Pukerua Bay Residents’ Association Inc
Tuesday 14 April 2026, 7.30-9:00 pm
RSA, 5 Wairaka Road
Attending: Margaret Blair, Jane Comben, Paul FitzGerald, Dorothy Ibrahim,
Moira Lawler , Daniel Jones, Jonathan Harker, Claire Johnston,
Apologies: Judith Frost-Evans, Lisa Cowley, Duncan Ridd, Kay Shapland, Pauline Morse
Last month’s minutes a true and accurate representation
Moved Paul / seconded Dorothy. All in favour. Carried
Correspondence
Date: 3 March
Sender: Alex Kitson PCC
Subject: Invitation to attend Porirua flood map community drop-in sessions
Date: 9 March
From: Tim.Costley@parliament.govt.nz
Subject: Invitation: Health morning tea
Date: 18 March
From: Chris Darnell revchrisdarnell@gmail.com
Subject: From Whitby RA re naming changes (council street naming guidelines)
Date: 19 March
From: Talanoa Wānanga
Subject: Porirua Community Leaders Forum: Notes from 7 March 2026
Date: 20 March
From: Spicer Future (PCC)
Subject: Consultation on future options for Spicer Landfill closing 25 March 2026
Date: 20 March
From: Ashley Blair
Subject: Let’s celebrate Pukerua Bay Residents’ Association 100 Years – tomorrow!
Date: 20 March
From: Pauahatanui Anglicans
Subject: Invoice INV-927 from Anglican Diocese of Wellington
Date: 21 March
From: kay Shapland
Subject: Fwd: Mt Welcome Housing Development (copy of email sent to Wendy Walker PCC)
Date: 30 March
From: Sophie Handford
Subject: Re: Nice to meet you!
Date: 1 April
From: William Dorset
Subject: Classic Developments & Pukerua Bay Residents Association – Mt Welcome
Date: 9 April
From: Jane Comben
Subject: FW: James King (PCC) and PKB Climate Action Group
Council updates
PCC – Moira Lawler Councillor
- Lots of work to get Taiki Wai up and running along with financial implications. Engagement is still on the customer charter, service level agreement and significance and engagement policy
- No news on the landfill, submissions have closed.
- Mt Welcome application has been re-lodged and documents are on the Ministry of Environment website.
- PCC Exploring the handover of Rangituhi / Colonial Knob, to Ngāti Toa. This will be the 2nd handover of confiscated land – the first being Greater Wellington’s handover of Whitireia.
- Water retention tank blown-out budget again by $2M. This will be offset by underspend capex in the Wellington Water programme.
- Kainga Ora presentation in the east. Withdrawing the funding from that development has had impact with the net increase in state houses now capped at 47.
- LTP pre-engagement May – Residents Associations will have an opportunity to give feedback on high level priorities.
- Signage Bylaw review coming up.
- Annual Plan – no engagement as nothing new. Changes due to Taiki Wai and how that will affect the rates bill.
- Local resident queries have included a request for planting support on a road verge.
- There has also been a re-classification as road reserve at the far end of Haunui Road.
Greater Wellington Regional Council – Claire Johnston Councillor
- Congratulations to Claire for her nomination
- Rates: The rates increase has come down to 9.7%.
- Public transport funding: There is an issue with public transport funding. Government funding has been reduced, leaving a $5 million shortfall.
- Budget decisions: Claire argued against cuts to tree planting and pest control, and a reasonable balance was reached overall.
- Public transport use and costs: Public transport use has increased, but profitability has not, due to the funding model. Rising diesel costs have also had an impact. There may be service cuts in the future.
- Metlink service issues: Many people are unhappy with Metlink, particularly with routes and payment options.
- Trains: Trains are not running for important events when these fall on public holidays, which has caused frustration.
- Transport infrastructure: The system is improving with investment, but there are ongoing questions (for example, why track repairs can’t happen overnight). It’s difficult to satisfy everyone.
- Fuel supply: Fuel storage at the port is currently good, with more supply coming. However, rising fuel prices will affect industries such as construction.
- Port: The port is performing well and remains a strong asset.
- Belmont Farm: There is a vision to plant the entire area and turn it into a reserve, but the land is poor quality in places and difficult to plant. The approach after farm closure (such as allowing gorse to grow) has become political.
- Regional council consultation: Consultation on simplifying regional council processes has closed. It appears councillors will serve out their current term.
- Porirua Harbour: Concerns were raised about sediment in the harbour, which is damaging the environment. There is no quick fix; dredging has been discussed.
- Emergency management: Low funding for emergency management means the region may be poorly prepared for a major emergency.
Train replacement buses – consultation happening but in daytime. Claire suggests we investigate that. Technical distance is maximum 400m except the ones that have been complained. Shelters turned away from the road for safety reasons. Express replacement buses are confusing.
Action: Moira to enquire who could attend from GWRC
Matters arising
- Matters arising from previous minutes (previously circulated)
Daniel a local resident is investigating a food waste system for PKB including, community composting, a mulch pile and financial model. Has connected with PKB Community Garden to consider how to collaborate, look at capacity and PCC connection.
Finance Report
2. Financial Report as at 12 April 2026
BNZ $ 15,236.39
Income:
$ 7.38 RA Interest
$258.00 RA Pukerua Bay Sign Scrap Metal
$365.00 Korero Invoices
$ 25.00 Korero Donation
$100.00 He Ara Book Sales
$335.00 He Ara Donations
$ 10.40 He Ara Book Royalty
$500.00 CGFF Koha
$ 52.80 CGFF Plant Sales
Expenditure:
$26.14 CGFF Petrol
Invoices Unpaid
$420.00 Invoices x 4
Invoices Issued:
$1750 Korero x 15 (11 paid)
$50.00 He Ara, The Long Walk
Account balances as at 12 April 2026
Res Assn 000 $ 482.55
He Ara 001 $2017.71
CGFF 002 $ 417.43
Kōrero 066 $2625.27
Climate 083 $ 000.01
Surf Seat 067 $ 78.83
OnCall 025 $9614.59
________________________________________________________________
Notes:
On Call Accounts
Res $ 764.59
He Ara $ 0.00
Korero $ 700.00
CGFF $7600.00
CC $ 550.00
Moved Paul / seconded Margaret, All in favour. Carried
Project Updates
Climate Action Rōpū
- Neighbours Day – Take more photos – Megan album will be created. Two locations worked better than expected but one location would work better. The Res Association celebration helped bring people in. Lots of people coming and going. The bike fix was very successful but the soccer but out of view.
- Group Banner – create one similar to the Garden one. Te be charged.
- Next Kōrero issue is Matariki focused on Ururangi (rain and wind) – a great fit with climate action promotion:
- Luke Harris (Sponsor who is a solar electrician) – invite him to do an article
- James King – possible article about upcoming project.
- Kate (Electrify Porirua) – talking about the org and how people could get involved.
- Matariki event – Have a stall at the Matariki event – possibly with Luke to promote solar.
- Aug Kōrero – possible Climate Action links could be asking election candidates Climate related questions or have a writer such as Jack McDonald to emphasis why it’s important to think about the climate when we vote this year.
- Election – Ask targetted question to all candiates across the political spectrum at Res association’s public meeting.
Possibly ask Ella to do an article reflecting on her no-buy journey
- PKB HUB – Brainstorming about applying for a waste minimisation grant. Also, Beccy and others in St Mary’s estate have got funding to plant natives in the strip between St Mary’s estate and the new development. They may want help with planting.
Kōrero
Kia ora koutou katoa
The current issue of 2026 is at its design phase, and we hope it will be ready for distribution next weekend.
The theme for the June issue is Matariki. It will focus on climate and the environment in alignment with the Matariki focus on Ururangi (the winds of the sky’). The copy deadline is 6 May.
The following issue focuses on the silver screen. We’re anticipating that the RA will hold its usual candidates meeting and will save space for promoting that.
Community Garden Food Forest
- Budget finances – Koha contributions total just over $800, and hold these funds until formal reallocation later in the year. Subject to careful spending we have enough funds for four years without fundraising.
- Top fence – The neighbouring property is going on the market and a new fence will be constructed. This area is a prime sunny site; weed clearing will be needed first, with planting likely in spring. Self-seeded tamarillo plants have popped up there, and the blueberries are thriving.
- Compost structure – The structure needs some amends before the roof goes on. Hopefully this will start on Saturday with help from Dave P.
- Winter fruit trees maintenance – The fruit trees would benefit from attention over winter. The plan is to mulch, buy more spirals, create the bio brew and douse them once in winter and once early spring.
- Raised veg garden planting – Broadbeans and peas are planned for this area. Other areas will be rotated as per Vicky’s plan.
- Social evening – 18 April, 5pm at Lenka’s
He Ara Pukerua
- Climate Action event: A PowerPoint of 100 years of achievement of the Residents’ Association generated interest at the event on 21 March. Mike Penhay cut the 100 anniversary of the Residents’ Association cake. His wife June was a very long serving member of the Association.
- The Long Walk from Wellington to Waikawa: The event at Halfway House, Glenside on 12 April to celebrate the publication was postponed due to the cyclone. The Johnsonville Independent Herald published a story to promote The Long Walk. Isaac, Dorothy and Margaret met with Marcus, PKB School Principal. The book fits in with their whole school theme of ‘Belonging’. We have given them a PowerPoint presentation of the illustrations to use when reading the story together in class.
- Hutt Mana grant: Our application has been accepted.
- Panels: We are working on the text and maps for two large panels and two small ones.
- Pukerua Bay sign: Frank Moody, Pauline, Ashley, Paul and Margaret, apologies Brian, have met to discuss how we move forward.
- Wairaka Corner: Covering the area with cardboard and sacks progressing as the cardboard is made available. Plan to gather some large driftwood from up at Paekakariki. Then planting can begin.
- ANZAC day: A story is being prepared about Lawrence Parnell, a first day pupil at the school. He served at El Alamein and in Italy. He was killed at Sango River on 17 January 1944.
Action Items
Pukerua Bay Sign – Frank Moody, Pauline, Ashley, Paul and Margaret, apologies Brian, have met to research how to go about to reinstate the sign. We will attempt to use as much of the original structure as possible.
MOU for groups – ongoing PKB RA Group contacts
General Election Meet the Candidates – it was a successful meeting with Sophie Hadford. We have arranged Tim Costley Monday 4 May, 7pm, RSA and Asher Wilson-Goldman Tues 28 April 7pm, RSA.
Dog and Penguin signage – no further developments
General Business
Dog Control By-Laws review – Paul put in an OIA request into PCC about Dogs in Pukerua Bay. 258 registered dogs in Pukerua Bay.
Trees with hanging branch on highway Action: Paul to report.
The Muri Road development are cutting road to Muri Rd in May or June. 1 July planning a walk-around the development. There have been issues with people on bikes getting too close to tree felling. Action: Paul to put on website.
Regular PKB RA circular to be established to update community on matters arising – frequent issue to keep community informed of matters arising that affect PKB. Online format preferred, subscription based, distributed via email to those that subscribe. Level of support via social media to be considered
Action: Pauline and Margaret
Action: Paul write on website about candidate meetings.
Meeting closed 8.45 pm