Horowhenua Chronicle

17/09/2025

Voting papers should be with you by September 22!

Didn't make it to our Meet the Candidates evening? No problem, read the Horowhenua Chronicle tomorrow to hear from our Mayoral candidates and the following week for more from your local Ward candidates.

In the meantime, enjoy👇

12/09/2025

What an incredible turnout we had last night for our Horowhenua Chronicle Meet the Candidates evening. Thank you to all those who came along to participate.

Remember, democracy is not a spectator sport!

"Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right… and a desire to know" - John Adams.

Voting is open!

16/06/2025

Albert Stephen Judd (3 February 1929 – 20 May 2025)

Albert Stephen Judd (Bert), a founding figure of the Water and Environmental Care Association (WECA) and long-time advocate for the health of the Manawatū River, passed away in Levin on 20 May 2025, aged 96.

Bert was widely known for his unwavering stance on water quality and environmental protection. In 1998, when Palmerston North City Council applied for a 30-year consent to continue discharging wastewater into the Manawatū River, he challenged the decision in his own name at the Environment Court. His actions galvanised public support and led to the formation of WECA, a community group established to support his cause and share the legal burden of the appeal. Bert was later honoured as a life member of the group.

Although WECA was unable to secure legal representation for a key court appearance, leaving Bert as the sole appellant, his determination led to a meaningful compromise. The consent was granted with a condition that it would undergo a mid-term review in 2015, with land-based wastewater disposal to be considered. This outcome aligned closely with Bert’s view that stronger safeguards were needed to protect the river’s ecological health and recreational value.

His advocacy helped spark a broader community movement. In 2006, more than 600 people marched from Horizons Regional Council to The Square in Palmerston North in protest, an event organised by Te Rōpū o te Muri Rapa and driven by the same environmental concerns Bert had long championed.
For over two decades, he continued to raise awareness about water quality issues, visiting schools and speaking at public events throughout Horowhenua. His message was simple but urgent: the awa must be cared for, not just for now, but for future generations.

Bert was born in Palmerston North on 3 February 1929, one of 11 children of Frank Kenelm and Rita Judd. The Judd family were among the early settlers of the Manawatū. Bert’s life was shaped by a deep connection to the region and its waterways. He spent most of his life living at Waitarere Beach, where the rhythm of the tides and proximity to nature further grounded his commitment to environmental stewardship. His stories, often drawn from memories of growing up in the Manawatū and Horowhenua, reflected a man who knew his place in the landscape, and felt a responsibility to protect it.

Those who knew him will remember his quiet determination, strong principles, and lifelong belief in people, powered change. His legacy lives on in the awa he fought to protect and in the hearts of those he inspired to care.

12/06/2025

Our Horowhenua College performance evening is coming up on Thursday, June 12th at 6:00pm. Come and support our staff and students in an amazing showcase of performances from our Horowhenua College Performing Arts students.

This year we are fundraising for 3 of our staff and 3 students who have qualified to represent New Zealand at Hip Hop International dance championships in Phoenix, Arizona in July this year.

Performance evening will include hot food sales available through pre-order which will be available to be picked up on the night from 5:00pm.
If you would like to pre-order a Sapas (Sapa Suey, potatoe salad & green salad) or an Indian chicken curry please email [email protected] to confirm your order.
There will also be some snacks sold at half time on the night.

There is a $5 door charge for this evening and your support is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Caitlin Sanson, Sjan Giles-Oza, Willow Thomsen, Eilidh Anderson, Anelisabeth Faavale and Emma Shuker.

12/06/2025

✍️ Have Your Say: Petition Calls for Review of Ōtaki to North Levin Expressway Plans ✍️

A petition started by local resident Bec Lagas is calling on NZTA to reconsider recent design changes to the Ōtaki to North Levin expressway project.

The petition has already gathered over 3,000 signatures from people concerned about community connectivity and road safety, particularly relating to the proposed removal of a bridge connecting Manakau Heights and the village.

The NZTA board is expected to make a final decision on the project at their meeting on 19 June.

NZTA board meets on 19th June, when they make their decision.

The petition invites all interested residents to sign and share to ensure their voices are heard.

Make the O2NL Safe & Efficient!

11/06/2025

🚧 SH57 / Tararua Road Night Works Begin Sunday 🚧

Night closures on SH57 between Meadowvale Rd and Kimberley Rd start Sunday 8 June as roundabout construction continues. Crews will be working 7pm–6am, Sunday to Thursday, until 26 June (weather permitting, may extend to 4 July).

🚗 Detours in place – see map for routes
🛑 Tararua Rd east remains closed 24/7
✅ Residents and emergency services will have access
☀️ SH57 open during the day under reduced speed limits

📲 Stay updated via the Ō2NL newsletter. Click here>>https://confirmsubscription.com/h/t/245A4B1C46DF4D97

04/06/2025

The papers have been located and are on their way to Levin. Unfortunately, this does mean that they will be delivered tomorrow morning instead of today. Our apologies for any inconvenience.

04/06/2025

Due to a despatch error at the printer, today's Horowhenua Chronicle has been sent to New Plymouth! We are waiting on updates from NZME and Reach and will update everyone when we receive confirmation of its redirection to Levin.

28/05/2025

In today's Horowhenua Chronicle an article was published titled "Councils Drop Out of 'Local Waters Done Well'", however the text that was included in this article was text from an earlier story published on Friday 14th March titled "Horowhenua Council Faces 'Biggest Decision' on Control of Local Water Services".

The wrong text was laid out according to the article and the public consultation period finished on April 10 and has now passed. The decision was entirely mine as I wanted to bring forward an important story to an early place in the publication.

I accept full responsibility for the error and have apologised to the journalist who wrote the article for including the wrong content.

The original story has been laid out below.

Horowhenua District Council's ‘Local Water Done Well’ options have hit choppy waters as two potential partners will not join a Water Services Organisation (WSO).
However, the proposal hasn’t quite gone down the drain thanks to last-minute interest from other councils in the region.
Council’s preferred option was to form a WSO with Palmerston North City, Manawatū District and Kāpiti Coast District, with the new entity managing water services on behalf of the four councils, with cost savings the main driver.
However, Manawatū and Kāpiti Coast District Councils have decided to keep delivering their own water services, significantly changing economies of scale for Horowhenua’s proposal.
But all is not lost as earlier this month it was proposed Rangitīkei, Ruapehu and Whanganui District Councils join Palmerston North City and Horowhenua in a WSO, and the potential partners are giving it serious consideration.
New guidance by the Department of Internal Affairs suggesting a WSO with more than 50,000 connections would provide greater efficiencies is causing many councils to look at a WSO with fresh eyes.
Horowhenua District Council’s consultation included an option to form a WSO jointly owned by all willing councils from the Manawatū-Whanganui and Kāpiti regions,’ and is scheduled to make a decision on 4 June, but Ruapehu won’t make its decision until 25 June, and Whanganui has pushed its decision out until July.
All council plans must be submitted to Government by September and hopefully avoid too much water disappearing under the bridge on this decision.

Richard Christie, Director, Horowhenua Chronicle

30/04/2025

Due to a miscommunication between ourselves and a local funeral director, a notice was published in error in today's Horowhenua Chronicle. The notice stated that a service will be held for Alan Dixon at Harvey's Chapel, 284 Oxford Street, Levin today at 11am. Instead, the service for Alan Dixon will be taking place tomorrow (Friday) at 11am – not today (Thursday).

17/04/2025

We love seeing awesome stories like this in the Horowhenua Chronicle ! 🙌

A huge shoutout to Exceed - we fix windows & doors & Tararua Rodders for making our community safer with the installation of a life-saving AED (Automated External Defibrillator) on Queen St East, Levin at Age Concern Horowhenua.

This device will provide a vital safety net for their 200+ members, regular visitors, and the wider public.

Every second matters in a cardiac emergency—and this donation could one day save a life.

📍Want to know where your nearest AED is? Check out the AED Locations app or website.

Let’s keep our communities heart-safe 💚

14/04/2025

Awesome opening weekend of Wyrd Sisters and a fantastic review in the Horowhenua Chronicle. Book your tickets and come and see what the buzz is about. Dinner and show available Friday and Saturday nights.
www.trybooking.com/nz/VPB
Door sales for the show only will be available