Kawhia coast
Space age technology will help Kāwhia Constable David Kraay catch criminals.
David Kraay
SpaceX’s Starlink satellite trains are delivering broadband internet enabling the livestreaming of the township’s closed circuit television cameras.
As a result, Kraay can view live footage streamed to his computer or phone from the cameras around the wharf and township.
“The best deterrent is cameras,” Kraay said.
Kāwhia was experiencing problems with boy racers until Kraay was appointed as Kāwhia’s officer in residence in July after a long permanent police presence.
Kraay said there was far less burnouts and careless driving going on in the township.
“I am not seeing fresh rubber marks,” he said.
Kāwhia Community Board deferred making a decision on asking Ōtorohanga District Council to install further cameras at Tom French Grove at the end of Te Puia Springs Road on Thursday.
“Since this request was received by council staff, Kāwhia has now been appointed a full-time police officer and anti-social behaviour has begun to decrease and will continue to decrease over the next few months,” said Ōtorohanga District Council community facilities manager Jared le Fleming.
Kawhia Community Board did not have delegation over the reserve and could only recommend the project be considered by council, he said.
A camera would cost $7000, and annual operating costs would by $900.
Councillor Kit Jeffries said he understood landowner Tainui Kāwhia Incorporation was keen to install a camera at the entrance to Te Puia Road.
Le Fleming said the council wouldn’t want to double up, if that was the case.
Board chair Geoff Good recommended the decision be revisited in March as part of the annual plan process.
Meanwhile, board member Richard Harpur said Ōtorohanga District Council could have done a better job communicating its intentions around removing 10 pohutukawa trees at the entrance to Kāwhia,
The trees were recently removed to prevent damage to the sea wall after a failed attempt halted by the community.
“It was a big step that day to remove those trees,” he said.
“There was a whole lot of shenanigans going on, people yelling out of their car doors, telling us to leave those trees alone.”
It would have been a much better scenario if council engineering and assets group manager Mark Lewis had been present for the trees removal, Harpur said.
“He may have stopped people taking wood that they were not entitled to take,” he said.
“The comments of some people were very disappointing.”
Kawhia Coast. Photo: Hamilton and Waikato Tourism
