April 2023 Newsletter

As we approach winter, it is very pleasing to see the landscaping in the resort looking so good. We are fortunate in that we have been able to secure the services of Girls on Grass to tend to our gardens and reserves, and in association with the fine work which Sawyers Lawnmowing Services do on our lawns and parks, everything is looking pretty spick and span.

It has been a very difficult few months trying to stay on top of both gardens and lawns because of the bad weather we've had along with the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle, and those struggles have been further compounded by the difficulty everyone is having at the moment trying to find staff.

There is still work to do of course, and will continue into the future, but obviously with a reduction over the winter months. 

Review of our Properties

Now that our grounds and gardens are looking so good, perhaps it’s timely for us all to take a closer look at our own gardens and buildings to ensure that they are up to scratch. It has been noticeable recently that some homes are quite bad with lichen and mould growth. These can cause serious and permanent damage to outside surfaces – particularly roofs and decks - as well as giving properties an unsightly appearance, so it is important to treat them as soon as they appear. Now would be a good time for everyone to take a critical look at their properties and take action to keep them up to the required standard.

With our grounds looking so good, perhaps this is also a good time to look at our individual gardens to ensure that they are also neat and tidy.

Our bylaws place an obligation on all of us to keep our properties “in premium condition and in an attractive condition” (Clause 3.1) and require that “All grass, hedges, shrubs, vines and planting or any type is to be kept trimmed and at regular intervals, mowed, trimmed, and cut so as to maintain the same in a neat and attractive manner.” (Clause 4.1)

Now is a good time to do this before winter sets in.

Children and Their Activities

An issue has arisen that is concerning us, which is that we have had complaints from parents whose children have been accosted by some residents whilst the youngsters are roller skating or scootering around the neighbourhood. We have been told that the children were told that they should not be riding or roller skating on the roads and footpaths. This is very concerning as children should never be approached with any sort of threatening behaviour, and we think it is lovely to see our kids enjoying and utilising our safe community.  This issue reflects the problem we have with our current bylaws.

As you know, these were created when the initial development was undertaken, and they are now out of date and don't reflect the present structure of our resort. The fact of the matter is that while Bylaw 2.16 does forbid skateboarding and rollerskating and could be enforced under our original structure, we now have no legal jurisdiction over the use of roads and footpaths in the development. This right was given away when the Association gifted our roads, berms and footpaths to the Taupō District Council. As these are now public property, that bylaw cannot be enforced. Anyone in our community can use the roads, footpaths and reserves as they belong to Council. If anyone has any issues over this situation, our Chairman Dean is happy to discuss this matter. 

Bylaws

As evidenced by the above, the bylaws which govern the running of our estate are out of date. The HFRRA Owners Committee is undertaking a review and rewrite of the document, to ensure that it is up to date with current needs and appropriate to a prestigious 21st century development. It is hoped that this review can be completed in time for the revised bylaws to be presented to owners for their consideration with a view to their adoption at the Annual General Meeting.

AGM

You may recall that at last year’s AGM, a resolution was passed that the AGM must be held within three months of the end of the financial year. That means that the AGM should be held before June 30, 2023. But, as was pointed out to the meeting at the time, it is impossible for the AGM to be held within that timeframe, because the statutory requirements imposed upon us simply mean it cannot be done. Our accountants have undertaken to complete our annual accounts by the end of May after which these accounts have to be audited which we are advised takes up to at least three weeks, allowing for the mandatory requirements of the audit. Our Constitution also states that members must be given at least 10-days’ notice of the date of the AGM.

Taken together, these factors mean that we cannot hold the AGM before about mid-July, and therefore we have set the date of the AGM for Saturday July 22.

We’ll be in touch before then to confirm a definite date, and obviously with all the details and documents relating to the meeting, and we hope everyone will be able to make it along for the meeting.

Design Board Reminder

Our bylaws are very specific about maintaining the attractive appearance of our estate, and it is timely to remind everyone about these requirements which were designed to establish and maintain the Huka Falls Resort as a premium lifestyle community. To ensure that this happens, we all need to carefully follow and abide by the requirements of the bylaws.

(Copies of the bylaws are given to everyone on the purchase of their properties, but if anyone needs to obtain a copy, you can download them from our website at: www.hukahttps://www.hukafallsrra.com/ra-info)

These requirements cover issues mainly relating to the appearance of our properties, and specifically subjects such as fencing, clothes lines, building alterations, garden sheds, air conditioning equipment, paint colours and onsite materials.

Generally, the advice is before you embark on any projects involving any of the above, to make sure that you first consult with the HFRRA Design Board. (For further details, please see Clause 3 of the Bylaws.)

It is always better to make sure that any developments you are contemplating are within the requirements of our bylaws, than to go ahead and then find that they don't comply, which always creates an ongoing and difficult situation for everyone concerned!

Community Get Together

We had a very successful community mix-n-mingle at Pocket Park on Sunday March 26, and thanks are due to the organisers and to all those who turned up and took part.  The weather held off for us and everyone spent a very enjoyable few hours chatting and socialising with neighbours.

The general consensus was that it was a very worthwhile gathering and should be held regularly as a means for everyone to get to know their neighbours and to enjoy a few social hours with like-minded people. Specifically, it was felt that a pre-Christmas summertime gathering would very worthwhile. With that in mind, the Residents’ Association will work towards organising another social event in the weeks leading up to Christmas. 

Communications

One thing that became apparent from the Community Get Together was that we can't rely solely on emails for communications with our owners. The Committee also feels that in the event of any emergency, emails would not be the quickest means of communicating with owners. So it has been decided that we should compile a database of member’s mobile telephone numbers which will allow us to use texting in the event of needing to reach everyone. To compile that database, obviously we need your mobile telephone number, so if you could send your name, your street address and your mobile number to our email address, we will be able to put together a group email alert system. Please send your details to: hukafrra@outlook.com

Please insert the words: ‘Text Number’ in the Subject line. We guarantee the security of this information and will absolutely not divulge your details to any other person or organisation.

The Residents’ Association Meetings

And finally, just a reminder that minutes of the Residents’ Association Owner’s Committee monthly meetings are also on our website. You will find them here: https://www.hukafallsrra.com/ra-info

With kind regard

Dean, Liz, Iain, Wade, Jackie and Mark

The Huka Falls Resort Residents’ Association Owners Committee