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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Book reviews for hot summer days

February 13, 2024 February 2024, Regular Features Comments Off on Book reviews for hot summer days

By Brenda Channer – Martinborough Bookshop

The hot days of summer are prime reading times for me. 

Rebecca Yarros’ ‘Fourth Wing’ is a science fantasy novel pitched at 18-25yr olds _ but a ripping good read for anyone over the age of 16. 

The story of Violet Sorrengail, a candidate striving to become a dragon rider, an elite group tasked with keeping the borders of Navarre secure from known and unknown forces who would invade and destroy them. 

The obstacles – physical, mental and romantic that she must overcome are considerable and Yarros does a good job of pacing the story to maintain tension and of introducing twists and turns in the plot. 

It’s great summer reading for those who like world building, action, a bit of romance and getting in on the first of what promises to be a good series.

A good crime thriller is never far from my chair. 

‘Days of Innocence and Wonder’ by Lucy Treolar is not your typical thriller. It is told mostly in the first person as a narrative tale with occasional sidebars from an unknown narrator. An interesting device which is a little unsettling as I am sure it was intended to be. 

‘Till’ is a young woman on the move. Not exactly on the run but not wanting to be found. She tentatively settles in a disused railway station in a small town, desperate to belong but always poised to run. 

When she was 5 years old, her best friend was taken by a stranger and never seen again. This event has coloured the following 18 years of Till’s life and it is this trauma that is eventually resolved in a brutal and final showdown. 

The story jumps about in time and reveals the clues the reader needs to put the events into perspective in a piecemeal fashion, but it is moody and dark which appealed to me. Curl up at night to read this one.

Reviving and reshaping Wharekaka’s elder care

November 3, 2023 November 2023 Comments Off on Reviving and reshaping Wharekaka’s elder care

Mayor Martin Connelly makes the Bingo call at Wharekaka on October 1 – U.N. International Day of Older Persons.

When Wharekaka closed its residential and hospital care programmes early 2022, trustees of the facility hoped for a reprieve for the 50-year-old elder care centre.

At the time its governing board hoped the meals-on-wheels programme would continue and said the attached elderly villas would continue. Financial challenges meant an extra $400,000 a year was needed to keep the deteriorating buildings up to scratch, and nursing shortages meant the hospital facility would close.

Eighteen months on, the Wharekaka complex has become the 18th retirement village under Masonic Lodge management across the North Island (Te Ika-a-Maui).  

Masonic Lodge operations manager Nick Merrett said the group is “very familiar with running retirement village living all around the North Island,” and hinted at both reviving and upgrading the Wharekaka complex.

“What we intend here is to provide more (villa) accommodation at some point, but at this stage we are still getting used to the community here … so we haven’t got into details yet.”

“The community here are really engaged – and have always been engaged with Wharekaka – so we appreciate that engagement and making us so welcome. 

“We’re doing a bit of work in this space to allow other community groups to come in and use it.” 

Merrett told The Star that development of the site is on the radar, “but we really haven’t got that far in our planning.”

But “one question we’re asked is about re-opening the rest home (facility), but that won’t be possible,” as the environment which led to the closure is still prevalent.   … Continue Reading

Feedback

November 3, 2023 November 2023 Comments Off on Feedback

The Community Board wants your feedback about its first post-election year.

Share your thoughts and ideas. Contact any one of the Board.

A  final Community Board drop-in session is on Saturday 11 Nov from 10 a.m. at the Waihinga Centre.

There has been lots of opportunities for consultation during 2023. 

Do you get involved with these decisions? Do you find the documents easy to understand? How would you like to receive or review topics? The rating review documents had lots of information to process which can be a barrier. We want to ensure everyone who wishes to contribute has a voice – so, can we encourage council to improve this process? Would you prefer to attend an open Q & A forum? Feedback please.

Current Consultations – Freedom Camping Bylaw closes 13 Nov; Combined District Plan closes 19 Dec.

No breakthrough in Mayoral fracas: councillor

November 3, 2023 November 2023 Comments Off on No breakthrough in Mayoral fracas: councillor

 By Councillor Aidan Ellims

In mid-October an Extraordinary council meeting was called by councillors and held at the Greytown Town Centre. The purpose of this meeting was for councillors to meet with Mayor Martin to discuss his lack of performance as Mayor leading both councillors and the council.

All nine councillors were very disappointed and frustrated in Mayor Martin’s behaviour over recent months and the purpose of the both the letter and Extraordinary meeting was to collectively discuss the matters with him, and look for ways to move forward and improve.

Councillors were initially heartened when Mayor Martin said to media that he would discuss the issues with councillors and “try to regain their confidence.” 

However, 12 days since the vote of no confidence, he has not communicated with any councillor to work through these matters.

On Thursday, 20 October in Martinborough, councillors and Mayor Martin attended an important Long Term Plan all day workshop. After five hours the Mayor got up and walked out of the meeting without providing an apology or explanation as to where he was going. I have been told that Mayor Martin attended a photo shoot in Masterton.

The Local Government Act details that the role of a Mayor is to, amongst other things, lead the development of the territorial authority’s (council) plans, including the long term and annual plans, policies and budgets for consideration by the members (councillors) of the territorial authority.

All nine councillor’s are united in that we are continuing to work as hard as possible to serve the residents and ratepayers of South Wairarapa despite Mayor Martin’s lack of leadership. … 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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