Local Happenings

Published as Issue No. 64

27 February[??], 2013

Bus Service Review: As part of their advocacy on behalf of local people, late last year Christine, Linda and Miranda attended a further meeting with Metlink on the proposed changes to the bus network. Linda has taken the time to put together an update of the changes as they affect Houghton Valley and Southgate services. [No attachment]

Published as Issue No. 61

30 January, 2013

Here is the first 2013 issue of the two-weekly community newsletter which goes to 170 households in and around Houghton Valley. It is compiled by Grant and Norman although much is written by others who provide information about activities of local interest – all contributions are welcomed.

In order to give more notice about events on a coming weekend mail-out has been brought forward to Wednesdays, around 7 pm. Please pass the newsletter on to others who may be interested or provide details so we can add them to the mailing list.

Leachate in Houghton Bay: People concerned about this have arranged to meet with the City Council to present ideas about leachate going onto the beach from the old landfill. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 13 February from 3.30 – 4.30 pm and will be held in Committee Room 2 on the ground floor at WCC Offices in Wakefield Street.

World famous in South Wellington: For the 2012 issue of its magazine Colin Feslier of the Wellington Southern Bays Historical Society, wrote an article about Houghton Valley (not attached). The magazine is held in the Island Bay and Wellington Central libraries. The Society’s collection of documents, photos etc is held at the Island Bay Community Centre and open to the public on Friday’s between 10 am and 2 pm.

Houghton Valley Creek Walk: An email from Jenny of Houghton Bay Road asked:

“I was wondering who would be interested in doing a creek walk one evening in February to share everything we all know about the creek and the dump drainage?  I thought we could arrange to meet at the top and work our way down to below the playground or right to the beach, exploring all the side streams, dump pipes etc.
 
We would share what we know about the history and could also share our ideas as to what we would like “lifting the creek” to be, with the objective of coming up with a shared vision..  At this stage we would not be worrying about the details of how it could be achieved, but what we would like to see eventually.”

So, on Friday 8 February there will be an evening walk to discover Houghton Valley’s (very hidden!) waterways. Meet at 7 pm at the top of Sinclair Park by the old slide, the source of the original creek. The plan is to make our way down the valley following the line of the creek as closely as possible exploring tributaries and sharing knowledge about its history, perhaps finishing at the beach. Ideas will be shared about “Lifting the Creek” Wear appropriate shoes and clothing for scrambling and bring torches for peering down pipes and something for a shared supper. For further information contact Jenny of Houghton Bay Rd.

First 2013 local film night: The first film will be shown on Tuesday 12 February at 7.30 pm at Houghton Valley School. (Please note change of night from Wednesday to Tuesday for a couple of screenings.) Queen of the Sun- What Are the Bees Telling Us? is a look at the global bee crisis. Michael Pollan and Vandana Shiva are featured, followed by coffee, cake and conversation. Further information contact Miranda.

Te Kawakawa Commons: Working bee on Sunday 10 February, 10 am start. Help weed, cut back vines and plant more natives. Excellent company and morning tea provided. Bring along some seedlings/seeds as the vegetable garden’s soil is improving day by day and growing some truly tasty produce. Further information contact Miranda.

On the buses: Christine, chair of the Houghton Valley Progressive Association and Linda from View Rd have been keeping us up to date with their efforts to ensure the present Routes 22 and 23 survive the Regional Council’s major review of routes. Councillor Daran Ponter has reported the design of the new system has now been confirmed with a copy of the final decision available at http://www.gw.govt.nz/assets/councilreports/Report_PDFs/2012_497_1_Report.pdf. [Link not current] The Council is now undertaking more detailed planning of route timetables and will put these out for comment in a few months.

Archaeological dig: Due to on-going interest in what was found, and learned last February a family-friendly gathering is being planned to report back on what was found. This will probably be late in February on a weekend. Date, place and time to be advised in the next newsletter.

Graffiti voucher: As promised in the last newsletter a voucher is attached which can be printed off and taken to Resene to get paint that will deal with any graffiti problems. (no attachment)

Regards, Grant and Norman

Published as Issue No. 60

20 December, 2012

Welcome to the new members. We now have 171 people / families on the list.

An ice cream shop temporarily returned to Houghton Valley this week when Brian and Benje from View Rd decided to celebrate the end of the working year. Ice cream stall: (no photo)

Message from Brenda of View Rd South: The Kae Miller Trust is delighted with the new tree plantings this year around the Alice Kreb Lodge and the park. Well done to the TRIG group – Kae Miller would have been very happy. The lodge has been regularly used this year and bookings are coming in for next year. As well with the work being done now on the tracks by W.C.C. the park is developing and a great place for walks. Merry Christmas and the best 2013 to all. Brenda, caretaker Alice Krebs Lodge.

Message from Peter of Hornsey Rd. Banded Birds: There have been a large number of birds banded in the area over the last 10 years. This includes Houghton Bay, Houghton Valley School and Hornsey Rd as well as further afield at the Wellington Zoo and Island Bay. If you find a dead bird could you please let me know or report it on the DOC website @ http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/birds/bird-banding/reporting-a-bird-band/. (link not current) Even better, if you have the chance to record the band number on a live bird I would also love to get that information. The information we need is date of its demise, or of finding it, the location and if possible the cause of death. If possible I am happy to collect any birds as I can often find out more information by a close inspection. We have had a number of recoveries recently from this area including birds hitting windows, having fatal road accidents, collected by a cat as well as the commonest “just found dead”, or in one case, it fell out of a tree. Every report is valuable and adds more information to the data base. Thanks Peter

Message from Dave of Houghton Bay Rd: Here is a photo of Hugh waterproofing the Houghton Valley hall roof. Thanks Hugh! We all seem to lead such busy lives now that it can be hard to imagine the generosity of the Sinclair family in bequeathing us the land and how the hall was built by a large contribution of labour and money from local people. Over the decades the hall has had many uses. Who knows what wonderful uses our children will find for this community asset?

Message Miranda of Hornsey Rd: Christmas on Te Kawakawa Commons. All are welcome to join neighbours for cake and drinks up on the Commons on Christmas Day from early afternoon.

Message from Emma Titcombe, City Safety Advisor (WCC): Attached is a flyer that gives information on how to remove graffiti and a voucher for free and/or discounted paint at Resene to help paint out graffiti/tagging. Any questions around graffiti do not hesitate to contact me. Thanks.

That’s all folks for 2012. We are going to take a short break. The next issue will appear on Wednesday 30 January (issues will be sent out on Wednesdays from now on). As a community a lot has been achieved this year. Here is a brief list of accomplishments: Archaeological Dig; Arts and Writing group; Bird banding; Film evenings; Ice Cream stall; Chook house, Seedling exchange and upgraded Lizard Sanctuary at the Community Garden; Local bus timetable review; New Traffic Intersection; Plantings by six different groups; Play Centre Anniversary; Te Kawakawa Commons; Track names and track upgrade in View Rd / Te Raekaihau Park. So congratulations to everybody for making our community a better place to live in.

Local Exchange:

Holiday Visitors Overflow?: Separate sleep-out with own bathroom/shower and double bed; also second carpeted room, could supply blow up double mattress. View Rd.

Published as Issue No. 58

6 December, 2012




Welcome to the new members.

At the end of November for the the past ten years or more Brenda of Houghton Bay Rd has been putting up Christmas decorations for the children who come to the playground opposite her house. This year she had some great help from her two grandchildren, Liam and Megan (no photo). Many times in past years Brenda has found a note from children in her letterbox thanking her for making Christmas something special. (no photo)

Te Raekaihau Restoration Group: This Saturday we are having our walk along the Te Raekaihau headland. The plan is for the keen ones to meet at 1 pm to do a bit of tree releasing around the lookout, then about 2.30 pm we will take a stroll along the headland, with a diversion down the Ruru Track (it runs down to The Pines) to check out the gully for some under-storey planting next year. At the headland we shall celebrate the year’s work with an afternoon picnic, so bring some food and drink to share.

Te Kawakawa Opening Day: A reminder the Te Kawakawa Commons (Hornsey Rd) opening day is this Sunday 9 December starting 12 midday with the Mayor officially opening the garden at 12.30 pm (no poster attached). 

Leachates into Houghton Bay: John of Island Bay says local and Island Bay people have long been aware of the pollution of Houghton Bay and in August the stench got to the point they wrote to the mayor. The question was just bounced to the Regional Council. Many further efforts gathered information that the City Council is required to do something, and is planning to do nothing. It is reported that there are two problems; continual leakage and occasions when the flow is too great and leachate, with mixed fresh water, is emptied into the bay. It seems that we need to find a solution and force the Council to take action. More about possible community action in the next newsletter.

Bus Review – latest meeting: Christine (President Houghton Valley Progressive Association) reports the local team who attended the recent meeting in Kilbirnie were pretty happy with the revised plans and the changes are looking positive for Houghton Valley and environs’ residents. Once the new draft maps are signed off they will be posted on the Greater Wellington Council website. We’ll also include them with a future newsletter.

Feedback on Intersection: Whatever improvement have been made at the intersection cars are still travelling too fast once they have passed through. Local feedback sought in the last newsletter:

• ” … acceleration to extremely high speed once they pass the roundabout, this is worrying in any case but particularly so with children often in the vicinity.”
• ” … definitely too fast given that there is a school, park and play centre on that road, cars drive way too fast. Speed bumps would be great!”

Next steps to engage with council under consideration.

Regards, Norman and Grant

Published as Issue No. 57

22 November, 2012

At the movies: The last community film night for the year will be held on Wednesday 28 November, 7.30 at Houghton Valley School. Two short films, totalling an hour, are on offer- Psychology For a Better World featuring Auckland sustainability promoter and psychologist Niki Harre and The End of Growth, a talk by US economist Richard Heinberg (filmed when he was in Auckland) who argues the current economic model of infinite growth on a planet with finite resources is outdated and dangerous to life on earth. But is there another way?
 Cake, coffee and discussion afterwards. If you haven’t been invited to The Hobbit opening this just might be the next best thing! Hope to see you there, Miranda.


An unintended consequence?: Some locals have suggested traffic travelling up Houghton Bay and Hungerford Roads is travelling faster and more often as a consequence of the new traffic intersection – perhaps treating the left-hand turn as a chicane on a race track to be taken at maximum speed. When the council declined to add speed bumps as part of the upgrade they did agree to monitor this aspect and make changes if needed. Let us know your experience, one way or the other, as follow-up could be needed.

Te Kawakawa Commons Community Garden’s Opening Day: This is on Sunday 9 December starting at midday. The Mayor Celia Wade-Brown will ‘open’ the garden at 1 pm. Bring a picnic and enjoy the peaceful surroundings and gorgeous views. A coffee cart will be on site, cake and elderflower cordial provided by local cooks, Common Sense Organics has donated some goodies. Bring veggies or seedlings for the swap and share table, treasure hunt for the children, piñata and excursions to the tree hut. Catch up with neighbours and meet new ones. Miranda 


Elderberry Cordial: Sarah from Houghton Bay Rd asks – does anyone know where I can pick elderflowers (preferably away from the side of the road) to make cordial to sell at the next HVS Fair? 


What’s to be done?: When there is something to be done, someone emerges to do it – or words to that effect, was a comment made when the organizing team for the archaeological dig gathered recently to celebrate the event. Examples of this are many in Houghton Valley, whether its preparing submissions about proposed bus route changes, maintaining the hall, designing a website, planting and re-generation, etc. and working in the community garden. As a regular visitor – but not a worker- I observe the latter as a strong example of community sharing. Not everyone is there every Sunday (sometimes people are busy on other projects or just busy or perhaps unwell) but it all works out in the end. When the vegetables are ready all share in the harvest, including the chickens that alongside Compostologist John have helped fertilise the land. I’ve been known to come away with a seedling or two myself, perhaps recompense for helping produce this newsletter. Norman, with apologies to those involved with all the other projects not mentioned here.

Regards, Norman and Grant

Published as Issue No. 56

8 November, 2012

Welcome to new members.

Te Raekaihau Restoration Group Working bee: This Saturday November 10, from 2 – 5 pm. We will be focusing on the Peace Grove: making hay in the picnic area, finishing off releasing the plants, weeding the track and carting up the rest of the firewood. So bring along suitable haymaking equipment, gloves and pruning tools.

Message from the Community Garden: We have lots of Kolrabi and snow pea seedlings to exchange.

Message from Dave (caretaker of HVS): Sometime after the school fair and Sunday 1 pm someone demolished the window on the stair landing and smashed the window locks of the school office. Please notify the school if you were passing through the grounds during this period and spotted the damage or other unusual activity. There is a pattern of similar damage to nearby homes over the last year or so and all information is helpful.

Te Kawakawa Commons: Working bee from this Sunday 11 November from midday to finish the planting to the cleared area, the bank and the flat bit above the road.

Making a Difference: In August 2011 local people learned of the Council’s intention to upgrade the Esplanade/Houghton Bay Rd intersection, reviewed the plans and insisted they were not good enough. Extensive consultation, sometimes in the form of strong disagreement with traffic engineers, followed over a year. Now the new intersection is ready for summer.

Comparing the original and final versions of the plans below show major changes as a result of community input:

• Traffic from all directions must slow down;
• Safer options have been created for pedestrians to cross the roads at several points;
• Pedestrians have been separated from vehicles parking;
• A greatly expanded and re-designed parking area to address the chaotic and dangerous situation created when when ‘surf was up’.

As they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating but from their observations over the last two weeks local people believe its working well. One of the hoped for but yet to be confirmed benefits is to cyclists from ‘calmer’ vehicles moving through the intersection. Comments on any aspect of the upgrade welcome.

Regards, Norman and Grant

Published as Issue No. 55

25 October, 2012

Welcome to people who have joint the list in the last two weeks.

A Fair-ly busy community: Months in the making, many hours in the baking, and growing and organising … this Saturday is Houghton Valley’s biggest annual event, the School Fair. It’s become something of tradition that even people who don’t have children at the school get involved. The gates open at 10 am and the fair lasts until 2 pm – just in time to walk up to the PlayCentre (through the community garden) to help them celebrate their 60th birthday from 2 – 4 pm. For people who missed the archaeological dig earlier this year some of the displays and items found will be shown.

Film Night: Wednesday 31 October Houghton Valley School 7.30 pm. Following on from the success of the first event there is now have the opportunity to see the recently made Urban Permaculture featuring Australian permaculture teacher Geoff Lawton. Small intensely cultivated city plots show how permaculture is used to create abundance. Expect more comfy chairs this time and a community catch-up over coffee and cake. For more information ring Miranda.

TriG working bee: starting at 2 pm Saturday, at the Alice Krebs Cottage – a last chance to put in a few more rescued grasses, and beginning the tree releasing, weeding process.

Town Belt review: Wellington City Council is reviewing how is manages the Town Belt and last year approved nine guiding principles for its management. They are now in the second stage of this work and seeking public views on the Draft Town Belt Management Plan including Legislative changes for a Parliamentary Bill that would strengthen the protection of the Town Belt. A copy of the summary document and the draft plan and drafting instructions are available on www.wellington.govt.nz/haveyoursay/publicinput/2012-10-townbelt.html [link not current] and in Council libraries and the Council Service Centre at 101 Wakefield Street. Comments are due by Monday 10 December 2012.

• Te Kawakawa Commons working bee: Saturday 3 November 1 pm. In preparation for the opening day (December 9: more about that soon) a substantial pile of green waste needs to be dragged down the bank for Council pick up while the mulch needs to be brought up. Weeding is available for the less adventurously inclined. Tea and cake provided at regular intervals. For more information ring James.

Regards, Norman and Grant

Published as Issue No. 54

11 October, 2012

Welcome to those who have recently joined this list.

Did you see this?: Local resident Sophie – and her dog – were hit by a taxi on the crossing at Houghton Bay and View Roads around 8.40 pm. last Sunday. She asks anyone who witnessed this to contact her.

Wellington Bus Review: Since the public meeting at the school earlier this year, and the Houghton Valley submission strongly objecting to the planned changes, local people including Christine from Buckley Rd and Linda from View Rd have continued to be involved with this review on our behalf. The next meeting organised by the Regional Council is in Kilbirnie on November 6. [No attachment.] Three local people can attend, if you are interested to join Christine and Linda please contact Christine  before October 26.

Houghton Valley Progressive Association Meeting: The next meeting of the HVPA is at 4 pm Sunday, October 13 in the Community Hall. Meetings generally last for about an hour; all welcome.

Second film evening: For gardeners and anyone interested in growing healthy, diverse food crops, the next community film evening is about the principles and practice of Permaculture: Houghton Valley School Wednesday 31 October, 7.30 pm. Miranda comments – “This time the film will be shorter, the chairs more comfortable while the food and coffee will hopefully be just as good!” For more information contact her.

Her report on the first gathering last month: Eighteen locals got together to watch Urban Roots, a film about urban farming and local food production. It was great to meet new neighbours over coffee and cake while discussing international and closer to home issues. Other titles that might be of interest for future evenings are Vanishing of the Bees, Living with Renewable Energy, Garbage Warrior (about building with renewable materials) and How Cuba Survived Peak Oil.

From a Houghton Valley School chook: Last week after nearly eight years the school bade a sad farewell to its principal, Barry Schon, who left become principal of Johnsonville School. Parents will be aware of their children’s academic achievements through teacher interviews, school newsletters etc. What may not be appreciated is how Barry enabled the school to more truly live the spirit of its motto – ‘A city school in a country setting’. Since his stewardship began the worm farms have thrived, there are now six compost bins and the school has pioneered recycling. A chook farm and a community garden now flourish and new public walkways have opened the forest regeneration project to all. This has resulted in the rich aromas and general untidiness of rural life, something of an anathema to our modern education system. 
Barry modelled sustainable transport and often the school rocked on weekends and nights as his Boom Box blasted out an eclectic choice of music. At the farewell one of the chooks gave him a surprise presentation of a framed drawing from all the worms, the chooks, the green mulch (‘weeds’), the birds of the forest and the people of the community garden. [No attachment.] He leaves us a fine legacy.

Houghton Valley School Fair: Saturday 27 October, 10 am – 2 pm. Eftpos, live music, coffee, great food, garden seedlings; fun for the kids.

Houghton Valley PlayCentre’s Open Day: Saturday 27 October, 2 – 4 pm. After the fair why not walk up to the PlayCentre – through the community garden – to celebrate their 60th anniversary.

SELL, SWAP OR SHARE 

Jacob from Houghton Bay Rd: I have a mate who is studying wasps and is using my bees for a micro chipping study. We are looking for a possible wasp site in the valley so could you put the word out and send me a email if one is about? Thanks.

Community gardeners: We are giving away vegetable seedlings in exchange for a gold coin koha. Presently there are corn, tomatoes, zucchini or beans. Come down to the garden after 2 pm on Sundays.

Regards, Norman and Grant