Otaki

BY VIVIENNE BAILEY

Super successful Christmas Market

Pleasant weather and festive, feel-good vibes brought the 2022 Te Horo Christmas Market (the sixteenth) to a super successful conclusion. The fundraising event added nearly $4k to the hall upgrade budget.

The positive outcome was due in part to the generosity of Pak’n Save who sponsored the sausage sizzle and Santa’s gifts, to local businesses, Te Horo Garden Centre (donation of plants), and Ruth Pretty who donated a boxed Christmas cake. However, the result was largely down to hall committee members, their family and friends who gave time, materials, and donated items.

“The team yet again pulled hard to make this event happen,” committee chairperson, Sharon Hurst said. “They are good-hearted and generous souls and I want to thank them publicly for their commitment.”

Raffle results:

Firewood won by Jennifer, Te Horo

Santa cake won by Chris, Te Horo Money Tree won by Wendy, Te Horo Ruth Pretty won by Rosalie, Paraparaumu Beach

Loved 4 Life continues wrapping new-borns in Christmas quilts. Established in Te Horo in 2007 as a response to the tragic deaths of the Kahu twins, Loved 4 Life continues to create special Christmas quilts for Kapiti new-born babies.

The not-for-profit organisation now has sixteen branches throughout the North Island, extending into Wellington, the Wairarapa, Hawkes Bay, Tauranga, Omokoroa, Welcome Bay and Te Tairawhiti as well as three active branches in Kapiti (including Otaki) with more than fifty volunteers. A Loved 4 Life was also established recently in Oamaru. As well as quilts volunteers meet monthly to sew and knit pure merino wool into garments, underlining the original vision of “having a positive impact on families, that every child will be Loved 4 Life and

KCDC removing Te Horo Beach blocks

Kāpiti Coast Mayor Janet Holborow has asked Council to remove the concrete blocks that Council had recently placed at the northern beach access.

Mayor Holborow says she made this call “in recognition of the decision made by council alongside decisions regarding the Beach Bylaw not to have a physical barrier in that location.”

“In retrospect, I’m not sure that operational responses should have been made during that process, but the fact remains that they were, so we need to honour that.

“The placement of the barrier was to avoid ongoing actions that have been in breach of the bylaw. We still need to address that, but we need to move forward positively and in consultation with the community and, in my view, parents will have the necessary skills and support to make this happen.”

Founder, Marcia Guest McGrath said their goal was to reach out to families in the local community after a birth to show they are loved and supported.

Loved 4 Life is supported by the Tindall Foundation and Paraparaumu/Raumati Community Boards, and donations from community members of pure cotton fabrics and wool.

The organisation continues to need volunteers who can quilt, knit or cook a meal. For further information contact Marcia Guest McGrath 4mjguest@gmail. com or Helen Thompson helen. thompson@slingshot.co.nz or go to www. loved4life.com

New function and events centre for Te Horo

A unique venue opened recently in Te Horo with the aim of energising and restoring our environment, to plant an arboretum or library of exotic and native trees for future New Zealanders to enjoy. Arcus is the brainchild and passion project of property owners, Nic Preddle and Alice Hearnshaw who plan to combine regenerative plans with leadership training, corporate gatherings, team building days, staff celebrations, leadership development, away-days, executive offsites and retreats within the rural surrounds. Nic’s leadership training and events company, CluedUp will host the events, welcoming Wellington, Horowhenua and Kapiti business communities to Arcus.

“ For every event held at Arcus, we’ll plant a tree with a plague dedicated to that organisation or group,” said Alice. “So, everyone who supports Arcus becomes a partner to our mission to put more trees in the earth, and that’s got to be a good thing.” that’s difficult while the blocks remain.

“I am determined to protect the area, and will work with councillors, community board members and the community to achieve that.

“The actions taken by elected members were alongside staff and were carried out in good faith to try to achieve a positive environmental outcome and to support the Beach Bylaw provisions. I support them in their goal to achieve those aims.

“The removal of the blocks doesn’t condone breaching the bylaw, which doesn’t allow access to the beach from this point.

“Let’s all move forward positively for the good of the environment and the community,” said Mayor Holborow.