POINT WELLS CRIER
In this Crier:
Representation Review
The security camera has arrived
Shoreline Adaptation Plan
From the archives: how to look after your car!
Halloween pics Spotlight on local business The perfect Christmas cocktail
Point Wells Crier
Summer 2024-25
concern with the current plan, and feedback from association members has been sent back to the Council (published in this edition)
MerryChristmas! ThePWCRA
Welcome to the Summer 2024-25 issue of our quarterly village newsletter
Our aim is to provide items of local interest and/or from local contributors to advise, inform and amuse the residents of our beautiful community We hope you enjoy reading it Thank you to our contributors You are what makes this magazine special If you have something you’d like to share, please email it to our editor alanajclint@hotmail com
We do, of course, rely on advertising revenue to be able to produce and print The Point Wells Crier, so our heartfelt thanks to all our current advertisers for their continued support We ask that you please support them in return by buying local when you can
If you would like to place an advertisement in The Crier, please email our Treasurer pointwellscratreasurer@gmail com PWCRA Committee
From the archives: how to look after your car!
Halloween pics
Spotlight on local business
The perfect Christmas cocktail
On Sunday 10th November, the Harbour Hospice held their sold out, Homes and Garden Tour around Point Wells They successfully raised over $50,000 of funding for the Hospice, and made use of our hall facilities which were busy with attendees, stalls and food trucks
From the Hospice, “What a day! 500 cups of tea consumed and 450 scones Our Christmas cakes stand sold out and the eftpos machines never stopped going at the other stalls Dozens and dozens of plants were sold, and we had a fantastic silent auction.”
The Point Wells Hall has been booked out frequently for children’s birthday parties, community events and will be hosting several weddings over summer
With our lovely deck at the back of the hall opening onto our village green and playground the Hall is the perfect venue for all events
Do you need a local venue to host lots of family? or do you have a summer event coming up and need a wet weather plan? Please enquire now to book our hall
Most of our bookings are for nonresidents! We encourage you to use this local venue Our rates are cheap, facilities well-kept and it is easy to book
We would love to see more regular classes held in Point Wells
If you would like to hold a class, workshop or community event, please get in touch with Ann – email pointwellscra@gmailcom
Merry Christmas!
Point Wells Hall
Photos from the Harbour Hospice Homes & Garden Tour 2024
Representation Review- Rodney Local Board
The Point Wells Ratepayers and Community Association provided feedback on the recent representation review proposal via a submission to Governing Body Members.
The feedback included concerns about the use of 2018 census data to estimate the size of community and representation requirements, challenges with engagement with Rodney local board, and worry that members from other parts of Rodney will not support the issues we have in our area – including the Shoreline Adaptation Plan consultation.
What happens next:
Auckland Council has finalised a proposal for representation arrangements for the 2025 local elections
After consultation on our initial proposal, our Joint Governance Working Party considered: 2359 submissions from the public
19 submissions from local boards
The Governing Body made a final decision after reviewing the working group's suggestions for changing the original proposal based on feedback they received
The one-month period for submitting an objection or appeal under the Local Electoral Act 2001 was open from 3 October to 3 November 2024 and has now closed
The council received a total of 18 appeals and objections, which have now been referred to the Local Government Commission to make an independent decision
The Local Government Commission has confirmed that a hearing will be held in-person on Tuesday 4
February 2025 in the Auckland Town Hall Reception Lounge More information will be shared on this page closer to the time and will be shared by the PWCRA
Aucklanders can expect an outcome on the proposal by April 2025 This allows time for changes to be introduced before the 2025 local elections
The reason for our opposition to the changes are :
The Council has used 2018 census data to justify that Warkworth is not growing at same rate as other parts of Rodney and can therefore give up a representative This data is now inaccurate and doesn’t align to the Council’s official population growth predictions
While we agree that other areas might be getting larger and require more representation, this doesn’t mean we should have to reduce ours
Point Wells belongs to the eastern coastal group of communities that has specific concerns with sea level rise, coastal erosion and protection of community assets that more inland communities do not have
We don’t believe a Wellsford based representative will advocate for us and our issues
The Warkworth subdivision produces significantly more rates than other parts of Rodney and where possible this should be invested back into our community and interests, not spread across a huge new northern area
At a recent meeting, the Rodney Local Board voted to support the proposal with some amendments This means it is very likely to go ahead, despite the strong opposition from our area. It will be very important to ensure that our local concerns are well understood by the next local board members and are a significant pollical issue in the next election 2025
Watch Alan talk on behalf of Point Wells here : https://akhaveyoursayaucklandcoun cilgovtnz/auckland-councilrepresentationproject/widgets/445819/videos/27570
From left, existing Rodney subdivision boundaries, NAG’s preferred proposal and the option local board members ended up supporting From: https://www.localmatters.co.nz/auckland-council/board-bids-for-fairer-local-government-boundaries-in-rodney/
Representation Review Hearings Session – 3rd September 2024 September 04, 2024
Council
In October, a representative from Auckland Council attended a community meeting to discuss the Shoreline Adaptation Plan for Point Wells. Over 100 concerned residents gathered to learn about the outcome of our recent submission and to hear how the Council plans to address the anticipated sea level rise in the Whangateau Harbour.
The primary concern raised by residents was the lack of information and commitment from the Council regarding the protection of Riverside Drive from erosion, as well as the future of the historic seawall around Point Wells. Residents were dismayed when Council representatives indicated that the seawall only extends in front of the boat ramp playground and that the Council does not see itself as responsible for maintaining other "assets."
There was also confusion about the process for residents whose homes are not behind a seawall, particularly regarding how they can apply for consent to build a new seawall along other parts of the shoreline reserve.
Point Wells has recently attracted media attention due to an ongoing legal dispute between the Council and private homeowners who have built structures further toward the Omaha Causeway.
Now that the Council has informed residents of the potential risks ahead, the PWCRA believes it is essential for residents to receive clear and transparent information about how private homeowners can address these risks and take action to "hold the line" where possible.
A second submission has been drafted on behalf of association members and will be sent to Auckland Council. This submission, along with the Council’s response and feedback, will be published in the next edition of the Crier.
The PWCRA welcomes the involvement of residents who are interested in this important issue. We expect significant engagement with the Council, and any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Please contact the Point Wells Treasurer if you would like to help.
pointwellscratreasureer@gmail.com
Community Security Camera in Point Wells Village
The PWCRA is proud to announce that after 4 years of bureaucratic wrangling with Auckland Transport, the committee has funded a community security camera to monitor all vehicles entering and exiting the village.
The camera is located on a private property, as the process for installing a camera on Auckland Transport assets was long winded and challenging, and our association members made it clear at our AGM that security was a priority and they voted for the camera
How will the security camera work?
The camera footage will be managed by Insite Security If an association member reports a crime to NZ Police and they request footage from Insite it will be released.
The PWCRA will not monitor or provide footage to requesters
The camera is in place to be deterrent to criminals who think that they can drive into Point Wells and commit crime without detection
The camera is part of network of private CCTV across the village and we strongly recommend that residents also install CCTV and join the network Security Cam.
The PWCRA has a policy in place to manage the operational and legal aspects of the camera This is available to association members
Who has access to the camera footage?
The PWCRA members funded the full cost of the camera and installation. We strongly advise all members of our community to join our association to support ongoing security and safety initiatives in the village. Only Police or Insite Security can access the footage.
Why do we need a security camera?
For several years Point Wells residents have been concerned about crime. The PWCRA have been trying to have a camera installed to monitor Point Wells Road to ensure that any vehicles involved in criminal activity can be noted.
There has been a slight increase in crimes reported to the PWCRA in the last year
Crime continues to be a national and regional concern, with Auckland still suffering the highest crimes rates in the county
House burglaries and car thefts are typically committed by professionals who will target areas and take advantage of villages like Point Wells where residents are often very trusting, and often away from home
Connoisseurs Club
The Connoisseurs Pot Luck Christmas dinners on 21 November was an outstanding success with 60+ locals enjoying the Christmas food and festivities The hall itself scrubbed up well and was in a festive mood all night
Thanks to the PWCRA for subsidising the food and drinks, and to all the volunteers who helped, whether in setup, serving, or tidying up
After enjoying a New Year extended break, the first one for 2025 will be on Thursday 20th March 2025 Hilary and a new team of coordinators are looking forward to getting involved. They and their volunteer hosts have some exciting events planned throughout the coming year and look forward to seeing you there in the Point Wells Hall, every 3rd Thursday at 6pm
Details will follow re PWCRA email and Pt Wells community page on Facebook mark the dates in your calendar
The Connisours Club has been running for decades, and is a lovely place to meet new friends in the village Come along each month to enjoy a delicious meal, catch up with fellow residents and enjoy a fantastic social enviornment
Point Wells Library
Many thanks to all those who helped with the Book Sale last Saturday We made just over $1600 on the day plus what we will get from Unicorn Books. So, it was an excellent effort
Huge thanks to those who helped with the setting up and more importantly the clearing up at the end of the sale It is heavy work, particularly for those who are lucky enough to have qualified for their gold card. Therefore next year we would love to see more people (who have not reached that magical age) to volunteer a few hours over that weekend for the set up and breakdown of the Book Sale
Another enormous thanks to Re Sort – Northland Waste for looking after our left over books They very kindly sponsor the library for this The library will, of course, be open over the Christmas break and we hope to see lots of people in there It will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day though
Thank you to all our volunteers. We had a very nice get together last Friday and were lucky with the weather and were able to take advantage of the evening sun on the hall veranda while sorting out the world
If you would like to volunteer at the library give one of our committee members a call
The new Auckland Bulk Loan have arrived so will be available this coming week, so with the combination of that and our book buyers intending to go out next week and buy up new books there will be heaps of new choice in the library for the holidays - so look out for them on Facebook
Wishing everyone a very happy holiday break and look forward to seeing you at the library pointwellslibrary@gmail.com
Point Wells Garden Circle
Harbour Hospice Homes & Gardens Tour 2024 held on Sunday 10 November in Point Wells was a superb local event, very well organised by Harbour Hospice people and generously supported by the local residents who allowed 400 ticket holders to view their lovely properties
There were so many people involved, contributing in many different ways – sponsors, businesses, volunteers and punters - a fantastic community effort for “Point Wells the Garden Village”, living up to its name
It was great to see all the garden enthusiasts walking around the village Point Wells Hall was looking its very best for the occasion, full of guests enjoying afternoon teas, the large display of donated silent auction items and garden art stalls, with the grounds full of food trucks, plant stalls and people milling around socialising
Congratulations to everyone involved in making it a memorable day and a huge success, raising $50,000 for services in the Warkworth/Wellsford area
ried range of residents’ and age in Warkworth; ck Creek Road d winning Duck ar old garden in s Garden & as a Garden of ealand Gardens o charming gardens ryl Thompson plus & Phil Francis on
as lunch for 80 & Richard Hart’s Omaha Flats Road. eople for sharing
e new members and our committee At ry we will be having u are happy to share rom you
Firstly a brief update regarding the Brigades new medical vehicle The utility vehicle is now due into NZ in early January 2025 Following its fit out, we are expecting it to be operational by mid February Will keep you posted further by the next edition
A couple of weeks before writing this, I was involved in a car accident in an Auckland suburb, after a car drove straight through a stop sign and I tee-boned it in the passenger side Effectively it was a low-speed accident (50 kph) but the impact was hard I suffered no injury and although the other driver was dazed, he appeared otherwise uninjured Sadly, my dear Ute was ‘munted’ and has been written off Many neighbours came out to have a look, ‘rubber necking’ at the vehicles and the unfortunate drivers When eventually bored they toddled off back inside to watch the evening news or their dinner
Now I write this, not to garner sympathy, but it has given me a different perspective Instead of being the responder, I was the victim (for want of a better description) and subsequently viewed the scene through a different lens Only a couple of the spectators stepped forward to offer assistance, not that a lot could be done at that time, but the limited offers were appreciated One woman went to the local dairy and bought bottles of water for us, which while not thirsty, the gesture was most appreciated
By the time of reading this the holiday season will be upon us, which means traffic and lots of it We all know its coming Some of it will be well behaved and some of it less so There will be road accidents, maybe many???
Anyone of us could be one of the first on the scene, so instead of just being one of the ‘rubberneckers,’ what can we do to be of help Here’s a few suggestions, not necessarily in any order, but any one of which can be helpful to those involved or the first responders that follow:
2
1 Check for any dangers, such as powerlines down, fuel leakage, passing traffic etc
3.
Phone an ambulance Don’t assume that someone else has phoned already It is probable that St Johns will notify Fire and Police if required.
Make the scene safe. Park a vehicle in a position to protect the scene, but do not park in a manner that can be considered dangerous and cause further carnage Be sure to leave room for first responders to park when they attend
4.
Forewarn and slow any approaching traffic, but be sure to keep yourself safe and not at risk of being hit by vehicles Cars with hazard lights flashing is an effective warning Do not assume that all vehicles will heed your warnings, as some do not!!
5
Provide some illumination if it is dark
This could be valuable should the victim go into shock or unable to communicate this later to first responders
9 Take note of any verbal statement from the victims as to the cause of the accident Same as the above, this could prove valuable later, particularly to Police
10 If you are witness to the event make yourself known to the victims if the accident is minor as they may require independent corroboration of the incident If of a more serious, make yourself known to Police Don’t assume that someone else has provided the evidence required. 11 If its just a minor accident some cleanup may be appropriate, however if a more serious accident, particularly where injury is involved, cleanup is not necessarily recommended as it may well be destroying evidence at the crash scene, especially if awaiting investigation by the Police Serious Crash Unit In such cases cleanup shall be at the Police directive
7
6 Canvas bystanders for anyone with medical knowledge or backgrounds Some people can be hesitant to step forward if they think the scene is under control and may think they are not required
8
Assist any injured people within your abilities. Assistance can be as simple as holding a hand and offering reassurance
Now having said all that, lets just hope that none of this is needed this holiday period and we all have a safe and happy festive season. If this is the case, then this article can just be used to light your next fire Hang on a minute, did I say ‘fire!!!!’ Its mid-summer and things are tinder dry Let’s just put it in the paper recycling instead!!!
I might just use my well-read copy as a coaster for my beer!!! Cheers
Chris Jensen
Take note of any verbal statements made by the victims regarding their injuries or how they are feeling
Warkworth Croquet Club
The Croquet Club located at Point Wells, has once again had a good year, and despite only managing to enter only one team into the Auckland Croquet interclub competition which was a north v south one this year, they managed to come top of the north so head to Pt Chev for a playoff for the ultimate winner in the new year
The Club is also home to Summerset Falls Retirement Village for Auckland’s current inter village golf croquet tournament, with 10 teams also playing north v south format with the final in May 2025 On Wednesday 27th November the village hosted Knightsbridge Retirement Village whose players travelled from Mairangi Bay Each team has eight players and the result after playing two rounds of doubles was a draw on games but Summerset won the day by two hoops on countback
A moderately successful series of ‘have a go’ days was held in November and we have welcomed two new members to the club over the past few months, with several others still in decision mode
A lot of work constantly needs to carried out on the lawn to keep its playing surface, and this is carried out by a great band of volunteers
We are currently investigating various ways of renovating / rejuvenating the club rooms and hope to have something concrete in place in the first half of next year
Christmas lunch was held at the Farmers Daughter, Omaha on the 28th Nov with everyone attending saying how fantastic the food and event was Thank you Farmers Daughter.
Club member, Nelson Morrow has been appointed manager of the NZ team, at the 4th Golf Croquet World Team Championships (The Openshaw Shield), being held in Launceston, Tasmania in February 2025 Nelson has represented NZ in a number of individual World Championships, but this is his first time as manager of a NZ team He was also one of the selectors for this team of 4, under 26 yr old male players NZ the holder of the event will play the other top 7 countries in the world – Australia, Egypt, USA, Spain, South Africa, England and Ireland
The Club is open all over the holidays with the usual playing times of 930 on Monday, Thursday and Saturday Anyone who would like to have a go at croquet is welcome to pop along and join in with play on these days
In rememberance
Beverley Ann AVES, (nee Cartwright)
It is with deep sadness that the family of Bev announced her sudden and unexpected passing Saturday, 7th September 2024, aged 68
Beloved and adored mother and mother-in-law of Logan & Gabby, and Monique & Soren Treasured sister and sister-in-law of Ruth & Brian, and Lynn & Colin Cherished Nana to Mia, Austin, Finn, Addison, Aaliyah, and Louis
Bev was a valued and active member of the Point Wells Community, and all her friends will miss her greatly.
Bev's life are was celebrated at Besoul Funerals, Warkworth, on Sunday, 15th September 2024
StuartAllisterMcCowan
StuartpassedawaysuddenlyinWellingtononDecember1st,2024 Hewasthetreasuredhusband,lifelongpartner,andbestfriendto Lesley Amuch-lovedfatherandspecialmatetoTomandLaurie, dearfather-in-lawtoGeorgie,andadoredgrandadtobabyAlistair
StuartwasacherishedbrothertoMalcolmandChristine,anda belovedbrother-in-lawandfriendtoVicky Hewasalsoamuchloveduncleandfriendtohisnieces,nephews,andtheirpartners
Recentlyretiredasanorthopaedicsurgeon,Stuartwasagreat mentor,esteemedcolleague,andanexceptionalclinicianwho providedunwaveringsupporttohismanypatients
StuartwasalongtermresidentofPointWellsandwillbegreatly missedinthecommunity
Stuart’sfuneralwasheldonDecember9thattheAkaranaEvent Centre,8-10TamakiDrive,Orakei.
Gardening with Andrew Steen
Although predicting the weather is always a lottery, it does appear we might be in for a drier summer than normal.
Water in Point Wells can be a valuable resource, as most of us are on tank water, with a few lucky ones on bore as well Fortunately, there are several methods of saving water while keeping your garden green and lush.
Point Wells peat can absorb huge amounts of water, but when the rain stops and the soil surface gets too dry, it tends to become hydrophobic; this is the technical term for water repellent soil, with the rainwater just running off the surface and into the drain
The key here is to water before the surface becomes hydrophobic and well before plants start to wilt. Wilting is nature’s way of providing the plants with their last chance of survival till the next rain, but prior to this point, production of new shoots, flowers and fruit will have slowed or even stopped
A good water conservation method is to spread a thick layer of mulch at the end of spring while the soil is still damp Effective mulches include sea grass, grass clippings, sawdust, straw, leaf litter, woodchips, old woollen carpet and even gravel Woodchips can be layered up to 5cm deep; less for some of the softer mulches and avoid placing the soft mulches against the stems, as rotting mulch can cause collar rot on some plants.
Mulching helps keep moisture in, protects roots from drying out, keeps the roots cooler, encourages worms and other beneficial soil micro-organisms and reduces the chances of soil becoming hydrophobic. It’s best to water thoroughly before mulching or wait until just after heavy rain, as once mulched, more water is needed to penetrate to the soil.
greenhouse and veggie gardens, “leaky” hoses, soaker hoses and drippers are the most efficient and keep water off the foliage, which reduces evaporation and reduces the potential for disease
In ornamental gardens, permanently installed minisprinklers or driplines save both water and time and can be set up so water isn’t wasted on paths Rotary sprinklers are best for covering large areas such as lawns and fruit trees; these also deliver water more slowly per square metre than the other systems, allowing more time for the water to soak in, but they are the most wasteful method
During watering, check the depth of moist soil to make sure you are putting enough on to soak the dry layer and into the moister soil below, to supply sufficient reserve till the next rain or irrigation Light watering encourages shallow roots, making the plants more prone to drought.
water and nutrients. This is particularly the case for most shrubs, perennials and long-lived veggie crops such as tomatoes and capsicum, less so for short lived crops such as flowering annuals, cucurbits and quick growing veggies such as lettuce and rocket
Always try to water in the early morning to avoid sun burnt leaves, reduce evaporation losses and reduce the risk of disease. If your crop is wilting though, water at any time, as a lack of water is far more serious than any of these other risks Don’t apply water from hoses that have been lying in the sun, this can be very hot and burn leaves and surface roots Let this run into a bucket for using later.
Try to group plantings so plants with similar water requirements are in the same area. For example, bromeliads, succulents and some palms have relatively low water requirements, while hydrangeas, fuchsia, cannas and some ferns need much more water This means you can concentrate your precious water on areas that need it
I’m dreaming of a
M I S T L E T O E
M A R T I N I
The Mistletoe Martini blends the flavour of cranberry with a touch of festive liqueur It's a delicious vodka Christmas cocktail most everyone will love.
Ingredients
1 ½ ounces Vodka
½ ounce Liqueur
1 ½ ounces Cranberry Juice
½ ounce Simple Syrup add Cranberries add Mint Leaves
Directions
1. Pour in vodka, liqueur, cranberry juice and simple syrup
Fill cocktail shaker halfway with ice
2. Shake until chilled.
3. Strain into a martini glass
5.
4. Garnish with a few cranberries and floating mint leaves on top
Point Wells Club
December 2024
REPORT
The club has had a busy but fun year hosting some excellent events and gaining some new members which we love to see.
Some of our events in the last couple of months have been:
Blue September which was a great fundraiser raising over $4000. We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all our sponsors for their support in making this happen.
Halloween had a great turn out of children from the community. This year the Matakana Fire Brigade lead the parade from the hall down to the club. Many prizes were won with the best dressed receiving prizes from Jodi at Bayleys and the Point Wells Club.
The Point Wells Ratepayers Association kindly provided a sausage sizzle with 200 sausages proving to be very popular and disappeared fast. Also, we can’t forget to give a special thanks to Keith from Bandwagon for supplying the music.
PUT
We are hosting the Bayleys Christmas Letterbox Competition on the 20th De at 5 00pm We look forward to seeing yo down at the club
Club Bowls - We have started bowls a Saturday afternoon from 3pm. This is ages, and you don’t need any experienc Please, grab a group of friends and com for some fun
On the 5th November, the Club hosted its first Melbourne Cup Day which was very well supported by our members. It was lovely to see everyone dressed up for the occasion and a lot of fun and laughter was had on the day.
We were so pleased to see all our volunteer’s turn up to our annual Volunteer’s Thank You drinks & nibbles. The club couldn’t run without all the help and support our volunteers provide, so a huge thank you to everyone. For those of you who have some spare time and would like to be part of the volunteer team, we would love to hear from you.
We would like to acknowledge John and Carol McBeth. Not only were they valued members of the community but have been a great asset to the club. They have just recently moved out of the community after selling their home to be closer to their family on the North Shore. You would always find John and Mac down at the club doing maintenance of some kind, and Carol provided support with the Club’s publicity. Thank you both for all your help. You will be missed by all.
We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the passing of some of our valued members this year and our thoughts go out to all their families.
Finally, the club would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please, if you are thinking about joining, we would love to see new faces at the club. Feel free to pop down and see what the club is all about!
Thank you to all the community for your support during 2024.
Point Wells Committee
Contact details: ptwellsbc@gmail,com or for events or hirage: ptwellsevents@gmail.com
Point Wells Emergency Management & Community Resilience
PREPARING FOR AN EMERGENCY EVENT IN THE VILLAGE
EVACUATE TO TAKATU ROAD
Auckland Emergency Management is working with Local Boards to prepare Emergency Management Plans These will help inform Point Wells and other communities in Rodney on how best to prepare for emergency management events. In the meantime, the Point Wells Committee is committed to building on our own emergency management plan – which will best direct us all to how to manage a major emergency event like Cyclone Gabrielle.
What should we prepare for?
Tsunami Emergencies
Auckland Emergency Management (AEM) and Auckland Council have just released their new tsunami risk map, which shows coastal and inland flood risk from tsunami.
Long term residents can recall large tsunami waves that landed on our coastline in the 1960s. The risk is real, and Point Wells is low lying with only one exit way. Being prepared for receiving alerts and evacuating is our best way of preparing for this emergency event.
The risk map now indicates that areas exposed to the Pacific Ocean like Aotea Great Barrier Island and Auckland’s northeastern coastal communities are still at risk of large tsunami, as is anyone that enjoys the beaches and marine areas of the region. In the map Whangateau Harbour, Omaha Bay and up to Leigh are clearly indicated in red.
Point Wells Emergency Management & Community Resilience
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS:
Our Tsunami Sirens have been decommissioned and will not go off in the event of a Tsunami event. It is very important that every household in Point Wells is aware of this and in a state of emergency preparedness the main warnings and alerts will come via our mobile phones, which means keep a phone at hand, turned on and always charged. Don’t turn your phone off at night!
When visiting Omaha Beach be aware of the best place to move to in the event of a Tsunami event Do not attempt to evacuate to the Whangateau estuary or cross the bridge, if possible, instead move to higher ground at the southern end of the beach
HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODING
This year we have already had severe weather events, that put us all at risk of power outages, wind damage to our properties and assets and even surface flooding
Prepare your home and property:
Keep your drains clean and clear If you share a drain with neighbors discuss how this will be managed together Point Wells has a unique drainage system that allows the surface water to flow off our properties – but it doesn’t work if there are blockages
Have a list of items that need to be put away in storage or tied down in the event of high winds. Trampolines and outdoor furniture can easily shift in the winds causing damage Keep up with tree maintenance – falling branches can not only cause injury but damage roofs and vehicles easily. They also take out power lines
Keep your gutters clean and clear
SOME TIPS IN THE EVENT OF HEAVY RAIN:
Stay up to date with warnings and watches at MetService: https://www.metservice.com/ warnings/home
If heavy rain is forecast, clear stormwater drains and gutters to help prevent surface flooding
In high winds – secure or bring inside your outdoor items like trampolines, wheelie bins, chairs, and pets
Stay out of flood waters Do not drive or walk through it. Flood water is dangerous, strong currents can sweep away cars, structures and people. It can contain debris, sewage and chemicals that will make you sick.
Check road conditions at before travelling: https://www journeys nzta govt nz/traffic/regions/9
Have an evacuation plan and prepare a grab bag with essentials. Follow any instructions about evacuation of your area Flash floods can happen quickly so if you see rising water do not wait for official warnings, self-evacuate GTFO (Get The Flood Out)
From the archives
Comment from the Editor: Very practical and helpful information for car owners, amusing that the driver is for certain male
Things you can do with your car
YourBattery
Remove the filler plugs from the cells every month and examine the level of electrolyte in each Batteries should be topped up with distilled water until the surface of the electrolyte is just above the separators
Wipe away all dirt and moisture from the top of the battery Clean rainwater can be used if you construct a suitable frame covered by a sheet of polythene with a drain hole made in the centre being collected in a non-metallic container and stored and a clean plastic can This is necessary to avoid iron contamination in the collected water which has a deteriorating effect on the battery plates.
When examining the cells do not hold naked lights neither vent holes or there is a danger of igniting the gas coming from the plates
Buy yourself a good hydrometer, the readings for each of the cells should be approximately the same. If one cell gives a reading very different from the rest it may be that the electrolyte has spewed or has leaked from one of the cells or there is an internal fault
Should a battery being low state of charge it should be recharged by taking the car for a long daytime run or by challenging from an external source of a DC supply at the current rate of four amps until their cells are gassing Freely check the vent plugs making sure with the air passengers are clear and replaced If a battery is out of use for a length of time it should first be fully charged and then give it given a refreshing charge about every fortnight.
The battery must never remain at a discharge condition as the plates will become sulphated and probably in the life of the battery your times.
InstructiononTires.
The modern pneumatic tyre is a splendid product if looked after gives long and trouble free life but that depends on the driver, he is responsible for the correct inflation of the tyres and for the speed he travels.
The average speed of driving has a great effect on the mileage that can be expected from the tire Fast travel on the road causes a vast amount of slip between the tyre and road surface under normal running conditions the wear and slip is about 1 1/2% but it's 60 miles an hour this is increased to 4 1/2 percent or even 5% .
Tires should be changed around every 2000 miles to equalise. The front tyres should especially be changed around as there is extra wear on the outer edge of the tread. Some drivers make good practise and change the tyres every 1000 miles.
NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT
SPRING 2024
CRIME SPOTTING
Neighbourhood Support (which used to be Neighbourhood Watch) has been reactivated for Point Wells and 26 locals have kindly signed up at the Open Day to be members. Signage has gone up around Point Wells and information packs have been delivered Signs do make a difference in crime prevention. We are continuing to welcome more volunteers, so if you’d like to join please contact Anne Holman at anne@rsvpevents.co.nz
SIGN UP FOR COMMUNITY CAM
Community Cam is a voluntary, not for profit community initiative where people can register a property with CCTV, and upload CCTV footage, to help solve crime in their neighbourhood
When a crime is committed, the NZ Police can refer to Community Cam to quickly identify CCTV locations of registered users in and around the scene of the crime This then allows the police to contact you to help with an investigation
Your details are confidential and secure Only the NZ Police can see your information and, if you choose to upload your CCTV footage, the footage is password protected for your security.
Community Cam just lets them know who owns a CCTV system to save valuable time doorknocking. We encourage all CCTV owners in Point Wells to sign up Community Cam™ | Communities working together to solve crime
This will create a web of CCTV that will deter professional thieves and reduce crime in our village.
If you witness and wish to report any of the following in your neighbourhood: theft, burglary, destruction of property, disorder or manner of driving you can phone:
Phone 105 if this has already happened
Phone 111 if this is happening now
Phone anonymously
Crimestoppers
0800 555 111
10% DISCOUNT
At the recent AGM for Neighbourhood Support, Armstrong Security gave a presentation on alarms, safes, locks and general home security. They have offered members of Neighbourhood Support a 10% discount on purchases until October 15th.
Spotlight: Local business
Anne Holman– Registered Mariage Celebrant
We moved to Pt Wells seven and a half years ago and my husband Wayne and I love it here I can’t think of a better or more caring community to live and work
I have been a Registered Marriage Celebrant since 2011 and before that a Wedding and Event Planner
Back in 2001, after many happy years in administration at Singapore Airlines, I decided to start my own Event Management company, RSVP Special Events Over the years I have produced a wide range of events including private parties, conferences, festivals and shows
I then moved on to Wedding Planning It was working with my wedding clients that encouraged me to train as a Marriage Celebrant to provide an added service Since completing my Celebrant training, I now place all my focus on offering this service
We are spoilt for choice in the Pt Wells and Matakana area for destination wedding venues. Some of my favourites where I have officiated are The Stables, Sculptureum, Matakana Estate, Tu Ngutu Villa and Vanderosa Farms. I’ve also had many clients’ weddings on Omaha beach, on farms, at Tawharanui and in their private homes and gardens, which is always special
Weddings with a Celebrant are very flexible and I can think of a few fun things that have happened over the years One couple got married on the beach at Tawharanui and at the end, they ran into the surf, fully clothed to the soundtrack from Star Wars!
The RBNZ cuts the OCR by another 0.50%:
As was widely expected by financial markets and the economic community, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) cut the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by another 0 50% last week That sees the policy rate at 4.25%, well down from the peak of 5.50% and at its lowest level since very early 2023
New Zealand business confidence remains upbeat:
The ANZ Business Outlook survey remained solid in November. Headline confidence slipped marginally from a 10-year high to 64 9, while the Own Activity measure pushed higher to 48 0, the strongest since May 2014.
Inflation indicators also eased, with the net proportion of firms intending to raise their prices over the coming three months declining to 42.2% and inflation expectations falling to 2.5%.
Where to from here for the OCR?
For the OCR, the RBNZ expects to cut more aggressively in 2025, with the new track implying an additional 0 50% of cuts by June 2025 (compared with what the August track implied) However, it still sees the OCR bottoming out at around 3.00% in early 2027.
In short, the RBNZ has frontloaded more of its easing, although it doesn’t see itself reaching the ultimate destination any earlier or the bottom being any lower The next OCR decision comes in mid-February, almost three months away. While another 0.50% cut seems to be the default option for February, this would likely be the final one of this size
Local Kids: Fishing Contest
he 2nd November old Point Wells boys, e, Jake Moore and organised the first ever ayak and dinghy kids tition
hard and independently s competition with tal input They ollect loads of ended up donating a of prizes for the 65 ranging from 3-15
t Wells Dairy and Jodi eys were just 2 of the p hey managed to wrangle
First prize went to 13yr old Chase Lethbridge with his 2.37kg snapper caught off his little inflatable dinghy out at Ti Point
Prizegiving was a fun event with a sausage sizzle, bake sale and lolly scramble. Sausages were donated by Neat Meat and drinks donated from Omaha Superette all the proceeds from this have been donated to the Matakana Pump track.
The ��Beeutiful Scent and Colours of Beeswax Candles ��
The moment visitors step into Beetopia’s Tasting Shed, they are enveloped in the scent of natural beeswax often causing people to murmur smell” whereas
The delicious scent comes from our rather gargantuan collection of diverse candles made from pure beeswax derived from our hardworking ‘girls, Mother Nature and the dedication of the candlemaker.
‘Bloom’ is a whitish film that appears on the surface of pure beeswax candles over time. It does not affect the candle’s
quality. Bloom can easily be removed by wiping or rubbing the candle with a
Behind the scenes, our teams of bees visit 1000s of flowers, shrubs and plants therefore the colour, scent and texture of their beeswax varies due to the natural variations of flora, pollen and honey.
Plants have evolved alongside bees and they learnt that they could actually attract insects to pollinate them by giving them a reward and so the plants that gave the sweetest reward evolved first. Thus there has been this amazing co-evolution and incredible synergy between bees and flowering plants that we can continue to witness today by just sitting in our gardens
The aspects of ‘terroir’ from French for ‘soil/earth’ refers to much more than just soil. Terroir encompasses the entire environment in which plants grow, including the soil's composition, plus the many factors that influence it, such as climate, rainfall, wind, and sunlight.
These environmental conditions shape the plants that bees forage on, affecting everything from the nectar's quality to the colour and flavor of the honey and thus the beeswax that honey is stored in.
differences in color, aroma, and flavor from both North&South islands of Aotearoa. This is the magic of terroir at work, and it's why no two honeys are ever exactly the same. Our Saturday tastings sessions really are a journey into tasting the natural world in all its complexity.
Fun fact : Bees do not go to Four Square to get their wax, nor do they visit your ears….. in fact they produce it themselves from glands on their abdomen ��
Here are our TOP TIPS for optimal beeswax candle enjoyment.
Do not burn candles for short periods. Always allow your candle to burn long enough for the top layer to melt completely, so as to create a good burn pool of wax around the wick - this will prevent tunnelling.
Always clean and trim your candle wick to about 1/4 inch before lighting again. A longer wick can cause the candle to burn unevenly. Furthermore, make sure the wick is kept straight so as not to create uneven burning.
Avoid placing your candle directly in draughts or vents which can cause the candle to burn unevenly. Also avoid placing your candle in direct sunlight as this can alter or bleach the candle’s natural hues.
Always supervise children and pets when burning candles and ensure your candle is placed on an appropriate candle holder or plate to prevent dripping and spillage of hot wax.
Did you know that you can recycle our pure beeswax candle, by melting it down into a smaller candle or using it to make balms or polish, or return it to us at Beetopia and we will give you a discount on your next candle purchase,
visitus visitus
Beetopia is open on Saturdays 93pm or by appointment on 021 02649674 We have a huge range of gift ideas and seriously yummy honey.
As a small family business we would like to sincerely thank all the locals who have supported us and have helped us spread the word about pollinators and NZ honey
- Merry Xmas everyone from us to you ��
The Coastal Trail A Revitalised Vision & Collaboration
The Coastal Trail, formerly known as the Matakana Coast Trail Trust (MCTT), has unveiled a fresh brand and renewed momentum, marking a significant step forward in its long-standing vision.
This ambitious project aims to create over 100 kilometres of trails, connecting Pūhoi to Mangawhai through some of the most scenic areas in the region. The trail will sustainably connect our communities, preserve the environment, and provide exciting outdoor recreational opportunities for both locals and visitors.
A particularly exciting development is the start of construction on a critical 2.2 km section linking Point Wells to Matakana Country Park. After thousands of volunteer hours, this section, which runs along Omaha Flats and Point Wells Road, is set to enhance safety and accessibility for residents and visitors alike.
Scheduled for completion this summer, it promises to transform a previously hazardous route into a safe and inviting path, further enriching the trail network.
To celebrate the progress of The Coastal Trail, a partnership with Sawmill Brewery has led to the creation of The Trail Raiser, a limited-edition Oyster Stout offering locals a unique way to support the project. This collaboration embodies the spirit of sustainability and community; with each can sold, funds directly contribute to the construction of the trail.
Crafted with local Matakana oysters and kawakawa, this silky, spicy stout not only highlights regional flavours but also serves as a toast to community spirit. The evolving can design reflects the ongoing journey of the trail itself, changing with each batch to symbolise the shared vision of bringing The Coastal Trail to life.
As the back of the can explains, "The design reflects the progress we have made in constructing The Coastal Trail cycle path." Every sip of The Trail Raiser encourages supporters to “raise a can to raise some cash,” directly aiding the next stages of trail development.
You can get your hands on a limited edition Trail Raiser from the Sawmill Brewery, The Superette – Omaha, Matakana Liquor, or online at www.thecoastaltrail.co.nz/trailraiser
As The Coastal Trail brand identity takes shape and construction advances, the project stands as a testament to how local action can create lasting change. There are many ways for community members to get involved, whether through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word.
To learn more about The Coastal Trail, its mission, and how you can help, visit www.thecoastaltrail.co.nz 021 984 316.
kidszone
JeremyGibbons
