Follow the links below to archived news items on Helensville and the surrounding area.

2004 Articles

Spring Fling huge success (October 19, '04)
Helensville local tops Western Ward election result (October 14, '04)
Zone change rules out subdivision (October 7, '04)
Sustainable water supply for Helensville (August 19, '04)
Drug action centre opens in Helensville (August 19, '04)
Poll result close on call for bilingual place names (July 23, '04)
Local rail service unlikely (July 16, '04)
Local Maori call for bilingual place names (May 21, '04)
Residents reject intellectually disabled neighbours (May 13, '04)
Youth a problem in Helensville? (May 3, '04)
Horse Expo a huge success (April 18, 2004)
Big money to be spent on Helensville water supply (April 16, 2004)
Horse Expo set to bring crowds to Helensville (April 5, 2004)
Drug project to take in Helensville (March 19, 2004)
Crowds at Helensville Show despite bad weather (February 28, 2004)
Trolley Derby on again in October (February 15, 2004)
Helensville may get waste disposal site (February 15, 2004)
Riverside walkway progresses well (January 3, 2004)

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Spring Fling huge success (October 29, '04)

     The fourth annual Spring Fling festival at Shelly Beach was a huge success, according to hosts Diane and David Ferguson.
     Held at the Ferguson's Twin Palms garden, the event featured an array of stalls, a display by Art Kaipara and live music.
     "I would like to thank the on-going support of our local friends and neighbours, and the many other visitors, garden clubs etc," says Diane. "I'd especially like to mention the music duo Susie and John - everyone loved their easy-listening country style music - and Art Kaipara, which added a new dimension with their exciting and imaginative works."
     She also gives special thanks for the Spring Fling team's hard work, the high standard of stall-holders and Rosemary Steele from Nestlebrae Exotic's fabulous food. Also we thank those kind friends who happily helped out on the day.
     Diane says she is already looking forward to the next Spring Fling, to be held at Frech Orchard in October 2005.

Helensville local tops Western Ward election result (October 14, '04)

     Helensville's Grev Walker received the largest number of votes among Western Ward candidates in the Rodney District Council local body elections.
     Mr Walker received 3651 (provisional) votes, to put him ahead of the three other successful candidates for the ward. They were all existing councillors, Pat Delich (3581), David Steele (3402) and Thomas Grace (2805).
     Of those, the future of Thomas Grace wasn't certain at time of writing, with council hopeful Hans Grueber just 22 votes behind with final counting still to be finished.
     Grev Walker stood on a platform of cleaning up crime in the area, wanting action taken against vandalism, tagging and street racers.
     Mayor John Law was returned for a second term, although with a provisional majority of only 702 votes. The full council is:
     Western Ward - Grev Walker, Pat Delich, David Steele, Thomas Grace.
     Northern Ward - Grahame Powell, June Turner, Penny Webster
     Eastern Ward - Wayne Walker, John Watson, Colin MacGillivray, Bill Smith, Gaye Harding.

Zone change rules out subdivision hopes (October 7, '04)

     A change of zoning by Rodney District Council has left a number of purchasers of sections in a new Parakai subdivision unable to subdivide their properties.
      The sections were purchases zoned as "high density", which allows subdivision. But the council has changed these to "medium density" - effectively ruling out subdividing the lots.
     Some of the owners who had already applied for subdivision before September 16 will still be able to subdivide, but the remaining owners have missed out.
     The 53-lot subdivision, between Fordyce and Parkhurst roads, was given council approval in September 2002 - but the developer wasn't aware that a year earlier the Helensville-Parakai Urban Ratepayers' Association had lodged a submission to the draft district plan to restrict high intensity housing to 10 percent of any subdivision.

Sustainable water supply for Helensville (August 19, '04)

     Rodney District Council is working with the Auckland Regional Council to secure the long term sustainable water supply for Helensville.
      “The Helensville area has experienced significant growth in recent times and Rodney District Council is working hard to guarantee future water demands are provided for while ensuring the protection of the local environment,” says the Council's Director of Assets and Facilities, Paul Utting
     The Council has a three-pronged strategy: ensuring the plant continues to produce water that complies with the soon to be revised Drinking Water Standards; addressing aesthetic issues with the current water; ensuring that there is sufficient consented capacity for the future.
     Mr Utting has announced the start of the related resource consent application project and the public consultation supporting it.
     “The Resource Consent project follows the recent investment at the Helensville Water Treatment plant which addresses overall water quality and security.
     “We have a filter upgrade underway along with other upgrades to the treatment plant, pipes and dams which will give the capacity to meet demand out to 2030.
     “The full staged programme of improvements addresses security and quality of the supply in addition to the taste and odour issues,” Mr Utting added.
     The Council is renewing and applying for a number of resource consents to continue using the Ohirangi Stream (Sandhills) and Mangakura Dams which supply water to the Helensville area.
     The ARC will assess these consents to ensure all environmental affects are considered.
     Public consultation will be taking place from September to allow local residents, landowners and interested parties to give their views and to make comments. Copies of the consent applications will be available for viewing at the ARC office, 21 Pitt Street, or RDC offices at Helensville, Huapai and Orewa.
     The Council has appointed Opus International Consultants to assist with the public consultation. For further information contact Gillian Morgan, senior planner at OPUS on 09 353 7372 or email gillian.morgan@opus.co.nz.

Drug action centre opens in Helensville (August 19, '04)

     Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton opened a Community Action on Youth Alcohol and Drugs (CAYAD) centre in Helensville on August 18.
     The centre is one of just 15 to be set up nationwide, and Mr Anderton said it was particuarly valuable as Helensville was some distance from social and health servivces.
     The centre, in Commercial Rd, will be managed by the Maori health team at Waitemate District Health Board. The CAYAD programme is funded by central government with the aim of combating the effects of drugs such as P in the community.
     "The establishment of a CAYAD in your area will assist the community to do more in the fight against P and other illegal, dangerous drugs," said Mr Anderton.
     "It will also assist in combating alcohol-related harm that remains such a large and complex challenge to us all."

Poll result close on call for bilingual place names (July 23, '04)

     The Helensville website poll on calls by local Maori for street and place names in the district to be bilingual [see earlier article] has come out against the proposal - but by a relatively small margin.
     Thirty-two people voted in the poll, with 44 percent supporting the issue and 56 percent against it.

Local rail service unlikely (July 16, '04)

     A passenger rail service to Helensville looks unlikely - although neighbour Kumeu may get a peak-time service.
     The Auckland Regional Council says there are no plans for a service to Helensville - and local MP John Key says there is no point extending the service to the town until double tracking of the West Auckland line is completed.
     New Zealand First MP Dail Jones has said the passenger service should be extended to Helensville, with stops at Kumeu and Waimauku.
     But Mr Key says the demand for rail is "a minute fraction" of that for better roading - and he is putting his focus on improvements to the north-western motorway.
     The western rail line is being double tracked as far as Swanson, a project which should be completed in 2008.
     One scenario under the revised Regional Land Transport Strategy includes the provision of a 30-minute peak frequency service between Kumeu and auckland, which could run on the existing single track.

Local Maori call for bilingual place names (May 21, '04)

     A group representing five south Kaipara marae wants appropriate Rodney District place, street and area names returned to their original Maori names if possible.
     Ngati Whatua Nga Rima o Kaipara has made a submission on the matter to the council's draft long-term council community plan.
     Initially the group would like to see bilingual place and street signs, with both the current European names and their ancestral Maori equivalent (tupuna) in brackets. But a long-term goal is to see Helensville's name reinstated to its original Te Awaroa.
     Among the name changes sought in the Helensville area are Helensville (Te Awaraoa), Shelly Beach (Aotea), Parkhurst-Helensville (Kaipatiki), Muriwai's Gannet Rock (Otakamiro), Woodhill Park Road (Ururua), McPike Road, Reweti (Waipatukahu) and Lyon Road, Reweti (Ongarahu).
     Ngati Whatua Nga Rima say using tupuna names will help people respect and understand Maori life and history.
     There is no legal impediment to using bilingual signs. However, to change a place name requires approval of the New Zealand Geographic Board, while an application must be made to Rodney District Council to change a street name.
     The council's decision on the submission is still to be made.

Residents reject intellectually disabled neighbours (May 13, '04)

     Residents in Helensville's Rautawhiri Road have voiced strong concerns about the establishment of a home for intellectually disabled men in their street.
     Healthcare provider Spectrum Care plans to move five men from their present accommodation in a rural area at Coatesville.
     A public meeting on May 6 was attended by about 50 Rautawhiri residents along with Spectrum Care representatives. Concerns were raised that the disabled men were not stable enough to be placed in a residential area.
     Also raised was the issue of noise. Coatesville neighbours have complained of loud noise from 8am to 8pm, and Western Ward councillor Thomas Grace read letters by Coatesville residents complaining of the noise.
     However, Phyliss Trelease, general manager of adult services for Spectrum, claimed the noise was not constant and came from "one happy chap who sits on a swing and makes a loud, happy-type noise".
     Rautawhiri Road residents said they would be concerned for the safety of their children if the men moved into the street.
     Spectrum has invited Rautawhiri residents to a street barbeque to meet the men, with the aim of allaying their fears.

Youth a problem in Helensville? (May 3, '04)

     Plenty of Helensville residents are having problems with youth in the area, if the most recent poll on the Helensville Online website is anything to go by.
     More than 70 percent of the people who voted said they had personally been affected by tagging, unruly behaviour or other illegal activities by youth in the area.
     While the sample was quite small - 24 people responded - the percentage saying they had suffered problems would appear to be significant.

Horse Expo a huge success (April 18, '04)

     The inaugural Horse Expo show at the Helensville Showgrounds was a resounding success.
     Perfect weather on April 17 saw around 2200 spectators turn up from as far away as Kaitaia to watch demonstrations by different equestrian codes, purchase new and used equipment, and learn about different aspects of horse care from a range of experts.
     The Horse Expo raised around $1500 for nominated charity Riding for the Disabled, as well as helping make up for the A&P Show’s not-quite-but-nearly rained out event in February.
     One of the highlights of the Ancare-sponsored event for many visitors was the ‘Demonstration Corner’, where experts in equine health and management demonstrated to large crowds things such as barefoot trimming, equine dentistry and massage, hot shoeing, floating and nutrition.
     Spectators were amazed when a local expert took less then 10 minutes to float a 24-year-old mare which had never been on a float before.
     An almost non-stop array of demonstrations in two arenas and on the track were crowd-pleasers too.
     Hundreds of spectators lining the track roared their approval when three Waitemata Hunt horses leapt a jump three-abreast. And a full-speed harness driving demonstration by the national champion caused much excitement.
     For the younger visitors there was the ‘cute factor’ of miniature donkeys and horses, along with a friendly line-up of Hunt hounds to pat.
     The Expo was a chance for many ‘horsey’ people to learn about other aspects of their interest, such as picking up tips from a Royal Agricultural Society judge, or discovering how riding benefits disabled children through a very informative talk and demonstration by Riding for the Disabled.
     Demonstrations of the holistic Parelli Natural Horsemanship were very popular, as were a side-saddle display and demonstrations of Western riding, pony club routines, and endurance riding.

Big money being spent on Helensville water supply (April 16, '04)

   Rodney District Council is to spend almost a million dollars bringing Helensville's water supply up to scratch.
     The quality of the town's water supply has been a cause for concern for a number of years, often discoloured and bad smelling and tasting.
     This year the council will spend $450,000 on a filter upgrade, and an additional $515,000 will be spent next year updating the town's water treatment plant.
     The filter upgrade should improve the smell and taste of the water, while next year's treatment plant work will future-proof the town's water supply, says Rodney Mayor, John Law.
     While the council has acknowledged community concerns about the quality of local water, it points out that the town's supply complies with national drinking water standards.

Horse Expo set to bring crowds to Helensville (April 5, '04)

   The inaugural Horse Expo New Zealand equestrian showcase on April 17 looks like being a event for Helensville.
     With just under two weeks to go, organisers are receiving plenty of interest in the event, which is designed to be a day to highlight everything about horses.
     A large number of equestrian clubs and organisations have signed up to hold informative displays, while trade and retail exhibitors are rolling in steadily.
     Demonstrations will include side-saddle riding, harness driving, mounted games, hunting, Parelli natural horsemanship, Riding for the Disabled, pony club, endurance and western riding.
     Still to be confirmed at time of writing were a jousting exhibition, plus a display of Roman riding - where the rider straddles two moving horses, standing on their backs.
     A whole range of horses will be shown, from miniatures and donkeys right up to Clydesdales. A special highlight will be the only Peruvian Paso horse in New Zealand.
     For the kids there will be pony rides, a traditional-style horse merry-go-round, plus Clydesdale-drawn carriage rides.
     A lot of interest has also been shown in the 'Saleyard', a sort of horse-specific garage sale, where people will be selling horses, floats and trucks, and any equestrian clothing, and tack.
     The expo's website is at www.horse-expo.co.nz.
    

Drug project to take in Helensville (March 19, '04)

   The government has chosen Helensville as one of 15 new communities to take part in a project to combat illicit drug use.
     The Community Action on Youth and Drugs (CAYAD) project began in the late 1990s at five locations around the country, but with increased government funding associate Health Minister Jim Anderton has bumped up the number of locations to 20.
     The Maori Health Services arm of the Waitemata District Health Board will be the service provider in Helensville, but at this stage no further details are available.

Crowds at Helensville Show despite bad weather (February 28, '04)

   The weather was shocking, but around 2000 hardy visitors still turned up at the Helensville A&P Show today, braving rain and ankle-deep mud.
    However, last night's special evening opening, with food stalls, a live band and a huge fireworks display, was almost entirely deserted, with strong winds and heavy rain keeping people away.
    Attendance figures for today's 102nd annual show were about a quarter of those for a normal year.
    The foul weather, which has affected most of New Zealand, also kept many of the equestrian competitors away. And some of those who did turn up didn't get to compete, as stewards had to cancel jumping events for safety reasons.
    Most of the livestock sections still had good numbers of entries, but the number of trade and retail stalls at the show were well down, despite the Show being booked solid prior to the weekend.
    Committee members spent much of the day towing horse trucks and other vehicles from the mud. But those that attended still appeared to be in good spirits despite the conditions.

Trolley Derby on again in October (February 19, '04)

   After a hugely successful inaugural event in September 2003, a second Helensville Trolley Derby is planned for Sunday, October 31.
    While still to be finalised, there will be racing classes for children, youths and adults, and a range of “special” races such as celebrity, fun, and school races, as well as ones for different trolley types.
    It was decided to hold the event on a Sunday, rather than on Saturday like last year's event, to enable more families to participate or watch, and to help avoid conflict with other sports.
    Organised by Heidi Bassett of the Te Awaroa Youth Club, the purpose of the trolley derby is to strengthen community spirit, encourage quality family time and promote local business.
    As entrants are limited due to the road closure time frame, those interested in racing should contact Heidi Bassett at Te Awaroa Youth Club.
    Something new this year could be entertainment between races.
“We would also like to offer our local talent the opportunity to perform during the day between race categories” says Heidi. “If anyone is interested they can give the youth club a ring for more information.”

Helensville may get waste disposal site (February 15, '04)

    Helensville may be the location for a new waste disposal centre to serve Rodney District's western ward.
    If it goes ahead, the Mill Road site would handle refuse, recyclables and hazardous waste.
   The Council's waste and roading operations co-ordinator, Marcus Braithwaite, says there is a serious lack of appropriate sites in the ward for waste disposal, which faces a growing demand.
     The proposed site, at 31-35 Mill Road, is currently leased to Works Infrastructure. Part of the site is already used by Metrowaste as a weekend-only waste transfer station.
      Mr Braithwaite believes a site at this location could help overcome illegal dumping issues, and would also be able to provide on-site mulching or organic waste.
     The council's zero-waste plan has identified the need for a waste disposal facility by 2006. Both northern and eastern Rodney wards already have access to such facilities.
    Rodney's kerbside recycling programme saw 640 tonnes of recyclables diverted from landfills in December 2003 alone - that included 387 tonnes of paper.

Riverside walkway progresses well (January 3, '04)

     Work on Helensville's Riverside Heritage walkway is progressing nicely, with a contract now let for the construction of boardwalks to link the four new bridges built over river inlets.
    A pathway from the rear of Creek Lane heading south, with an exit in Mill Road, will be available for public use early this year.
    Other aspects of the project include a pedestrian railway crossing at Creek Lane, fencing to protect walkway users from railway operations, and a meadow and picnic area north of Creek Lane.
    Project chairman David Bott says so far local volunteers - including schools and youth groups - have donated around 1200 man-hours to the scheme over the past two years. Much of this time has gone into clearing weeds and rubbish and planting thousands of native plants and trees.
    Early in the New Year project organisers plan to invite Rodney Mayor John Law and councillors to see what has been achieved.