Jane Comben

October 2025 Residents Association meeting minutes

• • Minutes • , ,

Minutes Tuesday 14 October 2025
7:30 –9:00 pm RSA Wairaka Rd

Attending: Paul FitzGerald, Jane Comben, Judith Frost-Evans, Margaret Blair, Nikky Winchester, Yvonne Mackie
Apologies: Cr Josh Trlin, Jonathan Harker

Last month’s minutes a true and accurate representation

Moved Nikky  / seconded Judith. All in favour. Carried.

Council updates

PCC –
Congratulations to Moira Lawler for being elected a councillor.
PCC have a new council newsletter which we’ve signed up to.
Email from Downer about Muri Road closures.

Action: We’ve put it on the website so we’ll need to post more info about where it is.

GWRC – Two new councillors.
Paul will write to all PCC and GWRC councillors and the Mayor to invite them to meetings.

Matters arising

Community Building Meeting –
Successful meeting at the Pop-up. The Hub are now posting other people’s events including the Garden Trail (and hosting the ticket in the shop).

Mt Welcome –
Pat Hanley – haven’t heard any more about his approaching Barbara Edmonds.
Action: Nikky to follow up with Pat.

Pukerua Bay Sign –
Sent an IOA request for the owner of the vehicle so we can follow up on insurance. 20 days have expired and Paul will follow up.

Plunket Rooms –
Everything has been cleared including the concrete slab.

Financial report as at 13 October 2025

BNZ		$8,407.17
Income:		
$5.07		Interest		
$960.00	CGFF Calendars
$40.00		CGFF Garden Tours
$10.00		CGFF Plant Sales
	
Expenditure:	
$25.00		CGFF Codlin Spirals
$70.85		CGFF Fruit Tree
$2071.37	He Ara Copy Press

Account balances as at 13 October 2025
Res Assn 000		$264.17
He Ara 001		$83.50
CGFF 002		$1167.68
Kōrero 066		$90.87
Climate 083		$0.01
Surf Seat 067		$174.73
On Call Acct 025	$6626.21	
					CGFF		$3550.00 On Hold & Donation
					He Ara		$  550.00 Donation
					Korero		$1250.00 On Hold & Donation
Climate	$  550.00 Donation
					Residents	$  726.21 Interest & Donation
________________________________________________________________
Notes:
•	Calendar sales to date (73) $1570 -  Printing cost $1707
Financials Moved Margaret / seconded Jane. All in favour. Carried 

Motion: 
Residents Association supports Kōrero in its applications for funding from Pelorus Trust for printing costs. 

Moved Nikky / seconded Jane. All in favour. Carried

Note: He Ara are lined up to apply to Hutt Mana in March.

 Correspondence

Date: 22 September
From: MAGOMBEDZE Patrice
Subject: Update to pole replacement works in Pukerua Bay
Thanked and information posted by RA

Date: 29 September
From: John Burke
Subject: Porirua City’s 60th Birthday Cake Cutting Ceremony

Date: 5 October
From: Moira Lawler
Subject: Mt Welcome development – Confidential
Responded with latest interaction with developers and contact for PCC appreciated.

Date: 6 October
From:  Ashlee Bell – Downer
Subject : Pole Relocation  – Muri Road to be closed. (22 or 23 Oct)
Thanked and information posted by RA

Date: 9 October
From:  Community Partnerships
Subject : Invitation to attend Porirua flood map community drop-in sessions
3 public sessions:
Tuesday 28 October, 7–9pm – St Barnabas Church, Mana
Thursday 30 October 7–9pm – St Mark’s Church, Pukerua Bay
Saturday 1 November 10am to 12pm – Pātaka Art + Museum

Date: 14 October
From:  Ruth Barrett (Local Heritage Librarian, PCC)
Subject : Wellington Heritage Festival
Request to forward flyer onto members.

Action Items

Rail Replacement Bus service – No update

Dog/Penguin signs – Judith to start up correspondence with Andrew Gray

Pukerua Beach Rd remediation works – no update

Ara Harakeke Remediation – no update

Brendan Beach Bin restored – thanks to RA and residents’ persistence

MOUs with groups under umbrella. No progress

Project Updates

Climate Action

This year we didn’t host a workshop series but have been supporting other local initiatives with five events at the PKB HUB’s Pop-up Parlour. These were:

  • “Let’s talk Climate Change”
  • Crop Swap with Recycling
  • Clothes Swap
  • DIY Cleaning Products workshop hosted by Megs (MyBiHome)
  • Upcycled Jewellery and Repair Drop-in as part of the Repair Festival Aotearoa New Zealand 2025!

Four of us visited Plimmerton Climate Cafe to strengthen our relationship. Mark Wendelken from the Climate Cafe delivered his “Let’s Talk Climate Change” at the Pop-up parlour.

Ella hosted the Crop Swap in September with the usual recycling hub. We also had Nick Vincent from Predator Free Pukerua Bay and the Community Garden with Verity talking about growing microgreens.

Jane and Ella hosted a successful Clothes Swap and hope to do another one in the future, probably when the School Hall is free again as the Fundraising Trust racks we borrowed live at the hall.

Moira is now our local Councillor.

Conor is attending 8th UN Adaptation Futures Conference in Christchurch.

Kōrero

Our current issue on the theme of “good neighbours” is in the process of development. It includes a feature item of the Residents’ Association – an organisation that exemplifies the spirit of neighbourliness. The copy is currently being edited – we’d like to add the vision from the village plan: A friendly, caring, and vibrant community in a beautiful, natural setting, supported by good local infrastructure and facilities.

We haven’t yet determined the theme for the next issue in February 2026 – that will be decided in a planning meeting for all next year’s themes. Suggestions are welcome.

We have had a recent disappointment. Having applied for a grant from the Hutt Mana Charitable Trust (with a lot of help from Jane and Margaret), we received the email below. This leaves us vulnerable, as advertising revenue does not cover our costs. It means that the money received as koha on Iain’s behalf can’t go to special projects, as intended, but needs to be used to help pay printing for the next two issues.

Please would you move a motion that the Residents Association supports Kōrero in its application for funding from the Hutt Mana Trust? And a second motion supporting an application to the Pelorus Trust?

To be clear, if we’re successful in getting funding from the Pelorus Trust, we wouldn’t go to Hutt Mana.  But we do need funding to continue. 

Thanks for your support.
The Kōrero team

24-Sep-2025 

Kate Dreaver
Pukerua Bay Residents Association Incorporated
Wairaka Road, Pukerua Bay, Porirua 5026, New Zealand
RE: Application Number: GA250918-103F

Dear Kate

Your grant application has been withdrawn as your organisation received funding in March 2025.
As per our terms and conditions, organisations can only receive funding once every 12 months.

Kind regards
Grants Team

Grants Team,
Hutt Mana Charitable Trust

Themes for next year issues – get in touch.

Community Garden Food

  • Calendars – selling well and we’ve nearly covered the printing costs
  • Garden Trail – Presale tickets available on PKB HUB. Saturday November 1 as a tidy up day. Thursday 30 October at RSA to confirm tasks etc for Nov 9.
  • Meeting with PCC – re fence and compost structure went well.
    Council have control of negotiations with neighbours re replacement fence at South boundary. Neighbours have to clear the area first. Brian sourcing bricks for the  garden

  • Composting Storage
    The Composting system is still on track for completion by 30 Nov with report sent to the Hutt Mana Trust
    PCC have been very supportive after we discovered (rightly so) that we cannot build onto the historic railway pavilion. They helped us move the Dahlia bed with a digger from the new site.
    This project must be completed and report sent by November 30. Scouts are willing to help. 

  • Spring Planting – Spring planting planned following our crop rotation map and more compost required for heavy feeders like tomatoes and pumpkins that need to go in. Until Brian’s fabulous compost is ready to be used, we’ve approved for Brian to source half a cubic metre of compost. Funds approved from group using donation from Martin at Food caravan. 

He Ara Report

  • He Ara along with author and illustrator Isaac du Toit were at the Pop-Up Kids Art Club.  We used the Crankie to show The Long Walk, the 1845 story of the Bevan children’s walk from Wellington to Waikawa with their guide Ropina. The children had a great time making pīwakawaka.
  • We are now in the process of publishing The Long Walk.
  • We are still waiting for Ngāti Toa Ahurea Ropu to meet to approve Miria’s story Te Rauparaha, Ngāti Toa and Pukerua together with 20 paintings, drawings and photos before we put them on https://www.hearapukeruabay.nz/

General Business

AGM Prep – Guest Speaker: Simon Barber from Jennian Homes and developments on Muri Road.
Forms out for people to join and become a member. We may want to consider a membership fee.
Posters – Noticeboard (Paul) , Library, RSA (Jane)

Action: Jane ask Christine at school to put the poster in noticeboard and newsletter.

Local Body elections – Results finalised tomorrow.

Local Transport Shuttle – Older residents concerned about losing the ability to drive. Idea – in Russell a community bus that ran twice a week to Opua.

Margaret talked about a very active ‘FISH’ a group in the Bay that helped people out (with transport, plumber etc). There was a central number to access “good neighbours”. As mentioned in the 1977 School Jubilee booklet.
Mention at the AGM.

Action

Jane or Paul – post more info about Muri Road closure and where it is. (done)

Jane – ask Christine at school to put the AGM poster in noticeboard and newsletter (done).

Nikky – to follow up with Pat Hanley about his approaching Barbara Edmonds re Mt Welcome development.

Meeting ended 8.30 pm

AGM 2025 guest speaker – Simon Barber

• • AGM Minutes, Housing, Information, Meeting, RA • , ,
Simon Barber presenting at the Pukerua Bay residents Association AGM

Responding to requests from the wider Pukerua bay community, here are notes from the guest speaker portion of our latest AGM meeting.

Simon Barber, Pukerua Heights Residential Estate development manager for their current development off Muri Road.

Simon shared some slides of the Muri Road developments noting:

  • Silt retention ponds to collect runoff which will make room for the entrance once finished. 144 sites in 6 stages as the market dictates.
  • All the pine trees will be taken down.
  • Top of stage one – pine trees out, platform for first sites. SNA is fenced off to protect the trees there. Once upper area stabilised the proper access area will be put in.
  • Stage two the  old woolshed and pine trees will be removed.
  • Even though it’s hilly sections are benched out for the houses.
  • When trees come down we grind the stumps and mulch the slash then use the mulch to stabilise the site and allow vegetation to grow through.
  • Area above the site there is 50 hectares of native bush that PCC says has ecological significance. We want to bring development to the edge of it so people can access that block.

Questions from the floor:

(Community questions in bold, Simon’s answers in italic)

Ultimately the access road will service how many houses?

The council’s plan is to put a roundabout at the entrance to Mt Welcome Station. The plan is to link up the site to that roundabout as well have the access road onto Muri. The Mt Welcome development are applying for consent now.

17 houses will definitely use the Muri Road access. The other southern access will be more years away and will go around the outside of the wetlands.

What about the kiwi that lives on Muri Road?

Nature is front and centre.

Muri Road
The road is narrower than it was with border, People can’t go on the verge now. It’s narrower and cars come down fast. What’s happening in the future?

There will be no more heavy trucks beyond the number that are going through now. Whole road will be sealed once works are complete.

We spent $120K on a plan to have access direct from Highway 59 to the south but PCC wouldn’t allow it.

All work on the road-side is in the council corridor so all in the PCC plan. We’re following their plan including restoration of the area.

Muri road is designated as a Slow road. What are doing to make it safe?

Consent is comprehensive and we’ll follow the plan. Simon suggests – we should arrange a joint meeting with council about the issues. Will be a give way sign from new site onto Muri Road.

Can the same restrictions as the logging trucks be put on the building trucks? Eg during school hours.

Good idea, yes.

Please talk to natural space and waterways.

After the silt retention ponds are no longer needed, the subdivision will have rain gardens for stormwater.

Paper road towards Gray Rd has waterway. A path coming through paper road – will be part of the future development.

There’s a reserve with walking track towards railway station. Green areas protected and SNA.

You haven’t given us visuals of the buildings themselves. When will we see them and how high will you be able to go?

Same as anywhere in PCC – 8m height. Mix of single and double story. Some townhouses and standalone. We will also sell sections.

(Note: supplied visuals had been put on RA website – link here)

All residential zoning and you can do what you want on standalone sections (within PCC rules).

Stages 5&6 don’t have water yet so needs to wait for the new reservoir to be built.

Sections will be open to buy.

Who owns the trees? How many houses will fit in the entire block?

We’ve cleared trees but haven’t sought consent for all of it.

We haven’t sought approval for other stages than the current 144 sites.

Nga Tahu Property and Pukerua Holdings are developing Pukerua Heights as a joint venture (Pukerua Bay Limited Partnership).

Pukerua Holdings own the remainder of the block beyond the initial 144 sites under development.

60-65% of the entire site will remain in wetlands and native bush.  All the various blocks north of Plimmerton (Mt Welcome etc) are part of Northern Growth Strategy.

We think it will take 6 -10 years to build the current section. Growth will be at pace of market.

Possibly 20 or 30 houses a year.

All the trees will be mulched or buried. No burning is currently planned although they have burnt waste to the south.

Infrastructure. Why didn’t know about this 3 years ago?

144 residences are in the current development and this area has always been zoned residential for the last 50 years . Future schools and other infrastructure things part of the northern growth strategy. This is PCC led. We’re only looking at this section off Muri Road.

Reservoir will be built later to service some of the block and another block to the south. They are applying for consent now and will take a couple of years to build.

Paper road. Path coming through paper road. Not zoned in this area – will be part of the future. No planning has been done as part of our initial block.

Sewerage connections – are they already in?

As our block already had zoning, our connections are into the existing network. Some will be connected to the south in the future. 

Wastewater? Thought at we were at capacity?

Some of the wastewater will be going through a new pumping station. The new station caters for other places as well as the new houses.

As a Muri Road resident I have to phone people you to find out what’s going on.

For future reference I think you can do better communicating with us that are affected with trucks sitting in our driveway etc.

156 points in our resource consent and we’ve done our best to follow it.

What happened to the consultation we did about the Northern Growth?

(Paul and Moira) Northern Growth Area Special Development Project – was halted by a change of government.

Can you supply us more information?

Yes, we’ll put it through the website.

Street lighting?

Our designers design it and approved by council. Send something to me and I’ll send you more information.

I’m happy to fill the knowledge gaps.

ACTION

Be great to have a joint meeting with RA, Simon Barber and Council. Many concerned about the speed of traffic on Muri Road and have points that need to be addressed by council roading people.

The full AGM minutes will be posted once approved.

September 2025 Residents Association meeting minutes

• • Minutes • , , ,

Minutes Tuesday 9 September 2025
7:30 –9:00 pm RSA Wairaka Rd

Attending: Paul FitzGerald, Jane Comben, Judith Frost-Evans, Margaret Blair, Nikky Winchester, Dorothy Ibrahim, Moira Lawler, Pat Hanley Brian Sullivan
Apologies: Cr Josh Trlin

Last month’s minutes a true and accurate representation

Moved Judith / seconded Jane. All in favour. Carried.

Council updates

PCC – none

GWRC – none

Matters arising

Mt Welcome –
Pat offered to contact Barbara Edmonds about attending a meeting with the RA and other interested parties. Supporting Pat on that.
We have emailed Classic Developments to say we responded to them and expressed our concerns, and could give their acknowledgment and written response to our concerns.

Pukerua Bay Sign –
Response from Megan – The sign is not a PCC asset, and it is on NZTA land. Will help identify potential funders, as this seems how it was funded originally.
Paul has responded noting that PCC have done planting and work on the sign.
Paul will write to the Police for the name of the person that hit it for insurance details.

Financial report as at 9 September 2025

BNZ		$9,504.32 
Income:		
$6.23		Interest		
$40.00		Korero Invoices
$50.00		Korero Donation
$155.00	CGFF Calendars
$85.00		CGFF Donations


Expenditure:	
$84.00		CGFF Tip Fees	
$39.80		CGFF Locks & Keys
$40.00		CGFF Watertank taps
$207.00	He Ara Website


Account balances as at 9 September 2025
Res Assn 000		$264.17
He Ara 001		$154.87
CGFF 002		$198.53
Kōrero 066		$90.87
Climate 083		$0.01
Surf Seat 067		$174.73
On Call Acct 025	$8621.14	
					CGFF		$3550.00 On Hold & Donation
					He Ara		$2550.00 Donation
					Korero		$1250.00 On Hold & Donation
                                          Climate	$  550.00  Donation
					Residents	$  721.14  Interest & Donation

Moved Jane / seconded Paul All in favour. Carried

Correspondence

19 Aug
Subject : Candidates’ Meeting Pukerua Bay Wednesday 20 August 7:00 PM
Responses from Ura and thanks from Nathan Waddle

22 Aug
From: Sarah Brazil from PCC
Subject: Porirua City Council e-newsletter – What’s happening?

23 Aug
From PkbHub
Subject: Pop-up Parlour What’s on Week 1

14 Aug
From: Dan Smyth
Subject: Classic Developments & Pukerua Bay Residents Association – Mt Welcome
Pdf / open day invite that can be shared on your Facebook page.

2 September
From: MAGOMBEDZE Patrice
Subject; Upcoming pole replacement works in Pukerua Bay
Circulate works notification in later September – (clarification to come). 

9 September
From: Megan Krishnan
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] PKB Sign Today
The sign is not a PCC asset, and it is on NZTA land. Will help identity potential funders.

Action Items

Rail Replacement Bus service: – No update

Penguin signs: – waiting while Andrew on leave

Pukerua Beach Rd remediation works – no update

Ara Harakeke Remediation –  no updated

Brendan Beach Rubbish Bin and signage  – no update
(Since the meeeting a new bin has been reinstated)

MOUs with groups under umbrella. No progress

Project Updates

Climate Action

  • Successful ‘Let’s Talk Climate Change’ with Mark Wendelken from Plimmerton Climate Café
  • Other pop-up events to happen.

Kōrero

Theme good neighbours. The copy deadline is 6 October, with delivery in November.
Kate applying for Hutt Mana grant.

Community Garden Food

  • $70 donation from Martyn Bridge – Food caravan
  • Calendars – Agreed price $20. Promo flyer for garden Trail to go in each calendar. Proposed door to door sales.
  • Garden Trail plans in place
  • Saturday 20  Sept “Crop  Swap”- Garden will be show casing micro greens.  Some seedlings and plants for sale
  • Approved payments from Hutt Mana Trust for lock up keys, connector for water tank irrigation, irrigation connections for pavilion tap. Email sent to Hutt Mana to ask for an extension.
  • Unauthorised van in garden. Police became involved with person who is in custody, vehicle still there.

He Ara Report

  • He Ara contributed to the Hub Pop-Up Parlour programme with the event Pukerua Inspired Art led by Pauline Morse.
  • He Ara will also be part of a Kids Art Club event along with Isaac du Toit at the end of the month.
  • Copy for The Long Walk has been sent to the designer/printer.
  • The legend of Hau and Wairaka has been added to the website.
  • We have had a delightful correspondence via the website with an 83-year old whose family first visited Pukerua in 1916.
  • There has been an inquiry via the website about the Pukerua Bay School Centenary in 2027.

General Business

AGM –
Prep – heard back from Will Pkb Holdings Ltd (Part of Muri Rd Development). Timing not good but could provide material. Asked Classic Developments and he’s thinking about it. Many people missed out.

Wed 22nd October – 7.30pm. Advertise. Alternative options, Domes Predator Free person (Phil Hartwick) or Greater Wellington Council maybe link to Penguins.

Local Body elections – Candidates meeting. Went well with input from Act’s leader. Plimmerton’s meeting on Sunday eve.
Jane to prep post with voter info.

Community Building Meeting – Prep
What the Association Does (its main goals):

  • Speak up for the community – work on behalf of Pukerua Bay locals (and nearby areas) to support their interests and wellbeing.
  • Look after the area – protect and improve the things that make Pukerua Bay a great place to live and visit (like housing, community life, recreation, schools, and the environment).
  • Connect with others – work with other community groups on issues that matter to us all.
  • Push back when needed – raise concerns, object, or get involved in discussions when something (like a development or activity) could harm the community or environment.
  • Support local projects – help out groups running community projects, especially when they need council or government support, funding, or access to land and facilities.
  • Be the community’s voice – represent locals when dealing with Porirua City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, transport agencies, and other government organisations.

Include in Korero article:

PHOTOS of members

Helping new residents support.

Job examples –

  • Dog walking and penguin signage
  • Railway station art on new station.
  • No engine breaking sign
  • Water fountain at the skatepark
  • Oversight of the marine reserve with Ngati Toa (20 year ago).
  • Supported walkway signage
  • Relationship with Ngati Toa
  • PKB Sign damage
  • Development and council submissions
  • Running candidate meetings.
  • Pukerua Bay Website

Action

Jane – Write post similar to Pauatahanui RA about elections and voting. Info from Moira to come.

Brand new Pukerua Bay Garden Trail this year!

• • Fundraising, Pukerua Bay Community Garden and Food Forest • , , , ,

Join us for this new fundraising Garden Trail on
Sunday, 9th November 2025, 10am to 3pm.

Pukerua Bay Community Garden Trail

One day, 12 local gardens. All featured in our fundraising 2026 calendar

$10 each – Buy your ticket here!

  • When: Sunday, 9 November – 10am-3pm
  • Cost: $10 each (light refreshments included in ticket)
  • What: Garden Trail through the Village of Pukerua Bay
  • Where: Start at the Pukerua Bay Community Garden & Food Forest, off the platform of the former Muri Station at the end of Muri Road, Pukerua Bay, 5026 (Near the Escarpment Track).
  • How: One the day, collect the garden locations map from the Community Garden. This will show the addresses of all the gardens in the trail. This is a self-guided trail and you can use the map to choose which gardens you’d like to visit in our village.
  • Weather: Our Garden Trail will take place rain or shine!
    Please come prepared for changeable conditions and a variety of surfaces.

What sort of gardens are they?

Apart from the Community Garden & Food Forest and Rongā Māori all the gardens are private homes.

Our trail features a selection of gardens both big and small. There are historic homesteads with big gardens, sections of native bush, exotic plantings, small yards, chickens, areas growing food as well as cliff-side sections with wide coastal views.

Check the map (on the day) for more information about garden access and any restrictions or hazards.

Is there are plant sale?

Yes! there’ll be plants, flowers and our fabulous fundraising calendar for sale at the Community Garden. (All the gardens are featured in our calendar). There may be other treats you can buy from individual gardens and we can confirm that on the day.

Where are the toilets?

Sorry, there’s no toilet access at the gardens – public toilets are available at the shops on SH59 and at the beach.

Parking

There is plenty of parking at Pukerua Bay Station, at the beach and Rawhiti Road and Sea Vista Drive.

We encourage people to walk through our village between gardens as some locations have very limited access ways – such as the Community Garden.

Check the map for some special parking for people with limited mobility.

Can I bring my dog?

Sorry, not pets allowed. Children are welcome if fully supervised at all times.

Can I bring my dog?

Sorry, not pets allowed. Children are welcome if fully supervised at all times.

Door sales

Tickets will also be available at the Community Garden on the day.

——————————————————-

Please Note:

Every effort is made by the property owner to ensure safety. All gardens are entered at visitors’ risk. Special care is needed at gardens with steps, sloping pathways and ponds.

——————————————————-


Pole relocation – Muri Rd to be closed 22 Oct (or 23 Oct)

• • Announcements, Transport • , , ,

We currently have work scheduled on Muri Road on 22/10/2025 with the alternative date 23/10/2025. This will require part of Muri Road to be closed

Site hours:

TTM installation: 9am to 9:30am – Work activity/NSC: 9:30am to 3:30pm – TTM removal: 3:30pm to 4pm

Unattended VMS board to be installed 5 days prior with daily site check**

Works methodology:

• install links
• remove overhead wires on pole replacement
• remove old pole
• install new pole
• reinstate overhead wires
• backfill and reinstatement
• remove links

General info:

  • Pedestrian traffic access & safety is a priority
    • STMS/TC to monitor pedestrians and to assist where required and cyclist
    • Cone bars to be placed on cones to isolate the working space from pedestrians.
  • Access to affected driveway/s will be monitored and assisted by STMS/TC as required.

For all the details check out this PDF supplied by Downer

June 2025 Residents Association meeting minutes

• • Minutes, RA

Minutes Tuesday 10 June 2025
7:30 –9:00 pm RSA Wairaka Rd

Attending: Paul FitzGerald, Jane Comben, Nikky Winchester, Cr Josh Trlin, Margaret Blair
Apologies: Judith Frost-Evans, Jonathan Harker

Last month’s minutes a true and accurate representation

Moved Jane / seconded Margaret. All in favour. Carried.

Council updates

PCC –

Last week passed the Annual Plan. Decided not to proceed with ending the events fund. Stopped the Chamber of Commerce funding. Not increased parking in CBD, or entrance fee at Cannons Creek Pool. Fees for Buildings Consents will go up.

6.39% overall increase in rates

Efficiencies made across council.

Going to invest in new library in Eastern Porirua by Cannons Creek Pool. Looking at a community centre but instead they’ve decided to bring it forward, reduce scope and make it modular. 4 million budget. Scope to expand in the future. Current library has high usage but small and in need of earthquake strengthening.

Officially signed off on establishing a new entity for water reform. Baking in charter with things around working with Māori and public ownership.

Non-binding referendum on amalgamation – to work on proposal about working with other councils. Good timing for referendum. 20k extra to run now alongside the Māori Wards referendum.

Election

Nomination period start 4 July to 1 August.

11 October Voting Day

Judith – Thanks to Josh for following up and putting us in contact with Mike Mendonca. Waiting to hear from Mike. Josh says if he doesn’t come back he’ll chase up for us.

Candiates Meeting

Not sure if we’ll have the school hall. If it’s available we’d look to do something. We could possibly coat-tail on the Plimmerton/Paremata one. We could have mix and mingle at the RSA. Josh thinks the more events the better as the communities are different.

GWRC –

none

Matters arising

none

Financial report as at 8 June 2025

BNZ		$15,241.49
Income:
$	6.78	Interest
$ 2,200.00	Res Assn Donation
		

Expenditure:	
$220.00	CGFF Water Tanks x 2	
$32.35		CGFF Plants	


Account balances as at 8 June 2025
Res Assn 000		$462.58
He Ara 001		$87.67
CGFF 002		$2232.83
Kōrero 066		$229.27
Climate 083		$0.01
Surf Seat 067		$174.73
On Call Acct	025	$12054.40	
					CGFF		$3550.00 On Hold & Donation
					He Ara		$5000.00 Donation
					Korero		$2250.00 On Hold & Donation
Climate	$550.00 Donation
					Residents	$704.40 Interest & Donation
________________________________________________________________
Action Notes:
Aon Insurance declaration returned 28 May 2025 with question:
“May we question the increase of the brokerage/admin fee – a 79% increase seems a bit steep, especially as the community garden is a voluntary, community activity with no income except for the generosity of grant funding.”

•	New signatory required for BNZ – Underway with Jonathan
•	Costings for other CGFF projects

Signatory Motion: To remove Iain McLean as a signatory for all banking processes to be replaced by Jonathan Harker 
Moved Margaret / seconded Paul. All in favour. Carried.

Financials

Moved Paul/ seconded Margaret All in favour. Carried

Correspondence

14 May 2025

From: Tim Costley
Subject: Business Directory/Association

15 May 2025

From: Darien Scott-Hill
Subject: Pest Problem – Pa Road Pukerua Bay
Responded: Invited him to meeting and put him in contact with Predator Free PKB

27 May 2025

From: Aidan Houchen
Subject: 2025/26 Insurance Renewal – Pukerua Bay Residents’ Association
Default renewal $ 776.25

29 May 2025

From: David Verrinder
To: Paul FitzGerald
Subject: Canditate Meetings – asking if we’re having one and promoting their Plimmerton/Paramata one at Ngati Toa
Responded – will let them know if we do anything as we’re not sure about the school hall.

30 May 2025

From: Marcus Hopkinson – school principal
Subject: Hall
Responded: Thanked for info that the hall will be brought up in next BOT meeting.

30 May 2025

From: Judith Frost-Evans
To: Mike Mendonca
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] RE: PBRA – Issue with signage

NOTE: Thanks to Josh for following up and putting us in contact with Mike Mendonca. Waiting to hear from Mike,

Action Items

Train Replacement Bus Service – Paul has written to GW Council suggesting they come and meet with us on site to talk it over. No response yet

Dog/Penguin signs

More info from Andrew Gray to Paul. The sign prepared for last year to go in. Stan built and sign printed but no budget to install. Have to wait until July to install with new budget.

Judith has sent a comprehensive email to Mike Mendonca about the signage.

Greetings Mike 
Thanks again for your willingness to follow up on our local signs.

There are several issues with the signage at the bottom of Pukerua Beach Road. 

Some of the Issues:
1.	The sign is old and faded
2.	The sign is often blocked by parked cars - this has been made worse by the removal of the rubbish bin which has allowed cars to park closer to the sign. This is a separate issue I am pursuing with Ross Leggett and others in Council however if you are able to help with this, that would be amazing. I will address that separately.
3.	The sign is not visible once people have driven around the corner with Ocean Parade and parked anywhere along the waterfront.
4.	The sign is confusing in that the first thing you might see as you drive past, is 'Dog Exercise Area'.
5.	The sign does not highlight the hours that dogs are permitted on the beach sufficiently clearly
6.	 The sign is not clear about dogs needing to be on leads at all times. 

Ideas for action;
1.	Redesign the sign for clarity and emphasis (I will attach photos of signs at Hataitai Beach which are simpler and clearer).
2.	Place several of these signs along the waterfront.
3.	Place a simple welcome sign further back up Pukerua Beach Road (where the downhill traffic gives way to uphill traffic and there is a lane to pull over into to allow uphill traffic to pass). 
4.	This simple welcome sign could include the message that Pukerua Bay is a special area and has endangered native flora and fauna which we are endeavouring to protect. And requesting that visitors look out for the bylaws on signs along the beach so that they can support the local initiatives to protect our endangered species.
For example: 'Welcome to our Special beach which has rare and vulnerable species in need of all of our care' 
Please see restriction by laws for dog and vehicle control at the bottom of this road. 
Or whatever the sign experts recommend.

Pukerua Beach Rd remediation works

Asked Claire Giblin is there is any date for that to happen. Confirm is the Ara Harakeke Remediation included in package of works.

Brendan Beach Rubbish Bin

Heard nothing

MOUs with groups under umbrella.

Paul hasn’t progressed this month

Village – see general business

Project Updates

Climate Action

We are starting planning for a panel discussion on the Climate Assembly.

Other things in the works – not confimed.

Community Garden Food

Finances $5815 in account, $776 AON insurance due ( this is ? increase from last year. Fund from Pelorous Trust Grant)

Rongoa garden:

Blessing shared.
Saturday community planting completed. All trees purchased now in the ground.
Special thanks to Ted and the Scouts for cutting and carting impressive driftwood.
Thanks to Keas for their enthusiasm and wonderful painted sign that is being preserved and hung.
Duncan gave an afternoon of heavy lifting that was tremendously appreciated.
Jane has named lots of the stakes for tree identification and now working on the information brochure.

Compost structure.

First 2 water tanks have been collected.

Matariki = celebration

Saturday 28 June at school. We will sell dahlia plants. We will present our Matariki Crankie story. Hub will give us a koha.

Calendar

Plan to have one copy printed for Matariki event to take pre orders.
Cost to print 200 = $ 1300 ($13.5 profit each if sold for $20)
Cost to print 300 = $2100 TBC
Budget for garden trail is currently $500 for printing, adverts and contingency
Sell calendars @ $20, Garden tour $10. Or calendar and tour at $25
Wording for each image is now with home owners to confirm Text.

Kate and family donation of $550 from Ian’s Give a little page.

Suggested and approve to buy specimen trees for Rongoa garden and 3 replacement fruit trees.
Discussion followed re our knowledge of pruning and care of fruit trees. Hannah is now confirmed to come Saturday June 14 from 10 – 11.30. Public welcome . Koha of $100.

He Ara Report

  • •Saturday 28 June at 2pm is the date set for the naming of the Lindsay Gray DFC Lounge at the RSA. Invitations have been sent out and event publicised on He Ara, Trading and Community Facebook pages.
  • Honours:
    • Sir Brendan Lindsay for services to business and philanthropy
    • Isaac du Toit shortlisted for the New Zealand Book awards for Children and Young Adults in the Russell Clark Award for Illustration category.
  • Bevan walk story has been reviewed and layout underway.
  • Transcribing of WWI war diary completed and final edit underway before returning to the Lindsay family.

Kōrero

Notes in RA meeting
Paul is going to write an item on bus shelter and train replacements. A full artilve is 300 words but could be less than that. Good for people to know we’re trying.
Maybe could provide links to the most relevant He Ara articles on website. Margaret to take to meeting
Info about Meet the candidates – would like info in next Korero

We’re in the final stages of preparing our Matariki issue for distribution this weekend. Many thanks to Ahu Charitable Trust and the Hub for their sponsorship of this issue and, more importantly, for the special event they create each year.

The theme for the next issue is “Exploring our village”. Not quite the right words, but it’s looking at our roads, tracks, and rail … how we get around. Sometimes, how difficult that can be. Contributions welcome from all.

The Residents Association has a proud tradition of very successful Meet the Candidates meetings. Will you be running one this year? If so, please let us know if you would like us to reserve space to promote it.

The copy deadline is 7 July, with delivery in mid-August.

General Business

a. Iain’s Tribute

Keep it in the investment account

b. Local Body elections – Candidates meeting

See if School Hall is available. If school not available , 2nd option is St Mark’s. Also advertise the Ngati Toa one for Plimmerton/Paremata. Have to be no later than mid-September.

Paul to check school hall availability

c. Village Plan Review

Honour the Treaty

Could promote and educate around the Māori Wards Referendum linking in ‘ActionStation’ (a digital campaigning organisation who’s big focus will be the wards this year with resources). Helping communities understand what it means for their communities. Could be combined with pop-up parlour if that happens.

Look for opportunities for creating community spaces

Pop up may happen again – looking for funding.

Worth telling people about the RSA as community club. Maybe FAQs.

A story “new to the bay” in Korero.

Question to re-institute the Street Champions – a possible pop-up parlour conversation. A WREMO, preparedness slant. Know your Neighbour. Point of contact if power goes out etc.

Repeat – Action:

Put something in the Korero about our venues and how you book them etc.
Then update the website and promote the website itself.

Jane away next month. Ask Judith to do minutes.

Meeting ended 8.45pm

Local Body Elections 2025

• • Elections • , , , ,

The local body elections are just around the corner, giving us the chance to decide who will represent our community at the Council table for the next three years.

For Porirua City, this includes the Mayor, Porirua Māori Ward and four Pāuatahanui Ward Councillors. At the Greater Wellington Regional Council level, we’ll also be choosing two Councillors for the Porirua-Tawa Ward.

The Pukerua Bay Residents Association has already hosted a “Meet the Candidate” session, and we encourage you to head along to one of the public meetings. These are a great way to hear directly from the candidates and ask questions.

Who is standing?

You can find out more about the Mayor, Māori Ward candidates and Pāuatahanui Ward Councillor candidates here:
Information on the Greater Wellington Regional Council candidates for our ward can be found here:

‘Meet the Candidate’ meetings

We’ve already held our Pukerua Bay “Meet the candidates” meeting but other local events are coming up. Times and venues details are available here:

Māori Wards

In the voting papers you will also be asked if you want to keep the Porirua City Council Māori ward and the Greater Wellington Regional Council Māori constituency. More info about that can be found here:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Voting papers will be delivered from Tuesday 9 SEPTEMBER.
Voting closes on Saturday 11 OCTOBER.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Where to vote?

In Pukerua Bay you can cast your vote in bins at Pukerua Bay Library or outside the dairy.
A list of other Porirua locations can be found here:

Special Votes

If you haven’t received your voting pack by Tuesday 9 September, you can still vote.
You’ll just need to complete a special vote available from the council office.

For a special vote to count, voters need to be enrolled with the Electoral Commission by Friday 10 October.
It takes less than five minutes to complete a declaration form as to why they need a special vote, and electors can vote on site or take it away to vote later.

Those electors on the unpublished electoral roll, will get a letter from the Electoral Commission on about 9 September, advising them to complete a special vote at the council office.

For electors going overseas for the entirety of the voting period the legislation for council elections does not allow early voting, ie it is not possible to complete a special vote before 9 September. The Act does not allow online voting, nor any form of electronic voting, nor downloading a voting paper and sending it back by email. It is an option for the council to send a special vote to a static address where the elector is overseas, provided there is time for the voter to complete the SV Declaration and the voting paper, and post it back so that it reaches the Electoral Officer by midday on Saturday 11 October. In doing so, voters are required to pay the appropriate par avion international postage on the envelope in the country that it is sent from.

Want to understand the voting system we use?

There is an explanation of Single Transferrable Vote (STV) here

Pukerua Bay Community Garden Calendar 2026

• • Community Garden, Fundraising • , ,

Back by popular demand, our popular fundraising calendar is back!

Support the Community Garden and BUY NOW $20 each

Available at:

  • Pop-up Parlour shop in September
  • RSA
  • or Bank Transfer (we will deliver for free in Pukerua Bay)

This year we’ve featured 12 gardens that are part of our NEW garden trail!
The trail is happening on Sunday, 9th November 2025 – 10am to 2pm.

Account: Pukerua Bay Residents Association 02 0536 0134648 002
Ref:  your name & CGFF Cal
Email us: PukeruaBayCommunityGarden@gmail.com

Lambing on Wairaka Farm has started 

• • Announcements, Information • ,

A message from Wairaka Farm:
(Wairaka Farm is on the left as you go north through Pukerua Bay.)

Please do not to go onto the farm until Tuesday 31 October. 

This is so that the mothers and lambs aren’t disturbed. 
Please pass this message on to anyone who needs to know. 

Any questions, please contact Kerry Kilminster on 027 389 9212. 

Image credit: David Griffiths unsplash.com