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McCann a fresh face August 29, 2019 EditorI am very pleased to see Rob McCann standing for the Kapiti Council. I voted for him twice in the general election and I like his policies. It will be good to see some fresh faces at the Kapiti Coast District Council. Margaret Waikanae Stolen guns a big security issue EditorI have just read the story about the stolen guns and this highlights why the government is right in getting rid of them. Although having them stolen from a police station raises some big questions about the security of the guns removed from public use. It would be good to get some answers from the police about th... More... Plastic Bags still need collecting EditorIt is good news that plastic bags will soon be gone from our communities but what will be in their place. Before plastic bags we had paper bags in the supermarkets and that worked very well. The main reason they changed to plastic was because it was cheaper for the supermarkets but the communities have paid a hig... More... Support for Roundabout EditorCommunity Board Members Bernie Randall and Guy Burns have been informed that Council will recommend on Thursday to make an earlier start on the proposed roundabout at the corner of Ratanui Road and Mazengarb Road. Guy Burns will support the recommendations at the meeting on Thursday. It follows community conce... More... Expressway technology questioned March 7, 2019 Editor On the day the expressway was opened we got told this was a new surface that the water went through and wouldn't spray as usually happens. Obviously they never tried it out first, just thought it was a good idea. Maybe they would have been better to investigate the seal now being made from plastics etc that l... More... Waikanae SPCA appreciates support Editor The Volunteers from Waikanae SPCA would like to say a huge thank you to everyone for supporting our recent garage sale. We were completely overwhelmed by the wonderful donations of goods to sell and to those who came and supported us. A fantastic $1400 was raised for animals in need. We are all grinning like ... More... Coastella is great for Kapiti and the region EditorI enjoyed reading the article on Coastella today. It was a terrific day out for the whole family and the music, the entertainment and the food on offer was a good advertisement for the Kapiti Coast. I think they need to make sure prices don't get out of the range of supporters. My congratulations to the org... More... Refuse Collection - Low Woes www. kcnews. co. nz I only this year instructed Low Cost Bins to collect my waste and as a low user I put out approximately fortnightly. The recycling I put out monthly or less. I am on a corner between two roads but only on the second occasion I put out my bins they were left uncollected even though everyone else's ha... More... Kapiti Cheesed Off EditorThis seems to be a pretty cheesy issue, sorry for the pun! Fonterra has in its marketing, come-up with a new trademark name 'Tuteremoana Cheddar' for its Kapiti Cheese product. This has caused a cheesy uproar with the Maori officials stating by labelling the product with this name is inappropriate to the Ma... More... ANZAC emotion a slap Editor On ANZAC day I listen to our Mayor's speech, he spoke of his home and his grandfather, paused to compose himself as he spoke, with a long dramatic silence while he fought to control his emotions while talking about his grandfather who he never got to meet. It came across heart felt, until I heard it again... More... Congratulations to new Kapiti Chief Executive EditorOpen Letter to Wayne MaxwellHi Wayne, First and foremost congratulations for being appointed the Chief Executive of KCDC, (Oh by the way I was rooting for you out in the Community to get the job and told everybody you were the most consistent of the applicants who applied, knowledge, reliability and able ... More... Advice for choosing new Kapiti CEO Editor Firstly -I wish current, and departing Kapiti CEO Pat Dougherty all the best in his new role. 1. One has to look at the process of appointment of a new CEO of Kapiti. The KPI (Key Performance Indicators) - Do we all know what are the requirements for KPI � in the Community at large. What is required... More... Voting System Change Called For Dear Editor In the last local Kapiti Coast District Council meeting on Electoral Systems for Local Body Elections (7 September 2017) the present Council voted 6 to 3 in favour of keeping the status quo voting system STV (Single Transferable Vote). Over the number of years this STV system has taken place the average ... More... Kapiti sees decrease in Official Info Requests Editor Is the Community occupying Council time by making unnecessary Official Information requests? Let's look at the statistics. There has actually been a decrease in Official Information requests (246 this year versus 260 last year) since we had a new Mayor who was elected on openness and transparency. These ar... More... Kapiti Ratepayers fill Auckland begging bowl Isn't it strange. Auckland historically has low rates increases and currently they are to be set at 2. 5%. Almost everywhere else, and particularly here in Kapiti rates are pretty high and average increases are also pretty large. Here we are used to anything between 5 and 7% increases in our rates. With the electi... More... One foot on either side Editor, The extent of the "left" or "rightness" in the commentary about various political parties is all very well and good. However, what never seems to be analysed from most commentariat is that modern politics has had another dimension since 1984. It has been fancily named "neo-liberalism" and is a movement to... More... Call to halt toxic sprays Dear Ed, Not sure if it is widely known that a Masterton company, Beetham Pastural, have been employed to spray pesticides and herbicides in QE2 Park and Whareroa Farm?This should be halted immediately! Everyone knows the devastating effects of these chemicals on wild life, not to mention human beings. These a... More... Kapiti Hospital - where is the money coming from Editor, Can we really afford a Hospital in Kapiti when the Government Health system is in debt to the tune of $2. 1 Billion dollars. Our Kapiti Mayor � all credit to him for highlighting this issue, but in reality where is the funding coming from? Considering that Kapiti is an aging population with ma... More... Climate Change missing from Kapiti Plan Editor, Reading the summary booklet of the council's Long Term Plan, one would be forgiven for thinking everything in the atmosphere is much the same as it was 50 years ago and that out climate was stable. Yes, tragically, there isn't a single mention of climate change in this 20-year plan being discussed. Th... More... Open for Business Council Editor, The Council open day on Saturday attracted a number of people. Not necessarily to give feedback on the Long Term Plan but to pay their council bills and dog registration fees. It's time the council listened to the bouncing cannonball of frustration from the residents that work in Wellington and out of the... More... Helmets save lives Editor, I suffered a pushbike accident by Kapiti Rd, Paraparaumu last Saturday , July 15, which dislocated my left elbow, broke a bone and tore ligaments and I suffered multiple lacerations to my leg. I was wearing a cycle helmet. Both Wellington Free Ambulance and others at the scene were marvellous. I would ... More... Road naming process not helpful Dear Editor, On the SH1 renaming issue, I believe the current process adopted by KCDC councillors over a year ago, where the four Community Boards make their individual recommendations on a name to council is inappropriate. Because it is not conductive to cohesive decision making, on what, is essentially a district... More... Kapiti Mayor Gurunathan urged to think again Editor Kapiti Coast Mayor K Gurunathan needs to think of the big picture and provide community centre trainees free parking spaces while they are training - not sting them for trying to better themselves reported as - Not all solo mums are poor, June 19. People who are learning new skills are doing this so they c... More... End of Life Choice Bill an Election Issue Editor Once again this matter is before Parliament. I hope in this period before the election people will demand of candidates that they express their intentions in this matter and that voters will cast their ballots according to their wishes. Brian Baggott Paraparaumu New Dreams for Kiwi Kids Editor Reg Fowles objects to the teaching or encouragement of the Maori language, telling us we should not ask young people to "live the dreams of their parents. " He's dead right. The grim colonial dream that New Zealand could become a Britain of the south seas - culturally and linguistically English, where Maori pe... More... Bravo Kapiti Playhouse Editor Bravo Kapiti Playhouse. Last evening a cast of six delivered a strongly intelligent last night of Homeland written by Gary Henderson. From the outset they captured and reflected the differing 'intergenerational' views of the passage of time, that which anyone of us at any given point within this passage tr... More... Speaking out on Proposed Road Names Editor The group including myself that recommended new names for SH1 through Kapiti has stayed silent till now � as has the council that invited our input. However, since today's front page trumpets 'anger' (why � who has been hurt?) about our list, it's time to speak out. The Council asked us for seven original name... More... Solution to Kapiti placenames offered Editor Can I offer a solution to the debate on whether to give the old Kapiti Coast SH1 new Maori placenames or not? Why not put the English translation with the Maori names as is done on government buildings in Wellington. Sometimes I wish I knew what some placenames meant, and maybe knowing the translation m... More... Kapiti cabbages and kings Dear Editor, How very worthy of Mayor Gurunathan to "think it's a good opportunity to stand out" for Otaki township gaining bilingual status. I encourage the Otaki residents and all New Zealanders to insist our Mayor and Councillors ensure that Bilingual Signs are correctly portrayed. As a starting point would be th... More... Quiet Road Not So Quiet EditorIn Reference to Letter: Robbed of silence I'm completely surprised that the road noise can now be heard in places I never expected, for example I have friends that are now further away from the State Highway One than they were but they can now hear noise. Previously they never heard the highway. The distance t... More... Waikanae Hedge cause for wonder EditorAgain I read yet another episode in the ongoing saga of the Waikanae hedge. While I do recognise that our council has not covered itself in glory over the issue I do wonder how the problem of the overgrown hedge would have been handled had such a hedge been in the least affluent area of the Kapiti Coast. Reg F... More... Robbed of silence Dear Editor, The trucks woke me in the early hours of the morning again today and I lay and thought about the lovely few days I had just had in Mahia. What was my favourite time? I replayed the highlights in my mind; the lazy holiday breakfasts eaten outside on the sun-drenched deck, kayaking across the bay, watchi... More... Claims Kapiti Councillor victimised The Editor Smears of the most obnoxious type against Councillor David Scott are indicative not of the councillor's alleged wrongdoing, but of the continuing dysfunction of KCDC, despite His Worship Gurunathan being elected to end the nonsense that pervaded the prior council. There seems to be a long-running pattern ... More... White Poppies have a place Editor,Lest we forget, or possibly never knew, red poppies from the RSA are not alone in connecting with, or "challenging" colleges and young people. White Poppies for Peace from Peace Movement Aotearoa (PMA) have been for years promoting peace education and challenging young people to think. PMA provides annual scho... More... KCDC Challenged over Road Names Editor Where and when did the ratepayers request come from (and how many signatures) to rename the two Main Road names out to seven. I cannot see or imagine any advantage that such a move could possibly assist or entertain or enlighten the public in any way. Further, there will be costs to the likes of printed ro... More... What is democracy Dear Editor, "The Truth about Democracy in Horowhenua" (half Page advertisement) Wednesday April 12th. Question - what is Democracy? According to the original Greek definition it means "people power. " The people of the Horowhenua District made it very clear who they wanted as their Mayor when they voted in 2016. ... More... Peka Peka Expressway Access and Poor Signage Editor It is sad to read that the Waikanae Community Board and the Peka Peka community are up in arms regarding the lack of access to and from the expressway at Peka Peka. Approximately a year ago at the Waikanae Beach Community Vision and Action public meeting, it was clearly established that there was to be no ... More... Evans offers to assist Kapiti CEO Dear EditorBelow is an open letter to KCDC Town Clerk Pat Dougherty CEO Kapiti Coast District CouncilDear PatWhilst reading the Dominion Post (25th Feb 17) I read the advertisement placed by Palmerston North District Council seeking an 'ambitious, innovotive & visionary' CEO. I know that you consider you have ... More... Observations from Waikanae Dear EditorSome observations over the last week. Ladies it's indicate, break turn, not brake turn indicate. Gentleman if you are elderly and cannot stay in your lane driving down Te Moana Road at 35kph, then it is time to put your car in the garage and use your gold card. Love the new interchange at Waikanae, cannot wa... More... Hedge Hazard Headline Horrifies Dear Editor I am appalled to read the Headlines in today's Dominion Post that the Osborne Hedge has become a serious hazard, this hedge is an icon of the Wonderful Waikanae Area, and under no circumstances do we require that it be decimated due to the whims of some neighbours who seem to be talking, incorrectly, tha... More... Citizenship is not for sale Dear Editor It does not seem credible that Nathan Guy cannot recall granting Mr Thiel New Zealand citizenship in 2011. Mr Theil is a high-profile billionaire who had met with our former Prime Minister and was the subject of a series of questions in Parliament. Now a prominent supporter of President Trum... More... Voters wanted change Dear Editor When the voters throughout the Horowhenua voted for change they didn't think the old guard would gang up on the Mayor or his campaign promises. They are using the excuse that they have no faith or trust in his decision to appoint his own deputy. It was obvious right from day one that a new Mayor... More... Pandering to NIMBYs Must Stop The land between 146 and 148 Weggery Drive, Waikanae, classified as a legal road,was gifted to the Kapiti Council by the developer of the subdivision. Council say they want to sell this land because it has no use but it is still used as a shortcut, saving 130 metres for pedestrians walking north via Weggery Drive from t... More... Experimental Fora Undemocratic In my view, democracy is not well served through 'experimental' fora within which well-informed input from ratepayers is proverbially 'screened for relevance' by elected councillors prior to disappearing without record into the ether. Like Daniel Blake, we (the community) are citizens, citizens with the right to be eng... More... Give Roundabouts another Turn What a surprise! We finally have an honest politician in our midst. Good on you Guru for checking on your family and the dog then turning off your phone and going back to sleep. many other Mayors would have done the same thing , but would never have admitted it. I'm sure you knew your staff were trained in emergency pr... More... .
Where do we live! 21 March Dear Editor,In response to the numerous letters recently sent from residents expressing dislike to our district being called "Nature Coast", are they aware that our Mayor and Council believe we reside on the "Cabbage Coast"? This is the NZ English interpretation of Kap... More... Send your letters to the editor to editor@kcnews.co.nz
Kapiti Rubbish Bags - what next July 2016 Editor Is it possible to have clarification as to the situation regarding the current use (by many Kapiti Coast resid... More... Council loses in court - again June 2016 I have just obtained the CCTV footage of my supposedly "approaching staff" when I accompanied my wife Kathy a few weeks ... More... Implicit puffery portrayed June 2016 Editor, D'Oyley Carte would have applauded a highly articulate ratepayer's rendition (KCDC Environment and Community ... More... Is this the beginning of the Thin Edge of Local Councils Selling Off the Metered Water? April 2016 Editor This from Radio New Zealand: Council to sell rights to bott... More... Flag debate winners and losers March 2016 EditorSometimes even when you win you lose. The flag referendum is a classic case of this. Those who voted to keep the N... More... Kapiti Council should pay Living Wage March 2016 EditorIt is said that council can't afford to pay all staff a living wage. This is easily fixed. Were they to institute ... More... Cracks begin to appear at Kapiti Aquatic Centre March 2016 Editor, The Aquatic Centre is a terrific asset for the Kapiti commu... More... Otaki Volunteers praised March 2016 A huge thank you to Barbara Franks and the Otaki Promotions Group for the volunteer hours organising the Otaki Kite Fest... More... Waikanae history not told March 2016 I was disappointed with the tone of the article (Cultural assessment delays carpark � Kapiti Observer March 10). Perhaps... More... Kapiti Congestion set to worsen March 2016 Editor,You are correct that Wellington needs to get used to traffic chaos, but it's not just in the short term. As it... More... Ditch water meters, go with the flow March 2016 Peter Graham's letter (March 10) was a forward-thinking view on transferring water throughout New Zealand, like we do wi... More... Candidate's possible selection questioned March 2016 Can I suggest that Labour stalwarts might like to ponder that should Cr Penny Gaylor be considered for selection, the po... More... Open Letter to Minister Collins December 2015 Tēnā koe Minister Collins,Congratulations from all of us here at JustSpeak on your appointment as Minister for... More... Repetitive Reshuffle December 2015 Editor, Didn't bother to read all of Mr Key's cabinet reshuffle press release, because it was repetitive. It is groun... More... Modern Day Mercantilists November 2015 Editor,Amanda Vickers and Michael Woods (Letters, 18 Nov.) are archetypes of latter day mercantilists seeking to exclude... More... Council should act on refugee crisis October 2015 Editor Council needs to urge government to utilize community support. What if you were living in a country where y... More... Guildford Drive Vandalism October 2015 EditorA number of drunken youths travelled along Guildford Drive at around 04:00 today (04/10/2015) and broke letter box... More... Positive example needed October 2015 Editor,In recent editions of the Kapiti News I have been disconcerted by the slanging match developing between Mr Bolton... More... Fair forum needed at Council September 2015 Dear editor, For two years I lobbied Council on the water meter issue and was subjected first-hand to a high level o... More... Waikanae thriving over summer January 2015 EditorI would like to reply to James Westbury's Spoonful of sugar Dated January 14 2015. He tells us that he has been... More... Ratepayers and residents want to be heard November 2014 Dear Editor Local Government Act 2002 states that the council must act in accordance with the following principles: L... More... Water meter penalty challenged October 2014 Dear Editor, Kapiti Coast Council Infrastructure Services Group Manager Sean Mallon says that his council is abl... More... Good things do happen when things go wrong October 2014 Dear Editor, Good things do happen when things go wrong, our faith in the locally owned businesses has been restored;... More... PM's attack beyond the Pale September 2014 The editor John Key is becoming more Muldoonesque with each erupting scandal. His latest attack on visiting Ameri... More... Problem solved May 2014 Dear Editor A complaint of a broken footpath in Stuart St, Levin has resulted in all berm trees felled, new foot... More... Draft Annual Plan Consultation Queried May 2014 Dear Editor, I have just been reading the agenda for the Horowhenua District Council Public meeting for Delibera... More... Shameful irony in prosecution February 2014 Dear Editor What shameful irony - KCDC was instrumental in having the Kapiti Expressway alignment in Raumati South g... More... Community have had their say November 2013 Editor, First of all I would like to congratulate all those candidates that were successful in being elected on Counc... More... Fair deal wanted at public meetings October 2013 Dear Editor, Re: "Mayor's Right to skip meeting" it is everybody 's democratic right to attend public meetin... More... Pressure put on new Council to deliver October 2013 Dear Editor Congratulations to Ross Church and the new councillors. I hope they will deliver all they have promised ... More... Secret pre-meetings common October 2013 Dear Editor, With the following new powers that the Mayor is going to have after the elections on Saturday,12th Octob... More... Be careful who you vote for October 2013 Dear Editor Noting that retiring Horowhenua District Councillor Nathan Murray has bravely admitted at the last H... More... 'Kapiti is known as the �whinging� district' October 2013 Dear Editor Sad to say Kapiti is known as the 'whinging' district in New Zealand. I mentioned to group of people fro... More... Insight and Courage called for September 2013 Editor, I wonder if any Kapiti mayoral candidates have the insight and courage to speak out against the so-called exp... More... Stirring up the public September 2013 Dear Editor After reading Mathew Grocott "Mayor Snubs Candidate events" it now has become apparent that Mr Duffy's op... More... Farcically undemocratic move September 2013 Editor Re the 5th Sept story 'Cover Committee to keep Kapiti running after vote'(Kapiti Observer). I cannot beli... More... Democracy at work September 2013 Dear Editor Democracy at work: The Labour party is in the process of selecting a New Leader, and Ratepayers and ... More... Revaluation debacle September 1 The current road revaluation debacle instigated by the so called KCDC Financial Gnomes makes a complete pig's ear of the... More... Thorough debates called for at Council August 2013 Dear Editor, Recently letters to the Editor from Councillors (HDC)and the Mayor's supporters have been defending... More... �Land value boost could be worth $300m to council� August 2013 "Land value boost could be worth $300m to council" - Heading from Kapi... More... 2013 Local Government Elections - Irregularities in Kapiti Coast District Election Process - Open Letter August 2013 Dear Electoral Officer, I don't think you understand the gravity of... More... Dale Evans responds to Kapiti CEO Editor, My response to Patrick Dougherty CEO Kapiti District Council Wednesday 3 July 2013 Kapiti News - Under 'Fresh... More... Open letter launched at 10.30am on Sunday 14 July 2013 July 2013 The Right Honourable John Key Honourable Judith Collins Honourab... More... Will disabled pay more for water use July 2013 Editor,As the installation of water meters is nearing completion and we can now expect soon to feel the venom of the KCD... More... Politically incorrect - Maori Representation on Council July 2013 I read with dismay - the the Kapiti Coast District Council have appoin... More... Who is listening to the community July 2013 Dear Editor,I was under the impression that we elect District Councillors and a Mayor to represent the communities' best... More... Looming Election welcomed by KCDC critic June 6, 2013 Editor, This move to steal part of our Electra Rebate by our totally undemocratic local body is pure spineless theft. I'... More... Misplaced Apple Ipad June 6, 2013 Editor,I lost and Apple Ipad in Paraparaumu on Monday the 3rd June (Queen's Birthday) between Vaucluse/Whyte Street and ... More... It's a worry! From June 2012 Editor, The recent secret meeting at which our Mayor tried to persuade Council to vote for the Council's voting entit... More... Reallocation of Electra Trust Dividend From June 2012 Editor, Well, well. So the Mayor of Kapiti had decided that the Kapiti Coast District Council should have been able t... More... Three cheers for Expressway mitigation May 2013 EditorAs co-owner of a small Kapiti earthmoving company I am very pleased to hear that many supporters of the Expressway... More... Good? Friday EditorSo I went out to have a quiet pint with my girlfriend only to find that nearly all the pubs, or places to drink, i... More... Councillors serve up abject failure April 2013 EditorCouncillor Cardiff is right to feel "extremely uncomfortable" about litigation over the coastal hazard lines but w... More... Steep track fazes some April 2013 EditorA friend and I eagerly started walking the new Te Araroa track above centennial Highway on Sunday. We will not do ... More... Ministries of Do Nothing April 2013 EditorThis must be the National party's new election policy that they are rolling out early. "We are not going t... More... Climate debate heats up April 2013 Dear Editor, On par to see the media and Anthropogenic Global Warming believers gang up to slander a questioner of t... More... "No Plastic Bag" campaign urged for Kapiti Coast April 2013 EditorI have lived in Waikanae most of my life. Over the years a major... More... Gardenworld will be missed April 2013 EditorIt is so sad to see another one of my favourite shops leave Coastlands. First Hallensteins, the The Pet Shop (who ... More... Walkway delight April 2013 Editor It was a delight to read about the new walkway along the Paekakariki escarpment. When completed, this will giv... More... K Logo 'unpleasing to they eye' March 2013 EditorKapiti Coast has never had a strong focused,coordinated, managed visual identity. We have now created another n... More... Intersection fiasco April 2013 EditorEveryone using Milne Drive will agree with Alaire Dunlop's comments about the intersection with Kapiti Rd fiasco. ... More... Competition urged for local logo April 2013 EditorToo right, Trevor Wright. Such unnecessary expenditure on a logo that means what exactly? Whatever happened to the... More... Cycle Helmets save lives April 2013 Dear EditorI have a solution for Solveig Mikkelsen and her problem with cycle helmets. Take one 10-yesr-old daughter ... More... Amalgamation process misunderstood March 2013 Dear EditorIt is clear from Joel Maxwells' report (Kapiti Observer) ' Referendum threat heard' in Mondays Observer that... More... Erosion consultation shows 'contemptuous attitude' March 2013 Dear Editor,KCDC CEO Pat Dougherty states in the article 'Kapiti Erosi... More... An invitation to sue Council? March 2013 Dear Editor,It was with great interest that I read KCDC's official statement by Mr Pat Dougherty on the issue of coastal... More... Council messages should be considered December 2012 After reading the article on the KCDC in the Dominion there are some messages that I think all ratepayers should conside... More... Inaccuracies reported on milky way August 2012 Dear Editor Joel Maxwell, in his story 'Milky intruder not identified' (published 30 July), has stated several inaccu... More... Council jumping the gun August 2012 Dear SirI read in the Kapiti News that Council has gone and spent ratepayers money to buy land for a future water storag... More... Otaki - not so lucky August 2012 Hello,I would just like to say "Wow, aren't we lucky" and yes I'm being very sarcastic. But yes I do think we are ver... More... Does your bin go Walkies? June 2012 What is it with people? That they have to swipe ones bin? Yes I 'm talking about recycling bins.I have a mystery '... More... What do you not understand April 8 It would appear that Madam Mayor and the majority of the KCDC Councillors plus the CEO and many of his staff, seem ... More... Huge number of homes affected by Expressway February 29 Dear Editor I feel very sorry for the situation that Mary-Anne and Peter Smith find themselves in (front page story of K... More... Fluoride debate alive and well A workshop at Hamilton City Council showed the Waikato DHB is completely ignorant of the science on fluoridation. Medic... More... Naturists call to address concerns 10 April Dear Editor, Free Beaches New Zealand Inc. (FBNZ) is an incorporated society which exists in order to protect the ... More... Where is the long term plan 21 March Editor, The points made re. traffic lights etc. are fair comment about the present SH1 access to, and exit from the K... More... U-Turn on expressway 21 March Editor R Wood, in her/his letter of support for the expressway and criticism of Darren Hughes neglects to mention th... More... Bit of head-knocking called for 21 March EditorIn response to R. Wood's comments in support of the expressway, does he/she really think that a billion dollar plu... More...