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In: Eastern Bays
Eastbourne Historical Society

‘Preserving our past, and telling our stories’ About HSE– our origins, projects and activities Newsletters The Historical Society publishes regular newsletters which can be downloaded as pdf files. November 2025 June 2025 April 2025 March 2025 July 2023 August 2022 Events & Exhibitions Picture Perfect – @Hutt Arts Society (7-17 May) Katherine Mansfield Centennial productions Videos from the Centenary productions, including the full premiere evening and readings from “The Dolls House” and “Prelude“. Contact details Our rooms upstairs are open to the public (upstairs at the library, 38 Rimu Street, Eastbourne.on Monday afternoons, 2-4, or by appointment. President: Dennis Davidson Vice-President (& newsletter editor) AliRead More →

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In: Civil Defence / WREMO, Eastern Bays, Flood protection, Water, Weather

The recent Climate Change Response meeting featured presentations including one by Belinda Storey talking about the impact on insurance of climate change. This topic is also covered by this item / podcast and worth a listen. Emma Vitz, an actuary who specialises in natural perils and climate-based risk, talks to The Detail about the work she does, and how this crucial, global industry is approaching the known-unknowns of climate change.  Read More →

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In: Eastern Bays

2021 The Board was pleased to present the ‘Eastbournes’ 2021 to Gail Abel, Judy Lawrence, Joanna and Richard Ponder and David Cheyne Gail Abel – for many decades caring for Eastbourne’s forests and lakes for the many years of energy and love with which she has cared for the environment of Eastbourne and the Bays. Ms Abel was unable to attend the award ceremony due to a prior commitment. Her award will be presented at the meeting of the Board on Tuesday 8 February 2022. Judy Lawrence – for helping community groups in Eastbourne and other communities in New Zealand and the world to betterRead More →

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In: Eastern Bays

2020 The Board was pleased to present the ‘Eastbournes’ 2020 to Jan Heine, George Tuffin, Don Long and Ali Carew. Jan Heine – many decades of caring for Eastbourne’s beach and bush environment. Jan Heine’s story is intertwined with the stories of many of Eastbourne’s environmental groups. She has been involved in the establishment, governance, running, and day-to-day activity of many of them – and still is. Jan’s concern for Eastbourne and neighbouring environments started before she and her husband Arnold first climbed the 95 steps to their Days Bay home in 1983. In 1972 they were part of the group which established the HuttRead More →

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In: Eastern Bays

2019 The Board was pleased to present the ‘Eastbournes’ 2019 to Michael Richard Parker & the Menzshed, Gen Packer & Mary Ryan and Maree Jansen & Eddie Jansen Michael Richard Parker & the Menzshed “ Enthusiasm and creativity in building and repairing so many wonderful items for the Eastbourne community” The Chair read the citation of Michael Richard Parker and the Menzshed (the Menzshed) and thanked them for their work in the community. She noted the Menzshed had generously created a variety of items for the Eastbourne community and beyond. She added their work was greatly appreciated by all. Gen Packer & Mary Ryan “Read More →

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In: Eastern Bays

The Board was pleased to present the ‘Eastbournes’ to Avi Duckor – Jones, Maureen Buckley, Shihan Renshi and Mary McCallum. Sally Bain – in recognition of Eastbourne’s environmental warrior who has made Eastbourne a more beautiful place for all who live here. Mr Gibbons read Ms Bain’s citation and thanked her for her involvement in and promotion of a number of community and environmental projects. Most recently her initiative as part of Educating Residents About Rats had created a very effective urban trap line throughout Eastbourne. Avi Duckor–Jones –  in recognition of his humanitarianism, his contribution to the arts and being New Zealand’s ‘Great Survivor’. Mr Ashe read MrRead More →

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In: Eastern Bays

2015 The Board was pleased to present the ‘Eastbournes’ to Barry Ray,  Toy Library,  EHEA and Phil Benge (information from Eastbourne Herald November 2015) Barry Ray – 25 years of outstanding service to the community as a volunteer with the Eastbourne Volunteer Fire Brigade Barry Ray was awarded an Eastbourne Award for 25 years of dedication to the Eastbourne Fire Service and the Eastbourne community. Barry’s service was recognised at a national level earlier this year when he was awarded a Gold Star for 25 years of service. With the presentation of an Eastbourne Award, “on behalf of the Eastbourne residents, we thank Barry forRead More →

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In: Eastern Bays

2014 The Board was pleased to present the ‘Eastbournes’ 2014 to the Brian Heath, the Eastbourne Historical Society, Hugh Walcott and Derek Wilshere. Brian Heath in recognition of services to Eastbourne Community and Youth Brian Heath has been actively involved in emergency management in Eastbourne since 1979. From the beginning he was responsible for all radio communications and networks and for many of those years he coordinated civil defence planning for Eastbourne and the Bays. In the heart of Eastbourne, in his kingdom above the library, Brian set up and still runs an emergency civil defence centre complete with food and water supplies, first aid,Read More →

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In: Eastern Bays

2013 The Board was pleased to present the ‘Eastbournes’ 2013 to the Ray Gough, the Pippa de Court and the Okiwi Volunteers, John Stevenson and David McDougal and the Eastbourne Dunes Protection Group. Ray Gough – For contribution to youth and swimming Ray Gough was born in England and arrived in New Zealand in 1947 as a young boy when his family emigrated from post war London in search of a better future. (Ray’s earliest memory is of Hitler’s V2 rockets landing on London). The family settled in Days Bay where Ray attended Wellesley College and Ray’s love affair with swimming began, in 1954 RayRead More →

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In: Eastern Bays

2011 The Board was pleased to present the ‘Eastbournes’ 2011 to the Mary Greig Clayton, the Wal Louden , Jill Herman and Ian and Margaret Rankine Ian and Margaret Rankine – in recognition of services to the Red Cross and Civil Defence. The Chair noted that the 10th of April 1968, Wahine Day, was a more significant day in the future life of Eastbourne than many know. That day Constable Gordon Hogg made a prophetic declaration. He asked Mr Ian Rankine to become the Local Civil Defence Warden for York Bay and Mrs Margaret Rankine to start Red Cross First Aid Classes. Mrs Rankine said that ConstableRead More →

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In: Eastern Bays, Library

2010 The Board was pleased to present the ‘Eastbournes’ 2010 to the Eastbourne Library Team, the Lai Family and Ray Smith. Eastbourne Library Team Mr Rashbrooke commented that he was pleased to present an ‘Eastbourne’ to the local library team on behalf of the Board. He noted that the library had always been at the centre of the community, particularly after the local Council office in Eastbourne was closed following amalgamation. He further noted that a generation of children had attended the library as did those wishing to borrow books, read papers and magazines or meet up and chat to friends. He said that theRead More →

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In: Eastbourne Herald, Eastern Bays

More chaos for Bays as climate change plays out. Eastbourne residents have been given a startling update on how climate change will affect our community.   read online >> The Eastbourne Herald is our monthly news source, with community news, issues, profiles, events, information, services, real estate and more. A copy of the Herald is an essential accessory for contact details, local trades services, timetables and more. The Herald is delivered or you can pick up a copy at the Eastbourne Library. Eastbourne Herald Online edition Eastbourne Herald on Facebook , email editor@eastbourneherald.co.nz or phone (04) 562 750Read More →

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In: Community Board, Eastern Bays
Community group

The Eastbourne Community Board may award up to six (including one youth award starting 2022) “Eastbournes” each calendar year to individuals or organisations from Eastbourne who have had noteworthy achievements in the current year or have made a significant contribution to Eastbourne over a period of years. The Community Board chooses recipients of the Awards, and there is no formal process of nomination. Awards will be for the current year or a specified period, thus, repeat awards are also possible. The time and place for the presentation of the Awards will generally be late in the year. Awards may not be presented every year, andRead More →

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In: Eastern Bays, Housing, Lower Hutt
Higher denser housing

About this plan change The Government passed a law in late 2021 requiring councils to change their planning rules to allow housing up to three storeys high and three homes per section in most residential areas, without requiring council planning permission (resource consent). The legislation introduced ‘medium density residential standards’ that the Council must include in the District Plan (the City’s rulebook for subdivision and development). In addition, the National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD) means Council is also required to allow housing of at least six storeys within walking distance of our train stations, the CBD and the Petone commercial area. More housing (also knownRead More →

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In: Civil Defence / WREMO, Eastern Bays, Emergency, Flood protection, Weather
4 phases of climate change response - Avoid Protect Accommodate Retreat

At the recent Eastern Bays Climate Change Response meeting Belinda Storey of Climate Sigma spoke about the impacts of climate change on insurance, and what insurance providers response tell us about what to expect. This article in Stuff  – Homes to start losing access to insurance within 15 years – report,  is just one of many that are now appearing in the media, telling us about what to expect in the future. Radio NZ also features a warning – Building in flood-prone locations needs to stop, insurer IAG says If you want to stay informed on this issue with respect to the Eastern bays youRead More →

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In: Eastern Bays, Lower Hutt

The nominations have closed and the candidates for the various roles are available on the Hutt City Council website. Locally we have 9 candidates for the Eastbourne Community Board (5 positions)- congraulations to all who have put their names forward, it’s great to see democracy in action. There are also 2 candidates for the Harbour Ward (1 position),  23 for the Councillors at Large and 7 for the Hutt Mana Charitable Trust (Lower Hutt).  Candidates unknown for Greater Wellington Regional Council at this time. There is usually a Meet the Candidates meeting in Eastbourne before the election.  Read More →

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In: Cycling, Eastern Bays, Roads, Transport, Walking

Community information session (St Ronan’s Church & live-streamed 7:30pm Thursday 11 August Information session about construction in person or on a live-stream on the Hutt City Council Facebook page. Project updates and information are available on the Tupua Horo Nuku project webpage Local updates will be available on the project page on this site. More information about the sequence of construction, seawall design, traffic management, environmental management and timeframe. Q & A session followed. The recording is also available on the HCC Facebook pageRead More →

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In: Civil Defence / WREMO, Eastern Bays, Emergency, Flood protection, Recycling, Transport, Water, Weather
Sea breaking over road with logo

On Wednesday 3rd August 2022 we hosted an information meeting to get a community perspective on how climate change and specifically sea level rise will impact the Eastern Bays, and start the discussion on how to respond. With an attandance of over 100 locals, councillors and officers the evening featured a range of information, some global but mostly looking at the local impacts. It included insights into how risks are viewed and may be managed, how we must respond to what is inevitable as well as act to restrict the extremity of what could happen. We had 4 presentations from experts covering various aspects ofRead More →

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In: Civil Defence / WREMO, Eastern Bays, Flood protection, Recycling, Transport, Water, Weather, Wellington Harbour
4 phases of climate change response - Avoid Protect Accommodate Retreat

Ministry of Environment have released the National adaptation plan which aims to support all New Zealanders to adapt, live and thrive in a more damaging climate. Included in the information is Climate change and communities:what the national adaptation plan means for you – The plan outlines a programme of work to support communities to better understand the climate impacts that affect them and adapt to build their resilience. The Eastern Bays Climate Response Network is our way of responding to this challenge. This was initiated at a meeting hosted by the Eastbourne Community Board and featured expert speakers on the various areas of critical interestRead More →

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In: Civil Defence / WREMO, Eastern Bays, Flood protection
Sea breaking over road with logo

We need to act now to both mitigate the causes of accelerating climate change as well as prepare for the impact on our community. Eastern Bays Climate Change Response meeting – presentations and discussion recordings. Sign up to this initiative, the actions of this group will be determined largely by those who get involved. This page will be updated with more details – but if you want to be informed and involved in activities going forward then you can sign up here. Dr Mike Joy: The Future of Food and Energy – Degrowth –  Eastbourne 13 August Special briefing on climate change with Dr DaveRead More →