Contribute to new Pukerua Bay community newsletter

16 January 2021 / By / Newsletter

Kia ora koutou katoa … and Happy New Year

As you know, the school has published a community newsletter for many years. This has now ceased, so a group of us from the Residents’ Association thought we would give it a go.

We have developed some initial ideas about format, size, and content, and the main purpose will be to celebrate our community and help bring people together. We know we have the Facebook groups and website, but this will be for everyone. Something that doesn’t require a digital connection and that you can stick on the fridge.

The theme for the first issue will be, “2020 was tough – how can Pukerua Bay work together to make 2021 amazing?”

We’re not asking for details – just one or two sentences with a brief response to that question. Maybe you’d like to invite people to join your group, or maybe there’s a big event planned? What would you like people to know about?

We’re looking forward to hearing from you about the exciting things you’ve planned!

Please send your responses to our group email at newsletter@pukeruabay.org.nz by Friday January 29.

Moira, Nikky, Jonathan, Iain, and Kate

Litter Survey results for December 2020

8 December 2020 / By / Litter Survey

Many thanks to Gillian Candler who organises the Pukerua Bay Litter Intelligence surveys. The latest survey was held on Sunday 6 December, and as always the results are published on the website, here.

There was only a quarter of the weight of the previous survey, but very little difference in the litter density; this means that on the whole only small stuff was found. The best find was a plastic nose! This time the weather was agreeable, and it was nice to have Rachel McClellan from Porirua City Council join the survey and to have Briony be the App user too.

The next survey will be held in March 2021.

Christmas on the Field

8 December 2020 / By / Event, Pukerua Bay Hub

Brought to you by Pukerua Bay Hub, Pukerua Bay School, and sponsors Milestone, Speedy Signs, and Kylie Lyne at Clarke & Co.

Where: Pukerua Bay School (map)
When: 4-7pm, Saturday 12 December 2020 (ical)

Featuring entertainment, carnival fun, food trucks, Christmas carols, singers from Pukerua Bay School and Pukerua Bay Kindy, an outdoor movie, an inflatable obstacle course, and much more – and of course, Santa!

Escarpment Track closed for slip repair

1 December 2020 / By / Announcements, Recreation
Slip on the Escarpment Track, north of Pukerua Bay
Escarpment Track slip, north of Pukerua Bay. Photo: Kiwirail

From the Te Araroa Wellington Trust: Please note that the Escarpment Track will be closed Tuesday and Thursday (1st and 3rd of December). On Tuesday a Te Araroa contractor will be clearing a slip across the track right above a huge slip that flows down almost to the railway line. On Thursday, KiwiRail contractors will be working from ropes placing sensors on the fences recently installed across the huge slip. These sensors will let Kiwirail train control know if any surface material has possibly slipped across the railway line. The ropes will be placed over the walking track which will therefore be dangerous to cross, hence the closure. The huge rainstorm in the area could cause other slips along the track, especially in the area of the two swing bridges. It is therefore possible that this programme may change.

June Penhey granted Freedom of Pukerua Bay

7 November 2020 / By / RA

At the 2020 AGM of the Pukerua Bay Residents’ Association special acknowledgement was given to June Penhey. She was granted the Freedom of Pukerua Bay to acknowledge 55 years faithful service to the community and thanked for 41 years as the Association Treasurer.

Notice of 2020 Annual General Meeting

22 October 2020 / By / Meeting, RA

Thursday 22 October 2020 (ical)
7:30 pm, Pukerua Bay Hall (map)

The 2020 Annual General Meeting for the Pukerua Bay Residents’ Association (PBRA) will be held on Thursday 22 October in the School and Community Hall commencing 7:30 pm. All residents of Pukerua Bay are by right members of the PBRA and are welcome to attend.

Guest speakers:

  • Glenda Robb, Kapiti Coast Biodiversity Projects, with the results of the recent penguin survey,
  • Gillian Candler, on the beach litter survey, and
  • Bill McCauley, Friends of Taupo Swamp and Catchment (FOTSC). Bill will talk on the value of the swamp, threats to it and the work FOTSC is undertaking at the swamp.

The Executive Committee are proposing some amendments to the PBRA constitution which are to be voted on at the meeting. There will also be the election of members of the Executive Committee for the coming year. If you wish to receive the Agenda and related papers please email secretary@pukeruabay.org.nz.

2020 Annual Financial Statement (PDF)

He Ara Pukerua Historic Display & Community Garden Family Fun Day

16 September 2020 / By / Community Garden, He Ara Pukerua

Despite the gloomy grey weather, the Pukerua Bay Family Fun Day went ahead as planned for the opening of the new Rail Comes to Pukerua and Rail Timeline display panels in the former Muri Station building, and the community garden fun day. The He Ara Pukerua rail history displays were blessed by Ngāti Toa kaumatua Kahu Ropata, supported by Moana Parata and others. Porirua City Mayor Anita Baker and Ward Councillors Nathan Waddle and Josh Trlin revealed the panels. A section of the tramway rail used during the construction of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway 1884–1886 was presented to the mayor. Kahu also blessed the community garden. Following the blessing and speeches there was a sausage sizzle, cakes and tea brewed from thermettes, and a stalls selling T shirts and home-made face masks. A smaller turn-out than planned, but still attended by enthusiastic locals braving the wind and drizzle.

He Ara Pukerua is grateful for the help from Greater Wellington Regional Council and KiwiRail to secure the lease on the former Muri Station shelter. The northbound Muri Station shelter has been relocated onto the garden and is in the process of being refurbished.

Images courtesy of Cr. Josh Trlin, Porirua City Council (via Facebook); Andy Erceg and Ashley Blair, He Ara Pukerua (via Facebook).

Pukerua Bay Library to be earthquake strengthened

4 August 2020 / By / Announcements

Over the next six weeks the cutest little library in New Zealand (if not the world) is going to be earthquake strengthened. As much as possible the crew will be working around our opening hours, so Nuala will still be there ready to issue and return your books as always on Tuesdays & Thursdays 2pm – 5pm, and Saturdays 10am – 1pm.

For more information: Pukerua Bay Library

Coffee in Pukerua Bay!

15 July 2020 / By / Announcements, Recreation

Pukerua Bay now has a café of sorts – the new coffee caravan from Greedy & Co. on the grounds of the former St. Mark’s chapel on 98 Rawhiti Road, opposite the school (map).

Open 8am – 1pm, Tuesday–Saturday. Fresh roasted coffee, hot drinks and home-made baking including pies, scones, muffins, and gluten-free banana loaf.

After the successful opening day on the 4th of July, Renée and Sarah said on Facebook:

“WOW what an amazing day! We cannot believe all the support we received from all of you wonderful people! Thank you for all your patience while we found our way around our new space, it meant the world to us! See you all on Tuesday for round two”😎

“Thank you” photo message, from the Greedy & Co. Facebook page

Contact by phone +64 27 473 3391 (SMS) or email, greedyandconz@gmail.com

New drinking fountain installed and ready to use!

15 July 2020 / By / Announcements, Recreation

The school kids proposed it, the skateboarders wanted it, the escarpment track walkers will be glad of it, and dogs will also benefit from it. The new long-awaited drinking fountain and refilling station by the skate park and playground is installed and ready to use! Check it out next time you’re out for a walk.

Work on driving the pipe down the pathway from Sea Vista Drive and building the concrete pad and small retaining wall was completed this week.