community garden

April 2025 Residents Association meeting minutes

/ / Community Garden, He Ara Pukerua, Minutes / , , , , ,

Minutes Tuesday 8 April 2025
7:30 –9:00 pm RSA Wairaka Rd

Attending: Paul FitzGerald, Judith Frost-Evans, Jane Comben, Nikky Winchester, Chris Kirk-Burnnand
Apologies: Cr Josh Trlin, Margaret Blair,

Last month’s minutes a true and accurate representation

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

Iain Maclean’s Passing

We acknowledge Iain Maclean’s passing and send love and best wishes to Kate and whānau. Iain has touched many and contributed to the Bay in multiple ways. He had been on the RA since the 90’s and took over the Chair from Pat Hanley. He’ll be sorely missed by many.

Dying’s not so bad if you’ve had time to get used to the idea. There is no avoiding it. But you can’t say you’re not disappointed; there’s fa lot to leave behind. You’ve been surrounded by the aroha of the beautiful people throughout the journey. That’s why I love Pukerua Bay.
Nā Iain MacLean

Council updates

PCC – None

27 March Judith sent info to Ross about the Rubbish Bin on Brendon Beach.

GWRC –

Wellington Water

Nick Leggett getting a lot of flack. Previous Chair resigned and that’s when Nick took over. Wellington Water is a mess with some conflicts of interest etc.

Annual Plan is underway hoping to keep increase below 10% but that is still quite high in present climate e.g. people across NZ living on their savings.

Rail GWRC don’t control bus replacement/upgrade of the lines. KiwiRail decide when they do it. The on-demand bus in Tawa was cancelled because of costs but putting on hourly minibuses. Average bus trip costs GWRC $8 and train $12.

Centreport paid $9 million In dividends to GWRC. 27 million total benefit.

Failed to get anywhere on the bus stop or lease for garden.

Transport Cut in monies supplied by Waka Kotahi so GWRC are having to cut their plans.

Porirua Stream cleaned out the stream by Railway station of stones and silt etc.

Council looking to bring in extra money in by developing and selling off some land as commercial direct to market.

Chris not standing for council again and finishes in Oct.

Matters arising

Plunket Rooms – No more news

Financial report as at 4 April 2025

Finance Report to April 2025 Meeting   as at 4 April 2025
BNZ		$ 11,768.94
Income:		
$7.79		Interest
$160.00	Korero Advert

Expenditure:	
Nil			

Invoices – Overdue 
$270.00	Korero

Account balances as at 4 April 2025
Res Assn 000		$      462.58
He Ara 001		$        87.67
CGFF 002		$      483.21
Kōrero 066		$      221.77
Surf Seat 067		$      174.73
On Call Acct	025	$10,338.98	
					CGFF		$3,000.00 On Hold
					CGFF		$  500.00  Payment
					He Ara	$5,000.00  Donation
					Korero	$1,700.00  On Hold
					Residents	$   138.98  Interest
				
________________________________________________________________
Action Notes:
•	Korero – Overdue invoices to be followed up 

•	Copies of Funding Applications to treasurer
	CGFF  2024 December  Pelorus Trust (supplied by Judith) 
	CGFF  2025 March  -  Hutt Mana (supplied by Judith)

•	Honorarium Korero designer

•	All invoices to be issued by the treasurer.

Moved Paul / seconded Jane. All in favour. Carried

Correspondence

20 March
From:    John Meeuwsen
Subject: Placemaking and community 19/3 meeting – follow up on Emergency mgt [EM] discussion.
To circulate amongst RA to discuss next meeting.

25 Mar
From:    Tim Costly Tim.Costley@parliament.govt.nz>
Subject: Anzac Service this year
Response: CC-ed the RSA email. Supplied Yvonne’s number and general information from the RSA newsletter.

26 Mar
From:    Barabara Edmonds MP
Subject: Boundary Changes for the Mana Electorate Information about the boundary.

27 Mar
From:    Judith

3 April
From:    Elise Broadbent
Subject: Question around Plunket rooms
Response: Info from the minutes, link to PKB Hub website and suggestion to contact Kelly.

Pukerua Bay Developments Ltd Will Caccia-Birch supplied update on Muri Rd Development about earthmoving onto site and the access onto Muri Road. Posted onto Website and Facebook.

Action Items

Train Replacement Bus Service – Thomas Nash sent response from the Operational people. They will be doing a review of their train replacement bus service in the future.

Dog Signs – Paul hasn’t followed up on this yet

Beach Rd Remediation work – no update

Project Updates

Community Garden & Food Forest

Crop rotation – Vicky explained the importance of rotating heavy feeding crops with more leafy crops and planting green crops for over wintering. We have a visual plan for this and will display on pavilion noticeboard.

Strawberry patch is a big project. We will need to collect resources for this plus promote it to our community as a fun opportunity for them to take home plants. Perhaps have a sausage bbq.

Calendar update – we have the 12 gardens identified and a lot of the photos taken. The house at 33 Ocean Parade will be our focus on the home for our little blue penguins. Peter Stevenson has completed the illustrations for a crankie story telling on the beach. Vicky and Gay have worked on the information pages at the end of the calendar showing what we do each month at the garden.

Current budget – there have been no expenses this month so balance remains $3,483.21 Judy and Gay completed and submitted a funding application to Hutt Mana Trust. This covers $ 713 for AON Public Liability insurance and $1400 for the extension of the pavilion as a compost collection complex. Dave Garret has been very generous with donated goods and access to his building account to buy materials needed. This work can not start until we hear from Mana Trust, and if declined we will have to activate fundraising – which is what we are trying to avoid.

Brian motivated us to get back to production of ‘ Cory’s Activator’. We will produce a brew on May 3 and will sell and use this mixture. The new compost will be turned on April 5

Rongoa report – The Scouts are enthused to get involved with some of this work, Fantastic

A reminder that when the call comes, those who can, will drop other priorities and help organise Iain’s Wake.

He Ara Report

Flight Lieutenant E.L. Gray in Cairo, 1942. Photo Mike Gray
  • RSA email to members with story of Lindsay Gray DFC has had a very positive response.
  • At the RSA AGM unanimous approval to name lounge the Lindsay Gray DFC Lounge.
  • Display board and nameplate for Lindsay Gray DFC Lounge are being designed.
  • Great progress with the story and illustrations of the Bevan children’s walk,
  • Story of the voyage of Lady Nugent put on He Ara Facebook on 17 March: 184 years since the day the ship carrying the Bevan and Prince families arrived in Wellington.
  • A response to this post has given us a link to another person living in Pukerua Bay who is a descendant of a passenger.
  • Transcripts of the surgeon’s log and Thomas Bevan Snr’s letters have been sourced at the Alexander Turnbull Library.

Kōrero

Working on the proof for the current issue which will be out at the end of April. Had a meeting to discuss the next Matariki issue. Copy deadline 8 May for Matariki issue.

Climate Action Rōpū

A meeting planned 23 April
Regular monthly crop swaps  

General Business

a. PCC Annual Plan

Looking at a 7.19 % rate increase on average $7.10/week. Further reduced if removing funding and increasing charges.

Submission – we support the proposal for cuts to minimise the rates increase but we don’t support the increase in Cannon Creek Pool fees. Submission to be circulated.

b. MOUs with groups under umbrella. Defer until next meeting.

c. Karakia at meetings. Purpose to pause and a bringing together at the start of the meeting. Generally everyone says it together to bring focus together. Suggest we have an opening and closing one we’re familiar with. Open to other karakia (suggestions below). Discussed and agreed.

He timatanga: Whakataka te hau

Whakataka te hau ki te uru
Whakataka te hau ki te tonga
Kia mākinakina ki uta
Kia mātaratara ki tai
E hī ake ana te ataakura
He tio, he huka, he hauhunga
Tīhei Mauri Ora

Cease the winds from the west
Cease the winds from the south
let the breeze blow over the land
Let the red tipped dawn come
with a sharpened air,
A touch of frost, a promise of a
glorious day

Karakia

Kia hora te marino
Kia whakapapa pounamu te moana
Hei huarahi mā tātou i te rangi nei
Aroha atu, aroha mai
Tātou i a tātou katoa
Hui e! Tāiki e!

May peace be widespread
May the sea be like a greenstone
A pathway for us all this day
Let us show respect for each other
For one another
Bind us all together!

Karakia Whakamutunga

Kua mutu ā mātou mahi
Mō tēnei wā
Manaakitia mai mātou katoa
ō mātou hoa
ō mātou whānau
Āio ki te Aorangi.

Our work is finished
For the moment
Bless us all
Our friends
Our families
Peace to the Universe.
(link to video)

d. Explore how we know we are acting on behalf of the residents and what we can do to learn more about what is of concern to our community.

Nikki suggested we look at the latest Village Plan. Everyone to read through it and put it on the agenda to discuss at the next meeting.

2022 Village Plan, See if there is anything not covered in there.

e. How to allow Judith to join meeting while away. We’ll try a Zoom meeting Jane to set up and invite.

Meeting ended 9.10pm

April 2025 Residents Association meeting minutes Read More »

March 2025 Residents Association meeting minutes

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Minutes Tuesday 11 March 2025
7:30 –9:00 pm RSA Wairaka Rd

Attending: Paul FitzGerald, Margaret Blair, Ross Leggett, Judith Frost-Evans, Jane Comben, Nikky Winchester,
Apologies: Iain MacLean, Chris Kirk-Burnnand
Community members: Matt Hoffman (PCC Parks Team), Vic McGuigan (PCC Property Services), Ellie Tuckey, Kelly McLean

Last month’s minutes a true and accurate representation

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

Council updates

PCC
Plunket Rooms, Wairaka Road
Consultation went live 6 March as the Plunket Building needs something done with it. No budget to do the work needed to get it to a suitable standard. Submissions close 6 April with a hearing in June, decisions and deliberations in July.
With extra growth there might be scope for a community centre in the new development area.

This round of consultation is about should it remain or remove.
• A – Remove the building.
• B – If it remains is there a group to upgrade it.
• C – Or lease the empty site for something else.
What about a different model?
What if the cost of removal ($60,000) went towards a community effort to restore it (option B)
Feasibility process is needed into a community partnership, Ahu can apply for funding and we have skills in the bay (trades and architect). PKB doesn’t have a community space. School and Community Hall is currently a classroom.

E.g. Pop-up Parlour proved a need for a community space (especially for the arts). RSA not suitable for young children and no outside space.

The current Plunket building is on Parks area so uses are limited to local purpose community buildings. Can’t be commercial. Leasing process is set out in statute. PCC can issue a lease for certain activities but beyond that it would need negotiation.

Field out the back where playground is scenic reserve. Plunket land is gazetted as community use.

The property is in poor shape. If taken over by somebody else all the fire, sanitation, health codes need to be complied with. Role of plunket – they’re obliged to pay for removal under lease. Neighbours would need to be consulted.

If the building wasn’t there the council would consider a low level outdoor space. The library could do with more outdoor community space.

Ross
Wellington Water – PCC are focused on annual plan and 3 Waters Done Well (WDW).
WDW – 2 options
A- Another entity (similar to WW) that doesn’t own assets but able to deal with regulators (Water standards, etc)
B – Preferred option is 5 local councils (WCC, PCC HCC, UHCC, GWRC) would set up an entity that would be the asset owner of all the 3 water assets. Able to do borrowing etc. Different drivers that WW. All 3 waters debt would transfer too.

It will cost more but cheaper to go to option B.
There has been money invested in infrastructure but not so much on pipes.
Luckily Kainga Ora has done a lot of work related to development in Porirua East.

Consultation will be out soon.

Also there will be future consultation on a larger local government entity (like supercity) which could allow for economies of scale.

Consultation over on:
Freedom camping. Feedback to come.
Keeping of domestic animals – people concerned about cats (registered and chipped), numbers of chickens and bees

Renewal of our climate stategy
PCC looking at a refresh.

Bothamly Park – open again now sewer main is complete.

Spicer Landfill
Ongoing issue in terms of consenting. One of few things that makes money for council.
Issues with smells in Tawa. Working on those. Shifting tip face to help.
2030 need to go to resource consent to keep it open. It may close if there are issues.
This will cost to maintain once closed. If tip closes rubbish will need to be trucked elsewhere.
There is sludge waste from the treatment process which currently goes to Spicer.

With development growth what about the Construction and Demolition waste. There is equipment that is being sold to a private company to deal with it.

Rubbish Bin
Bin removed from Brendon Beach. Old one removed and new one placed. Then the new one was removed. Residents have asked for it to be reinstated. Litter is being left.

GWRC – None

Matters arising

Bus Shelter – No progress

Action Items.

Freedom Camping Submission – Paul spoke to our submission and noted the edge erosion

Financial report as at 8 March 2025

Finance Report to March 2025 Meeting  as at 8 March 2025
BNZ   		$11,601.15 
Income:		
$      10.93  	Interest
$    100.00	CGFF Tea Towels 
$  1140.00	Korero  Advert	

Expenditure:
   	
$ 		CGFF Rongoa
$    150.00	Isaac du Toit Progress Payment
$    678.50	Korero Printing
$    152.00	CGFF Irrigation supplies
   			

Invoices – Issued 
$  1620.00	Korero  (+$160 pending)
Invoices – Paid
$  1190.00	Korero
		  	
Account balances as at 8 March 2025
Res Assn 000    	$     462.58
He Ara 001		$       87.67
CGFF 002		$     483.21
Kōrero 066		$       61.77
Surf Seat 067	$     174.73
On Call Acct	025	$10,331.19	
					CGFF		$3000.00 On Hold
					CGFF		$  500.00  Payment
					He Ara	$5000.00  Donation
					Korero	$1700.00  On Hold
					Residents	$  131.19  Interest
BUDGETS  -


Funding Applications schedule for 2025
Moved Paul / seconded Judith. All in favour. Carried

Correspondence

None

Project Updates

Community Garden & Food Forest

Plumbing
Brian sorted out the waterline.

Social gathering
Lenka to host a pot luck social in April.

Budget for RA
Judy has built on help from Yvonne. We talked through the proposed numbers.
We’ve allocated funds for insurance and printing costs for the calendars. Roughly we have enough for 3 years covering basic fixed costs. We’ll have a copy at the garden for Saturdays. Yvonne, said it would be good to monitor number of volunteer hours

We discussed the fact that the forecast expenses are budgets we each need to be conscious of and work within. This means the process of approving invoices on behalf of the CGFF needs to change. First of all the funds need to have been allocated. Secondly the expenses incurred need to be within the budget of the purpose for which they are spent. This will be overseen by the CGFF committee. Any spending outside these guidelines puts our forecasts at risk and means we will need to do further fundraising. Our key fund raising players (Jane and Gay) have requested a break from the many many hours of admin associated with e.g. printing a calendar, designing a tea towel. This will give them time to actually enjoy gardening! We have successfully raised thousands of dollars from a calendar and a tea towel with the 2026 calendar and Garden Trail set to raise more. Also we have received funds from the Tree Crop Association which required quite a bit of nursing through and admin (producing a booklet etc.).

We discussed the fact that if further Funding applications are successful (e.g. Pelorus for the Kiwi Rail fee) we will have more funds in the kitty and we can look at how these are best spent within the CGFF committee.

Encourage new helpers
How to encourage and keeping new volunteers. Make work day into an event like Strawberry Fair in the winter(e.g. shifting the platform). Natural printing workshop.

Rongoa
Judy and friends removed convolvulus, stakes to be named when Ara is back. We also will look on the info sheet.

Calendar and Trail – 9 Nov
Gay and Jane have visited all but 2 of the gardens to take photos. Designs are underway for finalising in July. The beach house will be penguin focused, and we have a crankie story. We have local experts. We can have a workshop making compost.

He Ara Report

• New Facebook story added: 𝗣𝘂𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘂𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝘆 𝗠𝘂𝗺 𝗚𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗼𝗻 – 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗴𝗽𝗶𝗽𝗲𝘀.
• Progress continuing with the Bevan story. Isaac has so far produced 12 illustrations
• Three of the He Ara team made a field trip to Waikawa as part of research for the Bevan story.
• A progress payment has been made to Isaac.
• He Ara provided the CGFF with photographs and stories for their Nobby Clark crankie project.
• More is being written about Lindsay Gray DFC.
• Up to 30 visitors a day are viewing He Ara Pukerua website
• He Ara would like a page in the next Korero for an ANZAC themed story.

Kōrero

Hutt Mana Trust Funding Application

Motion – Kōrero has the approval of the RA to apply for funding from Hutt Mana Charitable Trust for printing costs in the September 2025 grant round.
Moved Jane / seconded Nikky. All in favour. Carried

Climate Action Rōpū

School Gala
The Crop Swap, Recycling and possibly Predator Free Pukerua Bay Free will be at the School Gala.

General Business

a. Beach Signage
Penguins – Paul to follow up with Andrew.

Dog / beach use sign – Paul followed it up and heard nothing. Will follow up again.

Another year until dog bylaws for the whole city are reviewed.
We will submit again.

b. Pukerua Bay Developments Ltd (Muri Road Subdivision). Paul spoke with them. Finished tree felling, doing clearup. Will start on earthworks. Contractor Brian O’Sullivan is starting on the earthworks. There will be an entrance road from Muri Rd between 34 and 50 which is on the opposite side of Muri Road as Kahikatea

The access to the logging area will likely be turned into a section.
They’re planning to chip the slash. They going to see if letting the community get firewood would be feasible.

There will be traffic control when earth moving trucks are going in etc.

Paul will put this on the website and FB pages.

c. Bus Replacement bus route to go nearer the train station.
Paul got a response from Thomas Nash – he was sending it on to officials. Paul to follow up again.

Meeting ended 9.15pm

March 2025 Residents Association meeting minutes Read More »

December 2024 Residents Association meeting minutes

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Minutes Tuesday 10 December 2024
7:30 –9:15 pm RSA Wairaka Rd

Attending: Paul FitzGerald, Margaret Blair, Ross Leggett, Judith Frost-Evans, Jane Comben, Iain MacLean.
Apologies: Judith Frost-Evans, Jonathan Harker, Nikky Winchester
Community members: Brian Sullivan

Election of Chair, Vice-chair, Secretary, Treasurer

Appointing Jonathan Harker to committee
Jonathan Harker was not present at the October AGM, but wished to remain on the committee for the following year. Iain MacLean notified all the existing Members and none of them sent any objections to the Committee doing so. The Committee can do this under Section 14.5 of the Constitution.

Motion by Iain / seconded Paul. All in favour. Carried.

“The Executive Committee of the Pukerua Bay Residents Association appoints Jonathan Harker as Member of the Committee for the 2024-2025 year.”

New member Judith Frost-Evans.
Judith gave her mihi and brief intro. Moved into PKB in 80s then moved away and back in 2009. Involved in storytelling and hosted artists. She’s now representing the Community Garden and notes there is a small group forming about protecting little blue penguins. Interested in improving signage or other ways to protect the penguin. How do know what is important to people? Judith is now the Community Garden Rep.

Council updates

PCC

Started our Annual Plan discussions. Net years rate increase was 10%.  They’re talking about what they can do about it. Can see this Thursdays council meeting for details. Pressure on 10% with inflation etc. Currently at 6.7%. Ann Plan consultation in March – April. Getting feedback on things like increasing parking fees, consents, Cannons Creek Pool fees. To reduce/increase rates by 1% = 10 million Capex or 1 million Opex. Going out for consultation. Working hard to keep rates as low as possible. Still pressure on council to increase contribution to Wellington Water.

2% for admin costs for new company (to replace Wellington Water). There will be consultation on the new company.

Alcohol bylaws, animals, freedom camping out for consultation. Freedom camping to be discussed later.

Plimmerton Farm – resource consent has gone through.

Northern  Growth Area still waiting for govt /Kainga Ora to make up their mind. Kainga Ora being squeezed in Eastern Porirua. Some stormwater and wastewater projects are going ahead in Porirua. To reduce wastewater overflows from Eastern Porirua, Tawa and northern Porirua.

Wellington Water – water demand is down by 8% so significant restrictions are unlikely. Helped by the reduction in leaks. 60 private leaks, 30 new leaks.

Spicer Landfill – Makes council money. Plan to keep to 2040 but need to reconsent to go to 2035. Odour problems for people in Tawa. Consent may be difficult so there are 2 options. Close in 2030. Or try and keep it open to 2035. But no tip costs will go up to take rubbish elsewhere. A big change coming.

Appeal into the Environment Court GWRC policy statement that effect us and cost money. They believe it’s an over reach. They’re going to court with Hutt and Kāpiti councils. E.g. Our District Plan did not have high density in PKB but GWRC could/would over-ride it.

0.8 contraction in in economy in Porirua.

Pukerua Beach Road Slip – contractor has been awarded. They will do investigation and design of remediation work.

Freedom Camping  – issues raised especially Motukaraka Point. Trying to increase potential camping areas and reduce pressure on Ngāti Toa domain but in a balanced way.

GWRC – none

Last month’s minutes a true and accurate representation

Moved Paul / seconded Iain. All in favour. Carried.
Note: Judith abstained as away in Nov.

Matters arising.

Bus Shelter – Paul contacted Thomas Nash at GWRC twice. He was chasing up what action if any was happening at council. Waiting to hear, it’s an ongoing issue. In PKB the stops need to involve NZTA

Parking Ticket at Station. Paul has contacted Keryn twice to check it’s Porirua council giving tickets (not Metlink) before approaching council. Has yet to hear. Jane will text her as she has her number.

Financial report as at 10 December 2024

BNZ $ 11,542.70
Income:
$ 15.57 Interest
$ 280.00 CGFF Tea Towels
$ 111.00 CGFF Flower, plant & other sales
$ 70.00 He Ara Panorama
$ 15.00 He Ara Tee
$ 55.00 CGFF Plant Sales Christmas on Field


Expenditure:

$ 0.00 Fees
$ 50.00 He Ara Koha
$ 233.66 CGFF Rongoa
$ 149.99 CGFF Rongoa Brochure
$ 678.50 Kōrero
$ 10.00 CGFF refund for incorrect deposit made on 12/11/2024


Invoices – Issued
$ 20.00 Korero
Invoices – Paid
$ 20.00 Korero

Account balances as at 10 December 2024
Res Assn 000 $ 459.15
He Ara 001 $ 372.82
CGFF 002 $ 2695.95
Kōrero 066 $ 1250.27
Surf Seat 067 $ 174.73
On Call Acct 025 $ 6604.78
CGFF $1000.00 Donation
CGFF $ 500.00 Payment
He Ara $5000.00 Donation
Residents $ 104.78 Interest

Budgets to be presented at next meeting in February.

Moved Margaretl / seconded Iain. All in favour. Carried

Correspondence

21 November: Shared by Adele Quayle to Kate Dreaver
Sharing info about the submissions on Proposed Freedom Camping Bylaw. Encouraging the wider village to submit, not just the beach residents.

28 November 2024: Russell Plume – Spectacles found on Escarpment
(Jane corresponded with Russell and was going to do a RA post but it was already sorted and the glasses returned to owner.)

Project Updates

Community Garden Food Forest

Garden Club visit Tuesday 11 Feb 2025. We will provide morning tea. A koha has been asked for. Hopefully we will have plants for sale. (Now cancelled)

Christmas in the Park. & December 2025. Good supply of plants for sale and last of the tea towels. $199 taken and Gay talked with Mayor who encouraged us to contact Hutt Mana Charitable Trust.

Camera is working well, damage is down.

Celebration for the Pavilion.  “WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON ANNIVERSARY DAY?”

  • Ask Gabrielle if she would be willing to provide music
  • Brian to look at challenge of completing a Crankie from the story of the garden over the years
  • Vicky has children’s treasure hunt
  • Jane to make a poster please
  • Gay to invite Barbara Edmonds and Porirua Mayor

$3,400 in bank

Table: The Pukerua Bay Community Garden & Food Forest Rongoā Māori Report to Tree Crop Association

He Ara Report December 2024

  • Pou Tangaroa panel was blessed by kaumatua Taku Parae on Wednesday 20 November.
  • Memorial plaque for Peter Lindsay refixed in place.
  • He Ara hosted Judy McCoy and four other Friends of Taupo Swamp and Catchment on a visit to Mt Welcome Bush, one of the headwaters of Taupo Stream. He Ara, together with a team from the Friends, have offered to assist the owners with the task of eradicating three invasive species so the owners meet the requirements of their QEII covenant.  We have also offered to assist to set up and monitor trap lines for possums and rodents.
  • The Hub provided a table in the community tent at Christmas on the Field.  Interest in panorama and tee shirts made this worthwhile.
  • Website – more stories have been put up including Ngā tipu o Pukerua Bay and Growing Up in the Bay.
  • Ashley spent a day with Mike Gray, grandson of Charles Gray Esq in Kaikohe and came back with 303 photos including early Charles Gray photos, Lindsay Gray DFC’s medals, WW2 photos and memorabilia as well as photos of records, paintings etc. A treasure trove of Pukerua heritage.

Kōrero

No report

Climate Action Rōpū

  • Part of the RA table at Christmas on Field.
  • Crop Swap & Recycling Hub – Sat 21 December, 3–4pm
  • Strategy meeting on Sunday 15 December
  • Treaty Principles Bill
  • Conor is going to write a submission for us.
    • https://docs.google.com/document/d/184rtpDMDbM4Mc7d0vxtag1sRV-XmZx02MmJXlrbXYdA/edit?usp=sharing
    • We’re also doing one for Kōrero.
    • And there will be one for the TTT group.
  • A shared message being that the Treaty matters to PKB. It’s the foundation of the honest, respectful, and reciprocal partnership enjoyed between residents and iwi and is reflected in the values in our village plan. Kate thinks It would be wonderful if the RA, as our parent organisation, could do something similar to pull them all together!

General Business

Freedom Camping submission

Approach we’re not opposed to freedom camping but access via a fragile road. E.g Northern carpark on Centennial Highway. Lack of flat land. Very busy carpark with local residents.

Iain’s great idea about setting up a survey form on RA website

The submission is due before our next meeting

Village Planning Hui

Feedback positive but brief. Need to follow up a couple of other groups that were invited but didn’t come.

Former Plunket Rooms

Matt Hoffman asked for updates. Feedback is they have approval for consulting in the New Year.

Treaty Principles Bill

Iain to draft a brief submission pulling together all the various groups under our umbrella. 

CGFF Funding Application

Motion –  Pukerua Bay Community Garden and Food Forest has the approval of the RA to apply for funding from Hutt Mana Charitable Trust  for funding Aon Insurance public liability $713 due July 2025. The funding closes end of February 2025.

Judy moved/ Paul seconded. All agreed. Carried

Beach Signage

Paul has had discussions over the years with council about signage and how they could improve.

School Hall

Heard that there are plans for the school to use the hall for classrooms next year for rebuilding. The hub and RA rep will hopefully have a meeting for more details as it will impact basketball groups, RSA Anzac day etc.

Meeting ended 9.15pm

December 2024 Residents Association meeting minutes Read More »

March 2024 Residents Association Meeting Minutes

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Present: Ross Leggett, Chris Kirk-Burnnand, Paul FitzGerald, Margaret Blair, Jane Comben, Gay Hay, Jonothan Harker , Iain MacLean. Late comer Matt Meladonis
Apologies: none

Approval of February 2024 minutes

Approval of February 2024 minutes
Motion: Gay moved to accept February minutes, Iain seconded – all agreed, carried.

Council Updates

GWRC

  • Chris has visited the community garden with Paul and will try to make inquiries.
  • Mt Welcome understand the consenting issues and challenges. First bit will be 10% of whole development. We’ve seen the visualisation images with lots of trees.
  • Thursday this week voting on LTP for GWRC looking at a 19.8% rates rise. 66% transport (but more technically) so that is a concern. Includes fares increase. When national ticketing comes in there maybe charges for Park and Ride with concessions for train ticket holders.
  • Consulting on own and set up a depot in Miramar and northern areas. Depots need to be near electricity for charging buses.
  • Looking to purchase 2approx 3% shares owned by Horizons Centreport shares. Considered important to add to 77% existing shares so it’s kept in local community ownership. Chris is confident their yield can be improved overtime.

PCC

  • Long Term Plan consultation coming out 1 April. There will be a meeting 4 April 3-5pm at RSA. 17.5% proposed rates increase in the first year. Many projects have been deferred or stopped.
  • PCC have chosen to include water in the LTP – although it should be taken over by other govt arrangements. 66% of Capex is water. Most commitments that are remaining are related to water. The big tank project will help prevent overflows into the harbour.
  • New govt policy statement changes direction from previous govt and downplay emissions but deals other items such as increase road maintenance. There will be more clarity over time. Way things are funded (eg cycleways) are changing.
  • Civic awards nominations are open again. Think about if we’d like to nominate anyone.
  • Plunket Room consultation document is coming out. Although we have already consulted in a basic overview way.
  • Village Plan – proposal for consultation is coming out that Village Planning will be culled for cost saving. Capex will go. Some projects in the system will be worked through.

Matters arising from previous minutes.

Action: Chris and Paul have visited to the Community Garden.

Finance Report

To March 2024 Meeting, as at 10 March 2024

BNZ   		$11,369.25
Income:		
$   130.00  CGFF Tea Towel Pre Pay
$   770.00  Korero Invoices
$   300.00  Korero Donation
$       3.52  Interest
$     13.58  Interest

Expenditure:
$  678.48  Korero	
$      3.80  Bank Fees 
			
Invoices – Unpaid
$  220.00
				  	
Account balances as at 10 March 2024

Res Assn 000    	$  255.19
He Ara 001		$1661.60
CGFF 002		$7107.01
Kōrero 066		$2190.47
Surf Seat 067		$  154.93

Correspondence

12 Feb 2024: Porirua Community Leaders Forum invite forwarded by Jono fromTalanoa Wānanga 

13 Feb 2024: Paul FitzGerald responded to Bill Inge’s email about cleaning work on theSecret Valley Murals.

No Action items

Project Updates:

Community Garden

  • Compost system. Bins in place. Vicky and Brian leading the project.
  • Pest Control. Very frustrating for beans tomatoes and berries. We plan to consult other gardens and try to establish a yearlong attack. We will plant less densely next year.
  • New signs created by Gay to prevent people taking fruits before they’re ready
  • Pavilion report. Working on interior.
  • Matariki celebrations. Plan to provide pumpkins for school hangi in future. Garden to host Welsh author, artist storyteller, Peter Stevenson. He will work with community to construct a “Crankie” and provide art work to retell a Matariki story. Ara Swanney has offered to work with tamariki to make harakeke stars. Possible date 22 June.
  • Winter prep of gardening. Discussion still needed.
  • School Gala. We will be taking orders for our tea towels (Due April 20). We will donate a basket of produce as a raffle prize for the school.
  • Korero. Gay and Margaret have agreed to work on an article for the next publication focussing on “kai”.
  • Local business (not sure which) may support garden with a staff work day. We need to action this.

He Ara Pukerua

• The Stores panel was revealed on Thursday 7 March by Janine Thomson and Darryl Lindsay. They are grandchildren of Arthur and Annie Lindsay, the original owners of the Lindsay family store.
– Bill Inge and Megan Krishnan from PCC also came along.
– We are blown away with the responses to our posts on He Ara Facebook from all over the world. There is often subsequent dialogue between many of these people.
• Pou panel – wording had been approved by PCC we are now waiting on approval from Ngati Toa.
• PCC have put in the concrete pads for the Mosen and Pool seats in the Muri Reserve.
• Wellington Heritage Festival – we have received an invitation to participate in October.
• Margaret has met with author and researcher Clare Gleeson about Miss Ngita Woodhouse.
• Work is proceeding on the He Ara website.
• Ashley accompanied three classes from Pukerua Bay School to Wairaka rock and talked to them about Albert Augustus Clark aka Nobby Clark.
• Visit from Dick Farrell. He has so many stories about living in the Bay as a child. He will be back again. He donated a large, framed photograph of the beach in the 1960s

Motion:  Approval requested from this Residents’ Association meeting to apply to the Nikau Foundation for funds to complete the panels project. moved Paul, seconded Jono – Carried

Kōrero

Kōrero is now in its fourth year of publication. We’re entering this year without our dear friend, Mel, and in the knowledge that we will soon lose Iain. In the face of those losses, we’re delighted to welcome three new people to our editorial team: Gill England, Carla Guy, and Kelly McClean.  Iain remains on the team for the meantime. Kate continues as co-ordinating editor, Moira ably organises advertising and budget, Nikky is chief proofreader, Jonathan looks after the IT side of things, and Gill has stepped in to look after distribution.  Anne’s role as designer is critical – she makes us look good!

Our extended whānau includes our distribution team; Paul, who does most of the pickups from the printer; and Margaret who processes our invoices and helps Moira keep track of finances. And, of course, it includes our wonderful contributors, whose numbers grow with each issue.

Publication would be impossible without the generosity of our advertisers, sponsors, and, last year, the Pelorus Trust. 

Our first three issues this year have needed to be produced on a tight timeframe, as Matariki will be celebrated a month earlier than usual, so Issue 3 will have to come out in the first half of the year. We have not finalised dates for issues 4 and 5. These will be determined later in the year and be responsive to community events.  With that in mind, this is the 2024 schedule.

Korero schedule 2024 (in devt.)
IssueThemeCopy due date
FebruaryThe beach – where we live and playComplete
AprilKai12 March
Early JuneMusic and Matariki1 May
August/SepHauora 
NovemberWriters and writing 

Financially, we are reasonably on track, but our planning is based on 16-page issues, and we find that we normally need 20 pages. A sign of success, but it does create some pressure. For that reason, we would like the RA committee to endorse our application for another grant to help pay for printing.

Motion:  To apply to Pelorus Trust for extra funding for Korero printing costs. moved Iain, seconded Jono – Carried

General Business

Community Resilience – Matt Meladonis

  • Still pin point water sources outside the community hub and distribution plan.
  • We need to localised fliers specific to Pukerua Bay about what to do. What to do, what to keep in stock. Margaret suggested we find a sponsor for printing
  • Need a list of people who would require assistance, on chronic meds etc.
  • Hoping to get some street groups going with Street Rep so it will help distribute information easily. Could coordinate with neighbourhood watch if it existed. Neighbourhood day could be an opportunity.
  • Whetu Bennett contacted Matt about radios and told Jane the PKB report will be updated in April.
  • List of key personnel in bay (medics, elderly care, police etc)
  • If we have a long term panic, perhaps put out a call out for generator, chest freezers etc. Investigate EV’s V2L powering like a battery.

Muri Road Development update

Artist impression renders were sent in the part that is already zoned for residential and consented. It’s a Jennian homes development. To be put out on a Facebook post.

Closed: 8.52pm

March 2024 Residents Association Meeting Minutes Read More »

Garden pruning and tool care workshop

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Hi Gardeners,
The Pukerua Bay Community Garden and Food Forest team presents:

Pruning and Tool Care Workshop
Join us on SATURDAY AUGUST 13th, 10am – 12 noon.
PRUNING
Hannah Swartz will be demonstrating winter pruning care for our fruit trees.
Thanks to NZ Organic Garden magazine for their donation to host this event.
TOOLS
Hannah will also talk about care and maintenance of your garden tools. We are lucky to have two local experts that will help you with any of your tools you bring along. We are asking for a Koha to the garden for this service.
FOR SALE
Our seeds will be available for you to purchase (with cash).
As always, everyone is welcome and we look forward to seeing you in the garden. (Weather permitting!)

Garden pruning and tool care workshop Read More »

Community Garden Food Forest working bee

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We’ll be at the Community Garden and Food Forest this Saturday 12 June at 10am to 12 noon (ish). Feel free to come along as we’ll be working on the berry area and usual maintenance, plus the usual cups of tea from the thermette. If available, you can bring:
  • Gloves and hand tools
  • Green matter for the compost bins (e.g. veg scraps)
We now have two regular mornings in the garden:
  • 2nd Saturday of the month
  • Last Wednesday of the month

We look forward to catching up with you soon,
PKB Community Garden & Food Forest members

Community Garden Food Forest working bee Read More »