On this page you can find out what we talked about in our monthly meetings in the drop-in centre at the Ngaio Town Hall during 2008 and 2009

Notes from NPA meeting held on 2 December 2009

• NPA has been busy with a number of submissions to the WCC in relation to District Plan Changes (DPCs) which affect Ngaio residents. These include: DPC72 – infill housing, DPC70 – earthworks, and DPCs 61 and 73 – rezoning matters.

• We have also commented on the Council’s discussion paper – Wellington 2040.

• NPA members have met with WCC officials about the state of the grass and the plans for on-going maintenance of the re-furbished area in Cummings Park. This is a VERY popular spot for the local dogs and they are very hard on the grass particularly in the winter.

The first meeting for 2010 will be held at 7.45 pm in the Drop in Centre at the Ngaio Town Hall on Wednesday 3 February. It is a public meeting so residents are free to turn up if they wish.

Notes from NPA meeting held on 4 November 2009

• The submission of evidence relating to the Environment Court Appeal re District Plan Change 61 (Huntleigh Park Way) is now required by 28 November 2009. No date has yet been set for the actual hearing.

• Agreement re the Kilmarston subdivision has still not been reached. The NPA is also involved in this case – our main concern is guaranteeing public access to the Crow’s Nest. However, we are also concerned that the GWRC has given an extension of time for earthworks which require the in-filling of some water courses in the area, and we have written in support of the Trelissick Park Group’s complaint that we were not considered affected parties when the decision to grant the extension was made.

• The strengthening near the top of the Ngaio Gorge is “on” again after some engineering problems with the nature of the rock being drilled into. Motoring residents will also be aware of other road works going on in the suburb but with luck these will all be finished by Christmas.

• The NPA will be making a submission on Wellington2040: the future of our central city concentrating on the Quality of the Built Environment (particularly in relation to transport), Arts, Culture and Events (particularly in relation to libraries and the maintenance of Wellington as the Arts Capital of New Zealand) and the Council’s Role as Infrastructure Provider (making the point that while the central city is very important to the life of Wellingtonians, its needs should be balanced with those of the suburbs -where many more Wellingtonians live).

The NPA’s last meeting for 2009 will be held on Wednesday 2 December.

Notes from NPA meeting held on 7 October 2009

• District Plan Change (DPC) 61 has been appealed by two parties. The NPA is involved inasmuch as it supports the WCC DPC61.

• The WCC has allowed an amended fenced land encroachment at 95 Waikowhai Street. The NPA is keen to see the road reserve planted as soon as possible.

• This year’s Junk Drive raised over $1300. Half of this will be given to the Venturer Scouts for their assistance in ensuring the success of this eagerly-awaited local event. Collectors noted that there was less junk put out this year. The collection went very smoothly and it was decided that we won’t go back to having a Second-hand Sale on Khandallah Road as it really slows the collection up.

• The Makererua Reserve project group has been granted over $4000 by the WCC to get planning for its on-site nursery underway. This keen and active group of local residents is to be commended for its initiative in restoring a valuable piece of native bush. A recent thrill for them has been the sighting of kaka in the reserve. These native parrots are breeding in Zealandia so their explorations beyond are being watched with great excitement. There are plenty of jobs to do for local volunteers eg bird counting, seed harvesting and seed raising.

• The NPA will write to Greater Wellington Regional Council supporting the Trelissick Park Group with its concern that in March 2009 Kilmarston Developments Ltd (Heke/Patna Streets) were given an extension of time to reclaim sections of the beds of several intermittently flowing tributaries of “Ngaio Stream” (the Korimako), on the grounds that “no parties were considered to be affected by the Proposal”. The NPA is an affected party inasmuch as it is still dealing with this subdivision in the Environment Court.

• There was discussion of the upcoming AGM -October 15 2009 – and the need for more local residents to join the NPA committee

Notes from NPA meeting held on 2 September 2009

• There was a report back about the film matinee on 16 August. The films and jaffas were very well received, as was Jane from the National Film Archive. Jane gave an excellent commentary on the history of the films, why some had deteriorated over time, and the excitement of finding one decades after it was made. About $240 was taken at the door, so most of our expenses were off-set.

• We are planning to put in a submission on District Plan Change 70, the Council’s proposed earthworks policy. In general we support it, but have concerns over new rules regarding non-notification of discretionary activities. This means that people potentially affected by earthworks may not know they are going to take place until the bulldozers arrive.

• Wellington City Council advised that our letter about the state of Cummings Park turf and the tree by the stream edge has been included as a late submission to the Draft Dog Policy.

• Maria Archer from WCC addressed the meeting, focusing on infrastructure planning. She explained what to do if street lights aren’t working (phone the council) outlined what is happening with the Waikowhai Street sewer upgrade, and talked about water storage and management.

• The entrance to Cummings Park from Awarua Street has been much improved by Wellington City Council. The track has new gravel and the bushes cut back.

• There was some discussion about the proposed Korimako track, but any decisions were left for the October meeting

• Our junk drive will take place on 19 September. The local scouts will help to load the junk onto the trucks. Other volunteers are most welcome as we need people to drive behind the trucks, transporting the scouts.

• Our AGM will be held in the town hall on 15 October at 8:00 pm. There will be no guest speaker this year. You are most welcome to join the committee if you live in Ngaio

• The next meeting will be at the Drop-In Centre at the Town Hall on 7 October.

Notes of NPA meeting held on 5 August 2009

• Andrew Bonallack, the Chief Reporter for City Life Independent Herald now attends the monthly meetings of the NPA, and this is proving very useful for both the NPA and the Independent Herald.

• Several issues concerning local residents were discussed:

An encroachment on Road Reserve at 95 Waikowhai Street
The entrance to Cummings Park from Awarua Street
A housing development planned for Chelmsford Street

• Katrina Shanks, National List MP attended the meeting and discussed the ideas behind a Supercity and whether or not one could work for Wellington. There was also a lively debate with her about the proposed amendments to the RMA, and the way groups such as ours are likely to be affected. There were also concerns raised about the increase in infill housing in suburbs such as Ngaio which are so close to the city.

• There is no further action with respect to DP Change 61 at this stage. The WCC have now to file their evidence by 23 September and the NPA and the other s274s will then consider it.

• A meeting with Paul Bruce, Wellington Regional Councillor was reported on. This had had to be held in late July as submissions on the Transport review had had to be in before the present meeting. Paul had been made aware of problems and difficulties with the local buses and trains – timetabling, routes, delays and overcrowding. He said that Real Time bus signs should be in place later this year and urged anyone who had a problem to ring the Regional Council directly – and to put in a submission for the Transport review. Individual NPA members have done this.

• The NPA has written to the WCC about the state of Cummings Park. The dogs are having a wonderful time, and their owners love taking them there but the grass and the stream banks are suffering and there needs to be some longer term thinking done about how to create a win-win situation for everyone.

• Dates to remember

4 pm Sunday August 16 at the Ngaio Town Hall for the Film Show. This should be great fun and full of nostalgia. The film clips are being assembled by the Film Archive. Entrance is with a gold coin. This is a community mid-winter fun event arranged by the NPA.

8 am Saturday September 19 for the NPA Inorganic Junk Drive.

8 pm Thursday October 15 at the Ngaio Town Hall for the NPA AGM

Next meeting: Wednesday 2 September 2009

Notes of NPA meeting held on 1 July 2009

• Our website is up and running.
• Training for local shop keepers in how to use the new Rotary-donated defibrillator held at the Ngaio Medical Centre, is being considered.
• On Sunday afternoon August 16 there is to be a Film Show in the Ngaio Town Hall. It will feature old films with a local “flavour”. This is to be a community event organized by the NPA – a gold coin donation will be asked for to cover costs.
• The Labour List MP Charles Chauvel attended the meeting and spoke about the Auckland “super city” model for local government, and proposed changes to the RMA.
• A local resident is investigating the legal requirements for the building of the Korimako Track which will run alongside the Korimako Stream as it comes down beside Khandallah Road.
• The NPA will not put in a submission on the Draft Dog Policy (these are due by August 7) but encourages local residents to do so. There is much concern about the state of the grass in Cummings Park, the most popular and well-used dog playground in the area.
• The NPA will make a submission supporting the 2 key changes being proposed for the District Plan rules in relation to telecommunication structures such as the one which has appeared adjacent to the Ngaio Tennis courts. Basically we support the need for a resource consent for such structures.
• There will not be a “shop” at the annual Junk Drive to be held in September this year. The distance from the tip and the use of covered trucks are the main reasons for this decision – there is too much time lost when “good junk” has to be off-loaded.
• The planting in Silverstream Road has been completed by a small team of enthusiastic volunteers and Makererua Street residents have also done more planting alongside their local track.

Next meeting: Wednesday 5 August 2009

Notes from NPA meeting 3 June 2009

• The junk drive will be held on Saturday 19 September 2009. However, we are considering whether or not to hold a stall for the “better” junk. This is a lot of work. We will distribute a notice about the junk drive to residents a week or so before it takes place.
• The date for our AGM in October is not yet finalised.
• The Bell’s Track Working Group needs volunteers to help plant natives up Bell’s Track during the winter.
• An old-style community film show is being planned by the NPA for 9 August. More details available soon.
• Charles Chauvel Labour List MP in Ohariu and Katrina Shanks National List MP have asked to talk to us. We agreed to invite Charles Chauvel to come to our next meeting in July and Katrina Shanks to our August meeting.
• The weeding working bee arranged for Saturday 6 June was cancelled.
• There will be a planting working bee at Silverstream Road on Saturday 20 June at 10:00am. Please bring gloves, spades and any other useful equipment.
• The Ngaio Medical Centre now has a defibrillator, thanks to Rotary North.

Next meeting: Wednesday 1 July 2009 at 7.45 p.m. at the Drop-In Centre, Ngaio Town Hall.

Notes from NPA meeting 6 May 2009

• A 15m cellphone mast has appeared virtually overnight just outside the gate of the Ngaio Tennis Club. After NPA enquiries it was found that because such masts are regarded as “utilities” no resource consent was required. There is also a new cellphone mast in Crofton Downs. Not everyone is thrilled but due process appears to have been followed.
• The NPA is a s274 party in the District Plan Change 61 case re Huntleigh Park Way. The mediation set up by the Environment Court and scheduled for 27 April 2009 was adjourned at the last minute and the NPA Chairman is writing to find out what is going on behind the scenes.
• The Quetta Street Protection Society’s appeal heard in late March in the Environment Court was unsuccessful and therefore a proposed development of six town houses where one state house formerly stood can now go ahead. The NPA continues to have real concerns about in-fill housing in Ngaio.
• Ngaio dogs may soon have another exercise area in Chelmsford Park. The new turf in Cummings Park is not standing up well to the very heavy use it gets from the local canine population.
• The NPA will be putting in a submission on the Draft Long Term Council Community Plan. Local residents can make their own submissions after reading the two volumes of the draft document available from the local library. Submissions are due by 5 pm on Monday May 18 2009.
• Local residents who would like to help with weeding prior to further planting in the Silverstream Road area would be very welcome at 10 a.m. on Saturday June 6.
• An old-style community film show is being planned by the NPA for either August 9 or 16. There will be more details available soon.
• There will be a Junk Drive again later in the year. The date will be confirmed soon.

The date of the next meeting is Wednesday June 3 7.45 pm at the Drop in Centre next to the Ngaio Town Hall.

Notes from NPA meeting 1 April 2009

• The NPA held a morning tea at Café Villa on Sunday March 29 to acknowledge Alan Fraser’s retirement after 49 years at the Ngaio Pharmacy. Alan received a card signed by the NPA Committee and many residents of Ngaio, and a “Ngaio” tile
• The Northern District Rotary Club has raised money for a defibrillator which will be kept at the Ngaio Medical Centre. Soon training in its use will be offered to Ngaio shop keepers and any other local residents who want to learn how to use it
• The Ngaio sign on Khandallah Road which was damaged some weeks ago by On Track will be replaced soon
• The NPA is a s274 party in the District Plan Change 61 case and will be involved in the mediation set up by the Environment Court and scheduled for 27 April 2009
• The NPA has made a submission on the Resource Management Amendment Bill
• The Mortgagee Sale of the Pavan land at the end of Silverstream Road was discussed. Unfortunately the GV of $6m had a dampening effect on the discussion. Purchase by the WCC of the outer fringes some of which are zoned rural may be the best we can hope for
• The WCC Walkways and Reserves Officer has checked out the new track through the Makererua Reserve, and is pleased with it. Signage is being arranged
• The Chairman appeared as a witness representing the NPA at the Quetta Street Protection Society’s appeal heard in late March in the Environment Court
• Much work has been completed on the old NPA website and the new site should up and running very soon.

March 2009

Notes not available

February 2009

Notes not available

Notes from NPA meeting 6.8.08

• There was a lengthy discussion about how effective the Council’s “consultation” is. This followed from a letter we received thanking us for our comments on the Draft Annual Plan and telling us of the few proposals which had been changed before the Annual Plan was printed. It was decided to write to the Mayor and Councillors asking what specifically changed as a result of submissions on the Draft Annual Plan. We are also interested in what trade-offs there were as a result of any changes made. Some members expressed concerns about “submissions fatigue”.
• The final decisions about the Kilmarston subdivision have still not been signed off. We will be contacting the Environment Court about these matters.
• The Dog Exercise area in Cummings Park is in a dreadful state with the winter rain only making matters much worse. The Council and our local councillors will be contacted about what can be done to fix this once and for all.
• A suggested track has been marked out from Orleans Street to the magnificent puketea tree in the Makererua Reserve. Work will be done on this when the WCC officers have approved the suggested route.
• Initial planning for a date for the 2009 Junk Drive was undertaken but it won’t be finalized until the Scouts have confirmed that they will be available to help.

The date of the next meeting is Wednesday September 3 7.45 pm at the Drop in Centre next to the Ngaio Town Hall.

Notes from NPA meeting 2.7.08

• There was a lengthy discussion of the Council’s Discussion paper: How and where will Wellington grow?: proposals for change and character protection. Both the Crofton Downs neighbourhood centre and the Johnsonville town centre are Proposed Areas of Change so there are plenty of issues for local people to be thinking about. Feedback is due by July 14.  The NPA response will relate to the way in which the information has been communicated (very loosely and with inconsistent legends in the maps used) and the concerns it raises for local residents eg how current owners’ interests will be protected, and how the use of best quality design guides will be ensured.
• Several local residents are interested in developing a walkway through the bush between Makererua and Orleans Streets. There is also to be some more planting in this area soon.
• There has been no sign-off yet re the Kilmarston development.
• The area behind the Play Centre in Silverstream Road is ready for the planting working bee at 10 a.m.on Saturday July 12. Local residents particularly those who live in the immediate area, are encouraged to help.
• The NPA acknowledged with sadness the recent deaths of Ron Chapman and Martin Glesti-Drayton. Both men had been involved with NPA activities over the years.
• There has been no decision yet re the Huntleigh Park Plan Change 61.

The date of the next meeting is Wednesday 6 August. 7.45 pm at the Drop in Centre next to the Ngaio Town Hall.

Notes from NPA meeting 4.6.08

• Ngaio School held a very successful centenary last weekend. The weather was cold but fine. Lots of friendships were re-kindled and there was much laughter. The centenary book which is full of stories and recollections, and wonderful photos of “old Ngaio” is available from the Ngaio School Office (or email info@ngaio.school.nz) for $20. The NPA will be giving a seat to the school to mark the occasion.
• The annual street audit will be conducted by NPA members over the next few months. This is when things like broken steps, overhanging bushes, non-functioning lights, poor road and path surfaces and deficient signage are reported to the Council. Let us know if you are aware of a problem – even if you have already rung the Council on 499 4444.
• The Ngaio Scouts have been presented with a cheque for $1000 for all their help with the Junk Drive in March. We couldn’t have managed without them!
• NPA made an oral submission about District Plan Change 61 (Huntleigh Park). We are now awaiting the Commissioner’s decision.
• NPA also made a submission on the WCC Draft Annual Plan.
• As appellants in the case concerning the Kilmarston development (Huntleigh Park Way/ Patna Street), the NPA will be appearing in the Environment Court on July 7. Concerns about this development have gone on for decades and the NPA remains committed to securing access to the Crow’s Nest and the ridgeline for local residents, and the wider community
• There will be a working bee to plant more of the area behind the Play Centre in Silverstream Road Crofton Downs at 10 am on Saturday July 12. Please come along to help – especially if you live in the Crofton Downs area. There will be a few extra trees to plant in the Khandallah Road area and near the stream at the Waikowhai Street entrance

The date of the next meeting is Wednesday 2 July. 7.45 pm at the Drop in Centre next to the Ngaio Town Hall.

Notes from NPA meeting 2.5.08

• The Ngaio community arts festival is in full swing, with 60 people attending the writers’ workshop in the library and other sessions also popular. The festival closes on 11 May.
• The Ngaio School centenary celebration gets underway on 30 May.
• NPA is to present an oral submission to the City Council on 21 May regarding the Council’s plan change 61 to re-zone land adjacent to Huntleigh Park.
• We withdrew our submission to WCC agreeing with their proposal in district plan change 63 to re-zone land at 99-101 Waikowhai St from outer residential to conservation site. All submissions were in favour of this change, so there is no point in holding hearings.
• The Council’s Infill Housing review gets underway on 9 May. The proposal actively encourages higher-density housing in targeted areas of Wellington, including Crofton Downs. There are to be a series of public meetings about this including on in Karori on 11 June from 7:00-8:30pm.
• NPA members are to review the WCC Annual Plan and will make a submission if necessary.
• Some of the grasses on Khandallah Road have been replaced.
• We have ordered 250 plants from the Council – mainly for Silverstream Road, but a few to fill in gaps in the Khandallah Road planting. We expect the plants to arrive in early July and will hold a working bee around then. All welcome!
• Trevor has worked on the signs at the entrances to Ngaio and they are now looking like new again.
• The turf in Cummings Park is in very poor condition and Council have agreed to resow it.
• Apparently commuters are parking their cars all day in the Cummings Park carpark, severely reducing the parking spaces available to people using the local businesses.
• Residents may have noticed the geotechnical works being carried out on Waikowhai Street. The Council is considering relocating the sewer pipe from the banks of the Korimako stream to the side of Waikowhai Street. They are currently checking on the stability of the subsoil.
• Residents are appealing the resource consent granted for six townhouses on the corner of Quetta St and Cockayne Rd.

Notes from NPA meeting 2.4.08

• NPA is pricing options for the seat to be gifted to Ngaio School for its centenary.
• The junk drive raised over $2,000 with money still coming in to the Chemist.  If you put junk out but forgot to put $10 in your letterbox, you can still leave the money at the Chemist shop.  The meeting discussed some of the problems that arose during the drive, including the time it takes for the trucks to get to the tip and back again now that the Churton Park landfill is closed.
• The Council has granted resource consent to the Quetta St townhouses.  No concessions were made to accommodate objections raised by residents.
• NPA sent off a further submission on the WCC plan change 61 to re-zone land adjacent to Huntleigh Park.
• We also sent a submission to WCC agreeing with their proposal in district plan change 63 to re-zone land at 99-101 Waikowhai St from outer residential to conservation site.
• Some of the grasses on Khandallah Road will be replaced next winter and a working bee may be held around that time.
• The Ngaio community arts festival will be held in and around Ngaio Village from 2-11 May.

Next meeting: Wednesday 7 May at 7:45 in the Drop-in-Centre, Ngaio Town Hall.

Notes from NPA meeting 5.3.08

• All arrangements are in hand for the Junk Drive to be held on Saturday March 15. Local residents should receive a more detailed notice in their letter boxes this week.
• The NPA will be donating a seat to Ngaio School for its centennial which is to be held over Queen’s Birthday this year. The seat will be sited at the Aplin Terrace entrance on the grass over-looking the field.
• Over 100 submissions were received in respect of the WCC Plan Change relating to Huntleigh Park Way. A summary of those submissions can be seen on the WCC website. Further submissions from previous submitters are due by 31 March 2008. The NPA’s main concern is that as much of the native bush is preserved as possible.
• Objections to the infill development planned for Quetta Street were heard recently. Despite the fact that the NPA had raised some objections, in the event at the hearing we were not considered an “affected party”. The NPA intends taking this matter up with both the WCC and the Ministry for the Environment – as a matter of principle.
• The negotiations re the Kilmarston Subdivision have still not been completed. Delays have characterized this development since its inception.
• Chartwell School is now to be known as Crofton Downs Primary School. There will be more publicity about this soon.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday April 2 2008 at 7.45 pm in the Drop-in Centre, Ngaio Town Hall.