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

That’s why Horowhenua District Council is encouraging everyone to be aware of H5 bird flu and know what to do if they come across sick or dead wild birds.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is leading New Zealand’s response following recent detections of H5 bird flu in wild birds. Council is supporting that response by sharing practical information with our community.

The good news is there are no confirmed cases in Horowhenua, and the risk to people remains very low. Chicken and eggs remain safe to eat.

What you can do

If you’re out enjoying our beaches, lakes, reserves or other natural areas and see three or more sick or dead wild birds together, please don’t touch or move them.

Instead:

• Report them to MPI by calling 0800 80 99 66 or reporting online.
• If it’s safe to do so, take a photo and note the location.
• Keep children and dogs away from sick or dead birds.

If you keep chickens or other poultry, now is a good time to review your biosecurity practices and reduce contact between domestic birds and wild birds where possible.

Protecting our native wildlife, our environment and our local poultry industry is something we can all play a part in. By knowing what to look for and reporting unusual bird deaths, you’re helping experts monitor the situation and respond quickly if needed.

For the latest information, reporting guidance and advice, visit MPI’s H5 bird flu webpage at www.mpi.govt.nz/bird-flu

Alongside her journey is Peyton, who is coming to understand what a Tangata Tiriti partnership is and Grayson, a young Māori lawyer navigating his role in the system.

Performed by an ensemble cast, including well known rangatahi Hariata and Tamati Moriarty, the play is presented in Te Rākau’s unique Theatre Marae framework, creating space for collective reflection and shared experience.

Te Rākau is the longest running Māori theatre company in Aotearoa founded in 1989.

Recommended age 12+ contains swearing and depicts some violence. Children under 12 can accompany for free with a paying adult.

Friday 31 July, 6:30pm – 8:20pm

Horowhenua College, Levin

https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/waenga/levin/tickets

Thursday 30 July, 6:30pm – 8:20pm

Ōtaki College, Ōtaki

https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/waenga/otaki/tickets

Saturday 1 August, 6:30pm – 8:20pm

Te Raukura ki Kāpiti, Coastlands Theatre, Paraparaumu

https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/waenga/paraparaumu/tickets

The crash on State Highway 1 was reported just before 1pm and occurred between Kawiu Rd and The Avenue. 

Police say sadly, one person died at the scene. A second person was transported to hospital with critical injuries. 

State Highway 1 remained closed with diversions via Koputaroa Road and Kawiu Road. Motorists were advised to avoid the area and expect delays. 

Club Secretary Kiri Maxwell says, “On any given weekend in Ōtaki, the sound of boots on grass, laughter on the sidelines, and the steady encouragement of whānau tells a familiar story. It’s not just about sport – it’s all about identity, belonging, and the quiet determination to lift a community. For many tamariki and rangatahi, Raukawa ki Runga offers more than an opportunity to play. It offers direction, a place to grow.”

Te Tahi Takao, pāpā (dad) says, “He nui ake ngā hua o ngā whakataetae i te hākinakina anake. Mā ngā whakataetae nei ka whai wāhi ā mātou tamariki ki te whakapakari i te māia, te manawaroa, te ngākau whakaute, me ngā hononga kaha ki ētahi atu. He tino mea whakahirahira te kite atu i a rātou e mau ana i ngā tae o Raukawa ki Runga me te whakahīhī nui.

“The tournaments provide much more than sport. They help our tamariki develop confidence, resilience, respect, and strong relationships. Seeing them represent Raukawa ki Runga with pride is something very special.”

Te Aumangea Raureti-Maxwell, kaitākaro (player) says, “Ehara i te mea ko ngā kēmu anake te tino wāhanga pai. Āe rā, e hiahia ana mātou ki te toa, engari ko ētahi o aku tino maharatanga ko te tākaro tahi me ōku whanaunga, te whakatipu hoa pumau, te kai tahi, te tautoko tētahi ki tētahi, me te katakata tahi. Ko ēnei ngā wā e whakakaha ake ai i ō mātou hononga, e whakatata mai ai hoki mātou ki a mātou anō.\

“The best part isn’t always the games. Of course we want to win, but some of my favourite memories are playing with my cousins, making lifelong friends, sharing meals, supporting each other, and laughing with each other. Those are the moments that bring us closer.”

Tainui Cooper, kaitākaro (player) says, “Ina mau au i te tīhate o te tīma, ehara i te mea e tākaro ana mōku anake. E tū ana au hei māngai mō tōku whānau, tōku marae, me tō tātou iwi. Nā taua mana, nā taua whakahīhī hoki, ka ū tonu ahau ki te whakapau kaha i runga i te papa tākaro, ā, i waho atu hoki i te papa.

“It gives me pride to represent Raukawa. When I pull on the jersey, I’m not just playing for myself. I’m representing my whānau, my marae, and our people. That sense of pride pushes me to do my best both on and off the field.”

NZCT General Manager of Grants, Marketing and Communications Ben Hodges says, “We’re delighted to support a sporting kaupapa that enables local rangatahi to participate as Māori. NZCT can fund this community good thanks to the gaming machine fundraising partnership we share with the Family Hotel Ōtaki”

Raukawa ki Runga became a registered charitable trust in 2021 and works to support whānau wellbeing through sport, education and recreation. Based in Ōtaki, the organisation provides opportunities for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau to connect through shared kaupapa, while promoting health, leadership and cultural identity. The club currently fields approximately ten touch rugby and rugby league teams ranging from under-10s through to senior grades.

All dogs over three months old must be registered each year. Owners are encouraged to complete their registration by 31 July 2026 to avoid a late payment penalty.  

This year, Council has introduced Pawmanent dog tags – a lifetime registration tag designed to stay with each dog for life. While registration still needs to be renewed annually, the new tags mean owners no longer need to replace tags every year, making the process simpler and reducing waste.  

Mayor Bernie Wanden says registering your dog is an important responsibility for all owners.  

“Dog registration helps us keep our community safe and ensures we can quickly reunite lost dogs with their owners,” he says.  

“With the introduction of Pawmanent tags, we’ve made things easier for owners while also reducing unnecessary waste.”  

Mayor Wanden says registration fees directly support a range of animal management services across the district.  

“These fees help fund essential services like responding to complaints, providing education programmes, caring for animals at the pound, and rehoming dogs,” he says.  

“It’s about making sure dog owners are contributing their fair share to services that benefit the whole community.”  

Dog owners are also reminded to keep their contact details up to date so Council can get in touch quickly if their dog is found. 

Renewing your dog’s registration is quick and easy online at horowhenua.govt.nz/pawsonline. By paying online, dog owners can skip the queues at Council offices and avoid heading out in the winter cold. Owners can also choose to receive future renewal notices by email, helping to reduce paper use. 

A 50% late payment penalty applies to registrations not paid by 31 July 2026. Anyone who may have difficulty paying is encouraged to contact Council on 06 366 0999 or at enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz to discuss possible options. 

Painga Project’s mobile optometry clinic ‘Celia’ is in the region this week, providing free eye exams to Whānau Manaaki Kindergarten children as part of the charity’s Wellington pilot. Every child seen has already been screened by Painga Project — and 17 per cent of the children screened were found to need a full eye exam, a result that points to significant unmet need
among our youngest learners.

Celia has travelled from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, where she currently works in 53 of the highest equity index primary and intermediate schools. She hasn’t come alone: ‘Whina’, Painga Project’s mobile audiology clinic, has made the trip too, acting as a support vehicle where children can choose the frames for their glasses if they need them. Exams, glasses and follow-up are all free for whānau.

Painga Project is a charity built around a simple idea: equity at the school gate. A child who cannot see the board, or the pictures in a book, starts their education already behind — often without anyone knowing why. By bringing screening, full eye exams and free glasses directly to kindergartens and schools during the day, the clinic removes the cost, travel and time-off-work barriers that stop many families from accessing vision care.

“These children are about to begin their school journey, and good vision changes everything about how that journey goes,” says Sarah Corson, CEO at Painga Project. “What we’re seeing at Whānau Manaaki kindergartens tells us the need in this region is real. We’d love the Wellington community to get behind a permanently based mobile clinic — so this isn’t a one-off visit”.

The pilot is also a chance for Painga Project to better understand pre-school vision needs, and for the wider Wellington region — from Levin and Porirua to the city — to see what the charity could deliver locally. With funding for a Wellington-based mobile clinic, Painga Project could bring free vision care to children across the region, year round.

Locals who would like to support the mahi — as funders, partners or volunteers — can get in touch via paingaproject.co.nz or donate through the charity’s Givealittle page givealittle.co.nz/org/the-painga-project

Since launching earlier this year, the show has featured local musicians, business owners, students, creators, community leaders, and other inspiring guests, covering everything from careers and mental health to local events and issues affecting young people.

The Social Link airs every Wednesday at 6pm, with a replay on Saturdays at 2pm, and is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio.

Link to the show: https://www.coastaccessradio.org.nz/Programmes/Details.aspx?PID=d29b544d-0d1a-453a-b468-c32f55a67a07

Metlink will add extra carriages on the Kāpiti, Hutt Valley and Johnsonville lines for the match at Hnry Stadium on Saturday 11 July.

The game kicks off at 5.10pm, and about 20,000 fans are expected to use their match tickets to travel on Metlink bus and rail services.

Standard weekend timetables will run before the game, but additional trains will leave Wellington Station after fulltime on the Kāpiti, Hutt Valley and Johnsonville lines to help fans get home.

Match tickets can be used on Metlink bus and train services at no extra cost on Saturday. Passengers simply need to show their event ticket to the driver or onboard staff.

The free travel does not apply to harbour ferries, Airport Express buses, or Te Hunga Whaikaha Total Mobility taxis.

An extra harbour ferry sailing will leave Queens Wharf at about 7.30pm after the game, but bookings are required through East by West.

Buses will run to normal Saturday timetables after the match, with some larger double-decker buses replacing standard buses.

Metlink says passengers should expect busy services, allow extra time and check the Metlink app or website before travelling.

Rail lines will remain open on Friday 10 July and Saturday 11 July during the Matariki long weekend, but there will be disruption on Sunday 12 July while KiwiRail carries out upgrade work.

On Sunday, buses will replace trains all day on the Hutt Valley Line.

In the evening, buses will also replace trains on the Johnsonville Line, and on the Kāpiti Line between Wellington and Porirua.

The rail work is part of wider upgrades aimed at improving reliability and preparing the Wellington network for the arrival of Tūhono trains and higher-capacity services from 2030.

Off-peak fares will apply across the long weekend, including on the Matariki public holiday on Friday, when Metlink services will run to Sunday timetables.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to attend a community evening at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō to help whānau better understand and manage the challenges children face online.

Filmmaker, author and speaker Rob Cope, producer of the documentary Our Kids Online, will present Parenting in an Online World 101, a practical session on helping young people stay safer online.

The session will cover key online risks including cyberbullying, social media pressure, gaming, online predators, pornography, artificial intelligence and the sharing of intimate images.

It will also share practical tools for parents and caregivers, including filters and parental controls, safer smartphone settings, healthy boundaries around device use, and ways to have important conversations with tamariki/children and rangatahi/youth.

Cope says keeping children safe online requires a collective effort from families, schools and communities.

“We need to tackle this as a community so that all of our kids are safe. When I protected my kids online, I also protected yours, so please, please protect your kids online so that you are also protecting mine,” he says.

Councillor Jo Mason, Chair of the Community Wellbeing Committee, says the event supports Council’s focus on safer, stronger communities.

“Supporting parents and caregivers to navigate the online world is an important part of creating safer communities. Community safety is a priority within Horowhenua District Council’s Community Wellbeing Strategy, He Hapori Pakari, and a continuing area of focus for the Community Wellbeing Committee. By equipping whānau with practical knowledge and tools, the event aims to strengthen the wellbeing and safety of tamariki and rangatahi both online and offline.”

Parenting in an Online World 101 is open to parents, caregivers and whānau who want to better support their children online.

Event details: Thursday 6 August 2026 at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10 Bath Street, Levin. Doors open at 6pm and the event starts at 6.30pm. This is an R18 event.

Tickets are $10 and available through Eventfinda.