Many highlights already as Christmas approaches
It’s been a month since the elections, the days are getting longer, and its nearly time to clean the barbecue for the Christmas season.
There have been so many highlights already, including visiting the new Shed Project premises at the Ō taki Māori Racecourse, Kāpiti Coast Arts Trail, Kā piti Women’s Expo, Ō taki College prizegiving, launch of the Camp Paekākāriki interpretation site, farewelling the old Paekākāriki Surf Club and checking out the Mahara build, which is progressing extremely well.
The past month has also been a period of change and adjustment, especially for those elected for the first time.
We have such an incredible group of councillors and community board members who’ve put their hands up to serve our communities.
Lawrence Kirby has been appointed deputy mayor and brings a wealth of community experience and connections, and we welcomed Darren Edwards, our new chief executive with a powhiri at Raukaua Marae.
A sadder occasion at Raukawa Marae was a visit by council to pay respect to Te Waari Carkeek who was a chair and member of Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti for many years. His knowledge of the history of our area (and wider) was immense, and he was deeply respected as an author and an authority on so many subjects. Thoughts are with whānau and friends.
Finally, even with the opportunities and work that come your way as mayor the moments that have been the most special have often been the quiet, personal ones. From calling Lawrence Kirby to ask if he’d be my deputy mayor to sitting on the main street in Paekākāriki catching up with locals.
They are the moments to savour and be grateful for, especially during this transition period when so much is happening.
I can’t wait to see what comes next and I look forward to doing my best for Kāpiti. Here’s to a great summer!