She talks about her career in musical theatre at the Support Hub in Mahara Place on Tuesday between 11.00 a.m. and midday, with some of her favourite songs.

“$5 koha please.”

After the beach, trees and birds are what most people associate with Waikanae, and the Ngā Manu private nature reserve is a major attraction.  It’s fitting that this addition to the Arts Trail this year has three accomplished artists (two of them in the top photo) specialising in birds.  See the previous posts.

The first thing to realise is it’s a whole lot easier getting into debt than out of it. Getting out and staying out of debt may require permanent changes about the relationship you have with your money.

The key to getting out of debt is to figure out why or how you got into debt in the first place. If the reason was because of an ongoing issue, like spending more than you earn, then address that issue.

If you don’t know what you are spending your money on, keep a record of your spending over the next month.

Don’t take on any new debt.

This stuff article wasn’t specifically directed at KCDC councilors, but it’s one they ought to read. They probably don’t care.

Or part of it; that of the immediate neighbour of Julie Davidson who is on the Arts Trail this year as she was last year, see the posts.

Waikanae Surfing Club has registrations tomorrow 28 October at the Surf Club shed in the Waimea carpark from 10.00 a.m. till noon.

Those who have registered and paid for the 2018/19 season will have their membership cards ready to pick up. The old cards no longer give access to the Waikanae Boat Club.

The latest issue of NZ’s Architecture Now/Houses has an article on this subject, and some readers will know that the Ferndale subdivision in Waikanae began promoting itself with this claim about 5 years ago; the massive Maypole company development has since jumped on the bandwagon similarly.

We’re still planning to do an in-depth analysis of the latter (its spokespeople are proving difficult to talk to), but here is the concept as presented by this magazine.

With growing concerns about the toxic effects of chemicals and plastics in the natural environment, and whether or not manufacturing labour is ethical, we investigate sustainable practices and reliably sourced, eco-friendly homewares and materials.

Building is a huge factor in carbon emissions and waste. Making good choices around the types of product used for a build can help to reduce the carbon footprint of a house, as can reusing materials from houses that are being torn down or renovated, and ensuring waste products and packaging are recycled or disposed of sustainably, wherever possible.

It is also important to make sure there was no human cost in the making of the products you purchase for your home, by ensuring they can be traced back to an ethical supply chain. And, when it comes to choosing materials for their carbon footprints, it can be a matter of weighing the benefits against the drawbacks. It is a balancing act to ensure that any impact on the environment is outweighed by a product’s output in the long run.

Of course, a warm, dry and well-ventilated house will be better for the environment, as well as healthier for its occupants, than one that is cold and damp. There are many options for insulation, some of which utilise recycled and sustainable materials (wool insulation is an example of the latter).

There are certifications available for anyone who wants to ensure their home is as energy-efficient as possible, such as achieving Passive House certification. However, keeping a design simple, ensuring cross-ventilation and making use of solar gain are all ways in which a home can be made energy-efficient, even if it doesn’t gain a plaque at the front door.

Full article

Five Friends of the Waikanae Town Centre again met yesterday afternoon with the Beca/NZTA/KCDC representatives who were less defensive and more conciliatory than in July.

All we can say at this stage is that concessions to the public views contained in the survey results are being made which, while not pleasing those in the “leave things like they are” camp, at least address some of the objections.

More is to happen; watch this space.

An interesting fact reported by the NZTA is that the combined traffic on both the two routes between Waikanae and Paraparaumu has increased 25% since the ‘Ewy’ opened over what it was previously. They haven’t seen that before, and it suggests a lot of Waikanae people are making shopping trips to Paraparaumu instead of in the Waikanae town centre — hmmm…

Anti-bank-erosion measures include the placement of large rocks (from Linton and elsewhere) and the planting of willow trees, an exception to the nativism that pervades official attitudes.

In this location the main river channel is within a metre of the bank holding the path and in a deluge threatens to wash it out.  The obvious answer may be to get a bulldozer to excavate and push the gravel against the bank so that the channel is in the centre of the bed; however, fluid dynamics have to be considered with other options.

Over 70 people, including the mayor as well as GWRC and KCDC staffers, showed up at the top of the south bank shared path on a grey but dry day for this annual event, although that number fell a bit after the morning tea stop.

The Waikanae River is the second biggest in Kapiti after the Otaki River and is important as the source of reticulated water for Waikanae and Paraparaumu/Raumati; see the post on the visit to the treatment plant in November 2015.

The river periodically makes the news when there is a deluge resulting in flooding, but there are regular maintenance needs, particularly involving erosion of the banks on each side and the inexorable carriage of gravel down the river from the hills which causes the formation of gravel beaches and islands; these affect the river channels and course within the bed.  Regular extraction of it is needed and it’s better to do this before it gets to the Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve.

A stop was made at the Otaraua Park boundary for a mention of what may happen there (see earlier posts).

At the final stop on the north bank by the lagoons the representatives of the Friends of the Waikanae River and the Waikanae Estuary Care Group spoke about what their groups do and the concerns they have.

Don’t miss the Ngā Manu Hub during the Kapiti Arts Trail over the next two weekends.

Three wonderful local artists — Vanessa Owens, Caroline Beaufort and Photographer Fairlie Atkinson — get inspiration from the wildlife at Ngā Manu.

Entry to the exhibition (located in Robin’s Nest at Ngā Manu) is free over both weekends and attendees will receive a half-price entry voucher to Ngā Manu Nature Reserve that can be redeemed between Saturday 27 October and Sunday 4 November.

Artworks, photo canvases, stickers and cards can be purchased with cash or eftpos.

“Local Waikanae Scouts and Venturers will be doing a sausage sizzle and ice-cream and drinks may be purchased from Ngā Manu’s Information Centre — so make this your place to stop for a picnic during the trail! Pick up an Arts Trail Guide and spend the day, weekend or week in Kapiti.”

More details and pics

With a pine nut tree (Pinus pinea) on the right. Also in there is an avocado tree among several other species.