PIHA  VILLAGE  VOICE

Piha Beach News, Views, Opinions, Photographs & a bit of Gossip about Piha

Readers are welcome to write to Piha's 'Village Voice' with news, views, opinions or photos for publicaton  - Name must be supplied but names withheld on request.   Emails may be edited.  

Left: Village Voice Editor

Check out What's Happening in Piha Beach

ISA World Juniors . com / New Zealand HERE

Unofficial photographs of Quiksilver ISA Junior World Surfing Champs on PihaNZ here

22/1/10 Classic 13 foot caravan for sale - and its already in Piha !

Very tidy interior. Underside in good nick - rust-free galvanized chassis. 1 double and 1 single bed. Double converts to table and 2 single beds.

See details on Piha Trader HERE

21/1/10 Large Piha crowds cause wave of complaints: Jan O'Connor says it's dangerous to have so many people using the one road that leads to Piha. She says the council should have organised public transport for the youth event.

"Young kids will be getting in with young people who've only recently got their drivers licence to take passengers and are not used to the Piha road, which has a lot of problems with accidents," she says.

Senior sergeant Regan James of Waitakere Police says Piha's windy roads were carefully considered prior to the event.  "It is a risk with the location that there's only one access route into Piha, and that's one of the factors we've considered in our planning."

Ms O'Connor is angry the Auckland and Waitakere councils bid around half a million dollars to hold the event.  

But Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey says a small group of Piha residents  are against everything. (not residents Bob !)  Full story

21/1/10

"A mobile police station has been established next to the Piha Beach fire station. Officers from throughout the Waitematä and the Auckland Police Districts plus Highway Patrol, TAG and Team Policing Units are deployed."

"This event is of significant importance to New Zealand's status as a holder of major events. We'll be under a global microscope," said Mr. James.  Full story

ISA President Fernando Aguerre opened the conference conveying the ISA´s excitement about the event.

"I'm very happy to be here," said Aguerre. "It's our first time running an event in New Zealand. I've heard a lot about the waves, its people and the culture, so we're very excited to hold this event at Auckland's Piha beach. He also stated: "Our events are known as the "Olympics" of Surfing, athletes don't come here to win money, they do it for the honor of representing their countries. Enjoying great days with kids from all over the world is what makes this event so special. We bring the surfing tribe spirit to New Zealand and upon departure, we will leave as New Zealand´s new ambassadors."    Full Story

Left: Piha Rangers, Susie & Phil, erecting the signs that come into force at midnight tonight, Tuesday, until midnight on January 28th - for the duration of the Junior World Surfing Champs

There are a number around so it'll be hard to miss them. 

19/1/10

Spotted in Piha enjoying a nice coffee with the NZ Herald was Petra Bagust

19/1/10  Have you seen a fitter pair in Piha?

Jim and Sue, left, popped on their bikes and rode to Wellsford for lunch?  Yip: rode to Wellsford.

They're in very serious training for the 'ironman' coming up and we'll be following their progress.

CPR skills save a life in Piha   Adrenaline, quick-thinking and a good knowledge of CPR combined to save a mans life after an early morning road crash at Piha.

Heroes: Bruce Simpson, left, and Mario Ozich

Rescuer Bruce Simpson was bunking down at a mate's place on Marine Pde when he heard a smash on the road outside around 2am.

The volunteer lifeguard rushed outside and found a vehicle in the creek. The people-mover was upside down and under water when he reached it.

Bruce, 23, whipped off his shirt and jandals and dived in. The doors were locked. "I tried to pull them open and then kick the back window with my foot," the Te Atatu South resident says. "It was dark and I was right under the water."

A passerby gave him a car jack which he used to smash the glass. Bruce couldn't see anything but reached inside where the car's occupants grabbed at his hands. He managed to drag three to safety. "They were screaming and crying, saying there's still someone in there," Bruce says.

"I told a guy on the bank to come in and hold my legs. I went under again but I was running out of breath."

Bruce managed to get the fourth occupant out through a side window just as his friend, Mario Ozich from Swanson, joined him in the shoulder deep water.  "The guy was pretty much dead," Mario says.

"We checked his airway and he wasn't breathing. We put him up on top of the car which was the flattest place we could find to start CPR on him."

The men were ecstatic when their patient started breathing again.  "He spewed up water and vomit but was still unconscious," Mario, 22, says. "You could hear his breathing but it was really husky."

The victim was lifted to the bank where an off-duty St John member (Ari Peach & Piha First Response) took over.  Rest of the story

PIHA BASED BUILDERS

It's all very well to have a 'monitoring group', anyone can 'monitor'.  Where is the 'action group'?  I understood, from last year, that if anyone was leaking sewage into the Lagoons they would be closed. 

Could someone from WCC please bring us up to date with what is happening . . .

Freshwater location	Date Sampled	E.coli /100 ml	Outcome	Next Results Due
Bethells/Te Henga Lagoon	12 Jan 2010	1700	Guidelines exceeded - Swimming not recommended Warning signs erected - Retesting initiated	15 Jan 2010
Karekare Lagoon	12 Jan 2010	660	Guidelines exceeded - Swimming not recommended Warning signs erected - Retesting initiated	15 Jan 2010
Karekare Car park	12 Jan 2010	550	Guidelines exceeded - Retesting initiated	15 Jan 2010
Piha Lagoon	12 Jan 2010	1400	Guidelines exceeded - Swimming not recommended Warning signs erected - Retesting initiated	15 Jan 2010
Piha North Lagoon	12 Jan 2010	420	Guidelines exceeded - Retesting initiated	15 Jan 2010
Lake Waimanu	12 Jan 2010	<10	Complies with guidelines - Swimming recommended	19 Jan 2010

14/1/10

You can log a call if it is a continuing problem ARC 3662000 and ask for Pollution Hoteline.

Looking for accommodation in Piha for the Surf Champs - Contact us HERE

1. Coca Cola Bands on the Beach - moved to the Domain
2. Vice Versa Party at Piha SLSC
3. After event party at North Piha

Drink driving, speeding and car crashes can happen anywhere and anytime people choose to drink and then drive.  The accident that happened at North Piha cannot be blamed on any one of the above events but rather people who choose to do really dumb things - as the advert on TV says "If you drink and drive, you're a bloody idiot".  You are also a bloody idiot if you get into a car with a drunk driver!

• Is Piha suitable for an event such as Coca Cola Bands on the Beach?  I don't think its suitable on the beach but  it was good to see the Domain used for once. I took hundreds of photos of the people who came.  They were having a great time picnicing on blankets and/or dancing to the music.  Far better behaved than a lot of my generation at that age!
• Drinking - 24 hour ban in any public place 
• Music - a little lower maybe. 
• Traffic management - needs improvement please, especially for emergency services.
• How often?  - once or twice a year - why not?  We are privlidged to live or own property here but Piha does not belong to us.  I have no problem with 'sharing' it with Aucklander's a few days a year.

People who live closer to the water front in Piha have amplified music and commentary all day for most surfing and boating events on the beach - many times a year.   Is it any different because its surf associated?   

I'd really be interested in your thoughts?

Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand and Peter and Sarah Hillary unveiled the plaque to mark the opening of the Hillary Trail today.

Left: the opening commemoration plaque.  Below: Peter Hillary, Sir Anand Satyanand and Sarah Hillary.

Hillary Trail opens at Piha Beach on 3News

10/1/10

A special guest at Coca Cola Bands on the Beach

Piha's very own 'Skid Vicious'

More photos tomorrow 

I understand a quick thinking motor cyclist identified the culprits that started the fire on Lion Rock late this afternoon.

Left: click on this photo to see how high the Fire Service had to go to put out the fire.

The Piha Fire Service (voluntary) pumped water up from the lagoon to put the fire out.

Another great job guys - thanks

10/1/10  Clear out your gutters - there is Rain on the way

Auckland Rain Radar . . .  very handy

It's a tradition that has been going on at the Piha SLSC longer than most of us have been on this earth.  Vice Versa or 'cross dressing'.

What is it that happens to guys when they get into women's clothes?  They just do 'it' so well.  Maybe they do watch and notice more than we give them credit for?

Left:  Our french guests camping it up with someone (middle) that just jumped out of a car to join in the photo.

Unfortunately there was a terrible car accident at North Piha after this gig .  I heard the helicopter and ambulances. I hope it wasn't fatal and everyone is OK.

 All the bottles and rubbish in South Piha car park was being cleaned up this morning.  What a shame that people supporting the Piha SLSC can't put their rubbish in the bins.  Or maybe there weren't enough bins? 

What a day!  I am sure someone knows how many people & vehicles came to Piha today for the Coca Cola Bands on the Beach - I wouldn't like to guess.   There were heaps on the beach enjoying the water alone.

The event organisers moved the site from South Piha Beach to the Domain because with the sand movement on the beach there wasn't enough space - good move with the crowd that turned up, I'd say. 

We went for a cruise around and really enjoyed the atmosphere.  A neat summers day and people were relaxed, having fun and enjoying the themselves.  The Police, including the Team Policing Unit, used it as a 'practice run' for the Junior World Surfing event starting  next week, and were generally happy with the crowd behaviour they told me. They took a few away but you'll always get that where there is a crowd.  The St. Johns crew were also happy.  I'm not sure how many Coca Cola were expecting but some improvement to their traffic plan was called for early on . . . .  thank goodness they had 'free buses' from the city or else Piha Road may have been closed again and perhaps with a better traffic management plan it should have been closed. 

Personally it was great to see so many happy people out of the city, in the sun and fresh air enjoying themselves at the beach and the 'locals' I talked too were loving it too and were pleased to see so many enjoying Piha and that's nice.

So some photos:  I took heaps but have chosen these to publish.  Click for larger images.  There is one photo I didn't get today but am determined to get tomorrow - and you know who you are!  I'll get you . . .

Above: 1: Piha Beach was packed. 2. New Eel Bridge full. 3. Overview of the Domain

Below: 1. Relaxed crowd enjoying themselves. 2. Dancing  3. Volley ball, soccer and hand stands.

Above: 1. Says it all really.  2. Young locals loving it.  3. More young locals loving it!

Below: 1. Heaps enjoyed this water fun  2. A good police presence  3. Plenty of St. Johns too

A huge thanks to the Piha SLSC,  North Piha Lifeguards, NZ Police, St Johns Ambulance and the Ranger

#1 :  ASB Classic/ Heineken Open

#2 :  ISA World Junior Surfing Champs  January 20-28, Piha

The best young surfers in the world will take to the waves at Piha later this month when Auckland plays host to the 2010 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.

The week-long event will see the world's best under 18 year surfers battling it out for world titles in the biggest event in the junior surfing year.

The championships is an Olympic-type event, with surfers from around the world competing both individually and for their countries.

It is the first time the event has been staged in New Zealand and it has been 25 years since an ISA event of this magnitude has been held in Australasia, so it is well worth making the trek out to Piha to have a look.

#3 etc HERE

"God I love Piha. Pics taken from my deck"

Click these for larger images.  I have reduced the resolution a little.  If you would like a higher resolution copy just email.

 A Ray of Sunshine in Piha

To the couple walking down Beach Valley Road, from Pendrell Road, one of each side picking up bottles and cans and putting them into a rubbish bag - thank you.  They tell me they don't come here that often but when they do this is what they do.  Wow!

To the gentleman I saw yesterday, in the Domain, zig zagging from bottle to rubbish to bottle picking it up, thank you too.

Anyone else noticed these gorgous people wandering Piha and picking up litter or doing 'their bit' for our environment?  I just love your attitude and I do believe its contagious

If they must do it then can you do it in the middle of the night please. 

  This daily stench just has to stop!

The Police presence in Piha during this period and the fact that the booze bus is going to be a daily visitor, security will be keeping a very watchful eye on these areas and Police will quickly step in to discourage anti-social behaviour, including drinking.  The Police already have powers to deal with people drinking in public places, the liquor ban just makes their job a whole lot easier. . . . . . . . . If (there are any problems it)  will be dealt with swiftly by Police and Security.  We are operating a one strike and you are out policy.

With regard to Stedfast Park and Glenesk Road:

The carpark (at the end of Glenesk Rd) is ARC owned and not captured under (WCC) by-laws or bans.  Team Policing Unit will be working this area extensively, given that some of the teams are staying [at Stedfast] and it is being used for public parking, so they want to discourge petty theft, vandalism, and of course over indulgence in the amber liquid that people are so fond of.  Will get them to also foot patrol and walkways leading towards the beach and make sure the event security also picks up these areas as "special interest" sites.

I am waiting to hear if Stedfast Park Management are going to allow alcohol there under their 'discretionary use' . . . .  ?

So there we are readers:  I know WCC, The Police, Surfing NZ, NZ Sponsorship etc have put in a huge amount of planning for this 'world class' event.   If there are any problems it'll be dealt with very quickly.

7/1/10  On the road again Summer's here, and for Piha residents that means more traffic. But they still don't have a footpath to walk on.

7/1/10 Hillary Trail is no 'walk in the park'  The Hillary Trail is a wilderness adventure designed for people who have some tramping experience.

The four-day trail, which officially opens on Monday, includes overnight stays at back-to-basics council campgrounds and connects existing regional park tracks to form a 70km wilderness experience.

Admission to the track network itself is free, but ARC parks and heritage committee chairwoman Sandra Coney recommends trampers prepare before they set out.

"The Hillary Trail is not a walk in the park," she says. "It is a challenging wilderness adventure designed for people, especially young people and families who have some tramping experience and are committed to preparing themselves for the challenge, as they would for any other long tramp."    Full story HERE   The Hillary Trail

It has been given out to the public by the Piha SLSC and is is five languages.

Of course the safest thing, unless you are with a local or know the area well, is not to go rock fishing on Auckland's West Coast - it is extremely dangerous.  When our guests ask about it we strongly advise them not to.

Does anyone know if there is an 'Angel Ring' on Dawsons Ledge?

Here's a photo of the table that was stolen from our bach in Garden Road, Piha

It has significant sentimental value to us.

A reward is offered for its return of $150.00.  Please text or call mobile 021 652752?

6/1/10 Piha Preschool show appreciation to Blairs

Piha Preschool sure teach those littlies well.  Click on the photo and see the delightful 'thank you' they sent Blair for their worm farm.

Good on you Blairs - neat to see Piha Community ticking so nicely together.

6/1/10 RunningBeast, left, runs the Hillary Trail in 12 hrs 54 min

Running the Hillary trail - All done. Total time 12 hours 54. Transitions of about and hour so just under 12... "   was what the tweet read.

Photo: Running the Hillary trail. The manukau heads coming down into Whatipu

WOW !  Go Running Beast

5/1/10  Dad's shock turns to thundercat joy.  Yesterday was the second round of the national competition, which will also see the crews head to Waihi Beach, Waipu Cove, Lyall Bay and Piha to battle it out for the national title  in the coming two months.  BOP Times story

Thundercats in Piha Dates here

"Do you think that if we keep picking up all the garbage along the kite kite falls track that we will be entitled to a rates rebate this year?"

Left: photo sent by V V reader

Temporary liquor ban

For the purposes of the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships a temporary liquor ban will be in place.  No liquor is to be consumed in the defined map area (see below) for the duration of the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships. 

The police have the power to arrest anyone in breach of this liquor ban.  Police can also search any vehicle, parcel or package within or entering a liquor ban area. 

Hours of liquor ban  At all times between midnight 19 January 2010 to midnight 28 January 2010.

Areas include:

All public places, including beaches, foreshore, adjacent car parks and roads, from the northern most end of Piha beach (including North Piha Road and Marine Parade North and South).  It extends from Lion Rock in the West to Piha Domain and the adjacent part of Seaview Road in the East.  It includes:

§         North Piha Esplanade and North Piha car park

§         North Piha Road

§         Les Waygood Park

§         Piha Esplanade Reserve

§         North Piha Strand

§         Marine Parade North and South

§         Lion Rock

§         All parking areas directly adjoining the beach including Piha South Road Reserve

§         Piha Domain and the adjacent part of Seaview Road

Holiday period liquor ban

At the conclusion of the period in which the temporary liquor ban applies, the "holiday period" liquor ban (as defined in the Control of Liquor in Public Places Bylaw 2008) will come into force for the Piha region. 

Auckland Anniversary Weekend

The "holiday period" liquor ban will apply for the Auckland Anniversary Weekend.  As defined in the Control of Liquor in Public Places Bylaw 2008, the liquor ban applies 5.00pm -  5.00am from Friday before Auckland Anniversary Day to Auckland Anniversary Day.

Penalties

• If you are consuming alcohol in a liquor ban area the police can confiscate all your alcohol and search you and your vehicle.
• Anyone under 18 found drinking in a public place can be issued with a Liquor Infringement Notice which carries an instant fine of $200.
• Anyone ignoring the liquor ban could face a fine of up to $20,000.

Full details of Temporary liquor ban in Piha, including map, HERE [64kb].doc

"Top of my list will be ... the Auckland [Anniversary] Day regatta, the classic car show at Kumeu, the surfing championships at Piha, . . . . . . . .    NZ Herald article

The 35-year-old man, believed to be of Filipino origin, was swept off the Dawsons Ledge rocks while fishing about 5.40pm on Sunday.

The search for him resumed at dawn on Monday but was stopped about 10am due to adverse weather and wave conditions.    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"But we're sure that if he was wearing a flotation device of some sort, this tragedy would have been avoided."

"Nobody should be out on those rocks in those conditions but if you are, your survival if you get swept away could depend on your ability to swim or float."  Full story on TVNZ here

A large scale search is underway involving Lifeguards, emergency service personnel, a surf life saving jet ski unit from Bethells Beach, a Coastguard air patrol and Auckland's Westpac Rescue helicopter.  story on TVNZ here

For some statistics on drownings in NZ and Piha See here

Welcome home Coco Fougere

Five generations of woman welcome Coco home.

From left: Great Aunt Hazel, Lynne (Foug's Mum), Alison (Leah's Mum) and Leah holding Coco

Fire heralds in 2010 at North Piha : 

A huge fire started just after midnight at north Piha.  It took nearly two hours for a helicopter with monsoon bucket to arrive.

Word is a flare started this but to be confirmed .

Above helicopter with monsoon bucket lands at helicopter pad, North Piha, to refill.  Large containers of water all ready waiting for helicoper.

The fire service have clearly practised this a excercise - it ran like clock work when the helicopter came and went. What a way to see in New Year.

Left: late morning New Years Day and water is still been dropped on hot spots.

The fire has left a shocking scar on the hillside :-(

The " f " Word: West Coast Gallery, Piha:  Mixed media  - artists interpretaton of anything to do with " f "    

Guest judges.  Open Entry . . . .      PRIZES:   

• $100   Celebrating 10 years of West Coast Gallery
• $50       Committee choice
• $30            Voucher ? Piha Café  -  People's choice

Entry Form HERE [52kb].doc

30/12/09 A new word in the English language: "piha-esque"

There is just no pleasing some folk:

In the Coromandel, where people's concerns at this time of the year should amount to little more than where they left their sunscreen, and whether they look ludicrous doing that odd little hop as they slip back into the still damp, slightly chilly gusset of their togs, some people have become all piha-esque in their righteous indignation towards the supposed despoliation of nature.

It seems that Shanan Laird had the foresight to ask if he could operate an ice-cream stall and become the purveyor of a fine range of cooling beverages, sandwiches, sunscreen and snorkels on the beach at Cathedral Cove. DOC agreed, which is surprising given their propensity to immediately send in a team of exterminators to eradicate any introduced pests, which it seems to some locals that Shanon is.   . . . .

Penne Clayton, who as a Hahei-based real estate agent no doubt has been involved in the selling of many structures in the area that have far more aesthetic impact on the environment, spluttered "What's next - deck chair rental, massages, hair braiders, hawkers?"

Given that accessing the beach requires what is described as a "half hour trek", the thought of simply strolling there and hiring a chair sounds ideal. It's certainly more appealing than lugging one all the way there, along with all of the other beach prerequisites.  Full story

28/12/09

9 days ahead of schedule Leah delivered 6lb 11oz daughter at around 10:30pm.

A sister for Ben and Christian.  Leah is great but Foug looked absolutely exhausted today !

Looking forward to meeting the little princess.

See our pedestrian and vehicle safety wish list  HERE

Mike King live at Piha SLSC Monday - $20 prepurchased tickets or $25 on the door.

"Men are the ones usually rock fishing, boating, surfing and swimming in beaches and rivers, which makes them more at risk,"  , , , , , ,

"Women are smart, they don't drown. Men have this 'I'm a tough guy, she'll be right' attitude." 

Another big problem is parents not properly supervising their children. Article in NZ Herald here

Happy Christmas Piha from Bobbie & Ju

24/12/09  Xmas message and new from Piha Community Library

Left:  Who are these 'new faces' in the library.  For this and more news on the Library  Click HERE

And my email to Wayne: Oh Wayne!  Here we go again.  The few 'Fun Police' are at it again.   Not one person in your article attended any of the public meetings held to inform residents.

Come to our loved 'Piha Cafe' tonight where the Trinity Cathedral Choir are singing Christmas Carols for our community and see how many happy people live here - dare you to, and report on that.  Bobbie

A liquor ban is imposed by the Control of Liquor in Public Places

• Bylaw 2003 applies from 5 pm until 5 am the following morning:  Christmas / New Year Period - 23 December 2005 - 8 January 2006

• PLUS: 24/7 Junior World Surfing Championships period midnight 19th January - midnight 28th January

I have attended meetings at WCC offices plus the public one in Piha recently.  Surfing NZ, NZ Sponsorship and WCC Events Dept's planning for this event is very comprehensive.  In my opinion they are doing everything they can to ensure that life for us in Piha can continue without too much interruption.  There will of course be some : this is the largest surf event ever to be held in NZ after all!  It will take cooperation from us which I am sure we can give in return for such an event being on our backdoor step.    Let's give those visitors from all corners of the world a fabulous time uh?

Last Minute Xmas Gift:  Everyone in Auckland and especially Piha needs this:  Go here

Who was the birthday boy today ?

click for a bigger photo of the birthday lunch at Piha Cafe today - Happy Birthday Fouge xo

We have been assured that there will be a retraction / correction in tomorrows Herald. Vanda   Good! B

To find out more  and a little side bonus of partnership with WCC See HERE

Ah, yes: it can be done and done well.  Private enterprise working with DOC (or ARC, maybe? ).  Has anyone not heard of OCRT?

• A total of 552 full-time and part-time staff were reported to be employed
• Nearly one third of respondents (29.7%) reported that the OCRT was very important in
  their decision to buy or start their business.
• The OCRT has positively impacted the  adjacent communities. Greater community pride and more services and facilities were  ranked as the most important positive impacts.

A rail trail located away from the hustle and bustle of a roading network together with excellent climate and the provision of good accommodation and refreshment establishments would enhance the district's economy and growth. For those that haven't completed a cycle tour, the OCRT is a good starting point. I encourage Council to promote and support such an endeavour if the Tasman Rail Trail gains traction using the disused railway line from Richmond to Kawatiri.  Dugald Ley, Development Engineer and Bike Rider  Finisher of the Central Otago Rail Trail

What is OCRT and find out more HERE

Wouldn't it be nice if private enterprise could work with ARC like this on the Hillary Trail?

There are a number of people on Auckland's West Coast that believe having 'paid guides' will further the protection of the Hillary Trail and surrounds.   An appropriate guide will stop trampers going 'off track' etc.  They could advise, assist, etc. even reduce accidents.

So any R & R should be wary about submitting to the ARC Regional Parks 10 plan without consulting with their members including those involved in tourism and conservaton.

The library management doesn't mind at all if you park in their parking spaces when they're closed.

Piha Library Open (no parking)  Tue, Wed & Fri 10 - 1pm and Sat 10 - 2pm

Other than that they're happy for you to use them

 click on the photo, left, to read a most delightful card                

Congrats WCC - a beautiful job.  (I'm not even going to mention the graffiti

   "  Commercial operators are driven by profit.  "  so they say, as if its a bad thing !

Yes this is true.  And with that profit, which is not a dirty word, they:

• Provide employment
• Pay GST
• Pay rates
• Pay tax
• Care for their product
• Educate, inform and guide their clients

New Zealand Tourism

The tourism industry is one of New Zealand's largest earners of foreign exchange and directly and indirectly contributes 9% of New Zealand's GDP or approximately NZ$17.5 billion per annum. Tourism employs about one in every ten people so it's an important industry for New Zealand...

New Zealand Sustainable Tourism

Sustainable tourism is about protecting and enhancing our natural environment and resources for future generations, whilst at the same time ensuring long-term economic and socio-cultural benefits for New Zealand. It's a choice you make and it's a choice you should make sooner rather than later  Read more . . . .

As a Tourist Operator, Black Sands Lodge Piha, we work our butts off to try and make a profit and if we do then we employ locals.  We also work very hard as volunteers in the Beach Valley Road Project and Bobbie is a Trustee with Piha CoastCare and, as a volunteer manages the Piha Ranger Service.  We are not extraordinary in the Tourism business - we know heaps of tourism operators who spend hundreds of hours caring for NZ - why not, its our product !!!

The Piha Cafe invites the whole Piha Community to

Christmas Carols @ the Piha Cafe on Xmas Eve............5:30pm

Featuring between 6 - 8pm THE Trinity Choir from Trinity Cathedral  !!!

Food, coffee & icecreams available

Why is Sandra Coney, Chair of ARC Parks & Heritage as well as Chair of Protect Piha Heritage, so selfish when it comes to Piha and Waitakere?

As a resident and tourist operator in Waitakere I find it very frustrating, but not surprising, that the final submission date on the Regional Parks Management Plan (life 10 years) is 23rd December - extremely bad timing for anyone with a life.

First it it was NO Cafe for Piha and now it's NO to any commercial activity for the entire Hillary Trail.

Throughout NZ DOC and the Crown own land that have heaps of commercial concessions running on them.  This provides an infrastructure for tourism as well as employment for thousands of New Zealanders.  For example:

Fox Glacier Guiding   New Zealand Scenic Helicopter Flights  Lake Waikaremoana Guided Walks  Urewea Discovery Tour   Auckland Wilderness Adventure  Heaphy Track Freedom Walk

If you want to run a commercial activity in an area managed by the Department of Conservation, you need to apply for a concession. This information helps explain why concessions are necessary and how you should apply for one.

A concession is an official authorisation to operate in an area managed by the Department. It may be in the form of a lease, licence, permit or easement.  Stedfast Park is operated under concession.

Have a look at the concessionaires for Tongariro and Taupo HERE

What's in the review that you should know:

• Enable the establishment of a café/restaurant under licence at Arataki, if a business plan determines this would be commercially viable.  (No - not a joke!!!)

• Stedfast Park: maintaining the outdoor education camp, including the opportunity to provide for camping.

• Implement the Hillary Trail as an informal multi-day trail, utilising where practical,

  existing track systems and campgrounds. The trail will be maintained to a tramping

  track standard. No concessions will be granted over the trail as an entity

• Review the provision of camping in the park, including the potential to provide new

  camping opportunities or relocate existing campgrounds.

• Investigate with the campervan association the potential to expand the opportunities

  for overnight stays by self-contained campervans in appropriate locations.

• Develop camping opportunities adjacent to Craw Homestead site as part of the Hillary Trail.

Various Comments found on web with regard to private guides:

• For the 4 days or more option we try to offer a selection of accommodation styles/locality 
• We will book your accommodation to meet your specific requirements.
• We feed money back into the community by using local guides, small privately owned Bed & Breakfast accommodation (as opposed to hotel chains owned by foreign investors), local produce, cafes and restaurants. That way you get to meet and interact with real New Zealand people, learn about their culture and experience their genuine warm hospitality. 

C'mon Sandra:   There are heaps of tourist operators with hundred of thousands of $$$ invested in their businesses.  Overseas Tourists will want guides, experts in NZ's flora and fauna, catering etc . . .  share the pie . . .

Waitakere part of the Review for submission HERE

How, where why to make a submission   Submissions close 23rd Dec

I have submitted one change to the constitution:

That the words 'and his/her family' be removed from Clause 3.a of the Piha R&R Constitution

3. MEMBERSHIP
(a) Any property owner or resident of Piha and his/her family is eligible for membership of the Association upon payment of the subscription set by the Association from time to time. .  

Moved by Bobbie Carroll:   Seconded by:  Gabrielle Lancaster

Why have I done this?  For the last 12 months we have had a Committee Member, Monique Davis-Olivier, on the R & R Committee when she neither owns property in Piha nor lives here.

I don't see Monique as a particular 'positive' person.  I certainly don't think she has represented me, my business, the Beach Valley Road Project nor the things I love in Piha.

The property Monique owned in Piha had an unconditonal sale on it at the last AGM but the sale hadn't been finalised at the time the AGM was held.  Monique didn't mention this when she stood to give the meeting a brief about herself..  The sale subsequently completed and Monique stayed on the Committee.

Monique has since maintained that her daughter rents and lives in Piha.

I don't agree with someone representing Piha when they neither live here nor have property here.   If you wish to remain a Member there is always Associate Membership:

(b) Any person who has an interest in Piha but is not a resident or ratepayer in the area, is eligible for Associate Membership of the Association upon payment of the subscription set by the Association from time to time. Such Associate Member shall have all the privileges of full membership except the entitlement to vote at any meeting of the Association.

Bobbie

Egg on your Face !!!

Peter Byers long board now on display at the Piha Cafe !

Click for larger image

We pay for it - then give it away: 

I've got a neat idea.  Lets spend a fortune on upgrading and linking all the tramping tracks in Waitakere, build some camps, publicise and administer it then let's give it away FREE!

ARC are proposing to prohibit any concessions for the entire Hillary Trail. 

We, ARC ratepayers are paying for

• The upgrading of current tracks on the new Hillary Trail
• The required new tracks to join the existing ones together
• New camping sites for overnight stays
• ARC staff to advise and administer the Hillary Trail
• Information pamphlets, maps, webs and publicity
• Ongoing upgrading and maintenance of all the infrastructure

How do we recoup these costs:

• We don't!

I have no problems with NZ Citizens accessing any ARC parks or DOC lands FREE.  But time and time again our international visitors tell us they can't believe how much they get free in NZ.  We are missing out on millions of tourist dollars.

Tourism is NZ's biggest earner.  Don't be mistaken: The Hillary Trail will attract visitors from every corner of the globe.

Why then, is Waitakere's current tourism infrastructure being sidelined?  Why are we giving it away free (except for a minimal nightly charge for camp beds - around $5 or $8 a night)?

Waitakere has WOAT (West of Auckland Tourism)  that works tirelessly to bring some of NZ's huge tourist dollar to Waitakere.   We are being sidelined and all the dribble down effects (employment etc) is being sidelined.

As someone with an interest not only in tourism but NZ's overall economy and as an ARC ratepayer I think its appauling.  And its not reviewed for 10 years!

The Milford Track, which I have done,  has the 'freedom' walk but also has another private option where there are guides, upmarket accommodation and catering.  This is booked out well in advance and earns NZ Tourism a huge amount.  So why can't we, ARC ratepayers, have some of that tourism income as well?

I ask every ARC ratepayer and especially those in tourism in Waitakere to make a submission against this proposal.