The fund comes from endowment land at Foxton Beach and is managed by Horowhenua District Council on behalf of the community. Grants are paid from the income the fund earns each year, never from the fund itself. This helps ensure the fund continues to support future generations.

Until now, there was no public application process. That changed with a policy adopted in September 2025, developed with Te Awahou Foxton Community Board, descendants of the original landowners of Papangaio J Block, and the wider Foxton Beach community.

Te Awahou Foxton Community Board Chairperson Ross Brannigan, said the change puts community ideas front and center. 

“For years, we’ve had people come to us with ideas about what Foxton Beach needs. Now there’s a clear way for them to put those forward.

“Foxton Beach is a small community and local people here know exactly what would make a real difference. I’d encourage anyone with a good idea to apply.”

Funding is available across four areas: heritage and culture, recreation and conservation, economic development, and wellbeing and community. Projects could include community facilities or shared assets, environmental and coastal projects, cultural and heritage initiatives, or projects that simply bring people together.

Applications must be for public services or amenities that benefit the people of Foxton Beach, and the project needs to sit within the Kere Kere Ward.

Applications will be assessed by Council officers, then reviewed by a working group of Board members and representatives of the descendants of Papangaio J Blocks original landowners. The Board will then make recommendations to Council, which will make the final decision.

Applications close on Wednesday 30 September. For help with your application, phone 06 366 0999 or email Democracy.Services@horowhenua.govt.nz

Full criteria, FAQs and details on how to apply are on our Apply for Foxton Beach Endowment Fund page.

The first of these significant decisions saw Horowhenua District Council adopt the Levin Town Centre Retail Transformation Strategy and approve $200,000 in funding to begin delivering improvements and implementation of the Strategy.

The Retail Transformation Strategy provides a roadmap for strengthening our town centre over the next 10 to 15 years, with the goal of making it the place people from across Horowhenua choose to meet, eat, shop and spend time.

Councillor Clint Grimstone, Levin Ward Councillor and Council representative on the project’s Steering Group, says the decisions signal a shift from planning to action.

“We know the Taitoko, Levin town centre has huge potential, and these decisions give us a clear direction and some real momentum,” Councillor Grimstone says.

“Council’s aim is to create a town centre our community can feel proud of. By investing now, we can make improvements people will see and experience, while supporting local businesses and creating a town centre that works for everyone.

“A strategy sitting on a shelf won’t transform our town centre. By making $200,000 available from our existing Town Centre Activation budget, we can get moving now and deliver improvements our community can see and experience.”

The funding will support early initiatives such as improved street cleaning and gardens, better signage, enhanced public spaces, and work to improve access, safety and vibrancy.

Council will also establish a contestable fund to support town centre retailers and property owners to improve their shopfronts. Potential projects could include repainting, upgraded signage and lighting, façade improvements. The details and timing of the contestable fund will be finalised and communicated in the coming weeks.

The Strategy responds to feedback from residents, retailers and property owners, who highlighted the need for greater retail variety, a stronger hospitality offering, more activity and a refreshed town centre environment.

At the same meeting, Council made a second key decision confirming the pathway for the redevelopment opportunity associated with the six strategically located Council-owned properties on Oxford Street. Council chose to apply the intent of its First Right of Refusal to Iwi Policy by providing iwi and hapū with an exclusive opportunity to put forward redevelopment proposals through an Expression of Interest process before any opportunity is offered to the wider market.

“This is an opportunity to work in partnership with iwi and hapū and invite forward ideas that can deliver the outcomes we want for these important sites,” Councillor Grimstone says.

The opening of the Ōtaki to north of Levin expressway, currently expected in late 2029, will significantly change how traffic moves through Horowhenua. Councillor Grimstone says Council is determined to prepare early and make the most of the opportunities ahead.

“We’re not waiting for the expressway to open before thinking about what comes next,” he says. “This is our opportunity to make Taitoko, Levin town centre a destination in its own right, somewhere people choose to stop, spend time and return to, rather than simply pass through. With the direction set, funding behind it and key sites moving forward, now it’s time to get on with it. The redevelopment of these Oxford Street properties presents an opportunity to be a catalyst and transformative development in the heart of the Town Centre.”

The Lower North Island Boys Tier 4 secondary school hockey tournament runs from Monday, August 31 until Friday, September 4.

Hockey New Zealand lists Horowhenua Hockey Association as the host of the tournament, with matches being played at the hockey facilities at 41 Adkin Ave, in Levin.

The competition is part of Hockey New Zealand’s national secondary schools tournament programme and brings Lower North Island boys’ teams together for five days of competition.

Levin is also hosting the North Island Secondary Schools Hurricanes Under-15 Girls Rugby 15s tournament.

School Sport New Zealand lists the rugby tournament as running in Levin on August 31 and September 1, with New Zealand Rugby organising the event.

The two competitions mean Levin will be a centre for secondary school sport throughout the opening days of September, with players, coaches and supporters travelling to the town for hockey and rugby.

The hockey tournament continues through to Friday, while the Hurricanes Under-15 girls competition concludes on Tuesday.

Agreed by Horowhenua District Council, Palmerston North City Council, Rangitīkei District Council and Nga Tapūwae o Hau through the Joint Shareholders’ Committee, the Statement will guide Central Districts Water (CDW) through its establishment phase and once it begins delivering water services on 1 July 2027.

At its core, the Statement requires CDW to provide affordable, efficient, safe and reliable water services, while planning for the long term and remaining accountable and connected to the communities it serves.

It requires a long-term and affordable approach to infrastructure investment, aligned with council growth plans and iwi and hapū planning documents. It also sets expectations for strong governance and financial management, open communication and responsive customer service, resilient services, improved environmental outcomes and meaningful involvement of councils, mana whenua, iwi and hapū in planning and delivery.

While CDW will operate across a larger service area, the Statement recognises that communities , iwi and hapū, have different circumstances, priorities, relationships and responsibilities and these need to be built into the way CDW operates from the outset.

Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden says one of the strengths of the Statement is its focus on both affordability today and investment for future generations.

“Water infrastructure requires decisions that look well beyond a single annual plan or council term. CDW needs to take a long-term approach while keeping affordability and value for money front and centre. That means being upfront about investment, managing risks well and making sure the capital programme supports the growth and environmental outcomes our communities need.”

Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith says signing the Statement gives the CDW Board a clear understanding of what is expected.

“We’ve been determined from the outset that Central Districts Water should be built through true partnership, with our communities and their long-term interests at the centre of decision-making. There are no side chats, everyone is at the table, the rules of engagement are clear and there has been real unity.

“This Statement gives us a common direction: safe and reliable services, value for money, good long-term planning and an organisation that remains connected to the communities it serves.”

Rangitīkei Mayor Andy Watson says the partnership has been strengthened by recognising that communities across the service area are different.

“Rangitīkei is different from Palmerston North and different again from Horowhenua. We have rural communities, smaller towns and different infrastructure challenges, so retaining that local understanding is incredibly important to us. What has worked well through this process is that we haven’t tried to pretend every community is the same. The Statement gives CDW a clear expectation to deliver the benefits of working regionally while keeping a strong local focus.”

Nga Tapūwae o Hau representative Danielle Harris says the Statement provides a crucial foundation for an enduring partnership between CDW and mana whenua, iwi and hapū across the three districts.

“Wai is not simply infrastructure. It carries responsibilities and relationships that have endured for generations. What is significant is that these expectations have been agreed collectively. There is a shared understanding that relationships with mana whenua, iwi and hapū are part of the fabric of how CDW thinks, plans, invests and makes decisions from the beginning. That gives us an honourable starting point for a meaningful relationship built on trust, where local knowledge, tikanga and the different circumstances of iwi and hapū across the rohe are understood, respected and given effect to. We will not be judged by what we have done today, but by what the state of wai is in centuries to come.”

Central Districts Water Chair Hon Steve Maharey says the Statement gives the Board and establishment team clear priorities as they build the organisation.

“This document tells us very clearly what our shareholders and partners expect from us. Success will not be measured simply by whether water continues to come out of the tap, or goes down the drain. Our job is to gain the benefits of working together at scale without losing sight of the different communities, relationships and priorities within the area we serve. Having our partners aligned on those expectations gives us clear direction as we work towards 1 July 2027.”

The full Statement of Expectations can be viewed at www.centraldistrictswater.co.nz/expectations

Communities can stay up to date through the CDW website, social media channels and an email newsletter launching in the coming months.

There will also be opportunities for people to learn more and provide feedback, including on the Water Services Strategy, as CDW prepares to begin operating on 1 July 2027.

Until then, the three councils remain responsible for water services, and service requests or concerns should continue to be directed to the relevant council.

As part of the Levin Town Centre Transformation, the project will deliver a series of public murals across Council-owned buildings and spaces, helping to create a more vibrant, welcoming and distinctive town centre.

Public art is an important part of creating places where people want to spend time. It brings colour and character to everyday spaces, celebrates local identity and helps the community to connect with the places they live, work and visit.

Mayor Bernie Wanden says the project is about creating places that reflect the unique character of Horowhenua.

“The Levin Town Centre Transformation is about creating a town centre that’s vibrant, welcoming and uniquely ours. Public art has an important role to play in achieving that vision. It helps tell our stories, reflect who we are and helps create places that people are proud of and want to visit.”

Council is looking for artists who can create high-quality, contemporary works that respond to place and contribute to Levin’s evolving identity.

Murals will be commissioned for a range of Council-owned sites, with artists selected based on their style, experience and how well their approach suits each location.

Expressions of Interest are open to both established and emerging artists. Council is particularly interested in artists who value storytelling, creativity and collaboration, and who understand how public art can enhance shared public spaces.

Applicants will be asked to provide information about their artistic background, examples of previous work and their approach to creating public art that reflects both place and community.

Expressions of Interest close at 5pm on Monday 7 September 2026.

The Expressions of Interest Guide and online application form are available on Placemaking – Mural Expressions of Interest page.

With over 5,300 high-school students and their caregivers already registered to attend, including many students from the Horowhenua district, the university says it will be a day to remember.

Iconic Wellington landmarks will be lit up green to mark the occasion, contributing to a city-wide celebration. From the moment visitors exit the train station and head to the bus stop outside our Pipitea campus, they will see Wellington through green-tinted glasses.

The event offers prospective students a chance to attend sample lectures, explore the University’s campuses, and get a feel for life as a student in the capital. They will have the chance to ask big questions of the University’s in-house philosophers, use some giant rollers to create a printed design, play some student-created video games, and even sample some ice cream made with liquid nitrogen.
Local retail, hospitality, and tourism businesses are also getting involved, offering discounts and giveaways to visitors through our funky festival wristband.
Vice-Chancellor Bryony James says that while attracting prospective students to Open Day is a key focus, the event is as much about showcasing the city vibe as our three fantastic campuses.
“What an incredible city to be a student in. You’re right in the beating heart of the creative, political, legal, corporate and scientific ecosystem of the country.
“The best thing about Open Day is watching the spark ignite someone’s sense that they might just have found their place in the world.”
The event is part of the University’s ongoing efforts to attract and engage prospective students while supporting the Wellington scene. Open Day 2026 is expected to be one of the largest gatherings of future students in recent years.

Registrations are open now. https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/open-day

There are free buses throughout the day between campuses:
 Kelburn campus, Kelburn parade, Kelburn
 Pipitea campus, Bunny Street, Pipitea
 Te Aro campus, Vivian Street, Te Aro

Applications open on Friday 31 July 2026. The Horowhenua District Council Tertiary Education Scholarship provides $1,000 toward study fees, along with the opportunity to gain paid work experience at Council over the 2026–2027 summer break.

The scholarship is open to local students who are keen to explore what a career in local government could look like. To be eligible, applicants must answer yes to both of the following:

• Do you live in or are you from Horowhenua?
• Are you leaving school to begin a tertiary qualification in 2027, or continuing tertiary study in 2027?

The successful applicant will receive:

• $1,000 to help with tertiary study fees.
• Up to 10 weeks paid holiday work experience with Horowhenua District Council

Mayor Bernie Wanden says the scholarship is one way Council is investing in local talent and opening the door for young people to see where a future in local government could take them.

“Our rangatahi have so much to offer Horowhenua, and this scholarship is about supporting them to achieve their goals while encouraging them to stay connected with their community,” says Mayor Wanden

“Alongside helping with study costs, the paid work experience gives students valuable insight into local government, the opportunity to develop new skills, and the chance to contribute to projects that make a real difference for the people of Horowhenua.”

Mayor Wanden says the scholarship reflects Council’s ongoing commitment to supporting young people through opportunities that connect learning, employment and community impact.

Applications close at 11.59pm on Sunday 30 August 2026. Apply online on the Tertiary Scholarship page: https://www.horowhenua.govt.nz/CommunityPlaces/Ceremonies-Scholarships/Horowhenua-Tertiary-Education-Scholarship

In June 2026, 2,322 young people aged 5–25 accessed free counselling through Gumboot Friday, with 3,776 sessions delivered nationwide.

Sessions are free, no referral is required, and young people choose who they want to talk to from Gumboot Friday’s network of registered counsellors.

Breakdown by age group:

656 young people aged 5–11 (28%)

716 young people aged 12–17 (31%)

950 young people aged 18–25 (41%)

June’s figures mark the busiest month of 2026 so far for Gumboot Friday. They show young people are continuing to reach out in high numbers, and that fast, simple access to counselling remains critical.

Since 2019, Gumboot Friday has funded 164,835 free counselling sessions for young New Zealanders as at 20 July 2026, with more than 927 registered practitioners across the country helping make that possible.

Every month, thousands more sessions are delivered to young people aged 5 to 25, often at a time when they simply can’t afford to wait or pay for support.

“June tells the story pretty clearly. More young people are reaching out, and we have to be ready when they do. These kids don’t have time to sit on a waitlist, jump through hoops, or prove they’re struggling enough. They need someone safe to talk to, and they need it when they ask for it,” says I Am Hope founder Mike King.

“Since 1 July last year, 12,242 rangatahi have accessed Gumboot Friday and 37,630 counselling sessions have been delivered. That is 37,630 times a young person has sat down with someone safe and been able to say what’s really going on and we couldn’t do it without the support of New Zealanders,” King says.

Government support helps pay for counselling sessions, but running Gumboot Friday takes more than session funding alone. Donations help support the platform young people use to book counsellors, the team who keeps it running, counsellor support, compliance, awareness, school programmes, community outreach, and the prevention work that helps young people know support is there before things reach crisis point.

With demand now at its highest point this year, community backing remains essential. Every donation, fundraiser, shared post and gumboot sold helps keep Gumboot Friday moving and helps young people connect with free counselling when they need it.

If you or someone you know is 25 or under and needs someone to talk to, visit www.gumbootfriday.org.nz to book a free counsellor today — no referral needed.

To donate, fundraise, or get involved with I Am Hope, head to www.iamhope.org.nz or text HOPE to 469 for a $3 donation.

They might be organising fundraisers, supporting rangatahi, caring for the environment, leading in sport or the arts, or simply showing up for others when it counts.

Now is the time to put their name forward.

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Civic Awards and Youth Excellence Awards, giving Horowhenua the chance to recognise the people whose mahi/work, generosity and achievements help our district thrive.

The awards celebrate those who contribute their time, energy and heart to community life – from long-serving volunteers and behind-the-scenes helpers, to inspiring rangatahi/youth leading the way in sport, arts and culture, academia and community service.

Mayor Bernie Wanden says the awards are an important reminder of the strength, kindness and talent found across Horowhenua.

“So much of what makes Horowhenua special happens because people choose to give their time, skills and aroha/love to others. They are often the ones working quietly in the background, but their impact is felt right across our towns, villages and communities. These awards are our way of saying we notice, we value you, and we are grateful.”

He says the Youth Excellence Awards also give the district a chance to champion young people who are already achieving at a high level.

“Our rangatahi/youth bring fresh ideas, determination and creativity to everything they do. Whether they are excelling in the classroom, on the field, on stage, or through service to others, they deserve to be encouraged and celebrated. These awards help show them that their community is behind them.”

The awards support the aims of Horowhenua District Council’s Community Wellbeing Strategy by helping to strengthen community pride, connection and belonging. By recognising the achievements of our people, we help create a district where everyone feels seen, valued and supported.

How to nominate

These awards are for the people who make a difference – the ones who give their time, lift others up, and help make Horowhenua feel like home.

Anyone can nominate. If you know a volunteer, young achiever, coach, teacher, committee member, neighbour or community group doing great things, now is your chance to recognise them.

A nomination only takes one person to start – and it could mean a great deal to someone who has spent years giving to others.

Nomination forms and full criteria are available online at:

• Civic Awards
• Youth Excellence Awards

If you need help with your nomination, call 06 366 0999 or email community@horowhenua.govt.nz

Who can be nominated?

Civic Awards

The Civic Awards honour individuals and/or volunteer groups who have made a significant, unpaid contribution to community life. 

Nominees can be acknowledged in areas such as:

• Community, cultural or religious affairs
• Service to youth, recreation or education
• Service to conservation.

Youth Excellence Awards

Open to young people aged 12 to 24, these awards celebrate excellence in:

• Community service
• Academia
• Arts and culture
• Sport

Up to 16 scholarships of $500 will be awarded in 2026. Since the initiative began more than 20 years ago, more than 260 young people across Horowhenua have received Youth Excellence Awards. 

“These scholarships can make a real difference, whether they help with study costs, travel to events, equipment, or the next step in a young person’s journey. It is a practical way to say: we believe in you,” Mayor Bernie says. 

Previous nominees who were not selected are welcome to reapply.

Nominations close on Wednesday 9 September 2026 at 11:59pm.

Award recipients will be announced at a special ceremony on Thursday 19 November 2026.

Chief Executive Employment & Performance Committee

Tuesday 4 August 2026, 1pm to 3pm
Tararua Room, Horowhenua District Council, 126 Oxford Street, Levin
Please note that this meeting is not open to the public.

Council Meeting

Wednesday 5 August 2026, 10am to 1pm
Council Chambers, 126 Oxford Street, Levin
(Live streamed)

Risk & Assurance Committee Meeting

Wednesday 12 August 2026, 10am to 1pm

Council Chambers, Horowhenua District Council, 126 Oxford Street, Levin
(Livestreamed)

Te Awahou Foxton Community Board Meeting

Monday 17 August 2026, 6pm to 8pm
Ngārongo Iwikātea Room, Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, 92 Main Street, Foxton

Community Wellbeing Committee Meeting

Wednesday 26 August 2026, 10am to 12pm
Council Chambers, Horowhenua District Council, 126 Oxford Street, Levin

For more on Meetings see: https://www.horowhenua.govt.nz/News-Events/Public-Notices/Meetings-in-August-2026