Kaiwaka Can signs up for a better future

 

BY JULIA WADE

Gaining official, legal status has widened the future for a community group whose aim is to enhance and enrich a local town. 

Over 20 members of Kaiwaka Can (KC) voted to become an incorporated society and the organisation was officially granted the status on October 17, marked by a celebration at Archie Bull Hall which included Kaipara councillor Jonathan Larsen. 

KC chair Derek Christensen says becoming an incorporated society means the group can draw from a much wider range of funding sources instead of being entirely dependent on council for funding, and move on with a range of plans designed to ‘future proof’ Kaiwaka, especially as the future of State Highway 1 is still far from clear. 

“We have active teams working on environmental clean-ups and planning an exciting central Kaiwaka project focused on the southern bridge,” he says. “This includes hopes for a pedestrian footbridge, extra parking, walkways and dog exercise and picnic areas designed around the Eutopia Cafe which plans to open soon. The cafe is a magnificent work of art in itself which will draw many people for both the coffee and art work, and giant welcome sculptures are also planned at each end of the town to give us a distinct identity.”

Established by Kaipara District Council (KDC) four years ago, the group’s main purpose is to liaise between the council and community, working towards managing the township and developing Kaiwaka to its maximum potential. 

Christensen says the early days of KC were spent working with New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to reduce speed and improve traffic behaviour on the highway which runs through the heart of the town. 

“The consequence of this work with council and NZTA was a Township Improvement Plan, designed to make Kaiwaka safer, better connected, greener, vibrant and distinctive. Many of the features of this improvement plan have now been completed.” 
The ‘splash of colour in the town’, the brightly coloured and highly visible fenced playground next to Kaiwaka’s Memorial Hall, is an example of the organisations vision and hard work. 

However KC’s most active current project, replacing old lights with new technology to restore Kaiwaka to its former glory as ‘The Little Town of Lights’, was triggered by the sudden loss of founding member, Lars Hakkenburg, who was tragically killed in an accident on Gibbons Road, October 24. 

“Lars was a very active member, a man of great generosity to our community, involved in many activities… and also our lighting expert,” Christensen says. “His death stirred us into action… we want to make restoration of the lights a tribute to Lars.” 

The group are also working fast to get a substantial number of lights in place before Christmas due to the local Venturer Scouts holding a ‘rather large Jamboree’ in January, with a theme of ‘Illumination’ Christensen says.
 
“We believe Kaiwaka is about to become a lot more noticeable, and an even better place to live, in the coming future.”

Kaiwaka Can chair Derek Christensen (left) with Kaipara councillor Jonathan Larsen officially make the organisation an incorporated society, surrounded by dedicated members. Exciting times are ahead says Larsen.