Overuse and abuse of prescription drugs is even more of a problem than illegal drugs in America.

(Natural News) The “quick facts” provided by the Alzheimer’s Association are pretty concerning: More than five million people in America are living with Alzheimer’s, and that number is projected to reach 16 million by the year 2050. As the sixth leading cause of death in our nation, it kills more Americans than prostate cancer and breast cancer […]

via Many cases of “dementia” are actually side effects of prescription drugs or vaccines, according to research — Rangitikei Enviromental Health Watch

Unlike last year, today’s Waikanae Show was held in good weather and there were plenty of stall holders, bouncy castles and the like, as well as the tent containing the stage.

These pics were taken about 10:40, attendance increased significantly over the next hour or so.

Driving on the sandspit

The sandspit at the mouth of the Waikanae River is precious, for people and for birds, and is recognised as such.  It is a Scientific Reserve and driving along the beach is banned.  In real life many people drive across and damage it, particularly in whitebaiting season.

The Kapiti Coast District Council (KCDC) gives permits to anyone asking for one, to drive along the beach expressedly for whitebaiting (but not in the Scientific Reserve!).  Whitebait of course come up the river, and these people ignore the limits of the permission to drive across the sandspit.

This is unacceptable.

I expressed my concerns (as a newcomer to a long list of concerned people over the years) in the Public Participation time, to the KCDC on Thursday 1 March and to an iwi committee (Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti) on Tuesday 6 March.

An open letter

This is an open letter to the Kapiti Coast District Council and the iwi representation committee, outlining my two presentations and inviting an answer to some key questions.  It is being provided to Kapiti Independent News, Waikanae Watch, some Department of Conservation contacts, the Guardians of the Kapiti Marine Reserve, and several others.

The responses

It was clear that both groups were well aware of the situation; I was saying nothing new.

The responses were very different.

• KCDC members were supportive
• The iwi committee gave little response.  There was no expression of concern, referring the matter to a sub-committee and stating some special, but unspecified 1840 rights.

Neither answered the questions I put.

• The KCDC did not tell me where they think people are whitebaiting when it gives permits, or why they issue these strange permits (which have no value if the limits are observed).  There was but no indication of action.
• The iwi committee did not tell me if they wished to protect this treasured environment, or if they might tell iwi members to stop driving over the sandspit.

I try again here

I would like to put those questions again to the two groups.  Let’s put it right, first of all with a bit of clarity and honesty.  Just what is going on?

Dr John Robinson

Or as the British and Americans call it, “the woods”.

In an e-mail to Kapiti businesses (below), Air New Zealand says, “the airline is currently making domestic schedule adjustments to better match its aircraft seat capacity to areas of growing customer demand and is committed to continuing to grow the wider regional network”.

“Air New Zealand has operated the Kapiti-Auckland service since 2011 and recognises the support the community has given to it.”

The company says it would support any other airline that operates the route.

The last Air New Zealand service will operate on 3 April.

“Passengers booked to travel past that date will be re-accommodated on alternative services.” Presumably this means that they will get tickets to/from Wellington instead.

Iride McCloy, a Member of the NZ Institute of Travel and Tourism in NZ and who has had an office on the Kapiti Coast since 1979, says, “This is a very sad day for Kapiti and we must now gather to address an alternative solution.  We have been successful in the past having a private-satellite airline in Kapiti, and this can again be achieved.  We must work collaboratively with experienced people in addressing this new direction presented to us and look at alternative methods in bringing visitors to our gorgeous coast.”

Despite the council’s propaganda, clearly Air New Zealand does not think Kapiti is “an area of growing demand” for flights.  Perhaps it is looking ahead to the opening of the Transmission Gully Autobahn in 2 years which will reduce travel time to Wellington by up to 15 minutes, but more likely a company bean-counter has decided profits aren’t big enough on the route.

A great photo taken early yesterday evening by Jeannie Lacey Mallett.  It’s the home of Our Yoga Kāpiti.

That is the most significant statement in the above extract from the WCB council ‘action register’ for its meeting next Tuesday.

Quite a few people will be relieved about that, see the earlier Kapiti Observer articles.

The other firm statement is that paving designs are being finalised for “the area adjacent to Frater Lane outside the Marae” and that work may start this month.

A photo we took in September 2015 from the Waikanae North subdivision showing SH1 traffic and a freight train travelling south at a faster speed than the road vehicles.

The major benefit of the ‘Ewy’ is that over 90% of heavy trucks now use that rather than Waikanae’s Main Road.