Latest news with #KapitiCoastDistrictCouncil
Scoop
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Make The Most Of The Coast With The Creative Communities Scheme
Press Release – Kapiti Coast District Council To be eligible for funding, projects need to have an arts or cultural focus and take place within the Kpiti Coast. Applications open Wednesday 16 July and close at 5pm Monday, 11 August. Kāpiti Coast District Council is thrilled to announce that the first round of the Creative Communities Scheme 2025/26 is open for applications. The twice-yearly scheme is funded by Creative New Zealand to support local arts and cultural projects. This round has about $23,000 available to share across projects that create opportunities to create or celebrate the Kāpiti Coast's fabulous cultural scene. Funded projects must take place between 16 September 2025 and 16 September 2026. Council arts events coordinator Nerita Clark says individuals and organisations are able to apply for funding. 'The scheme means we're able to support a range of inspirational projects that really add to the vibrancy of the district,' Ms Clark says. 'The recipients of our most recent round of funding have been working on exciting projects, from inclusive art or dance classes, to writing workshops or retreats, children's theatre, exhibitions and arts exchange, as well as an innovative, multimodal programme of weaving, dance and workshops. 'We're open to all kinds of arts projects, and welcome anything that creates opportunities for our local communities to get involved, but especially projects that support diversisty and encourage cultural or youth participation. 'We're delighted to administer this scheme in partnership with Creative NZ, so our community has the opportunity to participate in local arts and nurture emerging talent. 'The Creative Communities Scheme recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, and it's enduring sucess shows that the arts are truly valued. 'It's fantastic to be albe to support grassroots arts projects, and we're always excited to see applications for new projects that will inspire creativity on the coast,' Ms Clark says. To be eligible for funding, projects need to have an arts or cultural focus and take place within the Kāpiti Coast. Applications open Wednesday 16 July and close at 5pm Monday, 11 August.
RNZ News
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
That emoji means what?! Is a thumbs up actually passive aggressive?
Despite seeming like a universal language, it turns out some of us are using and reading emojis the wrong way. Brittany Ferdinands is a Lecturer in Digital Content Creation at the University of Sydney, she explained to Jesse how different generations read emojis differently. Her full article is also here Photo: Facebook / Kapiti Coast District Council
Scoop
30-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Building A Resilient Future For Kāpiti: Annual Plan Adopted And Rates Set For 2025/26 Year
Press Release – Kapiti Coast District Council Work included in the Annual Plan includes important capital projects to upgrade the Paraparaumu wastewater treatment plant and the Waikanae water treatment plant, and building Te Ara Whet, the new library and community hub in Waikanae. Kāpiti Coast District Council has adopted its annual plan and set rates for the coming year, with a focus on sticking to the long-term objective of building a resilient future for the Kāpiti Coast. The Annual Plan 2025/26 is an update to year two of the Long-term Plan 2024/34 (LTP), which outlines the projects and services to be delivered over 10 years. It was adopted by Council at its meeting on 29 May. Work included in the Annual Plan includes important capital projects to upgrade the Paraparaumu wastewater treatment plant and the Waikanae water treatment plant, and building Te Ara Whetū, the new library and community hub in Waikanae. Council is also progressing its financial strategy to reduce debt by a total of $153 million by 2034, building capacity to respond to natural disasters and maximise growth opportunities. To do the mahi (work) outlined in the plan and reduce Council's debt levels, rates revenue will rise by 6.9 percent after growth for the year – within the 7 percent limit set in the LTP. Kāpiti Coast District Mayor Janet Holborow says the Annual Plan sets Kāpiti up for future challenges. 'We've stuck to what we agreed with the community last year, with some minor amendments made to accommodate rising costs,' Mayor Holborow says. 'Everything we're doing is about making sure Kāpiti is well-placed for whatever the future brings, because based on our recent experience and the predictions we can draw from we know there will be unexpected challenges ahead. 'This is why we're continuing to invest in our core water infrastructure, which is among the best in New Zealand, and our other essential services. 'It's why we're reducing our debt, so that we can respond to potential natural disasters and growth opportunities strongly. 'We're also balancing this future focus with the current pressures we all face – no one wants to see high rates rises. 'We have worked hard to find significant operational savings, so we can keep rates as affordable as we can.' Mayor Holborow says the bulk of Council's rates-funded operational spending for the year ($114m) will be on core services like water management, roading and transport, and pools, parks and playgrounds. 'We'll be spending $34.1m of ratepayer money on our wastewater, storm water and drinking water services, $17m on our transport network, and $10.1m on our parks and open spaces. 'These and our other services all play important parts in making Kāpiti such a great place to live and do business in, and it's important we make sure we continue to invest in what we've got.' The final 2025/26 Annual Plan will be available to read at in the coming days. Fees and charges adopted At the same meeting Council also adopted the fees and charges used to cover some of the costs of facilities and services for the 2025/26 year. Most fees and charges increases have been held at the 3.2 percent inflation factor used by local government. There are some exceptions where fees and charges have risen. These include: Building Consent Fees: Fees for code compliance certificates and some LIMs will go up. Online consent application fees will also increase due to changes by our online system vendor. Domestic Food Business Levy: A new levy set by MPI will be introduced. The Council will charge a small fee to cover the cost of collecting this revenue for the Government. Hall Hire Fees: These will increase by 10% to cover higher costs. Learn to Swim Programme: Minor changes include more convenient payment options, flexibility for school participation, and a small regular charge for students to access the pool outside of lessons. Access and Transport: Corridor access request fees for project works will increase beyond inflation to cover higher costs. Wastewater Fees: Septage disposal and trade waste discharge fees will rise beyond inflation. A new fee for wastewater connection inspections will be introduced. Potable Water Fees: Adjustments will be made to fees for water meter special readings, filling point access cards, and water volume charges at Council filling points. Waikanae Pop-up Fees: New fees will be established to help cover the costs of the Waikanae Pop-up for start-up businesses in the short term. The full register of proposed fees and charges can be found at
Scoop
27-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Latest Kapiti Sea Level Predictions
Press Release – Coastal Ratepayers United The Kapiti Coast District Council has uploaded the Waikato University De Lange research and accompanying maps onto its website, which recognise the unique and dynamic environment of the various beaches along the Kapiti Coast. Kapiti residents are now able to view the most up-to-date research on coastal erosion predictions on their beach. The research identifies about 40 homes in danger of sea rise, compared to thousands of homes identified in previous reports. The Kapiti Coast District Council has uploaded the Waikato University De Lange research and accompanying maps onto its website, which recognise the unique and dynamic environment of the various beaches along the Kapiti Coast. Coastal Ratepayers United (CRU) filed a judicial review to urge the council to accept De Lange's updated coastal predictions and make the notification available on LIMs. CRU stated that previous reports were alarmist and failed to recognise the significant variations in soil stratigraphy and vertical beach movement along the Kapiti coast. That judicial review has been withdrawn following the council's publication of the latest research: The De Lange report is now included on the LIMs, assigning it the same weighting as the Council's information. CRU chair Salima Padamsey says climate change research is being updated constantly, with new and different predictions. 'It's hard for councils to keep up with new research, but it is crucial that they do so when it affects their people's lives,' she says. 'Climate change is a real issue facing almost everyone on our coast, since most live within a few kilometres of the shoreline.' She states that one example of outdated reports is predictions relying on formulas like the Bruun Rule, which was developed more than 60 years ago. 'Another problem is reports that predict sea rise based on global averages. Many highly reputable climate experts say sea rise and precipitation changes will affect different areas differently, requiring local knowledge and assessment,' she adds. Dr. de Lange's report urged the KCDC to establish monitoring stations along various beaches to accurately predict trends.
Scoop
27-05-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Latest Kapiti Sea Level Predictions
Kapiti residents are now able to view the most up-to-date research on coastal erosion predictions on their beach. The research identifies about 40 homes in danger of sea rise, compared to thousands of homes identified in previous reports. The Kapiti Coast District Council has uploaded the Waikato University De Lange research and accompanying maps onto its website, which recognise the unique and dynamic environment of the various beaches along the Kapiti Coast. Coastal Ratepayers United (CRU) filed a judicial review to urge the council to accept De Lange's updated coastal predictions and make the notification available on LIMs. CRU stated that previous reports were alarmist and failed to recognise the significant variations in soil stratigraphy and vertical beach movement along the Kapiti coast. That judicial review has been withdrawn following the council's publication of the latest research: The De Lange report is now included on the LIMs, assigning it the same weighting as the Council's information. CRU chair Salima Padamsey says climate change research is being updated constantly, with new and different predictions. 'It's hard for councils to keep up with new research, but it is crucial that they do so when it affects their people's lives,' she says. 'Climate change is a real issue facing almost everyone on our coast, since most live within a few kilometres of the shoreline.' She states that one example of outdated reports is predictions relying on formulas like the Bruun Rule, which was developed more than 60 years ago. 'Another problem is reports that predict sea rise based on global averages. Many highly reputable climate experts say sea rise and precipitation changes will affect different areas differently, requiring local knowledge and assessment,' she adds. Dr. de Lange's report urged the KCDC to establish monitoring stations along various beaches to accurately predict trends. Maps of each beach are available under 'community-commissioned information:
