Lifestyle

Kāpiti writer Angela Robertson is all about maximising potential as she prepares to launch her latest books with a focus on positive aging. The two latest books have captured the real life experiences from dozens of retirees for her Older & Bolder series.  Angela says she was inspired to write from her own experience. “I was in the age group myself heading towards retirement but wasn’t ready…

From Peka Peka to Pukerua Bay cyclists are being helped out by the superb community asset known as the Paekākāriki Bike Library. The concept is quite simple. You join the Bike Library and you will be fitted out with a bike that suits. Initiated by Paekākāriki resident and keen cyclist Jan Nisbet five years ago, the Bike Library has seen over 800 bikes back out into the…

With just over two months to go, the team behind the Kāpiti Food Fair have started their official countdown to event day – and they are sharing more about the vendor line up they have planned for December 4th. “As the Fair is a pre-Christmas event, we provide an opportunity for our vendors to package their products for visitors to sample, buy gifts or to stock-up their…

Former platoon commander Lieutenant Colonel Tony Howell told a full Club Vista at Paraparaumu that his new book Vietnam ANZACS was written as a tribute to those who died or came back scarred by their experience from 1965 to 1971. “This is a book by veterans about veterans. It is a tribute to those who lost their lives or quality of life as a result of serving…

Bill Manhire lives in Kāpiti and his voice belongs to the world. To hear him speak you might think Manhire something of a toff or as my mother would say he is very well spoken. Yet very few poets capture what is quintessentially Kiwi better than Manhire. He is both public bar and private bar, beach and town. Here is a poet who dives into his inner…

The Kāpiti Friends of the Library are hosting film-maker John Reid on Sunday 8 August 2:00 pm in the Paraparaumu Library Meeting Room. The well-known film-maker John Reid will talk about film making and his superb history Whatever it Takes: Pacific Films and John O’Shea 1948-2000. Please pass this on to everyone you think will be interested. Refreshments will be served from 1:45 pm. A koha is…

Starting a plumbing apprenticeship as an adult can be challenging, doing so as a woman in a largely male dominated industry is even more so. However Kāpiti’s Soren Ebbett is taking it all in her stride. The Raumati mother of two is an apprentice at Peter Jackson Plumbing based in Paraparaumu. “It is something I have wanted to do for a long time and when I started…

This is a blog by Kāpiti’s Ian Powell offering second opinions on health systems, labour market and political issues. In the words of William Morris “I’m here not to let you be contented with too little.” Last Tuesday my oldest daughter Lana returned from London where she teaches for six weeks during the northern summer. That same day I was one of two panellists on Radio New…

Kāpiti publisher Bob Anderson loves books and has a special passion for military histories. Bob’s company, John Douglas Publishing, is probably Australasia’s leading publisher of military histories. “My passion is books, specifically, books on Australasian military history,” says Bob. “Through my career I have been involved in the production of the best part of 1000 books. Of those I have done since 2000, the vast majority relate…

New Zealand game developers’ $323.9 million earnings in the last financial year is a perfect example of just what is happening across the rampant tech sector, NZTech chief executive Graeme Muller says.It is fantastic to see the continued growth of New Zealand’s interactive media and game developers, making $121 million more in one year, Muller says.’However, this is a great example of the continued growth and success…

With warmer weather fast approaching thousands of Kāpiti Coasters will be taking to the water and safety and vigilance will vital. New Zealand Water Safety Month is approaching halfway and tragically since the campaign started six people have fatally drowned in preventable incidents. “This is a tragic reminder of how many New Zealanders are needlessly losing their lives while in, on and around the water. Every fatality…