http://www.kaiwakacan.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.kaiwakacan.nz en-us Tue, 05 May 2026 22:11:46 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.kaiwakacan.nz/blog/post/148183/east-wins-the-better-side-of-kaiwaka/ The winning side of Kaiwaka was established by contest of strength and will on Saturday 14th June at the Kaiwaka Lantern Festival.In the tug-of-war between teams drawn from east and west sides of SH1, East won the best of three games.  The winning team consisted of Tim Fuller, Ashley Hunt, Renea Campbell, Alton Paikea, Emily Powley, Libby Ashton, plus 2 others (names unknown).  They pulled together so convincingly that a third match was deemed unnecessary, thus demonstrating that ... Sat, 21 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.kaiwakacan.nz/blog/#post148183 http://www.kaiwakacan.nz/blog/post/148190/2025-lantern-festival/ Residents living in and around Kaiwaka gathered at the Kaiwaka Sports Association on the afternoon of Saturday 14th June to celebrate the village’s annual lantern festival (See the pictures....).  Fine weather meant that the “inside games” were not needed and instead afternoon activities included a gumboot tossing competition, three-legged races, and the ever-popular (if messy) egg-toss-and-catch competition (sponsored this year by Absolute Concrete, Kaiwaka’s own hardware store).&n... Sun, 15 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.kaiwakacan.nz/blog/#post148190 http://www.kaiwakacan.nz/blog/post/145593/lantern-making-workshop-7-june/ A workshop is being run by Jude Bishop at the Kaiwaka War Memorial Hall from 2pm till 4pm on Saturday 7th June 2025.  It's free, and open to all comers wanting to make lanterns for the upcoming Kaiwaka Lantern Festival.  Please let us know if you're planning on attending so we can get our catering and supplies right....Materials (willow canes, jars, ribbon, coloured plastic, ornaments) will be provided and LED candles will be available too.  You might also want to bring along anyt... Mon, 19 May 2025 13:19:50 +1200 http://www.kaiwakacan.nz/blog/#post145593 http://www.kaiwakacan.nz/blog/post/144823/kaiwaka-east-versus-west-tug-of-war/ It's been talked about for months - and now the time has finally come.We're calling for contestants to make up two teams for this epic battle, between East and West.Eight people per side. One team from people living east of SH1, and the other team from west of SH1.    The challenge is set for 4:30pm on Saturday 14th June 2025.  The tug-of-war will be the final activity at the Kaiwaka Lantern Festival before the Lantern Parade.  If you're feeling strong - if you beli... Tue, 29 Apr 2025 16:01:06 +1200 http://www.kaiwakacan.nz/blog/#post144823 http://www.kaiwakacan.nz/blog/post/144349/call-for-lanterns-2025/ The Kaiwaka Lantern Festival is scheduled for the week prior to Matariki.  The lantern parade around the village and the after-dark fire based activities are directly associated with Matariki themes celebrating light and regeneration. This year we are hoping to see the community respond with more lanterns than ever.  All ages, please join in:  You are invited to be as creative or adventurous as you like! The only conditions are as follows:·     ... Wed, 16 Apr 2025 22:35:33 +1200 http://www.kaiwakacan.nz/blog/#post144349 http://www.kaiwakacan.nz/blog/post/135110/kaiwaka-lantern-festival-2024/ ... Sat, 22 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.kaiwakacan.nz/blog/#post135110 http://www.kaiwakacan.nz/blog/post/135090/kaiwaka-lantern-festival-2023/ ... Sat, 08 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.kaiwakacan.nz/blog/#post135090 http://www.kaiwakacan.nz/blog/post/144347/a-skatepark-is-coming-to-kaiwaka/ In January 2023, Kaiwaka Can received a grant to explore the development of a skatepark facility at the new McLean 2022 park bordering Gibbons Road. Initial site assessment from geotechnical supports a roll-play park provided that it does not impinge on the area immediately bordering the stream bank. Drainage is very important to consider.  Our subsequent concept design has kept the proposed skatepark above the 100yr flood plain.  Earthworks are to be kept to a mini... Wed, 01 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.kaiwakacan.nz/blog/#post144347 http://www.kaiwakacan.nz/blog/post/135089/2022-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!... Wed, 22 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.kaiwakacan.nz/blog/#post135089 http://www.kaiwakacan.nz/blog/post/135087/2022-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 e... Sat, 14 May 2022 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.kaiwakacan.nz/blog/#post135087