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Council News

August 21, 2019 August 2019 Comments Off on Council News

Clean, clear, safe and secure drinking water for the long term

Last week, we released information about Council plans to install a manganese extraction plant this summer, to allow for permanent chlorination. This development is an important step towards providing clean, clear, safe and secure drinking water to Martinborough, for the long term.

The current chlorination arrangements are temporary because the town is being supplied by only one bore, the one with the lowest levels of manganese.

Chlorination is included in a multi-barrier approach to protecting drinking water supplies across New Zealand, including all other Wairarapa towns, as recommended following the Havelock North water crisis.

South Wairarapa District Council Chief Executive Harry Wilson says, “Protecting public health and the resilience of the town’s water supply is our highest priority. Removing the manganese allows for permanent chlorination, which is the most tried and tested measure to ensure safe drinking water.

“Being able to remove manganese means we can once again supply water from all three bores and sustainably meet water demand for Martinborough this summer, and for the long term.”

Until the manganese extraction plant is up and running, it’s possible that water conservation may be required earlier than usual this summer. Council’s proposal is that outdoor water restrictions for Martinborough will be applied if daily water consumption exceeds 1,200 m3/day. The community will be kept informed about water consumption levels and people can expect one week’s notice before a sprinkler ban is put in place. … Continue Reading

Country Dog City Dog

August 21, 2019 August 2019, Regular Features Comments Off on Country Dog City Dog

We need your help

August 21, 2019 August 2019 Comments Off on We need your help

 Once a year the small group who put the Star together meet to review the past twelve months and discuss any improvements we may be able to make for future issues. One such identified is the need for more local input. 

First and foremost the Star is local. Our reason to exist is to provide a way for local news to be made available.  Our heading says 100% local news and that is what we strive for. However we frequently have to use non local items to fill available spaces. At the same time we do recognise that there will be things of interest happened or will be happening which we are simply not aware of – which is a great pity. 

So our plea goes out – please contact me know if you know of anything  which may be of local interest.  You may like to write an item up yourself or alternatively Chris Cassels will be very happy to talk to you about it and do the writing or attend an event. 

Martinborough has a number of sports clubs and community groups who we never hear from. Martinborough is rapidly expanding and among these newcomers will be ones who could well join your group if they knew about it. What better way to rise your club’s profile than by telling everybody what you are doing through items in the Star? We print 2,500 copies of every issue and cover all of the lower South Wairarapa. 

The other area we would really like to cover is the Council general meetings. Ratepayers are asked to find and average of $500 – $600 every three months to keep the Council afloat and understandably are interested to follow what is discussed and decided on at these meetings. And know what input each of our elected representatives make. I used to cover these meetings however that is no longer possible so would possibly be interested to hear from anybody who may be able to take on this assignment. It is one morning every six weeks. Feedback from the former council reports was that they were widely read and really appreciated by our readers, it would certainly be a welcome service if resumed. 

Star News contact; Mike at: beckett36@gmail.com 

Advertising contact; David at: david@pandk.co.nz   

  

Under The Martinborough Stars

August 21, 2019 August 2019, Regular Features Comments Off on Under The Martinborough Stars

Photo courtesy ChristyToms Photography.

By Becky Bateman

“…That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind…”

I don’t know about you, but these words still give me the chills. 50 years ago, on July the 20th 1969, Man first stepped onto another world. Incredible!

400,000 people were behind the successful Moon landings; although we often only remember the achievement of the astronauts that actually left the Earth. Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins took 4 days to travel the 385,000km to the Moon in Apollo 11 and the landing craft Eagle that descended to the Moon and took the men into the history books.

I always love looking at the Moon, and I encourage you also to look up at our nearest celestial neighbour. It’s a relatively odd moon compared to our other planetary neighbours as our Moon is thought to be made out of the same stuff as the Earth. The theory is a giant rock roughly the size of Mars called Theia collided with the molten Earth billions of years ago, ripping off a huge chunk which then, eventually, coalesced into the Moon. 

Without the Moon, we wouldn’t have tides, solar eclipses or even a 24 hour day. The Moon has slowed our days down from a speedy 6-12 hour rotation; there would have more than a thousand days in one year! … 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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