Kapi-Mana News

Kapi-Mana News - August 9

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Sallies offer more bangers for your buck

BY ANDREA O'NEIL - Kapi-Mana News

If you'd like to take the family out for dinner but even the prices at McDonald's make you wince, a planned Salvation Army weekly dinner could be for you.

Tawa teenage girls sought for self-confidence workshop

BY ANDREA O'NEIL - Kapi-Mana News

A new wardrobe can do you wonders, as 30 Tawa teenage girls are set to find out.

Farewell to a Titahi Bay character

Obituary

BY ANDREA O'NEIL - Kapi-Mana News

Titahi Bay man Fred Bonnette, better known by his motorcycling moniker 'Redfred', was an icon both among his mates in the Kapiti Ulysses older motorcyclists' club, and among his neighbours in Titahi Bay, for his eccentricity, generosity, inventiveness and spark.

Survey figures help determine city's needs

BY KRIS DANDO - Kapi-Mana News

Awareness of Porirua's population growth, the crimes that occur most, number of residents living in the 'most deprived areas' and even the tally of those who catch the train to work every day are among statistics Porirua City Council and community organisations rely on to drive policy.

Long, hard road for abuse survivor

BY DIANE JOYCE - Kapi-Mana News

The little bit of discomfort Barb Mullen might experience walking nearly 800 kilometres will be a "breeze" compared to the hell some New Zealand children go through at the hands of their abusers.

Net addict hopes to live off his YouTube clips

BY ANDREA O'NEIL - Kapi-Mana News

Parents of internet-addicted teenagers may be relieved to see where a YouTube habit has taken Tawa man Andrew Strugnell.

Allegiance pledged to shared governance

BY ANDREA O'NEIL - Kapi-Mana News

Six Porirua City councillors have all but come out in support of a unified governance structure for the Wellington region.

Porirua Employment Hub likely to close

BY KRIS DANDO - Kapi-Mana News

The Porirua Employment Hub is expected to close, a victim of funding cuts and complications, with many of its tenants facing an uncertain future.

Call for speed humps on Windley St

BY KRIS DANDO - Kapi-Mana News

A Windley St resident is rallying support from her neighbours to petition the city council for speed bumps as the noise and velocity of "hooning" motorists becomes a concern.

Porirua's 10-year-plan next smartphone trend?

BY ANDREA O'NEIL - Kapi-Mana News

Love your smartphone but want to do something more worthwhile than play Angry Birds?

Failure to fill youth role a sign of what's to come, fears Kropp

BY KRIS DANDO - Kapi-Mana News

Bronwyn Kropp is crying foul over the city council's failure to employ a youth development advisor, fearing it will lead to cutbacks in youth services.

Councils struggle with dog attacks

BY ANDREA O'NEIL - Kapi-Mana News

"Status dogs", bought to enhance their owners' reputations, are behind a recent spate of vicious dog attacks on children, a dog advocate says, but the council is stumped about how to control them.

Creekfest headliners announced

BY ANDREA O'NEIL - Kapi-Mana News

Creekfest organisers have a knack for turning setbacks into triumphs.

Care needed near school crossings

BY ANDREA O'NEIL - Kapi-Mana News

Returning schoolkids have more to worry about this week than new teachers and times tables - they're most at risk of being hit by cars as term one begins.

Manufacturer puzzled by fake press release

BY ANDREA O'NEIL - Kapi-Mana News

Elsdon's Cryovac Sealed Air plant will not be shutting down, contrary to a press release sent to media throughout the North Island last week.

Wakepark wading through paper

BY KRIS DANDO - Kapi-Mana News

The man behind the proposed wakeboard park for Aotea Lagoon is hopeful of having the watersports attraction up and running next summer.

Dearth of kids data irks mayor

Porirua mayor Nick Leggett is dismayed at the lack of robust health data he's been able to obtain on Porirua children.

Midnight Express off track

The future of the Midnight Express youth service is again in doubt.

Pay & display parking hits Porirua

Medium-term parking in Porirua's CBD has been made available from today, costing $1 an hour.

Disabled bus traveller gets rough treatment

A Waitangirua resident, whose partner has a disability, says an ongoing problem with Mana Coach Services has them at wits end.

Festival of the Elements a melting pot of colour and cultures

Porirua's annual Waitangi Day event, The Festival of the Elements, offered a variety of sights and experiences.

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Porirua boy unconscious for 11 days

BY ANDREA O'NEIL - Kapi-Mana News

Strict diet and exercise is more than just a new year's resolution for one Ascot Park family - it's a matter of life or death, after their "miracle boy" recovered from a mystery illness.

Kate Gainsford ready to lead Aotea

BY KRIS DANDO - Kapi-Mana News

Kate Gainsford could barely contain her excitement.

Couple advocates not giving up

BY KRIS DANDO - Kapi-Mana News

"If you have to ask 'when do I know I'm in love?' then you're not."

Backers of arts venue project accept 'timing isn't right'

BY ANDREA O'NEIL - Kapi-Mana News

The performing arts theatre project appears destined for the backburner as its organising committee accept the timing is not ideal for an expensive civic venture.

Sportacular benefits whole community

BY KRIS DANDO - Kapi-Mana News

Aotea College is holding another 'sportacular' fundraiser - but this time with a few differences.

Archers rekindle Robin Hood era

BY ANDREA O'NEIL - Kapi-Mana News

It wasn't so much a case of Robin Hood as of Maid Marian at a recent archery competition in the forests of Ranui.

TRYathlon open to all

Kapi-Mana News

The Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon is turning 20 years old, and local kids aged 7 to 15 can register to be part of the sporting history.

Boy borrows All Black's shoes to win gold

A Titahi Bay boy who arrived shoeless at an athletes meet ended up borrowing shoes off an All Black before going on to win gold.

Youth programme celebrates milestone

BY KRIS DANDO - Kapi-Mana News

Streets Ahead 237 celebrated one year as a charitable trust last week, and they have plenty planned for 2012.

Clean up your act or else ratepayers pay

BY ANDREA O'NEIL - Kapi-Mana News

Ratepayers are the losers when it comes to illegal dumping of rubbish, Porirua City Council warns.

Inlet's future sand pit or money pit?

BY KRIS DANDO - Kapi-Mana News

Dredging Pauatahanui Inlet has been described as "literally throwing $5 million into a hole" but at least one organisation does not believe the option should be discounted.

Police in hunt for sock-gloved car thief

BY ANDREA O'NEIL - Kapi-Mana News

A bestockinged car thief nicknamed the "sock bandit" is targeting Kinloch Pl in Papakowhai, stealing two cars and stealing from many more in the last fortnight.

Crafty fun at country fair

BY ANDREA O'NEIL - Kapi-Mana News

Thousands of people enjoyed the tasty treats and rustic pleasures of Battle Hill at Saturday's Eat, Drink & Be Crafty fair.

$10m price-tag to make council building earthquake proof

Earthquake-proofing Porirua City Council's building would cost $10m - twice the building's value.

The booming business of charity

BY JIM CHIPP - Kapi-Mana News

Some Wellington charity supporters may be surprised to learn how much of their donation ends up in private Australian hands. One fundraising company charges charities 80 to 90 per cent of the first year's donations and its fee is paid up front.

Council urged to clean up its own streams

BY JIM CHIPP - Kapi-Mana News

After her first year as a Wellington regional councillor, former Porirua mayor Jenny Brash says the council should put its own house in order.

Titahi Bay beach policies working, says council

BY KRIS DANDO - Kapi-Mana News

Gates left open at Titahi Bay beach, which allowed car hoons and a heated confrontation between them and a resident, was an isolated incident, says Porirua City Council chief executive Gary Simpson, confident their beach access and lighting policies are working.

Ngati Toa elders honoured

BY KRIS DANDO - Kapi-Mana News

Ngati Toa elders were welcomed onto at Takapuwahia Marae last week and took the opportunity to share their memories of growing up in Porirua, "around the pa", and observe how much the area has changed.

Gratitude for Titahi Bay searchers' efforts

BY ANDREA O'NEIL - Kapi-Mana News

The search for missing swimmer Albert Alapati ended January 19 when his body was found at 4.45am by police at the south end of Titahi Bay.

Whitireia Park wounds healing

BY ANDREA O'NEIL - Kapi-Mana News

The effort of locals in restoring Whitireia Park after 2010's devastating bushfire was celebrated on Saturday during a public tour of the reserve.

Bounce down to Battle Hill

BY ANDREA O'NEIL - Kapi-Mana News

PREVIEW: If sipping a craft beer or lemon liqueur in the sun, artisan burger in hand, while the kids occupy themselves with old- fashioned games sounds like a decent day out, don't miss this weekend's Eat, Drink and be Crafty fair at Battle Hill.

Drownings hit Pacific families too regularly

BY ANDREA O'NEIL - Kapi-Mana News

The drowning of 24-year-old Samoan man Albert Alapati last week was a local example of the tragic relationship between Pacific people and drowning. ANDREA O'NEIL finds out why the Pacific community is over-represented in drowning figures and what is being done about it.

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