Archive

Posts

23 April 2024 14:05 — Great days for birds at the estuary : Two pied stilts. Spotted today feeding and resting at the Estuary: 1 white-faced heron; 4 banded dotterels; 1 NZ Dotterel; a dozen pied stilts; a dozen variable oystercatchers; numerous gulls and swallows; half a dozen godwits; 80-100 white-fronted …

22 April 2024 19:45 — Safety issues on track to the beach : The pedestrian-only track to the beach at 60 Reay Mackay Grove has been subjected to more vandalism recently. Along with clear tire tracks going along the path, a sign has been damaged and a substantial post at the road end of the track has been …

22 April 2024 19:33 — Traffic delays 05 to 09 May 2024 at Manakau Rail Overbridge : Stop/go traffic management in place at Manakau Rail Overbridge from Sunday 5 May 2024. The Ōtaki to north of Levin update – April 2024 from Waka Kotahi advises us about delays between Waikawa Beach Road and Ōhau from 8pm on Sunday 05 May to 5am on …

21 April 2024 11:03 — Stinky Velella velella are rather interesting : From time to time Velella velella wash ashore and decay. We had another event a few days ago so the beach is a bit smelly in parts. Velella velella, also known as By the Wind Sailors, are a relative of bluebottles, and a jelly fish. They use a small …

19 April 2024 15:09 — Waikawa Footbridge updates : Another Horowhenua District Council LGOIMA Response. LGOIMA stands for Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act. In November 2023, in Reference Number: 2023/1017 someone asked about the footbridge at Waikawa Beach, with regard to …

19 April 2024 14:48 — Recent posts not emailed out : Because of a server error the following posts weren't emailed out: River training costs 2000-2024 were over $54,000, published on: Thursday, 18 April 2024. Vehicles on Horowhenua beaches - complaints, published on: Thursday, 18 April 2024.

19 April 2024 09:09 — Game bird hunting season opens Saturday 04 May 2024 : Game bird hunting season opens Saturday 04 May 2024. Shooting always starts around dawn, so if you have nervous animals be alert early on 04 May 2024 for the sounds of gunfire. Information from Fish & Game NZ — Game Bird Season.

18 April 2024 15:34 — Vehicles on Horowhenua beaches - complaints : Another Horowhenua District Council LGOIMA Response. LGOIMA stands for Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act. In September 2023, in Reference Number: 2023/1006 someone asked about HDC's policies about vehicles on beaches. These were …

18 April 2024 15:14 — River training costs 2000-2024 were over $54,000 : It can be instructive to check the Horowhenua District Council LGOIMA Responses page from time to time. LGOIMA stands for Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act. Back in November 2023 a requester asked numerous questions about vehicle …

17 April 2024 15:43 — The good old days: Waikawa the way it used to be : Aerial view of Waikawa in 1962, showing Drake, Arthur and the northern part of Manga Pirau Streets. The article below was originally published in April 2020, but is a good reminder still, 4 years later. This Covid–19 version of Waikawa Beach, …

11 April 2024 17:25 — Get your Long-term Plan submissions in - recycling, E. Coli in the river, pests : HDC Long-term Plan consultation closes at 5pm on Monday 15 April 2024. See HDC Long-term Plan consultation closes 15 April 2024 for details. See below for the Horizons Regional Council Long-term Plan consultation which closes at 5pm on 22 April 2024. …

11 April 2024 05:49 — For sale: 6 James Street : For sale: 6 James Street. Bedrooms: 3; Bathrooms: 2; Living Area: 1; Floor Area: 146 m²; Land Area: 812 m²; also 1 Ensuite; 2 Separate toilets; 2 Garage parking. Price: by negotiation; CV: $780,000. Listed on 10 April 2024.

10 April 2024 16:39 — Waikawa Beach access options for vehicles - decision postponed, March 2024 : The Horowhenua District Council consultation period on beach access for vehicles ended on 20 February 2024, with 446 submissions. Submissions show that there is both strong support and strong opposition for vehicle access at Waikawa Beach. …

08 April 2024 06:52 — For sale: 118 Strathnaver Drive : For sale: 118 Strathnaver Drive. Auction 24 April 2024. Bedrooms: 2; Bathrooms: 1; Floor Area: 141 m²; Land Area: 9893 m². Listed 02 April 2024.

08 April 2024 06:40 — More intersection road works, April 2024 : Freshly painted (in March) southbound right turn lane. Back in January 2024 work at the intersection of SH1 and Waikawa Beach Road was finally completed, road resurfaced and (eventually, much later, in March) markings done. So it was a surprise on 02 …

23 March 2024 19:37 — Big fire near Ōtaki : A reader has sent me these photos of a fire near the old health camp at Ōtaki Beach today (23 March 2024). The photos were taken from Uxbridge Terrace. As the sparks fly, that's a distance of about 5 Km. Update, 24 March 2024, Multiple fire crews …

20 March 2024 16:59 — Waikawa Newsletter March 2024 published : Flock of Pied Stilts rest near the river mouth at Waikawa Beach. Published on Wednesday 20 March 2024: Waikawa Newsletter March 2024. The monthly newsletter is based on posts I’ve written during the month, with added sprinkles. If you’d …

16 March 2024 09:04 — HDC report on beach access options for vehicles for 20 March 2024 meeting : We are almost at the end of a very long process exploring options around access for vehicles to Waikawa Beach. HDC received 446 submissions and officers have prepared a report with Recommendations for Councillors to consider at their meeting on 20 …

16 March 2024 06:05 — Big vegetation fire off Waikawa Beach Road, Friday 15 March 2024 : Photo at 7.30 pm of the almost quenched fire, supplied by a reader. On Friday 15 March 2024 a huge fire broke out, apparently in gorse, at a property just north of Waikawa Beach Road. Crews at vegetation fire in Horowhenua | RNZ News: Fire and …

15 March 2024 13:17 — HDC Long-term Plan consultation closes 15 April 2024 : The Horowhenua District Council has released its draft Long Term Plan 2024-2044 for feedback. The Long Term Plan (LTP) sets out the services and projects the Council will provide to the Horowhenua community all the way out to 2044. Council's draft …

14 March 2024 09:59 — Rubbish collection change : If you're one of those residents who received a letter recently about a changed schedule for rubbish collection, this is a reminder. Tomorrow, Friday 15 March 2024, is the first collection day on the new schedule.

12 March 2024 19:12 — For sale: 55 Reay Mackay Grove, house and land package : For sale: 55 Reay Mackay Grove. Price by Negotiation: The 250 sqm house to be built on the elevated, flat and sunny 7604 square metre site will combine bespoke architectural craftsmanship with building and design of the very highest calibre, with …

08 March 2024 15:18 — Waikawa Conservation Area at the seaward end of Waikawa Stream : When looking again at thereports from Boffa Miskell, carried out in response to the vehicle access petition, I noticed something I'd overlooked before: a DOC controlled Waikawa Conservation Area that runs along the river beside the village, and …

08 March 2024 12:31 — Intersection road markings finally in place : Freshly painted southbound right turn lane. Finally the fresh road markings have been put in at the intersection of Waikawa Beach Road and SH1 (on Thursday 07 March 2024). It’s taken ages and many people have been concerned, with northbound …

06 March 2024 05:23 — Brief power outage Tuesday 05 March 2024 : In the early afternoon on Tuesday 05 March 2024 a car met a power pole up by Manakau Market, causing a brief power outage for most at Waikawa Beach.

02 March 2024 06:40 — Waikawa Beach median house value $690,300 in February 2024 : According to Mapping the Market | CoreLogic New Zealand, the current median house value at Waikawa Beach in February 2024 is $690,300. That’s up a bit since October 2023. February 2024 : $690,300 October 2023 : $677,050 June 2023 : $707,350 …

02 March 2024 04:38 — AED temporarily out of action, 01 March 2024 : Information on Facebook from WBRA at 7.20 pm on Friday 01 March 2024: the AED is currently out of action. It was recently used and requires new batteries and pads. These will be obtained and the AED replaced into its box at the reserve ASAP. In an …

01 March 2024 16:48 — Caspian Tern fishing in the river : This Taranui | Caspian Tern was fishing in the river this afternoon. It spent a while hovering over the water, swooping down, sometimes immersing itself completely. Near the river were flocks of South Island Pied Oystercatchers, White-fronted Terns, …

01 March 2024 04:58 — RNZAF Black Falcons flypast around 8 am 02 March 2024 : These guys are quick — be ready or you'll miss them. We don't know if they'll actually fly over Waikawa Beach, but they'll have to be nearby. RNZAF Black Falcons to visit South Island this weekend - New Zealand Defence Force: There will be many …

29 February 2024 13:11 — What does Council do for us? : As we enter March 2024 Horowhenua District Council is about to release its consultation document on the Long-Term Plan. We already know there is a potential average rates increase of around 17% to come. We need to read the document and send our …

28 February 2024 09:14 — For sale: 125 Strathnaver Drive : For sale: 125 Strathnaver Drive. Bedrooms: 2; Bathrooms: 1; Floor Area: 60 m²; Land Area: 6384 m²; Enquiries over $875,000. Auction: Thursday 21 March 2024. Listed on Tuesday 27 February 2024.

27 February 2024 09:14 — Waikawa Newsletter February 2024 published : This Tarapirohe | Black-fronted Tern resting at Waikawa Beach is a Nationally Endangered bird. Published on Wednesday 27 February 2024: Waikawa Newsletter February 2024. The monthly newsletter is based on posts I’ve written during the month, …

24 February 2024 07:51 — Who are all those birds in the Estuary? : This Tarapirohe | Black-fronted Tern resting at Waikawa Beach is a Nationally Endangered bird. This summer the estuary from shore to sea has been abundant with hundreds of birds feeding and resting — more than 20 species, not counting common …

24 February 2024 05:38 — Waikawa Beach Road intersection road markings planned, February 2024 : Drivers have been very concerned lately that since NZTA completed work on the SH1 and Waikawa Beach Road intersection fresh road markings have failed to appear. It now feels even less safe to turn into or out of Waikawa Beach Road, especially as …

23 February 2024 06:13 — Juvenile Black-fronted Tern : At this time of year we see flocks of White-fronted Terns hanging out in the estuary near the sea, but on 22 February 2024 this bird was sitting apart from the flock. Looking closer, it was a bit different, but has been confirmed as a juvenile …

22 February 2024 05:39 — Higher speed to Ōtaki; intersection road markings : Driving south yesterday I was surprised to notice a 100 Kph speed sign a bit north of Forest Lakes. It seems the road between there and the Expressway is now 100 Kph in both directions. That should shave a second off a trip. Meanwhile, many residents …

20 February 2024 17:12 — Rail services public meetings 24 February 2024 : I received the following email today: We'd like to tell you about two public meetings this Saturday, 24 February [2024] to discuss the future of rail services for Levin and Ōtaki. We hope you can make whichever is most convenient. You are welcome to …

19 February 2024 10:08 — The Blokart on the beach : First time for everything: this Blokart had come up from Ōtaki. I haven't seen one on Waikawa Beach before.

18 February 2024 11:18 — Rare visitor - Little Blue Penguin : On 18 February 2024 a walk at the south end of Waikawa Beach brought a sad sight: one or more heavy vehicles had been on the beach doing 'donuts'. Round and round they'd gone, creating roughly ploughed up ridges and pits of sand. But wait, what's …

16 February 2024 07:22 — Waikawa Beach Vehicle Access consultation — have your say : HDC Waikawa Beach Vehicle Access | Let's Kōrero Horowhenua closes at 4pm 20 February 2024. This matter is of intense interest to those ratepayers at Waikawa Beach so please have your say. Note that pedestrian access to the beach will continue …

15 February 2024 15:37 — Sold: 11 James Street : Sold: 11 James Street. First listed 06 December 2023: 11 James Street.

15 February 2024 09:42 — Local Businesses and Groups : Did you know Waikawa News has a Local Businesses and Groups page? Here's the listing as at 15 February 2024: Waikawa Beach Local Groups Wild Cats of Waikawa aims to trap feral cats, neuter those that can be rehomed and then rehome them, mostly …

13 February 2024 11:02 — Have your say on Regional Land Transport Plan 2024 by 11 March 2024 : Cycle paths, Ō2NL Expressway, Capital Connection … the Horizons Regional Council is involved in many different transport plans and possibilities, now they want to hear from us. Make your submission before 5pm, 11 March 2024. Regional Land …

09 February 2024 08:32 — Spartina weed spraying by the river, 19 February to 08 March 2024 : Spartina, photo from Weedbusters, [www.weedbusters.org.nz/what-are-...](https://www.weedbusters.org.nz/what-are-weeds/weed-list/spartina/.) I received the following notice for distribution to the wider community: Spartina weed control – Waikawa …

09 February 2024 05:56 — Likely rates increase of 17.4% : On Page 8 of the Horowhenua Chronicle, 09 February 2024, Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden talks about the upcoming Long-Term Plan Consultation and how we ratepayers are facing a possible 17.4% rates rise with a cut to services. The heading reads: Vital …

08 February 2024 18:30 — Good news for birds this summer : Some good news … in the last few months the Pied Stilts have raised 3 chicks to adults, and Oystercatchers raised a group of 3 chicks and a group of two. Then today I spotted two more brand new Oystercatcher chicks! This must be the most …

07 February 2024 16:17 — Our frequent estuary erosion should feature in the Council Long-Term Plan : Map overlays give an indication of erosion at Waikawa Beach over 10 years from 2010 to 2021. It’s almost exactly 6 years since ex-Tropical Cyclone Gita swept away many metres of sand from the front of the estuary. In early 2018 the whole …

05 February 2024 13:20 — Investigation into Waikawa Beach vehicle access cost ratepayers almost $123,000 : The November 2021 Petition on vehicle and horse access to Waikawa Beach sparked a lengthy investigation into Waikawa Beach vehicle access options that ended in 2023. I asked how much that investigation cost and have today received a reply: Thank you …

04 February 2024 13:44 — Rip current at Waikawa Beach : A local was telling me today about their experience in January 2024 of being caught in a rip current in the sea near the south track off Reay Mackay Grove. Fortunately they were swimming with others who were able to help. That part of the coast is …

03 February 2024 09:17 — MDCA Quiz Night on Friday 16 February 2024 : Emailed from the Manakau District Community Association: You are warmly invited to the next MDCA Quiz Night at the Manakau Bowling and Sport Club to be held on Friday 16 February, starting at 7.30pm. Cost: $10.00 per person (max. of 6 quizzers per …

03 February 2024 09:10 — Ōtaki to Ohau road construction update, January 2024 : Turnaround by old Quarter Acre cafe. Source: the newsletter. From the Ōtaki to north of Levin update, January 2024 email newsletter: The Gleeson Road and Pukehou Rail Overbridge turnarounds are now complete Ōtaki to Ohau construction update The …

02 February 2024 10:16 — 424 properties at Waikawa Beach pay rates to HDC : It’s a bit hard to define Waikawa Beach — sometimes it just means the sand and dune area near the water’s edge — the beach. Sometimes it means the community and structures in the Waikawa Beach area. For statistical purposes …

01 February 2024 08:28 — In March 2024 we need to ask for cleaner river water : Many locals are justifiably upset about the poor ratings on the Traffic Light System for the quality of water in our river by the footbridge. Our long-term grade: Poor – The estimated risk of Campylobacter infection has a >5% occurrence, at least …

30 January 2024 09:24 — Maybe 600 years ago a huge tsunami hit Kāpiti and Taranaki coasts : Figure 1. (a, b) Site location on the SW Coast of the North Island of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Yellow box marks approximate area of study site (see Figure 2 for details), filled circles indicate sites where evidence has been reported for a palaeotsunami …

27 January 2024 15:09 — Te Rauparaha Pā at Waikawa, 1821-1823 : Horowhenua Maori Place Names _ Map IV by Adkin - cropped. Source: [horowhenua.kete.net.nz/item/c20e...](https://horowhenua.kete.net.nz/item/c20e494f-60c0-4548-ae30-4dbaf6764a1e) License: Attribution + NonCommercial + ShareAlike. There is some …

26 January 2024 11:41 — High fire danger, January 2024 : The fire danger will be very high for the Manawatū-Whanganui region this weekend [26-29 January 2024], Fire and Emergency says. District Manager Nigel Dravitzki said this included central and lower Whanganui, lower Rangitikei, central and lower …

26 January 2024 07:54 — Transpower line survey by helicopter in early February 2024 : Notice of helicopter use for visual aerial survey of transmission lines in your area. Transpower, the owner and operator of the National Grid, is undertaking a visual aerial survey of its transmission lines throughout the Whanganui, Manawat, Tararua, …

25 January 2024 15:23 — Waikawa Newsletter January 2024 published : Dabchick on the lake. Published on 25 January 2024: Waikawa Newsletter January 2024. 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 …

23 January 2024 17:26 — Recycling change from 01 February 2024 : News today from Horowhenua District Council — Pizza boxes and meat trays set to be accepted in kerbside recycling: … pizza boxes and plastic meat trays which are not currently accepted, can be included in household kerbside recycling …

21 January 2024 19:32 — Vehicles and pedestrians don't mix, especially on the beach : Waikawa Beach has been largely free of vehicles so far this summer, with legal local access temporarily blocked off. The only vehicles that have turned up have been largely locals, using illegally created access points, and even going to the extent …

21 January 2024 14:03 — No significant increase in traffic from 2022 to 2023 : The Waikawa Beach Ratepayers Association Annual Report 2023 (PDF) reveals that back in March and April 2023 Horowhenua District Council undertook a traffic count along Waikawa Beach Road: A traffic count was undertaken by HDC between March to April …

20 January 2024 14:23 — The old ropewalks at Waikawa Beach : In the book Bitter water : a story of Waikawa by Deb Shepherd and Laraine Shepherd (a must-read, but out of print — ask at your Library) there are several references to ropewalks at Waikawa Beach in the mid 1800s. I never had any clue what that …

19 January 2024 16:40 — For sale: 8 Norna Grove : For sale: 8 Norna Grove. Bedrooms: 3; Bathrooms: 2; Floor Area: 130 m²; Land Area: 824 m²; Enquiries over $875,000. Deadline Sale: Thursday 08 February 2024. Listed on 16 January 2024.

19 January 2024 16:27 — For sale: 577 Waikawa Beach Road : For sale: 577 Waikawa Beach Road. Bedrooms: 3; Bathrooms: 1; Floor Area: 138 m²; Land Area: 4010 m²; Offers Over $850,000. Listed on 15 January 2024.

19 January 2024 15:46 — Pedestrian Access Only tracks to the beach : Over the holiday period a group of people ignored the HDC's calls to allow the consultation process to continue unimpeded and to stop trying to create new vehicle tracks to the beach. A track was mowed through an empty property next to #60 Reay …

18 January 2024 08:59 — How to treat Bluebottle or stingray stings : From time to time we see Bluebottles (Indo-Pacific Man o’ War) on our beach, and recently someone reported they'd seen quite a few stingrays in the shallows. Both can sting. The bluebottle, or Indo-Pacific Man o’ War, is not a jellyfish but a …

05 January 2024 13:15 — Identify those prints on the beach : I just happened upon an excellent guide to footprints you see on the beach: A Sandy Footprint Guide. That will be very helpful!

04 January 2024 09:04 — Concrete bollards placed at Manga Pirau Street beach entrance : Selfish and sometimes illegal actions by a few have endangered vehicle access to the beach for all. One consequence has been that the owners of the private land which allows vehicles sometime access to the beach has asked Horowhenua District Council …

04 January 2024 03:14 — Popup Eats Manakau on Tuesday 09 January 2024 : Unfortunately the Pop Up Eats scheduled in December 2023 had to be cancelled at the last minute. A new date has now been advertised: 09 January 2024, 5-8pm. No details on vendors, but see below for what was planned in December. On Facebook in …

02 January 2024 10:54 — Destruction on the south beach track off Reay Mackay Grove : The photo shows that vehicles have been through the pedestrian-only track, flattening rushes and churning up the sand. Posted on 02 January 2024 by Horowhenua District Council on the 🌞🌞 Waikawa Beach Community page 🌞🌞 | Facebook: We are pretty …

29 December 2023 13:17 — Full moon brings out the Hoons and Boofheads : Both the 111-operator and police officers confirmed it was important to call in when these events occur. The beach access for vehicles across private land at the end of Manga Pirau Street is currently closed because erosion carved away the 'ramp' …

22 December 2023 08:23 — Waikawa Newsletter December 2023 published : Man and dog line fish off the beach. Published on 21 December 2023: Waikawa Newsletter December 2023. The monthly newsletter is based on posts I’ve written during the month, with added sprinkles. If you’d like to automatically receive …

21 December 2023 05:51 — Consultation on beach access for vehicles closes 20 February 2024 : HDC has opened consultation on access for vehicles to Waikawa Beach, with a mass of information available at: Waikawa Beach Vehicle Access | Let's Kōrero Horowhenua: Horowhenua District Council is seeking your feedback on three proposed options for …

20 December 2023 11:47 — Boat Day cancelled for 27 December 2023 : On a Facebook Post, Pat OSullivan writes that the summer Boat Day activity scheduled for Wednesday 27th December, has been cancelled. See also WBRA Summer Activities. More bad news from the WBRA I regret to say. I’m sure many here will be aware that …

18 December 2023 13:05 — Dine out at Popup Eats Manakau on Tuesday 19 December 2023 : On Facebook: Pop Up Eats Horowhenua: You asked, so we're coming for you tomorrow Manakau! ☺️ See you from 5-8pm at Driscoll Reserve (just across the road from the Manakau Village and the hotel). 🍔 Dutchy's 🌯 Zaaffran - Taste of Morocco 🍦 Freezing …

15 December 2023 15:38 — WBRA Summer Activities : Children run a 3-legged race on Sports Day 2018. Update 20 December 2023: Boat Day cancelled for 27 December 2023. In an email received from Waikawa Beach Ratepayers Association: XMAS / NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES TIMETABLE BOAT DAY Wednesday 27th December, …

15 December 2023 09:30 — Power interruption 19 December 2023, 1100 to 1230 : Electra have circulated a notice advising: WE REGRET THAT WE HAVE T0 INTERRUPT YOUR POWER SUPPLY On Tuesday 19th December 2023 From 11am to 12.30pm For Maintenance Outage Ref: J024283 Outage Area: Waikawa Beach Alternative Date if Required: N/A …

15 December 2023 05:15 — Rubbish and recycling changes for Christmas 2023 : Information from the Horowhenua Chronicle — our Monday collections are affected, being moved to the Saturday before: Rubbish Kerbside collection will continue as normal, with the exception of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. There will be no …

14 December 2023 18:17 — Beach access update, 14 December 2023 : A 3.5 metre high tide at the Manga Pirau Street entrance on 14 December 2023. Photo taken while standing at the edge of the 2 metre drop at the end of the track. On the Waikawa Beach Facebook page Pat OSullivan writes: On behalf of the WBRA an …

14 December 2023 06:11 — Have you seen the White-faced Herons? : There have been a couple of Matuku moana | White-faced heron, down at the lake and in the estuary lately. Have you seen them yet? These two seem rather shy and ‘flighty’. Down at the lakes they tend to scurry down to the lake edge and …

13 December 2023 08:31 — Freedom Camping at Waikawa Beach, December 2023 update : Waikawa Beach is likely to be excluded from locations where Freedom Camping is allowed in Horowhenua. The Agenda for the HDC meeting for 13 December 2023 includes an item for Councillors to vote on recommendations about Freedom Camping. That includes …

13 December 2023 08:23 — Vehicle access summer consultation update, December 2023 : On the Agenda for the HDC meeting for 13 December 2023 we see the Council Actions Monitoring Report 2023, which includes item 21/502: Reference: 21/502 Resolution/Action: That the Chief Executive provide a full report on all options in respect of …

13 December 2023 04:18 — For sale: 47 Reay Mackay Grove : For sale: 47 Reay Mackay Grove. Bedrooms: 2; Bathrooms: 1; Family Room: 1; Floor Area: 27 m² more or less; Land Area: 3144 m²; Price: by negotiation; RV: $780,000. Listed on 13 December 2023.

12 December 2023 14:34 — Oystercatcher chicks in the spinifex : One of the Tōrea pango | Variable Oystercatcher pairs has managed to produce two chicks. They are now hanging out in a sheltered area where spinifex were just recently planted. Two Oystercatcher chicks near an adult amongst driftwood, sand and young …

09 December 2023 08:22 — Road construction at SH1 intersection till 22 December 2023 : New flexible median barrier on SH1 between Ōtaki and Ohau. Photo via Waka Kotahi. From the latest emailed Waka Kotahi newsletter: Up until 22 December, you’ll see construction crews onsite near Waikawa Beach Road … More detail: SH1 Ōtaki to …

09 December 2023 07:51 — Eggs and chicks in the estuary, December 2023 : Very small baby bird sitting on beach. Photo by Corne Ferreira, December 2022, and used with permission. The Pied Stilts have three chicks out in front of roughly #1 Reay Mackay Grove. All my efforts to take photos have failed, but then I …

07 December 2023 13:07 — For sale: 11 James Street : 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.

07 December 2023 07:22 — 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.

05 December 2023 15:34 — 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 …

04 December 2023 18:32 — 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 …

01 December 2023 18:03 — 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 …

30 November 2023 18:24 — 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 …

29 November 2023 08:58 — 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 …

29 November 2023 08:37 — 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 …

28 November 2023 18:11 — 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 …

28 November 2023 14:53 — 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 …

28 November 2023 08:11 — 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 …

27 November 2023 15:45 — 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 | …

24 November 2023 03:35 — 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 …

23 November 2023 18:34 — 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 …

16 November 2023 16:16 — 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 …

16 November 2023 13:36 — 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 …

15 November 2023 15:46 — 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 …

14 November 2023 11:39 — 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 …

14 November 2023 10:03 — 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 …

06 November 2023 11:02 — 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 …

03 November 2023 15:50 — 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 …

03 November 2023 14:41 — 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. …

03 November 2023 14:21 — 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 …

03 November 2023 06:01 — 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 …

02 November 2023 19:17 — 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 …

02 November 2023 14:13 — When Waikawa Beach becomes the big smoke : I arrived home from errands on 02 November 2023 to a very unpleasant surprise — only a few hundred metres from our house a huge area of forestry slash was on fire, belching out enormous clouds of white, brown and black smoke. Fortunately for me …

01 November 2023 14:40 — Sarah Street reseal, 01 November 2023 : As of 01 November 2023 the whole length of Sarah Street has been resealed. For the next few days the street will be marked with 30 Kph speed signs. Please drive slowly and carefully while the chip beds in. In a few days the sweeper will clear away …

31 October 2023 06:33 — HDC Proposed Beach Bylaw workshop 01 November 2023 : In a Facebook post HDC have shared this info about a proposed beach bylaw workshop on Wednesday 1 November 2023. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Council Workshops - Proposed Beach Bylaw, LTP & Governance Structure Horowhenua District …

30 October 2023 16:40 — Intersection roadworks delayed to 06 November 2023 : Waka Kotahi update 30 October 2023. I received an email today from the Ō2NL Project Team, O2NL@nzta.govt.nz about works that were due to begin Wednesday 25 October at the intersection of Waikawa Beach Road and SH1. This work has now been delayed: …

25 October 2023 16:11 — Waikawa Newsletter October 2023 published : A roughly 2 metre drop as at 21 October 2023. Note: the telephoto lens makes things look closer together — the chain and cones are further away than they seem. Published on 24 October 2023: Waikawa Newsletter October 2023. The monthly newsletter is …

25 October 2023 07:09 — HDC Rates Remission Policy — give your feedback : Horowhenua District Council are looking for feedback on their proposed Rates Remission & Postponement Policy. If you have trouble paying your Rates then this policy will affect you. Visit letskorero.horowhenua.govt.nz/RRPP to learn more and make …

19 October 2023 18:59 — Delays soon at the Waikawa Beach Road intersection with SH1 : I received an email today from the Ō2NL Project Team, O2NL@nzta.govt.nz about works to begin Wednesday 25 October at the intersection of Waikawa Beach Road and SH1. Downer will soon extend the side barrier between the Manakau Store and Waikawa Beach …

19 October 2023 08:29 — Legal and illegal vehicle access to Waikawa Beach : Tire marks from a quad on the north track off Reay Mackay Grove where motor vehicles are forbidden by law. Wednesday 18 October 2023. A report in the NZ Herald on 18 October 2023 about vehicle access at Waikawa Beach: Horowhenua District Council …

19 October 2023 05:29 — Have your say on HDC Long Term Plan : Early engagement for the Horowhenua District Council's Long Term Plan 2024-2044 (LTP) is now officially open … This is the community's opportunity to actively mould our district's future and influence Council's focus and budget for the next …

18 October 2023 05:04 — Wrybills vs Dotterels : One wonderful feature of spring is that the birds start coming back. on Tuesday 17 October 2023 I saw a dozen Ngutuparore | Wrybills. Back on 30 September 2023 I spotted Pohowera | Banded dotterels at the edge of the estuary. See The birds are …

17 October 2023 12:43 — New power pole on Monday 16 October 2023 : There was a slight traffic delay on Monday 16 October 2023 as Electra replaced a power pole on Waikawa Beach Road near the start of the village. If you experienced a power cut, that would be the reason.

15 October 2023 04:59 — Tim Costley for National will be the new MP for Ōtaki : In the election on Saturday 14 October 2023 the results on the night show that Tim Costley for National will be the new MP for Ōtaki. Check official results at Ōtaki Electorate Status. Preliminary results give Tim Costley (National) 19,546 votes. …

14 October 2023 15:07 — Waikawa Beach median house value $677,050 in October 2023 : According to Mapping the Market | CoreLogic New Zealand, the current median house value at Waikawa Beach in October 2023 is $677,050. That’s come down a bit since a high in March 2022. June 2023 : $707,350. March 2022 : $783,950 January …

14 October 2023 09:26 — Spinifex planting report and photos, October 2023 :

Weather on the weekend of 07 and 08 October 2023 was a bit dicey which may have led to a lower turnout than usual. A huge thanks though to the 8 or 10 diligent locals and several …

13 October 2023 17:01 — Vehicle access, next steps and a small correction : The digger arrived at dawn on 12 June 2019 to reshape the rock groyne. Correction At their recent meeting the Horowhenua District Council voted on options for public consultation about vehicle access to Waikawa Beach. See HDC will consult public on …

12 October 2023 06:32 — HDC will consult public on options for Miratana Track vehicle access and no access : In November 2021 a petition sparked Horowhenua District Council to set up an investigation into vehicle access to Waikawa Beach. See Petition for vehicle access to Waikawa Beach. Petitioners had specifically asked that the pedestrian walkway at 10 …

07 October 2023 06:46 — Spinifex planting postponed to Sunday 08 October 2023 : Rows of newly-planted spinifex. I received the following info: The conditions are a bit more than mildly moist, so we are going to initially delay the planting until tomorrow 8/10/2023. To be reviewed same time tomorrow morning. See: Help us …

06 October 2023 15:44 — Miratana Track update, 06 October 2023 — no thoroughfare : Last week’s big tides and big swells, along with gales, brought the usual erosion to the Miratana Track used by vehicles to access the beach. See also: Big tide and big swell on 29 September 2023. The track has been chained off with a locked …

06 October 2023 11:54 — Freedom Camping would be prohibited at Waikawa Beach under draft Bylaw : Horowhenua District Council has drafted a Freedom Camping Bylaw, as can be seen at Agenda of Council - Wednesday, 11 October 2023. This draft will go out for public consultation. This report is to provide a draft of the Freedom Camping Bylaw, and …

06 October 2023 07:30 — Help us protect the beach 07 October 2023 — spinifex planting : Rows of newly-planted spinifex. Please help for an hour on Saturday 07 October 2023. Community volunteers are planting spinifex. Meet at 9 am near the north track off Reay Mackay Grove. Bring gloves. Craig Kidd from Horowhenua District Council will …

05 October 2023 16:37 — Second hand clothing sale 26 November 2023 : Come along to the Second-hand Clothing Sale fundraiser for Wild Cats of Waikawa. Sunday 26 November 2023, 10 am - 2pm at Hank Edwards Reserve. Clothes, shoes and hats available and other accessories too! Bring $22 if you still don’t have the …

05 October 2023 16:15 — Waikawa Beach Get Together 25 November 2023 : Waikawa Beach Get Together on Saturday 25 November 2023 from 3pm to 5pm at Hank Edwards Reserve. BYO drinks, a small plate to share and a chair. Some drinks and food provided. All welcome, this is a casual event. 😀

05 October 2023 11:20 — HDC Beach Access vote on 11 October 2023 : At 1 pm on 11 October 2023 Horowhenua District Council will start a meeting whose Agenda includes: 7 Waikawa Beach Vehicle Access. Councillors will be voting on whether or not to go out to the wider public for consultations on vehicle access to …

04 October 2023 16:14 — For sale: 41 Walkers Lane : For sale: 41 Walkers Lane. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garages, 209 m² floor area, 2 garages, 1.55 Ha land area, RV $950,000. Deadline Sale closing Thursday, 26 October 2023, 2.00pm (unless sold prior).

04 October 2023 15:28 — For sale: 24 Strathnaver Drive : For sale: 24 Strathnaver Drive. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 100 m² more or less floor area, 2 garages, 4637 m² land area, RV $980,000. Deadline Sale closing 11am, Thursday 26th October (unless sold prior).

03 October 2023 14:27 — All Terrain Mobility Aids available for free hire : All terrain mobility aids. Photo from HDC web page. All Terrain Mobility Aids - Horowhenua District Council: Mobility aids are available free to hire to help people with disabilities explore hard to access areas in Horowhenua. The equipment, which …

03 October 2023 10:30 — Toxic Sea Spurge signs at Waikawa Beach : Signs have gone up at several of the Waikawa Beach entrances asking us to watch out for the dangerous and toxic invasive pest plant called sea spurge. (My emphasis below): Have you seen this weed on our coast? A serious threat to New Zealand's …

01 October 2023 14:58 — The birds are returning to the shore : Seasonal birds are starting to show up again at last. Down on the beach recently we've seen not only the usual Tōrea pango | Variable Oystercatcher, Tōrea | South Island Pied Oystercatcher and gulls but yesterday I also spotted: Kuaka | Godwit, …

30 September 2023 12:48 — Miratana Track cut off by tides, 30 September 2023 : Big tides and heavy swell the last few days have taken their toll on the beach track used by vehicles. It's now cut off and a chain has gone up across the entrance. See Big tide and big swell on 29 September 2023. Because the river has moved towards …

30 September 2023 11:35 — Waikawa Newsletter September 2023 published : Published on 29 September 2023: Waikawa Newsletter September 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 …

29 September 2023 10:00 — Big tide and big swell on 29 September 2023 : Tonight’s a full moon and a very high tide with big swell. The river has already moved closer to the Miratana Track entrance and overnight may well undermine the stack of driftwood on the north side. Whitebaiters though are undaunted. Waikawa …

22 September 2023 16:21 — SH1 work starts soon between Manakau and Ōhau : The map shows the planned works for safety improvements from Manakau to Ohau. Ōtaki to Ohau safety improvements construction update: we will soon begin construction on the next phase of the project, from Manakau to Ohau. This section of work …

22 September 2023 08:42 — Waikawa Beach: clean; the road: not so much : Becky Webb rubbish pickup results. Photo used with permission. On Keep NZ Beautiful Day, Saturday 16 September 2023, a rubbish collection at Waikawa was organised by the Environmental Subcommittee of the WBRA, in conjunction with the Horowhenua …

21 September 2023 19:10 — Happy bird day : With spring the birds are starting to show up again. Down at the Strathnaver lakes, Waimarie and Te Puna a te Ora, this afternoon I spotted a black swan pair with half-grown cygnet, Pāpango | New Zealand scaup, Australian coot, and some ducks. Not …

20 September 2023 08:35 — Wind brings sand and welcome dune growth : The baby sand dunes grew in the gales. A few days ago we had gales blowing from the west or southwest for a couple of days. A huge amount of sand was blown around. In the area where the new dunes are growing south of the river mouth it was easy to …

18 September 2023 16:30 — Electoral information for Waikawa Beach : There is an election coming up in Aotearoa. This post gives factual information for voters who are registered at Waikawa Beach. Information gathered on 18 September 2023. Updates may be made to this post. The most important source of official …

15 September 2023 16:38 — Waikawa rubbish cleanup changes for Saturday 16 September 2023 : Arrangements for the Keep NZ Beautiful rubbish pickup at Waikawa Beach on Saturday 16 September 2023 have changed. Meet at Hank Edwards Reserve at 2.30 to get a bag and a ride to Kuku Beach then walk back to Waikawa Beach picking up rubbish along …

15 September 2023 16:29 — Starry Time tonight is going ahead : Starry Time tonight! Meet on the beach by the Manga Pirau Street entrance at 7 pm. Dress warm. Bring binoculars if you have them, but you don’t need them, red torch (or put red cellophane over an ordinary torch), and maybe your phone to try taking …

14 September 2023 12:26 — Pygmy Blue Whale washed ashore at Hokio Beach, 12 September 2023 : Photo from Stuff by David Unwin. A New Zealand pygmy blue whale washed ashore at Hokio Beach on Tuesday. It's a sad thing but a pygmy blue whale (tohorā) washed up just up the coast at Hokio Beach on Tuesday 12 September 2023. In a straight line …

11 September 2023 09:40 — Upcoming changes to the intersection of Waikawa Beach Road and SH1 : Planned changes to SH1 and Waikawa Beach Road intersection. Photo of a page available at the session. On Friday 08 September 2023 I attended a poorly advertised Waka Kotahi drop-in session held at Manakau School to discuss the next phase of safety …

10 September 2023 17:26 — Please help clean up Waikawa on 16 September 2023 : Update, 15 September 2023: arrangements have changed. Meet at 2.30 to get a bag and ride to Kuku Beach then walk back to Waikawa Beach picking up rubbish along the way. Chris Wood of the Waikawa Environment Group emailed: September 16 – Rubbish …

08 September 2023 13:28 — Email glitch, September 2023 : Kia ora koutou, an email glitch at my service provider meant those of you who subscribe to receive posts by email probably didn't see the following: For sale: 34 Manga Pirau Street, published on: Monday, 4 September 2023 Strathnaver Drive burglary …

07 September 2023 17:20 — Presentation on Waikawa Beach Vehicle Access, 06 September 2023 : In November 2021 some people submitted to Horowhenua District Council a Petition for vehicle access to Waikawa Beach. The HDC then decided to engage consultants (Boffa Miskell) to produce a full report on all options in respect of beach access at …

07 September 2023 11:04 — Join us for Starry Time on Friday 15 September 2023 : Night sky September 2023 (partial view). All welcome! On Friday 15 September 2023, if the weather suits, we should have a good evening for looking at the night sky. Backup days (if it’s cloudy or rainy) are the Saturday and Sunday. Meet on the …

04 September 2023 18:37 — Strathnaver Drive burglary 27 August 2023 : At the end of August 2023 there was a post on Facebook about a suspicious man [on a Strathnaver Drive] property. The Police were called. The 31 August 2023 Neighbourhood Support Newsletter listed a burglary at Waikawa Beach between 75 and 95 …

04 September 2023 16:57 — For sale: 34 Manga Pirau Street : For sale: 34 Manga-Pirau Street. 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 89 m2 more or less floor area, 809 m² land area, RV $650,000.

30 August 2023 14:18 — No speed change for Waikawa Beach : At their meeting on 30 August 2023 the Horowhenua District Council voted for no speed limit changes at Waikawa Beach. Part of the rationale was that previous calls for speed changes had referred to seasonal problems, such as an increase in traffic …

27 August 2023 10:48 — Waikawa Newsletter August 2023 published : Published on 27 August 2023: Waikawa Newsletter August 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 …

27 August 2023 06:42 — Footbridge bike stands finally have road markings : It’s been more than a year since bike stands were put in by the footbridge, but at long last road markings have been added. These should at least indicate to drivers that they shouldn’t block the stands. See Bike stands update, February …

26 August 2023 17:33 — Waikawa Beach Kererū times 2 : In August 2022 I spotted a Kererū at Waikawa Beach for the first time. This year there are two! They've been hanging out in Tree Lucerne down near Lake Waimarie at the west end of Strathnaver Drive.

26 August 2023 16:54 — HDC to discuss Waikawa Beach speed change options : Map of Waikawa Streets shows affected areas. At their meeting on 30 August 2023 the Horowhenua District Council will discuss the potential changes to speeds around Waikawa Beach. See Give your opinion on Waikawa Beach speed limits by 21 August 2023 …

25 August 2023 06:01 — Possible speed increase for parts of the Expressway to Wellington : According to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency the speed limit on the Mackays to Peka Peka and Peka Peka to Ōtaki expressways could be lifted to 110 Kph in 2024. Waka Kotahi is working to see if speed limits can be increased to 110 km/h on the Mackays …

24 August 2023 20:18 — Community spinifex planting on 07 October 2023 — please join in : Spinifex seed heads. Did you know a single spinifex plant can trap 16 cubic metres of sand a year? That sand helps protect the village and all the coastal houses, and gives us all more space for enjoying all the beach has to offer. Which brings us …

24 August 2023 19:37 — A bud-galling wasp is helping control the invasive pest plant Sydney golden wattle : A bud-galling wasp (Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae) introduced by Horizons Regional Council is showing promising signs … of being a viable control tool against the highly invasive pest plant Sydney golden wattle. … Horizons …

24 August 2023 10:03 — Horizons asks for feedback on priority areas for next 10 years : Feedback on Horizons Regional Council priority areas is due by 17 September 2023. Horizons Regional Council have three priority areas: building resilience to the impacts of climate change, taking a holistic approach to natural resources from …

20 August 2023 14:22 — MDCA Quiz Night 01 September 2023 : Manakau Hall next door to the Bowling and Sport Club. An email from the Manakau folks: Greetings everyone, You are warmly invited to the next MDCA Quiz Night at the Manakau Bowling and Sport Club to be held on Friday 1st September [2023], starting …

20 August 2023 13:08 — August 2023 update on HDC vehicle access study : The study about vehicle access to Waikawa Beach is slowly grinding along. In an update on 16 August 2023, Stephan Titze, HDC Parks and Property Project Lead | Kaihautū Kaupapa Papa Rēhia, Rawa, advised: The project team has finalized the ecological …

19 August 2023 13:43 — The river scratch, August 2023 : Whitebaiting season starts on 01 September 2023 so some folks have a particular interest in driving their gear onto the beach. For quite a while now though the river has formed itself into a long lazy loop going right past the Miratana track to the …

19 August 2023 07:21 — Hikurangi Subduction Zone could shake us up : There's some interesting reading in NZ’s biggest quake-maker: Scientists peer inside Hikurangi Subduction Zone | RNZ News: Along [the Hikurangi] subduction zone, scientists have estimated a 26 percent chance of an event with a magnitude of 8.0 or …

19 August 2023 07:04 — Is copper Internet going away at Waikawa Beach? : Chorus want to retire the older copper network. It’s not clear if Waikawa Beach is included in that plan. Given that the fibre installation stopped at around #24 Strathnaver Drive and numerous people in Strathnaver commonly complain about their …

18 August 2023 14:01 — Book: Wild Cats of Waikawa Beach : The group Wild Cats of Waikawa aims to trap wild and feral cats, neuter those that can be rehomed and then rehome them, mostly elsewhere. The cats are checked to make sure they don’t belong to anyone and their health is assessed too. To help fund …

18 August 2023 07:14 — Smart pest control : The Waikawa Environment Group has pest control as one of its aims. We know that stoats and wild cats are two particular threats to local birds, and that rabbits, rats and mice also cause problems. This item about smart traps that could perhaps be …

17 August 2023 14:47 — Car crash by Whakahoro Road, 17 August 2023 : Those heading out to SH1 early on the morning of 17 August 2023 may have found themselves tangled up in a bit of traffic. Unfortunately at around 0645 a couple of vehicles crashed near Whakahoro Road north of Manakau, blocking the road briefly and …

17 August 2023 14:33 — DOC calls for sightings of Subantarctic seals : On 14 August 2023 a Subantarctic fur seal spent a while resting on Waikawa Beach. A bit of research led me to discover that in September 2021 DOC asked to be advised of any sightings: Subantarctic fur seals are “cousins” of the native kekeno/New …

14 August 2023 13:46 — Subantarctic Fur Seal on the beach : On Sunday 13 August 2023 there were reports of a seal on the beach not far from the south track off Reay Mackay Grove so I went to take a look. Next day Stephen Betts advised that apparently it wasn't our usual Kekeno | New Zealand fur seal: It …

02 August 2023 19:07 — Tell Horizons what you think about local public transport by 11 September 2023 : Horizons Regional Council is asking communities for their ideas on how public transport can connect the dots between communities living across and beyond our region. Horizons Regional Council want to hear what you think by 11 September 2023. We want …

02 August 2023 16:08 — Understand how to make your pest control measures really work : This hour-long NZ video about trapping and killing pests such as mustelids, rats and others has a huge amount of incredibly valuable information: PFNZ Trust Webinar # 29: Fine Tuning Your Predator Control with Cam Speedy. If you’re considering …

30 July 2023 16:08 — Give your opinion on Waikawa Beach speed limits by 21 August 2023 : In the letterbox today was a letter from Horowhenua District Council inviting opinions on their proposal to reduce speed limits around Waikawa Beach. See also 30 Kph speed limit on most Waikawa Beach roads? from 15 July 2023. The crucial part of the …

29 July 2023 14:18 — Median and side barriers being installed between Ōtaki and Manakau : Wire-rope median barriers are being installed this week between Taylors Road and the southern turnaround. Info from from Waka Kotahi in the July 2023 Update on the SH1 Ōtaki to Ohau safety improvement project: Construction of the Ōtaki to Ohau …

29 July 2023 13:51 — Whitebaiting season 2023: September and October : The whitebaiting season runs from 01 September to 30 October for those at Waikawa Beach. (Chatham Islands has a different season.) Detailed rules and links to useful leaflets and the relevant Law are available at the link above. What are whitebait? …

27 July 2023 08:05 — Capital Connection brings a smoother ride : The Capital Connection now has 5 newly refurbished carriages that will be in service from next Monday (31 July 2023). According to Major upgrade for Capital Connection train service between Palmerston North and Wellington | RNZ News: More carriages …

27 July 2023 06:57 — Waikawa Newsletter July 2023 published : Published on 25 July 2023: Waikawa Newsletter July 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. …

23 July 2023 19:58 — Land Transport Rule: Street Layouts 2023 gives HDC more power : We have several speed bumps around Waikawa Beach, including three along Strathnaver Drive, one on Sarah Street and another on Drake Street. There’s also at least one in the streets accessed from the Emma Drive intersection. A recent rule change …

22 July 2023 17:41 — 3 brief power cuts, Friday 21 July 2023 : In case you’re wondering why some of your devices aren’t quite as you expected … on Friday there was a momentary power cut at approx 0615 then again at approx 0715 and again at approx 1630. In our case that means resetting the …

19 July 2023 15:35 — Thefts, tree trimming, local speeds, beach access, 19 July 2023 : Several small updates: Electra were trimming trees at the intersection of Walkers Lane and Waikawa Beach Road today. A couple of posts on Facebook in the last week have mentioned break ins or thefts. Remember to watch your own property as well as …

15 July 2023 09:52 — 30 Kph speed limit on most Waikawa Beach roads? : When we first arrived at Waikawa Beach 10 years ago locals had for some years been pushing Horowhenua District Council for reduced speed limits, especially over summer. Quite often the quiet roads are used by pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders of …

14 July 2023 14:07 — A single spinifex plant can trap 16 cubic metres of sand a year : The Waikawa Environment Group was only launched a couple of months ago. Its aims are to protect dunes and manage pests at Waikawa Beach. The group has an excellent model in an Ōtaki group that has similar aims. Ōtaki Today, Hūrae/July 2023, Page 10, …

14 July 2023 09:16 — Nothing new on HDC vehicle access study : On the latest Horowhenua District Council meeting agenda (19 July 2023) there is an ‘update’ on the study into beach access for vehicles as at 12 July 2023 (Page 140). The screenshot above shows no change from last time, so presumably …

13 July 2023 15:22 — Vehicles on beaches threaten fragile environments : A reader drew my attention to three recent news items about vehicles on South Island beaches: Vehicles banned from Marlborough's east coast, except for 9km stretch | Stuff.co.nz, 03 March 2023. [The ban] comes after years of back and forth, as …

07 July 2023 08:37 — Median Waikawa Beach house value $707,350 in June 2023 : In recent news, it seems the median house value at Waikawa Beach has dropped. As of June 2023 it stands at $707,350. Compare that with March 2022: $783,950 and January 2022: $756,350. See Waikawa Beach median house price, March 2022 and Waikawa Beach …

04 July 2023 10:48 — Toilet block refurb cost approx $500,000 : In March 2023 the post Toilet block cost per an LGOIMA request, cited the cost expected for the upgraded facilities block at Hank Edwards Reserve: $369,687 plus GST. At the time of the request work had not even begun. I submitted a request for the …

04 July 2023 08:59 — Turnaround areas between Ōtaki and Ōhau : Otaki to Manakau safety improvements map. In response to the post Roadworks from Ōtaki to Ohau a reader asked about the three Turnarounds. I put the question to Waka Kotahi and received a useful reply. In brief: the turnarounds allow people to reach …

03 July 2023 18:47 — To check the tides : Waikawa Beach high tide by the Miratana Track on 09 July 2018. If you want to venture down to the beach — on foot or with a vehicle — it can be very handy to know what the tide’s doing. My go-to is Tidespy: Tides at a glance - Waikawa Beach. …

03 July 2023 18:22 — Waikawa Newsletter June 2023 published : I believe this is an Oioi, jointed wire rush, on the stretch of sea frontage on the Miratana land. Published on 30 June 2023: Waikawa Newsletter June 2023. The monthly newsletter is based on posts I’ve written during the month, with added …

28 June 2023 05:25 — Roadworks from Ōtaki to Ohau : Southern turnaround facility is now open at the bottom of Forest Lakes Hill. The June 2023 Waka Kotahi Ōtaki to north of Levin update explains all the roadworks between Manakau and Ōtaki. Currently there are cones and speed restrictions along almost …

13 June 2023 10:29 — It's kekeno fur seal time again — beware : First seal pup of the season, July 2019. Back in July 2019 I saw what I thought was a dog come down from the dunes and head for the sea. Then I realised it wasn’t a dog but a seal pup! This is the time of year when seal pups turn up on Waikawa …

12 June 2023 18:40 — Mural artist needed for the updated toilet block at Waikawa Beach : Part of the original plan for updating and refurbishing the Hank Edwards Reserve toilet block was to have it painted with murals. Now, some 6 months after completion, is the time for that to happen. The WBRA is looking for a mural artist to carry out …

11 June 2023 09:06 — Take part in The NZ Garden Bird Survey, late-June 2023 : The NZ Garden Bird Survey 2023 is taking place between 24 June and 02 July 2023. One hour of your time will help researchers track trends in bird populations. The information from this survey helps inform conservation decisions and further research. …

10 June 2023 10:33 — Join us for Starry Time, Friday 16 June 2023 at 6.30 to 7.30 : Starry Time: a casual hour of looking at stars with the naked eye or binoculars. All welcome. Come and join in! I hope we can look at Mars, Venus, Large & Small Clouds of Magellan, Southern Cross, Milky Way, Arcturus, Canopus. This is a very casual …

06 June 2023 12:09 — Horowhenua District Council plan a beach Bylaw : While most of the locals who take cars, quad bikes and tractors onto Waikawa Beach behave responsibly, there is an ongoing problem with motorbikes driving on, around and through the new-growing dunes just south of the river mouth. That bad (and …

29 May 2023 20:58 — In 2009 residents worried about vehicles on Waikawa Beach : In 2009 apparently a survey of Waikawa Beach residents was conducted by Corydon Consultants Ltd. On 12 January 2011 the WBRA published results. Of particular interest to me were a couple of items relating to vehicles on the beach. Topic 5: Safety …

29 May 2023 13:16 — The role of pingao, wiwi, and spinifex : Useful information about dunes and their flora and fauna from the Takutai Kāpiti 29 May 2023 newsletter — Takutai Kāpiti May 2023: Indigenous plants like pingao, wiwi, and spinifex with its hanging tendrils, are best for helping repair the dynamic …

28 May 2023 09:14 — Waikawa Beach on the HDC Agenda for 31 May 2023 : The 31 May 2023 Agenda (10MB PDF) for the next Horowhenua District Council Ordinary Meeting makes for interesting reading as it includes deliberations on reports such as the Rates Review and Activities. Page 54 has a graph showing that around 15 …

27 May 2023 09:32 — Our Waikawa Beach environment needs your help : I've received the following message about a new Environmental Sub-committee within the WBRA: Are you interested in protecting the environment at Waikawa Beach? We need your help for a few hours each month I am a member of the WBRA committee, have …

27 May 2023 07:31 — New extreme coastal flooding maps, May 2023 : A NIWA Media Release, 25 May 2023, explains about new maps showing possible coastal inundation under extreme circumstances. The map below shows potential inundation with 40 cm sea level rise (by 2065) if high tides, storm surges and large waves occur …

26 May 2023 06:05 — Waikawa Newsletter May 2023 published : Published on Thursday 25 May 2023: Waikawa Newsletter May 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 …

25 May 2023 12:57 — Ō2NL Community Group meetings May 2023 : Waka Kotahi have advised: We’re hosting Ō2NL Community Group meetings in Manakau and Levin next week. Please join us for an update on projects underway in the Ōtaki to north of Levin area including: Ōtaki to Ohau safety improvement works underway In …

22 May 2023 12:14 — Smoke gets in your eyes, clothes, house… : On 17 May 2023 there was a strong smell of smoke in the house, even though all the doors and windows were shut tight. A look to the north showed clouds of green waste smoke billowing into the air from some distance away. The wind from the northerly …

22 May 2023 11:54 — Wild Cats of Waikawa yard sale : On 13 May 2023 the group Wild Cats of Waikawa held a yard sale on Hank Edwards Reserve that raised several hundred dollars. Everyone knows about the numerous cats that roam the area but don’t have a home to call their own. Many people are …

20 May 2023 10:30 — SH1 Ōtaki to Ohau safety improvements May 2023 : From the Ōtaki to north of Levin May 2023 newsletter: Ōtaki to Ohau safety improvement work is underway, with the first phase of work between Ōtaki and Manakau. Three turnaround bays and stretches of median and side barriers will be installed between …

19 May 2023 13:30 — O2NL going ahead — for real this time, really, 19 May 2023 : Post-Budget 2023 news on the Ōtaki to North of Levin (Ō2NL) highway: the Minister of Transport Michael Wood has at last confirmed the Ōtaki to North of Levin Expressway (Ō2NL) will be constructed. … The project includes the construction of a …

19 May 2023 11:08 — Update on the research into where a vehicle beach access, if any, should be located : Over recent weeks experts from Boffa Miskell have been talking to various individuals and groups about vehicle access to Waikawa Beach. They and HDC are exploring various options, including retaining the current access. I asked Stephan Titze, Parks …

19 May 2023 09:58 — Bike stands on Reay Mackay Grove and by the Miratana Track : Good news for locals who enjoy riding around Waikawa Beach. Back in June 2022 a local resident asked the Horowhenua District Council if we could have bike stands at the Manga Pirau Street and north Reay Mackay Grove beach entrances. Recently those …

19 May 2023 05:27 — 28 May 2023: test of Emergency Mobile Alert : The next nationwide test of the Emergency Mobile Alert system is happening on Sunday 28 May 2023, between 6-7pm. The nationwide test of the Emergency Mobile Alert system is a necessary part of making sure the system works well. As Emergency Mobile …

05 May 2023 11:02 — 270 mm rain brings back the Strathnaver puddle in May 2023 : In the last month we’ve had around 270mm rain — a fair bit. With groundwater levels still high after a wet summer any rain at all seems to bring back the puddles. On 05 May 2023 the Strathnaver puddle was all the way across the road again.

03 May 2023 10:19 — Possible speed reduction in the village : There's an interesting section in the Horowhenua District Council Agenda for the 26 April 2023 meeting (link to 11MB PDF), Page 82 (my emphasis): Speed Management Plan Road Controlling Authorities across New Zealand are required under the Land …

03 May 2023 06:09 — Manawatū-Whanganui Joint Climate Action Plan 2023 : An inaugural Manawatū-Whanganui Joint Climate Action Plan has been released to clarify councils’ role in addressing climate change impacts in the Horizons Region to build thriving communities and preserve and enhance the environment. The plan …

30 April 2023 15:24 — SH1 safety update, April 2023 : According to the Ōtaki to north of Levin April 2023 update: Contractor Downer will start construction on the Pukehou turnaround location on the northbound side of SH1 on Wednesday 26 April. This work is expected to take six weeks to complete, …

30 April 2023 15:13 — Better rail service on its way : There is hope for a better train service for us with this week's announcement — Government green lights Lower North Island Rail: A fleet of 18 brand new trains for Wairarapa and Kapiti Coast: Increase capacity by approximately 1.5 million trips …

30 April 2023 14:53 — Waikawa Newsletter April 2023 published today : Published today Waikawa Newsletter April 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 …

23 April 2023 16:16 — Dog registration changes 2023 : According to Horowhenua District Council: We normally open dog registrations on 1 July each year, but in 2023 dog owners will be able to renew their dog registrations from 10am Thursday 6 July until Saturday 5 August 2023 before a 50% late fee …

19 April 2023 14:31 — Beware a pack of dangerous dogs at Waikawa Beach, April 2023 : Looking south along an empty beach. There was a distressing report in the last few days of a person walking their medium-sized dog on Waikawa Beach when a pack of 4 dogs attacked it leaving it badly injured. The owner says: The attack was …

18 April 2023 14:06 — Destroying dunes, endangering everyone : Marked areas are roughly where, 5 years on from the photo date, new dunes are growing and birds nest in season. Motorbike and quad bike racing; ripping up the dunes — bad behaviour by a few over the Easter holidays was damaging and dangerous. …

17 April 2023 07:43 — Game Bird Season starts 06 May 2023 : Shooting always starts around dawn, so if you have nervous animals be alert early on 06 May 2023 for the sounds of gunfire. Information from Fish & Game NZ — Game Bird Season: Saturday 6th May is Opening day. We always hear gunfire from Lake …

17 April 2023 06:49 — Waikawa in the old days : Aerial view of Waikawa in 1962. Note: Manga Pirau Street is only half as long as it is now and the river turned toward the sea at that point too. Photo: from the Archive of the Waikawa Beach Ratepayers Association, aerial photo from 1962, showing …

15 April 2023 16:21 — Caspian and White-fronted Terns on the beach : Part of the flock of terns, with sea as backdrop. It’s autumn so we’re seeing different birds on the beach now. On the beach this morning was a sizeable flock of the fairly sleek black-capped Tara | White-fronted Tern. The photo shows …

14 April 2023 06:47 — Tāringi | Common starling : Another very common bird everywhere is the Tāringi | Common starling: Length: 21 cm; Weight: 85 g Similar species: Common myna | Maina, Song thrush | Manu-kai-hua-rakau A medium-sized glossy iridescent black songbird with tiny white spots, a tapering …

12 April 2023 15:03 — Additional HDC LTPA Consultation Event, 18 April 2023 : Horowhenua District Councillor Rogan Boyle emailed to ask me to advise the community of an Additional Long Term Plan Amendment Consultation Event: Just wanted to reach out and let you know we’re putting on an additional LTPA consultation event …

12 April 2023 01:24 — Tiu | House Sparrow : Sparrow flanked by waxeyes at the feeder. This is one bird that surely everyone know — Tiu | House sparrow: Length: 15 cm; Weight: 28 g Similar species: Dunnock, Chaffinch | Pahirini, European greenfinch A small songbird species in which breeding …

08 April 2023 19:42 — Tītī wainui | Fairy prion : This bird was found in distress on the beach in May 2018. a Tītī wainui | Fairy prion: Length: 25 cm; Weight: 120 g Similar species: Fulmar prion A small prion, blue-grey above and white below, with a blackish ‘M’ across the back from wingtip to …

07 April 2023 17:06 — Makipai | Australian Magpie : Such a common bird, the Makipai | Australian Magpie: Length: 41 cm; Weight: 350 g Similar species: Magpie-lark A large black-and-white songbird in which the adult male has a white hind-neck, rump and shoulder patches, upper tail and under-tail …

06 April 2023 05:37 — Progress report, Waikawa Beach Community Committee April 2023 : I received this report prepared by: Debra Betts Date 5/04/2023: When the Waikawa Beach Community Committee first met on the 17th of July 2022, one of the aims was to keep the community informed of issues relating to beach access. One of the action …

05 April 2023 16:41 — Kororā | Little Blue Penguin : Penguin on the beach. In April 2021 John Hewitson, Chair of the Waikawa Beach Ratepayers Association, was walking along the beach north of the river when he spotted a suspicious looking black lump on the sand. A closer look revealed a penguin …

05 April 2023 14:59 — Pārera | Grey duck : Mallard ducks on left and grey duck on the right. When you look closely at the Strathnaver lakes, Waimarie and Te Puna a te Ora, you discover that not all the birds splashing around there are Mallards. A close look at some of my photos revealed …

05 April 2023 14:44 — Traffic counters on Waikawa Beach Road, April 2023 : Cars stopped across an intersection. Traffic jam at the intersection, SH1 and Waikawa Beach Road, 05 February 2018. Recently a couple of traffic counting cables have appeared on Waikawa Beach Road just outside the blueberry farm. I asked Horowhenua …

05 April 2023 09:46 — 1950-1980 Waikawa Beach history bits : Aerial photo August 1965. Identifier: HDC 00365:2:16. Dated: 07 August 1965. Scale: 3 Chains to 1 inch. Company: Aero Surveys. Negative: 121020. Shows the following features: Waikawa Beach Road, Drake Street, Arthur Street, Manga-Pirau Street. I …

04 April 2023 09:12 — Tōrea | South Island Pied Oystercatcher : We have two kinds of Oystercatcher at Waikawa Beach. The Variable and the Tōrea | South Island pied oystercatcher whose conservation status is Declining: Length: 46 cm; Weight: 550 g Similar species: Variable oystercatcher | Tōrea pango, Chatham …

04 April 2023 08:54 — Spur-winged Plover : The Spur-winged plover is a fairly common sight around the beach, the Strathnaver lakes, Waimarie and Te Puna a te Ora, and in paddocks: Length: 38 cm; Weight: 350 - 370 g A large stocky wader with yellow bill, facial wattles, eye rings and 'spurs' …

03 April 2023 12:59 — Tips about trapping wildlife such as cats : Unknown ginger cat with caught rabbit. Beverley Dowling recently posted some very useful info about trapping problem animals such as cats. Beverley used to live at Waikawa Beach but is now Cat Education and Bylaw Compliance Officer in Whangarei. She …

03 April 2023 08:32 — Tarāpuka | Black-billed gull : Down in the estuary recently was a seemingly lone Tarāpuka | Black-billed gull just standing around in the shallow water. It's extremely similar to the Tarapunga, Red-billed gull: The black-billed gull is more slender than the red-billed gull, with a …

02 April 2023 15:49 — Tīrairaka | New Zealand fantail : This little Tīrairaka | New Zealand fantail (Pīwakawaka) was flitting about down by lake Te Puna a te Ora (The Wellspring of Good Health) at the corner of Strathnaver Drive and Reay Mackay Grove. Length: 16 cm; Weight: 8 g Similar species: Willie …

02 April 2023 14:15 — In Waipū the community is talking about vehicles on beaches : Up in Waipū in Northland the community is talking about vehicles on beaches. They have issues like those at Waikawa Beach: on the one hand a desire to protect bird life and concern about damage to the reserves and sand dunes – needed as a protection …

30 March 2023 08:42 — Groundwater, seawater, septic tanks and saline ingress : Black-billed Gull on the sand in the sea. Some days I stroll down to the beach and look out at the sea. It’s pretty clear really: beach here, sea there. Or so you’d think. It’s not actually that simple — for one thing, the sea …

29 March 2023 16:07 — Stormwater discharge into the Waikawa River : It was interesting to find in a LGOIMA request document (4.7 MB PDF) dated 03 February 2021 the information that at Waikawa Beach: There is one stormwater discharge outfall in Waikawa Beach, which discharges into the Waikawa River (shown in Figure …

29 March 2023 15:52 — Toilet block cost per an LGOIMA request : It's interesting what you stumble across while looking for something completely unrelated. This is the Response - Official Information Request to a query about the toilet block at Hank Edwards Reserve: The public toilet facility at Hank Edwards …

28 March 2023 11:04 — Recreation and the Wilderness. : Recreation and the Wilderness. Little dots: the Dotterels, Ngutuparore | Wrybill spotted 06 March 2023, Ngutuparore | Wrybill.

26 March 2023 12:48 — Pohuehue and stinging nettle help native butterflies : The Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust is concerned most people do not know about the country's native butterflies. Jacqui Knight said Kiwis loved the monarch butterfly, and grew swan plants to encourage them, but our New Zealand butterflies …

26 March 2023 12:45 — Late March 2023 Ōhau roadworks : From NZTA, 26 March 2023: SH1 OHAU Plan ahead for five overnights of multiple STOP/GO sites at Ohau River Bridge starting from TODAY, Sun 26 Mar for resurfacing (Dependent on weather and other factors). ^SG

24 March 2023 15:05 — Ōtaki to Ohau safety improvements work late March 2023 : News today from Waka Kōtahi: Construction is due to begin this weekend on the SH1 Ōtaki to Ohau safety improvement project. This work includes the construction of the new turnaround facility at the existing rest area at the bottom of Forest Lakes …

23 March 2023 10:34 — April 2023 - discussions begin on vehicle access to the beach : You might recall that back in November 2021 Horowhenua District Council received a petition asking for vehicle access to the beach through the pedestrian walkway at #10 Reay Mackay Grove. See details at 2021 Petition on vehicle and horse access to …

23 March 2023 10:09 — Yucca gloriosa flowers in the dunes : A couple of years ago there was one Yucca gloriosa in the dunes between the south track off Reay Mackay Grove and the Waiorongomai Stream. This year there are 3. You can see them as you walk along the track, shining out. Come closer and you can see …

23 March 2023 09:55 — Waikawa Star Viewing 24 March 2023 : A few weeks ago I asked on Facebook if anyone was interested in looking up at the stars with me. Several folks said yes. Looks like Friday 24 March 2023 would be our best bet weather-wise. Sunset these days is around 7.30 pm and we’ll want it …

22 March 2023 15:37 — High tide; driftwood defence : Spinifex and driftwood meet the water's edge by the south track off Reay Mackay Grove. On 22 March 2023 we had a pretty high tide at 3.8 metres just before 11 am. There was a bit of a swell, but hardly any wind — it wasn't a storm. Below are two …

21 March 2023 08:46 — Tauhou | Waxeye : In winter we put out a bird feeder and the Tauhou | Waxeye love it. They're total tiny clowns with a goofy look. Length: 12 cm; Weight: 13 g Similar species: Bellbird | Korimako A small songbird with olive-green upperparts, grey hindneck, neck-sides …

21 March 2023 06:06 — Tara | White-fronted tern : Sometimes we see flocks of Tara | White-fronted tern, like in this photo from 07 May 2022, down by the Waiorongomai Stream. Length: 42 cm; Weight: 160 g Similar species: Common tern, Arctic tern A medium-sized tern, pale grey above and white below, …

20 March 2023 12:37 — It was a long walk to the sea 20,000 years ago : One of the Departmental Chief Science Advisors, Rob Murdoch, talks in this clear 20 minute video about climate change adaptation in NZ. It’s an excellent video and one you should watch — though it seems that we here in Horowhenua will …

15 March 2023 10:30 — Dog poop bag dispensers on Reay Mackay Grove : After some wrangling in 2016, I succeeded in getting the Council to give us rubbish bins at each entrance to the beach off Reay Mackay Grove. At the time, I asked for dog poop bag dispensers as well, but that was a step too far. Eventually though, in …

15 March 2023 04:25 — How to spot Mt Taranaki : Once I figured out how to find Mt Taranaki on the horizon it became quite easy. The mountain is only sometimes visible — best chances are a fine day with clear air and snow on the mountain. Mount Taranaki on 22 November 2017. Zoom lens and …

14 March 2023 14:19 — Velella velella : In October 2017 the winds brought a fresh covering to our beach: millions of small dead blue things that I assumed to be baby Bluebottles. Then, a couple of days later, thanks to Blackstone — a Waikawa Friend, I learned that in fact they are …

13 March 2023 14:04 — Porcupine fish and their gas bladders : A long while back I bumped into neighbours on the beach and they showed me an odd piece of plastic rubbish shaped like a molar that they'd picked up. Except it wasn't plastic — I'd come across one of these before and had spent a while …

11 March 2023 14:55 — Sold: 16 James Street : Sold: 16 James Street. First listed 20 October 2022: For sale: 16 James Street.

11 March 2023 11:46 — In the steps of the Takapu Road moa : When I drive along Waikawa Beach Road I sometimes wonder about those who were there before us. In particular, the blue tsunami line near Takapu Road makes me think of how moa were roaming this area thousands of years ago. Long before Europeans …

11 March 2023 06:19 — HDC Long Term Plan Consultation 2023 : Each year Horowhenua District Council consult on their Long-Term plan. Consultation for 2023 opens 27 March and runs until 1 May. Note, it's been pointed out to me that this consultation is on the Long Term Plan Amendment, which is slightly …

10 March 2023 10:50 — On a clear day you can see 200 Km : When conditions are right, usually in the winter, you can see Ruapehu, to the north along the beach. It's actually about 160 Km away, sometimes covered in snow. Whitebaiter with Ruapehu and bird 31 August 2021. A telephoto lens is a very handy thing. …

10 March 2023 08:32 — Our dark skies are a rare taonga : Step outside on any dark clear night then look up and south. You should be able to see the Clouds of Magellan, two galaxies that orbit our Milky Way galaxy. Magellanic Clouds. Photo by European Southern Observatory (ESO). These and all the other …

10 March 2023 06:22 — Sea Spurge : Toxic pest plant, Sea Spurge. Do NOT touch. In 2021 a dangerous plant called Sea Spurge was found at Waikawa Beach in the dunes north of the river. It has established in an area 10 metres by 10 metres. Do not touch this plant as it is toxic. Sea …

09 March 2023 12:42 — Sand scarab larva : Seen those funny little narrow double tracks on the beach? It's a Sand scarab beetle larva: Pericoptus truncatus is the largest of the New Zealand native scarab beetles. … The larvae, pupae and adults are common amongst the roots of marram grass and …

08 March 2023 12:42 — Ngutuparore | Wrybill spotted 06 March 2023 : As usual, I thought I was watching Dotterels. But as I took photo after photo I came to realise the three birds were in fact Ngutuparore | Wrybill. That curved beak is so distinctive, and they’re more grey and less brown on top. I think there …

08 March 2023 09:30 — Ferret : Ferret in a cage. Photo by Tom Renais, a visitor to Waikawa Beach, and used with permission. Fluffy, and kept as pets by some folks in other countries, the Ferret is a pest animal in Aotearoa New Zealand. Ferrets are small predators and are members …

01 March 2023 13:30 — Road resealing near 178 Waikawa Beach Road : Workers on 01 March 2023 were resealing both sides of the road for a few dozen metres in the vicinity of Numbers 178 and 180 Waikawa Beach Road. That's a little bit west of the Blueberry Farm.

28 February 2023 16:10 — For sale: 7 James Street : For sale: 7 James Street. Enquiries over $545,000. 1 Bed, 1 Bath, 50m² Floor, 822m² Land.

27 February 2023 09:21 — A terrible state of confusion, in 1855 : On 23 January 1855 at about a quarter past nine in the evening a massive earthquake around magnitude 8.2 on the Richter scale struck the Wellington region. It wrecked many buildings, raised the seabed by about 1.5 metres, and lifted up a huge area of …

27 February 2023 09:15 — If the Hikurangi fault ruptures we could be in trouble : In Could Waikawa Beach flood disastrously? I wrote about the possibility of Waikawa Beach suffering a flood and how and whether we should plan for such a possibility. This article from The Spinoff published 27 February 2023 talks about models for a …

25 February 2023 14:06 — Could Waikawa Beach flood disastrously? :

What would we do?

Summary

The worst could happen at Waikawa Beach — we could be flooded and isolated. Here’s why that’s now an actual possibility, even if, with any luck, remote, and some questions that arise.

What can you contribute in …

24 February 2023 17:30 — Cuppa with a Councillor : Next date: Thursday, March 09, 2023 | 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM Join us for a cuppa and a chat about local topics that matter to you. We’ll be boiling the kettle for anyone who wants to come along and discuss Council-related topics that are important to …

24 February 2023 17:26 — Community Grants and Funding applications close 12 March 2023 : Do you need funding for your community organisation or a programme, project or event that will benefit and enrich the lives of our community? If you’re a Horowhenua-based not-for-profit or voluntary organisation, get your application in before …

24 February 2023 08:01 — How might slower and wetter storms affect Waikawa Beach? : Originally published on the now defunct Love Waikawa Beach website, 07 June 2018. The globe’s hurricanes have seen a striking slowdown in their speed of movement across landscapes and seascapes over the past 65 years, a finding that suggests rising …

23 February 2023 08:38 — Bike stands update, February 2023 : The HDC gave us bike stands by the footbridge in June 2022. They’ve been well-used over the summer. However, the Roading Manager at the time promised road markings to make it clear to cars where not to park by the bike stands, and also further …

22 February 2023 08:25 — Don't gather kai moana after storms : A reminder from Ministry for Primary Industries: Collecting kai moana Avoid collecting live seafood from the ocean straight after any large-storm events due to the increased risk of contamination from stormwater runoff or overflows from sewerage …

21 February 2023 13:26 — A big shake on 15 February 2023 : Waikawa Beach was very lucky indeed this month as while others suffered extreme hardship with Cyclone Gabrielle we got off with an unremarkable rainy, windy day. On 15 February 2023 though Nature decided to remind us not to be too complacent with a …

19 February 2023 16:54 — Like to join us to look at stars in late March 2023? : Who here enjoys looking up at the stars occasionally? Thinking of organising a little casual stargazing hour for maybe around Friday 24 or Saturday 25 March (just after equinox). Probably around 8.30 pm when it’s actually dark. Naked eye or …

09 February 2023 10:58 — HRC want to know where the freshwater mussels are : Horizons Regional Council are trying to find where freshwater mussels live. Let them know if you've found them in the Waikawa River or other spots around here. Help wanted in the hunt for hidden kākahi: Horizons Regional Council is on the hunt for …

30 January 2023 12:15 — The Strathnaver Bittern : Matuku-hūrepo | Australasian bittern are severely threatened, facing an immediate high risk of extinction, and yet today [30 January 2023] one was strolling around in the vicinity of 171 Strathnaver Drive, a breeding area. These birds stay hidden so …

29 January 2023 17:19 — HDC have sought expressions of interest for a new beach access : Update: after some reflection I suspect the expressions of interest were to hire someone to run consultation meetings. Horowhenua District Council are having an ordinary Meeting on 01 February 2023. Interesting to note these two report items in the …

26 January 2023 15:08 — New water safety signs installed : I noticed today two similar but different water safety signs Horizons Regional Council have put up. One at the footbridge has advice about swimming in estuaries. The other was by the south track to the beach off Reay Mackay Grove and has advice about …

26 January 2023 14:54 — Strathnaver Drive street sign replaced : A recent visitor drew my attention to the broken street sign at the intersection of Sarah Street and Strathnaver Drive. I reported it to Horowhenua District Council and the sign has now been replaced. Unfortunately a rather large tree on the berm …

26 January 2023 11:04 — Balanced beaches: birds, babies, bikes, boats : Our community is in for a big discussion soon about vehicle access to Waikawa Beach. The article below is longer than usual but covers quite a bit: what the law says, what different Councils allow, some of the concerns. The article is intended to …

24 January 2023 14:35 — Toilet block closed for repair, 24 January 2023 : Update, Wednesday 25 January 2023: the toilet block has been reopened. Unfortunately sometime overnight thieves broke into the toilet block at Hank Edwards Reserve, stole crucial plumbing items and damaged the main power supply. This means the …

23 January 2023 18:03 — Articles about vehicles causing problems on beaches : These news articles below have recently come to my attention. Three of them were published in the last few weeks. We may have had a problem here at Waikawa Beach when in January 2023 two lads in a dune buggy type vehicle were harassing a Pied Stilt …

22 January 2023 11:55 — Spinifex to rebuild the beach : On Sunday 22 January 2023 about a dozen people gathered to plant another 200 or so spinifex plants provided by the Horowhenua District Council. There’s an intensive effort going on to protect the area between the Miratana Track at the end of Manga …

22 January 2023 11:28 — Stick insect, January 2023 : The first stick insect of the season has set itself up inside the open window but on the outside of the insect screen.

22 January 2023 07:12 — We’re all moving east round here : We’re moving east — about 4 cm so far this year. That’s thanks to a slow-slip earthquake on the Hikurangi subduction plate boundary offshore the North Island’s east coast. We tend to think of earthquakes as short sharp shocks, but: slow slip events …

20 January 2023 16:37 — Learn about the Ō2NL Expressway : On Saturday 28 January 2023, Waka Kotahi are hosting presentations from technical specialists about the upcoming Ōtaki to North of Levin Expressway discussing: The RMA consents process Design of the proposed road, including local road connections …

09 January 2023 18:34 — Watch out for baby Oystercatchers : That area between the two ends of the north track off Reay Mackay Grove, where all the new dunes are growing, is a very special spot. Pied stilts recently produced 3 chicks there. At the moment 3 pairs of Oystercatchers are nesting, with one chick …

06 January 2023 09:43 — A Pod of Orca off Waikawa Beach : Back in March 2022 we had Dolphins just off Waikawa Beach, now a local reports on Facebook: Went for a swim about 1/2 hr ago [04 January 2023] and saw a pod of 3 Orca go past Swimming north,awesome to see. No photos, unfortunately.

29 December 2022 12:47 — Miratana track mulched for summer : A thin layer of mulch has been added to the Miratana Track off Manga Pirau Street, presumably to help stabilise the sand and give better purchase for vehicles.

29 December 2022 12:41 — Recycling Station in place for December 2022 : The Recycling Station has been placed in Hank Edwards Reserve again for a few weeks. After a few days some segments have already filled up! This year a sign has been added to try to relieve the noise disturbance to those who live nearby: RECYLING …

20 December 2022 10:27 — Peka Peka to Ōtaki Expressway opens 23 December 2022 : Waka Kotahi have finally said: The Peka Peka to Ōtaki Expressway will be fully open to traffic on Friday this week, 23 December [2022]! It’ll help alleviate holiday queues and delays on SH1. Of course, now northbound traffic will bunch up …

16 December 2022 18:51 — Traffic jams, speed limits and a new Expressway : The summer holidays are just about upon us and this year it’s all about the roads. Traffic jams as usual? Waka Kotahi have produced their usual traffic forecast for the peak Christmas period — visit Summer holidays 2022: The times shown are …

16 December 2022 14:32 — Beach Comparison Photos from the North Track, late 2022 : A panorama view of the area between the river mouth and North Track, showing spinifex planting in progress. [Note: links below are temporarily broken] It’s so heartening to see the incipient dunes flourishing south of the river mouth. Birds …

15 December 2022 08:47 — Sold: 4 Sand Dune Grove : Listed around 13 October 2022 this property has now sold. That’s around 8 weeks on the market.

08 December 2022 15:21 — Horowhenua property values up by 52% since 2019 : Newly-released rating revaluations for the Horowhenua District are now available and have revealed a total capital value of $15 billion, a 52.8% increase since 2019. Source: New rateable valuations for properties available, December 08, 2022. Search …

07 December 2022 18:15 — Toilet block official opening 3 pm Saturday 17 December 2022 : The fence is gone, the doors are open: the toilet block at Hank Edwards Reserve is finally open for use. Next comes the Official Opening, at 3 pm on Saturday 17 December 2022. You’re all invited! Stephan Titze, HDC Parks and Property Project Lead | …

06 December 2022 19:12 — Our Class 2 Dark Sky : Map showing Waikawa Beach has Class 2 dark sky. Thanks to the global Light pollution map I now know the sky at Waikawa Beach is almost as dark as it can get, at Class 2. On a clear night we can see the Clouds of Magellan with the naked eye. …

06 December 2022 18:43 — Beach newcomer: a Ruddy Turnstone : The other morning on the beach by Waiorongomai Stream I spotted a group of Kuaka Godwit doing their thing then realised one bird looked quite different. I believe this is a Ruddy turnstone — I haven’t spotted them around here before. …

06 December 2022 15:25 — Take care for the Pied Stilt chicks : Very small baby bird sitting on beach. Photo by Corne Ferreira and used with permission. These baby birds are so hard to see they’re at huge risk of being trampled, run over or grabbed by a dog. Back in early November 2022 I almost stepped on …

02 December 2022 15:04 — Release of bud-galling wasp permitted : The invasive pest plant Acacia longifolia, more commonly called Sydney golden wattle, is a problem on our coastline. Back in December 2021 Horowhenua District Council advised that they would remove various of these trees from around the village and …

02 December 2022 14:41 — New Tsunami Safe Zone marking : A new Tsunami Safe Zone road marking, a blue line, has been painted near the intersection of Waikawa Beach Road with Takapu Road. This is about 1 Km closer to SH1 than the previous line that was painted back in August 2017. The new line looks a lot …

30 November 2022 13:31 — Higgins clear stormwater drains, November 2022 : It was good to spot a Higgins truck today, with a worker pumping out stormwater drains.

28 November 2022 19:17 — Should we have the summer recycling station? : Are you visiting, or living in, Waikawa Beach this summer? [Council] provide a temporary recycling station at Hank Edwards Reserve during the summer period (mid-December to early January) to ensure holiday-makers have a place to take their …

28 November 2022 13:07 — Distance Riding event 03 December 2022 : The annual Distance Riding New Zealand DRNZ horse event will be on Saturday 03 December 2022. There will be horses on the beach between 11 am and 3.30 pm. Source: Kezna Cameron

27 November 2022 15:24 — Pīpīwharauroa | Shining cuckoo heard at Waikawa Beach, November 2022 : Photo by Daniel Anderson. I’ve never yet seen a Pīpīwharauroa, Shining cuckoo but have recently heard one near the lakes in Strathnaver. I’m keeping my eyes peeled. These birds have the most annoying call. Visit the link above and listen …

27 November 2022 13:18 — Vehicle and horse access to Waikawa Beach, update November 2022 : Vehicle and horse access to Waikawa Beach, update November 2022 In November 2021 Horowhenua District Council received a petition about access for vehicles and horses to Waikawa Beach. See 2021 Petition on vehicle and horse access to Waikawa Beach for …

27 November 2022 11:36 — 2021 Petition on vehicle and horse access to Waikawa Beach : Screenshot of the petition text. First published 30 November 2021: Today the WBRA received a couple of emails from Arthur Nelson, Property and Parks Manager • Tumu Rawa, Papa Rēhia, Horowhenua District Council about a petition they have received on …

26 November 2022 13:24 — Toilet block effectively finished, 25 November 2022 : As at 25 November 2022 the new toilet block is effectively finished. No photos of the outside this time as there are no noticeable changes since last week. But this time we have views of the interiors, the BBQ area and the outdoor showers. There’s …

26 November 2022 13:22 — Watch for high E. Coli levels in the Waikawa River : Avoid going in the Waikawa River after heavy rain. The most recent swim spot monitoring result was Red at 21 November 2022, with an E. Coli level of 683. Horizons Regional Council’s swim spot monitoring results have shown many river and beach sites …

21 November 2022 19:25 — Toilet block update to 19 November 2022 : The toilet block is clearly very close to completion. New this week: a Solatube style light on the Reserve side of the building; outdoor showers, drinking fountain and dog water bowl, concrete ramp, rubbish bin by the BBQ area, all the planter boxes …

18 November 2022 12:47 — Help plant a bit more spinifex 26 November 2022 : Craig Kidd, Parks and Property Officer | Āpiha Papa Rēhia, Rawa has asked for some help planting a bit more spinifex — this time across the front of the Miratana block on Saturday 26 November 2022 at 9.00am. Update: postponed to 03 December 2022. He …

13 November 2022 08:57 — Community picnic in November 2022 was a success : After much debate thanks to rainy weather, the organisers decided the forecast was good enough to go ahead with the community picnic on Saturday 12 November 2022. We were lucky that it stayed dry and warm between 4 and 6 pm. Around 40 or 50 people …

13 November 2022 08:19 — Toilet block update to 12 November 2022 : There have been a lot of contractors on site and the toilet block is getting ever closer to completion. The building has been painted blue, a bench seat installed out front, the BBQ is in place, some planter boxes have been installed and more …

13 November 2022 07:58 — Sold: 26 Manga Pirau Street : Listed around 07 October 2022, For sale: 26 Manga Pirau Street, this property has now sold. That was around 5 weeks on the market.

06 November 2022 18:52 — Experimental Spinifex planted between Miratana track and the Groyne : When we had our Spinifex planting event a few weeks ago the folks from Horowhenua District Council said they wanted to try planting a few rows of spinifex between the Miratana track and the groyne. That area is very exposed to the west, and of …

06 November 2022 18:31 — Toilet block update to 06 November 2022 : This week there are a bunch of very noticeable changes to the toilet block. It has been painted a pale blue, there are doors in place, the pump housing has been put in place and there are picnic tables at the BBQ end. The concrete path and ramp …

05 November 2022 07:41 — For sale: 42 Sarah Street : For sale: 42 Sarah Street. Enquiries over $550,000. 1 Bed; 1 Bath; 79m² Floor; 936m² Land; 3 Off-street parking. RV: $385,000.

03 November 2022 09:29 — Toilet Block update to 01 November 2022 : There has been no update since 08 October 2022 because almost all the work is being done inside, where I can’t really get photos or see what’s happening. A large box has appeared at the BBQ end. This probably houses the pump. Inside, the walls …

03 November 2022 08:35 — Under Contract: 664 Waikawa Beach Road : Listed on 03 October 2022, with a deadline sale at 27 October 2022, 664 Waikawa Beach Road is Under Contract.

28 October 2022 10:47 — Lunar eclipse 08 November 2022 : Let’s hope for clear skies on 08 November 2022 as we’ll be able to watch a Total Lunar Eclipse: Partial begins: Nov 8 at 10:09:12 pm Full begins: 8 Nov at 11:16:39 pm Maximum: 8 Nov at 11:59:11 pm

20 October 2022 17:56 — Proposed safety improvements on SH1 between Ōtaki and Levin : Median barriers, painted wide centrelines, and side barriers are to be installed between Ōtaki and Levin in the interests of road safety. Whatever the timeline, this is bound to lead to delays in travel as work is done. According to the Waka Kotahi …

20 October 2022 17:44 — For sale: 16 James Street : For sale: 16 James Street, 1 Bed; 1 Bath; 60 m² floor; 812 m² Land. Enquiries over $650,000.

17 October 2022 15:04 — Sold: 8 Norna Grove : Listed back in September 2022, 8 Norna Grove has now been sold.

16 October 2022 15:47 — Vehicle traffic erodes a beach : One line in a recent Ōtaki Mail article caught my eye — it’s the emphasised part below: The Otaki Community Board … accepted a petition signed by 35 people asking Greater Wellington Council to expedite construction of a seaward extension bank …

15 October 2022 16:10 — Sold: 58 Manga Pirau Street : Listed back in February 2022, and relisted in July 2022, 58 Manga Pirau Street has now been sold.

15 October 2022 16:04 — Waikawa Glen olive oil wins Best in Show 2022 : The Blueberry Farm on Waikawa Beach Road is also home to award winning olive oil production. The 2022 Awards had 152 entries, but Waikawa Glen, owned by Lisa Buchan and Glenn Wigley won both the commercial intense blends Best in Class and the Best in …

13 October 2022 05:52 — For sale: 4 Sand Dune Grove : For sale: 4 Sand Dune Grove. To be sold by deadline sale (by 30 November 2022). 2 Beds; 1 Bath; 1 Living area; 96m² Floor; 838m² Land. Other Features; 2 Garage parking; 2 Off-street parking. Rateable value (RV): $450,000.

12 October 2022 12:43 — The disappearing land at Waikawa Beach : [Ropata Miratana] said there had been a lot of Māori land at Waikawa Beach but since 1900 it had disappeared. The article Iwi still flying the flag seeking justice and redress over land loss | Stuff.co.nz from 11 October 2022 has important …

12 October 2022 10:39 — Normal-elevated risk of a cyclone in 2022-23 season : A fence that used to mark the border of a property hangs uselessly from the eroded dunes. February 2018, ex-Tropical Cyclone Gita scoured away metres of dunes near the Miratana track off Manga Pirau Street. It was February 2018 when ex-Tropical …

11 October 2022 11:00 — Spinifex planting October 2022 : John Hewitson (centre) plants, next to Heather from HDC and another man. On 08 October 2022 a group of about 35 volunteers planted some 3,500 Spinifex and Pīngao plants along the Waikawa Beach frontage. In about 2.5 hours they covered an area that’s …

11 October 2022 06:23 — Toilet block update 08 October 2022 : This week the air vent cowls have been added, and work is going on inside the toilet block. After chatting with Stephan Titze, the project manager, I learned that once work is complete HDC need to wait for a Certificate To Occupy (CTO) before the …

08 October 2022 14:30 — Horizons Regional Council election results (progressive) : Based on 95% of the votes, Horizons Regional Council have provided a Progressive result in the election of Councillors for 2022. HOROWHENUA CONSTITUENCY (two members) EMMA CLARKE: 5,887 Sam FERGUSON: 5,417 Donald HAYES: 3,494 Update, 17 October …

08 October 2022 14:03 — Horowhenua District Council election results (progress) : The Progress results for Horowhenua District Council elections are available. The progress result for the Horowhenua District Council elections held on Saturday 8th October [2022] is as follows. Bernie Wanden has been re-elected as Mayor. Rogan …

07 October 2022 12:42 — Waikawa Beach picnic 12 November 2022 : Hi Waikawa Beach people! It’s about time we had a community get together. Come and meet your neighbours. Saturday 12 November 2022 at the twin lakes, corner of Strathnaver Drive and Reay Mackay Grove. 4 pm to 6 pm. Bring along some food to share and …

07 October 2022 09:56 — For sale: 26 Manga Pirau Street : To be sold by deadline sale (by 3 November 2022); 2 Beds; 1 Bath; 63m² Floor; 953m² Land.

03 October 2022 18:18 — Toilet block progress to Saturday 01 October 2022 : This week we can see some translucent panels on the BBQ end. Work continues on the roof and window areas.

03 October 2022 16:39 — For sale: 664 Waikawa Beach Road : For sale 664 Waikawa Beach Road: To be sold by auction on 27 Oct 2022, 12:00 pm; 877m² Land. This established 877m2 section has a house that is beyond repair.

02 October 2022 12:03 — The Kuaka return : Excited to see on my beach walk this morning that the first Kuaka (Godwits) have returned from their sojourn in the Arctic.

29 September 2022 10:55 — Spinifex planting 08 October 2022 at 9.00 : Spinifex planting confirmed: 08 October 2022, start at 9.00 and meet at 10 Reay Mackay Grove or out from last year’s planting. Please come and plant a few plants if you can. Bring friends and whānau.

26 September 2022 13:16 — Toilet block progress to 23 September 2022 : The roof is on the toilet block, and framing is in place for two roof vents for the toilet on the Hank Edwards Reserve side of the block. That room will also have a Solatube to bring in daylight as there are no windows on that side of the building. …

18 September 2022 12:28 — Toilet block commentary 17 September 2022 : Facility Under Construction poster. I emailed Stephan Titze, Horowhenua District Council Parks and Property Project Lead | Kaihautū Kaupapa Papa Rēhia, Rawa, for an update about the toilet block progress. Here’s his reply below. In brief: work …

18 September 2022 12:01 — Waiorongomai Stream mouth cleared : A couple of years ago a local resident contacted Wellington Regional Council about the driftwood log jam and the 'bamboo' that together clogged the Waiorongomai Stream mouth. That jam affected free flow of the stream and impeded passage of eels. …

16 September 2022 17:54 — September storms have cut off vehicle access again : Fierce winds in mid-September 2022, along with high tides at full moon have again created a drop at the end of the Miratana track to the beach. A chain has been put across the entrance, with a warning sign.

16 September 2022 16:15 — Toilet block progress to 16 September 2022 : Part of the structure is being painted. Most noticeable this week is the painting and further progress on the roof. It also seems the floor inside the toilet block itself may have the additional concrete that’s needed to build it up.

16 September 2022 16:01 — Vehicle access restored 16 September 2022 : Swift action has restored the vehicle access to the beach through the Miratana Track. Sand has been moved to rebuild to eroded bottom end of the track, extra driftwood has been brought in to help protect the sand, and posts have been sunk, with wire …

16 September 2022 15:48 — Waikawa Beach Community Committee September 2022 Progress report : When the Waikawa Beach Community Committee first met on the 17th of July 2022 several action points were made and reported in the minutes. It seems timely to report on the follow up to these as below. Action points from the Waikawa Beach Community …

16 September 2022 09:25 — Limax maximus slug : Slug next to my hand - it’s much longer than my little finger. When I moved a plank by the quail run one day I found this huge (~9cm) slug. It’s apparently a Limax maximus, or tiger slug: Limax maximus is the largest slug introduced to New …

16 September 2022 09:02 — Waikawa Beach house prices fell 9.3% in July 2022 : According to CoreLogic data, house price falls gathered pace in July 2022, with prices down in over 80% of suburbs nationwide. Waikawa Beach, a small town in Manawatū-Whanganui, had the largest fall with prices down 9.3% to $703,500. In dollar …

15 September 2022 17:22 — For sale: 8 Norna Grove : For sale: 8 Norna Grove. Section: 824 m2; house: 130 m2; 3 bedrooms;1 bathroom; 1 garage space; 2 parking spaces. Deadline Treaty 03 Nov 2022 (Unless Sold Prior).

15 September 2022 17:14 — Sold: 63 Manga Pirau Street : Listed back in July 2022, 63 Manga Pirau Street has now been sold.

15 September 2022 16:33 — Sea-level rise around Aotearoa New Zealand is speeding up : After exceedingly high rainfall this cabbage tree, usually metres away from the edge of a lake on Reay Mackay Grove, is swamped. The groundwater level is very high. Sea-level rise around Aotearoa New Zealand is speeding up, according to Stats NZ. …

13 September 2022 14:01 — Toilet Block Progress to 10 September 2022 : The toilet block now has a roof.

13 September 2022 10:43 — 2022 Local Government Elections : Last night I attended a Meet the Candidates evening for those locals aspiring to represent the General Roll in the 2022 local Government elections. Our next local government election is on Saturday 8 October 2022. The elections are held every three …

26 August 2022 12:29 — Toilet block progress to 26 August 2022 : When I was chatting with the builders a couple of days ago they told me there have been 53 rain days since the upgrade project started. Not only are those conditions unpleasant to work in, but the risk of damage to crucial and expensive tools is a …

25 August 2022 14:55 — The bud-galling wasp may be on its way here : The bud-galling wasp (Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae) has been shown to help prevent the seed production of Sydney golden wattle. Photo: CBG Photography Group, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics. Apparently Waikawa Beach lies at the southern end of …

24 August 2022 16:48 — Toilet block progress to 20 August 2022 : In spite of ongoing wet weather, roof trusses continue to be worked on. The builders told me there have been more than 50 rain days since work on the project began.

24 August 2022 16:30 — Little Black Shag and Pied Shag : In August 2022 Marion Cherry posted a photo on Facebook that showed clearly the size difference between a Little black shag | Kawau tūī and a Pied shag | Kāruhiruhi. The Little Black Shag’s size is: ‘Length: 61 cm; Weight: 800 …

21 August 2022 13:20 — Boom: Beware Bitterns breeding! : Bittern crossing Strathnaver Drive in February 2023. Photo by Photo by Miraz Jordan. A local resident told me recently she’d spotted a Bittern on one Strathnaver wetland, one of 3 areas in Strathnaver where the very rare Bitterns are known to …

18 August 2022 13:49 — SH1 Ōtaki to Levin safety improvements out for tender : From the Ōtaki to north of Levin project update – August 2022: Following confirmation of funding, the tender process is currently underway for construction of the safety improvements on SH1 between Ōtaki and Levin. This includes wide centrelines, …

16 August 2022 19:15 — Kererū at the beach : Kereru on a flax spear. Photo by Miraz Jordan. First time ever I’ve seen a Kererū at Waikawa Beach. They do live in Manakau 4 Km away (as the bird flies) but have never been down here before as far as I know. Length: 50 cm; Weight: 630 g …

16 August 2022 18:56 — Toilet block progress to 13 August 2022 : Roof structures were the key activity this week. (Photos from a super frosty morning.)

08 August 2022 17:58 — An excessive amount of water : As at 08 August 2022 we’ve had about the same amount of rain as in all of 2021, and it shows. Paddocks have new ponds, the lakes on Reay Mackay Grove are starting to consume the trees and bushes around them, and the good old Strathnaver puddle …

08 August 2022 10:55 — Miratana beach track update, August 2022 : Driftwood plays an important role in protecting and building up the beach. Enterprising members of the Beach Access Working Group recently added driftwood reinforcements to the beach end of the access track through Miratana land. With any luck the …

08 August 2022 10:25 — Toilet block progress to 07 August 2022 : The roof on the toilet block is coming along, with the workers even there on Saturday 06 August 2022. As mentioned in Toilet block progress and roundup as at 20 June 2022 completion was expected by end of August 2022. It’s looking as though …

02 August 2022 10:35 — More bike stands for Waikawa Beach : Carolyn Copeland, Roading Projects Team Leader responded to an email from a resident, that asked for: a bike stand at the Reay Mackay end of Waikawa Beach. This request comes in the wake of your authorising a stand for the village end, which is a …

01 August 2022 20:09 — Toilet block update as at 31 July 2022 : In the last couple of weeks the BBQ end of the block is really taking shape, with beams for the roof. Photos, as usual, have been edited to remove graffiti. We’ve had so much rain lately and water has pooled on the new concrete rather than …

25 July 2022 18:30 — Lake Puna-O-Te-Ora and its birds : Map, naming the lakes on Reay Mackay Grove. Most people know there are two small lakes at the corner of Strathnaver Drive and Reay Mackay Grove. The lakes are a haven for birdlife (and anyone who wants a quiet few moments for reflection) and attract …

25 July 2022 15:01 — 2022 spinifex planting plans : Craig Kidd, HDC Parks and Property Officer | Āpiha Papa Rēhia, Rawa advised us about planned Spinifex planting at Waikawa Beach for 2022: We are looking at 3500 - 4500 Plants for Waikawa Beach. There are no issues with planting Spinifex along the …

25 July 2022 08:18 — Life in the Shallows book : Book cover: Life in the Shallows The wetlands of Aotearoa New Zealand. I recently became aware of a new publication — Life in the Shallows The wetlands of Aotearoa New Zealand by Karen Denyer and Monica Peters: Featuring wetlands to visit all …

21 July 2022 12:09 — Orange tsunami risk for us beach dwellers : The Government has created a nationwide tsunami evacuation map. It’s not surprising that if we plug in a Waikawa Beach address we show up as being in the Orange zone or maybe the Yellow zone. Note though that the beach north of the river mouth …

21 July 2022 09:38 — Beach Access Working Group update 21 July 2022 : A few brief points of interest from the full Beach Access Working Group Meeting Minutes 17 July 2022 on Facebook: At the last meeting several members were tasked with finding out more information from council and others. … current beach access. …

21 July 2022 07:15 — How a Septic System Works : Like most or all properties at Waikawa Beach we have a septic tank. Waste water disappears into it and that’s that (except for getting it regularly serviced, and triggering the pump manually if it gets stuck). In sand: a bunch of black domes, …

21 July 2022 05:29 — Relisted: 58 Manga Pirau Street : Back on the market: 58 Manga Pirau Street: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 176 m2 floor, 985 m2 Land. Enquiries over $975,000. Previously listed 01 February 2022: Sell: 58 Manga Pirau Street.

20 July 2022 12:20 — Track for vehicles smoothed 20 July 2022 : On 20 July 2022 the Horowhenua District Council sent a digger to smooth out the track through the Miratana land at the end of Manga Pirau Street. Now those who want to get their vehicles onto the beach will be able to drive down. The concrete blocks …

18 July 2022 15:18 — 2015 report on water quality in the Waikawa Stream : In 2015 Horizons Regional Council produced a report on water quality in the Waikawa Stream: "Waikawa Stream and Manakau Stream Faecal Source Tracking Report”, August 2015, Horizons Report 2015/EXT/1460, authored by Michael Patterson, Research …

18 July 2022 10:03 — Toilet block progress to 15 July 2022 : Progress in the last week has been mainly about increasing the height of the walls, and some extra concreting. Next up should be development of the roof and internal walls.

18 July 2022 08:09 — For Sale: 22 Kristin Place : For Sale: 22 Kristin Place. Enquiries over $1,100,000. Details: 3 Beds; 2 Baths; 124m² Floor; 7721m² Land. Listed: 16 July 2022.

14 July 2022 15:50 — Whitebaiting season 2022 : In the past whitebaiting has begun on 15 August, however this year the law has changed. From the Summary of whitebait fishing regulations we learn that the season is: All of New Zealand except Chatham Islands: 1 September to 30 October inclusive. …

13 July 2022 18:50 — A foaming high tide, 13 July 2022 : It's winter so lots of rain, gales, high tides and big swells out in the open sea are only to be expected. On 13 July 2022 a quick tour to all the beach entrances at high tide showed a full bay, with water right up to the dunes. Along the coast near …

12 July 2022 15:48 — River nutrient study update, July 2022 : On 04 April 2022 I wrote River nutrient study. Recently I followed up about results. David Brown, with a Horizons Regional Council email address, replied: Sorry for the delay getting back to you, I had been trying to find out some more information. …

12 July 2022 15:30 — Sparrow and dunnock – which is which? : The dunnock is the one on the left and the house sparrow on the right One of the emails I received from The NZ Garden Bird Survey team around the time of the 2022 Survey had handy info about Dunnocks and Sparrows: We’re not sure if this is …

12 July 2022 15:01 — Beach access Working Group : Diggers work with piles of sand on the beach in June 2018. A post on Facebook on 15 June 2022 by Debra Betts advised: At a recent meeting of the Waikawa Beach Ratepayers Association it was discussed that it would be useful to form a community group …

12 July 2022 14:51 — Confirmation of community consultation around beach access : Screenshot from HDC budget with $300,000 for new vehicle access. Re: Recent query regarding new vehicle access to Waikawa Beach Thank you for your e-mail of 23 June 2022 and your patience in the matter. Council is fully aware of the competing views …

12 July 2022 14:24 — Manga Pirau Street beach access update 12 July 2022 : Information today from Craig Kidd, Parks and Property Officer | Āpiha Papa Rēhia, Rawa of Horowhenua District Council: We were looking at rebuilding the beach access for pedestrians and vehicles and have asked contractors to delay this work until …

08 July 2022 16:23 — Two properties sold, 61 Manga Pirau Street new to market, July 2022 : The property market at Waikawa Beach stagnated in the first half of 2022. However in the last couple of weeks both 40 Manga Pirau Street and 686 Waikawa Beach Road have finally sold after about 4 or 5 months on the market. Meanwhile 61–63 Manga …

08 July 2022 15:36 — Why are there two high tides per day? : An excellent 8 minute video by Dr Becky Smethurst, astrophysicist, explains how the Sun, Moon and Earth contribute to the tides: We all learn that the tides are caused by the Moon pulling on the Earth’s oceans. So how come there’s two …

08 July 2022 09:41 — Toilet block progress as at 08 July 2022 : In the last two weeks there has been visible progress on the toilet block. Extra bricks have been added to the walls and framing for doorways has been installed. Several photos have been doctored to remove annoying graffiti. It’s really …

29 June 2022 12:08 — Stoats are savage pests : Like everywhere else in the country we have our share of pests. One to watch out for is the stoat. Some folks have had success trapping them. When I’ve spotted stoats they’ve looked very handsome. Unfortunately they’re killers. I …

26 June 2022 06:46 — June is gossamer month : Kezna Cameron let me know about something that happens in June — a Gossamer Event: where spiders coat our wet land in cobwebs This is when thousands of young spiderlings climb the stalks of plants to play out silk that is caught by the breeze. This …

26 June 2022 06:33 — NZ Garden Bird Survey 2022 : 25 June to 03 July 2022 is the week for the Garden Bird Survey. Why do we do the survey in winter? Aren’t birds less likely to be seen? And besides which, it’s freezing! Birds are active all year round, but in winter, when wild food is more scarce, …

26 June 2022 06:19 — Toilet block progress as at 25 June 2022 : Concrete floor for the BBQ area. This week the concrete floor was laid in the BBQ and shower areas. The other end doesn't seem to have changed.

26 June 2022 06:15 — Pedestrian access through Manga Pirau Street beach entrance : There had been some complaints that the concrete blocks across the Manga Pirau Street beach access were placed in a way that pedestrians couldn’t get through. They’ve now been shifted around a bit and people can walk through a gap …

20 June 2022 13:49 — Toilet block progress and roundup as at 20 June 2022 : In response to a query about progress on the toilet block, Stephan Titze, Parks and Property Project Lead at Horowhenua District Council has advised: As you have noticed we had several delays in the construction process which had various reasons. …

16 June 2022 07:22 — The Strathnaver streams : An interesting thing about the Electra Outages site is their map of Waikawa Beach, which shows us the streams and drainage ditches in the area. [Note, 05 June 2023: it seems the map has changed and no longer shows the streams and ditches.] …

15 June 2022 18:29 — Vehicle beach access cut off mid-June 2022 : 50 cm drop-off at vehicle access to beach. The storms this month have again changed the course of the river. Again it has pushed up against the end of the vehicle track from Manga Pirau Street and created a 50 cm or more drop-off. Then there are …

15 June 2022 18:06 — Power off again 15 June 2022 : Power went out again on Wednesday 15 June 2022 at around 0925 am. Luckily it came back less than an hour later at around 1015. Check the Get your household ready for an emergency — Get Ready — Emergency preparedness in New Zealand website for help …

14 June 2022 19:44 — June 2022 storm effects : The bay is full, 2 hours after high tide. Well, we are in winter, after all. The first couple of weeks of June 2022 have been all about the weather. We’ve had gales (one gust even 97 Kph, back from the beach), a 6 metre swell in the open sea …

14 June 2022 12:53 — Power out almost 19 hours 13 to 14 June 2022 : After days of severe thunderstorms rolling through every few hours, on the afternoon of Monday 13 June 2022 at around 3.30 there was a huge lightning flash, an enormous roll of thunder right overhead and the power went off. There were a couple of …

14 June 2022 11:45 — Toilet block progress to 10 June 2022 : The focus in this stormy week has been on getting ready for concrete. Note: the high seas (6 metre open sea swell), high tide, high river on 13 June 2022 flooded the bottom end of Hank Edwards Reserve. The water came right up to the fence around …

05 June 2022 13:07 — Storms brought driftwood, large and small : The storms at the end of May 2022 ate away at the Manga Pirau Street beach entrance again, causing a 40 cm drop-off into driftwood. And they brought driftwood, large and small high onto the beach. It reached as far as the blue post at the beach end …

05 June 2022 12:57 — Bike stand by footbridge complete : At the end of May 2022 the final work was done on the bike stand by the footbridge. Carolyn Copeland, Roading Projects Team Leader says: There is a wheel stop behind the racks, to prevent cars driving into the back of them Nice to see this support …

05 June 2022 12:51 — Toilet block update to 03 June 2022 : Work during a very rainy week seems to have focused on preparing for concreting, and also putting up the roof over the BBQ area. Some photos have been edited to remove juvenile graffiti.

05 June 2022 12:40 — Manga Pirau Street beach entrance eroded again : After the storms and high tides in the latter part of May 2022, the Manga Pirau Street beach entrance has a drop of about 40 cm and the beach below is covered in driftwood. Photos as at 03 June 2022. Waikawa Beach resident and Facebook group admin, …

03 June 2022 18:48 — Sarah Street burglary, 30 May 2022 : According to the Horowhenua Neighbourhood Support Newsletter 3rd June 2022, there was a Burglary in Sarah St (20–50) on 30/5/2022. This is the regular reminder to lock up your stuff and to join with neighbours in keeping a look out for people …

03 June 2022 18:42 — Glass Recycling starts up again from 13 June 2022 : Note: our next relevant recycling date is Monday 20 June 2022. A press release from Horowhenua District Council says: Kerbside Glass Recycling to recommence: Kerbside glass recycling will recommence on Monday 13 June [2022]. There will be no changes …

30 May 2022 15:52 — New bike stands by footbridge 30 May 2022 : On the Monday of a week where solid rain is forecast, the new bike stands by the footbridge have been installed, though they’re still roped off. They provide parking for 8 bikes so people will no longer have to pile up bikes against a fence. …

27 May 2022 10:44 — Kāpiti coastal hazard information : Kāpiti Coast District Council have just released (May 2022) a pile of Coastal science information. They say: We asked independent consultancy Jacobs New Zealand Limited to assess our district for coastal hazards, from Ōtaki in the north to …

26 May 2022 10:07 — Swell Warnings explained! : Wellington Region Emergency Management Office says: Swell Warnings explained! 🌊 For those of you who have seen the swell warnings come out and are wanted to know a bit more about how these work - take a look at this great explainer video put …

23 May 2022 20:44 — Bike stands arrive soon : The Horowhenua District Council have bike stands for us, at last. There was a supply chain delay, as is so common these days, but finally they are about to be installed. One stand will go by the footbridge, and that area of the road has been marked …

23 May 2022 20:26 — Black Swans and their cygnets : Back on the 4th of May 2022 I spotted 'our' two black swans on the lake at the end of the road. They had 4 cygnets with them. I didn't see them again until today (23 May), and it seems they've lost one of the small flock.

22 May 2022 18:02 — Toilet block progress to 21 May 2022 : The focus of toilet block work at the moment seems to be concrete. There’s boxing in place around the building. Apparently too the floor needs to be raised: more at one end than the other. I’ve doctored a couple of the photos below to …

22 May 2022 07:45 — Sell (again): 17 Drake Street : For sale: 17 Drake Street. Asking price $745,000; 4 Beds; 1 Bath; 1 car garage; 120m² Floor; 809m² Land. See also: 11 March 2022: For sale: 17 Drake Street.

20 May 2022 10:23 — No funding for a fleet of hybrid electric trains : The Budget, delivered Thursday 19 May 2022, did not provide funding for a fleet of electric trains for the lower North Island. As Budget absence of new trains surprises and disappoints regional councils says: The Budget’s failure to contribute …

20 May 2022 10:16 — Sell (again): 10 Arthur Street : For sale: 10 Arthur Street: Enquiries over $689,000; 2 Beds; 1 Bath; 70m² Floor; 809m² Land. Previous listing: 10 January 2022, Sell: 10 Arthur Street.

18 May 2022 16:36 — 80 Kph Ōtaki to Levin? Speed review : The State Highway 1 Ōtaki to Levin speed review consultation is open. Submissions close on 15 June 2022. See Ōtaki to Levin speed review | Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency for full details. The proposals suggest a speed limit of 80 Kph all the way …

13 May 2022 16:08 — Sold: 123 Strathnaver Drive : Sold approx 13 May 2022. On the market since 14 April 2022: For Sale: 123 Strathnaver Drive

13 May 2022 16:05 — Toilet block progress to 13 May 2022 : The builders have been hard at work this week. The pump house has been removed, and plumbers will soon get to work. There is boxing ready for the concrete path. Apparently the floor level of the existing structures needs to be raised, and the walls …

12 May 2022 13:44 — No HRC budget for river mouth works in 2022 : According to decisions made in May 2022, Horizons Regional Council will not be budgeting for works at the Waikawa river mouth. More detail below. Horizons Regional Council’s catchment operations committee met [on 12 May 2022] to make a range of …

06 May 2022 19:12 — Toilet Block progress to 06 May 2022 : Workers have been busy this week, primarily taking out an old 'cobblestoned' concrete path and preparing things for more accessible ramps. There has also been more trenching and dealing with pipes for services such as water and power. Seeing this …

06 May 2022 13:44 — Battery and lightbulb recycling trial from 09 May 2022 : News today from Deborah Campbell, District Coordinator, Horowhenua Neighbourhood Support from Horowhenua District Council: From Monday 9 May we will be trialling a collection of batteries, lightbulbs & beverage cartons Collection bins will be …

05 May 2022 09:38 — The missing Waikawa Beach Road Heritage Trail sign : I forget when I first noticed the Heritage Trail sign along Waikawa Beach Road (near number 560) but I know it’s been there for a number of years. Or at least it was there. Round about May 2021 a car crashed into the nearby fence which knocked …

04 May 2022 16:59 — Beach access only suitable for… sign : A visit to the Manga Pirau Street beach access on 04-May–22 showed a new warning sign: CAUTION Access to the Beach is only suitable for tractors and four wheel drive vehicles It’s not clear where the sign came from, but let’s …

04 May 2022 16:59 — Toilet block progress, 04-May-22 : There's been quite a delay since we last saw any noticeable progress on the toilet block. Initial delays were Covid-related. Then of course, we had public holidays. Work is continuing now with supplying services (water and power) to the new …

04 May 2022 14:38 — Meteor shower near planet lineup around 07 May 2022 : In the southern hemisphere we miss out on a lot of the meteor showers, but we do have a chance over the next few mornings to see the Eta Aquariids. Before dawn dress warmly and look for the lineup of planets in the eastern sky then hang around and …

03 May 2022 20:43 — Sea level rise and Waikawa Beach subsidence : Map and graph showing effects of different combinations of climate scenarios and land subsidence. NZ SeaRise Programme. We’ve all heard about sea level rise, but it’s also important to know that parts of Aotearoa New Zealand are …

02 May 2022 14:11 — The sad state of our river for summer swimming : Horizons Regional Council, via LAWA (Land Air Water Aotearoa), test the river at the footbridge for E. Coli once per week over summer and make the results publicly available, referring to their Traffic Light System. Green: Suitable for swimming. …

29 April 2022 20:41 — Spanking down the level beach, in a horse-drawn coach : A coach full of people outside a white building. The coach is drawn by a team of horses. Cobb and Co. coach, Palmerston, Otago. Wikimedia Commons (see body of article). The beach has always been a road — so says anyone around here. Numerous tire …

29 April 2022 19:50 — Spinifex holds sand and builds dunes : Spiky spinifex seedheads on the plants on the dunes. Did you know that native Spinifex and Pīngao grasses help hold sand and build the dunes, while Marram Grass was planted by Europeans because cows would eat it? In times gone by, before we had a …

29 April 2022 17:11 — Ōtaki to north of Levin info sessions : From the Waka Kotahi newsletter, April 2022: During May, we’ll be holding a number of drop-in sessions to share more information about the new highway and what is next for the project. … we’ve been working with landowners, community groups, …

29 April 2022 16:42 — Waikawa Estuary photos April 2022 : Waikawa river mouth, as seen by drone. SirWB on Twitter, April 2022. Twitter user SirWB recently posted several drone photos of the Waikawa Estuary and river mouth. It’s very interesting to see the area from above — it’s changed so much …

29 April 2022 16:22 — Toilet block update 29 April 2022 : It’s been a while since I’ve spotted anyone working at the toilet block. The original delay was because of Covid, and presumably that continues. However, a trench has been dug across the floor recently, as the photo shows. Just a reminder …

22 April 2022 15:59 — Game bird hunting starts 07 May 2022 : Game bird hunting season starts on Saturday 07 May 2022 and runs through to 03 July 2022. You may hear gun shots on the morning of Saturday 07 May, starting at dawn. Make sure any animals that may react to gunshot noises are secure. Check with your …

22 April 2022 10:45 — Jupiter and Venus 'star' together on 01 May 2022 : Screenshot from Stellarium showing Jupiter and Venus next to one another. You may have been watching the evolving pre-dawn line up of planets in the eastern sky. I mentioned them at 4 Planets and the crescent Moon and When planets align. On 01 May …

21 April 2022 06:03 — Grants for environment available : Horizons Regional Council is offering the Kanorau Koiora Taketake - Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant for community groups who are helping to make this region a healthy environment where people are thriving. Applications for 2022 open 11 April …

21 April 2022 05:48 — Local Council elections 2022 : Local body elections are to be held on 08 October 2022. This year things are changing, with the addition of a Māori Ward: Representation for the 2022 Local Government Election announced: The [Local Government Commission] determined that the …

20 April 2022 13:58 — For sale: 9 Kristin Place : For sale: 9 Kristin Place: Enquiries over $1,350,000; 3 Beds, 2 Baths, 239m² Floor, 7428m² Land. To be sold by deadline sale 1 PM, 10th May 22 (unless sold prior).

20 April 2022 11:48 — Public Transport for the next 10 years : As we know, Waikawa Beach is not served at all by public transport. At the very least, you have to get yourself to Ōtaki or Levin to be able to even think about taking a bus or train. Yet Waikawa Beach has been growing over the last few years, as has …

14 April 2022 07:28 — For Sale: 123 Strathnaver Drive : For sale: 123 Strathnaver Drive: 3803m2 section, 54m2 double garage and sleepout, on site caravan, new septic tank; $510,000.

14 April 2022 06:34 — When planets align : The pre-dawn sky is delightful at the moment. Look east to see Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn. On the 24th the Moon will join in. Check Stellarium Web Online Star Map for IDs of things you see in the sky. Screenshot from 24 April 2022 at Waikawa …

14 April 2022 00:38 — What future for Waikawa River water quality? : Red dot on a map shows Waikawa River at the footbridge has a very poor longterm score for human health. Horizons Regional Council wants to hear from you about freshwater quality before 5pm Tuesday 24 May 2022. Have your say: Long-term visions for …

10 April 2022 13:45 — Eleven-Armed Sea Star : Eleven-Armed Sea Star, with one arm broken and two missing, on sand. We don’t often see starfish on our beach which doesn’t have the rockpools they may more usually be found in. This morning though (10-Apr–22) I saw one (or maybe …

09 April 2022 11:03 — Learn about bird feathers : You may have noticed shags ‘sunbathing’ at the beach with their wings spread out. [Shags] are often seen sitting on a perch with their wings spread out, drying their feathers. This is because a shag’s feathers are not waterproof, making …

07 April 2022 20:18 — Horizons Community Climate Response Fund closes 31 May : Information today from Horizons Regional Council, who presumably should have written 2022 not 2021 for the closing dates: Pūtea Hapori Urupare Āhuarangi - Community Climate Response Fund - Horizons Regional Council Note that in their email about the …

07 April 2022 18:48 — Toilet block work begins again 06 April 2022 : It’s good to see work start up again on the toilet block. Yesterday and today a little extra demolition and ‘tidying’ of the site has taken place and workers have been checking measurements and making other preparations for …

07 April 2022 11:24 — Sold: 75 Strathnaver Drive : This one was on the market for nearly 3 months, but has now sold. See 17 January 2022: Sell: 75 Strathnaver Drive.

04 April 2022 14:33 — River nutrient study : Back in December 2021 sharp-eyed folks crossing the footbridge would have noticed this mystery device. It appeared to be monitoring river flow. It wasn’t though. Instead it’s been continuously monitoring the height of the river and …

02 April 2022 14:22 — Our busy skies : It pays to keep an eye on the sky at Waikawa Beach. For one thing, there’s a low-flying zone just off Strathnaver Drive. For another, probably because Ohakea Air base is only 60 Km away as the plane flies, we see a lot of military aircraft. …

02 April 2022 10:48 — Floundering, just after dawn : Seen on a walk:

31 March 2022 18:49 — Brown foam on the beach : Sometimes the foam on the beach is brown which may lead us to think there’s pollution around. A Horizons Regional Council PDF explains though that it isn’t pollution but an algal growth: The brown foam seen on our beaches from time to …

31 March 2022 06:08 — 4 Planets and the crescent Moon : Crescent Moon beside Jupiter. At 0644 on 31 March 2022 the Eastern sky brought us an unusual sight: low in the sky a crescent Moon, right beside mighty Jupiter. Arrayed above them, Venus, Saturn and Mars. My photos don’t do them justice. To …

31 March 2022 05:33 — Transmission Gully driving tips : It’s been so long, waiting for the new Expressway to open, but finally, as of 31 March 2022, it’s open to the public. Update 31 March 2022: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency say: The new motorway has been gifted the name Te Ara Nui o Te …

30 March 2022 23:32 — Opinions on public transport? : Do you have opinions on public transport options in Horowhenua? Sam Ferguson, Elected Councillor, Horowhenua Horizons Regional Council, sam.ferguson@horizons.govt.nz, 027 827 7037, wants to better understand what the public transport needs of our …

30 March 2022 10:33 — Shiny new dog poop bag dispenser : New dispenser. Old dispenser. For as long as I’ve been visiting or living at Waikawa Beach there has been a boxy green dog poop bag dispenser on the fence at the Manga Pirau Street beach entrance. Back in 2013 it was very fresh and new …

30 March 2022 08:42 — Hurukōwhai | Yellowhammer : There are plenty of Hurukōwhai | Yellowhammers to be seen around Waikawa Beach. The bright yellow head is a real giveaway. Length: 16 - 16.5 cm; Weight: 18 - 30 g Similar species: Cirl bunting, Yellowhead, New Zealand pipit, Eurasian skylark, …

29 March 2022 15:47 — Riroriro | Grey Warbler : I had heard the Riroriro, Grey Warbler, hundreds of times before I ever managed to spot one. Then I got lucky. This is one of our smallest birds, with a distinctive song. Riroriro, Grey Warbler: Length: 11 cm; Weight: 5.5 - 6.5 g Similar species: …

28 March 2022 17:28 — Driftwood works hard to build the beach : New spinifex growth around a large piece of driftwood buried in sand. It feels as though there haven’t been so many people lately sawing up big bits of driftwood on the beach. At the same time, it feels as though the beach is developing …

28 March 2022 16:59 — Venus, Saturn and Mars early on 29 March 2022 : Map showing Waikawa Beach may not have cloud cover at 4am on 29 March 2022. From MetService: Early risers tomorrow morning might see something neat above the eastern horizon. Venus, Saturn and Mars are all going to be clustered together. Unless of …

28 March 2022 13:53 — Kākā uhi whero | Eastern Rosella : You can hear their chittering generally before you see them flash past. If you’re lucky they might land somewhere nearby and stay for a few minutes. The Kākā uhi whero | Eastern Rosella is a colourful bird, with: a bright red head, white cheek …

28 March 2022 11:34 — Temporary hold on glass recycling from 28 March 2022 : Deborah Campbell, District Coordinator, Horowhenua Neighbourhood Support emailed today: On Friday Council issued a Glass recycling notice for the Horowhenua District that come into effect today Monday 28th March [2022]. This has been issued because …

27 March 2022 10:52 — Dolphins just off Waikawa Beach : A friend was excited to have spotted dolphins just off the Waikawa Beach coast the other day. The dolphins were heading towards the Kāpiti Marine Reserve. Keep your eyes open. And if you’ve seen any dolphins (or other marine species) and …

27 March 2022 10:37 — Dead eels at Waiorongomai Stream mouth : Saddened today to discover half a dozen dead eels at the mouth of the Waiorongomai Stream. Each eel was about a metre long. I’ve been researching eels but am unsure if they’re Longfin or Shortfin. Some information about eels: Amazing …

26 March 2022 07:24 — Manakau to Levin road update, March 2022 : According to the latest Waka Kotahi newsletter: SH1 South of Levin Chip sealing work for the SH1 safety improvements at Kuku is now complete. Thank you for your patience during this construction period which has been delayed by weather, …

26 March 2022 07:09 — Burglary, 18 March 2022 : Thanks to the weekly Neighbourhood Support New Zealand newsletter we know that recently there have been people or vehicles acting suspiciously and at least one burglary in Waikawa Beach. The latest Criminal Occurrences listing shows that on 18 March …

26 March 2022 06:09 — Levin parking meters upgraded : If you use the parking meters when you visit Levin, there are a few changes to know about, as outlined in Parking Meter Upgrade. Horowhenua District Council write (in part): In December 2021 we upgraded our parking meters in Levin and moved away …

25 March 2022 12:56 — Heritage Aircraft in our skies : 4 heritage planes in flight. Photo: Air Force Heritage Flight of New Zealand. Photo credit. Keep your eyes peeled on 01 April 2022. It may take more than an hour to drive from Waikawa Beach to Ohakea, but the Air Force Base is actually only 60 Km by …

25 March 2022 10:37 — Toilet block work plan, Week 3 and beyond : Today the builder advised me of next steps in the toilet block rebuild: Demolition has been completed Engineers first inspection has been carried out and the Ok has been given to proceed Our contractor is approximately 1 week away from starting …

25 March 2022 08:02 — Ngutuparore | Wrybill : In March 2021 I thought I was taking photos of Dotterels at our beach. But I’d recently visited Foxton Estuary and the information boards had made me aware of Ngutuparore | Wrybills: The wrybill is a small pale plover which breeds only in …

25 March 2022 07:42 — Toilet block progress, end Week Two : Work on the toilet block seems to have come to a halt by the end of Week One (18 March 2022). During Week Two the demolition materials were removed but nothing else seemed to be happening. I enquired about progress, and as I feared, it seems Covid …

24 March 2022 13:15 — Waikawa Beach median house price, March 2022 : This article on Stuff drew my attention today (24 March 2022): The tide has turned: price falls in suburbs nationwide. I looked up Waikawa Beach, of course, at Mapping the Market – March 2022 to find that perhaps our median house price has increased …

24 March 2022 11:40 — Cars bogged on the beach, March 2022 : One car stuck in water and another hopes to jump start it. The beach is a risky proposition for vehicles. In the last couple of weeks two stuck cars have been towed out by helpful locals. The drowned car from the photo above is still sitting on the …

24 March 2022 05:34 — Kawau Tūī | Little Black Shag : Two Kawau Tūī | Little Black Shags by the river. Photo by Marion Cherry. Used with permission. There is a colony of Pied Shags just upstream of the footbridge but one day I thought I saw an all-black shag fly past me. This was recently confirmed by …

23 March 2022 08:46 — Manu Pango | Blackbird : Blackbird singing atop a flax spear, with blue sky behind. So common you don't often think of photographing them: the Manu Pango | Blackbird. These from September and November 2021. Black bird on a railing. Length: 25 cm Weight: 90 g Similar …

21 March 2022 16:23 — Kererū aropari | Rock Pigeons : Rock Pigeon on a post. Cities everywhere are plagued by Kererū aropari | Rock Pigeons but I only recently realised there are a few that hang out at Waikawa Beach too. I’ve spotted them on the corner of Sarah Street and Strathnaver Drive and on …

21 March 2022 05:32 — Small shallow quakes in a bunch : Map showing one quake location just offshore between Waikawa Beach and Hokio Beach. There were a few very small shallow shakes last night, two of them close together and pretty much under Waikawa Beach: GeoNet: Quake - Sun Mar 20 2022 8:28 PM: 15 …

20 March 2022 09:11 — Tarapunga | Red-billed gull — photos : Two gulls seeming to chat as they walk by the sea. I was never really very fond of gulls, but I'm coming to quite like the ones at Waikawa Beach. Tarapunga | Red-billed gull. 

19 March 2022 15:05 — Toilet block demo, end Week 1 : Facility Under Construction poster. By the evening of Friday 18 March 2022 the toilet block had been almost completely demolished, and much of the surrounding concrete dug up and removed. It’s not the intention to remove everything, as the …

18 March 2022 17:18 — 18 March 2022 crash closes road at Manakau : Ugh: SH1 is closed at Manakau due to a Serious Crash: 6pm Traffic Update Friday 18th March [2022] Very serious crash involving a petrol tanker and multiple vehicles at Manakau and the road is closed til further notice. there is a multiple car crash …

17 March 2022 11:09 — More seats at Driscoll Park Manakau : I enquired about several roped off areas of bare earth at Driscoll Park in Manakau — a handy place for a brief stop along the road between Levin and Ōtaki. The HDC replied that seats that were requested by the community are finally being installed. …

17 March 2022 11:01 — Maybe Transmission Gully is opening : From: RNZ News: Transmission Gully to open with next two weeks [by end March 2022] The Transport Agency has told Transmission Gully’s contractor it must open the Wellington highway within the next two weeks. … The $1.25 billion dollar project …

17 March 2022 10:32 — Ash Fogden Way appears : It’s not often we get a whole new street in our little community at Waikawa Beach, but in the last few days Ash Fogden Way has popped up off Reay Mackay Grove. It’s not far from the south track to the beach. Presumably this services the …

16 March 2022 19:21 — Property glut in March 2022 : For a few years there were no properties for sale at Waikawa Beach. Any that did come on the market were snapped up very quickly at very high prices. But we’ve now entered a lull. The map shows where 13 properties are on the market as at 16 …

16 March 2022 16:41 — Toilet block demo Day Three : A gap at the top of a concrete wall. The top of the women's block. I guess Day Three of the toilet block demolition was mainly about concrete — a resident of Cathryn Street told me the jackhammers had been going all day. There were certainly …

16 March 2022 08:25 — For sale: 501A Waikawa Beach Road : For sale: 501A Waikawa Beach Road. ‘Field of Dreams’. To be sold via Deadline Sale 06 April 2022 (unless sold prior). Bare land. 3 lifestyle sections: Lot 1 - 2.0890 hectare; Lot 2 - 1.7434 hectare; Lot 3 - 1.7379 hectare.

15 March 2022 16:19 — Toilet block demo Day Two : By the end of Day Two of the Hank Edwards Reserve toilet block demolition and rebuild things were looking pretty bare. The women’s block now has no roof and most of the interior has been gutted. Concrete around the buildings has been torn up, …

15 March 2022 06:14 — Toilet block demo Day One wrapup : The remains of the Men's block. Promptly on the morning of Monday 14 March 2022 Lee Builders began the work of demolishing parts of the Waikawa Beach toilet block in Hank Edwards Reserve. The men’s block was the first target and work went …

14 March 2022 19:26 — Little dots: the Dotterels : Down close to the river, if you look really carefully, you might see the tiny Dotterels dashing around. I think they’re quite hilarious, the way they dash from one spot to another. It was only on examining my photos closely that I discovered we …

14 March 2022 18:44 — Toilet block demolition videos Day One : Two brief videos hosted on YouTube. 1. 12 seconds: toilet block demolition day one: a wall comes down. Shows a digger pulling down a wall.  2. 08 seconds. Shows a digger pulling off the roof.

14 March 2022 15:23 — Toilet Block demolition, Day 1 morning : Men's toilet block partly demolished. The demolition of the Hank Edwards Reserve toilet block began promptly on Monday 14 March 2022. The perimeter fence was quickly erected and the men’s toilet block was knocked down. Some neighbours had …

14 March 2022 06:16 — Check the tides : Want to know what the tide’s up to at Waikawa Beach? Check TideSpy.

14 March 2022 06:07 — Interactive Coastal Risk Screening Tool : With very high tides the sea comes right to the base of and into the dunes. South entrance off Reay Mackay Grove in 2018. The interactive Climate Central | Coastal Risk Screening Tool is extremely interesting and well worth your time to explore if …

13 March 2022 16:44 — Kawau | Pied Shag at the beach : Two photos from mid-March 2022 of a Kawau | Pied Shag at the beach. 🐦 Length: 65 - 85 cm; Weight: 1.3 - 2.1 kg A large, relatively slim black-and-white shag with white face, black feet, blue eye-rings and yellow facial skin. Black back, nape and …

11 March 2022 08:01 — Late season kuaka : It’s almost Autumn Equinox and soon most of the Kuaka will head back home to Alaska. There were still some feeding at Waikawa Beach on 11 March 2022 though.

11 March 2022 06:04 — For sale: 17 Drake Street : For sale: 17 Drake Street. Asking price $795,000; 4 Beds; 1 Bath; 120m² Floor; 809m² Land. To be sold by Deadline Sale 2pm on 31st of March 2022 (If not sold prior).

09 March 2022 19:22 — For sale: 13 Arthur Street : 13 Arthur Street, exterior view. For sale: 13 Arthur Street: Enquiries over $620,000; 1 Bed; 1 Bath; 73m² Floor; 809m² Land.

09 March 2022 14:27 — Fencing arrives for construction on toilet block : The first materials have arrived for the Hank Edwards Reserve toilet block construction project. A bit meta: the safety fencing materials are in a small fenced off area, ready to be used.

07 March 2022 14:53 — Toilet block update March 2022: work begins! : Proposed front view of the refreshed toilet block. The Horowhenua District Council is about to begin the refresh of the Hank Edwards Reserve toilet block and wants the community to know what to expect. Work should begin from 14 March 2022 and …

07 March 2022 05:32 — Drones help find cryptic Bitterns : Matuku-hūrepo | Australasian Bittern were common in New Zealand in pre-colonial times but are now classified as Threatened – Nationally Critical, numbering fewer than 1000. There are three breeding sites at Waikawa Beach: two along Strathnaver Drive …

06 March 2022 14:49 — Taranui | Caspian terns : Down by the Waiorongomai Stream mouth at dawn on 06 March 2022 were a couple of Taranui | Caspian terns: A very large heavily built tern, silver-grey above and white below, with dark wing tips, a large pointed bright red bill with dark tip, a …

05 March 2022 08:34 — Matuku-hūrepo | Bittern by north track : Bittern hiding beside grasses. Photo by Kezna Cameron. In the last couple of days a local spotted the elusive Matuku-hūrepo | Australasian Bittern only a couple of metres from the north track off Reay Mackay Grove. A large, stocky heron with a …

04 March 2022 16:33 — Transmission Gully might actually open soon : Although the newsletter for 04 March 2022 isn’t online yet, it does seem that Transmission Gully might actually open before too long. Per the newsletter: Waka Kotahi has agreed to defer 19 outstanding quality assurance tests that were …

04 March 2022 10:50 — Verges mowed : Good to see the Horowhenua District Council mower trimming up a metre or so of the grass verges on 04 March 2022. It came down Waikawa Beach Road, Strathnaver Drive and Reay Mackay Grove, and I suspect, Emma Drive and the others in that area.

01 March 2022 13:00 — Pink jelly — Lion's Mane : I’m not entirely sure, but I believe this roughly 15 cm pink or red jelly on the beach may have been a Lion’s Mane. I’d be keen to get confirmation or correction. Update 02-Mar–22: The Wildlife of New Zealand Facebook group …

01 March 2022 12:50 — Tāmure | Snapper : The photo shows the vehicle with fishing rods, and also almost out of the photo at top left the drone carrying a line out. A fellow on the beach today was fishing in a very interesting way. He had a couple of rods and reels on the beach. To carry …

24 February 2022 14:36 — Ōtaki Beach coastal hazards report : The just-released Ōtaki Beach coastal hazards report is an interesting read. While Ōtaki Beach is not Waikawa Beach, nevertheless it is our next door neighbour and a boundary line on a map doesn’t mean a clear demarcation in physical processes. …

23 February 2022 12:29 — For sale: 159 Emma Drive : For sale: 159 Emma Drive. Asking price $1,395,000. 4 Beds, 2 Baths, 218m² Floor, 1.96ha Land. To be sold by Deadline Sale, closing 11am Wednesday 23rd March 2022.

23 February 2022 03:31 — For sale: 686 Waikawa Beach Road : For sale: 686 Waikawa Beach Road: Enquiries over $950,000; 3 Beds, 2 Baths, 133m² Floor, 2097m² Land.

22 February 2022 05:21 — For sale: 40 Manga Pirau Street : For sale: 40 Manga Pirau Street. 3 Beds, 1 Bath, 123m² Floor, 811m² Land. To be sold by deadline sale (by 16 March 2022).

21 February 2022 14:15 — Hīhue or Convolvulus hawk moth : Large grey dappled moth. Hīhue or Convolvulus hawk moth. I was watering the garden in February 2020, when a grey ‘leaf’ on a flax stalk moved. On closer inspection I found a moth, about 5 cm long. An expert on the NZ Bug Identification Facebook …

18 February 2022 19:36 — For sale: 44 Sarah Street : For sale: 44 Sarah Street: 3 Beds, 1 Bath, 96m2 Floor, 936m2 Land. Asking price $800,000.

18 February 2022 16:53 — Road Crash stats, February 2022 : Cars stopped across an intersection. Traffic jam at the intersection, SH1 and Waikawa Beach Road, 05 February 2018. Each year for the last few years I make an Official Information Request to Waka Kotahi: My basic query is: Regarding the stretch of …

18 February 2022 16:43 — 2021-2022 E. Coli readings at the footbridge : Screenshot of results donut graph from last 5 years. Each week over summer LAWA tests the water at the footbridge for E. Coli and publishes the results a few days later. This year results have been poor. According to the Traffic Lights System we …

18 February 2022 16:20 — Bike stands for Waikawa Beach : Last year I contacted Horowhenua District Council and asked if we could have a bike stand at Waikawa Beach by the footbridge. The request was sparked by two things: one day I saw a heap of bikes leaning against the rail by the footbridge. Only one …

15 February 2022 10:08 — So blue: sea, sky and river : Blue sea, sky and river mouth. Is it any wonder people love to come to Waikawa Beach? Kāpiti Island.

14 February 2022 16:11 — Flock of Spoonbills : I tend to see Ngutupapa | Royal Spoonbills on the beach solitary, in pairs or even three at a time. Today is the first time I've seen a flock of maybe 12 or 15 — I was unable to actually count because of distance and the big piece of driftwood. This …

12 February 2022 15:03 — Covid buddy system : Over on the Waikawa Beach Facebook Page Charlie Strivens, Moderator, has offered to convene a Covid buddy system for Waikawa Beach. A Covid buddy would help someone get the things they need if they are isolating. In part, the post says: Hi Community …

11 February 2022 14:28 — Toilet block upgrade begins in March : Toilet block view from Manga Pirau Street. Source: Horowhenua District Council. The toilet block at Hank Edwards Reserve was built in the 1960s or 70s and is more than showing its age. While it’s a step up from no public toilets at all, …

11 February 2022 12:27 — Two Covid cases in Levin : MidCentral District Health Board posted on Facebook on 11 February 2022: MidCentral COVID–19 Update #2 Friday 11 February 2022 As reported earlier today, we have two new cases of COVID–19 in MidCentral, both of these cases have been …

11 February 2022 10:42 — Burglary at Waikawa Beach 09 February 2022 : From the Neighbourhood Support Newsletter 11th February 2022 a report of a daytime burglary at Waikawa Beach Rd (630–660) on 09 February 2022. Information supplied in the weekly newsletter from Deborah Campbell, District Coordinator | …

10 February 2022 05:14 — Plenty of rain in February 2022 : Graphs showing this month's rainfall and the forecast. It’s only 10 February 2022 and we’ve already had more than 150mm rain this month — great for the garden and water tanks! Now the forecast suggests another 200mm or so over 3 days …

09 February 2022 08:44 — SH1 safety improvements; O2NL report : Screenshot: Yellow line on map shows shared path. On 17 February 2022 I Zoomed into a 90 minute meeting about the O2NL Expressway and safety improvements on SH1 between Ōtaki and Levin. There were several particularly interesting pieces of …

08 February 2022 12:03 — Spinifex planting costs : Wobbly wooden boardwalk onto the beach. August 2013, north track off Reay Mackay Grove. This boardwalk is now buried below a couple of metres of sand. In spring each year Horowhenua District Council provides spinifex and pīngao plants and over a …

03 February 2022 10:44 — Monarch Day : Today's the day, at least at our house, when all the [Monarch](https://www.nzbutterflies.org.nz/species/monarchs/the-universal-monarch/) chrysalises are releasing butterflies.

01 February 2022 09:03 — Sell: 58 Manga Pirau Street : For sale: 58 Manga Pirau Street: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 176 m2 floor, 985 m2 Land. To be sold by deadline sale (by 23 Feb 2022).

26 January 2022 09:46 — Kuaka | Godwits : The amazing Kuaka | Godwit flies between Aotearoa New Zealand and the Arctic every year to feed and breed. They are a similar size to the more delicate Pied Stilt. These were on the shore recently. Kuaka feeding, with wave behind. Two Kuaka and a …

25 January 2022 06:49 — Waikawa Beach median house value below $800,000 : Screenshot from two properties for sale at time of writing. According to Stuff on 25 January 2022, Waikawa Beach is one of only 16 Wellington ‘suburbs’ where the median house value is below $800,000: There are now 67 suburbs with median …

22 January 2022 06:05 — Karoro | Black-backed gull in flight : Hand held photos of a Karoro | Southern black-backed gull as it flew by. Black-backed gulls are often seen on the water’s edge where they scavenge corpses and fish frames washed up on the tide.

17 January 2022 15:07 — Pukeko at Lake Puna-O-Te-Ora : I haven’t spotted any Pukeko at the Reay Mackay Grove lakes recently so was glad to see a couple at sunrise today. Length: 38 - 50 cm; Weight: 1090 g (male); 880 g (female) Similar species: South Island takahe |Takahē, Dusky moorhen, …

17 January 2022 09:58 — Sell: 75 Strathnaver Drive : For Sale: 75 Strathnaver Drive, Waikawa Beach Offers over $849,000; 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 95m2 floor area, 8794m2 land area, 2 garages.

14 January 2022 13:24 — Pahirini | Chaffinch : This sparrow-sized bird may have a brick-red breast, a grey-blue head and stripes on its wings. Its call is a fairly simple ‘cheep’. He aha tērā? What is that? Answer: it’s a Pahirini | Chaffinch: Identification: Length: 14.5 cm; …

14 January 2022 06:30 — Rare Lamprey in Waikawa stream : Lamprey (Geotria australis) being measured. Sometimes you notice one little snippet about Waikawa Beach in a larger article on the web: one of New Zealand’s rare native fish Lamprey (Geotria australis) has been discovered in waterways like the …

13 January 2022 11:26 — Kōurarini | Goldfinch : A juvenile, stunned after flying into a window. Adults of this almost sparrow-sized but lighter bird have a bright red, white and black face. It’s a pale coloured bird with a distinctive bright yellow stripe on its black wing. They’re …

12 January 2022 07:48 — Kōtare | Kingfisher : You may see this squat bird hunched on your washing line or on a power line. Or maybe it’ll suddenly dive down to the ground and come back up with a lizard or bug in its large black bill. Green above and creamy-beige below, you’ll know …

11 January 2022 06:09 — Tūī | Kōkō : This boisterous, medium-sized dark coloured bird chortles and squawks, cough, grunts and wheezes when it’s not singing prettily. Commonly seen feeding on flax flowers, it has an erratic whirring flight. It’s best known though for the …

10 January 2022 09:53 — Sell: 10 Arthur Street : For sale: 10 Arthur Street, Waikawa Beach: Offers Over $709,000; 2 bedrooms; 1 bathroom; 70m2 floor area; 809m2 land area.

08 January 2022 06:54 — Weweia | Dabchick and chick : Weweia | Dabchick and chick on the pond. Photo by Kezna Cameron and used with permission. Sharp-eyed Kezna Cameron spotted this Weweia | Dabchick and chick on the pond in early January 2022. Kezna says: Dabchick / weweia - 1,900–2000 left. …

06 January 2022 14:46 — Manu-kai-hua-rakau | Song Thrush : This medium sized brown bird sings from treetops and forages for snails, worms, spiders and slugs. Its speckled chest is very distinctive. Most people will be familiar with this common bird. He aha tērā? What is that? Photo by Kezna Cameron. Used …

05 January 2022 07:26 — Pacific man-o'-war | Blue Bottle : These elegant blue transparent creatures show up on the beach sometimes. They stand up in a kind of horn with a skirt around and a trailing blue ‘string’. It’s not a good idea to tangle with them as they can sting when alive, and …

04 January 2022 15:04 — Kuaka | Godwit : These large wading birds spend their summers on our beach after an exhausting non-stop 12,000 Km flight over 10 days or so all the way from the Alaskan Arctic. They have a long tapering and slightly upturned pink bill with black tip He aha tērā? What …

03 January 2022 07:30 — Werewere | Gooseneck Barnacle : Occasionally you’ll come across driftwood covered in waving stalks, each terminating in what looks like a soft shell with tentacles emerging. If you’re not a fan of horror movies it may be very unnerving. He aha tērā? What is that? …

02 January 2022 09:55 — Sunset 01 January 2022 :

02 January 2022 09:51 — Kawau | Pied Shag : This large black and white bird is seen on the river, on the beach and flying overhead. It’s often observed with wings outstretched, sunning itself. There’s a whole colony of them in the trees just upstream from the footbridge. He aha …

01 January 2022 14:18 — That dorky shag : I have much to learn about taking photos of shags in trees. They don’t seem really photogenic up there. Still, this one was looking delightfully dorky! Photos by Miraz Jordan and used with permission.

01 January 2022 13:39 — Southern Bell Frog : You may find one or more of these hopping around your garden. It’s mainly brown with a green stripe down its back. You may hear it — its call is a kind of rawk rawk hmm hmm (or perhaps like a car that won’t start). He aha tērā? What is …

31 December 2021 15:01 — Rainbow Lorikeet : Photo by Fred Hirst. Used with permission. This very colourful bird has been spotted in the village recently [December 2021], but shouldn’t be here at all. It has a red bill, blue head, yellow neck, green body and red breast. It’s not an …

30 December 2021 16:59 — Stoat : This mammal looks so handsome with reddish-brown fur on its back and a white or cream coloured underbelly. It’s a vicious killer though, and devastating to birdlife. Unfortunately it’s common at Waikawa Beach — one Strathnaver resident …

29 December 2021 06:21 — Kōtuku Ngutupapa | Royal Spoonbill : You’ll see these large elegant all-white birds sweeping their long black bills with rounded ends through the water in the estuary or the lakes. The crest on the top of their head gives them a regal appearance. He aha tērā? What is that? …

28 December 2021 14:24 — Australian coot with chicks : Coot with 3 chicks, and another bird. It’s the right time of year for the Australian coots on the Strathnaver lakes, Waimarie and Te Puna a te Ora (Tranquil Waters and The Wellspring of Good Health) to have babies. I spotted these today. Coot …

28 December 2021 11:14 — Whitebait : With thanks to the whitebaiter who allowed me to take a photo of their catch. These tiny water creatures are much sought after by people and birds in spring and early summer. They are most easily found in the river. He aha tērā? What is that? …

27 December 2021 07:29 — Pāpango | NZ Scaup : Glance at the lakes at the corner of Reay Mackay Grove and Strathnaver Drive and you may think they have many ordinary ducks. Look more closely though and you’ll discover a variety of birds. One is the Pāpango | New Zealand scaup. New Zealand …

27 December 2021 07:19 — Bush giant dragonfly : Sometimes in summer a Bush giant dragonfly finds its way into the house and then gets ‘stuck’ in a corner. I can cup my hands around it to take it outside to freedom. The other day I managed to ‘catch’ one in flight above the …

27 December 2021 07:14 — Kaireka | Skylark : You’ll hear its long melodic song trilling 30 to 100 metres high above you before you can spot this bird. Search the skies and you may spot it over the dunes or the paddocks. He aha tērā? What is that? Answer: it’s a Kaireka | Skylark: …

24 December 2021 12:39 — Kakīānau | Black Swan : They’re so graceful and elegant. Often seen in pairs on the lakes. At the right time of year these large black birds may have a half dozen fluffy white or grey young in tow. He aha tērā? What is that? Answer: it’s a Kakīānau | Black …

23 December 2021 20:32 — Warou | Welcome Swallow poses : A little Warou, or Welcome Swallow posed very nicely today on the rail of the deck. Photos: Swallow on a railing in different poses.

22 December 2021 05:04 — Rakiraki | Mallard : You’ll have no trouble with this very common medium size water fowl. Its quacking will be very familiar. We see them on lakes and the estuary. He aha tērā? What is that? Answer: it’s a Rakiraki | Mallard: Identification: Length: 50 - 70 …

21 December 2021 04:58 — Kuruwhengi | Australasian Shoveler : Look closer and you’ll see this isn’t a regular duck on the Reay Mackay Grove lakes. This colourful bird has a dark head and large dark bill, with a splash of white between the two. The body’s an almost luminous brown. They seem to …

20 December 2021 13:24 — Kuihi | Canada Goose : The honking. The V-formation flying. The New Zealand population of these large birds with a distinctive white chin-strap is primarily descended from an importation of 50 birds in 1905. He aha tērā? What is that? Answer: it’s a Kuihi | Canada …

18 December 2021 06:05 — Kōtuku | White Heron : What a surprise and a delight to find this large all-white bird at Waikawa Beach. It’s not a Royal Spoonbill though. These critically endangered birds are usually found only at their breeding site, Okarito Lagoon on the West Coast, but one …

17 December 2021 18:22 — Tarāpunga | Red-Billed Gull : You see these very common white and grey birds on the beach, with their distinctive red bills and legs. He aha tērā? What is that? Photo by Miraz Jordan. Used with permission. Answer: it’s a Tarāpunga | Red-Billed Gull: Identification: …

17 December 2021 05:59 — Warou | Welcome Swallow : They dart and swoop around with their v-shaped wings and forked tails. They line up on wire fences. At certain times of the year you’ll find their mud nests above an outside light fitting, or high in the garage. He aha tērā? What is that? Photo …

16 December 2021 13:45 — Bush Gadfly : I found this roughly 3 cm long insect on the garage wall on 16 December 2021. The Faceboook Invertebrate ID group IDed it for me. Bush gadfly (Scaptia adrel): Scaptia adrel has large, iridescent, reflective eyes and a prominent proboscis. There are …

16 December 2021 12:28 — California Quail : We don’t have a lot of Tikaokao | California Quail at Waikawa Beach, but they do show up from time to time with their distinctive “Chi-ca-go” cry. This one was strolling along Strathnaver Drive near Sarah Street on 16 December 2021. …

16 December 2021 05:15 — Kuihi | Greylag Goose : This large bird has been seen around Strathnaver Drive, and seems to have taken up residence in the ‘rainy season’ lake on the bend. He aha tērā? What is that? Answer: it’s a Kuihi | Greylag Goose: Identification: Length: 80 cm; …

15 December 2021 06:39 — Greenfinch : Some may describe this bird as ‘a fancy sparrow’, but look closely and you’ll see the greenish colours and the yellow stripe on the wing edge. This one was feasting on rosemary. He aha tērā? What is that? Answer: it’s a …

14 December 2021 08:27 — Kororo | Black-Backed Gull : You see these large birds at the beach, or maybe flocking around a fishing boat, or perhaps inland. The adults are black and white; the juveniles speckled brown. He aha tērā? What is that? Answer: it’s a Kororo | Black-Backed Gull: …

13 December 2021 15:46 — December is Spinifex seed time : A carpet of spinifex on the dunes. December is the time when we see Spinifex seedheads covering the dunes. Once the plant releases them they will blow and roll across the dunes and the sand, finding a place to stay and grow. A line of seedheads on a …

13 December 2021 09:05 — Peihana | Ring-Necked Pheasant : This large bird has a special squawk that alerts you when an earthquake is coming. Or it startles as you go by and throws itself into the air with a clatter of wings then clumsily flaps a short distance. Or it strolls along the road in front of you. …

12 December 2021 05:23 — Tūtae Kēhua | Basket Fungus : You see this delicate white lattice on the grass, often after warmer and wetter weather. He aha tērā? What is that? Answer: it’s a Tūtae Kēhua | Basket Fungus: Not everything in nature lends itself easily to describing and understanding. What …

11 December 2021 06:51 — Poaka | Pied Stilt : You see this distinctive long-legged black and white bird with its fine black bill down at the beach or on flooded paddocks. There is usually a group of them, and they often hang out with the Oystercatchers. He aha tērā? What is that? Answer: …

10 December 2021 20:15 — Birds from the balcony : Tauhou | Waxeye on flax spear. Late afternoon, Thursday 09 December 2021. It was a bird bounty! Warou | Welcome Swallow. Manu-kai-hua-rakau | Thrush. Hurukōwhai | Yellowhammer singing. Greenfinch singing.

10 December 2021 06:01 — Matuku-hūrepo | Australasian Bittern : Photo by Kezna Cameron. You’ll be very lucky to ever see this large long-legged bird as it prefers to hide. You may see it in grass near water, or ‘sloping’ across the road. If you listen closely on a still night you may hear its …

09 December 2021 05:50 — Kāhu | Swamp Harrier Hawk : You see this large bird soaring above the paddocks, perhaps ‘squeaking’ sometimes. Or maybe it flies up in front of your car, from a dead rabbit on the road. He aha tērā? What is that? Photo by Jan Jordan. Used with permission. Answer: …

08 December 2021 12:57 — Tōrea Pango | Variable Oystercatcher : You’re on the beach, perhaps just south of the river and see these birds, probably in pairs, maybe running around on the sand. He aha tērā? What is that? Answer: it’s a Tōrea Pango | Variable Oystercatcher: Identification: Length: 48 …

07 December 2021 16:33 — Barbary Dove : You hear some cooing and see these birds nearby, maybe in a tree, on flax spears, or on the ground. He aha tērā? What is that? Photo by Sophie Campbell. Used with permission. Photo by Sophie Campbell. Used with permission. Answer: it’s a …

06 December 2021 18:40 — Matuku Moana | White-Faced Heron : You step outside one day to see a bird like this on your roof. He aha tērā? What is that? Answer: it’s a Matuku Moana | White-Faced Heron — Identification: Length: 67 cm; Weight: 550 g Similar species: Reef heron, Pacific heron A medium-sized …

06 December 2021 07:04 — The sand dune life cycle : Rob Cross is biodiversity manager at Kāpiti Coast District Council. In this 10 minute video he talks about the natural highlights of Kāpiti’s sand dunes, reminding us what an important job they do creating homes for plants and wildlife and …

01 December 2021 13:38 — Christmas Lights 2021 : One of the delightful things about Waikawa Beach is the Christmas Lights. Wendy and Peter Clark put up a huge animated display with a Santa and elves who busy themselves with presents. Other folks put up assorted lights from simple strings on a gate …

30 November 2021 16:49 — Petition for vehicle access to Waikawa Beach : In November 2021 Arthur Nelson, Property and Parks Manager • Tumu Rawa, Papa Rēhia, Horowhenua District Council emailed about a petition they received on the topic of access for vehicles to the beach at Waikawa: We have a 160 signature …

13 November 2021 14:12 — Bike bars stop people not bikes : There are special bars across our footbridge designed to stop motorbikes from getting onto the bridge. What they actually do is make it very hard for human beings to get on the bridge, especially those who have dogs on leads, kids, wheelchairs, …

25 October 2021 14:30 — Bike stands at footbridge :

More and more people are out on bikes enjoying Waikawa Beach these days, but back in April a bike was stolen from the footbridge. There's not really any good place to leave or lock a bike while enjoying the river and other features of our area. See …

25 September 2021 14:18 — 4,000 plants in 1.5 hours — thanks volunteers! : View of planting from above. On Saturday 25 September 2021 about 40 people turned up to help plant spinifex and pīngao just south of the river. In the space of just one and a half hours we planted 4,000 plants. Apparently council workers also …

14 April 2021 05:54 — For Sale: 6 James Street : For Sale: 6 James St: 3 bedrooms; 2 bathrooms; 146m2 floor area; 812m2 land area; 4 garages. Rateable Value: $540,000. Buyer Enquiry Over $800,000. To be sold by deadline sale (by 5 May 2021).

06 April 2021 05:38 — HDC Long-Term Plan and a new Waikawa Beach walkway : We sent the following enquiry about the Long-Term Plan currently being consulted on: We note that Page 144 and following of the Activity Statements mention a Waikawa Beach walkway. Can you please clarify for us what that means or refers to. What …

26 September 2019 16:33 — Notices : Community spinifex planting on 07 October 2023 — please join in Recycling collected every 2 weeks; next: 09 and 23 October 2023. Water quality between 01 November 2022 and 30 April 2023: 6 green, 12 orange, 8 red.

18 August 2019 11:13 — Local road speeds reduced to 80 or 60 Kph as of August 2019 : As we noted in Reduced rural road speeds, local rural roads have been assigned reduced speed limits, dropping from 100 Kph to 80 or 60 Kph. There have been further reductions though for Kristin Place and Emma Drive. The Land Transport Bylaw 2017 …

12 June 2019 15:39 — Reduced rural road speeds : The Horowhenua District Council have approved the suggested drop in speed limits for rural roads. See pages 279 and following of the Agenda for the meeting on 12 June 2019 (20 Mb PDF) and pages 6 and 7 of the Minutes of the meeting on 12 June 2019 …

11 June 2019 08:52 — Waikawa Beach and the rock groynes : The Waikawa Stream flows west towards the sea but then turns south across the beach. A 1991 rock groyne was submerged and a 2012 rock groyne at almost right angles had bad results. On 11 June 2019 two diggers excavated rock from the ‘bad’ groyne and …

21 February 2018 14:02 — Ex Tropical Cyclone Gita severely eroded the estuary frontage, February 2018 : By the time Gita reached us it had lost its Tropical Cyclone status. That didn't stop it from hammering Taranaki, the top and middle of the South Island and the West Coast. Low tide at Waikawa Beach on 21 February 2018 was around 8 am. The river was …

13 June 2015 13:00 — Minke Whale At Waikawa : Minke whale on Waikawa Beach. From Stuff. On the morning of Tuesday 09 June 2015 local resident Phillip Just discovered this 7.4 metre long minke whale on the Waikawa Beach. An article on Stuff says: Measured at 7.4 metres and rolling in chest deep …

10 January 2010 07:45 — Pilot Whale washed up 08 January 2010 : A dead pilot whale washed up on Waikawa Beach on 8 January 2010. There was a similar story at Foxton Beach where two whales washed ashore. See Dead pilot whales may be drifters | Stuff.co.nz. Dead pilot whale at Waikawa Beach, photographer unknown. …

09 January 2008 22:22 — Horowhenua Development Plan 2008 : The Horowhenua Development Plan 2008 (1MB, PDF) showed large areas at Waikawa as suitable for subdivision. Here is Section 10 - Waikawa Beach (PDF, 897KB). Also available on this site: Horowhenua Development Pan 2008 final part 10 Waikawa Beach …

21 September 2007 15:53 — Aerial photos of Waikawa Beach in 2007 : Aerial photos of Waikawa Beach, apparently from 15 September 2007. Waikawa River mouth and estuary from a small plane, looking northeast. Includes the Strathnaver lakes, Waimarie and Te Puna a te Ora (Tranquil Waters and The Wellspring of Good …