LEVIN SCHOOL CAR PARK NOW A "DIPLOMATIC ZONE" AT 3PM PICKUP
Two mums haven't spoken since a wing-mirror bump in April. A third is running peace talks via WhatsApp.
The staff car park at a Levin primary school has been informally reclassified as a "diplomatic zone" between 2.55pm and 3.20pm, after months of tension between parents over parking, indicating, and who waves who through the gate.
The arrangement, which nobody has written down, involves one row for "the Amberley Street lot", one row for "the ones from the new subdivision", and a strip near the bins where the deputy principal parks her Toyota. Everyone knows the rules. Nobody will confirm them on the record.
Parent Alison Kenderdine, 41, said things had "gone a bit French Revolution" since a wing-mirror bump in April involving a Prado and a Swift. "We used to just wave. Now we wave through gritted teeth. My husband reckons I'm being dramatic. I'm not."
Another parent, Meredith Fowlie, is running a WhatsApp group called "Pickup Peace" with 34 members and a pinned message reading "PLEASE indicate, ladies." Two mothers have not spoken since Easter. A third has started parking two streets away and walking, which the others regard as showing off.
STATEMENT FROM COUNCIL
Horowhenua District Council is aware of community concerns regarding traffic management at school pickup times in the Levin area. Council notes that the car park in question is on school grounds, and is therefore primarily a matter for the Board of Trustees, in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Council has previously engaged with the school community on kerbside safety, and further engagement is anticipated in due course. A review of parking provision in the wider precinct has been included in the forward work programme and will be progressed as resourcing allows.
Members of the public are reminded that behaviour at school gates is a shared responsibility. Council thanks residents for their ongoing patience while these matters are worked through.
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Reader Letters
couchgremlin
Lol, diplomatic zone.
Garry (Halswell)
Back in my day, we'd just stand at the gate with the other parents, minding our own business. I don't understand why a simple school pickup has to turn into an international incident. It's not rocket science, it's common sense! Just be polite and get on with it.
SandraLevin
Honestly, everyone just needs to chill out! It’s school pickup, not the bloody UN negotiations. If you miss a spot today, there'll be another one tomorrow.
Trev_Hornby
Mate, the problem isn’t the parking, it’s about the lack of proper planning by the school and the council. Every year, more and more parents are just being left to fend for themselves. Get your act together!
frustrated_mum
Council's response is the real piss-take here. All talk, no action as per usual. But what did you expect from Horowhenua District Council?
wayne1987
Mate, the council’s role isn’t to babysit parents who can’t park properly!
NatalieP.
@wayne1987, it's not just about parking, it's about organising a safe and clear pickup system for our kids. Stop making excuses for a lack of action.
local_truth_teller
The Amberley Street lot always thought they were better than everyone else. This whole diplomatic zone just fuels their sense of superiority.
MumOf3
@local_truth_teller, can't we just focus on getting our kids home safely? All this division isn't good for anyone.