Balanced Beaches: Birds, Babies, Bikes, Boats
Our community is in for a big discussion soon about vehicle access to Waikawa Beach. The article below is longer than usual but covers quite a bit: what the law says, what different Councils allow, some of the concerns. The article is intended to bring together factual and useful information to enable a helpful discussion. Also take a look at the now frequently updated post Articles about vehicles causing problems on beaches.
Read moreArticles About Vehicles Causing Problems on Beaches
These news articles below have recently come to my attention. Three of them were published in the last few weeks. We may have had a problem here at Waikawa Beach when in January 2023 two lads in a dune buggy type vehicle were harassing a Pied Stilt and its chicks. The boys apologised and promised not to do it again, but the Stilts disappeared soon after. One local reported to me privately a few days ago that:
Read moreSpinifex to Rebuild the Beach
On Sunday 22 January 2023 about a dozen people gathered to plant another 200 or so spinifex plants provided by the Horowhenua District Council. There’s an intensive effort going on to protect the area between the Miratana Track at the end of Manga Pirau Street and the rock groyne. That’s part of the area that was devastatingly eroded in February 2018 when ex-TC Gita passed through. Spinifex and large pieces of driftwood work together to help trap sand and keep it on the beach.
Read moreWatch Out for Baby Oystercatchers
That area between the two ends of the north track off Reay Mackay Grove, where all the new dunes are growing, is a very special spot. Pied stilts recently produced 3 chicks there. At the moment 3 pairs of Oystercatchers are nesting, with one chick evident so far! Update, 11 January 2023: this photo’s not quite in focus, but clearly shows there are 2 chicks now.
Read moreMiratana Track Mulched for Summer
A thin layer of mulch has been added to the Miratana Track off Manga Pirau Street, presumably to help stabilise the sand and give better purchase for vehicles.
Read moreVehicle and Horse Access to Waikawa Beach, Update November 2022
Vehicle and horse access to Waikawa Beach, update November 2022 In November 2021 Horowhenua District Council received a petition about access for vehicles and horses to Waikawa Beach. See 2021 Petition on vehicle and horse access to Waikawa Beach for details. At the time the Council decided to call for a report on options. Now, a year later, this item was briefly reported back to the Council Meeting - 23 November 2022 — that’s a video.
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