Notices
Waikawa News has ceased updates. The archive of posts is still available.
Pedestrian access onto Waikawa Beach as at May 2024
Recently updated the Big List of Birds, now with 63 birds. Have you managed to see them all?
Recycling: collected every 2 weeks.
-
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 battling blaze near Ōtaki Beach: Fire and Emergency said in a statement it was alerted to the fire, behind the former Ōtaki Health Camp, just after 5pm. -
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 like to automatically receive posts by email as they are published subscribe. If you know of Waikawa Beach things that would interest others or if you have comments on this newsletter or the websites please let me know at kiaora@waikawanews. -
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 March 2024. See the Agenda item. There is also a 98 MB PDF you can download for easier reading. The report offers 3 choices for Councillors to consider: no vehicle access at all, or two ways to pause proceedings. -
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 Emergency was alerted to the fire on Waikawa Beach Road about 4pm. At its peak, the fire was burning over an area of 800 by 500 metres and nine crews from Ōtaki, Levin, Te Horo and Wellington were in attendance. -
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 Long Term Plan 2024-44 includes three key topics: 1. What services do we need for our community? 2. How should we manage our waste? 3. Sharing costs - who should pay for what? -
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. -
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 three double-bedrooms, two bathrooms, sumptuous open-plan living and dining room which open to a deck that runs along the seaward side of the home. -
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 includes the groyne area. This is an officially protected area: NaPALIS ID: 2795282 Protected Area Name: Waikawa Conservation Area Area (ha) 4.39 Legal Description: Stewardship Area - s.25 Conservation Act 1987 -
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 vehicles overtaking at the intersection. Perhaps the road markings will make a difference? Many thanks to the Waikawa News reader who took these photos and allowed me to use them. -
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. -
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 March 2022 : $783,950 January 2022 : $756,350 See also: Waikawa Beach median house value $677,050 in October 2023. -
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 emergency always call 111. The AED is stored in a stainless steel box on the street facing wall of the public toilets at Hank Edwards Reserve. -
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, and even a dozen or so Pied Stilts, all in a group. -
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 opportunities for people across the lower North Island and the length of the South Island to see the T–6C Texan II aircraft fly overhead on Saturday as they make their way to Invercargill. -
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 feedback so Councillors can make informed decisions. I was surprised recently to see the following statement in reference to Waikawa Beach: "the community receives few council services or council attention for their rates when compared to other parts of the region" -
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. -
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, with added sprinkles. If you’d like to automatically receive posts by email as they are published subscribe. If you know of Waikawa Beach things that would interest others or if you have comments on this newsletter or the websites please let me know at kiaora@waikawanews. -
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 birds like magpies or pigeons, or Shovelers, Paradise Shelducks and other ducks. We’ve seen flocks of Dotterels, Oystercatchers, Terns, and Godwits. It’s not too surprising we see all these birds: Waikawa Estuary is roughly 25 Km from Foxton Estuary and 20 Km from Waikanae Estuary, as the bird flies. -
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 northbound drivers now swing out to overtake those turning left into Waikawa Beach Road. Also, there are no clear markings for people trying to turn out of Waikawa Beach Road to head south. -
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 Tarapirohe | Black-fronted Tern. That's a new addition to the Big List of Birds. New Zealand status: Endemic Conservation status: Nationally Endangered Length: 28 cm; Weight: 95 g; A medium-small blue-grey tern with a forked tail, short orange legs and bright orange pointed decurved bill. -
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 are annoyed that the intersection of SH1 and Waikawa Beach Road still doesn’t have fresh road markings since the work finished there a few weeks ago. -
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 forward this invitation to others. The two meetings are as follows. 1pm at the Otaki Bridge Club (75 Aotaki St, Ōtaki) 4pm at the Andrew Room at Levin Uniting Communities Centre (87 Oxford Street, Levin) Ōtaki and Levin will have new, purpose-built trains before the end of the decade. -
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. -
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 that white blob over on the left, encircled by the donuts? It's a native, declining Kororā | Little blue penguin, that's what. It looks in great condition, except that it's dead. -
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 whatever Councillors decide. Horowhenua District Council is seeking your feedback on three proposed options for vehicle access at Waikawa Beach. Please provide your feedback by 4pm on Tuesday, 20 February 2024.
