A letter to George Pain (1846 – 1937)

Kia Ora,

On behalf of the people of Martinborough we offer our heartfelt gratitude for your many contributions to Martinborough, including generously gifting the Pain Farm Estate. 

You continue to be fondly remembered and appreciated.

Pain and Kershaw celebrated 150 years of operation last year. They are the longest-serving whānau owned business in New Zealand and we’re sure you would be as proud of them and the new store, as we all are (and yes, your name is still proudly displayed).

Your collection of tāonga acquired throughout your life and travels up and down the East Coast of Aotearoa, was donated to the Wellington Council and has recently been the inspiration of a whole exhibition – Te Ohonga, The Awakening (on display at Wellington Museum, until April 1 2024). 

The original vision you had for the Pain Farm Estate to be used as parklands to be enjoyed by our children was not deemed possible. As a result, the income generated from the lease of the farm and homestead was to be used to maintain and improve green spaces, sports facilities, and parks in the Martinborough township. We are embarrassed to say that part of the land is used as a transfer station and there are moves towards designating the whole property as Waste. The farmland will be used to dispose of treated Waste water, we know this certainly does not meet your original vision nor the terms of the bequest.

Numerous children have benefitted from financial distributions from the Pain Farm Estate but unfortunately the cost to administer this precious asset by the South Wairarapa District Council has increased dramatically over the years leaving less and less funds available.

We take the responsibility of caring for this amazing asset and upholding the intentions of your will very seriously, as we should.

We will do our very best to ensure your legacy will be honoured – that future generations will

benefit from your bequest and that your name will continue to be remembered.

Nga Mihi,

The Martinborough Community Board