On this page you can find out what Ngaio Progressive Association (NPA) talks about in our monthly meetings.

Meetings are on the first Wednesday of the month in the drop-in centre at the Ngaio Town Hall, 7:45 pm. All residents are welcome to attend.

Meeting notes from 2 May 2012 meeting

• We spent most of our time talking about Wellington City Council’s draft 10-year plan. Councillors Andy Foster and John Morrison attended the meeting and answered questions. Members of the public also attended.
• NPA has received the Kilmarston development papers and expects to sign shortly.

Meeting notes from 4 April 2012 meeting

• Community constable Stu Rowe addressed the meeting, talking about tagging, vandalism and other matters. Contact him if you notice a spate of tagging in your area or if you notice a particular place is regularly targeted.
• If you spot tagging or other vandalism on Wellington Electricity’s property, the company is happy to supply materials to local people who want to remove it. http://www.welectricity.co.nz
• The Kilmarston subdivision below the Crow’s Nest has been signed off between the developer and the Council. NPA expects to sign soon.
• We are updating our map of walking tracks of Ngaio and Crofton Downs. We are exploring printing and circulation options.
• A group of NPA members recently met with people who use the dog exercise area in Cummings Park to discuss how to improve the state of the turf. We agreed to write to the park ranger to accept his offer of a roll of grass reinforcing mesh to trial improving the turf. We will lobby for further turf improvements to be included in the Council’s long term plan.
• We discussed our strategic plan, and agreed to raise the issue of a name change at our next AGM.

Notes from NPA meeting held 7 March 2012

Our meeting this month featured a presentation by Wellington Regional Council on their proposed bus review. This took most of our time, but will help us in our submission.

We also heard briefly about late night disturbances in Chelmsford Park.

Notes from NPA meeting held 1 February 2012

This was a longer meeting than usual as we had a visit from Park Ranger Matt Robertson.

We discussed:

• The Greater Wellington Regional Council bus service review. The Council is meeting with residents groups to brief them on the review so they are able to make informed submissions.  They are coming to our March meeting at 8pm.
• The deteriorating state of the Ngaio signs. We agreed that Trevor should stain them.
• A colony of feral cats in Heke St. We will contact the SPCA to let them know.
• The need to weed plants behind the playcentre in Silverstream Road. If we could find a volunteer, WCC would train them to use a weed eater safely in public areas. Otherwise, we need to arrange a mulching working bee.
• The state of Cummings Park turf.
• Our strategic goals for 2012

Our draft strategic goals for this year include:

• Holding another midwinter Network Ngaio event for community groups, including “green” groups
• Organising a junk drive later in the year
• Completing our revised walking track brochure
• Planting 50 more shrubs in Silverstream Road
• Making submissions on issues as they arise, such as the bus service review
• Sending out a regular email newsletter to residents
• Contributing to the Ngaio page on Facebook

We decided against having a street audit this year. If you notice any lights out, overhanging vegetation, broken footpaths – or other infrastructure that needs fixing, phone Wellington  City Council’s hotline and lodge a complaint – 499 4444.

Email us your thoughts on the strategic goals and any other matters – ngaiopa@gmail.com.

Our next committee meeting is on Wednesday 7 March in the Drop In Centre of the Ngaio Town Hall.  7:45pm. Ngaio and Crofton Downs residents are always welcome.

Notes from NPA meeting held 7 December 2011

This was a short meeting as it was the final Committee meeting for the year and we combined it with a social function.

We discussed:

• The need to monitor WCC progress with making the Orari Street steps  safer
• Plans to refurbish the three Ngaio signs
• The NPA website and plans to provide local residents with a regular NPA newsletter by email.

We will discuss our Strategic Goals at our February meeting so welcome your feedback and suggestions.

Ngaio residents are always welcome at our meetings. The next will be at 7.45 pm on Wednesday, 1 February 2012 in the Drop-in Centre at the Ngaio Town Hall.

Notes from meeting held 2 November 2011

Our next ‘event’ is the Meet the Candidates evening on Wednesday, 9 November at 7.30 pm in the Ngaio Town Hall.

Our final Committee meeting for 2011 is on Wednesday 7 December. As this will not be held at our usual venue (the side room at the Ngaio Town Hall) please email any matters you want to raise to ngaiopa@gmail.com.

Regular NPA Committee meetings resume in February 2012. They are held at 7.45 pm on the first Wednesday of the month. All residents welcome.

At the November meeting we discussed:

• The need to find out more from the Environment Court about why the decision on the Kilmarston subdivision is taking so long
• The arrangements for the Meet the Candidates meeting next week
• Ideas for the NPA website
• The state of the steps between Perth and Orari Streets.

Notes from meeting held 6 April 2011

Councillor John Morrison talked about issues facing the Council such as funding for the leaky homes, earthquake preparedness, rates increases and swimming pool provision. He reported on progress with Khandallah Town Hall and encouraged NPA to comment on the Draft Annual Plan when it comes out on 11 April.

We also discussed local issues with him:

• plans for the track from Cockayne Road to the reservoir
• the need for more rubbish tins for dog poo at all Trelissick Park entances
• the need to educate the public about dog poo disposal  (and not throwing bags of it in the bushes for others to pick up)
• the state of the grass and the use of Cummings Park
• replacement of the grasses planted by the NPA in Khandallah Road.

NPA will write to Motor Doctors to thank them for tidying up their roadside garden in Kenya Street.

We will ask Crofton Downs residents to help weed around the trees which NPA planted in Silverstream Road.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday May 4 at 7.45 pm at the Ngaio Town Hall Drop-in Centre. Anyone is welcome.

Notes from meeting held on 2 March 2011

• The focus of the meeting was our 2011 plan . We discussed our programme for the rest of the year.
• We are having a stall with maps, photos and local information at the Ngaio School Gala on 13 March
• We are planning a mid-winter event for local groups and organisations. The focus will be on Civil Defence in our area.
• There will be a Meet-the-candidates meeting before the General Election in November
• There will not be a  junk drive this year. It may become a biennial event
• One of our targets for the year is to revise our constitution. We had a preliminary discussion about this.
• We have invited Ward Councillors to attend our monthly meetings.

The next meeting of the NPA is on Wednesday April 6 at 7.45 pm in the Drop-in Centre at the Ngaio Town Hall. Any resident is welcome to attend.

Notes from meeting held 2 February 2011

• We discussed our goals and annual targets  for 2011. This included the  possibility of changing the name of the Association to the Ngaio and Crofton Downs Residents’ Association. Because this will involve a decision at either a Special General Meeting or at the AGM (usually held annually in October) we agreed that in the meantime any material we send out would have in brackets after it “representing the residents of Ngaio and Crofton Downs”.
• There is a new arm to improve the street lighting on the track from the underpass to Collingwood Street
• We discussed the recent vandalism to the Norfolk Pine at 3 Boxhill and agreed we would express our dismay if approached by the media for a comment. A number of matters which have not been raised in any publicity to date were mentioned. The current owners failed to get a LIM report before they bought the property. That would have shown that the tree was specially designated by the WCC and had Heritage Status.
• We are keen to have a stall at the Ngaio School Gala on 12 March  to raise our profile and interest people in joining the Committee.
• Trevor Lloyd mentioned that some of the grasses along Khandallah Road may be coming to the end of their useful life and that we need to think about replacing them. He has ordered more native plants for our winter plantings in Silverestream Road and Collingwood Street
• Robin White reported that the Pukatea track through the Orleans-Makererua Reserve was well used over the summer.

Our next meeting is at 7.45 pm on Wednesday 2 March at the Drop in Centre at the Ngaio Town Hall. Any resident is welcome to attend – and to join the Committee.

Notes from meeting held 1 December 2010

As this was our last meeting for the year, we had a shorter meeting followed by a potluck dinner. We will include the following matters at our February meeting:

• Cummings Park turf
• Track from Cockayne Road to the Reservoir
• Reprinting the Ngaio Walks maps
• Expected Environment Court decision about the Crow’s Nest
• Street lighting on Collingwood Street track

On other matters:

• We will make a brief submission on the RMA reform discussion document, “Building Competitive Cities”, before the deadline on December 17 2010.
• A local resident contacted us about tagging in Awarua Street and Khandallah Road. We discussed this and commended the resident’s follow up actions.
• Ngaio writer, Peter Dyer, has written an article in the December issue of North and South. ‘The Great Railway House Bazaar’ is about the sale of the houses in the Tarikaka Street Settlement.
• Des Smith of the Bell’s track group is talking about the revegetation project and leading a walk up the track on 5 December.
• We note that a number of people are making contact with the NPA through our website.

The next meeting of the NPA will be at 7.45 pm on Wednesday 2 February 2011 in the Drop In Centre, Ngaio Town Hall. Local residents are always welcome to attend.

Notes from meeting held 3 November 2010

• The AGM was held on 19 October. The new chairperson is Viv Chapple and there are two new committee members – Erina Jamieson and Janet Robertson.
• The footpath from the Ngaio Railway Station to Waikowhai Street has been completed very satisfactorily.  WCC and its contractor (Downers) have been thanked.
• WCC has replaced the strawberry tree at the War Memorial with a kakabeak and a five finger tree despite our request for a red camellia.
• WCC is replacing the missing war memorial plaque.
• WCC has taken over the planning of the track from Cockayne Road to the reservoir in Odell’s Reserve.
• NPA will have a stall to generate publicity for its work, at the Crofton Downs Primary School gala on Saturday 13 November.
• There have been two working bees to spread mulch on the Silverstream Road plantings, and the plant order for 2011 will be going in soon.

The final meeting for the year will be held at the home of a committee member so anyone needing to be in touch should do so through the website.

Notes from meeting held 6 October 2010

• About 50 people attended the Meet the Candidates meeting, despite the bad weather on the night. It was one of the first such meetings in the region.
• The junk drive went well. The amount of junk collected was down on previous years so we are reviewing the event and may hold it every second year. However, it is our only source of income.  This year we  donated $600 to the local Scouts, which is no doubt useful to them too.
• WCC is trialling a plastic webbing in the badly eroded grass in Cummings Park, after our expressed concerns.
• Work is well underway on the refurbishment of the path to the Ngaio Station opposite the tennis courts.
• WCC has investigated the lighting problem on the track from the underpass to Chelmsford Street, and a new “arm” is to be put on one of the poles.
• We discussed planting ideas for the area around the war memorial in the car park opposite the Town Hall, in view of the fact that the WCC is replacing one of the trees there which is being badly affected by the wind’
• We planned for our AGM on Tuesday 19 October 2010, 8:00pm in the Crofton Downs School Hall.
• We are still concerned that we need new committee members, particularly in the younger age groups. This is a real opportunity to get involved with the local community and we welcome anyone interested to the AGM and our next meeting.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 3 November at 7.45. Residents are always welcome to attend.

Notes from meeting held on 1 September 2010

Most of the time was spent planning. We have three events coming up:

• Meet the Candidates meeting to be held at Ngaio School on Thursday 9 September
• Junk Drive to be held from 8 am on Saturday 18 September
• Delivery of fliers containing the NPA’s Annual Report for the AGM to be held at Crofton Downs School Hall on Tuesday 19 October.

On other matters:

• WCC has engaged a contractor to repair the path from Waikowhai Street to the Ngaio Station (opposite the Tennis Courts), and to put in a new light.
• We will continue to keep the pressure on the WCC for better street lighting on the Collingwood Street – Underpass shortcut.
• We are discussing with WCC the possibility of walking access track from Cockayne Road to the Reservoir in Odell’s Reserve.
• We are also persisting with discussions with the WCC about the state of the turf in Cummings Park.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday October 6 2010.  Residents are always welcome to attend.

Notes from Ngaio Progressive Association meeting held on 4 August 2010

There has been no reply to NPA from either the Environment Court or the lawyers about progress on the Kilmarston subdivision.

NPA is undertaking a lot of planning:

• Meet-the-Candidates meeting on 9 September at the Ngaio School Hall
• Junk drive on 18 September
• Walks through the Makererua and Heke Reserves on 19 September
• AGM on 19 October in the Crofton Downs Primary School Hall.

We haven’t forgotten other things though.

• We had a working bee to plant along the stream behind the Playcentre on Silverstream Road
• We wrote to Mrs Wightwick on the recent death of her husband.  The Wightwicks donated the grassy field land beside the Korimako Stream, to the WCC, and this made possible the well-used track through Trelissick Park to Waikowhai Street.
• We are on to dog poo litterers
• We are working with the WCC about the state of the grass in Cummings Park, the track to the Ngaio railway station from Waikowhai Street (opposite the Tennis Courts),  and the poor lighting on the track to Chelmsford Street from the Collingwood Street underpass
• We’ve noted that the totaras in the car park opposite the Ngaio Town Hall have been replaced by Persian Ironwoods, and we hope they’ll be better in the wind
• We’re liaising with a group of Residents’ Associations about common community issues for the upcoming local body elections

We are still concerned that we need new committee members, particularly in the younger age groups. This is a real opportunity to get involved with the local community and we welcome anyone interested to our next meeting.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday September 1 at 7.45. Residents are always welcome to attend.

Notes from Ngaio Progressive (NPA) meeting held on 7 July 2010

• Two guests joined us for the meeting: ward councillor, Andy Foster, and a ward candidate in the upcoming WCC elections, Sharon Blaikie.
• Dog poo is a problem at the entrances to Trelissick Park.  WCC park ranger Joby Mills is arranging for rubbish bins at two of the entrances.  Of course, we would really like bins at all  five entrances from Ngaio and Ngaio Gorge -  but two is a start.  Hopefully dog owners will use them.
• Planning has begun for the Junk Drive on Saturday 18 September. The Scouts will be assisting us again this year.
• We are hoping to have the Meet-the-candidates (for the WCC elections) meeting on Thursday September 9.  The  venue is being finalised.
• We made a submission on the WCC’s Draft Encroachments Policy. One of the points we made is:

While not wanting to vet every local encroachment proposal, NPA has concerns re the “overall look and feel of Wellington”. Who decides what that might be? For example, if a cluster of 5 properties mutually agreed to an encroachment, who decides in WCC if this is appropriate to the local Ngaio look?  There does seem to be a place for local resident associations to have input.

• Trevor Lloyd has been weeding the grasses on Khandallah Road.  They may need to be replaced sooner rather than later as they are now 10 years old, and don’t last indefinitely.
• WCC has asked  community groups if we are interested in leading a walk in our area to show case our reserves.  We have offered to organise two walks through Orleans and Heke Street Reserves on Sunday September 19.  One walk will be at 10am, the other at 1:00pm.  More details later.
• The track from Cockayne Road to the reservoir was discussed further. NPA members will be meeting the WCC tracks manager soon. The proposal is indicative only. No consultation has been done to date.
• Serious concern was expressed about the lack of progress in resolving the Kilmarston case. Our appeal was lodged in 2007.  NPA will be writing to the Environment Court about this.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday August 4 at 7.45. Residents are always welcome to attend.

Notes from NPA meeting held on 2 June 2010

• The annual audit has been done and matters requiring attention have been sent to the WCC. Generally the suburb is looking pretty good although there are a number of blocked sumps after all this rain and we are encouraging residents to get out there with a stick and clear any sumps near their property. See our news story about blocked sumps.

It was also encouraging to have a letter from Garry Poole, the Council’s CEO, saying:

“Thank you for your letter of 31 May enclosing the Ngaio-Crofton Downs Infrastructure Audit for Autumn 2010. It is a pleasure for us to work in a positive manner with local progressive associations such as yours, and I hope this continues in the future.”

• The Civil Defence cupboards at Ngaio School are kept stocked and are regularly checked by Fiona King. Residents should know that in the event of a major disaster it may not be trained volunteers who are available to assist people. There is a simple guide to Coping with a Local Disaster in one of the cupboards.
• Despite our suggestion that the felled trees at Nairnville Park be replaced with more macrocarpas, the Council will be planting native trees in the area as soon as possible. People regularly using the Park say they now know why a shelter belt was required!
• The Makererua Reserve Care Group had another working bee in May and there is now gravel on the Pukatea Track and a better crossing over the little stream. The steps between Makererua and Heke Streets are also being upgraded at the moment but the track through the reserve is still open and is being increasingly used – it is a great addition to the Ngaio Tracks network.
• We are making enquiries about the increase in little bags of dog poo being left at Trelissick Park entrances by dog walkers. Whether this is laziness or a protest at the lack of Council rubbish tins is unclear. Whatever, it is not a good look and we would like to find a solution.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday July 7 at 7.45. Residents are always welcome to attend.

Notes from NPA meeting held on 5  May 2010

• The focus of our May meeting was on civil defense.  We held the meeting at Ngaio School because the school is a civil defence assembly point and NPA maintains some basic equipment and supplies there.  Fred Mecoy, the relatively new Director of WEMO (Wellington Emergency Management Office) addressed us.  WEMO now undertakes volunteer recruitment and standardized training and  Fred would like NPA to help find volunteers at some point, using our networks and WEMO publicity material.  Emergency preparedness is one of NPA’s strategic goals for 2010.
• NPA members are undertaking a street audit this month.  Residents can always ring 499 4444 to lodge complaints or request action if they notice faults.  We have found that the street audit is well received by WCC and matters are attended to reasonably promptly.
• WCC is reluctant to replace the Nairnville Park macrocarpas with more macrocarpas but we have taken photographs of the present ones and will make them available to the Onslow Historical Society.
• NPA is responding to the WCC’s Draft Annual Plan albeit in rather general terms as there is little that specifically relates to Ngaio.
• We have responded strongly in favour of the maintenance of the Ngaio Library at current and enhanced levels for the WCC’s Draft Communities Facilities Policy and Implementation Plan.
• NPA is supporting the new signage for both entrances to Crofton Downs, designed by present pupils at Crofton Downs Primary School.  We have suggested, however, that some refinement is necessary to improve the legibility of the lettering on the sign.
• NPA is also supporting a proposal by Trelissick Park Group and Highland Park Residents’ Association to get an access track to the park from Oban Street in Wadestown.
• The Makererua Reserve Care Group is improving the track through the reserve with gravel.  There will be a working bee on May 16.
• Nobody seems to know what is happening at the now closed BP service station in the Village.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday June 2 at 7.45. Residents are always welcome to attend.

Notes from NPA meeting held on 7 April 2010

• The Environment Court has ruled on appeals about the zoning of Huntleigh Park.  Its decision  confirmed the NPA’s position in supporting the Council’s Plan Change. The Court made some minor changes.
• We confirmed our Strategic Goals and Annual Targets  (Read these goals and targets)
• During the first half of May, we will undertake a  street audit.  We will then report any repairs needed to footpaths, street lighting and gutters – and also on overgrown vegetation – to Council.
• A report on disaster preparedness in Ngaio was presented to the group. There are many issues to be followed up and this topic will be addressed again in further NPA meetings.
• The shelter belt of macrocarpa trees at Nairnville Park is to be removed for safety reasons. We will contact the WCC to see if we can have some involvement in the decision as to what replaces them as these trees are well known to many generations of Ngaio residents.
• The “slaughter” of many new trees planted in Silverstream Road is very distressing to the NPA. The Council’s weeding team was responsible. The NPA is working closely with the WCC to ensure this sort of thing doesn’t continue to happen.
• There was a very successful picnic at the Orleans – Makererua Reserve on 7 March. There will be a working bee later in April to spread gravel on the track.
• NPA will put in a submission on the  city-wide liquor ban.  We don’t support it as we prefer the status quo whereby people can have a glass of wine at picnics in local parks if they want to.
• We will comment on the WCC’s draft annual plan but in relation to issues which could affect Ngaio residents.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday May 5 at 7.45. Residents are always welcome to attend

Notes from NPA meeting held on 3 March 2010

• We agreed on the Strategic Goals and Annual Targets and will publish them on the website after the final tweaking at the April meeting.  Civil Defence preparedness will be our main thrust this year,  Watch this space!
• The committee decided not to support the proposal of a local historian to name the grassed area in Tarikaka Street, Carran Park.
• There will be a picnic at the Orleans Reserve on Sunday 7 March at midday.
• The work done at Ngaio Station is appreciated and we will write to OnTrack to say so.
• The next lot of strengthening of Ngaio Gorge Road will begin soon. This will involve the first big bend going down the Gorge. We will endeavour to collect seed from the big titoki tree in the gully as the tree will probably not survive the in-fill plans.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday April 7 at 7.45. Residents are always welcome to attend.

Notes from NPA meeting held on 3 February 2010

• NPA members met with WCC officials in December 2009 at Cummings Park to discuss damage being done by dogs to the grass and to the stream banks. WCC agreed to have the stream wall rebuilt and to look at ways to improve drainage so that the grass has a better chance to regenerate.
• DPC61 appeal has now been heard in the Environment Court. We now await the judge’s decision.
• NPA’s Annual Goals will be finalized at the March meeting.
• NPA supports the WCC’s draft reserve classification plan, and the areas in Ngaio that it refers to.
• At the March meeting the NPA will decide whether or not to support a request from a local historian that the small park in Tarikaka Street be named Carran Park.
• Matt Robertson of the Makererua Reserve Group reported on developments there. There will be a picnic for neighbours of the reserve on March 7.
• Many of the new trees planted last year on the stream banks in Silverstream Road have been damaged or destroyed by over-enthusiastic weed-eaters working for the WCC. NPA will be discussing this with the WCC so that processes can be improved to minimize the chances of this happening again.
• A NPA member will contact the Berhampore Nursery re the expected life of the native grasses along Khandallah Road.

The next meeting will be held at 7.45 pm on Wednesday March 3. Anybody can come along.