WAIHEKE news,walks,information,photos,history,retro,dogs,events,extreme weather,& more...
News will no longer be updated here due to other commitments.
Archived items back from June 2011 and on the News archive Page will be retained
Notes in June 2011
Every day is different in our topsy turvy world climate. June 12 is a jandals, shorts and T-shirt day. Hot. The cold is just not latching on here in the north of NZ despite the forecasters saying "next few days". Great for a beachy place but the downside is the tropical deluges which a terrain like Waiheke doesn't like; the walkways get dangerously boggy and slippery and the topsoil heads for the sea. Coastal and cliff properties beware.
The Esplanade...again
The biggest issue coming up for dissent is whether the very successful partial closure of The Esplanade as a walkway from Blackpool to Surfdale, should be continued.
Vandalism and passionate pleas for reversal have already featured in this story. Waiheke News says: KEEP IT CLOSED. The joy of being able to walk without anxiety due to careless drivers is priceless. This little coastal walk offers peace and virtual silence - something getting scarcer even on Waiheke Island.
Vandalism and passionate pleas for reversal have already featured in this story. Waiheke News says: KEEP IT CLOSED. The joy of being able to walk without anxiety due to careless drivers is priceless. This little coastal walk offers peace and virtual silence - something getting scarcer even on Waiheke Island.
The Off Season
May 2011: Waiheke has now entered the off season so there is less beachy weather, fewer events, fewer photos to share and hopefully fewer dramas to report. This year is starting out with big stories on the wider stage, at home and abroad, so the focus now is there for Waiheke News: updates issued via TWITTER and the 2011Wakeup Blog
Exploring the Back End
Waiheke's east end is the part many visitors overlook or just cannot fit in during their brief excursion. In terms it distance it is easily achievable on a day trip to drive the loop road and picnic midway. The simplest starting guide is that the drive from Ostend to Man-O-War Bay takes around 35 minutes, going via Onetangi. If your trip begins at Onetangi, allow half an hour, taking the left fork at the T junction which is reached 4kms from Onetangi. Leaving Onetangi, expect to see rolling farmland hills, which extend along the Man-O-War and Stony Batter route, gradually after 3kms becoming dominated by vineyards. At 7kms from the T junction, the entry to Stony Batter wartime defence site is reached -an interesting stop for history fans. Expect a decent walk from the carpark to reach the site though. There are no amenities for refreshments so the next stop is ideal for picnics. Man-O-War Bay is a further 2kms along the route. This is a quiet, shallow, pebbly beach in a part of the island with considerable historical stories to be told related to early communities and their endeavours. In total it is a 13kms drive from Onetangi, taking you halfway around the loop road in a clockwise direction. Return back the same way or continue ahead for big views and more scenic stops - details next time
Note: the sealed road ends at the T-junction on the left route to Man-O-War/Stony Batter; rutted shingle means care is required
Note: the sealed road ends at the T-junction on the left route to Man-O-War/Stony Batter; rutted shingle means care is required
UNSAFE: one of the recent vistas offered to domestic and international visitors visible from Matiatia wharf. This deep ravine, created as a result of the January 29 Cyclone Wilma deluge, remains as is, without warning signs, wiping out a large area of track on a prime walkway. The problem is, this is but one of several hazards on the popular clifftop walking route to Owhanake Bay. Walkers will encounter two large slips within minutes of entering the track near Matiatia....more
The first slip on the north headland track at Matiatia: the track drops away centre foreground and its original route is visible through the grassy patch centre top
RECENT ROUNDUP on Waiheke
Peak summertime activity is over and yet largely very appealing weather prevails, making it an excellent time to visit for those who like less crowded time out.
Walking the island is particularly worthwhile before autumn and winter rainfall makes the tracks slippery and cloggy. It's now ( from April 1) a little more expensive to travel on the ferry service and we lost the economy vehicle ferry some months ago, but once here visitors can opt for a low cost-top quality experience if that suits. Otherwise the multitude of cafes and wine cellars cater to those who come to indulge in local fare and there are vehicle hire options for those wanting to explore. Meanwhile, locals continue to make efforts in support of Christchurch quake recovery, a bumper grape harvest has been in progress, a few people have been caught drink-driving, the Jazz Festival is coming up in late April and locals are being encouraged to tell the Community board what sort of place they want
Read the NEWS ARCHIVE of prior stories Visit the IMAGE GALLERY Visit the COMMENTARY BLOG Follow @waihekenews on TWITTER
Walking the island is particularly worthwhile before autumn and winter rainfall makes the tracks slippery and cloggy. It's now ( from April 1) a little more expensive to travel on the ferry service and we lost the economy vehicle ferry some months ago, but once here visitors can opt for a low cost-top quality experience if that suits. Otherwise the multitude of cafes and wine cellars cater to those who come to indulge in local fare and there are vehicle hire options for those wanting to explore. Meanwhile, locals continue to make efforts in support of Christchurch quake recovery, a bumper grape harvest has been in progress, a few people have been caught drink-driving, the Jazz Festival is coming up in late April and locals are being encouraged to tell the Community board what sort of place they want
Read the NEWS ARCHIVE of prior stories Visit the IMAGE GALLERY Visit the COMMENTARY BLOG Follow @waihekenews on TWITTER
The extended summer warmth in the Auckland region, including Waiheke, means much more summer recreation - as reflected in this family transport above Onetangi Beach on the past Saturday afternoon. Humidity levels have shot way up and sadly that means the mosquitos are hanging about too. The worst news though for many this week will be to learn of the April 1st Fullers ferry fare increase, affecting everyone except the single daily returns off the island. Fuel cost rises are cited and only add to the higher -than-mainland petrol price paid by islanders. Nothing in the household budget is going down except choice as people face the necessity to economise. Fortunately, living on a beautiful island with fantastic views means the car can be left at home and free fun can be found walking the tracks or enjoying the beach.
A brief aerial snippet of Waiheke Island -best viewed with the noisy chopper sound muted
Camouflaged and rigid, this very long Gecko was at the right place for a habitat shot. It's length was in the range of 200-220mm and the colour was less blue, more of an even grey than the tones here. The patterns were very abstract, like a digital fractal sequence. Have a happy life, Duvaucel's Gecko.
Family Gekkonidae, Genus hoplodactylus, specimen duvauceli
Family Gekkonidae, Genus hoplodactylus, specimen duvauceli
RECENTLY SEEN AROUND... ( mouse over for captions or click to enlarge)