What is Kaiwaka Can?
Kaiwaka Can is made up of a group of local volunteers from all walks of life. We all hold one thing in common - a vision for a stronger, safer and more connected Kaiwaka.
We throw our collective weight into projects that promote connectedness within the community and move our beloved town in a direction where locals all thrive. Our members work together in their own wonderfully unique way on various projects around Kaiwaka.
When it comes to matters in the district, residents should know what is happening and be able to give their input where and when necessary. We also link in with decision makers across the region to grease the wheels of progress and tap into funding and support for the Kaiwaka community as it grows.
Our Values
Community driven – we listen to our local people
With integrity – we model honesty, transparency and knowledge
Promoting partnership – we encourage community collaboration
Relevance – we get behind projects for the community that are relevant
Latest News
Past Event: Riverbank Tree Planting
DONE AND DUSTED!
The weather came to the party for our tree planting working bee on Sunday down at McClean Park. 380 native plants generously donated by the Rural Design team were planted along the riverbank, and the afternoon rain kicked in just after our celebratory BBQ.
The plants selected will improve water quality by filtering run off, and they'll promote a wonderful habitat for native fish, insects and birds to thrive.
Thank you so much to everyone who gave up their time to help out, and to everyone that has been involved in the transformation so far. It's been a challenge to keep the ball rolling and energy up over the last few months - we really appreciate each and every one of you!
If you'd like to be part of the transformation conversation, contact David Wright on pukepunga@xtra.co.nz or Contact Us below!
Past Event: Muck in For McClean Park
It's incredible the change that can be made in just a few hours when you've got a team of go-getters on your side.
Our group of amazing volunteers (not all pictured) ripped through stage one of our Muck-In for McClean Park this Sunday - riverbank and pest-plant clearing. The kikuyu grass was no match for the Grillo mower and blokes in chaps yielding weed-eaters. Chainsaws and pole saws tidied up low hanging branches making the park feel safer and more open. The woodchipper was fed continuously, and by the end of the morning parts of the park had been chipped into a generous pile of mulch, ready to nurture new plants in the very near future.
A selection of medium sized privet trees were left untouched until the transformation project reaches planting stage, because currently they are doing an excellent job of shading out and suppressing other weeds that could take over. Smaller privet and woolly nightshade was satisfyingly pulled out by the roots, and nine bags of general rubbish collected.
Better connecting McClean Park to the waterway is a huge advantage to our families and visitors, providing Kaiwaka an open, inviting waterside picnic area and a venue where kayakers and paddleboarders can access the waterway safely.
A huge thank you to all the families, businesses, and individuals who joined us to 'Muck-In for McClean Park'! YOU ARE AWESOME!
Past Event: Mid-Winter Warmer
We had a blast on Wednesday evening at our Mid Winter Warmer - so much so we want to do it again soon!
It was awesome to mix, mingle, share a meal and share ideas. A huge welcome to our newest members, we’re looking forward to teaming up with you on the multitude of projects we’ve got going on for Kaiwaka!
Recent Projects
McClean Park
McClean Park Transformation
The currently approved footbridges project will bring important safety benefits to Kaiwaka residents, and will also open up the potential to improve linking of the spread apart commercial areas strung along the SH1. However, as planned the northern footbridge will deliver pedestrians to McClean Park, an area which is run-down and in need of some love.
Cleaning up McClean Park will promote its safe use as a stopping / rest area for passing motorists and will provide for the safety and security of pedestrians using the footbridge to reach a picnic area by the edge of the estuary. Connecting the town to the Kaipara waterway will provide great advantage to residents and to visitors alike, giving the town and the state highway travellers a waterside picnic rest area and a venue where kayakers can access the waterway safely. The area can provide parking spaces from which visitors can access the town over the new footbridges or walking north to the café and beyond. The park will be an open recreational and rest area for the workers associated with the newly zoned commercial areas north of the bridge. With enhancement, this area could also potentially provide an excellent future base for the intended information centre at Kaiwaka: the gateway to Northland.
Stay tuned to our channels for information on McClean Park working bees!
Kaiwaka Footbridges
Building Footbridges alongside SH1
Funded with a $750,000 grant from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF), two footbridges are soon to be built on the western side of State Highway One in Kaiwaka.
One footbridge will cross the Kaiwaka River, connecting Oneriri Road with the Eutopia Café and the Cheese Shop to the north. It will provide access to an existing underpass, giving pedestrians a safer route from the shops at the south-west of the town to the Four Square and library at the north-east end of the town.
The second footbridge will be built at the northern end of town, across Mountain Creek. It will connect Kaiwaka township with the parkland and Coffee Pot to the north.
Our Representation
Jonathan Larsen, Councillor
Contact Us
Got a Project?
If you are working on a project in Kaiwaka and you're in need of some community muscle, get in touch!
Want to Give Back?
If you're feeling the need to give back, we'd love you to join our team. All you need is a desire to bring people together and work towards a common goal!
Contact us to be added to the mailing list, follow us on Facebook, and please do join us at our next meeting.
Monthly Meeting
When
5.30pm, third Wednesday of the month
Where
Archie Bull Hall, behind St Pauls Church, Kaiwaka Mangawhai Road
All welcome, we'd love to see you there.
The Kaiwaka Can Constitution
- The purposes of the Society are to:
- Be a Kaiwaka citizens platform to maintain and where possible improve the quality of living in Kaiwaka and its surroundings
- Act as a liaison group with statutory bodies as required, principally Kaipara District council, Northland Regional Council, New Zealand Transport Agency (now Waka Kotahi) and entities of the National Government.
- Do anything necessary or helpful to the above purposes
- Pecuniary gain is not a purpose of the society.
