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NATIONAL AWARD FOR BOUTIQUE VINEYARD

December 9, 2019 December 2019 Comments Off on NATIONAL AWARD FOR BOUTIQUE VINEYARD

Every year, renowned New Zealand winewriter Michael Cooper brings out his Buyer’s Guide to New Zealand Wines and this year’s edition has a very special meaning for one boutique Martinborough vineyard.

On the same day that they were advised they had won two Gold Medals and a Silver Medal at the NZ International Wine Show for their red wines, Michael Finucane and Roz Walker of Alexander Vineyard received a very welcome ‘phone call from Michael Cooper.

They learned that they had been given the highly sought after award of producing New Zealand’s

Best Red Wine Buy of the Year for their Alexander Dusty Road Pinot Noir 2018. … Continue Reading

Country dog – City dog

December 9, 2019 December 2019 Comments Off on Country dog – City dog

Of Helicopters and Chamber Music

December 9, 2019 December 2019 Comments Off on Of Helicopters and Chamber Music

Odd bedfellows?  Hover in there, all will make sense (or nonsense) soon. In the meantime, it was pleasing for the Martinborough Music Festival team (MMF) to note that an appreciative audience member took the time to write a letter to the STAR (November 2019).  A newcomer to Martinborough, Paula Barnett wrote [I have] ‘had the good fortune to experience beautiful music in many venues around the world and was blown away by being able to get as equal an experience in what is now my home town’. 

Just as heart-warming was to bump into Ted Preston of the Jazz In Martinborough team and have him offer congratulations on the success of the MMF.  It is high praise to have another music event organiser in the same town be so generous with their comments – thank you Ted. The post Festival survey was positive as well; several responses expressed a view on preferred chamber music composers and ensemble groupings. … Continue Reading

Regional Council notes

December 9, 2019 December 2019 Comments Off on Regional Council notes

Looking back over the years there has always been something in the news that called us to take action.  Long ago the three main drivers of unrest; the need for more resources, religion and inequality were deemed adequate reason for us to kill one another and take over the resources of the vanquished.  Of course all three still exist and still cause major unrest in some countries but here at home in our mostly peaceful country we have found other matters to get up-in-arms over.

A couple of governments ago it was personal safety.  Spurred on by a massive media campaign people reported that they no longer felt safe in their own homes, crime was out of control and police resources were stretched to breaking.  When those stories ceased to sell newspapers we moved on to mental health.  Prior to the last general election DHB’s were inundated with Official Information Act requests on the state of mental health services in their districts and media was littered with bad news stories about mental illness and addiction. … 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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