Oratia Originals

As part of the Article in NZ Life and Leisure about local Interior Designer Janice Kumar Ward, there was an aside about some of the great local artisans and food producers that make our community and our rural landscapes special.  Click through for  photographs and stories about Brian Nola (still growing his own – support […]

Oratia Artisan – Jean – Building a Classic Guitar

atepayers and Resident’s committee BBQ  rocked out this year with  some amazing guitar jams,  blues and rock n roll, by our host Geoff Hall and  Oratia local man and Oratia R&R committee member,  Jean van Polanen Petel. Jean’s guitar, however, was extra special. He has a weakness for Yamaha Superaxes and he played a classic […]

Award-winning winery and farmers’ market on the Market

Article from the NZ Herald. A boutique winery and a local farmers’ market in Oratia, Waitakere, is for sale as a going concern business and freehold property for the first time since it was developed from an apple orchard. “Artisan Wines is a fully functioning and award-winning vineyard,” says David Savery, of NAI Harcourts Henderson […]

Council Cuts Hall and Marae Fund

The $3000 annual funding  per hall, which was known as  the Hall and Marae fund is discontinued without any due process or consultation.    Another blow for Auckland’s rural communities.    As money floods into thecouncil’s priority  projects,  community groups and small rural suburbs are left to  manage their own buildings with their own unpaid […]

Parrs Park Contract Awarded – Starting soon

Hooray! Good news from the Waitakere Ranges local board: The concept plan for the Parrs Park Playground has been approved by the Waitakere Ranges Local Board. A construction contract has been awarded with works due to commence from 20 January 2014, with completion by the end of May 2014. During this time the playground will be […]

dance dance dance School at Oratia Settlers Hall

Contemporary dance artist, choreographer, and Oratia local Christina Houghton is bringing dance  to the Settlers Hall.      So check the proposed timetable then book in and dance! dance dance  dance School aims to develop a student’s awareness of their own moving bodies through space in relation to the floor, music and others in an […]

Dragicevich Orchard Profiled on Pod Gardening

It’s been out for a while now,  but  we wanted to share the professional photographs and interview from Pod Gardening   – celebrating  Mate, and the iconic Dragicevich Shop and Orchard. See the full article on podgardening.co.nz.  A taste of the pictures below.  To get a taste of the fruit pop down to the store […]