Fire and Emergency says powerless over long grass hazard

By Ray Lilley  Long grass is a key feature in incidental fires which have sparked across the dry, dusty, drought-hit Wairarapa since before Christmas. Despite repeated warnings late last year, and a current fire ban, some locals warn that uncut long grass poses a huge fire danger – and the …

Lions help make a wheel difference

A Martinborough Lions Club member learnt recently of a family who might need a bit of assistance. The family consisted of mum, dad and seven children – of whom two are fostered. If that was not challenging enough, one of the children in their care has special needs.  The Lion’s …

How Well Do We Know People in our Community?

Michael Bing talks to Lyle Griffiths Michael was raised in Auckland, attending St Peters College where he loved playing both cricket in the summer months, and rugby in the winter. But there were always connections to Martinborough.  “My father had relatives here, and as children we used to return frequently …

Local accommodation can seek DarkSky recognition

DarkSky, the international body responsible for world-wide dark sky accreditation, is offering accommodation providers the chance to be accredited to their just-launched “DarkSky Approved Lodging Program,” and a listing on their international website.  Accommodation businesses in the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve area _ the Wairarapa region stretching from south of …

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TREE OF THE MONTH

March 12, 2024 March 2024 No Comments

By Martin Freeth – Trees of Martinborough

What is Martinborough’s oldest tree? Well, it is not the prettiest and it might be regarded a pest by some people. 

The tree is a sycamore – botanical name ‘acer pseudoplatanus’ – and it has been growing behind the Victory Family Church on Jellicoe Street for 127 years.

Near the property’s rear boundary fence along Kansas Street, this sycamore is rather nondescript but in remarkably good shape given its age and many hot summers. It’s been growing quietly on this spot since 1897 – far longer than the more-adored oaks 100 metres away, in the middle of Martinborough Square. 

Our information source is Mate Higginson, Martinborough historian and a life-long gardener. … Continue Reading

Living Positively with Parkinson’s

March 12, 2024 March 2024 No Comments

Some Wairarapa people living with Parkinson’s gathered at the Carterton Court House recently to listen to and be motivated by former boxer Billy Graham.

A former New Zealand and Australasian light welterweight boxing champion, Billy Graham has spent a lifetime involved in sport and physical fitness. 

He has achieved international success through goal-setting and determination, turning common sense into an art form.

Billy is now a world-class international speaker, a great motivator and fitness advisor. He puts his winning philosophy into practice every day of his life and delights in sharing his zest for living with others. … Continue Reading

News from First Church

 Many folk imagine that going to church is a bit of an ordeal, a waste of time, or at best a

stuffy affair marked by archaic mumbo jumbo. 

One attendance at First Church would dispel these misconceptions. 

To start with, the environment is informal with no sign of incense or solemn chanting. 

Instead, for those who arrive in their Sunday best (jeans and open neck shirt) twenty minutes before the service starts, the first urgent priority is a cup of tea bolstered by a truly impressive array of scones and home baking. The talk then is less about Genesis or Delilah and more about the cricket or Navratilova. Its lively and truly congenial. … Continue Reading

Head winds buffet Pain Farm effluent spray dispersal plan

March 12, 2024 March 2024 No Comments

By Ray Lilley

The slow realisation that Martinborough’s 85 hectare trust-owned Pain Farm would see 93 million litres of sewage effluent a year sprayed onto its land has become “the cause of agitation and concern,” according to Mayor Martin Connelly.

At a council meeting Feb. 21 it emerged:

* the sewage effluent disposal plan has unresolved legal issues over the proposed land use;

* the Martinborough Community Board, as Pain Farm trustees, may not have been consulted over the plans;

* SWDC may not be paying the trust to use part of its land for the rubbish transfer station; 

* public consultation nearly a decade ago is under serious question, while Mayor Connelly claims it was “good” and at the time there were “no major objections to the plans for waste water dispersal.”  … Continue Reading

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Sports

Golf pro-am success _ without clubhouse

By Karen Stephens A record field of 172 players, including 43 professionals from New Zealand and Australia, battled light winds, warm temperatures and even light early-morning fog at Martinborough golf’s 2024 CER Electrical and Holmes Construction pro-am on February 1. At least that was the range of excuses for some …

Featherston wrestlers go offshore

Two members of Featherston Amateur Wrestling Club’s senior class have again been asked to join a New Zealand team overseas.  Wairangi Sargent and Angus Read will take part in the Journeymen Tournament and Training Camp over Easter in New York state.  Over the week they are there they will be …

Martinborough Golf Club has tumbled down

The demolition of the Martinborough Golf Club is complete. In the last days prior to Christmas a fully-insulated pole shed, much like a top end farm outbuilding, was erected to act as both office and temporary clubhouse. New septic tanks, internet connectivity, power, water, and Porticom loos were installed. On …

Regular Features

News from First Church

 Many folk imagine that going to church is a bit of an ordeal, a waste …

FROM THE MAYOR

By Martin Connelly In February the local Lions Club invited me for dinner and asked …

Driving Growth and Collaboration: Martinborough Business Assn Committee

The Martinborough Business Association Committee plays an important role in fostering economic growth and collaboration …

How Well Do We Know People in our Community?

Michael Bing talks to Lyle Griffiths Michael was raised in Auckland, attending St Peters College …

BOOK REVIEWS FOR HOT SUMMER DAYS

By Brenda Channer – Martinborough Bookshop “Whether Violent or Natural” by Natasha Calder This debut …

Community Garden News

By Debbie Yates This is definitely the month of thank you. Nga Mihi Nui! We …

EVENTS

Saturday 10 February: 10th annual Citizen Science Kākahi Count at Western Lake Shore Reserve, 18km …

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