a straw bale garden ~ otaki, new zealand

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Your local community newspaper goes out to 4,600 households in Manakau, Otaki and Te Horo 30 October 2013 Tyre recycling Page: 5 Waitohu School 50 yrs Page: 13 Otaki River Walk Page: 7 Hamish's Glittering Path Mens & Ladies Fashion Clothing 68 Main Street, Otaki Village by LLOYD CHAPMAN Former Otaki Mayor Murray Scott’s son is literally treading the path established by his father. Hamish Scott, 51 has patented a world-first paving product that glows in the dark. The prototype is being trialled by Cambridge City Council in England. If you google ‘Starpath’ you’ll be surprised the media attention his company is attracting. Their website contains a video that explains the revolutionary product. Hamish Scott grew up in Otaki. Rex Kerr remembers him as ‘playing for the 2nd XV’. On leaving Otaki College in 1979, he began an engineering apprenticeship with Southgate Engineering in Arthur Street. He then joined his father’s company, Matta Products. Hamish was a born salesman, remembers his mother. At the age of 29 Hamish went to England, to sell his dad’s innovative matting wares. Hamish sold Matta products to ‘every council in England’, building up a solid rapport with his customers. Hamish married an English girl, Lara and now has two daughters. They live in Virginia Waters, Surrey West of London’s M25. Eventually Hamish sold his distribution company, but retained his focus on council’s needs. His new company, Pro-Teq Surfacing has just patented innovative pathway re-surfacing methodology called STARPATH. Hamish Scott said, “Councils spend significant sums of money fully replacing existing pathways when the existing surfaces have reached the end of their practical life. Our product is cost effective, fast to apply and fast to set, is an anti-slip surface, while the client has a choice of size and colour of aggregate. Once the aggregate is laid we apply a finishing coat, which is specially formulated to ensure the surface is water- resistant, and provides longevity to the finished product. Further, the surface is environmentally-friendly and aesthetically pleasing”. He continued, “We are so pleased Cambridge City Council has agreed to trial the product. STARPATH has attracted much interest from the public, in Cambridge and other councils in the UK. We continue to refine and adapt the product to ensure it meets the on-going needs of our customers and the environment”. Continued on page: 2 Hamish Scott

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A Straw Bale Garden ~ Otaki, New Zealand

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Page 1: A Straw Bale Garden ~ Otaki, New Zealand

Your local community newspaper goes out to 4,600 households in Manakau, Otaki and Te Horo 30 October 2013

TyrerecyclingPage: 5

WaitohuSchool 50 yrsPage: 13

Otaki RiverWalkPage: 7

Hamish's Glittering Path

Mens & Ladies Fashion Clothing

68 M

ain

Stre

et, O

taki

Vill

age

by LLOYD CHAPMAN

Former Otaki Mayor Murray Scott’s son is literally treading the path established by his father. Hamish Scott, 51 has patented a world-first paving product that glows in the dark. The prototype is being trialled by Cambridge City Council in England. If you google ‘Starpath’ you’ll be surprised the media attention his company is attracting. Their website contains a video that explains the revolutionary product.

Hamish Scott grew up in Otaki. Rex Kerr remembers him as ‘playing for the 2nd XV’. On leaving Otaki College in 1979, he began an engineering apprenticeship with Southgate Engineering in Arthur Street. He then joined his father’s company, Matta Products. Hamish was a born salesman, remembers his mother. At the age of 29 Hamish went to England, to sell his dad’s innovative matting wares. Hamish sold Matta products to ‘every council in England’, building up a solid rapport with his customers.

Hamish married an English girl, Lara and now has two daughters. They live in Virginia Waters, Surrey West of London’s M25. Eventually Hamish sold his distribution company, but retained his focus on council’s needs.

His new company, Pro-Teq Surfacing has just patented innovative pathway re-surfacing methodology called STARPATH. Hamish Scott said, “Councils spend significant sums of money fully replacing existing pathways when the existing surfaces have reached the end of their practical life. Our

product is cost effective, fast to apply and fast to set, is an anti-slip surface, while the client has a choice of size and colour of aggregate. Once the aggregate is laid we apply a finishing coat, which is specially formulated to ensure the surface is water-resistant, and provides longevity

to the finished product. Further, the surface is environmentally-friendly and aesthetically pleasing”. He continued, “We are so pleased Cambridge City Council has agreed to trial the product. STARPATH has attracted much interest from

the public, in C a m b r i d g e and other

councils in the UK. We continue to refine and adapt the product to ensure it meets the on-going needs of our customers and the environment”.

Continued on page: 2

Hamish Scott

Page 2: A Straw Bale Garden ~ Otaki, New Zealand

Page: 2 Otaki Mail - 30 October 2013

Otaki Kindergarten 68a Waerenga Road, Otaki Phone 06 364 8553

Email [email protected] of operationTeina (younger children)Tues & Fri 8.30 am – 12.40 pmTuakana (older)Mon, Wed & Thurs 8.45 am - 2.45 pmCall in to kindergarten to complete an enrolment form or do it online at

www.wn-kindergarten.org.nzOr just pop in for a look around the kindergarten•Vacancies available•We provide a high quality Educational

programme• All teachers fully trained

By MARGARET ANDREWS

There was plenty for everyone to do at the Otaki College gala with a good variety of stalls, activities and entertainment as people came out and enjoyed the bright sunshine.

“It was a fabulous day, enjoyed by a large number of people of all ages,” said Megan Nelson-Latu, Home & School Committee spokesperson. “And the weather was stunning!”

Numbers were on a par with the last two years and they expected to raise between $8000-$9000, with the proceeds going to fund student activities and gear.

There were the traditional gala stalls - cakes, books, white elephant, toys and plants, hot dog, sausage sizzles and sandwich stalls along with the Chow Mein and the sweets, toffee apples and cold drinks, which were popular during the lunch hour, the chicken wheel quick draw raffles and hangi were also popular.

Out on the back field were the bouncy castles, paintball and horse rides, with new activities – wet sponge stocks, “smash-em-up” car wrecking and “Knock your Block Off – opposing warriors dressed in inflated garments trying to knock the “head” off the opposition with a giant sized inflated paddle! Other activities included a Japanese fishing game, face painting, and raffles.

Among the goods donated to the gala, was a pretty woman’s powder box containing some hidden treasure, it was in a box of goods including a New Zealand book inscribed “To Mum from Barry”. If anyone recognises the container or book, please contact the college office as they are keen to return the unexpected treasure.

Maddie Hawley-Stone sang to

the crowd and the year 10 dance class gave a demonstration of a “flash mob” dance. In a quiet spot by the whanau centre, people could sit and listen to Andrew and Kirsten London sing and play guitar as they enjoyed a quiet cuppa at the café.

The gala was organised by the Home & School committee with support from staff and parents.

It seems Pro-Teq are ‘streets ahead of the rest’ and are clearly welcomed by many. Pro-Teq has earned an outstanding reputation for repeat business from key customers, primarily because its customers recognise there is a significant technology and environmental gap between Pro-Teq products and more traditional resurfacing options.

The Cambridge path took Hamish and his team of four only four hours to resurface the existing pathway. People were able to walk on the new path half an hour later. Best of all, it’s inexpensive, costing only $150 a square metre, which may sound a lot, but in council

terms, it’s cheap and effective.How does it work ? It’s spray-

applied as a three coat process. First the polyurethane base, then the aggregate (or rubber chip) coating, finally the polyaspartic top sealer coat. The aggregate material absorbs and stores energy from ambient (UV) light during the day, then releases the energy at night, allowing the particles to glow.

Why are councils so excited ? Local government is trying to cut costs by cutting night-time lighting. Starpath may provide the solution. Hamish reports “As far as I know (and I speak to Cambridge City Council regularly) the path has

been received very well. Radio Cambridge broadcast live from the site earlier this week and were stopping passers-by and asking their opinion, and all of them were very favourable!

The Otaki Mail asked Hamish whether this would be suitable for resurfacing our troubled Main Street footpaths. He laughed: ‘I will be back in December but will not be doing any demos. I can’t spray without my trucks and I can’t put them on a flight! As much as I would love to help Otaki to resurface their main street, I think that project may have to wait for a while longer.’

Hamish's Glittering Path Continued from page: 1

Fabulous day enjoyed by all ages

Eric Matthews works hard at the chicken wheel egging people on to buy the quick fire raffle tickets, with offers of “great prizes”.

Not bareback but backwards! Cooper James aged, was so confident riding old Moose he straddled the saddle backwards as he was led around the ring.

Page 3: A Straw Bale Garden ~ Otaki, New Zealand

Page: 3Otaki Mail - 30 October 2013

SummerSet by the rangeS – love the life

Otaki and Te Horo residents who have made the move to Summerset by the Ranges

Great people make a great retirement village. Nowhere is that truer than at Summerset by the Ranges.

We have a warm and welcoming community where the greetings are friendly and the smiles are genuine. We’re here to enjoy life – whether it’s the organised activities or just getting together for a cup of tea and a chat. There are so many things to do here – and, of course, it’s always up to you which activities you choose to enjoy.

If you would like to know more about Summerset by the Ranges, call Robyn Minchin on 06 367 3085 or drop in if you’re passing by. You will find our lovely, established village at 102 Liverpool Street, Levin.

An affordable home – a more enjoyable lifeWhen you come to Summerset, living in an affordably priced home – with no rates or maintenance bills – means you have the time and the means to enjoy your life to the fullest.

Right now we can show you a selection of homes that we know you will love, at a price you will love. Drop in if you’re passing by, or call Robyn on 06 367 3085.

Meet Robyn from SummersetGertrude Atmore Supper Room

Otaki Memorial Hall, Main Street, Otaki Wednesday 6 November, 2pm – 4pm

Renee - always a writer

By MARGARET ANDREWS

It ain’t all Honey and it ain’t all Jam, a journey from childhood to today with 84 year old playwright, novelist, nonfiction writer, teacher, poet, gardener and cook, Renee, at a recent evening at the Otaki Community Health Centre.

“A book is a book is a book… it’s a book whether it’s online or between covers”, Renee (she prefers just Renee) as she encompasses the modern technology and writing e-books, one chapter a week “if Charles Dickens could publish a chapter a week in a newspaper in

Victorian times, I thought I could do the same in the 21st century, on the net!”

Although she was a “bright” child – “of course you got as high in class as you could” was her mother’s approval when she came top in class! She had little formal education, leaving school at age 12. Renee had always enjoyed writing and so sent some articles away for publication; although she was soon getting paid for her work, after early rejections she knew she had to learn how to write for publication. She joined the Hawkes Bay branch of the NZ Women’s Writers Group, soon realising almost all members were university graduates! She began writing essays and then started extramural study and attended Auckland University in her third year. It took 10 years to complete her arts degree.

She wrote her first play 'What did you do in the war Mummy' after she graduated and later 'Wednesday to Come', which was written for her mother who died at 42 when Renee was just 19. The play was directed by well-known actor and director, George Webby, with Kate Harcourt, Jane Waddell and Georgina Whitehouse, opening at Downstage theatre. This was followed by a revue which later went on tour around New Zealand.

“I knew now I could write stage shows that people would come to see” she said.

Renee has received many awards for her work and contributions to literature, theatre,

teaching and mentoring, the pinnacle being made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, and her most recent the Kingi Ihaaka award; she has also held the Robert Burns Fellowship at Otago University, the Waikato Writing Fellowship at Waikato University and the Randell Cottage Fellowship in Wellington.

More recently she has been tutor and mentor at the Whitireia Polytechnic creative writing programme and led many workshops. Her 'Your Life, Your Story' workshops on Memoirs for the Cancer Society and in the wider community led to the book 'Your Life,

Your Story' a Practical Guide to Writing Memoirs.

In 2012 she began her own website Wednesday Busk.com publishing a chapter of a novel each Wednesday, Wednesday poems contributed by poets from around the country and a Writers Talk interviews with well-known NZ writers, poets and playwrights, and a blog in which she muses on life, gardening and writing.

More recently she has been teaching at a nine week writing workshop through the Otaki Women’s Health Centre, who hosted the evening.

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Page 4: A Straw Bale Garden ~ Otaki, New Zealand

Page: 4 Otaki Mail - 30 October 2013

If you live in Te Horo and have something newsworthy to share, call 364 3046 or Email Vivienne on [email protected] Let’s put Te Horo on the map and make Te Horo an essential part of the Otaki Mail every month.

By MARGARET ANDREWS

After nearly 30 years of clearing rubbish and keeping the grass cut and grounds tidy, the swimming pool in use and the heating operating, Otaki College caretaker Llew Ellis, hung up his keys and retired at the end of term three.

The former jockey’s first taste of working at the college was on a placement on the former Department of Works work scheme, from which he gained the caretaker’s position.

“That first morning this cocky little jockey walked up the drive and I wondered what the heck they’d sent me,” former principal Rex Kerr told Mr Ellis’s farewell assembly. “But later we hired him! He’s been here almost 30 years, that’s a remarkable time for anyone.”

Mr Ellis has stayed in the job for close to 30 years, no one was quite sure when he officially started work, and he has seen many changes in that time. Workwise the best upgrade would have had to be to the automatic natural gas system which lit at the flick of a switch; before that it was the coal fired boiler, where he had to shovel the coal off the truck into the coal bunker and then into the boiler, getting it started early each winter’s morning, so classrooms and offices were warm by the time pupils and staff arrived for the day.

From his first days to his retirement he has made many friends among staff and students.

“Heartfelt thanks to you, for the 28-29 years you’ve served the school,” Principal Andy Fraser said. “Every burglar in town knew Llew and knew if he caught them he’d take them off at their knees”

He presented Mr Ellis with a kauri waka which had been carved in traditional patterns, one symbolising strength, agility and swiftness, the other representing the Atua - the gods, who protect all who sail in the waka and the person who owns it. A smaller waka, once given to Mr Fraser by Mr Ellis, was attached outrigger style, as Mr Fraser felt it belonged to his workmate, having been carved by a friend of his many years before.

The whole school then performed a haka, in recognition of what Mr Ellis meant to them and the work he did at the college.

One of his earliest duties was security, there were no lights or alarms then and he would do his rounds accompanied by his “guard dog” Schulz, a “huge”

Alsatian cross who followed him everywhere. Teacher, Gillian Gordon spoke of how reassuring it was to know he was around, when she was in a classroom after hours and the alarm went off. “I only had to text Llew and he’d come.”

He was known to be pretty good at picking winners and always had some good tips going, but former teacher, Rod Graham said the best tip was “Always do what the principal says, but remember the most important people were the lady in the office and the caretaker!!”

“I knew nothing about this today,” he said of the total surprise of the assembly presentation and the morning tea. Maybe his fellow staff members knew him too well, judging by the photographic proof of his ability to “disappear” when it was time for the annual staff photo, they probably rightly guessed he would be “missing’ at the appropriate moment!

There were several former staff members at the farewell assembly and morning tea, who added their memories to the occasion during morning tea.

By MARGARET ANDREWS

An Otaki resident’s last wishes were granted, when he received a military burial following his death in late September.

Staff Officer (retired) William Charles Cooper died on September 26 and as a long serving officer was entitled to a full military honours burial. His funeral service - tangi, was held at Whakarongatai Marae in Waikanae, before his casket was brought back to Otaki for the burial ceremony. The flag draped casket was loaded onto a gun carriage and escorted up Anzac Road to the soldiers cemetery, accompanied by an escort party from the 2nd Engineers Regiment based at Linton Army Camp.

“I served with Bill in three separate units,” said David Maloney, National Vice President for NZRSA.

“He was a fellow with lots of skill, integrity and honesty. We will miss him.”Over 300 family and friends attended the service and burial, with his former SAS mates recited the “brothers’ ode”, sang their song The

Green Green Grass of home, which was followed by three rounds of rifle salute, playing of the Last Post with the lowering of the flag and Reveille to end the formal part of the burial.

“It cannot be recalled when such a funeral was last held at Otaki Cemetery,” president of the Otaki RSA, Colin Robertson, said.

A military funeral is the entitlement of any long serving officer and is arranged by the NZ Defence Force.

Bill Cooper served 23 years in the NZ Army, enlisting in 1963 he saw action in Vietnam, Malaya and later with the Special Air Service in Borneo. After 10 years with the SAS he was discharged in 1984 when he transferred to the Reserve Officers list until his retirement a year later.

A little known part of Mr Cooper’s life was his involvement with the Te Maori Expo from when it opened in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Arts in 1984. Many of his extended family were involved with the kapa haka group which attended the opening.

Te Horo Christmas MarketPlans are currently underway

for the community’s Christmas Market, which will be held, rain or shine, on Saturday, 14th December at Te Horo Community Hall. This is the eighth year for the market, a popular destination for both the local community and those from further afield. Spokesperson,

Sharon Hurst, said she’s received many enquiries already regarding stalls.

“It’s a great family morning out, and also a way of supporting your local community.” Bookings can be made from late October by contacting Ms Hurst on 06 364 3624 or [email protected]

Craft Circle expandsThe success of Te Horo’s

Craft Circle group has led to an extension of hours which are now 10.00am to 4.00pm, at Te Horo Hall.

“The ladies wanted more time to craft so we experimented last month with a new time – it was a great success.”

Crafters are now able to bring along their sewing machines

and larger projects to work on, such as quilts. Crafts involved are varied, and include advent calendar-making, hand-smocking and card-making.

Newcomers are always welcome, “you don’t need to stay all day and it’s only $2 for a coffee.” Next meeting is Wednesday, 13 November.

Te Horo Community MarketIf you find yourself with

a large surplus of fruit or something in your garden, or you’re starting up a new craft, you’ll be welcome at Te Horo’s regular monthly market. Stalls are available and “there’s no

need to commit to having a stall every month. It’s a great, friendly market and a lot of fun.” Next market is Sunday 3 November, 10.00am to 12.30pm - to book a stall contact Barbara on 06 364 3900.

Drinks and NibblesThe monthly evening get-

together at Te Horo Hall continues to attract new faces, and last month saw “an incredible turnout.” The BYO event is a great way to meet

newcomers to the area and to catch up with old mates and neighbours – just bring a plate of something to share and a drink – next Drinks and Nibbles is Friday, 1 November, 5.30pm.

I wondered what the heck they’d sent me

Military funeral for long serving officer

Page 5: A Straw Bale Garden ~ Otaki, New Zealand

Page: 5Otaki Mail - 30 October 2013

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by LLOYD CHAPMAM

One of the more interesting developments for Otaki's Cleantech Park is the recycling and reprocessing of tyres. Kapiti resident Reiner Wenzel is embarking on a factory to recycle tyres from cars & trucks. He plans a prototype factory commencing March, employing 7 local staff to process initially 400,000 tyres per annum. A more ambitious 24,000 square metre factory processing ten times the initial volume is scheduled to come onstream in late 2015. It is projected to employ 50 people.

So how does it all work ? A conventional car tyre weighs about 10kg. It comprises 85% rubber, 12% steel, 3% fibre. At the end of its life, having travelled about 80,000km, it weighs 9kg and the original steel and fibre remain. Collecting and recycling tyres is a difficult business, with a large proportion of tyres finding their way into landfills, where they do not decompose. Car tyres generally have 70% synthetic rubber, 30% natural. Truck tyres are much higher in natural rubber. Reiner's approach is to shred tyres direct at the collection point, with a trailer-mounted shredder, resulting in a coarse granulated product that is easily transported to the Otaki factory for further

processing. Back at the factory, the

granules are shredded, with steel and fabric separated out. The remaining rubber is ground down to the consistency of fine sugar granules. The rubber granules are 'devulcanised' with heat & pressure into long-chain hydrocarbons. This results in a sticky powder. Next comes the clever bit, involving the 'secret ingredient', which he describes as the 'revulcanise' process, which produces 'new' rubber. This will be exported to the far east, where there exists a ready market for the production of tyres, or conveyor belts.

Right now, New Zealand consumes 4 million tyres annually. Reiner's pilot plant will process 400,000 tyres. His $20 million factory scheduled for 2015 will have a capacity to take 1/3 of all NZ tyres or approximately 3,000,000 tyres annually . It will run 24/7 and will employ 50 staff. When the factory is running, Reiner reckons he will need 10 trailer-mounted shredders, to operate throughout the country. This is the sort of operation that might be franchised, in the long term. The Otaki factory will recruit locally, and will need machine operators, mechanics, and eventually will provide apprenticeships for

school-leavers. Why Otaki ? Well, Reiner has

visited NZ many times, likes Kapiti as a place to live, and has been seduced by KCDC and their forward-looking Cleantech initiative. The Ministry for the Environment have endorsed his proposals, having determined that his processes are not

environmentally harmful. Nigel Pritchard and his Riverbank Engineering team of innovative engineers are looking forward to working with Reiner to produce tyre-munching machines. There is already strong foreign interest for this type of equipment. Interested parties are scheduled to arrive in Otaki from China, Germany

and elsewhere this November to secure the purchase of the recycled rubber, says Reiner.

With Matta Products having already established Otaki as a clever recycling centre, Reiner Wenzel is set to expand the town's reputation.

Tyre Recycling Plant For Otaki

"The devulcaniser"

Page 6: A Straw Bale Garden ~ Otaki, New Zealand

Page: 6 Otaki Mail - 30 October 2013

Taking Otaki’s pulse

Otaki Birthing Services

www.otakimidwives.org.nz Phone: 364 8337Open Thursday’s from 10.30am -12pm or by arrangement

Please ring for more information regarding the next ante natal class or to make an appointment to be seen

He Whare Kohanga OraMaternity Information and Resource Centre

288 Main Highway, Otaki

ŌtakiCommunity Health Centre

186 Mill Road, Otaki

Otaki Women’s Health CentreSexual Health ClinicsCervical Screening ClinicsCounsellingTotal Mobility AgentHealth Information

YogaMeals on Wheels

Arthritis Support GroupBowen Therapy 362 6603

Rebirthing Breathwork 021 143 4099ebooks Accounting 027 229 2312

MidCentral DHB – Alcohol & Other Drugs Service, Child, Adolescent & Family Mental Health and Adult Mental Health Service

Rooms available for rent, long or short termFor information on services phone Janet or Michelle on 364 6367

Monday – Friday

Place: Otaki Medical Centre 2 Aotaki Street OtakiDate: Tuesday 19 NovemberTime: 4pm – 6pm

No appointment necessaryAll welcome

Free Spot Checks

By MARGARET ANDREWS

Often the thought of exercising brings about thoughts of pain and anguish from bending, stretching and twisting or pavement pounding, but at Kori Kaumatua

the sessions are fun and non –stressful.

Kori Kaumatua – is exercise for the older persons. Forget about fast aerobics, “air-punching" exercises or lifting. The beauty of Kori Kaumatua is it low impact and relatively slow; the actions are smooth and the heaviest object you will lift is a ball! It involves stretching using resistance bands and chair aerobics – sitting on your chair, so no “heaving” yourself off the floor and you can hang on to the back of your chair for balance if you need.

“My family has seen a difference in me and say keep it up Mum” 80 plus year old Jean Hing said. “With the combination movements, especially arm movements, my strength and balance are improving.” Mrs Hing has been attending for two months.

The twice weekly classes are held at Nga Pura Pura, the gymnasium complex opposite Te Wananga O Raukawa. Leader, Ngawira Logan, who started the classes after completing a Degree in Maori Lifestyle Development and sports coaching, including health and fitness.

“Many of the exercises help with strengthening muscles in the arms and chest, which helps

recovery from body scarring and co-ordination movements with stroke rehabilitation,” Ms Logan said.

“Ours are really easy, not stressful and we all do it together,” said Laree Mann, who is recovering from a stroke; she has been attending since classes began five months ago. “It’s improved my movement and balance, making what we do easier and the more you do the more you get from it.”

Another delighted attendee is Waikura Logan, Ngawira’s mother. She has been waiting for a knee replacement operation, when she first came to the classes she was walking with two crutches, now she can walk on her own.

“Awesome, absolutely awesome,” she exclaimed. “Since coming here I’ve seen people with various medical conditions and see how they have improved. It’s good for their health and wellbeing.”

The classes are open to anyone and run between 10 & 11 on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. The only charge is $2 for the morning tea provided at the end of class

MS Logan said they are trialling another group on Monday night at 5pm, class runs for 40-45 minutes.

By MARGARET ANDREWS

The child car restraint law changes from November 1, from when it will be compulsory for all children aged five to their eighth birthday to use an approved child restraint.

There are a variety of booster seats on the market including the half seat, which is just the base, using the adult seat belt.

“Although the half booster seat is legal, we don’t recommend them as they have no place to secure the seat belt away from the child’s neck and have no neck or back protection, in a high impact collision,” said Maheno Stone, Levin Plunket qualified car seat technician.

The New Zealand Plunket Society has extended its carseat hire service to include the booster seats, and their trained technicians can advise on the correct restraints for your children. The booster seats can also be purchased from Plunket and they will provide quotes for Work and Income NZ funding, where applicable. The seats available from Plunket range in price from $110-$280. The more expensive one has a five point harness and can be used by a child from three years or 29.4 kilograms up to 50 kilograms.

The Levin Plunket Rooms in Cambridge Street is the closest carseat advice and recommendations centre for Otaki people. Parents unsure of any information they have received can contact the Levin office on phone 06 3686762 or 029 7799667.

While a likely scenario with children over five, who now use

just the adult seatbelt, will be a “protest” at having to go back to using car seats again, but point out

the positive – the higher they sit the more they can see out through the window.

Levin Plunket’s Maheno Stone checks the booster seat for correct position and seatbelt security, four year old Rasela Fonoti from the Fanau Pasifika Kindergarten.

Keep them Safe!

Forget about fast aerobics

Page 7: A Straw Bale Garden ~ Otaki, New Zealand

Page: 7Otaki Mail - 30 October 2013

Focus On ..... .... Friends of the Otaki Riverby LLOYD CHAPMAN

George Gray of Ngati Raukawa was born at Tainui in 1931. In 1951 he joined the Manawatu Catchment Board, as the overseer of the Otaki river. He retired from the Wellington Regional Council forty years later. Initially much of the river work was done by hand, then by dragline, then tractors. Now modern diggers make it much easier. George remembers the great flood of 1955, when the river jumped to a different course, away from Chrystall's bend. He respects the Otaki river: 'You can't trust Nature: the river can change within hours'. Carl's family came to Otaki in 1935 and have farmed beside the river for nearly eight decades. George respects the contribution of the Lutz family to the Otaki river.

This year, in glorious sunshine, the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) and the Friends Of The Otaki River (FOTOR) conducted their river walkover. This, the 13th annual walkover represents valuable community consultation; a chance for GWRC to showcase their flood protection work, and for the community to see FOTOR's development and planting of the river margin.

The Friends began in 2001, with Don Hunn as chairman. He was succeeded by Peter Pope, and since 2005 Max Lutz has headed the vibrant organisation, which comprises more than 200 members, representing all walks of Otaki life. All the old families are represented on the Executive, in a list that looks like the "who's who" of Otaki: Eric Matthews, Trevor Wylie, Peter Pope, Ron Clouston, Barry Cole, Ted Gimblett, Pat Hakaraia, Alan Jones, Barry Mansell, Christine Papps, Cathy Strong, Peter Waering, Leonore Winterburn, Margaret Bayston, Penny Gaylor, Margaret Niven, Rupene Waaka, Graeme Winterburn.

In three buses, the 115 visitors were taken first to the Rahui cliffs at the upper reaches of the river. The braided Otaki river system carries the greatest volume of water of all the rivers off the Taratuas. Matsudana willows have, in GWRC's opinion proved to be the best way to inhibit erosion, doing a better job than native plantings.

Rock groynes will be erected at the end of debris fences on the Southern bank to prevent erosion of the riverbank. In 1998 when GWRC began re-alignment, the river was 80 metres wide. In the second phase, bulldozers widened the river to ensure that the river channel was in the middle of the river which was widened to 240 metres. New stopbanks were built, in a $2 million scheme to provide buffers to protect the Rahui valley of Otaki from serious flooding. As part of the channel management plan, 54,000 cubic metres of gravel are extracted annually. Bunds have been built to protect FOTOR's planting of natives. Chrystall's Bend is no longer the weak link in the Otaki river flood management system.

Morning tea at Chrystall's lagoon gave a chance to hear about some of the important aspects of floodplain management, and to celebrate the supportive works of FOTOR. Chairman Max Lutz spoke enthusiastically of Rex Kerr's book Otaki River, an important piece of work documenting the history of the river and its people. Max says this is the first book on the Otaki River, and sold out within 4 months of its first printing last year. Now in reprint, it is available from New World, Caltex, and RiverStone Cafe at a cost of $30, with all proceeds going to FOTOR's planting and restoration projects.

Next, we witnessed the presentation of a cheque for $5,000 from the Philipp foundation to enable children from Otaki Primary School to plant 1,000 seedlings at the estuary next year. The Philipp foundation sponsors conservation, health and education in Kapiti.

There are now eight km of public walkways along the Otaki river. To the East, you can walk up the Northern bank to Chrystall's Lagoon, where the extensive plantings by FOTOR can be viewed. To the West, both banks of the river have good pathways. On the Southern side, you can walk down the stopbanks as far as Katihiku marae. On the Northern side, you can walk from the carpark past the gravel extraction plant all the way down to the rivermouth.

The recently-erected viewing plat-form affords a good view over to

Katihiku and beyond to Kapiti island. Te Waari Carkeek told the group of an incorporation of 4,000 owners who run the land, grazed under lease by a local farmer. There is the largest colony of pied stilts in the region, together with a population of lizards in the grassy sand dunes. The massive weed bur-den is a problem that requires ongoing maintenance.

Mark Hooker of GWRC spoke of the stopbanks near the gravel extraction plant. They were originally erected in the 1940s. Their purpose was to withstand one-in-20 year floods, with more extreme flooding overflowing into the adjacent market garden land. Gravel extraction allows GWRC to effectively manage the river channel, while being mindful of environmental effects.

Chairman Max Lutz spoke with enthusiasm of the planting carried out by FOTOR. Public planting days several times every winter afford the community a chance to participate. With pre-dug holes, it is not uncommon for more than a hundred people to participate. To date, plantings exceed 45,000 natives. FOTOR has been a victim of its own success, and without a Ministry for the Environment grant, they would not be able to maintain the ongoing support demanded by the burgeoning plantings.

The real success story belongs, however to the 15-20 volunteers who turn up every Wednesday morning at the FOTOR nursery at the Riverbank road GWRC depot. This was the brainchild of the late Dr Barrie Bayston, who reasoned that they would never be able to afford to purchase all the natives for their planting projects. So he developed a nursery, using eco-sourced seeds. He was able to produce plants at one third the cost of local nurseries. Now the nursery has an annual production of 5,000 plants, all of the very highest quality.

Back at the GWRC depot, lunch was served, and everyone had a chance to talk to GWRC staff, inspect the nursery, and talk about future plans for enhancing the riparian environment of the Otaki river.

Two Oldies but Goodies - Carl Lutz & George Gray

Friends of the River with Chrystall's bend in the background

Cathy Strong, Max Lutz and Rex Kerr discuss the book

Margaret Bayston and Viola Palmer in the nursery

Ray and Irene Mackle, representing the Philipp foundation, present children from Otaki School with the cheque

The Otaki Mail thanks GWRC for the photographs used in this article.

Eric Matthews and Max Lutz admire Eric's sign

Page 8: A Straw Bale Garden ~ Otaki, New Zealand

Page: 8 Otaki Mail - 30 October 2013

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The banks are moving to limit lending to people with less than 10% and have the ability to limit their risk to borrowers with 20% and above deposit. The Reserve Bank’s limit on LVR (high–loan–to-value) lending has affected some purchasers in the bigger cities, (some real estate agents are reporting), where 20% deposits are very difficult for first home buyers.

Currently the major banks write loans at LVR levels are at 29% of their lending; this will now reduce by one third. ASB’s move to cancel preapprovals for borrowers has had a chilling effect on some first home buyers as reported by the media. While many of the banks are reviewing who they will lend to, some bank’s lending criteria are strongly favouring the first home buyer as preference, other will lend only to existing customers, so it is time to shop around.

There is a mixed reaction from the loan markets as to the effect of the LVR, most believe that it will not affect the volume of sales within the residential real estate market, as investors will

step in to pick up the slack. Other market influences are the slowly rising fixed interest rates in the past months; however, these have not yet had an effect on reducing house prices.

So while the Reserve Banks intention for the LVR is to have an effect on limiting house value increased, particularly in Auckland, the predictions are this will apply influence over a period of time, except in some markets such as Auckland and Christchurch whereby, supply and demand will still be the drivers on prices.

Bach - Change of rulesAnother legislative change has been

in Bach depreciation and the mixed –use of assets which include rental homes, charter boats and aircraft. The new rule requires reductions that relate to rented and private use of the property. The new rules increase the record taking liability of the owner. If in doubt check with your accountant so you are prepared for 2014 tax compliance.

Feeling the chill- First home buyers

'Te Ora Pai' the perfect place to live the lifestyle - in the mild benevolent Manakau climate. Here on your 3HA (approx 7ac) of quality grazing land, here amongst orchard,ponds, cows and chooks. Handy to Manakau Village for school and society, handy to Otaki for shopping and transport. Your young 4 bedroom home, master, ensuite, double garage, open plan living, elevated views and decks, is a delightful spot to live the rural idle.Offers around $520,000

Classic Lifestyle90 Manakau Heights Drive, Manakau

MARGARET ANDREWS

The planting of 30 heritage apple trees at Stand Children’s Services is the beginning of new groundsman, Bob Monaghan’s desire to have food producing crops growing on site.

The trees are a mix of cooking and fresh eating apples and should start producing fruit within a year or two. New Zealand Tree Crops Association (NZTCA) eight members spent the morning digging holes and planting the trees at Stand (formerly Children’s Health Camp), the beginnings of an on-site orchard and garden.

“This will be great, it’s a start,” Mr Monaghan said, he’s keen to have food crops growing on site.

A few months ago, Hannah Swartz, Kapiti Coast Council’s Green Gardener, had mentioned to

NZTCA’s Sharon Hurst, she was looking for help to plant fruit trees at Stand. Ms Hurst mentioned the project at a Plant Propagation night class she attends and was offered the apple trees by class tutor Warren Kerruish, who had grafted them.

The project received assistance with donations of products, from Composting NZ a mix of compost and soil - the camp grounds are very sandy, Farmlands Otaki and with Mitchpine Products 60 stakes for the new trees to keep them steady as the put down their roots and Electra’s mulch to help the trees retain moisture in the difficult conditions at the Otaki Beach, the new trees are off to a good start – there was even a good rainfall over the next day or two.

“Personally, I find it a bit of a disappointment children often

don’t know where their food comes from,” Ms Hurst said. “We help where we can with planting trees and some propagation, we hold regular monthly field events to see how plantings are growing and can give advice where needed.”

One of main objectives for the Wellington-Horowhenua Branch of NZTCA’s is to show people tree planting as a crop – both fruit and nut trees and pine. Currently they have almond trees growing on one site as they try to find which area is best for growing almonds.

“We try to help the community,” Ms Hurst said. Over the last couple of years the group has planted a mixture of fruit trees at Kapanui School in Waikanae and fruit trees at St Matthews Park in Raumati and they are hoping to be able to plants more fruit trees in schools around the area.

The Kapiti Concert Orchestra is delighted to be playing its very own timpani in their next concert in Levin this November. Thanks to a very generous grant from the Philipp Foundation, the orchestra has been able to purchase three timpani, and will have them for the November 16th concert.

Also known as kettle drums, timpani are an essential part of the percussion section and are traditionally a large copper bowl with a drum skin and can be tuned to different notes. The modern instrument can be aluminum which 0makes the drums lighter and more easily transportable.

The orchestra is also

delighted to have been asked to play at Te Takere and this will be the first time an orchestra has performed in Levin. There will be about 50 players, mostly from the Kapiti Coast and a few from the Wellington area. The programme includes Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, Hummel’s Trumpet Concerto, Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Nights Dream, and to finish, Anderson’s toe tapping Sleigh Ride.

Concert Saturday Nov 16th at 4.30pm at Te Takere, Levin. Tickets from Te Takere, online or from KCO

We welcome new players – google Kapiti Concert Orchestra for more details

New Drums for Kapiti Orchestra

Pictured with the 3 timpani – Doreen Douglas, Timpanist, Fran Tull and Angela Ford, KCO committee members

Children often don’t know where their food comes from

Sharon Hurst and Hannah Zwartz KCDC’s Green Gardener, secure a new heritage apple tree against the strong coastal winds at Stand Children’s centre

Page 9: A Straw Bale Garden ~ Otaki, New Zealand

Page: 9Otaki Mail - 30 October 2013

By MARGARET ANDREWS

Otaki’s second Community Organisations Expo was a great success with 26 groups on hand to display or give demonstrations and give people a chance to try their hand at some of activities on show.

Expo organisers Otaki Village Promotions Group members, were delighted with the response from the public with over 500 people who visited the expo in the Memorial Hall.

“There are good contacts being made and there’s such a variety,” said Carol Ward, speaking for the organisers. “We delighted with the turnout.”

The Kapiti Coast Council’s new Clean Technology electric rubbish truck drew lots of interest outside the front door.

The Otaki Bowling Club had an indoor mat down and people could have a go at bowling or petanque, there was an opportunity to wage battle at the Miniature War Games table, pot a cabbage tree seed with the Waitohu Stream Care Group then take it home and care for it

till it was big enough to move to a bigger pot or into the garden. A foursome from the Otaki Bridge Club set up a table and played a round of bridge for the duration of the expo. The local Tai Kwon Do club gave a demonstration of the skills and the Otaki Athletics Club was able to enrol several new families for the season.

Among Otaki service groups and clubs were representatives from Rotary International, Transition Towns and their Time Bank, Community Patrol, Civil Defence, Probus Club and members of the Menzshed, the Historical Society, Kapiti Older Persons’ Council, Volunteer Kapiti, Alzheimer’s Society and the Literacy organisations. “There’s been lots of interest and with over 500 people visiting, moving the expo into the hall was the right thing to do,” Otaki Village Promotions Debbie Carson said.

By MARGARET ANDREWS

Kids Go Green in Kapiti, planting seeds and recycling junk kept the younger children busy over at the library during the school holidays, while the teenagers built on their artistic skills learning two forms of portraiture.

Growing seeds has always fascinated children and they had the opportunity to make a “cress head” – filling the toe of an old stocking or similar with cress seeds, decorating a plastic pot, yoghurt pots are ideal, sitting the head on top add some eyes and keep it moist. The seeds should sprout within a few days and keep a fairly continuous growth of cress, for a time.

The second week it was Junkobots – robots made from recycled grocery boxes, tins, plastic bottles and such. The kids were very creative with their robots, sticking and gluing with the hot glue gun, to keep them more secure, then giving each a name. Both sessions began with stories on the day's theme, whether planting or growing seeds, and the stories of different robots and recycling.

Otaki children’s librarian, Pam Coleman, showed them several of her “treasures” telling a story about each the magical powers of a moonstone or pendant, then invited the children to choose a treasure and tell their story.

“”It was good fun with the recycling message. I enjoyed the robot session, it was great to see the kids’ imaginations,” Ms Coleman said. “The seed heads in the first week were really good fun, they used shells and driftwood, natural stuff to decorate.”

Parents and grandparents joined in the fun both days.

For the older ones their art days involved developing skills to make an object appear three dimensional and the following week block

portrait painting where they copied a black and white portrait using just black and white paints and using blocks of colour and shadows to create a portrait. The four girls were all amazed at their finished portraits.

The teen art programmes were run by Jacinta McFarlane, a Kapiti Youth Council member, currently doing a Diploma in Art and Creativity at Whitireia Polytechnic.

“Tracey-Lea (Morgan, KCDC youth activities co-ordinator) came to one of the council meeting, I

met up with her and we decided to make libraries more teen friendly, through art,” Jacinta said.

"It's nice to offer something for the teens - there’s plenty for the younger children,” Miss Morgan said. “The girls all said “suck” when presented with the art workshop but they gave it a go and all ended up with something beautiful they all wanted to take away.”

Ms Morgan was co-ordinator of the programmes which were run at all four Kapiti libraries during the holidays.

26 groups on hand display their activities

Members of the Otaki Bridge Club played a few rubbers of Bridge, during the Community organisations Expo

Growing seeds has always fascinated children

Above: Painting a portrait using block colour, was a new experience for Georgia Rice 12, at the Otaki Library Teen Art programme, as she made a recognisable copy of a One Direction member’s a photograph.

Left: Creating Stinkpot was a highlight of eight year old Manaia Smith-Bennett’s making a robot from recycled materials, at the Otaki Library’s holiday programme.

Page 10: A Straw Bale Garden ~ Otaki, New Zealand

Page: 10 Otaki Mail - 30 October 2013

Constructing your own straw bale garden is a cheap and easy alternative to building raised beds and comes with an added benefit - you can put it anywhere - in the middle of your lawn or maybe the driveway – as long as it receives at least six to eight hours of sun.

Straw is an ideal container for growing vegetables – the hollow tubes suck up and hold moisture, and as the insides of the bales decompose (bales heat up much quicker than soil) they provide a rich home for your veggies.

It’s best to source your straw direct from a farm, rather than from your local garden centre, particularly if you want to garden organically. And remember - straw is easier to come by in autumn, so if you arrange your straw bale garden before winter, you’ll be all set to plant when spring arrives.

Before setting up bales, lay down weed mat, or your favourite weed suppressant, to prevent weeds from growing up through the bales. Arrange them side by side in rows, with cut sides up. The strings that bind the bales should run across the sides, not across planting surface – they’ll keep the shape of bales as they soften and decompose.

You’ll need to get your bales cooking a few weeks before planting. This means wetting and fertilising bales for around 10 days to start the inner straw composting. For the first six days, put down three cups of organic fertiliser per bale every other day, and water bales to filter fertiliser down, thoroughly saturating straw – on off days, just water. Days seven to nine, lay down 1.5 cups of organic fertiliser each day and water. Day ten put down three cups with phosphorous and potassium (bone or fish meal mixed with 50% wood ash works really well). If you put your finger inside a bale, it’ll be hot and moist, and you may see some ‘peppering’ – black soil-like clumps that signal the beginning of composting. If mushrooms sprout, rejoice, they won’t harm your plants – it means straw is decomposing as it should.

A great thing about straw bale gardening is that it combines the best of container gardening with vertical gardening. Erect tall posts at the end of each row and run wire between them at intervals of ten inches from the top of bales – as seeds sprout you can use bottom wire to drape frost cloth or plastic tarp to create an instant greenhouse for those chilly early-season nights. As plants grow, the wire works like a vertical trellis, supporting your cucumbers, squash and assorted vine vegetables.

If you’re planting seedlings, use your trowel to make a hole in straw then add planting mix to help cover exposed roots. If planting seeds, then cover bale with a one to two inch layer of planting mix and sow this into the seedbed - as seeds germinate, they’ll grow roots down into the bale. By laying a soaker hose over the

bales you’ll pretty much eliminate all work until harvest time.

Your bales will be soft, saggy and grey after harvest – but that’s exactly what you want. Pile straw together, leave to compost over winter and you’ll have a mound of beautiful compost to fill your pots and containers in the spring.

Tomatoes are an all-time summer favourite, and standing in your garden tasting a fully ripe, sun-warmed fruit is one of the rich rewards of growing your own.

However, they can be a challenging crop, and unless you have a glasshouse it’s best to delay planting out seedlings until soil warms up – late October, or after our traditional tomato planting holiday, Labour Weekend. Plants should be in by the end of November to give them a long growing season.

If you’re starting with seed, it gives you the widest choice of varieties, sow in loose, well-drained compost - it germinates readily.

If you don’t have time, or don’t want to start with seed, you can buy in seedlings. Sometimes slightly older potted plants are also available. Try to handle seedlings as little as possible – be careful not to hold them by the stems as they are easily damaged.

Choose a warm, sunny spot and space smaller bush varieties 40 cm apart, and vine types at least 60cm apart, in well-drained soil. Dig in well rotted compost beforehand, and give dried blood and bone or potash. Regularly applying liquid seaweed fertiliser or a commercially prepared liquid tomato food is a good way to ensure they get what they need – but don’t overfeed or you’ll encourage leafy growth at the expense of fruit. Provide some shelter from wind (but good air circulation) and a regular watering programme.

Untrained tomato plants have smaller fruit, so it’s a good idea to put in bamboo stakes when planting – they’ll be there to offer support when fruit develops. Encourage fruit formation rather than leaf growth by removing laterals (the side shoots from the main stem) as they start to form. You can do this at least once a week.

Tomatoes take 60-85 days from seed-sowing to harvest depending on variety and weather (tomatoes are highly sensitive to cold weather and fungal diseases). You can begin picking fruit when it starts turning red

– placed in a sunny spot it will fully ripen, but tomatoes ripened on the plant are the sweetest.

Planting basil beside your tomatoes is said to improve their health and flavour, and also helps to repel flies, thrips, and mosquitoes.

There is a huge variety of tomatoes to choose from - large fleshy types, such as ‘Grosse Lisse’ and ‘Beefsteak’, have lots of flavour and are great in a summer sandwich, or fried on the barbecue.

The vigorous cherry tomato, ‘Sweet 100’, is tangy and delicious, and still one of the best to grow. ‘Sweet Petite’, a bite-sized, slightly lower acid, pear-shaped tomato, and ‘Gardeners Delight’, which produces abundant, smallish, very flavoursome, sweet tomatoes, are also good.

You can also find all fruit types represented in heirloom tomatoes - like the sweet-tasting ‘Amish Paste,’ a heart-shaped fruit with few seeds, and ‘Principe Borghese,’ an old, small Italian variety with an intense flavour. Although they may not produce such large yields or as perfect fruits, heirloom tomatoes are often tastier and their diversity is fun to explore.

Page 11: A Straw Bale Garden ~ Otaki, New Zealand

Page: 11Otaki Mail - 30 October 2013

By VIVIENNE BAILEY

[email protected]

Flower garden

By MARGARET ANDREWS

Waitohu School’s Wet Rock group helped out down at the Waitohu Stream Care Group’s nursery, potting and carrying out plant maintenance and planting on the beach front, two weeks ago. The year five and six students from room three, spent the morning trimming and pruning cabbage trees, toi toi and manuka at the Waitohu Stream restoration reserve, then learnt about potting seedlings and plant maintenance, before venturing out to the beach and planting windsand grass on the front dunes.

“We each had three windsand plants to put in,” 10 year old Stevie Willers. “We had to plant them in the hollows and keep them close together and then put driftwood stakes around them to

protect them.”During the course of the

morning about nearly 200 young plants and 11 different varieties were potted and planted during the morning.

The young windsand plants looked like “any old weed grass” but as they mature the very hardy grass has a bronzy tinge to the grass spears and during summer are smothered in feathery hazy pink flowers; hence the necessity to put protective stakes around them, until they grow bigger.

“We’re supporting what they’re doing and giving them hands on skills,” said Frances Tull, from the Waitohu Stream Care Group.

The Waitohu School Wet Rock students have begun a 10 year project, restoring the central reaches of the Waitohu Stream with planting and fencing.

• Chrysanthemums and dahlias can be planted this month.

• Plant summer flowering annual seedlings such as cosmos, petunias, lobelia, impatiens, marigolds, phlox, verbena, larkspur, alyssum, portulaca and heaps more!

• Sow seeds of flowering annuals directly into the garden – alyssum, Californian poppy, marigolds, cosmos, nasturtium and sunflowers.

• Sow in trays for transplanting later – carnations, dahlia, livingstone daisy, petunia, salvia, gerberas, celosia, phlox and geranium.

• Take tip cuttings of shrubs such as forsythia, hydrangea, spirea, pyracantha and weigela while their growth is fresh and healthy, and use to fill garden gaps.

• Trim Californian lilacs (ceanothus) after flowering with shears or secateurs. Take care though – if you cut back into bare wood, they’ll never forgive you!

• Plant water lilies, or divide established clumps as they start into growth.

• Divide primulas and polyanthus after flowering, planting them in a shady place under a hedge until they are ready for planting out again in autumn.

• Plant new seasons hibiscus plants.• Once your narcissus foliage has withered,

lift and divide congested clumps, and feed others with high potash fertiliser to encourage flowering next year.

Fruit and vegetable garden• Once grapes have set fruit, shorten fruiting

shoots to four leaves beyond each bunch. Non-fruiting shoots should be shortened to about 40cm or cut out entirely, and the main rods tipped as soon as they reach the end of supports.

• Hang codlin moth traps in apple and pear trees to trap moths, and prevent larvae entering your fruit. One trap is usually enough for five trees.

• Continue feeding citrus with fertiliser.• Most warm weather vegetables can be planted

now – tomatoes, cucumber, capsicums, eggplant, lettuce, sweetcorn, gherkins, spinach, spring onions, beetroot, celery and cabbage.

• Sow seeds directly into garden – beans, peas, pumpkin, courgettes, carrots, beetroot, parsnip, radish and sweetcorn.

• Sow in trays for transplanting later – lettuce, cabbage, capsicum, eggplant, leeks and spring onions. For continuous harvesting of lettuce, beans and sweetcorn, make sowings at three weekly intervals.

• Plant out main crop potatoes.• Keep onions well weeded and water if

necessary (dry onions may be attacked by thrips).

Lawns• There’s still time to feed your lawn with a high-

nitrogen fertiliser. Apply when rain is due or water in.

• Raise your lawnmower blades – longer grass discourages weeds.

Second thoughts• Keep an eye on baby and new plants – pinch

out tip growth of any looking leggy and guard against drought stress – all it takes to dry out upper layers of the soil (where their roots are) is a few late spring days with some wind.

Wet Rock Group potted and planted down at the beach

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Page 12: A Straw Bale Garden ~ Otaki, New Zealand

Page: 12 Otaki Mail - 30 October 2013

Little Greenie open home

Electric rubbish truck formally accepted

BEFORE

AFTER

Ōtaki residents may have already seen New Zealand’s first electric rubbish truck picking up waste from public bins around the community.The electric truck is now officially part of Council’s vehicle fleet. It had to pass 32 mechanical, electrical, software and on-road acceptance tests before it was formally accepted. These tests were overseen by independent experts to ensure the truck met the required standards. “We used it on what would be its regular routes around the district during this testing phase to see how it operated and identify where any improvements were required,” says Council’s Energy Advisor Jake Roos. The truck was also tested on a ‘rolling road’ at Ōtaki’s Clean Technology Centre to check the battery capacity and driven 2,000 trouble-free kilometres before it was given the seal of approval to officially start work. It replaces one of Council’s diesel rubbish trucks which had reached the end of its useful life.The electric truck, the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere, is cheaper to run and maintain than diesel trucks. It also produces less noise, fewer carbon dioxide emissions and absolutely no air pollution. The cost savings on fuel and maintenance outweigh the additional cost of purchasing the vehicle over its life time.

IN BRIEFElection resultsPenny Gaylor remains the Ōtaki Ward Councillor. The Ōtaki Community Board is James Cootes (re-elected), Colin Pearce (re-elected), Rob Kofoed (new) and Christine Papps (new).

Otaki Pool closureA reminder that Ōtaki Pool is closed for repair work until 17 December.Ōtaki residents can swim free at the Aquatic Centre and, from 2 November, at Waikanae Pool by showing a voucher or proof of residency with ID.

Transfer station closureŌtaki Transfer Station will be closed on 1 and 2 December due to a new operator taking over the site. Ōtaki residents and commercial collectors can take their waste to the Otaihanga Transfer Station on those days if necessary.

Otaki-

October 28, 2013

If you’ve ever wondered what one of the country’s most energy efficient homes looks like, take yourself to Ōtaki’s Clean Technology Centre on Saturday 9 November and see for yourself.The 3-bedroom ‘Little Greenie’ house is being built as part of a national training course for apprentice carpenters. The course is being run in association with WELTEC, supported by Council and located at the Clean Tech Centre off River Bank Road.The course, in its first year, aims to increase public awareness of the benefits of sustainable housing, up-skill new and existing trades people in sustainable building techniques and construct community and civic dwellings.The display home is open between 10am and 3pm and there will be demonstrations of its air tightness and efficiency. Everyone is welcome from potential homeowners to architects, designers and builders.

Arts Trail coming soon

A monthly newsletter from your local council

Ceramic sculptures by Paula Archibald

Whether you’re an art enthusiast or have never looked at a painting in your life, don’t miss the Kāpiti Arts Trail on November 2 and 3.This is the 13th annual Arts Trail which has grown to become one of the most significant cultural events in the district. If you want to visit Ōtaki artists in their studios, you can meet Jennifer Turnbull, Olinka Heath, Bronya Clare, Ernest Papps, Craig Arthur Watson, Margaret Hunt, Paula Archibald, LA’s Cowshed Craft Studio, Bee Doughty-Pratt and Bruce Winter. More than 30 artists will also be exhibiting and selling their work at six Art & Artisan Hubs throughout Ōtaki and Te Horo. These hubs are located at Trinity Farm, Te Whare Toi, Artscape, Blue Skies Art Gallery, Backwal Gallery and

Lavender Creek Farm. In addition, Ōtaki Mu-seum will be hosting a ceramics exhibition.If you’re keen to go further than Ōtaki, the trail goes as far south as Paekākāriki via all the towns in between. Check out the Kāpiti Arts Trail brochure (avail-able at libraries, cafés and galleries throughout the district) to see what artists are participating and where they’re located. Alternatively, take it by chance and look for the orange Kāpiti Arts Trail flags as you drive around the district!For more information, go to: www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/arts-trail

Page 13: A Straw Bale Garden ~ Otaki, New Zealand

Page: 13Otaki Mail - 30 October 2013

Ross Church was elected mayor by a reasonable margin, with K Gurunathan second, the incumbent Jenny Rowan third.

Penny Gaylor was elected as our District councillor by a large margin.

The Community Board vote saw the incumbent chair, James Cootes re-elected, together with Colin Pearce. Newcomers Rob Kofoed and Christine Papps gained the remaining places, with incumbent Marilyn Stevens failing. Louise Dench failed to gain enough votes.

Kapiti Election ResultsKCDC Mayoral candidates vote count

KCDC Otaki Ward vote count

KCDC Otaki Community Board vote count

By MARGARET ANDREWS

It is 50 years since Waitohu School opened its doors and founding principal, Arthur Manz, was at the celebrations and to help cut the jubilee cake.

Along with 96 year old Mr Manz were several of the first teachers and pupils as well as the original school board members.

At the opening powhiri – the kapa haka group led part of the proceedings, and speeches, the school musicians and choir entertained with songs accompanied by their ukulele and percussion groups.

“I’m very, very proud to have been a part of this school,” Mr Manz said. “But you’ll have to excuse me if I can’t recognise you! Many of you are now grandparents!”

He spoke of the first days of the school with just four classrooms and a staffroom. On that first day, February 5 1963, the assembly with four teachers and 88 pupils, from primer one to standard six was held outside. Some of those first day pupils at the jubilee included Max Lutz, Ian Carson, Lynn Walker (McGregor) and Judith Griffin, along with teacher Noeline Saunders (Reichenbach) and first commissioners (Board of Trustees) Carl Lutz and Ray Moffatt. During its 50 years the school has had just four former principals, Arthur Manz, the late Pat McGrath, Ian Ballentyne, Bruce Pilkington and now current principal Maine Curtis who with Mr Ballentyne was also present at the jubilee.

There was a jubilee cake, donated by parent, James Cootes which

some of the children helped to ice. This was cut by Mr Manz and Mrs Saunders, Ian Carson and current teacher Alison Moore, who has been at the school for 33 years.

Morning tea followed the flag ceremony and singing of the National Anthem, then it was the formal photographs and a jubilee tree, a copper beech, was blessed by Reverend Hira Royal and board member Scott Kyle and planted by Mr Manz and Max Lutz. The day ended with a luncheon.

“It’s the most fabulous and treasured gathering of those who have lived and loved within the Waitohu School community,” Mr Curtis said. “There have been many moments and many memories, we’ve enjoyed during our 50th jubilee celebration.”

During the planning year or

two for leading up to the building and opening of Waitohu School, a prospective parent, Thelma Pike, filmed the progress from the purchase of the four acre block of land between Te Manuao and Waitohu Valley Roads, then being used to run cattle and sheep, through

to opening day and events during the first year; all captured on an eight millimetre camera; this amazing piece of the school’s history has been put onto a DVD which will be available from the school.

By Ann Chapman

The election is now well and truly over and commentators and letter writers from all over Kapiti have had their fill over the last few weeks. I don’t intend to add further to the distress of those who were defeated or the glory of those who won. Or for that matter, add to the vitriol I have witnessed in the last many weeks of the campaign.

On the local Otaki front, Councillor Penny Gaylor’s re-election went against the anti-council flow, the only ward to do so, (although in Paekakariki, the chair of the community board was elected unopposed after a resignation of their councillor). Penny managed, in spite of the swing against the outgoing councillors, to increase her majority from 100 at the last election to nearly 700 votes, and won on the first count. Of all the councillors (ward or districtwide), she received

the highest percentage of support from her electors.

A major focus of the new council will be in managing the debate on amalgamation and the position of Otaki in that greater regional body with the behemoth from the south – Greater Wellington Regional Council – pushing for amalgamation. Penny will do well to ensure Otaki's position in an enlarged electorate.

I am personally sorry that Jenny Rowan, with her knowledge and ability will not be there with her steady hand for that debate. I worked closely with, as her deputy, for three years and as an interested onlooker at her council’s bravery over the last three. It will be no surprise to anyone that I support Jenny Rowan as a committed politician, a brave one, one who worked hard in all areas of the community. What should not be forgotten were the many achievements of a council which worked surprising well under her leadership.

Opinion - The Election

Waitohu School's 50th Birthday

Above: "School Photo" - October 2013 Right: Present day pupils Havana Housiaux-Roderique and Gracie Cootes, both aged eight, talk to 1963 opening day principal, Arthur Manz about school in “his” day. First day teacher, Noeline Saunders seated at rear.

Page 14: A Straw Bale Garden ~ Otaki, New Zealand

Page: 14 Otaki Mail - 30 October 2013

Kapiti Olive Oil recently won two silver medals for its current season’s olive oil blends in the recent Olives New Zealand Annual Awards.

“A ten year unbroken track record of medal winning oils can give confidence to consumers that they are buying a consistently world class olive oil with it’s attendant health giving properties and great taste” says Kapiti Olive Oil’s Sales Director, Helen Walshaw.

The five varieties of olive oils

are tasted individually by owners Helen and David Walshaw, and then blended into two distinctive styles of olive oil; one a full and fruity oil with a lingering peppery aftertaste and the other a softer fruity oil with a slight peppery aftertaste.

The blends are created with the public’s tastes in mind and to best utilise the oils produced in any one year whose quantities and taste can be variable depending on the season. It is important for the public to know that what

is blended is what is available in the supermarkets or through direct sales.

To achieve these awards, the olive oil has to be “certified” as true extra virgin olive oil. This means it has to pass a chemical analysis and blind tasting test and only then can New Zealand olive oils use the industry body’s red “OliveMark” sticker, which is found on all high quality NZ olive oils. After “certification”, and only then, can the olive oils be entered in the annual awards.

Kapiti Olive Oil Wins More Medals

Men and their SHEDLooking for you older guys, with

a bit of time on your hands, but still interested in doing a bit of carpentry or making things, the Otaki MenzShed could be the place for you.

The MenzShed is a place for men to be social, to learn new skills and hone old ones and have a project to work on while contributing to the community and is somewhere for mainly retired men and some women, to get together and work on projects for the community, local kindergarten or preschool, park furniture, maybe repairing things for older persons living alone or even a project of your own.

“It’s run on the basis of a couple of days a week,” said organiser Valdis Plato, Otaki Probus Club vice president. “Working with other people brings companionship and contact with others.”

He anticipates this will be Tuesday and Thursday mornings, or more often for those involved in a project. For many men, retirement means loss of contact with people they have worked with, often for many years and leaves them with empty hours and how to fill them.

“Some of the things I’d like to include are mentoring boys and teens,” Mr Plato said. “Possibly have

those with computer skills helping others, or have a support means for assisting others to learn how to look after themselves as they get older and working closer with Maori people.”

MenzShed has been in the southern Kapiti reaches for a few years and the Otaki Probus, a community service activity of Rotary Clubs; Otaki Probus has begun a branch here in Otaki and although they haven’t yet finalised premises, they already have names of 18 men keen to get together.

Wanting more information, contact Valdis Plato on 063645636 or email: [email protected]

Annie Blythell's idiosyncratic shop will be closing at Christmas. After seven years of trading, Annie's looking forwad to a well-earned rest. Otaki will miss this colourful beacon that has adorned Main Street. Doubtless this won't be the last we see of Annie...

Main Street Emporium Closing

Two charities, the Otaki Health Shuttle and the Rescue Helicopter will benefit from a garden tour to be held on Saturday November 2. The Otaki Women’s Community Club is holding a walk through 13 of the best gardens of Otaki with the addition of plants and pottery for sale with refreshments also available at 7 Sunglo Terrace. (including toilets)

There are three gardens up the

Waitohu Valley on the spectacular Sunglo Terrace with its stunning views across the flood plain of the Otaki township. Nos 63 and 61 are really worth a visit. Travel along Freemans Road to 7a for another interesting garden to admire, then on to Victoria Gardens at 60 Rahui Road, where little Victorian perennial dainties will be available for sale. Other gardens are at

Westpeak Way, 17 Millhaven, 29 Matene Street, Tamihana Street, Lake Kauwhai Estate, 227 Rangiuru Road, 72 Atkinson Avenue and 44c Tasman Road with some wonderful stone walls.

Tickets with maps attached are available from Cathie Cole 364 8673, or at the gardens themselves and cost $10 with a gold coin donation for refreshments.

Garden Walks

By VIVIENNE BAILEY

Otaki-based Peter Scholtens is passionate about Toastmasters. The member of a Wellington club for more than 18 years, he told me the international organisation has a strong focus on communication and leadership skills, helping individuals learn to effectively formulate, organise and express ideas to others.

“I joined in 1995 to improve my speaking technique and leadership abilities, values I needed in my work environment, where I was involved with regular in-house training sessions. The clubs are based on a self-paced, tried and true programme, one designed to promote personal growth and to create confident speakers.”

People join Toastmasters for a number of reasons said Mr Scholtens, most staying with the club for two to three year as “circumstances change.” Reasons for joining include a desire to lessen a speech impediment, such as stuttering, to enhance confidence, and also to build up skills in those with English as a second language.

“There’s a variety of reasons - some join because they’ve been asked to be best man at a wedding, others because they’ve joined a committee or a school Board of Trustees.”

Although constantly improving his public speaking, “maintaining standards” Mr Scholtens said his commitment also involves passing these skills onto newcomers, in a mentoring role, and “watching them blossom.”

There is a continual rotation of opportunities within the clubs - like the regular speech contests - but it’s up to an individual to decide which direction to take - “to follow your own journey.”

Mr Scholtens has pursued a range of roles within Toastmasters including Leader of Toastmasters, Wellington, and National Treasurer, New Zealand, for two years. He has also won (in 2011 and 2012) the New Zealand Toastmaster of the Year, a national award for outstanding contribution to the organisation.

“The award is about actively performing within the organisation, being involved in competitions, contests and on committees.”

As well as the forty clubs within the Wellington district, clubs are also based in Levin and Waikanae, where they provide great networking opportunities for members, combined with a cost-effective personal development programme.

For further information about Toastmasters contact 0800 PEOPLE (0800 736 753) or Peter Scholtens 0275 674 [email protected]

Levin Toastmasters meet at the Red Cross Rooms, Queen Street East, Levin, contact 06 368 1720 or 06 367 2580. The Waikanae club meets at the Waikanae War Memorial Hall, Pehi Kupa Street, Waikanae, contact Peter Ropata 06 364 47558.

A passion for communication and leadership

Bernadine Bloemgarten of the Transition Towns group is enthusiastic about their Thursday market. "The more we have, the lower the price" she said. The weekly market outside the Memorial Hall sells produce from everyone's garden, starting at 11 o'clock. Everyone is welcome to bring along their surplus produce at 10.30. It's a non-profit venture, with growers getting 80% of the price which is negotiated by discussion with the enthusiastic volunteers. The remaining 20% is donated to worthy local causes: Citizens Advice Bureau, Wellington Free Ambulance and Otaki Health Shuttle.

Produce is seasonal: today there was an abundance of citrus, in all shapes and sizes. Free range eggs were plentiful. At 11 o'clock the stall is swarming with local shoppers keen for bargains of fresh locally-grown produce. By midday it's all gone.

Produce Market Back for the Summer

Page 15: A Straw Bale Garden ~ Otaki, New Zealand

Page: 15Otaki Mail - 30 October 2013

Ōtaki College News30 October 2013 www.otakicollege.school.nz

Principal’s SpotEROThe Education Review Office (ERO) have just completed their review of the College. Having them at this time is very helpful as they provide an external lens to look at what we have been doing to get the best learning and social outcomes for our students. We can report that the Reviewers were very impressed with the College and the students. The final Review Report will be available on the ERO website (www.ero.govt.nz) for public viewing early in 2014.ERO were particularly impressed with the relationships between staff and students and how this has been fostered through the Restorative Practices and PB4L initiatives in the College. They were also complimentary about the way curriculum has been developed in the College and the how teaching and learning takes place. Having such a positive ERO Review is an affirmation that the College is certainly heading in the right direction with lots of great stuff going on to allow students to “strive to be the best that they can be”

Karen Boyes: Teaching students how to studyKaren is an internationally acclaimed speaker and educator. She came to the College on Wednesday 23rd October and worked with year 9 to 13 students on study skills and examination skills (for seniors). The feedback from students has been very positive and many are now trying to utilise the skills they learnt in their study leading into external examinations. These sessions were followed up with very successful workshops with staff and parents focusing on how students can be taught and supported to study and learn.We are looking at ways to fund Karen

back early in 2014 to run workshops with students. We are also considering how to best utilise her study resource to support students to build their confidence and proficiency in reviewing and studying the work they do in their classes.

Kapa Haka There has been a desire amongst students and whanau to re-build Kapa Haka in the College. In an effort to fulfil this wish I want to thank Matua Ricki Baker and Whaea Destine Kuku-Heaeta who have been working with a Year 7 to 9 group. This group will have its first performance at Takiri o Te Ata Kapiti Schools Kapa Haka Festival. Numbers still continue to grow with the Wednesday night Kapa Haka group which is being tutored by Anahere Miritana. This commences at 6pm to 7pm every second Wednesday and things are looking very good for this roopu as they develop.

StaffDeputy Principal position: Interviews for this position will take place on 8th and 9th of November. Once this appointment has been finalised we will have our confirmed Senior Leadership Team going into 2014. The structure of the team moving forward will be a Principal and two Deputy Principals with the ability to pull in key staff as required. At the end of week 4 we will lose the services of Lindsay Moore who has been teaching in the Digital Technology and Technology Departments this year. Lindsay has made a big contribution to the college and the students during his short time here. He will be missed but he is moving on to Upper Hutt College as Head of Technology and will be closer to Masterton where has wife has recently been appointed to a Principalship. We wish Lindsay all the very best and want to thank him for his contribution to Otaki College.

The College hall was filled with students beating over 200 drums following the lead of the award winning drummers from Rhythm Interactive. The drumming on African styled hand drums was both energising and enjoyable for the students who took part in either the senior or junior session. The theme was “Actions speak louder than words” and the lead drummer John Boon's instructions were unspoken, requiring students to watch and follow to get the beat. And get the beat they did, the hall was pumping.

Rhythm Interactive

I’m very grateful to have been re-elected to the Kapiti Coast District Council as the Otaki Ward Councillor. Thank you.

My heartfelt thanks for the sup-port which saw me returned to Council, and with an increased majority.

I pledge to keep working hard to champion the issues facing our community, with a continued focus on economic development for our local economy, environmental sus-tainability, and youth issues.

Particular issues that I intend championing are; public transport connectivity for Otaki (bus servic-es, saving the Capital Connection, and for the longer term the funding of the extension of rail electrifica-tion through to Otaki), Ultra-Fast Broadband in Otaki, Council’s Youth Employment and Training project in Otaki, and safeguarding our environmental restoration and sustainability projects.

It’s been a tough month for Capital Connection users with KiwiRail’s announcement of the latest price hike to the service, 10% for travellers north of Waikanae from 1 November. That’s a 10% in-crease following on from 5% just a few months ago.

This train service runs from

Palmerston North, through Horowhenua and Kapiti Coast, Monday to Friday, taking workers and students in to Wellington’s cen-tral business district.

There has been a huge effort to save this service driven by the com-muters using the train. Government doesn’t seem to be listening to our community.

The train received a reprieve, but only through till 2015. Oh, so, just a few months after the next general election, interesting.

KiwiRail promised commuters a marketing campaign to boost user numbers. But putting some arty posters inside the carriages misses the point that these commuters are already using the train, when in fact they should be pitching to non-users who could be swayed by the benefits of a reliable, safe, comfort-able, work-friendly and a previ-ously affordable service.

This service is part of the pub-lic transport network, government should acknowledge that, and ap-propriately subsidise it. No public transport service in New Zealand is starved of public funding to sus-tain it, except that is, the Capital Connection here in provincial New Zealand.

It’s the government agency

NZTA that should be providing the subsidy.

So what is Government’s mo-tive for abandoning this provincial piece of the public transport net-work? Perhaps there’s no motive, perhaps they just don’t care?

Government has chosen to spend a billion dollars on expressways through our district, but they can’t cough up $350,000 a year on a long-serving public transport ser-vice that people depend on to get to jobs and education.

This attitude is neither supportive of our local economy or environ-mental sustainability, nor is it future focused for our younger residents.

Penny GaylorKapiti Coast Councillor

The patron saint of animals, St Francis of Assisi was acknowledged at the annual pet Blessing Service at St Margaret’s Church in Te Horo at the beginning of October.

With all the songs and hymns based on animals, farm dog Lu joined in all the songs with woofs of delight, she seemed to know everyone. But for Franny the young cavalier her first visit to the pet service was almost too much and she stayed in her basket under the pew for most of the

service and Ben the beagle had a “nosey” round to see what was going on. The other three dogs, veteran of many years, Rosie the golden retriever and second time visitor 13 year old Lucy the retired rescue Labrador, took the service in their stride, joining in with an occasional woof.

Each dog was accompanied by its owner and during the service Reverend Ian Campbell gave each its own special blessing, during the Eucharist and no, the dogs didn’t get to share the bread or wine.

Public transport connectivity for Otaki

Annual Pet Blessing Service at St Margaret’s

Page 16: A Straw Bale Garden ~ Otaki, New Zealand

Page: 16 Otaki Mail - 30 October 2013

FromtheOtakiMailMondayOctober29,1923

Otaki’s History

Rooms available for hire at reasonable rates

• Free, Confidential Service• Legal & Employment Issues• Benefit Entitlements• Consumer Rights• Housing

• Human Rights• Health• Personal Problems• Neighbourhood issues• Transport issues

Health Shuttle bookings - Tel: 364 5603Free 20-minute legal appointment

JP available by arrangement Hearing clinic pre-arranged appointments

Monday to Friday 9.00 am - 3.00 pm 65a Main Street, Otaki Village (next to the swing park by the Memorial Hall)Tel 06 364 8664 or 0800 367 222Email [email protected] www.cab.org.nz

Te Pou Whakawhirinaki o OtakiOur advice is free and confidential, not getting it could cost you though. If you know your rights, less can go wrong. If not sure, ask us!We have the information to help you with your problems, or can point you in the right direction. Call or see us -

Otaki Historical Society

Otaki Museum

Bridge Collapse

Facebook can be a great way to keep up with what your friends and acquaintances have been getting up to. While you’re there, you could get some shopping done too.

If you buy goods or services from someone via Facebook, then what your consumer rights are pretty much boils down to whether the seller is considered a professional trader or not. You’re covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act and the Fair Trading Act for goods or services sold by a trader, unless you bid for it in an auction. If the seller is not a trader then it’s classed as a private sale, which means you don’t have much protection.

In general, if someone is selling a lot of items online, then they are a trader. If you’re not sure about a particular Facebook seller, check out their Facebook page. If they seem to sell a lot of similar kinds of items, and have sold a lot of items in the past, then they are probably a trader than an individual just having a household clear-out.

There are things you can do to minimise your risk when considering buying from a private seller, for example if

at all possible try to inspect the item before you hand over your money; ask the seller a lot of questions about the item so you know what to expect; look for feedback from past customers; for the expensive items (like a car) it would pay to check the Personal Property Securities Register in case it has been used as security for someone’s debt.

Also, pay by credit card or, if it’s going to a New Zealand account, by internet banking rather than by cash or telegraphic transfer so your payment can be tracked. Lastly, it makes good sense to get the full name and address of the seller in case the trade goes pear-shaped and you need to track them down.

If you have a problem with something you’ve bought it’s always best to talk to the seller first. But if you haven’t been able to sort it out by talking to them, come and see us at your local bureau. We have available information to assist you with, advocate for you and/or can point you to the right direction. You could also phone or send us an email. You may visit our website www.cab.org.nz. for more information about consumer rights.

Buying Through Facebook

The engineer of the Horowhenua County Council, Mr Anderson, with a gang of twelve men, commenced work on the reconstruction of the Otaki suspension bridge yesterday. It is hoped to rebuild the bridge a few chains down stream, where the span is considerably shorter. Mr Anderson and his men assisted the settlers to get their cream across the river by means of a wire rope.

The cause of the breakage was the fact that instead of being embedded in concrete on the eastern side of the river, the cables were twisted round two-inch by two-inch ironbark blocks buried in the ground, where naturally the steel cables rusted and gave way on Saturday night,

thus throwing the whole strain on the cables on the western side, which, in turn, gave way at about midnight on Sunday, precipitating the whole structure into the bed of the stream. The crash of the fall was heard nearly a mile away.

The bridge was a fine structure between 150 and 200 feet long, a single span between the rocky cliffs, about 75 feet above the water. It was suspended on steel cables and was considered capable of supporting any reasonable weight. Designed and built by the late Mr J Malcolm, the Horowhenua County engineer, about ten years ago, at a cost of £1,100, it was considered a model of efficiency and economy.

The Waihoanga suspension bridge (opposite Mr H L Beauchamp’s late property) collapsed yesterday but, luckily, no one was on the bridge at the time ....

Wednesday October 31 1923

Otaki Bridge - Cause of collapse

This month we have a man with a camera – perhaps a professional photographer? Does anyone know who this is, and can anyone suggest a year? If you can help, please ring Jan on 364 7554. You can leave a message.

The next exhibition will be ceramics by Margaret Hunt, and will be open from 31 October, and during the weekend of the Kapiti Arts Trail, 2-3 November. The Otaki Museum is at 49 Main Street, Otaki

The speaker on Tuesday 1 October 2013 was Neale Ames, President of the Otaki Surf Life Saving Club. There were problems at the Rotary Hall and members were invited by Neale to adjourn to the Surf Club rooms at the beach – a very appropriate venue and one which was much appreciated. Records show the first surf club in Otaki was in 1922 but though there were several meetings in some succeeding years including 1939, they came to nothing and the outbreak of the Second World War halted everything. In 1953 William McBeth chair of the Otaki Commercial Association

Copies available at:Edhouse’s StoreNZ Post (Otaki)Otaki MuseumOtaki Info Centre (SH1)Railway Bookshop (Main St)per

copy$25

called a meeting and a club was formed. Since then there have been 60 years of continuous community service, and 478 rescues, a record to be proud of. The club began in a small shed on the beach. Club rooms were built but were razed by an arsonist in July 1987. The people of Otaki responded to this tragedy generously, and the current well-equipped club rooms were opened in February 1988. Neale talked about the many families and individuals who have helped the club, both with raising money and performing rescues; about competitions which are used to sharpen the rescue skills

of lifeguards; the equipment used and how it has changed over the years; the introduction of women as life guards; and about the work and needs of the club today. This was a most enjoyable talk and well-received by the audience.

Page 17: A Straw Bale Garden ~ Otaki, New Zealand

Page: 17 Otaki Mail - 30 October 2013

Kia ora from the Otaki Public Library – Te Wharepukapuka o Otaki

All the Kapiti District Libraries have free WiFi available.Come to Otaki Library and enjoy the warm friendly at-mosphere of this lovely library.Whether you want to read the latest bestseller, use the internet or just find a quiet spot to read, the Otaki library is the hub of the community.Otaki library houses the core Maori Collec-tion for the district, Te Matahiapo, and features a great selection of resources.

Clinic Hours:Mon - Fri 8.30 - 5.00 pmTuesday 8.30 - 6.00 pm

Saturday 9 - 12 noon

269 Mill Road, Otaki06 364 [email protected] Ford BVM&S MRCVS MACVSc

Sue Blaikie BVScDonna, Shiree and Emma - Veterinary Nurses

Otaki Veterinary Centre

Mobile Vet service - we come to you 24 Hrs advice and emergency service - Ring 364 6941

Microchips scanned at no cost and replaced for free if required

Angela Ford BVM&S MRCVS MACVScOtaki Veterinary Centre

With Guy Fawkes just around the corner, many dog owners will be worrying about their dogs, especially if they are fearful of fireworks. It is common for dogs to show signs of anxiety during thunderstorms or firework displays. Cowering, trembling, hiding in corners or under the bed, and inappropriate toileting

are all anxiety behaviours. The booming and flashes of rockets can turn our otherwise staunch canines turn into cowardly muts. Have fun at Guy Fawkes and be safe. Angela J Ford, BVM&S, MRCVS, MANZCVS

Fireworks Phobia

Herearesomerecommendationsthatmayhelp.• Keep your dog safe & secure inside • Use DAP spray – this is a calming pheromone secreted from the sebaceous glands

around the teats of the lactating mother dog. DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) provides reassurance to the suckling puppies and to adult dogs especially in times of stress. It can be sprayed onto a bandana collar, or onto a cloth wrapped around the collar, a day or so prior to the fireworks and during the event.

• Use music as a distraction (but not Country & Western!)• Invite a dog around that isn’t scared. Socialising with a non-fearful dog may help. • Don’t fuss or reassure your dog if it shows fear – this rewards the behaviour• Sedatives and anti-anxiety drugs are available but need to be given prior the event,

and also have variable results and side effects. They are best avoided if possible.

Longbourn ByJoBaker

If Elizabeth Bennet had the washing of her own petticoats, Sarah thought, she would be more careful not to trudge through muddy fields.It is wash-day for the housemaids at Longbourn House, and Sarah's hands are chapped and bleeding. Domestic life below stairs, ruled tenderly and forcefully by Mrs Hill the housekeeper, is about to be disturbed by the arrival of a new footman smelling of the sea, and bearing secrets.For in Georgian England, there is a world the young ladies in the drawing room will never know, a world of poverty, love, and brutal war.

Dexter’s Final CutbyJeffLindsay

Hollywood gets more than it bargained for when television's hottest star arrives at the Miami Police Department and develops an intense, professional interest in a camera-shy blood spatter analyst named Dexter Morgan. Mega-star Robert Chase is famous for losing himself in his characters. When he and a group of actors descend on the Miami Police Department for 'research', Chase becomes fixated on Dexter Morgan, the blood spatter analyst with a sweet tooth for doughnuts and a seemingly average life. To perfect his role, Chase is obsessed with shadowing Dexter's every move and learning what really makes him tick. There is just one tiny problem . . . Dexter's favorite hobby involves hunting down the worst killers to escape legal justice, and introducing them to his special brand of playtime. It's a secret best kept out of the spotlight and away from the prying eyes of bloated Hollywood egos if Dexter wants to stay out of the electric chair. The last thing he needs is bright lights and the paparazzi . . . but even Dexter isn't immune to the call of fame.

Just One Evil ActByElizabethGeorge

Barbara Havers puts her career on the line while DI Thomas Lynley attempts to straighten her out before it's too late.When Hadiyyah Upman disappears from London in the company of her mother, Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers is as devastated as the girl's father. They are her close friends as well as neighbours, but since the child is with her mother, nothing can be done. Five months later, Hadiyyah is kidnapped from an open air market in Lucca, Italy, and this triggers an investigation in the full glare of the media spotlight. Barbara's clever manipulation of the worst of London's tabloids forces New Scotland Yard to become involved. But rather than Barbara herself, her superior officer DI Thomas Lynley is assigned to handle a situation made delicate by racial issues, language difficulties, and the determination of an Italian magistrate to arrest and convict someone - anyone - for the crime.

PossessionByJ.R.Ward

A novel of the Fallen Angels - When Cait Douglass resolves to get over her broken heart, throw off her inhibitions, and start really living, she’s unprepared for the two sensual men who cross her path. Torn between them, she doesn’t know which to choose--or what kind of dire consequences could follow. Jim Heron, fallen angel and reluctant savior, is ahead in the war, but he puts everything at risk when he seeks to make a deal with the devil--literally. As yet another soul is unwittingly caught in the battle between him and the demon Devina. His fixation on an innocent trapped in Hell threatens to sidetrack him from his sacred duty...

Page 18: A Straw Bale Garden ~ Otaki, New Zealand

Page: 18 Otaki Mail - 30 October 2013

Appiance Repairs

Appliance Rescue 364 3098

AutomotiveAll Things Automotive 364 8158Central Auto Services 368 2037Colling & Gray 364 7495SRS Automotive Engineering 364 3322

Auto Tyres

All Things Automotive 364 8158

Beauty Services

YouBeauty 364 7003

Builder

Leith Ellis 364 3456

Carpet Cleaning

Bloxham Superclean 364 6777

Cleaning

Hire a Buddy 04 902 5476

Chimney Cleaning

Bloxham Superclean 364 6777

Concrete Work

Craig Howell 364 6064Bevan Concrete 0800 427522

Contractors

Rasmac Contractors 0274 443 041

Electrical

DSR Electrical 027 511 4746Hartley Electrical Ltd 364 2070

Firewood

Wood Splitter 027 447 3371

Funeral Directors

Harvey Bowler 368 2954I.C. Mark Ltd 368 8108Kapiti Coast Funeral Home 04 298 5168Waikanae Funeral Home 04 293 6844

Garden Plants

100 & 1 Garden & House Plants - Aotiki St

Kapiti Coast District Council

General Inquiries 04 296 4700Toll Free 0800 486 486Otaki Library 364 9317Otaki Swimming Pool 364 5542

Lawnmowers

Mr Green 04 293 8742The Lawn Moa Company 364 6771

Lawyer

McLaren’s Law Office 364 7190Simpson & Co 364 7285

Locksmith

Mobile Locksmith 021 073 5955

Pest Control

Protekt Pest Control 364 5759

Pet Stays

Jacaranda Country Lodge 362 6900

Plumber

Henderson Plumbing 364 5252Ryan Plumbing & Gas fitting 027 243 6451About Plumbing 364 5586

Roofer

Ryan Roofing 027 243 6451 362 6595JS ROOFING 06 364 6406

Taxi

Paraparaumu Taxis 364 0500Kapiti Shuttles 04 902 5476

Tool Sharpening

Mower & Engineering 364 5411

Truck Maintenance

Otaki Truck Services Ltd 364 0160

Veterinary Services

Otaki Veterinary Centre 364 6941Otaki Animal Health 364 7089

Window & Door Repairs

Mike Watson 364 8886

3 Arthur Sreet, Otaki 06 364 7495

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Kapiti Coast’s PREMIER Taxi ServiceCOURTESY & CAREEFTPOS Total Mobility & Snapper Cards Accepted

• Earthmoving / Aggregate • Drainage Site Works / Section Clearing• Drive Ways Excavation / Tarseal / Hot Mix• Top Soil / Farm Roads

Phone: 0274 443 041or 0274 401 738

CARPET CLEANING

Ph: 06 364 6777

Roger BloxhamACCI Trained Servicing Otaki-Levin area

BLOXHAM

Quality Cleaning comes from:• 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE• QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN

• LATEST AMERICAN EQUIPMENT• MOST STAINS REMOVED

•WOFs and LUBES•Light Engineering & Welding•Lifestyle Tractor & Equipment Repairs•Classic Car Repairs

Automotive&EngineeringNZHRAapprovedengineerQualifiedDieselMechanic

38yearsexperience

BarrySutton

364332234SuttonRd,TeHoro

0275569255

Proudly Printed by

GUARDIANPRINT2 Kermode Street, Ashburton

The Otaki MailISSN 1170-7445 (Print)

ISSN 2324-2094 (Online)

is published bySaffron Graphics Ltd

20 Nov 13 27 Nov 1311 Dec 13 18 Dec 13

Deadline Day Print Day

Web: www.otakimail.co.nzEmail: [email protected] PO Box 109, OtakiEditor: Wendy Bailey

Tel: 364 5500Mob: 021 364 550

For all Kerbing, Paving, Floors, DrivesPaths and Concrete Work

FREE QUOTESPhone Craig Howell

027 448 0447 * After hours: 06 364 6064

LukeMillerOWNER/OPERATOR

LAWNS & SECTION MAINTENANCE

PHONE: 04 293 8742MOBILE: 020 401 63 555WEB: www.mrgreen.co.nz

Hartley ElectricalContracting Ltd

OtakiFor all Electrical Requirements

DomesticMaster ElectricianSign and Display ManufacturesCommercialIndustrial

Mobile: 021 418 751After hours: 06 364 2070

Email: [email protected]

The Lawn Moa CompanyFor all your lawn mowing, weed spraying and hedge trimming needs

Local, friendly and reliable service!For a free quote please contact:David Nokes06 364 6771 or 027 332 6507

Justin WillPh: 027 467 2063

A/Hrs: 06 364 5586Email: [email protected]

Springtime – Mulch! Mulch! Mulch!• Pine Mulch (Barkie)

• Bark Mulch (Crickle Bark)• Mega Mulch – 4 Bags $28 40 Litre Bag

Mushroom Compost – 5 Bags $30 20 Litre Bag• Organic Lawn Mix • Organic Vege Mix

• Organic Garden Mix40 Litre Bag – $10.50 each

Organic Compost x 4 Bags – $28

100% Weed Free We Deliver!COASTAL LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES WAIKANAE

13 Omahi Street • Phone (04) 293 6621www.coastallandscapesupplies.co.nz

5303

978A

A

Window & Door RepairsIfixallDoors,Windows& Conservatories

Call Mike WatsonFree 0800 620 720or Otaki 364 8886

Find me at: www.windowseal.co.nzOr like at: facebook.com/windowseal

Locks * Rollers Handles * Stays Glass * Leaks Draughts * Seals

SAVE$$$$

Page 19: A Straw Bale Garden ~ Otaki, New Zealand

Page: 19Otaki Mail - 30 October 2013

Otaki Animal Health Veterinary ClinicForrural&domesticanimalslarge&small

33 Dunstan Street, OtakiTelephone: 06 364 7089After hours: 021 469 838

Come and meet our friendly team:Graham and Maria our vets

and Emily and Nicole our nurses

SIMPSON & COFamily LawProperty LawCommercial LawMortgages

179 Main Highway, OtakiPh: 06 364 7285 Fax: 06 364 5250

www.simco.co.nz

Principal:

Consultant:Legal Executive:

Accountant:

J.C. Simpson LL.BNotary PublicPeter Barbour LL.BAllison Walker MLEINZMike Shannon

Plumbing Gasfitting

0272 436 451 06 362 6595

• Residental• Commercial• Solar Hot Water Systems

• Wetbacks• Woodburners

Manakau

• Newandre-roofing• Longrun coloursteel • P.V.C & Coloursteel Spouting• Repairs and Maintenance• Flashing Fabrication• Sheetmetal Work

Roofing

Covering

Kapiti Coast - Levin•plumbing•roofs & spouting•new homes•drainage•maintenence•free advice and quotes

All Plumbing Services

Tel: 06 364 5252Fax: 06 364 5254Cell: 027 448 5658PO Box 217, [email protected]:

Henderson Plumbing & Bathrooms

Birthright Op Shop23 Matene Street, Otaki

Monday – Friday 10am – 4pmSaturday 10am – 1pm

Birthright (Otaki) IncIt takes a village to raise a childSupporting One Parent Families

Birthright Centre12 Rangatira Street, Otaki

is open daily from9am – 12 noon * Monday – Friday

To make an appointment to visit with our fieldworker contact us on 06 364 5558

Good/Used clothing for saleBaby clothing $1Children’s clothing $2Adult clothing $3

Adult shoes $3 - $5Lots of bric-a-brac from $1Assortment of antiques for sale

We are always looking for volunteers to help in our shop – please see the Shop Manager for an application form.

meadows

Children's Programme available / www.meadows.org.nz

church every sunday 11am*

memorial hall 81 main street, otaki

Sunday 10th November – Guest Speaker - Helen Calder

Sunday 24th November – Combined Service at Meadows Kapiti

*

1 Realm Drive, Paraparaumu

Cobwebs Op–ShopMain StreetTuesday - Friday 10 – 4 pmNOW – Saturday 10 – 1 pm

www.jsroofing.co.nz0800 577 663 06 364 6406Emailenquiries:[email protected]

OtakiChurcheswelcomeyouActs ChurchesThe HUB ChurchTel: 364 6 911157 Tasman Rd, Otaki10.30 am (Family service)6.00 pm (Youth service)

Community ChurchTel: 364 001217 Waerenga RoadSunday School: 9-10 amFamily Service: 10.30 am

BaptistTel: 364 8540Cnr Te Manuao Road/SH110.00 am service

PresbyterianTel: 06 364 6346249 Mill Rd, OtakiWorship: 11 amCafe Church: 2nd Sun 10.45 am

Rev Ian Campbell Tel: 364 7099Otaki: All Saints. Te Rauparaha St 8 am and 10.30 amTe Horo: St Margarets, School Rd 9 amManakau: St Andrews 9 am (Except 1st Sun of Month)Otaki: Rangiatea Church Services 37 Te Rauparaha St Sunday Eucharist: 9 am Church Viewing Hours: Mon-Fri (9.30am - 1.30pm) Tel: 364 6838 Email: [email protected]: Turongo Church - Poutu Marae Shannon/Foxton Highway 3rd Sunday 11.30amLevin: Ngatokowaru Marae Hokio Beach Road 4th Sunday 11amCatholicOtaki: St Mary’s “Pukekaraka” 4 Convent Rd Weekend Mass, Sat 5 pm Sunday 10 amKuku: St. Stephens Sunday 8.30 am

Anglican

River Life Family Church Sunday service: 10.30 am Waitohu School hallmeadows churchEvery Sunday: 11 am Memorial Hall,81 Main Steet, Otaki

RanchsliderNEEDS Repairing ??

Windows not opening ??NEED a LOCKSMITH ??Phone your OTAKI RESIDENT man !!

Alastair Riddle 021 073 595523 years experience

NO travel charge

MEN WANTEDAre you interested in being a foundation member of the

Otaki Menz Shed? Ring Valdis Plato 364 5636 and say YES to join!

Christmas Day Community Lunch

Meadows Church

12:00pm Wednesday 25th December

Otaki Memorial Hall 81 Main Street, Otaki

PART-TIME COOK WANTED

Ph: 06 364 7399 Fax: 06 364 0669

OceanviewResidential Careis looking for a cook

The hours are 9.30am to 1.30pm - Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The successful applicant must be capable of preparing and cooking good “home style”

meals and able to “fill the cake tins” Food Hygiene Certificates would be an

advantage but not necessary as training will be provided

Please apply to the manager for an application form or to discuss the position

further.

Page 20: A Straw Bale Garden ~ Otaki, New Zealand

Page: 20 Otaki Mail - 30 October 2013

3 Arthur St, Otaki Phone 06 364 7495

COLLING & GRAY OTAKI – PANELBEATERS & SPRAY PAINTING

• Spray Booth• Chassis Machine• Chassis Straightening• Rust Repair• Crash Repair• Plastic Welding• 24 hour Towing & Salvage• All Insurance Work• Farm Equipment Repaired• Competitive Prices

Talk to us about your automotive, marine, cabinet colour and furniture paint work.

Attacked by Fence Post?

By MARGARET ANDREWS

There’s a new keenness for girl’s rugby with year seven and eight girls from Otaki College and Otaki School’s Maori immersion unit teams playing their first game before the October school holidays.

The first game between the two teams, held at the college showed several very talented players, already showing good skills having played touch rugby for some time, they also had a few very speedy players with one

TKW girl managing to score a couple of tries after running almost the full length of the field.

“It’s awesome seeing the girls playing footy and enjoying it,” Makaore Wilson from Te Korowai Whakamana said. “It’s good for the girls and good for rugby.”

Girls play under the same rules and conditions as the guys, with no special “privileges for the fairer sex”! College won this first game 27-20 after some tough play, with good ball handling skills and tactics on a fairly wet field.

“It’s really positive to get both schools together and getting year seven and eight rugby going at that level,” College head of sports, John Heenan said.

They’re intending to build up the girl’s rugby to have future teams in the college grades, the team of mostly senior girls has had to pull out of competition the last two season’s through having insufficient players to field a team plus reserves.

The boys’ year seven and eight team has played two games against Levin Intermediate.

by LLOYD CHAPMAN

Bryan Fraser, chair of the newly-formed Otaki group is proud of an incident that resulted in the arrest of three Lower Hutt men with a history of tagging. An 'off duty' member of the Community Patrol observed the men tagging a bridge on Sunday 13 October. He contacted the Otaki Police, who were able to apprehend the fleeing men at Peka Peka, still in possession of spray cans, the tools of their dodgy trade. "More good work from the newly-formed Otaki Community Patrol" was the enthusiastic comment from Slade

Sturmey, Otaki's police chief."People join up because they care

about their community" said Bryan Fraser. "We come from all walks of life, ages and interests, but we all want to do something positive to keep the community safe, providing information on what we see and hear during patrols, to help the police, even if details seem insignificant at the time."

Members receive training by the police, wear high-viz jackets and carry ID cards. Their recently-purchased patrol car with easily-recognisable logos patrols from Manakau to Te Horo. The retail, commercial industrial

and beach areas of Otaki get particular scrutiny. Police Liaison Officer Terry Moore said "Party animals on their way home, shift workers, insomniacs and other nocturnal folk out for a stroll might feel a bit apprehensive at the sight of a car slowly trawling beside them in the wee small hours, but people have nothing to fear, unless they're up to no good."

The Community Patrol would welcome more volunteers. If you are interested in joining the patrol, please contact the Otaki police station. The Otaki Mail endorses their efforts in keeping Otaki crime-free.

Otaki Community Patrol Chalks up Tagging Arrest

Otaki School’s girl’s rugby team show strong defence and attacking play

Girls play under the same rules and conditions as the guys

WAITOHU SCHOOLFIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA HARUATAI PARKMill Road, Otaki Friday evening01 November 2013Gates open 6.30pm

Pre purchased tickets: $5, (Pre school - free) available from:

Waitohu School, Kiss & Bake Up - Otaki & Waikanae, Mobile Otaki & LevinOn the night - Adults $8, Students $5 (Pre schoolers free)

EFTPOS AVAILABLE

• Face Painting

• Giant Slide & Obstacle Course

• Food & Drink & Hangi

• Huge Bonfire

• Live Music - College Band

• Paintball

• And much more