Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Karekare Residents and Ratepayers Trust held on Sunday 23rd January, 2000 at 10.00am at the Karekare Surf Club.

The meeting was attended by the Mayor, Bob Harvey; Waitakere Community Board Members Kubi Witten-Hannah, and Denise Yates; Craig Lupton and Simon Stodart from the ARC, Hine Hettema representing the Laingholm community, KKRRPT committee members, and 28 community members.

1. Apologies
Ella Baker, Fran Williams, Crs. Penny Hulse and Carolynne Stone, Caroline and Rebecca Witten-Hannah, Vanessa Fergusson.

2. Confirmation of Minutes of the AGM held 23rd Jan 1999
MOVED by Robin Taylor, 2nd John Edgar. CARRIED

3. Matters Arising from the 1999 AGM
Complaint about cars left on the beach. The Surf Club intend to change the combination, know the identity of the offenders, and will have a word to them.

4. Chairpersons Report (Rob Taylor)
I would like to note the sad passing of committee member Mike Curlis after a long illness, and the drowning of a tourist visitor to our beach last Anniversary Day. Our condolences to their families.

It has been another busy and productive year for the KKRRPT committee. I would like to thank all members and helpers for the time and effort they have put into the wide range of activities outlined below.

WCC liaison:
We put a major submission in to the 1999/2000 Annual Plan process, and followed up with letters to, and appearances before, the Council and Community Boards. We were also part of the Council's "Our Future Today" consultation process.

Whilst our relations with the Council, its officers and staff are generally very good, we are concerned with the actions of the "Go Waitakere" group of councillors, who often seem to represent only the interests of a small group of land developers, and who appear to try to avoid accounting for these policies in public. The positive side of this challenge, however, is that it has encouraged community groups across the Waitakeres to link up and pool ideas and resources.

It was heartening to see a large contingent of Karekare people at the Laingholm meeting on subdivision, and we are grateful for the ongoing support and encouragement we receive from Mayor Bob Harvey, Councillors Penny Hulse and Carolynne Stone, and Betty Hanson and Kubi Witten-Hannah of the Waitakere Community Board chaired by Denise Yates.

Fundraising:
This was a major focus of our activities this year, and we have met the first of three $7,000 repayments to the WCC for the loan which enabled us to protect the Gribble property in conjunction with the ARC. The Art Auction next week should put a big dent in the remainder, and I encourage all to attend this unique event.

I want particularly to thank Julia and Alan Moore for creating and distributing the Land Share information, and Fran Williams, Sue Curtling and Richard Priest for donating the proceeds from events they held at their homes. Thanks to all who have bought share certificates or made a donation, and to the Race Day committee, Bush & Beach Tours and the Waitakere branch of Forest & Bird whom also provided generous support.

Caroline Witten-Hannah organised the first Land Celebration picnic, and Miles Hargest took the publicity photos.

ARC liaison:
Once again, Craig has been a great help, and we congratulate him on his coming sabbatical in the US. Craig organised the PD team who have made such a difference in the Pohutukawa Glade, and made a start on the pea plant under the Cave on LK Rd.

The committee has also put a lot of thought into ways the community can benefit from the proposed ARC/WCC land swap, and we intend to be more actively involved in the management of key areas such as the carpark, Waterfall and Glade.

Other Activities:
Mary Gardner and Sue Curtling have bought together the proposed new version of the KK Management Plan, a key document in the eyes of the ARC and WCC. Special thanks to Mary for her unstinting enthusiasm, depth and breadth of ideas, strategic vision, and her understanding of KK as a part of the national and global environment.

Shalema Witten-Hannah continued as our representative to the West Coast Plan process; the final WCP draft for public comment supports many of the points we have raised in the KK Management Plan and other submissions.

Ella Baker and Ingrid O'Hanlon have organised the council and other bodies to continue the programme of road sealing and marking, and repair of parking / turning areas. The "No Parking" lines on LK and KK Rds have been successful in reducing traffic hassles on busy days.

Sue Curtling has organised two Working Bees, and liaised with ARC on weed and pest control.

In addition to those already mentioned, I would like to give thanks to the following people and organisations for their service to our community over the last year:

Dianne Carter and Helga Strewe, for their two years of work on the Art auction.

Jenny Taylor, for publishing the Billboard, maintaining the database, and assisting with the Art Auction.

LK School, for their Arbour Day planting in the carpark.

The Karekare Surf Club
The Karekare Fire Party
The Lone Kauri School Committee
The Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators
The Piha/Karekare First Response Unit

Finally, thank-you to the Surf Club for their hospitality to us today.

5. Treasurer's Report (Ella Baker)

KAREKARE RESIDENTS' & RATEPAYERS' TRUST
TREASURERS REPORT - 10TH JANUARY, 2000.

OPENING BALANCE
00 a/c $207.15
50 a/c $2,711.49 OPENING TOTAL $2,963.64

INCOME
Interest $119.90
Subscriptions & Donations to KKRRT $604.00
Shares and donations to land purchase $7483.61
TOTAL INCOME $8,207.51

EXPENSES
1st instalment W.C.C. land loan repayment $7000.00
Bank charges $18.81
Refreshments $56.55
Stationery, stamps etc. $367.55
Printing (land brochures) $585.00
Memorials - plaque $150.00
donation 100.00 $250.00
TOTAL EXPENSES $8,277.91

CLOSING BALANCES
00 a/c $91.24
50 a/c $2802.00 CLOSING TOTAL $2,893.24

LANDPURCHASE FUNDRAISING
Many thanks to all of those people who have been enthusiastic about being part of our initiative to maintain the beautiful wilderness environment of Karekare. To the ARC for accepting our proposal, the W.C.C. for making it possible and to all who have contributed with donations and share purchases. The response to this venture has been most encouraging. Also many people have generously contributed a tremendous amount of creative thinking, time, energy, expertise and art work to make this fundraising the successful venture that it is. A very big " THANK YOU" to all of those people who have been involved to date.

The first donations, in June 1998, followed the Herald story of our community taking out a loan to purchase the land below the cave and prevent it from going into private ownership. To date 109 lots of shares have been purchased or donations made. Of those 40 have been for $100 or more which adds up to 40 trees (so far) to be planted on the site in the autumn of this year. An interesting development is the way in which some people have added individual meaning to the environmental and love of Karekare purpose of the fundraising.

Some people have used the $100 purchase to plant a tree in memory of a loved one. Others have used the tree planting idea to encourage family members to treasure and have a stake in the preservation of our natural heritage. Shares have been purchased for birthday presents and Christmas presents - many of these have gone to people in other countries. Participants of an occupational therapists course had a reunion lunch at Karekare which included the purchase of shares to mark the occasion. In December two 1yr old cousins were each given a share for their birthdays - all being well these tots will be able to come and sit by/under their trees for the next 80 plus years. And on a romantic note this month, when a young couple visiting our beautiful beach decided that they wanted 'to be together forever' the young woman's mother purchased $100 share as a gift to mark the occasion - another couple have marked their 25th wedding anniversary with tree shares in memory of a wonderful time they had here just 26yrs ago.
Right now the art exhibition leading up the Art Auction on the 30th January is underway at Lopdell House. An invitation has been sent to Karekare households. Please promote this event where/whenever possible. The Auction promises to be an exciting event.

Acceptance MOVED: Robin Taylor, 2nd Dave Beck. CARRIED

6. Election of Committee for 2000.
Jacqui Madelin, Dave Beck, Ingrid O'Hanlon, Ella Baker, Kerry Littlewood, Fran Williams, Sue Curtling, Kevin Ferguson, Mary Gardner, Ann Robinson and Robin Taylor (Chair)
Acceptance MOVED Olivia Sheenan, 2nd John Edgar. CARRIED

7. Community Group Reports

7.1 Fire Party. (Kevin Ferguson).
1999 was a quiet year with only about 7 callouts.
The summer of 1999 was fortunately wet.
Membership has been stable.
The restriction on open fires is from 1st Dec. to 30th April 2000.
The equipment is in good condition as the Waitakere City Council is very responsive to needs.
Kevin extended his thanks to the Council.

Discussion
Q. Have there been many cars set alight?
A. About 5 last year, more than in previous years, they are a danger to the bush.
Q. What should residents do when they see fires lit in transgression of the ban?
A. The ARC do not allow fires on the beach or on open land. Gas B.B.Q.s are allowed in the Pohutakawa Glade. Contact ARC (ph 303 1530) or Kevin (8128 153) if it looks as if it may cause a problem.
Ring 111 if the danger is extreme.

A vote of thanks to the Fire Party was proposed by Ingrid O'Hanlon.

7.2 Surf Club. (Karel Witten-Hannah)
Karekare is the fourth most dangerous beach in New Zealand.

Last season was a difficult one for the Surf Club with two fatalities. The current season started with three fatalities at Piha. The shape of the beach at present means there are some very dangerous rips at times when there is large surf at various stages of the tide. In these conditions a lot of care is needed.

As a result of the fatalities our local Police Commander has been conveying a series of meetings of interested parties with the aim of reducing the number of major incidents.

One result of this has been the installation of three signs at Karekare - in the Glade, opposite the Surf Club and on Watchman's Road track - warning the public to swim between the flags and advising when lifeguards are on duty. Swimming outside the patrolled area is one of the biggest problems for Lifeguards. The people are often near dangerous rips like the north rip. When we warn people we often get the response "It's all right we are locals". Being local doesn't protect a person from drowning. Unpredictable large sweeper waves can push a person who may be only waist deep into a dangerous rip. The locals who swim near the north rip not only place themselves at risk, they place at risk visitors who follow their example and may end up placing lifeguards at risk.

On a more positive note Surf Club membership has improved and in particular we welcome the many new local members. The junior lifeguard or nipper section of the Surf Club is also very strong at present with excellent local support.

The Surf Club is trying to get funding to convert the old men's toliet/shower area in the basement into a dedicated First Aid Room and to carry out other remedial maintenance around the club house.

The Surf Club would like to thank the local community for their support and would like to encourage you individually or as a group to lobby local and central government for improved funding for Surf Lifesaving.

Discussion.
Q. Has there been any problems with Shell Fish poachers?
A. Only a few. There is evidence of some large mussels. In general there is good compliance.

7.3 Lone Kauri School. (Susie Butler).

LONE KAURI SCHOOL REPORT
KARE KARE RESIDENTS AND RATEPAYERS TRUST A.G.M.
23 January 2000

Lone Kauri has had another happy year with the school roll fluctuating around the fourteen mark.

We continue to have a close relationship with Oratia School with their senior staff liaising with the teaching staff at Lone Kauri on a regular basis, and the Lone Kauri children travelling to Oratia for the cross country and other events.

Our school curriculum has as usual had a unique Lone Kauri flavour with the raising of six chickens providing a highlight for the children in Term 4. We have had regular trips to Lopdell House and local artist Jasmine Clark's interactive art exhibition was a real hit.

Gannets figured significantly in our school programme. We went to Muriwai to see the gannets returning from Australia in August and this generated an endless accumulation of 'facts' and figures about these fascinating birds. We will make another trip to Muriwai to see the gannet chicks early in the new term.

Our concrete area at the back of the school has been extended and the children have been enjoying having the space for those traditional school activities like skipping, ball handling and hoolahoops. We plan to upgrade the rimu tree hut in the coming year with our accumulated Telecom money. This will definitely be popular with the kids.

We look forward to the coming year with the knowledge that we are 'the best little school in the west!'

Susie Butler (School Committee Chair)

Discussion
Q. Regarding the drop in the roll below 14, is there concern that at some point the school may be closed?.
A. The School is expecting to start the year with only 12 pupils but will have 2 more by March.
Q How is the school managed ?
A. All parents are automatically on the committee. There will be a meeting in the new Year .
Q. How is the tree planting program going?
A. Halted at present but it could be revived in partnership with any interested person(s)

7.4 KK First Response Team. (Shalema Witten-Hannah).
This is a 4 member team, and is a back up service to the Ambulance Service.
Have received a $15,000.00 grant for a defibrillator
There were 5-6 call outs over the year.
Training is at Piha .
The entanox (for pain relief) has proved very useful whilst waiting for transport for the patient.
Phone no's to ring for this service:…111 or Witten-Hannah's, ph 8128 863 or Rob Taylor
ph 8128 506

7.5 Shellfish Ban Report. (John Edgar).
Our Rahui has now been in place for six and a half years. We now have a permanent protection under the Fisheries Act (1996) against the taking of all marine life except fin fish.

The voluntary ban at Piha, White's Beach and Anawhata is being effective only because residents are spending many hours on the rocks educating the public in conservation.

We need to work harder at Karekare to ensure our ban is effective. It is up to us, we are both the educators and the enforcers of the ban.

New pamphlets are available now. Please take a few home and distribute them to people who need to know about this ban. Carry some in your beach bag and hand them out on the beach when necessary.

In September last year, I spent and afternoon with Ann Grace on the north and south rocks looking for signs of regrowth of the kelp beds that had disappeared in March 1998. We could find no signs of new growth and it appears now that it may be some time before the bull kelp beds are re-established. Their demise may be related to rising sea temperatures, and if so, the kelp might never return. This has serious implications for the ecology of the rocky reefs, of which the kelp is such an integral part. It appears that there are few scientific studies to throw any light on this matter. In two-weeks time we will be carrying out our 12th Shellfish Survey, which will involve photographic survey as usual. Maybe we will find out more about the kelp regrowth then.

In the meantime, the Labour Government's commitment to establishing more marine reserves is something that Karekare and the West Coast should be seriously considering. WRPS is actively investigating a marine sanctuary on this coast and we would be pleased for any community involvement. This is certainly a matter that KKRR should be discussing.

Thanks to our Shellfish Survey Team, Ann Grace, Miles Hargest, Ann, Donna, Diane, and to WCC who support our work and fund the photographic survey. To Karel our HFO and to the surf club who keep an eye on the rocks.

John Edgar
Coordinator

Discussion
Concern was expressed about the sightings of commercial fishing boats of the coast.
A. Marine Sanctuary would address that. At present the only grounds for creating a Marine Sanctuary was for scientific reasons, but the new Labor Government intends to change this.
Kubi: A Kaipara to Manakau ban may not be supported by some communities, so it may be that the reserve has to be established community by community.
Denise Yates : The Ministry of Fisheries is not dedicated or responsive to the principle of Marine Reserves. She suggests that this is a role that community boards could pick up.

Mary. Cath Wallace of ECO is working to facilitate this. Mary will get further info.
Shalema reported that there is some evidence of kelp returning round the island and Cauldron areas.

7.6 West Coast Plan. (Shalema Witten-Hannah).
This plan is now in its draft form.
Discussion about the moves by the Go Waitakere faction on the Council to relax subdivision controls.
Kubi - the Community board is also determined to preventing this happening
Resolution MOVED by Robin Taylor, 2nd KerryLlittlewood.

"That this meeting strongly opposes oppose any relaxation of subdivision controls in the Waitakere Ranges and Bush Living Environment, as expressed in Planning and Regulatory Committee resolution 2516/99, and furthermore demands that the Council work within the current planning framework to address this issue".

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

7.7 Water Quality .(Robin Taylor).
The new Council has reconvened the Piha Karekare Water Quality steering Group with Kubi in the Chair.
A contractor will do tests weekly over the summer months (1st Nov-30th March)
Signs are erected when levels are high and removed when the readings return to acceptable levels.
To Dec 15, tests are still not good, with high e.coli counts some times recorded at the Watchman's Bridge 2/7, and the Lagoon 1/7. The Opal Pools stream is not tested.
We still have a problem caused by some substandard septic tanks.
Karekare has 25 that need attention. The council drainage engineer has had site meetings with 21 of these owners, and the remaining 4 will be followed up by registered mail.
Those who have not attempted to repair their systems by the end of Feb.2000 will prosecuted.

Discussion on the change to ecoli as opposed to e.cocci as the indicator species and their interpretation. It is not a perfect system but is the best to date.
Q. Would the new water group check out the stormwater situation on Lone Kauri Rd. where run-off occurs.? Is there an opportunity for 5-6hrs a week employment for a local to keep drains cleared?
A. This was done in the past, but Council now want a contractor
Action: Robin to talk to Neil Prendiville, Council roading manager

7.8 Weed Control. (Sue Curtling)
Gretchen Schubert at the Council is very cooperative
March 1999…Agapanthas were deheaded in the KK valley to prevent seeding.
Oct 1999…Effort to contain the pea plant from spreading. Eradication is a huge project, and we could ask for assistance from the Landcare Trust via the ARC

Ngaire Sullivan, ARC addressed the meeting and outlined the role of the N.Z. Land Care Trust, and the basis of cooperation with local 'care groups'. through the ARC
The ARC's National Heritage Team as part of the Land Care Trust, works with local 'Care' groups from communities, iwi etc
They establish a basis for funding. with a focus on what help that community needs, such as
coastal land, weed and pest control, erosion structures, catchment problems.
Having a 'caregroup' would give us a formal relationship with, and access to ,the ARC
for our specific concerns. They can provide technical advice and help with identifying sources of seed funding .
A Land Care Group could be a Semi-independent group operating under the KKRRP Trust, in the manner of the very successful Fundraising / Art Auction group.
Interested people : Robin Binsley, Ella Baker, Dave Beck, Ann Robinson, Barbara Witten-Hannah, Sue Curtling, Mike Nixon.

MOVED by Kubi W-H: That we set up a local Landcare Group under the umbrella of the KKRRP Trust
2nd Ingrid O'Hanlon . CARRIED.

Sue Curtling was appointed Convenor

Discussion: Pine trees and ways of eradicating them. Ranger Simon Stoddart, commented that he would like to remove up to 10 a year from the hill to the north of the base of the cutting. They could be used for firewood, within the community Trees can be poisoned, as in Waiatarua, but bits falling off as they die can be a risk to people.
Suggested : that we could involve Auckland City people in the landcare projects, a 'friends of KK' scheme.

7.9 Karekare Management Plan.
Mary Gardener presented the meeting with the Draft Update of the 1989 KK Management Plan, as revised and reprinted in 1994.

Mary and Sue Curtling have put together the results of 2 years of community involvement via the 3 West Coast Plan meetings and the survey questionnaire.

The Chair worked through the resolutions in the draft update to get an indication of issues. It became clear that another round of community consultation and meetings will be required.

Discussion re power and telephone lines. Concern that services be adequate to deal with the increasing needs of the community, eg people choosing to work from home.

Encouragement to residents to put their lines underground, in conjunction with the undergrounding of roadside lines in the beach area.

Action: Committee to ask the lines companies for communication and cooperation with householders when undergrounding lines, so that work on private properties can be co-ordinated.

8. General Business.
Mayor Bob Harvey thanked the KK community and the committee, saying that his commitment to sustainability could only worked with the support and passion of communities such as this.
Kubi Witten-Hannah: The Waitakere Community Board also valued the support of the KKRRP Trust, and extended an invitation to anyone interested in attending Community Board meetings.

Sunday 13th Feb . Governor General would be visiting the Surf Club at 1am.
Bob is work on a new KK book
Erosion up the end of the Watchman's Rd. now a problem
WRPS announced that they are carrying out a series of trials of various poisons to deal with wasps, and hope that by summer 2001 we will have the means of more effectively dealing with this pest over a wide area.
Beekeeping expertise and gear was offered by Olivia Sheenan Ph 8128 863
Rates Rebates: Dave Beck ph 8128 682 has information on the 'Green Network' and ways of cutting your rates.

The meeting closed at 1.05 PM