Local Happenings

Published as Issue No. 95

March 12, 2014

Population growth: Freda Alexandra of Hornsey Rd was born on February 19, weighing in at 3.39 kg. Her bigger sisters, and parents are over the moon. [No photo attached] Last month the community gardeners received a visit from Lorna (b. January 24) of Houghton Bay Rd, Kerry and Philip’s first.

Lifting the Creek Project: Jan and Ella of Hungerford Rd advise the Waterwheel mailbox positioned opposite the Houghton Bay Road playground for around two weeks received 50+ postcards, written and drawn personal responses. Main themes included enthusiasm about the idea of lifting the creek, remembering its past health, the importance of a clean environment, and imaginaries of the future clean creek and thriving wildlife.

More water: Hornsey Rd residents have been meeting with the Council to discuss new water tanks on the Mt Albert ridge and associated landscaping and discharge. Council will provide a copy of the design proposals for distribution to the wider neighbourhood for feedback. Advised benefits include a more stable water supply and landscape improvements; issues involve discharge of 440,000 litres into the Te Kawakawa Commons garden basin.

Neighbours Day: (March 29/30) is about taking time to engage in small and local acts of neighbourliness to make New Zealand safe, fun and friendly places to live. [Link not current]. Anything planned in your neck of the woods?

Norman

Published as Issue No. 94

February 25, 2014

Good News: In response to community initiatives the Council will seek community advice on how to both solve the leachate problem on the beach and how the lifting of the creek might be the way to do this.

Local feedback proposes a meeting of interested parties as a good next step, so if you want to be involved, send us an email. Since this idea was raised two years ago there is an increased commitment to develop restoration solutions for the ‘Lifting the Creek’ and ‘Leachate’ projects. There are three areas of the Houghton Valley Website that address this:

• Leachate,
• Lifting the Creek
• http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/forum/discussion/192/putawai-project-lifting-the-creek#Item_25 [Link not working]

Seeds of Community: The community garden has lots of broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage seedlings. If you would like some come next Sunday after 2 pm (gold coin koha).

Postcards: Reminder to ‘mail’ your postcard to the creek before this Friday 28.

House to Let: Four bedroom house in Houghton Bay, see http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/swap/discussion/237/house-to-let#Item_1 [Link not working]

Norman

Published as Issue No. 93

19 February, 2014

Lifting the Creek: You may have found a postcard in your letter box asking you and your family to write a message to the creek in Houghton Valley. This is part of an on-going series of activities and events around the ‘Lifting the Creek.’ The mail box (location shown on the card) will be ready to gratefully receive your messages from Wednesday morning 19 February to Friday morning 28 February. See more.

Information about a city council decision to investigate ‘Lifting the Creek’ will be in next week’s regular issue of the newsletter. This multi-faceted study will include addressing the leachate problem, explore creating a wetland and diverting ground springs before they reach the stormwater pipe under the landfill.

Norman

Published as Issue No. 92

February 11, 2014

Proposed Development: Coral and Jacob from Haewai Meadery have further information after talking with the Council. This includes how local people can register so they will be informed about what is happening at 215 Houghton Bay Rd, and also provide a statement of their concerns. See: http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/forum/discussion/217/proposed-sub-division-for-13-houses-at-215-houghton-bay-rd-#Item_15 [Link not working]

Historic walk: In Houghton Valley with David, Wellington Southern Bays Historical Society and Grant, Thursday, 20 February. Start at 6.30 pm at the junction of Houghton Bay Rd and Hornsey Rd and walk down the valley to the bay, showing old photos of the area as we walk. (If wet, postponed to Saturday, 22 at 2 pm). Ring Grant for more information.

Waterwheel symposium: On March 21, a group of local creatives will be making a presentation to a global audience about the ‘Lifting the Creek’ project. They will present their response to this project, what the creek means to them and what they would like to happen. If anyone has thoughts about this they would be welcome to join in at the weekly meetings at the studio, 67 Hungerford Rd  at 7 pm. Ring Grant for more information.

Who dunnit? Who built the two structures on the track between the playground and Buckley Rd. See photos at: http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/forum/discussion/234/architectural-sculptures#Item_1 [Link not working]

Norman

Published as Issue Number 91

January 29, 2014

Waterwheel Project: On March 21 local creative people will be presenting the ‘Lifting the Creek’ Project at an international symposium. They are busy creating new work which will be announced in the next newsletter. How the creek will actually be lifted is still a mystery for some, so a drawing has been produced.

Kae Miller Trust: The trust is seeking a volunteer wanted to help Brenda take care of the Alice Krebs Lodge. For further information please contact Brenda for further information. See more.

Dog Walker: Local teenager is keen to add to her four legged clientele and sustain her dog-walking hobby/ enterprise, see: http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/swap/discussion/231/dog-walker [Link not working]

Creativity for Well-Being: Workshops begin Friday morning 14 February at the Studio 67 Hungerford Road, Houghton Bay 9.30 to 11.30. No art experience necessary. Contact Miranda for more information.

Te Kawakawa Commons working bee: Saturday morning 8 February, starting at 10 am. For further information contact Miranda

Norman

Published as Issue No. 90

January 14, 2014

Best wishes for 2014!

Communication: Information by and for the Houghton Valley Community is distributed via this two weekly newsletter, our website and our Facebook Group.

A call to local creatives: Get together for creative people in the Houghton Valley area is planned for Wednesday 22nd January, 7pm at Hungerford Rd. The aim is to consider: creative responses to ‘Lifting the Creek’, starting a local collective using local studio space, and a project called Waterwheel where locals can participate in an online international symposium on March 17th.

Working bee: Te Kawakawa Commons Saturday, January 18. 10 am start. Planting trees and weeding on the agenda, plus a great morning tea. All welcome.

Creativity for Well-Being: Workshops beginning Friday, February 14, from 9.30 to 11.30 am at the Studio, 67 Hungerford Road. Facilitated classes will provide space for self reflection and opportunities for expression through writing and art. Topics covered to include Beauty and Mystery, the Paradox of Opposites and Change and Transition. No art experience necessary, $15 or exchange. Ring Miranda for more information and to book a place.

Painting the Hall: Our community treasure the Community Hall is being painted this week by several locals who have generously donated their time. Stop by and have a look when you drive/walk/jog past.

http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/forum/discussion/229/painting-the-houghton-valley-community-hall#Item_1 shows Piebe from Hungerford Rd and Ken from Hornsey Rd at work. [Link not working]

Norman

Published as Issue No. 89

December 17, 2013

Ice Cream: Brian of View Rd and friends will again be operating an ice cream stall from his garage in the run-up to Christmas. There’s a rumour he answered the call from locals of a certain age and came back from overseas just for this. Every evening from 6.30 pm, From Monday December 16 to Monday December 23 inclusive. See more.

Christmas Decorations: Brenda of Houghton Bay Rd has for more than 10 years put Christmas decorations in her window so the children playing in the playground opposite will enjoy them. See more.

Found Fishing Bag: strewn down the walkway to Lyall Bay (Houghton Terrace). If anyone is missing one.

Creek/Leachate Issues update: The Council is planning to carry out a feasibility study for the community initiative of ‘Lifting the Creek’ project in 2014 including the leachate issues on Houghton Bay beach. Locals will be involved in the consultation process.

Due to the large number of items for this issue the rest (below) have been highlighted, some with links to the website to read more:

• Kae Miller Trust/TRiG Meeting with Council: The November 29 meeting continued to explore how local people could take over stewardship of the View Rd South / Te Raekaihau Headland Reserve.
• Bus review: Implementation of the Wellington City Bus Review (WCBR) delayed.
• Hungerford and Houghton Bay Roads traffic issues update: http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/forum/discussion/203/planning-to-discourage-traffic-from-our-roads [link not working]
• 215 Houghton Bay Rd development update: http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/forum/discussion/217/proposed-sub-division-for-13-houses-at-215-houghton-bay-rd- [link not working]
• New installation: The propeller from the frigate HMNZAS Wellington (the ship lying in pieces on the seabed off Houghton Bay), is now permanently installed by the carpark at the beach. To see photo: http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/forum/discussion/226/ship-propellor [link not working]
• Recognition: For 30 years the upper part of Houghton Terrace has been planted and cared for by local resident Don King. At 81 Don, who lives next door to the public footpath down to Lyall Bay, still spends several hours a week looking after his many plantings. Last month he was named as November Community Champion by local MP Annette King. To see article: http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/forum/discussion/223/houghton-tce-garden#Item_1 [link not working]

In 2014: The next newsletter will come out in January. This year there has been no shortage of contributions about local events and issues for inclusion, a sign people are engaged with and building the Houghton Valley community. Well done to all.

Cheers, Norman (sent out by Grant in my absence)

Published as Issue No. 88

December 3, 2013

Film Evening: Last film evening, coffee and catch-up for the year is Wednesday 11 December at Houghton Valley School, 7.30. pm The Nature of Cities explores nature in our own backyards featuring Austin and San Diego and future projects in Malmo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Freiburg, Amsterdam and Paris. Wellington has now joined the Biophilic Cities project, one which seeks to include and care for nature in its urban environment. For more information see http://biophiliccities.org

Make your own: A morning of making Xmas gifts, cards and wrapping paper or come along with a project of your own. Saturday, 14 December, 9.30 am – 1.30 pm. Please bring any materials you have to share and something for morning tea. No experience necessary, just a willingness to experiment and have fun. Meet at Grant’s studio . More information, ring Miranda.

Christmas on the Commons: Weather permitting there will be a gathering of community on Te Kawakawa Commons on Christmas Day. More details in the next newsletter.

Capacity Replies: Capacity Infrastructure has replied to John (Robinson) about the issue of leachate flowing into Houghton Bay. This response and John’s follow-up questions are available at http://houghtonbaysign.blogspot.co.nz.

Reminder: The community meeting to hear from the developer about plans to build 13 houses at 215 Houghton Bay Rd will be held in the school hall Wednesday December 4, starting 7 p. More details Tracey.

Norman

Published as Issue No. 86

November 20, 2013

Welcome to new ‘subscribers’: 194 households are now on the mailing list.

Free Te Reo Course: Te Wananga o Aotearoa is offering the beginners level Te Ara Reo Maori language course free to the Houghton Valley Community in 2014. Twenty spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis; venue will be Houghton Valley School. It involves one evening a week (as well as a few weekend days) over the year. The Wananga is running an information and enrolment evening on Thursday 28 November 7.30 pm in the school library. RSVP for the information evening to Kate.

Breaking News: From Maria Maillo, Investigation and Design Engineer, Capacity Infrastructure Services Limited: “Dear Houghton Bay residents and beach users, this is to advise that today (19 November) we removed a small sign reading “Danger polluted water” near where the Houghton Valley stormwater outfall discharges onto the beach.

The sign no doubt refers to the occasional discharge of discoloured water from the outfall. However, as there are already three permitted signs near this site referring to the possible presence of this discharge, and it is illegal to post signs on the beach without permission, we removed the beach sign. We are always happy to explain the issues relating to the discharges at Houghton Bay.”

[For information about the sign see http://houghtonbaysign.blogspot.co.nz/]

Who Dunnit? A garage near 58 Hornsey Rd was damaged around 8 – 8.40 am on Wednesday, November 13. It looks like a truck turned in a driveway to do a U-turn and hit the top left corner. Any information to Michael.

From Te Kawakawa Commons: “Our thanks to those who gathered (earlier this month) for another working bee. [No photo] It’s great we see new faces every time and more littlies. The Commons is now in great shape for play and social gathering … but the work goes on, accompanied by Pipiwharauroa singing away. There’s some next generation planting going on further up the hillside, where a track will give easier access eventually, and we managed to replace a bit of the mulch cover the winter rains carried off. We’ll keep you posted on the next opportunity.”

Houghton Valley School Zone: Three bedroom house to rent in Melrose from around December 23. Two living areas, dining room, carport, garden, fully fenced and sunny, quiet and private, wood-burner for cooler months, cat friendly. Zoned for HVS, school bus stop nearby. Call/txt/email Belinda.

Norman

Published as Issue No. 85

November 6, 2013

The Kae Miller Trust, which runs the community lodge/retreat on the View Rd South Headland Reserve met on Saturday. (http://www.houghtonvalley.org.nz/playing/Kae%20Miller/kae_miller.html – members are Brenda and Norman from View Rd, Grant – Hungerford Rd and Jenny – Houghton Bay Rd). Jointly with TRiG http://www.houghtonvalley.org.nz/playing/TRiG/trig.html the Trust has a partnership with the City Council on aspects of the management of the Reserve. From the meeting:

• Until an issue with the Council involving the use of sprays is permanently resolved the Trust has spent $500 of its own funds to pay for clearing some of the secondary tracks, work that is normally carried out by the Council., so now its much easier to head out to Peter’s (Piebe’s) seat (http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/playing/Naming%20the%20tracks/tracks.html
• Craig Crestani of the international 500 Peace Parks initiative will meet with Trust members shortly to discuss the work of the late founder and peace activist Kae Miller which saw the creation of a Peace Grove near the Lodge 30 years ago. [Noe attachment].
• For the first time since the lodge was built the Trust is proposing to seek funding from outside organisations to cover the cost of maintenance and repairs such as roof repairs and painting.

Urban Water Harvesting: A talk on Wednesday 13 November 7.30 pm at Houghton Valley School. Recent earthquakes and droughts have shown that we can’t take our water supply for granted; Stan Abbot Director of the Roof Water Harvesting at Massey University talk about the benefits of harvesting our roof water, how to do it and the best products available.

Cleaning Up the Bay: Capacity Infrastructure Services this week announced they are carrying out cleaning of the storm water pipe located beneath the landfill. [No attachment]. There are indications of other work such as installing electronic devices to monitor leachate flows are being carried out. Meanwhile there are local initiatives under way to erect signs which warn beach users of the health dangers from the leachate.

School Fair: Today’s issue of the School Newsletter reported the Fair last month made $25,000. Principal/Tumuaki Raewyn Watson reports this will be used to make the playgrounds more challenging, interesting and safe

Norman

Missing attachments:

Preview attachment Capacity Notice October 4 2013.jpg

Preview attachment Cook Strait News Sept 16 2013 Peace Parks.pdf