This year at the PKB HUB’s Pop-up Parlour the Pukerua Bay Climate Action Rōpū are hosting three events:
1) Let’s Talk Climate Change
Wednesday, 3 September 2025 7:00–8:30 pm, St Marks, 98 Rawhiti Road, Pukerua Bay
A talk by Mark Wendelker from Plimmerton Climate Café.
A lay person’s guide to climate change concepts. Marks presentation explains aspects of climate change (such as carbon footprint, planetary boundaries, de-growth etc.) what they mean, how they interact and why they’re important.
Saturday, 20 September 2025 3-4pm, St Marks, 98 Rawhiti Road, Pukerua Bay
Crop Swapping and recycling are sustainability focused events supported by the Pukerua Bay Climate Action Group, Waste Free Pukerua Bay and a local sustainability business My Bihome. Set up is at 3pm, with a karakia, then we swap to our hearts content.
Special this month:
Drop in with Nick at Predator Free Pukerua Bay. Ask questions, get advice or buy a tunnel trap.
Demonstration by Pukerua Bay Community Garden and Food Forest – growing microgreens as an affordable and healthy salad option.
Stick around for the Pukerua Bay Climate Action Group’s Clothes Swap after the Crop Swap.
P.S. Please come along even if you have nothing to share that week. Swapping is not limited to home grown plants and anything ‘garden and home’ (e.g. baking, preserves, flowers) is welcome.
Saturday, 20 September 2025 4:00 –5:30 pm, St Marks, 98 Rawhiti Road, Pukerua Bay
Please bring along your unwanted quality clothing and accessories and swap them for some new treasures! Arrive with your clothes and they will be sorted while you browse. Entry: by gold coin/folding Koha and includes a cuppa and baking.
What we’re swapping: Feel free to bring womens, mens and kids clothing as well as jewellery, shoes and accessories.
NO books, toys or ripped/stained clothing thanks. (Only CLEAN items you’d be happy to drop off at the charity shop please).
Attending: Paul FitzGerald, Jane Comben, Judith Frost-Evans, Margaret Blair, Cr Josh Trlin Dorothy Ibrahim, Nathan Gray, Aditi Tiwari, Arram Don Silva Apologies: Moira Lawler, Nikky Winchester
Last month’s minutes a true and accurate representation
Moved Paul / seconded Judith. All in favour. Carried.
Council updates
PCC –
Council business has slowed down.
Update on Plunket Rooms – decision has been made to demolished leaving it free for a while with the longterm intention it’s available if any community group lease.
The cheapest option.
Change to speed limits close to schools. Last year the consultation decided on permanent 30km speed limits. New government has forced councils to change to variable signs. They pushed back and although they passed the motion they noted their displeasure and extra costs.
Fixed signage were chosen as cheapest option.
Now in pre-election period.
Informed of rejection by Government of Specified Development Project on Northern Growth Area. Will provide more info when he knows more.
Pukerua Bay entrance sign damage
The signs origin is unclear but Council has been fixing it up over time and we think it would be a council asset. Josh said will follow up for us if required
Candidates Meeting (Mayoralty, Pauatahanui, Māori and GWRC) on 7pm at the school hall on Wed 20th August. Paul will put up on FB, noticeboard, flyer to school and email to other RAs.
Expenditure: $736.00 CGFF Aon Insurance $1707.47 CGFF Calendar Printing $850.00 He Ara Bevan Story $814.20 Korero Flying Colours $200.00 Residents’ Assoc Rent to RSA
Account balances as at 12 August 2025 Res Assn 000 $262.58 He Ara 001 $161.87 CGFF 002 $122.33 Kōrero 066 $0.87 Climate 083 $0.01 Surf Seat 067 $174.73 On Call Acct 025 $8816.40 CGFF $3550.00 On Hold & Donation He Ara $2750.00 Donation Korero $1250.00 On Hold & Donation Climate $550.00 Donation Residents $716.40 Interest & Donation ________________________________________________________________ Action Notes: • RSA Rental • Aon Insurance : “For this renewal I can reduce the fee to $90.00 then next year we could look for some alternative insurers to save on premium.” • Korero – Moira notes the price increase - it will impact on their budget
Financials
Moved Paul/ seconded Jane All in favour. Carried
Correspondence
14 May 2025 From: Judith frost-Evans Subject: Beach Signs Email trail of information and notes from PCC Gillian, Briony etc.
5 August From: Flying Colours Subject: Invoice for Korero
29 July From: RA Secretary Plimmerton Subject: Plimmerton Residents Association AGM Mon 25 August, 7pm Responded: Thanked Robin
23 July From: Ian Subject: Photos of Pukerua Bay Responded: Suggested He Ara website
21 July From: Megan Krishnan from PCC Subject: reduction – team offering to give a talk. Responded: I’ll share with Climate Action Ropu
11 July From: Maureen Dunn Subject: Toy library info Responded: Try facebook or turning up as it may have stopped.
10 July From: Zoe Subject: PBRA website inquiry: Muri Road development Response: forwarded the details from Jayden
7 July From:Megan Krishnan from PCC Subject: Bizezi – FREE Business Training Programme for Porirua (30 July – 1 August)
1 July From: <elections@poriruacity.govt.nz> Subject: Local Elections 2025 – Nominations open this Friday
Action Items
Train Replacement Bus Service – No progress
Dog/Penguin signs – Made some progress with an on-site meeting at the beach with Andrew Gray.
Josh and Ross Leggett helped make it happen. Megan Marine biologist, Gillian Candler gave advice what the sign should say. It will be a year’s process and we’ve had a lot of input (including Briony resident). Andrew is away so nothing much happening until Oct Nov. Judith suggested a meeting for feedback Megan suggested it could be with the Pop-up. The rules and signage around the beach unclear.
Brendan Beach Rubbish Bin –Photo in the signage talkof the bin that has been removed. Briony asked to have it put back. Briony has been asked to send a photo of bin to Josh.
Village – see general business
Project Updates
Climate Action
The group are supporting the Pop-up with:
‘Let’s Talk Climate Change’ with Mark Wendelker from Plimmerton Climate Café – 7 – 8.30pm, 3 Sept
Ella is running the Crop Swap 3-4pm 20th Sept with the usual recycling collection, including a drop-in from Nick at Predator Free Pukerua Bay and representatives from the Community Garden showing how to grow affordable micro-greens. The Crop Swap will be followed at 4-5.30pm by a Clothes Swap (entry by Koha) run by Ella and Jane. All help welcome.
Community Garden
Pop-up – we’ll bring some info on how to grow micogreens to the Crop Swap on 20 August at St. Mark’s.
Calendars – they look great and we need to start selling them. Jane will put up a promo post on Facebook soon.
Boundary fence – The garden has been in touch with Josh Trlin again about the council talking to the new owners about a new fence with the neighbouring site at the back of the garden.
Strawberries – the new bed is looking great.
Rongoa – Still more trees to buy (approx 12) which will need to be bought and planted soon before the season changes.
Jobs and planning in the garden –
We’re getting a new drone photo of the garden so we can identity the trees and planting areas for planning rotation in Spring and Summer.
As part of that Brian will think about putting the tree signs on stakes to prevent the signs damaging the trees.
Brian’s compost is cooking nicely and will be ready in November.
Gay asked permission to buy an Omega Plum tree. We’re agreed this can come out of the plants and soil budget and Ara may get it from the excellent nursery in Riverton when she visits.
He Ara Report
The latest story for He Ara website The Shops and Stores of Pukerua Bay, along with 16 photos, is with the web developer.
He Ara contribution to the Hub Pop-Up Parlour will be an exhibition of original Pukerua Bay paintings and a presentation by two Pukerua Bay artists.
The He Ara website normally averages five visitors per day but on the 18 July 120 individuals visited the site – all from Germany. There is no known explanation for this interest.
Kōrero
Our current issue on “getting about” and our experiences with our trails, walkways, roads, and paths is out for distribution. We were very happy to promote the planned meet the candidate evening and to run several items from the Residents’ Association and our partner organisations under the village planning korowai.
The theme for the next issue is “good neighbours”. The copy deadline is 6 October, with delivery in November.
General Business
Pukerua Bay entrance sign Paul been in touch with council and they will keep him informed. Parks have secured the sign with cones and tape. It represents the fault through PKB
Northern Growth Area – nothing we can do about that. Opportunity lost to have some coordination between the various developments.
Muri Road development – approached them to see if they’d come to the AGM.
The first section is the land designated residential. The other section still rural. Once the internal road is done it will break through to Muri Road. The other issue is protecting Taupō swamp. A small part of this development feeds into its headwaters.
RA in the future – demographic is older we need to think how to proceed.
Village planning review – take it to the community planning meeting
Attending: Paul FitzGerald, Nikky Winchester, Margaret Blair, Judith Frost-Evans (via Zoom) Apologies: Jane Comben, Cr Josh Trlin,
Last month’s minutes a true and accurate representation
Moved Paul / seconded Margaret. All in favour. Carried. Basic minutes as Jane was away
Council updates
None
Matters arising
There will be a Candidates Meeting on 20 August at 7pm at the School and Community Hall, using the stage and half of the floor.
Financial report as at 5 July 2025
BNZ $ 13,415.62 Income: $6.16 Interest $140.00 CGFF Plant sales $360.00 Korero Invoices $100.00 He Ara Invoice/Matariki
Expenditure: $376.11 He Ara Frampton Signs $503.44 He Ara Frameworks $546.20 He Ara Anne Johnson $814.20 Korero Flying Colours $100.05 CGFF Hannah Zwartz Gardens $ 50.00 CGFF Koha for Rongoa blessing $ 14.00 CGFF Weedeater repair $ 27.98 CGFF Marking Pens
Invoices - Outstanding: $40.00 Korero
Account balances as at 5 July 2025 Res Assn 000 $462.58 He Ara 001 $161.87 CGFF 002 $2180.80 Kōrero 066 $375.07 Climate 083 $0.01 Surf Seat 067 $174.73 On Call Acct 025 $10060.56 CGFF $3550.00 On Hold & Donation He Ara $3600.00 Donation Korero $1650.00 On Hold & Donation Climate $550.00 Donation Residents $710.56 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.” Aon response 25/6/2025: Regarding the broker/admin fee, this increase was provided by our head office mid-term of your renewal. It is the new standard for Aon for every commercial policy we provide. For this renewal I can reduce the fee to $90.00 then next year we could look for some alternative insurers to save on premium.
The motion was placed to accept the AON Insurance premium quote of $736, which includes a slight discount. This will be paid within the month.
Moved Paul/ seconded Margaret All in favour. Carried
Correspondence
– Janice R and Paul L, Muri Road: complaining about lack of notice from contractors. Paul checked with the contractors, who said that they had talked to some residents in the even-numbered houses, but they didn’t leave any information for those houses where they didn’t talk to residents. However, information about the planned work was put on the RA website and social media.
– Business training programme; no response required.
– Judith hasn’t heard back from PCC. Action: Judith to ask Josh Trlin to follow up.
Action items
– Rail replacement bus stops: no response.
– Dog and penguin signs: no progress, but these are still expected to be installed at some point in this financial year.
– Remediation works: no further info.
– Ara Harakeke: fixing this wasn’t included with the other remediation works.
– Brendan Beach: no progress.
– MOUs for subgroups: no progress.
– Candidates meeting: as above.
Project Updates
Kōrero
Content for next issue is due by 7 July, with hard copy delivery due 16-18 August. The theme is “exploring our village”.
Community Garden
It was confirmed that the Garden group sold 400 copies of the calendar last year. The motion was placed to cover the printing of 300 copies. Moved Judith seconded Margaret All in favour. Carried
He Ara Pukerua
The motion was placed to put forward a grant proposal to Hutt Mana in the March 2026 round. MovedMargaret, seconded Paul All in favour. Carried
A payment to Isaac du Toit was approved.
General business
– The AGM will take place on 22 October at 7pm. A notice will be included in the next issue of Kōrero. Further details, including guest speakers, will be shared on the RA website and social media. Action: Paul to invite the Muri Road developers to speak.
Annual reports for this year’s Annual General Meeting are available online. These include the Chair’s report from the committee, the financial statements, and reports on activities by various groups operating under the umbrella of the Residents’ Association.
If you want to join the Residents Association as a Member, please fill in this registration form, which will give us all the information we need to accept your registration (name and contact details). This gives you voting rights at the meetings. There is no subscription fee.
Apologies: Gay Hay, Iain MacLean, Nikky Winchester Present: Ross Leggett, Paul FitzGerald, Margaret Blair, Jane Comben
Council updates
a. GWRC
b. PCC
Wellington Water CE left, changes to be made. Work goes on with the wastewater holding tank and work in Eastern Porirua. Local Water Done Well – maybe more info next week. Hard to see what will happen with discussions ongoing about various councils joining a new water body. Councils work through the figures and model, and then after govt legislation has passed, putting together a new entity.
Aotea Lagoon renewal to start soon. New toilets and exercise area. Papakowhai shared path is progressing.
Pathway by Brora Crescent had lots of leaks so the water main being put in at the same time as shared path.
Titahi Bay Road, price has gone up so cycleway yet to roll out.
Gun emplacement – resource consent sought.
Pathway between Dairy and Overbridge – two sections with slip. Paul has talked with PCC about it.
Footpath by Railway/old goods shed collapsing. Ashley having conversation with Claire Giblin.
Discussed the leaving of Bill and who will be our new contact at the council.
AGM set for 30 October.
Financial Report
Finance Report to August 2024 Meeting as at 13 August 2024 BNZ $ 13924.44 Income: $ 7.09 Interest $ 150.00 CGFF Tea Towels $ 400.00 PCC Annual Grant $ 210.00 Korero Invoices $ 750.00 Korero Grant Pelorus Trust $5000.00 He Ara Donation
Expenditure: $ 200.00 Rent to RSA $ 713.00 AON Insurance $ 2.00 Bank Fees $ 3000.00 From On Call Account repayment of loan of $3000 for printing of TT Invoices – Issued $5000.00 Lindsay Family
Account balances as at 13 August 2024 Res Assn 000 $ 455.19 He Ara 001 $ 6948.42 CGFF 002 $ 2239.11 Kōrero 066 $ 2568.07 Surf Seat 067 $ 174.73 On Call Acct 025 $ 1538.92
Action: Transfer fund not immediately needed to go to the on-call interest bearing account.
Correspondence
None
Action items
July Actions:
DONE:
Paul to follow up with Richard Poll at the council.
Jane will respond to Patrika about the garden saying that it is a long standing issue. We have provided the council planting plan for the area and council agreed with it but were objections from NZTA about traffic management. This has stalled the project until the impasse can be resolved.
Margaret to follow up with Bill when chasing the PCC Invoice and also ask about the Plunket Rooms.
Paul has emails other local Residents’ Associations about a hui. Some have responded. Will follow up with others that haven’t responded.
Paul has resolved the garden boundary situation. PCC were responsible, they have put up a new fence.
NOT COMPLETED:
Iain to respond to Brian about colour in Kōrero
Project updates
Community Garden & Food Forest
Vicky is collating a plan of crops planted over the last 3 years to establish a rotation of root, legume, leaf and fruiting vegetation. We will display plan in pavilion windows for community to share.
To battle the codling moth, we have purchased pheromone confusers, we will see what happens. We will continue with the compost liquid to improve the soil quality. We should continue with the corrugated cardboard tray.
Ara and Ralph are meeting with Pania Solomon next week to move forward to purchase plants from PCC. Beating the Cape ivy is a big challenge. Good to have another stash of sacks coming.
Pukerua Bay School kids prepped for planting seed potatoes.
Crop swop 25 August at the Pop-up pavilion 25 August.
He Ara Pukerua
Pukerua Bay Meals on Wheels volunteers, 1974
Pou Panel: Waiting to hear from kaumatua.
Potatoes: Ashley has been asked to talk to some of the classes about the history of growing potatoes in Pukerua Bay. Loosely based on the FB story published in 2022.
Gun emplacement: Waiting to hear back from PCC
He Ara FB: A new story put up about Meals on Wheels. Set up 50 years ago.
Website: These stories have been handed over to designer: Mystery Trains; Ames family; Wall family; Charles Gray; Stores; Post and Telegraph; Electricity. Other stories are being worked on.
PKB Hub Pop-Up Parlour: Ashley has been asked to facilitate a session on 10 September – “Do you remember?”
Donation: He Ara are grateful for a very significant donation from the Lindsay Family so He Ara can complete on-going projects.
PCC: Advice from Bill Inge that there is now no need in Council for a Village Projects Coordinator. We gratefully acknowledge all the time and expertise which Bill has given to He Ara over the years.
Wellington Heritage Festival: He Ara presentation on Saturday 9 November at the RSA.
The garden party at the Community Garden when we revealed the panel for Ngita Woodhouse featured in the July issue of NZ Gardener and on Stuff on 8 August.
Kōrero
None
Waste Free Pukerua Bay
None
Climate Action Rōpu
Notes:
Spring Series have been incorporated with the Hub’s Pop-up Parlour. There is going to be a CropSwap, Recycling collection, and Mike Jebsons talk at St Mark’s. The final talk will be at the RSA.
General Business
AGM – ideas to appeal to new people. Possible talk – perhaps Judy McCoy, Friends of Tāupo Swamp? Mike Jebson? Friends of Mana Island?
Attending: Ross Leggett, Chris Kirk-Burnnand, Paul FitzGerald, Margaret Blair, Jane Comben, Gay Hay, Jonothan Harker, Iain MacLean. Ashley Blair, Hugh Evans Apologies: Nikky Winchester
Annual reports for this year’s Annual General Meeting are available online. These include the Chair’s report from the committee, the financial statements, and reports on activities by various groups operating under the umbrella of the Residents’ Association.
The government has changed the legislation on incorporated societies (The Incorporated Societies Act 2022, passed on 6 April 2022), and this has some impact on both the Residents’ Association’s constitution and some of our practices. As a result, we need to change the constitution and have the changes approved by the Annual General Meeting on 11 October 2023.
Present: Paul FitzGerald, Iain McLean, Kate Dreaver, Mel Galletly, Margaret Blair, Jonathan Harker, Pauline Morum, Pat Henley, Lenka Horanska, Stewart McKenzie (PCC), Nicola Ethridge (PCC), Chris Kirk-Burnnand (GWRC), Guy Marriage, Janice Rodenburg, Adele Hickford. Apologies: Nikky Winchester, Moira Lawler, Kelly Olatunji Approval of previous minutes: moved Jonathan, seconded Iain, none opposed.
