Of Bridges, Blossoms and Bus Shelters …

Bringing extra joy to our Christmas season this year is the sparkling new bridge at the top of State Highway 25a (the Kopu-Hikuai). Speed restrictions are in place, but due to many areas of new seal there’s been a few broken and chipped windscreens reported – so make sure you keep an eye on your speed to lessen the risk to your fellow motorists.

You’ll barely recover from the sheer ecstasy of driving over the new bridge and then you’ll be hit with the brilliance of this year’s pohutukawa blossom. If you think the flower display is bigger and brighter this year – you’re correct! This is a “mast seeding” event caused by heavy rainfall and warm temperatures – the trees will flower profusely and then produce a vast amount of seeds. The bats, birds and bees are loving it!

This year we said goodbye to the iconic Opoutere bus shelter. A complaint from a member of the public attracted the attention of the Council who deemed the structure illegal and removed it. A few local heroes stepped up – an ORRA-lead design team was assembled and the Council were positively engaged to provide funding. Some master craftsmanship was performed by Marty Kingsford and Grant Stuart, a new noticeboard was built by Mike Broome and Chips Jones created an artwork from weatherboards salvaged from the old bus shelter. Thanks to all involved for this smart and useful addition to the village.

Staying Safe In Opoutere This Summer

FIRE RISK

There is always concern over wildfires during summer and this year is forecast to be even hotter and dryer than normal. Onemana Fire Chief, Jo Adams, held an information session in the Ōpoutere Hall in November to share grave concerns about the risk to life and property if there was to be a fire in our area. His primary message was to be prepared – to keep trees and plants clear of houses and to have an evacuation plan for each household. One of his greatest fears is a fire starting from an appliance/ tool battery – never leave a battery charging unattended.

A great source of fire safety information is on the Fire and Emergency NZ “Protecting Your Property” page.

IN CASE OF FIRE – CALL 111. Then call Jo Adams on 0274493034, he and his team are minutes away and can provide other emergency crews with local knowledge.

SURF DANGER

In early 2023 a tragedy unfolded on Opoutere Beach. Rough surf following a cyclone event caused an entire family to be caught in a dangerous rip, resulting in the loss of two precious lives and the hospitalisation of two other people.

There are now a couple of donated surf-skis and lifebelts along the beach to help rescue people who are in trouble – but the beach remains unpatrolled and requires extreme caution at all times.

IN CASE OF A WATER EMERGENCY – CALL 111. Then call Jo Adams on 0274493034, he and his team are minutes away and can provide other emergency crews with local knowledge.

OPOUTERE HAS A DEFIBRILLATOR/AED UNIT

Mounted on the front downstairs wall of 299 Opoutere Road (“Heron’s Hide”) is a fully automated, user-friendly defibrillator unit. Always call 111 before heading for the defibrillator. For more information on defibrillators check out the Hato Hone St John website.

Many thanks to Peter le Heron and Angela Peters for providing a home for this vital piece of safety equipment.

Dates for the Diary

ORRA AGM

9.30am Tuesday January 2 2024 The Opoutere Ratepayers & Residents Association is holding its AGM at the Opoutere Hall (note change of venue this year!).

WORLD FAMOUS OPOUTERE REGATTA

1pm Wednesday January 3 Come to Bruce’s Bay for the bucket races for the kiddies and stay for the swimming and kayaking events. The day culminates in an all-out brawl when the family kayak relays take place and all manner of bad behaviour and outright cheating is normal. There’s a BYO picnic and prize giving in the Michael King Reserve shortly afterwards. *Keep your eyes peeled for notices closer to date, as times may change.

Start practising your swimming, kayaking and cheating now!

SUMMER RUBBISH COLLECTION SCHEDULE

Extra summer rubbish pick-ups start on Wednesday December 27. All the info you need to be on top of your recycling and rubbish needs is here on the TCDC website. This information is specific to Ōpoutere, Onemana and Whangamatā North. Don’t forget to stock up on the tags for the red-lidded bins!

KAPAKAPA WETLAND RESTORATION SITE WORKING BEE

10am-11am Saturday January 6th 2024 All welcome to help the Wharekawa Catchment Care Group to control weeds around recent planting.

Meet at the big puriri tree on the west side of the Kapakapa causeway with gloves, spades, clippers. Rain date 14th Jan 10am.

Nesting Birds, Dogs and People

Sadly, these three things don’t go together well.

Please obey all TCDC and DOC signage relating to dogs near and on the beach, especially at this very important time for our nesting shore birds. The dotterels and variable oyster catchers are good parents but don’t stand a chance against marauding dogs and careless humans. The Wharekawa Spit is a gazetted Wildlife Refuge and is the only place that our avian whānau have protected access to low-tide feeding grounds. The estuary side of the spit is roped off and is off-limits to everyone except DOC officers and their designated volunteers. During the busy holiday period around Christmas and New Year there will be Dotterel Watch helpers at low-tide to protect this feeding area.

Join the Dotterel Watch team this summer – put your name on the roster on the spiffing new noticeboard (replacing the bus shelter) and lend a hand for an hour or two.