Pots festival draws 5000

The Festival of Pots and Garden Art had its 14th event in late January, drawing about 5000 visitors through the gates at Anam Cara.

With sunny weather throughout the week-long event, organisers at the Ōtaki Pottery Club were delighted. At press time they were still counting the commission on artwork sales, but along with the $5 a head gate charge, they were expecting a bumper take.

“We were extremely pleased with how it all went,” said Sue Wilson, co-convenor of the festival along with long-time potter Rod Graham. “We had many comments about the quality of the artworks that were on display and for sale.”

She said a more professional approach to the display of artwork indoors enhanced the overall feel of the festival.

“We got new screens and plinths and it made a big difference.”

Beach blocks on way out

The concrete blocks barring access to the beach at Te Horo are being removed.

The blocks were installed by Kāpiti Coast District Council just before Christmas after a submission to the Waikanae Community Board. However, opposition from several Te Horo Beach residents was swift, arguing there had been no consultation.

Mayor Janet Holborow weighed in on the debate and asked staff for the barriers to be removed, “so that we can re-set the conversation and come up with a solution which is good for the community, good for the environment, and avoids behaviour which disburbs beach users and the beach ecosystem” (see Janet’s View, page 16).

The council says the blocks were put in as a temporary measure after complaints about driver behaviour on the beach, and damage to the ecologically important Mangaone Stream mouth.

“The blocks are not intended to be a permanent feature, but council officers do need to ensure that the intent of the Beach Bylaw 2021 is achieved,” group manager place and space Mike Mendonca said. “We are working through the issues associated with this across the district. We need to strike a balance between enabling public access, maintaining public safety, and protecting our precious ecosystems.”

He said the blocks were being removed after discussion with members of the Te Horo community, but the issues that prompted their initial placement remained.

The blocks will be discussed at the next Waikanae Community Board meeting on February 28.

Ōtaki Today understands the blocks were being removed about the time of publication.