MAY 2015 Sports & games fun afternoon Saturday March 28th was a busy day Many eyes in Paparoa and surrounding areas - with the Northland by-election, Pahi on river bank fishing competition, Rotary auction, Representatives from KDC, NRC and the inaugural Family Sports and NZ Transport Agency met with & Games afternoon held at the Progressive Paparoa Inc recently showground. to discuss a common approach to the development of the riverbank Despite all the other events, about adjacent to Paparoa village. The 80 people participated in the fun gathering was coordinated by activities including obstacle course, Adrian Birkbeck, Parks and Reserves rippa rugby, softball, tennis, table Officer from KDC. He said it was tennis, tai chi, egg throwing, and sack important that everybody with races. A tug of war and lolly scramble an interest in the area between finished the afternoon, and led onto a The Landing and the Village Green delicious bbq and hot chips provided was on the same page. As NZTA is by PPI and the Lions caravan. the land owner there are certain This was a great example of many procedures that have to be followed. local groups working together - Paparoa However NZTA has delegated Sports and Recreation Association, day-to-day authority to KDC. Paparoa Lions, PPI, JMB, Paparoa Motor Camp, Youth Group and NKAA - to This actually means the community create a fun afternoon for adults will get more input from KDC in the and children alike. way of weed control and provision of plants. PPI is keen to develop a Well done Paparoa! landscape plan for the area which can be implemented in stages. NRC have agreed to include the possibility of a boardwalk on the riverbank as part of long term flood protection measures. PPI deputy chair Graham Murray said that while it is disappointing our voluntary efforts won’t be able to continue, it is really good to get all the parties on board. The riverbank is the one blight on a really attractive area. Another plus is that we won’t be in danger of running foul of OSH requirements. PP Vegetables at the Farmers' Market If you haven't already spotted it, fresh vegetables are once again readily available at the regular two weekly Paparoa Farmers' market. Ali and Mai Ling travel down from Dargaville and all their produce is sourced from other local growers who regularly sell at the Whangarei growers' market. Fresh eggs are back too, as Chum Jones will replace Evan Murphy who is unable to continue as a stallholder. All the other stalls are there: plants, honey, seafood, chocolate, olive oil, flowers, fruits, soaps, pickles, sauces and chutneys, meats and bbq bacon and egg sandwiches, with buskers to entertain and add to the atmosphere. The Eccentric Ukes entertain See you at our next market on Ali & Mai Ling's plentiful stall the 2nd May! PP 2 PP www.paparoa.org.nz Paparoa Press PP Valuable feedback received Cherry trees on Lifestyle Village proposal arouse passions The Steering Committee for Paparoa’s Lifestyle Village has Last month’s exposure of received most welcome feedback from the questionnaire it the village cherry trees recently sent to the community. being potentially an invasive Some of the responses were the minimum age should be pest species has sparked a from the Pioneer Lunch either 55 or 60 years indicating fair degree of community attendees but a pleasing a preference for being able interest. number of the wider to enter the village while still community have also taken relatively young. time to respond. Graham wished to thank all Forty-five percent of respon- those who responded with dents answered ‘yes’ or their answers and valuable ‘possibly’ to the question “If comments. He said there is a An online search has a Lifestyle Village existed now huge amount for the Steering revealed that the in Paparoa would you consider Committee to consider, but all Taiwan Cherry (Prunus GENERAL purchasing a unit?” Committee information from the Campanulata) is also known ENGINEERING Chair, Graham Taylor said community is valued. The as the Tui Tree due to the that this is an encouraging committee hopes to have a fondness tuis have for its number and should be taken Scheme Plan available within a nectar. Rust Repairs and in the context that many few weeks so more detailed Maintenance senior people have already costings can be done. It is hard There are other varieties of flowering cherries that Cars - trailers - horse floats made arrangements for their to imagine what the concept later years. Interestingly a will look like without lines do not seed but not this General welding one. It has been suggested majority of people thought drawn on a plan. PP including alloy that the variety we have is Custom built floats and trailers sterile but this has yet to be proven. The seedlings Ken Subritzky NRC works to sprouting in nearby gardens would suggest otherwise. 09 431 7477 reduce flooding 021 121 4879 In order to discuss the Recent work by Northland issue and sort out the facts, Regional Council on the bed of the Paparoa Stream should reduce PPI has invited Sara Brill, the flooding problem that occasionally plagues Paparoa Village. Northland Regional Council A considerable quantity of structure such as tree trunks Bio-Security Officer to speak “No job too small” debris and gravel has been will catch debris while low at a community gathering removed from the stretch of bushes and flaxes will bend at 1pm on Thursday 14th river approaching The Landing with the flow and not cause May. This will be held at Ross Latto and also further upstream a problem. Nick said he was the Village Green carpark above Skelton's Bridge. keen to work with the Paparoa so the trees in question can NRC's Nick Gordon, River community to find solutions be viewed. All are welcome LICENSED Management Engineer, met to the flooding problems and to voice their opinions and with community represen- recognised the beautification hopefully come up with BUILDER tatives and explained that the efforts undertaken. some answers. preventative work should help There had been concerns The community can be House construction, alterations, alleviate flooding. renovations, general repairs that the pohutukawa trees assured that no action will Debris in the river slows the planted by Keep Paparoa be taken until there are flow and catches other debris Beautiful had been damaged, clear facts confirming the Ph 09 431 7442 021 772 766 which could impede the water but the contractor has status of these trees. PP PO Box 17, Paparoa getting away. Any vertical already replaced them. PP What’s on at your Museum this Autumn ANZAC Exhibition: 25 APR– 24 MAY ANZAC Day: 25 APR 10:30AM The Man From Matakohe Exhibition: Open Daily* FREE Entry to the Museum for residents of the Old Otamatea District. *Special Exhibition Charges Apply 5 Church Road, Matakohe, Northland. p: 09 431 7417 w: www.kaurimuseum.com 7417 or visit www.kaurimuseum.com Paparoa Press www.paparoa.org.nz PP 3 Matakohe School fundraiser A Cats bike trail and horse trek Matakohe School's fundraising weekend on March 21st and Boarding1 Cattery 22nd was organised by year 7 and 8 children and their families. Year 7 and 8 continue the story ... Earlier in the week Craig Hamlin and his helpers spent a couple Ken & Faye of days preparing a track. Starting at the back of the Paparoa And, as reported by horse Subritzky Showgrounds, this track was used on the Saturday for a horse trek trek leader Janine Hames: and a bike trail ride on Sunday. The Saturday horse trek saw 548 Pahi Rd This was the first time we have 25 riders, ranging from age had a horse trek. We had over 8 to 68, set off from the A&P 20 riders from as far afield grounds and not return for as Whangarei and all riders nearly 4 hours! Ph 09 431 7477 really enjoyed their day. Janine Some of the younger ones www.a1cats.co.nz Hames led the horses. did a shorter circuit, but On Sunday we had over a most went the whole way. hundred bike riders who came Riding through Andrew from as far north as Kaitaia, Hames' property we had and as far south as Auckland. some great views of the Kaipara. As a bonus there There were bikes of all shapes hearted community members. and sizes. We also had a kids was a mown track to follow We would like to thank ◦ Limestone & Metal Cartage track which was very popular. and most of the gates were everyone who supported us open for us. There were ◦ Truck & Digger Hire We were very pleased with especially the following people: ◦ Farm Roads ◦ House Sites & the whole weekend and a some lovely stands of bush ◦ Earthwork & Dams driveways Janine Hames for leading the ◦ Wrapped Silage & Hay major reason we had such returning through Wintle's horses, Craig Hamlin, Wenzel property. ◦ Cultivation a good weekend was all the Wech, Andrew Hames and ◦ Fencing & Mulching community help we received. We returned to the start Taylor Blythen for preparing with no mishaps, although Maize Silage Over term 1 our whole school the track; Andrew Hames, some riders were a bit stiff focus was “Being a Good Mr & Mrs Wintle, the Leaf planting & on dismounting! What a harvesting Community Member”. This Family, the A&P Showgrounds great trek with a lovely weekend reinforced the belief Committee and Mr Wellwood late lunch provided by the 09 431 7556 that we live in a community for letting us use their school on our return.