Local Happenings

Houghton Valley Email Newsletter

8 September 2011

Welcome to the new members. There are 116 on the email list now. This email news is a short one for a change:

Houghton Bay intersection upgrade: the new plan included in the last email newsletter generated several responses, which were passed onto Norman from View Rd. He has been unable to address these replies because is working on a project in Whakatane. However when he returns in the next week, he will be in touch.

Planting at Te Raekaihau – a message from Brenda: The Kae Miller Trust thanks Jenny and her team for the great work with the Peace Grove area. See photo above.

EVENTS CALENDAR

11 September at Waitangi Park 1 – 4 pm: bring your ‘worst weed’ from your garden and exchange it for a free native plant. There are other events happening as well during this week which is Conservation Week 11 – 18 September. 

17 September South Coast Cleanup 2011: for details go to: http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation-week-home/whats-happening/wellington-kapiti/wellington-south-coast-clean-up/ (Link not current.)

Houghton Valley Email Newsletter

25 August, 2011

Hot off the Press! Houghton Bay intersection upgrade: Today we received an amended plan for the re-design of the Houghton Bay intersection from city council traffic engineer Stuart Bullen. He commented: “I am still in discussions with parks over the issue of relocating the boulders back slightly to allow vehicles to park and pedestrians to walk freely on the footpath. The proposed bollards although would improve pedestrian safety do not need to be installed if we believe that no safety benefits are gained.”


He wants to hear back from our community asap so work can be started in November, and finished for summer. Please have a look at the plan; better still take a copy down to the beach and see first hand what is proposed. One idea mooted earlier is locating the ‘pedestrian refuge islands’ on The Esplanade 30 metres or so further towards Island Bay.
 If there is sufficient interest I am willing to host a meeting next Thursday September 1 at 7 pm to discuss.  In the meantime please send Grant your comments for circulation, also advising if you would like to meet.
 – Norman

EVENTS CALENDAR

• Saturday 27 August: At 11 am a small group is going to meet and discuss plans for maintenance of the garden around the Alice Kreb cottage and ecological restoration of the Te Raekaihau headland. Other interested people are most welcome, but please note there will be a proper working bee the following weekend.
• Sunday 28 August: Planting at 10.30 am near the playground on Houghton Bay Rd – with the friends of Buckley Rd.
• Saturday  3 September: From 2 – 5 pm there will be a working bee up near the Alice Krebs Cottage on Te Raekaihau headland, and a variety of activities will take place around the cottage and the Peace Grove. Please bring the implement of your choice: a spade for planting or shelving tracks; a metal rake for rolling up tradescantia weed; a pruning saw or loppers for trimming karo; hedge clippers for cutting grass; and of course gloves and something for afternoon tea.

Stewardship debate: Do we want a system of Stewardship for Houghton Bay? What kind of community do we want to live in? Should it be a legal entity or just a communication network? Do we need vision statements? Is there a better word than stewardship? Would it include a local economic systems and sharing resources? These are some of the questions currently being asked in response to jenny’s initiative. Below is a summarised version of many locals views and a fuller account can be found on our Facebook Page.

• “The word Stewardship doesn’t sit well with me. I looked it up in dictionary. I think something like Community Living for Houghton Bay something with a co-operative feel. Where we live is about the people and the land together. I have been caring for the land for thirty years my relationship with that activity is very happy. I would like more of what I didn’t have in the past; connection with others. How can I connect with others who may be feeling alienated. How can we make Houghton Bay a safe haven for our children now and in the future? What can we offer in this way ? How do we sow seeds to help this grow?”
• “I suppose I see Stewardship as a coordination of all the projects within the area so that people are working for a common cause but in their own field. Hence the individual plans, but all worked up in light of what else is going on. I think this is an excellent first draft – the value of such a statement comes when all  proposed projects are measured against it prior to any decision to go ahead with, modify, or reject, them.”
• “Some people get clear by thinking/writing, others by doing things and building on what emerges. Similarly some individuals see what needs to be done and get on with it, others prefer to work in a group. There’s no right or wrong way for a community to progress apart from celebrating its diversity.”
• “And as Jenny points out, there are further layers of more focussed plans and documentation, which can usefully grow from such a start. I think that vision statements should be just that; visionary and that doing what the Council does (as in lots of words and paper) isn’t how the community needs to do it. Our experience with getting people along to plant is; you have to appeal to them emotionally i.e. have a good time, have some sense of connection, make them feel that they are involved with something really important.”
• I thought the idea of a vision is great. One thing that I think would be a community asset – and I realise this would have to come from the Council – is a couple of tennis courts. You may know there used to be two courts years ago in the school grounds. I like the ideas, I could also add transport/carpooling, and something about private sustainable development i.e. ideas and advice on solar energy and rainwater harvesting, home gardens etc.  Maybe we shouldn’t call them plans yet as it seems a bit official.”
• “An alternative to Stewardship could be the Maori word kaitiaki (guardian).”
• “I like decentralised adaptive models  and I have been thinking that if we were able to develop a really effective (and fun) communication network embracing the 4 – 500 houses, then maybe thats enough to activate stewardship i.e. if someone notices a problem on the tracks, locals broadcast it on the network, and it gets dealt with by those with the time and energy. Using mobile technologies is a possibility (apart from the lack of reception), and perhaps sound works could work (as we are mainly a valley), or light works.”

A Whanau Forest Project: The HVS Rainforest is a special part of Houghton Valley. Every student at HVS is part of a whanau, that takes care of the forest. Recently, the school received a donation of trees from the council and during the next four weeks parents and kids and teachers will working together planting and  caring for the rainforest.

Support for Houghton Valley community garden: fruit trees from Operation  Green Thumb will be arriving soon. Several bags of coffee grounds were delivered  thanks to Steve from Buckley Rd (Mojo coffee).

Regards, Grant

Houghton Valley Email Newsletter

11 August, 2011

Welcome to new members, there are now 111 in the email group, which celebrates its first year in existence. Because the newsletter began as an email group for four locals determined to start a community garden, it also celebrates a year since the garden began. Above is a photo taken by Lucy of Houghton Bay Rd at the garden on Sunday, (no easy task thanks to a raging southerly).

Houghton Bay intersection upgrade: A dozen locals meet with Stuart Bullen (Team Leader Traffic
 Transport,
WCC) at the beach car park this morning to discuss options for the upgrade to the intersection. Stuart provided a revised proposal taking into account comments provided last week; the general consensus was this is an improvement. Stuart’s amiable attitude created an easy process; he took on board the comments today and will get back to us with new changes for comment. He told us that he has never received as much community response before. Work is expected to start in November. If you want to comment on this and see the map, see the last newsletter.

Stewardship for Houghton Bay: There seems to have been an explosion of ‘local’ activity in recent weeks. In addition to tree plantings (3) and meetings about civil defence and the intersection upgrade people seem to be thinking about where they live and how to make this community all it can be.  This includes discussion about what is a resilient model able to adapt and evolve? Jenny from Hungerford Rd came up with the idea of a vision statement and prepared something for others to think about:

“Houghton Bay is a thriving community with an active social, resource and community response network; a variety of locally generated events and activities; a healthy and cared for natural habitat; and regularly used communal lands and facilities for gardens, recreation and social interaction.

It seems to be the thing these days to show people like the Council that we know (and agree upon) where we are headed, so I thought the beginning of a Stewardship Plan is to have a vision for the future that we will work towards. I thought the Plan (or system) would be in fact a collection of more focussed plans such as:

• Natural Habitat Restoration Plan;
• Civil Defence Plan;
• Community Gardens and Orchards Plan;
• Events Calendar;
• Anything else people want to develop …

The main thing would be to establish what areas are designated, or could be used for a particular activity should people what to go further with it. I thought it might be cool to have a Houghton Valley Little Festival, which could be kicked off by the School Fair (rather than bringing in all the boring same old Hawkers that the others all have), and we could have walks and talks and playing field events etc.


This raises questions such as; if there was an effective and comprehensive communication network would systems activate themselves as needs arise?  Is local involvement with the upgrade to the Houghton Bay intersection an example of this? What do you think?”

This discussion is currently on our Facebook Page.

TimeBanking: A message from Nick of View Rd: “The Wellington South TimeBank is a community led project, supported by the Newtown Community and Cultural Centre. It is currently in its developmental phase, and we hope to have it launched by late Spring!”

What is TimeBanking?: TimeBanking is the trading of skills within a community, using time rather than money, as the measurement tool. As well as being a trading system, it can help to build new relationships, encourage local networking, and give value to people’s skills that we might not normally think twice about. TimeBanks already operate successfully throughout various parts of NZ, as well as in a number of other countries.  (Take a look at Lyttelton’s website for more info: http://www.lyttelton.net.nz/timebank)

Want to learn about TimeBanking in the Wellington South Area?: To register your interest and keep up to date with news, info and upcoming workshops, check out Wellington TimeBank.

Te Raekaihau Point planting: Around 20 people, some locals but mostly from beyond, benefited from a balmy Sunday morning to plant bushes, grasses and shrubs at Te Raekaihau Point. Many were members of the ‘Save the Point’ group, whose efforts a few years back resulted in the abandonment of plans to use the location for a marine education centre and restaurant. This planting is part of a $350,000 restoration and upgrade of the area by the City Council – mostly funded by the Plimmer Bequest – which has recently seen extensive landscaping and changes to parking.

Further information see: http://www.wellington.govt.nz/projects/new/teraekaihau.html. (Link not current.)

See photo on facebook (no photo).

EVENTS CALENDAR

Kae Miller Founding Day Planting: Saturday 13 August at 2 pm, there will be planting around the Alice Kreb Cottage – walk up the track leading from View Rd south to the airport beacon.  The planting is to honour and celebrate founding day and the founder Kae Millar. There will be scones and tea in the cottage.

Friends of Buckley Rd Planting: Sunday 14 August at 10.30  am to finish off what was started 2 weeks ago – meet at 125 Buckley Rd.

Basin Reserve bypass (Option X) discussion: Monday 15th August at 7.30 pm during the Newtown residents Association meeting at Newtown Hall, Daniel St, Newtown. The Architecture Centre are going to present the details of the alternative underpass plan – it’s a scheme that separates the state highway from the southern suburbs local traffic without a flyover with the aim of giving the city much more green space and a better less intrusive traffic flow in the area.

This is not able to be considered by NZTA unless lots of public support for Option X is received by NZTA before 26 August. 

School Fair: 
The ‘world-famous in Houghton Valley’ School Fair is on Saturday 12 November, put it in your dairy. They are seeking donations of good quality clothes, toys and books; if you are doing a clean out don’t just think about donating to the Salvation Army. Their silent auction needs items such as artworks, nostalgic toys, services, interesting bits of furniture, china or jewellery. They would love to get donations of produce such as lemons, tamarillos, apples, pears, rhubarb, navel oranges etc to make preserves for the deli stall. Even if you don’t have children at the school there are lots of ways to get involved such as knitting squares to make a blanket. Questions or suggestions, contact Sarah.

Keep warm, Grant

Houghton Valley Email Newsletter

28 July, 2011

Welcome to new members, there are now 103 people on the list (a special welcome to ‘our’ community policeman, Dean).

Civil Defence Meeting:  30 people turned up to listen to Mark and Jo (from Houghton Bay Rd). Their knowledge about the range and impact of emergencies that could affect us was very informative. The next step is to develop a community response plan specific to Houghton Bay (which will be sent out in a newsletter).More photos have been posted on our Facebook Page.

Jenny from Houghton bay Rd was selling the emergency torch/radio/cell phone charger/sirens for sale for $40.00. If anyone wants one, contact her.

Houghton Bay intersection upgrade: below is a message from Norman of View Rd:

“Following Grant’s email late last week there has been a flurry of responses and phone calls about how to respond to Council plans to make changes to the Houghton Bay intersection. Because time is short I took the initiative to write to the Council on Sunday night – see below. I see this as a once in a decade opportunity to make a real improvement and am willing to put some time into co-coordinating the local response. If you are interested in getting involved please contact me.” 


To: Stuart Bullen
,Team Leader Traffic
 Transport Group Infrastructure
Wellington City Council.

Dear Stuart,

I am writing to you on behalf of residents in the Houghton Bay area about proposed changes to the intersection of Houghton Bay Rd and The Esplanade. We are delighted at this council initiative, the safety of users of this intersection is something discussed in some detail recently via the email newsletter circulated to 100-plus people in the area. This communication is intended as a first response to your request for feedback: 

• We wish to provide input to the re-design of the intersection as ‘people affected’, i.e. local residents who drive, park, walk, cycle, surf/swim/picnic and regularly pass through this intersection for recreation on the south coast and as a route to other destinations such as travelling to work and shopping in Island Bay and Kilbirnie: 
• There will be a number of people who wish to have their views heard and who have insights into the issues and solutions based on experience from living the areas for many years; 
• While we do not wish to hold up the work – hopefully it can be completed by summer – there  is insufficient time between now and July 29 for a community consultation process and our considered response;
• We are not traffic engineers but a number of people have raised questions with aspects of the proposal. Example of this are how they meet the needs of cyclists and also parking issues when ‘surf is up’. 

There are a numbers of ways for consultation to take place; ideas that have been mooted include first meeting with you on location to better understand the Council’s plans.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Norman

Planting natives: This Sunday with the Friends of Buckley Rd. Meet at Sinclair Park playing fields, 10.30-12.30. Then coffee afterwards! See you there, Ian and Kate.

Community Garden: every Sunday 2 – 4 pm. The garden is situated just north of the school.

Houghton Valley Progressive Association AGM: This Sunday at 4 pm in the Community Hall. The Association was formed in 1926 by locals to help the community (At that time it was called Haughton Valley). It has a rich and colourful history. For instance, the hall was nearly pulled down in the 90s, but saved at the last minute by locals. Many decisions made by the Association still resonate today.

Planting natives: At Te Raekaihau Point Sunday 7 August, 9.30 am. Meet at the Point car park. See you there, Sunita of Te Raekaihau Coast Care.

Community Garden first Anniversary, Sunday, 7 August: Celebrate with the gardeners at 3 pm in the garden.

Dave from Houghton Bay Rd: Dave has made a video, titled The Ego and Consumer Powerswitch and you can watch it here.

Keep warm, Grant

Houghton Valley Email Newsletter

23 July, 2011

This newsletter is normally sent out every 2 weeks, except when there are special announcements. See the plan of the proposed changes to the Houghton bay Rd and the Esplanade intersection. We have until the 29th to respond. (Attached letter missing.)

Many thanks to Janine from Houghton Bay Rd, whose subtle intervention persuaded the council to consult with residents.

Cheers, Grant

PS the Civil Defence meeting held last Wednesday was very successful – about 30 locals turned up. A summary of the meeting will be included in the next newsletter (28th July).

Houghton Valley Email Newsletter

18 July, 2011

Civil Defence: Just a quick reminder about the Civil Defence meeting this Wednesday at 7 pm.

Message from Jenny of houghton Bay Rd: Emergency Torches will be for sale at the Civil Defence Meeting. These are dynamo torches (no batteries required). They also have a radio, a siren and 5 adapters for charging cell phones. They are great for the home, work, the car and as presents. They are $40 each, please pay by cash or cheque. (This is a fundraiser for my singing group.) Please see attached picture (although the torches are yellow not black).

See you there, Grant

Houghton Valley Email Newsletter

14 July, 2011

Reminder of the follow-up local Civil Defence planning meeting: Houghton Bay School Hall 7 pm Wednesday July 20, 2011. It will finish at 8.45 pm followed by supper (you may have also received a leaflet in your letterbox). Further information contact Norman.

Houghton Valley Community Garden: It now has new top soil, a garden shed, a worm farm in an old bath, and Dave has started constructing a lizard shelter next the garden. A small lawn and seating area is also being built for locals to come and relax in.

Electric lawn mower: if anyone has one that can be used to cut the lawn of an elderly couple who live in Cave Rd, please let me know.

Crime in View Rd: approximately 4 – 6 break-ins have occurred in recent weeks. Pat from View Rd has been reporting anything suspicious to police. If you know of anything let police know asap.

See you all on Wednesday night, Grant

Houghton Valley Email Newsletter

30 June, 2011

More people joined this week, so welcome to them (the total is now 92).

Celebrate the opening of the Hornsey Rd footpath: Monday, 4 July. Due to be finished at the end of this week. Parents are organising a “Walk Home from School Day” to celebrate. Meet in the playground next to the bus queue after school on Monday and walk up the hill together. There will be cake when you get to Hornsey Rd. Any questions, call Emma.

HV school Art Exhibition and Enterprise and Auction: Friday, 8 July (8.30 am – 4.30 pm) and Saturday 9 July (2 – 4 pm):

• Art exhibition of children’s work;
• Sales of ‘enterprise items’’ made by children;
• Auction of large class artworks, starting at 5 pm: available for viewing on website beforehand.

The Second Civil Defence Meeting: Wednesday, 20 July from 7 – 9 pm in the school hall. Mark and Jo (from Houghton Bay Rd), who will be facilitating the meeting, work for the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management and have a wealth of experience in planning and responding to many emergency events of many sizes. The aim of the evening is to begin developing a community response plan.

Bush tracks: Here is a message from Dave (from Houghton Bay Rd): “The weather on Sunday (19 June) was cool with showers. However this did not deter a dozen American students and their NZ guides from travelling to Houghton Valley and volunteering their morning to clearing a new section of track linking the PlayCentre with ‘The Forest’, the community garden and our school. As the Track Workers photos show, they stripped right down and got stuck into clearing the wall of blackberry and scarfing out a new track for our little ones. (one photo missing).

Roundabout on the corner of Houghton Bay Rd and The Esplanade: a couple of locals have been told by council workers and contractors that a roundabout is going to be installed on the corner of Houghton Bay Rd and The Esplanade, but there has been no mention of a pedestrian crossing. Has anyone else heard anything?

Piebe’s seat opening on Te Raekaihau Pt: the celebration took place last Saturday in fine, calm weather.

Motorbikes on Bush Tracks: I’m pleased to report that one was caught and giving a ‘good talking to’ by Janine and her partner (from Houghton Bay Rd).

Another message from Dave (from Houghton Bay Rd): Many of you may have seen the article in the Cook Strait News this week entitled Shedding Locks. It features Nick and Jamie. They have been working towards Hilary Awards and over the last several months they have volunteered many of hours helping clear the community garden and improving the Haunted Hut Track and the Fantail Guide Track through ‘The Forest’ by the School. We wish you well Nick.

A message from Janine (from Houghton Bay Rd): For all those interested in the future of our city see the attached Symposium on Wellington’s Future.

I hope everyone is keeping warm.

Cheers, Grant

Houghton Valley Email Newsletter

16 June, 2011

Piebe’s Seat: the celebration will take place at the seat this Saturday, at 3 pm to honour the work Piebe has done in View Rd Park since 1973 and to thank the HV Progressive Association for providing the funds for the seat. The quickest way to get there is drive to Princess Bay and walk up the track from the bay that’s got an orange step with ‘Peters (Piebe) track’ on it. When you get to the top (overlooking Waitaha Cove), turn right and walk until you get to the point above Te Raekaihau beach. If you prefer a good walk, start from View Rd south and follow the green line on the map.


Here is  a message from Dave: “Join us this Sunday when about 15 Australearn students from America will be visiting Houghton Valley and donating their time to helping with the Coastal Forest Regeneration Project at Houghton Valley School. The working bee is from 9 – 11.30 am and, weather permitting, we plan to improve the track through ‘The Forest’ from the PlayCentre to the Community Garden. Tools required: spades, shovels and grubbers.  It’s a great chance to enjoy our bush and our visitors. Many thanks.” – Dave

Civil Defence: After the CD meeting that was held in the school hall in March, Mark and Jo offered to run a follow-up CD community planning meeting. This is going to happen in July and I will let everyone know as soon as the date is decided.

Native Birds: Kate from HV School saw 6 kakariki (native green parrots) near the gutbuster (opposite the school) last Monday. If anyone sees any native birds, please let me know. I saw a Ruru (native owl) last week in the bush tracks beside the community garden.

Trail bikes on bush tracks: trail bikes (the small variety) have been seen and heard on the bush tracks, on the western side of Houghton bay Rd. If you hear one close to you, take a photo with your cell phone and email it to me. I will send them the WCC Parks and Reserves Department.

See you Saturday.

Regards, Grant

Houghton Valley Email Newsletter

2 June, 2011

Just a short newsletter this time.

Piebe’s Seat: A celebration will take place at the seat on Saturday, 11 June at 3 pm to honour the work Piebe has done in View Rd park since 1973.  I will send out a reminder towards the end of next week.

Community Garden: The working bee was very successful. Many thanks to all those who turned up to help and those who bought the wonderful cakes and scones for afternoon tea. We have cleared the whole section now so there are more garden plots available. Also a big thank you to the school for their ongoing support – this has been an important factor in the success of the garden.

Facebook: Check out our Facebook Page for more photos showing what has been going on.

Enjoy Queens birthday weekend and keep warm everyone!

Regards, Grant