Kāpiti Independent

Lake Horowhenua is in the spotlight again because the  Horowhenua District Council has finally submitted its resource consent application to […]

The Kāpiti and Waikanae Health Advocacy Groups have met to discuss  ‘urgent and after-hours care’ in the district. Iride McCloy, […]

The Greater Wellington Regional Council has given warning that people and dogs must avoid going into the water at the […]

Kāpiti Mayoral candidate Gwynn Compton is proposing a moratorium on all Council-owned house sales until a proper social housing plan […]

Multi-award-winning Raumati-based author Mandy Hager is the winner of the 2019 Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal for life-time achievement and a […]

Ten projects enhancing the Kāpiti’s environment heritage will get money from the Kāpiti District Council this year. “Each year Council […]

If you want the very latest news, quickest, follow Kapiti Independent on twitter. Our address is — ‘twitter@kapiti_reports’ We provide […]

Kāpiti Districtwide Councillor Jackie Elliott has become the first councillor to condemn the sale of a council house, and the […]

Prue Hyman asks: ‘Fair pay agreements –- will they be allowed to make a difference?’ In her latest column, Prue says: […]

Former Kāpiti Mayor Iride McCloy says the KCDC must act now to protect social housing. And she slates Kāpiti’s present Mayor for […]

A key series of Waitangi Tribunal Hearings will begin at Whakarongotai Marae in Waikanae tomorrow. Large numbers of Maori are […]

The Waikanae ‘pop-up’ library will soon be popping up in the art gallery next door. On Monday 18 February, the Kāpiti Coast District […]

Unique chamber music in Raumati, with  Hayden Chisholm, on tour from Germany. Hayden Chisholm, the internationally acclaimed Kiwi-born jazz composer, alto […]

‘Australia’s former foreign minister aims to help the National return to government, sharing her experience with the party at their […]

Kāpiti Coast mayoral candidate Gwynn Compton says news the KCDC is slowing down a house sale while a family get a suitable […]

Kāpiti Coast District Mayor K Gurunathan has asked Council staff to do everything in their power to avoid the large […]

A new year and time to catch up with some literary achievements — Ralph Mcallister says THE SPY AND THE […]

  Friends of Kapiti Libraries are promising ‘Treats for Readers of all Ages’ with four poets and a varied programme for […]

The Kāpiti Coast Council has replied to claims it is forcing a large family out of a house it owns […]

Kapiti Districtwide Districtwide Councilor Jackie Elliott says if she becomes Mayor she will try to remove the fixed daily water […]

Former Kāpiti Mayor Iride McCloy is appealing to the present Mayor and Council  to abandon plans to force a large Maori […]

  The petition to reinstate the Pekapeka interchange has 500 signatures, with more expected after the weekend. Jeremy Smith reports […]

The KCDC says it doesn’t know when the Waikanae Library will reopen, but a temporary ‘pop-up’ library is proving increasingly popular. The […]

  Veronica Harrod reports Horowhenua ratepayers are paying more for huge debt levels at Horowhenua District Council. These have climbed […]

KCDC  Parks staff have been busy over the past week installing 10 selfie-posts in local parks to make photo-taking easier […]

This photo of a Reverend Murray in the U.S. bears an uncanny resemblance to Kāpiti’s Mayor K Gurunathan (right), but […]

Paraparaumu community campaigner Salima Padamsey has taken the Kāpiti Council to task for its complete failure to honour the life […]

Deirdre Kent, of Waikanae, describes a Kāpiti group’s work to cut air miles…and global warming.  ‘Rebecca McFie, an investigative journalist […]

Supporters of a memorial for Kāpiti’s famous peace campaigner the Very Rev. John Murray want to know why nothing has […]

Harald Daehne, in Berlin, headlines his report:  German Social Democrats before the ruins? He quotes what Lord Rolf Dahrendorf, a German-British […]

‘Oh well everyone – I’m sure we can say happy New Year right up to the end of January?’ says […]

Paraparaumu resident Gwynn Compton has launched the first electoral challege to Kāpiti Mayor,Mr K Gurunathan. Mr Compton is standing for […]

Veronica Harrod reports the Regional Council Horizons has approved a request for more funding for an integrated management plan to […]

Veronica Harrod reports that almost two months after being adopted two Horowhenua District Council strategies on land and property development […]

Lucky escape for teens swept out to sea at Waikanae Beach — Three teenagers had a lucky escape on the […]

Prue Hyman sings the praises of Paekakariki — I hope I can be forgiven for starting my sixth year of […]

Veronica Harrod reports that two strategies about political and economic priorities of Horowhenua District Council for the next 20 years […]

The NZ Anti-Bases Campaign (ABC) says NZ’s  ‘most significant contribution to the US effort to manipulate world business and diplomacy […]

Editor Alan Tristram reports it’s holiday time at the Kapiti Independent. He adds” But we’ll keep a ‘skeleton’ paper going until […]

Local politician Guy Burns says  the KCDC scores only 4.5 out of 10 on performance this past year — and improvementsare  […]

    KIN’s third major poetry prize has been awarded to Paraparaumu poet Sue Byford for her poem ‘Pohutukawa.’ The […]

KCDC Districtwide Cr Jackie Elliott gives her highs and lows of the past year in Council ‘2018 was a busy […]

Ralph McAllister asks: ‘What have these four novels got in common?’ — MILKMAN, LINCOLN IN THE BARDO, THE SELLOUT, and […]

Ralph Macalister presents his holiday selection of non-fiction books… Whether you prefer reading fact or fiction, or jump back and […]

Veronica Harrod reports that last month Horowhenua deputy mayor Wayne Bishop’s  development company was sold 2.7 hectares next to land […]

Local iwi Te Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai says arsenic and lead contamination of watercress in the Wharemauku Stream pose a […]

Prue Hyman gives some random end of year thoughts — Looking back at my 2018 columns, I’ve written with approval […]

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Julie Burns explains how she suddenly found herself organizing a climate change demonstration: “Like so many of us I was […]

A new non-profit indoor market, fundraising for Wellington Shoebox Christmas, will be held at the Waikanae Memorial Hall on Sunday,16th […]

The Kāpiti Coast Council says the Waikanae Library will be closed ‘for the foreseeable future’ as the toxic mould is […]

  The NZ Transport Agency is linking up with the  Kāpiti Coast and Horowhenua District Councils to reduce serious crashes on State […]

Veronica Harrod has been studying a UN report and says heatwaves will be the next big climate change and will […]

Expert sniffer-dog Rhys-Jones has scoured Kāpiti Island for any sign of Argentine ants and given it the all-clear. Called in […]

Veronica Harrod says two of the Lake Horowhenua Māori owners, Vivienne Taueki and Charles Rudd of MuaUpoko Iwi, have been […]

Waikanae Library staff will be moved to other libraries while their building is closed because of toxic mould. Natasha Tod, […]

The Kapiti and Horowhenua  mayors say several fatal accidents in the past few days on S.H.1 are ‘totally unacceptable to […]

The Kapiti Coast Council has closed the Waikanae Library and Service Centre because of  toxic mould. It says this is a precaution, […]

Police Minister Stuart Nash has opened the new Police Communications  Centre, Te Whare Torotoro Waea Pirihama, in Paraparaumu. It will eventually house […]

Rose Rose was not a Holocaust survivor. Rose was a lively 97 year old. Most of us never knew her. […]

A Berlin correspondent has asked us to attribute the photo (left) which appeared in a story 0n January 5, 2017, to […]

Kāpiti District Mayor K Gurunathan  has warned the Government the district ‘flatly opposes’ any compulsory  marriage with other councils to supply water. […]

Kāpiti’s Marine Reserve is now  being monitored 24/7 by a high-tech web camera that provides a live feed of any […]

Horowhenua correspondent Veronica Harrod says Horizons Regional Council wants ratepayers to pay again for a plan to cut sediment flowing […]

Local author Linda Hansen found completing The Fire Keeper’s Girls, her third activist novel for teenagers, her greatest writing challenge. […]

Ralph Mcallister reporte the Trolls are taking over Wellington. Royalty has been reduced to poverty. Mrs Miller and son Arthur […]

KIN’s poem of the week comes from Kāpiti’s poet laureate Gill Ward. ‘The telephone’ ignores body language does not glimpse […]

Ralph McAllister says : ‘We all enjoy a good scare, now and then. Trouble is sometimes reality is more frightening […]

The Kāpiti Coast Chief Executive, Wayne Maxwell, has answered Low Carbon Kāpiti (LCK)criticisms over the Ōtaki Pool. LCK said (story below) it […]

Local group Low Carbon Kāpiti (LCK)  says it’ s discovered that  fossil-fuel use at Ōtaki Pool has increased by 17% […]

The Kapiti Independent has received  the first entry  in its third major  poetry contest. Other Poets in Kapiti or Horowhenua can […]

Poetry Editor Gill Ward says ‘What a wonderful place Wellington is for literature and culture – up there with Wellywood […]

Horowhenua correspondent Veronica Harrod says there has been a tsunami-like increase in the stormwater network discharging into Lake Horowhenua. 39 more kilometres […]

Well-known author and campaigner Judith Holloway, of Levin, says she knows of rest homes that refuse to allow some visits to […]

Kāpiti Coast Council says there are still problems on the Wharemauku Stream following Monday’s sewage overflow under the Coastlands shopping […]

  Our poem for the week is by a Scottish poet who didn’t start publishing till the 1960’s though she […]

 Prue Hyman  says please make a submission  right now to  make  the welfare system fairer for low income families. She says: […]

The Kāpiti Coast Council is advising people to stay out of the Wharemauku Stream and stream mouth at Marine Gardens, […]

The veteran Kāpiti and Wellington journalist Jim Webber never stopped writing, even penning his own obituary as his health failed. […]

KIN’s senior reporter Jeremy Smith is visiting the USA during the 2018 mid-term elections. Here’s his report on the lead-up […]

At one stroke the Kāpiti Coast Council is raising the official temperatures– and tourist potential — for the District. It’s […]

  Veronica Harrod reports the Maori Land Court has appointed Clinton Hemana of Rotorua sole trustee of the Lake Horowhenua […]

The National Council of Women says two thirds of  NZers agree that a woman should have the right to choose […]

The Council of Trade Unions has welcomed the Government announcement that Kiwirail will retain 15 electric engines on the Northern Trunk Line […]

Kapiti Independent News this week launches its third big poetry competition, with a prize worth more than $75 . Poets have […]

The Kāpiti Coast District Council’s enhancements to Maclean Park are continuing this week, with contractors working to expand the recreational grass area. “We’re transforming the area […]

  Kāpiti poet Gill Ward’s provides  ‘Advice for running away’ in our latest Poem of the Week. Here’s the poem… Advice […]

Poets to the People reports  Ben Fagan has stepped in to replace Richard  Langston as this month’s poet on Sunday 28th […]

  Friends of Queen Elizabeth Park say excessive agri-chemical use by the farmer in Queen Elizabeth Park should not be […]

Kāpiti showed steady population growth in the last 12 months, adding 500 people — but any  population spurt from the […]

  Nursing tutor Denny McLeod, of Te Horo,  says she’s appalled by the continuing slaughter of birds on the Kāpiti […]

A Waikanae woman writing her first poem has won the second Kāpiti Independent poetry award. Sue de Berry was presented with the […]

  Kāpiti writer Mandy Hager has warned us that  Dirty Politics is back with a vengeance — and Judith Collins. […]

  Waikane school teacher Lisa Geraghty says children are suffering because ‘the Government says ‘NO’ To Our Tamariki.’ Lisa, a Kāpiti […]

The Horowhenua District Council has spent almost $8million over the past two years on consultant fees and internal spending for two […]

Prue Hyman marks 130 years since Katherine Mansfield’s birth with news of two amazing radio programmes featuring those who knew […]

Levin and Kapiti Police are appealing for information following a fleeing driver incident that went from Otaihanga to Otaki just […]

  Police say they have located the silver Mazda RX8 they are looking for in relation to the homicide investigation […]

‘Kia kaha, kia toa, kia manawanui — be strong, be courageous and, patient.’ Editor Alan Tristram says he’s proud to announce Kāpiti Independent’s motto. He […]

Police and DoC want Kiwis to warn  tourists about the weather here — and to tell them that ‘jeans are […]

The Friends of Queen Elizabeth Park annual general meeting will be held at Ramaroa, the park’s new visitor centre,  this […]

  Want a great weekend out exploring all the artistry the Kāpiti Coast has to offer? Then don’t miss the […]

‘Who says a draw is a boring result?’ asks KIN reviewer Ralph McAllister. Rubbish. John Boyne’s two latest novels are winners […]

Elizabeth Coleman and Gill Ward report local poets are still buzzing after Mark Raffills’ visit. They say he’s a fine performance […]

Concerns about how Lake Horowhenua’s many-tiered governance structure can continue to function without consultation with the Māori owners supports the […]

The Transport  Agency says it can’t come to the aid of ducks and ducklings being killed by cars or other […]

Friends of the Kāpiti Coast Libraries will be selling everything from antique writing pens and computer gear to garden plants at their major […]

ā The coffin of Jim  Webber, strapped to the bottom of a dinghy, is pushed out to sea at Paraparaumu Beach […]

  The Kapiti Coast  District Council says Kapiti deserves double the number of  regional councillors.   KIN’s local government correspondent […]

Denny McLeod, who lives near Levin, asks readers whether anyone cares about the slaughter of ducks and ducklings on the […]

āā Our Horowhenua correspondent Veronica Harrod says legal challenges to decisions made by the Lake (Horowhenua) Accord add weight to calls […]

Prue Hyman looks at Treasury’s revisit to the Living Standards Framework —  Last weekend I was at a Women’s Studies conference. […]

KIN’s Horowhenua correspondent Veronica Harrod says it could be time for the Crown to adopt a new governing body for […]

  Waikanae teacher Doris Lake says  teachers are working for a ‘better Aotearoa for our mokopuna/tamariki’.  But this has been compromised by […]

The Kapiti Coast District Council is quoting a new Auditor-General’s report to show it’s setting a good example by its […]

As the 1080 debate rages, Kapiti Independent correspondent Jeremy Smith gives an impartial and informed view of what’s happening with the […]

Waikanae teacher Lisa Geraghty has given warning to local citizens that NZ teachers are now becoming an endangered species. Lisa, […]

Horowhenua correspondent Veronica Harrod reports the Horowhenua District Council has got  involved in a Maori Appellate Court decision. ‘Business as […]

An historic decision by the Maori Appellate Court has left the Horowhenua Lake Trust without trustees. KIN Horowhenua correspondent Veronica […]

Time again for poetry talk., says Gill Ward, of Raumati South. ‘Our next guest poet at High Tide Café is on […]

Judith Holloway continues — ‘I muse over the way my grandfather and his lovely sisters, my great-aunts, all Maori-French, spoke Maori […]

Rather Like Napoleon — I can’t imagine anyone braver or more rational than Chelsea Manning, says Judith Holloway. I went to […]

Veronica Harrod reports three members of Horowhenua Lake Domain Board voted against Lake Horowhenua owner Philip Taueki being provided with […]

Poet Judith Holloway says she’s tried to educate herself in te reo once before. ‘But it was more difficult than I […]

   Jim Webber reports…Australian whaler George Stubbs, who drowned in 1838 near Kapiti Island, was described at the time by […]

‘He mauri te reo Māori nō Aotearoa māu, mā tātou katoa’ REO MĀORI AN ESSENTIAL PART OF NEW ZEALAND FOR […]

Waikanae woman Patricia ‘Trundie’ Jordan had been permanently scarred by a savage dog attack which took place while she was […]

From Levin, Veronica Harrod reports that Councillor Piri-Hira Tukapua is 90 percent sure she won’t be standing as a candidate […]

   Wellington Senior Sergeant Brett Simon wants help  investigating the aggravated robbery of a pharmacy on Bunny Street, Wellington. At around […]

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce seems to think the City Council’s living wage accredition may hasten the end of civilisation ( […]

  Lloyd Jones, one of the most provocative and rewarding of NZ authors, is coming to Kapiti soon. You can […]

This latest challenge can still be done by scrolling down to August 29.   Remember that no correspondence, computers or […]

The Kapiti Independent invites poets to submit entries for its second big poetry competition. The prize is a good one — $50 […]

In an extraordinary piece of police sleuthing, the mystery of Parliament’s secret leaker has been solved. Police say they know […]

‘Hello Poetry People’ from Gill and Elizabeth, KIN’s poetry people. They say: This month is the time to celebrate poetry […]

Veronica Harrod reports that despite the demolition and construction waste generated by development, Horowhenua District Council does not monitor how […]

There’ll be bowls of poems for you in select Kapiti cafes on National Poetry Day (Friday, August 24). Our poetry […]

  Three separate agencies, and the Police, have given warning they’ll enforce laws banning vehicles from the Waikanae Estuary, which […]

  Deirdre Kent reports the average Kapiti home owner has gained $146k in 3 years! But writer and activist Deirdre also […]

  Bernie Randall, Paraparaumu/Raumati Community Board member, says elderly and disabled are poorly treated because bus shelters in Paraparaumu and […]

‘Doing lunch’  —  ‘I asked my friend if he wanted to do lunch He said that lunch was for corporate […]

From London, Hamish Tristram reports on Summer, ‘the silly season for the media in Britain’ — ‘Westminster is in recess; however […]

Here is the latest challenge.   Remember that no correspondence, computers or cell phones may be entered into!   Answers […]

Veronica Harrod reports from  Levin that nearly a quarter of Horowhenua’s representation and community leadership budget of just over $4 […]

  The Kapiti Independent’s first poetry prize worth some $85 has been presented at a ceremony in Coastlands PaperPlus. Editor Alan […]

Paraparaumu Police say local children found a live artillery shell and took it to their grandparents’ house, planning to clean it […]

Kapiti Independent has just awarded its first poetry prize to Cherllisha Silva for her poem ‘The Western Link.’ Cherllisha gets $50 worth of […]

Major events with a distinctive Kāpiti flavour The Kāpiti Coast District Council is now inviting applications for the 2018 Kāpiti […]

Getting it Right — and ‘Black Watch Beetles’ are a case in point. Kapiti writer Jim Webber says it’s a […]

Veteran US angler Howard West says all the NZ govt had to do, to avert the angling crisis, was to […]

Prue Hyman remembers Elinor Ostrom, Nobel prize winner, who proved that  co-operation can beat competition. The only woman to win […]

In London, a  NZ lawyer living in  the Royal Borough of Kensington demonstrates how  to write  a letter to bureaucrats… Hamish […]

The Kāpiti Coast welcomed over 4,300 visitors to the Open Day at Kapiti Coast Airport in Paraparaumu. Mayor K Gurunathan says welcoming […]

Irish resisters  They were loyal new Zealanders…and proud Irishmen, says Peter Burke (left). Their untold battle with World War 2 […]

Veronica Harrod reports from Levin that debt levels at Horowhenua District Council have spiralled to $99 million  — up by […]

A veteran US angler says NZ is poisoning some of it best fly fishing rivers — and risks losing many […]

Kaumātua Koro Don Te Māipi ( in photo, right ) led the blessing for a new Maori ‘cultural thread’ in […]

Here is the latest challenge.   Remember that no correspondence, computers or cell phones may be entered into!   Answers […]

Not a great line up! By Ralph McAllister Man Booker awards time again and some of my readers will remember […]

Kapiti Coast Councillor Jackie Elliott is calling for action after an Iwi group protested to the KCDC about pollution caused by […]

Horowhenua correspondent Veronica Harrod says an  increasing number of residents are worried about Horowhenua District Council’s intention to transfer up […]

French and Chinese touches By Geoffrey Churchman At first glance — with the signs announcing “Tabac, Presse, Avenue Grant / […]

Kāpiti Coast Councillor David Scott, found guilty of rubbing himself against a female member of the council staff, is appealing […]

Alan Tristram begins a series on everyday English and how it should be written well. He says, I’ll also give examples. […]

KCDC Councilor Jackie Elliott says the Local Government NZ (LGNZ) conference in Christchurch had two main themes —  Water and […]

This montage by Judith Bryers Holloway illustrates the unique history of a  Maori-French-Irish-American family in the King Country. She says: ‘Born in […]

After four losses in five games the Wellington based Super Rugby franchise showed some of the flair they are capable […]

  The Kapiti Independent says ‘We got it wrong —  we said Jenny Rowan was sacked by the Lake Horowhenua […]

Two wins in a row for the Welshman By Roger Childs The mountain stages are where the Tour de France […]

More than 70 people gathered St Peter’s Hall in Paekākāriki for a family-focused fun ‘Hullabaloo’ event. Organised by Low Carbon […]

Dynamic duo Take an inspiring harpist, Principal Harp with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, add one of New Zealand’s best accompanists […]

Funny names and activities seem to proliferate in the Real Estate Industry, says the Editor. The latest is Ms Dee […]

Raumati author Mandy Hager says ‘LOVE OUR LOCAL BOOKSELLERS!’ Recently she launched a new book at Paraparaumu library, called Ash […]

Kapiti Coast Airport and Kāpiti Coast District Council say a community open day will be held at the Airport on Sunday, […]

Alan Tristram reports on the oldest advice to journalists:  ‘Dog bites man,’ — no story. ‘Man bites dog’ — you’ve […]

  Mandy Hager looks at ‘Stuff and nonsense’:  and breaks her rule of never reading the comments. A couple of […]

Editor Alan Tristram backs the Maori welcome for Neve and their naming suggestions for baby, Politicians and writers like Bud […]

‘Blood’   ‘My mother said my singing voice came from the Māori blood all Māori women are good singers you’ve only […]

Anthony is a homeless guy who sits near Countdown in Waikanae and often sleeps in the Akatarawas in his tent. […]

Veronica Harrod reports the Lake Horowhenua Trust has been given seven days to provide answers to the Maori Land Court […]

Local Maori are challenging unconsented earthworks by Horowhenua District Council at Kowhai Park Recreational Reserve in Levin. The legal challenge is on […]

 Kapiti Poet Gill Ward says instead of a poem for Jacinda she’s got another poem she wrote 20 years ago. She […]

You can do the latest challenge by scrolling down to June 20.   Remember that no correspondence, computers or cell […]

‘Jacinda is in a whirl, Giving birth to a baby girl; Politics are all on hold, Everybody must be told; […]

  Sgt Yvette McKelvie, Kapiti Mana Police, is warning car owners to keep tabs on their cars. She says: @Certain vehicles […]

‘Skiing on Lake Wanaka,’ by Richard Langston.   ‘ My uncle taught me to stand up on wooden planks speed […]

Veronica Harrod says one of the first projects for the new Horowhenua New Zealand Trust is a new medical centre […]

  KCDC Cr Jackie Elliot says though  there’s a conviction in the Scott case (see story below), it’s been a […]

Kapiti Coast district councillor David Scott will be forced to vacate his council seat if his conviction for a sex […]

Police have abandoned a long-running Court battle to bring a trespass charge against a Māori activist, who has been living […]

And now the answers to our Mid Week Quiz No. 126 — The latest challenge can still be done by […]

Kapiti author Mandy Hager is launching a sequel to her prize-winning thriller ‘The Nature of Ash’ ‘Ash Arising’ is a […]

Today has been an unusual Wellington winter day, calm and sunny — ideal for a visit to Parliament. And that […]

Police say their new communications and digital centre at Paraparaumu should create  50 jobs by  Christmas, and 120 by the […]

  Waikanae’s environment has benefited from the local schools Arbor Day planting programme at Waikanae Beach’s Pharazyn Reserve.   The reserve, […]

Forty-six Paraparaumu/Raumati groups and individuals have been given a total of $21,850 from this year’s Community Grants. The money awarded […]

KIN columnist Prue Hyman looks at the chances of the  Fair Pay group  getting really fair  pay for all. She says: “We’ve […]

  Kapiti Independent announces a  major new poetry contest: Poets in Kapiti or Horowhenua can now compete to win a […]

KIN’s Horowhenua correspondent Veronica Harrod says a number of Foxton Beach property owners were not charged waste water rates by […]