Memorial Seat for John Porter

The Trust is coordinating a campaign to raise $3,000 to buy a memorial seat for the late John Porter who died in Paraparaumu recently.

John has made a significant contribution to the Paekakariki community over the past 70 years. Most notably, he spear-headed the campaign to save Whareroa Farm and keep the land in public ownership and also campaigned against moves to establish motor-racing in Queen Elizabeth Park.

John Porter gave over 60 years’ service to the Paekakariki Surf Lifesaving Club and to Surf Lifesaving New Zealand, he served on the Paekakariki School Board, was Deputy Chair of the Paekakariki Community Board, a former Chair of the Friends of Queen Elizabeth Park, a Trustee of the Whareroa Guardians and a Trustee of the Kapiti US Marines Trust. He was a regular contributor to the Paekakariki Xpressed and regularly wrote fascinating, history stories that kept the community in touch with its past and helped it make good decisions about its future.

The seat will be placed in the shelter of a grove of trees at US Marines Memorial site off Whareroa Road in Queen Elizabeth Park. It will be a companion to other seats for other significant Kapiti sons and daughters, like John Lancashire, Daphne Steelle and Jean Luke - who have contributed to the Coast and to the park.