On Thursday 28 May, around 12.40pm, Police were called to Ngaio Road after the woman, who was a pedestrian, had been struck by a vehicle.She was transported to hospital by ambulance in serious condition, and Police were notified that she sadly died this morning.

The Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

Organiser Bernie McKendry says visitors can expect an evening of late night shopping, food and market stalls, mulled wine, and live music throughout Mahara Place.

“This is chance to increase foot traffic, create an experience that encourages people to linger and businesses can be part of a collective effort to energise Waikanae’s town centre,” says Ms McKendry.

The Winter Night event is on Friday 19 June 4.30pm-8.30pm.

Ms McKendry says business can be involved by staying open late and offering a special promotion, product or in-store experience. They can also activate their frontage with a display or an outside stall.

To register interest or be involved email waikanaebusinessassociation@gmail.com

For more see: www.waikanaebusinessassociation.org

PUBLIC NOTICE:

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is going to control rats, possums and stoats over approx. 31,333 ha. This is scheduled for the first clear weather window from late April 2026.

Native wildlife and forests need protection
Native species are fighting for survival due to predation from rats, stoats and possums.
Without protection, we risk losing the unique natural heritage and biodiversity within the Project Kaka treatment area.
Predator control operations are done when monitoring shows predators have reached levels that threaten the populations of native species.
The Tararua range is home to the iconic kākā, korimako, kākāriki, titipounamu, bats/pekapeka and other native birds. The native tree fuchsia is also present.
DOC has controlled possums, rats, stoats and goats in the area to protect native fauna and flora against browsing and predation every three years since 2011 and prior to that at six-to-seven-year intervals.

Our plan to protect native species
Through sustained predator control using 1080, there is a big increase in breeding success for native birds, their food source is more abundant, and the forest canopy is healthier.
The safest and most effective method we have to control possums, rats and stoats over large areas is to use biodegradable cereal bait pellets containing 1080. This bait targets rodents and possums. Stoats are also controlled through secondary poisoning as they feed on the carcasses of the dead rodents.
Helicopters distribute bait pellets across the forest area along pre-determined and monitored flight paths using technology that enables accurate placement. This is the only viable method to control predators in Project Kaka, Tararua Range, due to the vast and rugged terrain.
This operation begins with the distribution of non-toxic pre-feed bait pellets (sandy coloured).
This prepares possums and rodents to eat the toxic bait (dyed green) that is applied afterwards. Both baits are about 16 mm in diameter and cylindrical shaped.

Consultation and permissions
DOC has consulted with hapū, iwi and key stakeholders including landowners adjacent to the
treatment area.
DOC is delegated authority by the Environmental Protection Agency to decide applications for permission to use 1080 on land administered or managed by DOC.  Permission has been granted for this operation. DOC has also received the required permission from the Ministry of Health. DOC ensures that all legal and policy requirements are met, and that any potential risks of the operation are managed.

Managing risk
1080 is poisonous to humans, domestic and game animals. In areas where the toxin has been applied, dogs are highly at risk until poisoned carcasses have disintegrated. This takes four-to-eight months or longer.
There will be warning signs placed at entrances to the treatment area immediately prior to the operation.
Risks can be eliminated by following these rules:
DO NOT touch bait

WATCH children at all times

DO NOT EAT animals from this area or within the buffer zone outside the treatment
boundary. The buffer zone is 2 km for deer and pigs, 200 m for rabbits, and 1 km for hares,
tahr, wallabies and possums.
Poison baits or carcasses are DEADLY to DOGS

Observe these rules whenever you see warning signs about pesticides. These signs indicate pesticide residues may be still present in baits and poisoned carcasses. When signs are removed, normal activities can resume. If in doubt, check with your local DOC office. Please report suspected vandalism or unauthorised removal of signs.

If you suspect poisoning, please contact:

• Your local doctor or hospital OR The National Poisons Centre: 0800 764 766 (urgent
  calls) or 03 479 7248 OR dial 111
• Seek veterinary advice for suspected poisoning of domestic animals.
  For more information
  Please contact: Project Kaka Operational Planner, Palmerston North DOC office, 0800 275
  362, info@doc.govt.nz
  OR Aerial Operations Manager, EcoFX, 07 873 8130, ecofx-office-nz@rentokil-initial.com
  Visit the DOC website: More information about DOC’s National Predator Control Programme
  is available on our website www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/national-predator-control-programme.
  
• Map of predator control area within Project Kaka
  This map shows the area we are controlling rats, possums and stoats to protect native
  species. You can also see operational updates and detailed maps of predator control on
  public conservation land on the DOC website. www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-
  threats/pesticide-summaries

After 292 days missing (from Wed 08-Jan to Tue 28-Oct, nearly 42 long weeks), Rodney had a call from the Waikanae vets at midday today (28-Oct) to say Charlie had been handed in “… yay … he’s home again … and none the worse for his adventure … found just 500m from where he went missing.”

Rodney’s searches and public calls for Charlie’s whereabouts were to no avail as the ginga ninja hid out of sight.

Until… Rodney says, “the kind staff at Mahara Medical Centre had heard him for the last few weeks under their centre and had been feeding him… today, he finally got close enough to get petted and for them to grab him.”

Back story… “Charlie got lost from outside the Vets on Omahi St, Waikanae, on Wed 08-Jan, when he wriggled around inside the pet carrier as we were about to cross the road and managed to force his way out the opening. He then made his way over the road and into the rear of the Ariki Lodge Motel and disappeared,” says Rodney.

“I contacted the Motel owner to search their property but he was nowhere to be found… left food, his bedding and shelter there but he never returned… searched all around the block and specifically towards Waikanae Beach, his home, where I hoped he might be heading. I advertised in facebook and neighbourly but no leads except for one ginger cat spotted on a property but was in fact from next door.”

Rodney’s message to anyone who is missing a pet, “don’t give up hope.” 

The first tiny urban forest in New Zealand is in Nelson – the Nelson Whakatu Microforest.

TreeSpace Kāpiti planted 33 species of trees, shrubs and ferns indigenous to the area. There were 400 plants covering an area 40 by 10m. So the plants are 30cm apart, much closer than normal. They grow much faster and absorb more carbon dioxide than normal forests. 

Benefits of the project include:
 Absorbing up to 30–40 times more carbon than conventional plantings
 Boosting biodiversity
 Cooling urban areas
 Improving air and soil quality
 Reaching maturity up to 10 times faster than traditional forests

Spokesperson Geoff Scrase says the 18-month project showcases what’s possible when communities reimagine small spaces.
“This forest isn’t just about trees—it’s about collaboration and local climate action,” he said.
Key contributors included:
 Lewis Farms – donated manure/wood chip mix
 Poulton Farms – built rabbit-proof fence at cost
 Kāpiti Quakers – donated funds from Jo Moxon’s estate
 Hanging Around Ltd – supplied tarpaulins for weed control
 Kāpiti Signs – provided old signage
 KCDC – allocated land and gave a $2000 Climate Action Grant
 Charpae – supplied the biochar

The site was weeded, composted, and augured for 400 native plants of 33 species. The project also tests the effects of biochar and fungi on plant growth. Ongoing care will ensure the forest becomes self-sustaining in 3–5 years.
TreeSpace Kāpiti, founded in 2023, promotes tree protection, green space access, and the 3-30-300 vision:
 3 mature trees visible from every home
 30% tree canopy in each neighbourhood
 300m access to green space for everyone
“We hope this becomes a model for future community greening,” says Mr Scrase.

The story – Aspiring young writer Maddie (Manon Blackman, star of TV movie Mistress Mercy) returns to her family’s coastal home (Waikanae Beach) after a series of writing setbacks. Soon she finds herself caught in the middle of family tensions. Between rekindling an old connection and discovering her mother (Alison Bruce) is having a secret affair, she realises that the story she’s been searching for may be closer than imagined. This tale of family and love was filmed on location in Wellington and the Kāpiti Coast. It marks the feature debut of award winning writer/director Mike Smith (800 Words, Siege, The Brokenwood Mysteries). 

This is absolutely a must-watch movie. Many (most) New Zealand movies tend towards the gloomy end of the spectrum and rom-coms very rarely feature.

Mike Smith’s movie The People We Love departs from the norm and offers up characters and a story that many people will relate to as their own or that of someone we know. Smith is also not afraid to make things end well.

The excellent script is delivered superbly by a stellar cast of kiwi actors. Manon Blackman (Maddie) has a huge future and delivers a complex character interacting (meddling) with her parents’ relationship.

Alison Bruce (Harriett – Mum) and Neill Rea (Craig – Dad) capture the essence of the movie with an easy style. The silences are perfect and the dialogue meaningful and relatable.

Tane Rolfe (Tai) is the young heart-throb who gives a great performance. He is witty, wry, sympathetic and importantly believable in the role.

Also worth noting was the performance of Richard Chapman as Uncle Johnny who provided some of the great comedic moments in the movie.

As romantic drama/comedies go this is top draw. The end of the movie premiere was greeted with enthusiastic and well merited applause. To cast and crew – take a bow.

Reviewed by KCNews

For Booking times see: www.Shorelinecinema.co.nz

The Easter Egg Hunt was very popular with the kids and there also were plenty of shopping and browsing opportunites.

The Market is held at Waikanae Park every Saturday but the Easter Market is a special community event so well done to the organisers for putting in the hard yards to provide this eggcellent Easter treat.

Also on Saturday was the Easter Market at Mahara Place. Not surprisingly the huge crowds at the Waikanae Community Market left some wondering why the Market at Mahara might have been on a different day. As it turned out many Waikanae locals and visitors made a day of it and visited both markets.

The great news is the Waikanae Community Market is open every Saturday and for those who like to plan ahead its only 245 days until the CHRISTMAS NIGHT MARKET on 23 DECEMBER 2025 3PM-7PM.

For more see: waikanaemarket.org.nz

Also, Ruby Knight, Paige Kernohan and Elizabeth Christensen all competed in the QEPark with Ruby winning the zilco series, Paige winning her 2nd ODE and Elizabeth placing.

Great job girls and ponies.

Lloyd Dickens from the Paraparaumu wastewater treatment plant also achieved his Level 5 Diploma in wastewater treatment.

Kāpiti Council chief executive Darren Edwards congratulated the team and thanked them for their efforts.

“I’m proud of our people who go the extra mile to extend their knowledge and skills in their chosen profession.

“Along with Council’s proactive investment in our water infrastructure, having highly qualified people running our treatment plants means our community can be very confident in the quality of their drinking water and in the way their wastewater is managed,” says Mr Edwards.

Water Treatment Plants Water manager Bruce Nesbitt says getting his whole team qualified has been a goal of his for a long time.

“Being a fully qualified group means we’re a team of leaders, rather then operators. It means our discussions progress past what needs to be done and focus on trouble-shooting to improve the plant’s performance.

“A current example of this is where Tama led an initiative to automate the dosing of powdered activated carbon. Carbon is used to control the presence of algae and is usually dosed according to an operator’s detection by smell and/or taste of the microorganism. Introducing a device to identify the presence of algae and dose accordingly has reduced the human variability factor and improved plant performance,” says Mr Nesbitt.

Grant Stuart, Wastewater Treatment Plants manager, is equally proud of his team.

“With Lloyd’s achievement, we’re well on the way towards also being a fully qualified team, with half of the team now diploma-qualified and the others working towards this goal.”

Martyn Simpson, water training consultant with industry training organisation Connexis, congratulates Kāpiti Coast District Council for being one of the most proactive councils in getting their water and wastewater operators trained and qualified.

“Trainees from around the country who attend training courses in Wellington regularly visit the Kāpiti water and wastewater treatment plants. They always comment on how exceptional the plants are, which is marvelous kudos to Bruce, Grant and their teams,” says Mr Simpson.

Council is currently consulting on how Kāpiti Coast water services are managed and delivered in the future. Have your say before midnight Sunday 13 April at haveyoursay.kapiticoast.govt.nz/LocalWater

Jane has been involved in Kāpiti civil and legal society since getting her law degree from Victoria University in 1998. She was formerly deputy chair of the Kāpiti Chamber of Commerce and has served as a BNI president. And if you are a keen Rugby supporter then you will find a fast friend in Jane. She is Life member and past Secretary of Wellington Rugby Referees Association.

Jane has been a partner at Kāpiti Law since 2008 and has seen the business grow and flourish to the point where there are now offices in Paraparaumu and Waikanae with a crew of 12.

The main Waikanae office recently moved from the Main Rd to the corner of Kapanui Rd and Omahi St Waikanae where a staff of eight provide a wide array of legal services. Jane’s Kāpiti Law business partner Graham Mowbray operates out of the Paraparaumu office on Rimu Rd with two staff.

Jane says the move has worked out very well with much more space available and plenty of parking.

“It’s a lot quieter here, the last office was opposite the railway station.”

Retained is a great deal of artwork which gives the office a fresh vibrant look. Again, not the stuffy ambience often associated with law offices.

“We have a relaxed atmosphere here and we like to make it an enjoyable office to work in and for clients to be comfortable in,” says Jane.  

“We run all of the property transactions out of this office, including property settlements which account for about fifty percent of our business. Property transactions are the specialty really as we don’t do any criminal work or civil litigation.”

With the steady growth in Kāpiti over the last decade Kāpiti Law has been in great demand.

“We look after any legal work to do with property from Commercial sales and leases to residential settlements as well as providing the legal advice necessary for subdivision developments.”

Jane says there is also a strong demand for Estate Planning and personal Asset Management structuring as well as the regular work providing legal services for Wills, Trusts, and Powers of Attorney.

The third area that keeps the Kāpiti law team busy is the legal advice required for businesses.

“We mainly deal with small to medium sized businesses, offering advice on contracts and reviews. We don’t give investment advice but we do offer negotiation and mediation services.”