Oratia is nestled at the foot of the Waitakere ranges in West Auckland between Waiatarua and Glen Eden. Living in Oratia is a bit like living in the country while still being close to town - it takes around 25 minutes to get to Oratia from the Auckland CBD. It has a wonderful sense of community and this page is to inform people of some of the things going on in the area.

Oratia Neighbourhood Support

Oratia Neighbourhood Support is looking for volunteers to act as Street Coordinators. A Street Coordinator's role is to recruit neighbours and friends to join the local network. The purpose of this network is to share information via email and phone on criminal activity in Oratia.

The only way for the new Neighbourhood Support to work successfully is for each of us to communicate with our friends and neighbours.

If you are interested in being involved or have any questions please email: oratiavalley@gmail.com

Settlers Film Club

The evenings are getting darker and the start of the 2010 film season is getting closer. We start off at Landsendt Gardens, 180 Parker Rd, Oratia on Friday 23rd April with another open air film show, the Classic Koyaanisqatsi. In the Hopi language the word Koyaanisqatsi means Crazy life, life in turmoil, life out of balance, life disintergrating, a state of life that calls for another way of living. The film consists primarily of slow motion and time-lapse photography of cities and many natural landscapes across the United States. The visual tone poem contains neither dialogue nor a vocalized narration: its tone is set by the juxtaposition of images and music. The film is the first in the Qatsi trilogy of films which depicts different aspects of the relationship between humans, nature and technology. Koyaanisqatsi is the best known of the trilogy and considered to be a cult film.

The films soundtrack by Philip Glass was released in 1983, after the release of the film. Even though the amount of music in the film was almost as long as the film itself, the soundtrack released was only 46 minutes long and featured only selections from the films pieces. In 1998 Glass rerecorded the album through Nonesuch Records with a length of 73 minutes 21 seconds. The rerecording of the album featured two additional tracks from the film, as well as extended versions of previous tracks from the original album. The album was released as a Philip Glass album titled Koyaanisqatsi, rather than a soundtrack to the film. The music has become so popular that the Philip Glass Ensemble has toured the world, playing the music for Koyaanisqatsi live in front of the movie screen, Now that would be a nice idea for the Landsendt showing!

If wet on the night we will be showing the film in the marquee. Tickets: Adults: $12 Under 15s $5 and a family ticket (2 adults 2 children) $25. The ticket price includes entry to the gardens, Gates open at 6pm and the film begins at 7pm so there will be time for people to have a walk round the gardens, find a good seat, or spot on the lawn, have a picnic and grab a glass of wine before the film starts. We advise bringing blankets and rugs. The film is 85 minutes long.

Telephone 818 2489 or email: settlersfilmclub@xtra.co.nz to book your tickets.

Lessons and Carols service at the Oratia church

7pm Sunday 13th December 2009

Enjoy the spirit of Christmas with the Oratia Singers.

Supper provided afterwards in the hall.

Oratia Christmas Picnic

6.30pm Sunday December 14th 2009
Local entertainment, Oratia School performers, Carols, Santa on a tractor, Lighting the Oratia Star.
Free sausage sizzle.
Please bring your picnic tea and unwrapped gift, suitable for children, for charity.
Oratia Church grounds - rain date Saturday 12th December 2009

This is a great local event to attend!

Oratia Settlers Market

A country market with local artists and crafts people. 2nd Sunday of every month at the Oratia Settlers Hall West Coast Rd (opposite the Oratia school) 10.00am - 2.00pm.
Interested stall holders call Jo Morrison or Toni-Kim Thirdmorgan ph 838 1169

Settler’s Film Club. Old Settler’s Hall, Oratia. (Opposite the school on West Coast Road)

The idea of the film club has come about from film-maker Robin Kewell who has recently arrived in the area from his native Cornwall in the UK. A film event was organised back in June 2008 to ‘test the water’ to guage what the interest would be in a film club for the Oratia population, judging by the nights attendance and the number of e-mails and telephone calls from people who could not make it….it looks like it is  “Lights..roll sound..roll camera and ACTION…”

For the first season the ‘Settlers Film Club’ will be putting on 4 or 5 film events running up to November then a short break and starting again in March with a full programme of films. Next year a membership will be offered by the Film Club, members will qualify for discount entrance price and special events. Anyone wanting to find out more then contact Robin on 09 818 2489 or e-mail settlersfilmclub@xtra.co.uk  you can also check out on Google “Settlers’ Film Club” or www.eventfinder.co.nz  

Oratia contacts

The Oratia Singers

Director Jennifer Gash - A marvellous way to meet people in the area and share a love of singing. If you are interested in joining this community choir please call Charlene Waller ph 814 9316 or Jennifer Gash ph 818 7451

Oratia Craft Group

Meets at the Oratia Church Hall on Parker Rd between 10.00am - 12.00pm on Mondays. call Bev Latimer ph 8353237 for more info.

Oratia businesses

Landsent

Stunning tropical garden paradise and wonderful wedding and event venue - 108 Parker Rd, Oratia, Waitakere City, Auckland ph 818 6904 www.landsendt.co.nz

Oratia Osteopathic Clinic

Oratia Osteopathic Clinic is run by Brett Cooper serving West Auckland and the wider area.

For all enquiries contact Brett on enquiries@oratiaosteopathic.co.nz ph 813 5491 www.oratiaosteopathic.co.nz 635 West Coast Rd, Oratia

Flow

Fresh delicious coffee - mobile coffee cart - available for events ph Sherry 021 0383 925 or email sherryspear16@hotmail.com

Look for Flow in Shaw Rd opposite the main entrance to Oratia School during school terms.

Futonz

Maker of quality futons ph: 813 0894 or email info@futonz.co.nz www.futonz.co.nz 631 West Coast Rd, Oratia

If you would like to list your event, group or business in Oratia please email me.