Deputy Mayor’s Column

Water is always topical in Kāpiti. Thank you for your ongoing patience during the significant upgrades of water infrastructure affecting your main roads. This vital work is ensuring Ōtaki’s resilience and readiness for the future. Ōtaki’s new water reservoir is nearing completion with the final touches and leak testing being done before commissioning in late May/early June.

Council has had teams out talking with the community about flood maps and who should manage the delivery of your drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services.

On water services, community feedback overwhelmingly supported Council’s preferred option to keep those services in house rather than team up with Horowhenua, Manawatu and Palmerston North councils. At time of writing we hadn’t made a final decision, so check our website.

Flood maps help us plan future development, so we don’t build expensive infrastructure or new homes in flood-prone places. Advances in technology have enabled us to update our flood models and maps so they’re far more accurate and nuanced.

Ōtaki seems to have been host to the most significant events which I’ve had the pleasure of attending - Waitangi Day celebrations, Maoriland’s Film Festival, Anzac Day dawn service, Chief Fire Officer Ian King’s 50th Celebration, Launch of the Kapiti Horowhenua Business Awards to name a few – nga mihi for your manaakitanga.

How good has the launch & establishment of the Otaki & Te Horo Business Association been!  Shout out to Chair Deb Shannon and her governance committee for the hard mahi involved. The association is energetically becoming a significant support for businesses in Ōtaki. I’d encourage you to check them out, othba.co.nz.

Finally, the local body elections are on 11 October so please: Enrol. Stand. Vote. All the information you need is on the Council website at www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/Vote2025.

Nga mihi nui – best wishes,

Lawrence Kirby
Deputy Mayor