“My name is Michelle Scullion and I am standing for the Paraparaumu Community Board.  

“I have been a member of the Grant Allocation Subcommittee Creative Communities Scheme for the last four years for KCDC. I have enjoyed working as part of this team, and in the process have got to know and work with several Councillors and Mayor Janet Holborow. I have also formed relationships within the council staff – these people are the nuts and bolts working for our council.

“I am a working Musician and Composer and have lived here for over 35 years. I have a wide interest in the Arts and have formed the Kāpiti Sketching Group, who meet once a month to sketch locally.

“I have a passion for the environment, for Kāpiti Coast and our residents.

“I would be honoured to represent you all – I’m ready to take this responsibility.”

All candidates are offered the opportunity to submit a profile and photo for the position they are standing for.

Every Tuesday 9:30 to 12pm

Fresh Fruit and Veges, local products, crafts

In accordance with Clause 12.8 and 12.9 of the Electra Trust Deed, the Trustees advise that the Statement of Corporate Intent of Electra Limited is available for inspection on the Electra Trust Website www.electratrust.co.nz/Reports

By order of the Trustees

Anne Robb, Trust Secretary, Levin

Emergency services were called to the Calico Line property, between Bredins Line and Nga Tawa Road, about 6:10am, and found the house fully ablaze.

Sadly, one person was found deceased at the property.

A scene guard has been put in place and Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand investigators are carrying out a scene examination.

The cause of the fire is still to be determined.

At this time, no further details are available.

On Saturday 17 May, Police were alerted to a person armed with a weapon entering a commercial premises on Cambridge Avenue at around 2pm.

Detective Thompson says the alleged offender threatened the store employee with the weapon before demanding and taking cash.

“Prior to Police arrival, the man left the area in a vehicle. Thankfully, the employee is uninjured, however is understandably shaken by the incident.”

After initial enquiries, Police identified the alleged offender and a vehicle of interest. At around 9am today, a Police unit saw the vehicle of interest on Napier Road.

The vehicle was signalled to stop and a 20-year-old man was taken into custody without incident.

The man is due to appear in Palmerston North District on 20 May, charged with aggravated robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.

“We are pleased to have made an arrest and put this man before the court in relation to this matter.

“This type of offending creates harm not only to the victims involved but the wider community as well, and we will continue to find, arrest and hold the offenders responsible.

“We would like to remind the public to contact Police as soon as possible if you see suspicious or unlawful behaviour,” says Detective Senior Sergeant Thompson

Please call 111 if it is happening now, or 105 in non-emergencies.

Inspector Ross Grantham, Manawatū Area Commander say at around 8.15pm yesterday Police received a report of an aggravated robbery in the Square, Palmerston North.

One person received minor injuries and the group of offenders fled on foot with stolen items.

Police conducting area enquiries located the group on Featherston Street but they evaded police.

A police dog team responded quickly and tracked the offenders to Mersey Terrace where they were arrested while attempting to leave the area.

Inspector Grantham says four youths aged between 11 and 15-years-old are due to appear in Palmerston North Youth Court on Tuesday 15 April, charged with Aggravated Robbery.

Then, in a seperate incident at around 1.30am today, a commercial premises in Foxton was burgled after a vehicle was used to gain entry to the premises.

The offenders fled in a vehicle that was subsequently observed travelling at speed into Palmerston North.

Inspector Grantham says Police deployed road spikes near Karere Road which were successful at bringing the vehicle to a stop on Pioneer Highway, where two youths aged 14 and 15-years old, and one 24-year-old man were arrested.

The 15-year-old is due to appear in Palmerston North Youth Court on Tuesday 15 April, and the 24-year-old is due to appear in Palmerston North District Court on Tuesday 15 April, facing charges in relation to the matter.

“I’m proud of the work that Police staff do all day, every day, and I hope these arrests give victims of crime some reassurance that Police will respond quickly to incidents and hold offenders to account.

“We understand the frustration and fear that offending causes in our communities and we will continue to respond with focus and professionalism to keep our communities safe,” says Inspector Grantham.

During Wednesday’s Horowhenua District Council meeting, a majority of elected members voted to sell the land to The Wellington Company Limited after a month-long community consultation on the proposed redevelopment.

The Levin War Memorial Hall is deemed an earthquake prone building, meaning it needs to be structurally improved to meet National Building Standards. Last year, recognising the significant investment required to upgrade and maintain the hall, Horowhenua District Council sought proposals that could breathe new life into the area.

The Wellington Company Limited’s proposal includes a reimagined War Memorial Hall with a restaurant, craft brewery and retail spaces as well as the retention of the Freyberg Room for community use, a Village Square where people can spend time together, and a three-storey residential building comprising 18 apartments.

During community consultation on the proposal, Council received 339 submissions. 218 supported the reimagined Levin War Memorial Hall, 216 supported the Village Square concept, and 117 supported housing being reintroduced in the area.

Horowhenua District Council Mayor Bernie Wanden says the decision saves ratepayers money, as Council receives the money from the sale of the sites and the burden of future maintenance and strengthening costs associated with the hall are removed.

“Activating the Levin Town Centre is one of Council’s top 12 priorities and this development is a step in the right direction,” he says.

“The fact that developers see Levin as an attractive place to develop is a great vote of confidence and we hope it will be the catalyst for further investment in our district. It is crucial we continue working on positioning Levin as a place to be, as we get closer to the completion of the Ōtaki to North of Levin Highway.”

While there was less support for housing being reintroduced on the site, it is this part of the plan which makes it commercially viable for the developer. The proposal had to be considered as a package, he says.

“We read all the feedback and we take it seriously but we have to also take into account what the alternative option would be. If the proposal did not go ahead, Council would have to find funding to cover the earthquake strengthening needed on the hall by 2028 and the Levin Town Centre Transformation would be delayed. All things considered, we voted that going ahead with the development was the best way forward for our district, and I’m excited to see it take shape.”

The next step is for the Horowhenua District Council chief executive, Monique Davidson to advance the commercial negotiations required to enter into a Sales and Purchase Agreement with The Wellington Company Limited to sell the Levin War Memorial Hall and Village Green properties. Before any agreement is completed, Council have requested an additional step to provide further opportunity for Muaūpoko Tribal Authority and Ngāti Raukawa ki te tonga, to assess the proposal.

Ian Cassels, of The Wellington Company, says: “We are thrilled with the outcome, and the visionary leadership shown by Horowhenua District Council. We genuinely want the best outcome for Horowhenua, and are committed to working with Council and iwi partners to play a transformational role in the future of the Levin Town Centre”. 

ENDS

Resolution Number  CO/2025/45

MOVED by Cr Grimstone, seconded Cr Jennings:

That Council resolve to sell the Levin War Memorial Hall and Village Green properties to The Wellington Company Limited for the purposes of the Wellington Company Limited’s proposed development.

Carried

Resolution Number  CO/2025/46

MOVED by Cr Grimstone, seconded Cr Allan:

That the Chief Executive be delegated authority to continue and advance to the next stages of the commercial negotiations required to enter into a Sales and Purchase Agreement with The Wellington Company Limited, to sell the Levin War Memorial Hall and Village Green properties, and to finalise a Development Agreement between Horowhenua District Council and The Wellington Company Limited for the proposed development.

Carried

Resolution Number  CO/2025/47

MOVED by Cr Olsen, seconded Cr Barker:

That as part of these negotiations and ahead of final signing the Chief Executive provide for further engagement with Muaūpoko Tribal Authority and Raukawa ki te tonga to provide an assessment against the proposal to ensure appropriate regard is given to its relationship, culture and traditions with their ancestral land and taonga. Should this work result in significant changes to the scope of the development, or the views of Iwi partners are unable to be resolved, the matter should be brought back to the table for direction.  

Carried

Around 5:40pm Police responded to reports that a man had presented a firearm at members of the public and Police on Thompson Street, no shots were fired.

A 19-year-old man was arrested at the scene with no injuries to members of the public or Police.

Detective Sergeant Gallon say the man is due to appear in the Palmerston North District Court on Monday 24 March, on multiple charges in relation to the incident.

“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of what occurred. We know people recorded the incident on their phones, we are keen to view any footage obtained of the incident or the male’s behaviour.

“If you videoed or witnessed the event, which occurred at the intersection of Ferguson and Thompson Street, Palmerston North.”

Please call 105 and provide file number 250323/8884.