February 14 2019
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Vol. 28 No 2, February 14, 2019 www.opunakecoastalnews.co.nz Published every Thursday Fortnight Phone and Fax 761-7016 A/H 761-8206 for Advertising and Editorial ISSN 2324-2337, ISSN 2324-2345 Inside Burnouts and donuts upset Opunake locals A noisy, dangerous and illegal activity in Opunake is causing considerable concern and anger. At any time from 2am to 3pm some drivers are doing donuts and burnouts on Head students at the town’s roads, notably at Coastal Taranaki intersections. From the tyre School. Turn to page marks and scattered rubber 3. remnants the favourite spot appears to be the Heaphy and Whitcombe Roads intersection. One local resident was woken at 2.30am. He was less worried about his disturbed sleep than the danger to people, as this activity is Opunake High also occurring in the daylight School student hours. He said the activity leaders. See page 3. has been going on off and on for about six months. “It’s just stupid, someone will get killed.” Also very concerned is the Principal of Opunake School Lorraine Williamson. The Gisborne Terrace/ A Taranaki Retreat Longfellow Road intersection of great importance. (beside the school) is badly See page 7. marked by tyre rubber from donuts and burnouts. Just last week at about 3pm Lorraine heard the illegal activity The Heaphy and Whitcombe Roads intersection showing the results of dangerous driving. just outside, and the police were notified. “I’d hate to versed in road safety. a comment from the New driving is irresponsible and impounded. see a student of ours hurt or Perhaps it needs to be pointed Zealand Police: “Police take puts other road users at Police welcome any even killed because of this out to these individuals dangerous driving behaviour risk. Those caught driving information that may help behaviour,” she said. She that performing donuts and such as ‘burnouts’ and in this way can face arrest, us apprehend those involved Leo Hickey - we pointed out that the youngest burnouts on public roads sustained loss of traction loss of their drivers licence in this type of driving say a sad farewell. students are not yet fully is highly illegal. Here is very seriously. This type of and having their vehicle behaviour.” Turn to page 9. 9 Outdoor water ban for Okato A ban on outdoor water outdoor ban is in place. Meanwhile, continued “That’s especially daily average. use begans in Ōkato on “We need substantial rain high water use in Ōākura important on public holidays You can be a Wai Warrior Wednesday as the Mangatete over a decent period before is putting pressure on the and weekends, when people by reducing how much Stream’s fl ows continue to the Mangatete’s fl ows will town’s storage reservoir and tend to water their gardens water is used around the Sixty years of happy lower. increase again. The long- fi refi ghting reserve, and if the and do other outdoor jobs,” home. Pick up some great marriage. See page range forecast has nothing demand continues it could he says. tips at newplymouthnz.com/ 10. Gardens may not be watered more than a few showers trigger an outdoor water ban Last Sunday (February 10), WaterRestrictions. and cars and house windows coming our way so it’s there as well. residents in Ōākura again may not be washed while the important that Ōkato residents Mr Wright has urged Ōākura used 33% more water than Over the next decade, stop all outdoor water use residents to cut back on how the town’s average daily NPDC is investing an extra for water conservation,” much water they use and keep demand whereas residents $44 million to upgrade its COASTAL says NPDC Chief Operating to the odds and evens system on the New Plymouth supply water network. MACHINERY SALES Offi cer Kelvin Wright. for hand-held hoses. used just 6% more than its REPRESENTATIVE Lower than expected rates expected JOHN Rate increases in New “We know that every little NPDC’s budget and services “The 2019/20 Annual Plan is Plymouth District next bit helps for many families for the next year, from 1 very much a continuation of JUDGE year are set to be less than who are balancing a budget July 2019 to 30 June 2020. our back-to-basics focus on Phone previously expected. so it’s fantastic to see that Last year NPDC achieved the core council infrastructure 027 538 7387 The New Plymouth District we’ve been able to prudently a general rates operating and responsibilities and Council (NPDC) has reduced manage our costs, while surplus of $320,000, the people can expect to see 06 757 5582 the required rates increase for continuing to invest in water Perpetual Investment more water, wastewater and For all your 2019/20 from approximately resilience and Zero Waste Fund made a return of $21 stormwater pipes going into machinery enquiries 5% to 4.6%, a total of about 2040,” says Mayor Neil million and Standard and the ground, more roading $350,000 less than forecast Holdom. Poor’s reconfi rmed NPDC’s investments, more zero waste 146 GILL ST in its 10-Year Plan. For the The lower-than-expected financial rating as ‘AA/ initiatives.” NEW PLYMOUTH average residential ratepayer rates requirement has been A-1’, the highest a local The fi nal draft Annual Plan PH 06 757 5582 the rate rise will be about revealed in the draft 2019/20 government body in New will go to a full council meeting 3.82%. Annual Plan which sets out Zealand can get. on 21 May for adoption. See us online at www.opunakecoastalnews.co.nz FOR ADVERTISING OR EDITORIAL PLEASE PHONE/FAX (06) 761-7016 2 NEWS AND VIEWS Thursday, February 14, 2019 OPUNAKE & COASTAL NEWS Send your your views to: “Let’s create your business growth Letters to the Editor strategy together” LLettersetters ttoo tthehe 23 Napier Street, Opunake. Your only local community accounting firm EEditorditor Fax: (06) 761 7016 email: [email protected] Joel Clement and Lia Harrop You are welcome to use a pseudonym but must are this year’s head prefects at supply your name and address to us. Opunake High School. Cycling through some parents who are teach- They are excited about their Accounting for the future, today Opunake The Christmas ing their children right from school and want others to feel Hawera - Opunake - 06 278 4169 wrong: the same way. Parade “Our job as prefect teams OPUNAKE OFFICE As for that great big crane is to spark life back into the OPEN EVERY WEDNESDAY FROM 10am TO 3.30pm Opunake often sees cyclists throwing thing from up there Beach. All proceeds from the school and get people excited passing through, whether at that height. I was so disap- Opunake MTB ride go back again as this is such a great training or taking part in a To whom is willing to read pointed, why did I have to to Lions community projects, school,” says Joel. planned event. The most this. I am putting pen to paper sign that rule paper? and proceeds from the road Lia says they want to recent event was the Cycle about the Christmas Parade I understand Santa Claus ride are used to support all encourage others to be leaders Challenge, which had over on 24.12.2018 at 7pm. A bit throwing out sweets, he is the cycling through Taranaki. in the school. School bullying 500 cyclists travelling through late I know. special person of the night. Any people who want to is one issue she would like the village. During Taranaki I put a small fl oat into the On today’s standard there take part can fi nd all details to tackle this year, and she Anniversary weekend parade, which was my mo- is not much discipline or on the NZ Cycle Festival wants to make it possible Opunake will be both a transit bility scooter, one adult and respect in our young people. website www.nzcyclefest. for students to come and see point and a destination. my two grandchildren. I reg- What is it going to be like co.nz, and can enter both prefects about this. On Saturday, 9 March the istered and signed the paper 20 years from now? I feel events online. “Let’s make school a NZ Cycle Festival road event about the rules etc. so sorry for teachers today; No great ability is needed happier environment,” she will be passing through, with Before the Parade we all teaching our young genera- for either the road or MTB says. cyclists riding from New sat down and went through tion with their smart attitude rides. The road ride can be Next year she hopes to go to Plymouth through to Hawera. the safety rules. The parade and bad language and no joined as a relay team or solo Police College. The next day, Sunday 10 started and it wasn’t long manners. rider, with an early start time “It’s always been my goal March, is the annual Opunake and Rules 7 – 8 were a waste We all live in a sad world. for slow riders. since I was younger,” she Lions downhill Mountain of time reading and telling says. “I love being part of the Bike ride from Arawhata my grandchildren what they Jan Kelsen, New Plym- Joel Dodd, NZCFT Chair community and being Head Road down to Opunake could and couldn’t do. outh. In this world there are still WANT TO DO BUSINESS IN OUR AREA? Opunake and Coastal News is distributed free to every Correction and apology home & business within the rural area, bounded in the north by the New Plymouth city border, extending east to Egmont Village and around to the edge of Stratford, south to Hawera city border and inland to Kaponga & Eltham.