Kōrero is Pukerua Bay’s new community newsletter. It’s a place for keeping our community connected and informed. A place for celebrating what we have and working together to make it better. Through the generous support of our advertisers and sponsors, issues will periodically land in your letterbox throughout the year.
Current issue
Vol 6, Issue 4, August 2026 (PDF)
National Library of New Zealand: 45369835 / ALMA 21361949640002836
WorldCat: OCLC 1249555898
Kōrero is brought to you by a small group of locals in the hope that, over time, everyone in our community will find something in it that is useful, interesting … even exciting! For that to happen, we need your involvement. If you have items to contribute or would like to advertise, please email us via newsletter@pukeruabay.org.nz or use the Contact Us form on this website.
Next Issue: out in November 2026.
The copy deadline for the next issue is 4 October 2026.
Editorial, June 2026
Kia ora
This month’s issue is loosely themed, “the silver screen”. When we think about Pukerua Bay’s association with visual media, we tend to think of local legends like Peter Jackson, born and bred here, or Jane Campion, one of our newer residents. But dig just a little further and you’ll find a lot more connections!
Many residents are familiar with the work of Mr J (aka Julian Meadows) whose digital art enthralls us at our annual Matariki events (p. 3). Many will also recognise the work of renowned producer Lisa Chatfield, whose impressive credits include Scarfies and The Luminaries (pp.4–5).
Nikky and Chris Winchester first enjoyed what Lisa calls the “magic” of filmmaking as extras in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (pp. 6–7). In the long hours of waiting on set, they struck up friendships with like-minded folk—and decided to keep that filmmaking magic alive back home.
For Jack Nightingale, the creative fire was lit by his father’s experiences in the film industry (p. 9). The sheer diversity of Jack’s career highlights the range of possibilities for anyone looking to step behind the camera.
Troy Coutts and Angus Dreaver are childhood friends whose careers in film and TV began, like Peter Jackson’s, right here in Pukerua Bay. At Broadcasting School, they met Charlie, now Angus’s wife, whose own career has now taken her to TVNZ (pp. 10–15). But it’s not all work. As we get ready for print, they and their friends are getting ready for this year’s 48-Hour Film Challenge.
Whether you are a maker or a viewer, a professional or an amateur, we hope this issue inspires you to embrace the magic of film. As the saying goes—just do it!
Some notices
We’re chuffed to share that Kōrero is a Porirua finalist in the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards! Even better, our friends at the Food Forest and He Ara Pukerua are finalists, too. A wonderful tribute to our volunteering spirit
The Residents’ Association warmly invites you to their famous Meet the Candidates meeting —so much more fun than you may expect! This year’s AGM follows a few weeks later (p. 19).
Our November issue will focus on Pukerua, the village. We want to reflect on its history as two fortified pā, its growth into today’s community, and its future direction. What does it mean to identify as a village? Can we—should we?—hold onto that identity as we move into the future? We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa.
Let us keep close together, not wide apart.
We acknowledge mana whenua of Pukerua Bay, Ngāti Toa Rangatira. For Ngāti Toa news, see www.ngatitoa.iwi.nz
