposed Freedom Camping Bylaw
Update, 13 November 2023: I've asked for clarification on whether the Draft Bylaw allows freedom camping at Hank Edwards Reserve or not — the document itself is unclear. I'll post separately once I know the definitive answer. On 16 November 2023 I had it confirmed that the Proposed Freedom Camping Bylaw would allow for camping at two spaces at Hank Edwards Reserve. See Freedom Camping proposal would allow for 2 parks at Hank Edwards Reserve. -
A two day burn
In a follow up to today's post When Waikawa Beach becomes the big smoke, published on: Thursday, 2 November 2023 at 15:13:21 — It's almost dark and the fire is still burning. We called 111 and spoke to the Fire service. They're aware of the fire and advised it may burn for two days. We should alert them if things change. Note: I suspect my previous post wasn't actually sent out to those who subscribe by email — I didn't receive my copy, anyway.
