GREAT SOLIDARITY IN MARTINBOROUGH”.

The sudden and provocative decision  by the Parish Administration in Masterton to close St Anthony of Padua Catholic  Church in Martinborough late last year left us, the local  Catholic community, to review and sort out our immediate destiny including  our usual Christmas Eve Vigil Mass and Carols celebrations. 

Suggestions and offers of alternative venues from other local Church denominations were considered. However past numbers for this celebration of at least 170 plus and the need to retain our historical presence in Martinborough left us with the clear view we had to be on site for Christmas and beyond.…..even if this meant being outdoors alongside the church building and under the trees on the church property. 

In the event we were outside and the evening had a “biblical” feel about it.  (The Holy Family  were in temporary accommodation and amongst the cattle in the stable…..not to forget angels, wise men and shepherds). We had horses in the paddock along -side that were interested in the proceedings and didn’t smell or create health hazards!!!! … Continue Reading

News from First Church

We give thanks for everything that changes and challenges us

For surprises and holidays, the unexpected meeting with a friend,

The chance to do something different

For new people and new ideas in our lives                                                     

The combined churches Advent service held in First Church at the beginning of December was a joyful and thoroughly enjoyable occasion. All the local churches and many friends joined us to celebrate Advent with contributions from each church and delightful music from the Martinborough String Quartet. It was such a success that there are plans to join together again at Easter at one of our other local churches – this will be an event to look out for! What can be better than a happy uplifting occasion for the whole community?         … Continue Reading

It’s Free

Just a reminder that the swimming pools in all three towns are absolutely free to all. Hours are : 

Monday to Thursday 2pm until 5.30 pm

Friday 2pm until 7.30 pm

Saturday and Sunday 1 pm until 5.30 pm. 

Larry Ellison yacht co gets more taxpayer funding

A New Zealand company owned by multi-billionaire America’s Cup arch-rival Larry Ellison, and which has Rich Lister yachtsman Russell Coutts on the board, is getting more taxpayer funding.

Warkworth-based Core Builders Composites, formerly known as Oracle Racing, has successfully negotiated a two-year extension to its Callaghan Innovation research and development grant. It got $1.5 million of government funding in 2016 and almost $1 million in 2017.

Core Composites is 100 percent-owned by US-based Oracle Racing Inc, which in turn is owned by a Larry Ellison trust. Ellison, who co-founded and chairs technology giant Oracle Corp, is number 10 on Forbes’ top 20 billionaires of 2018 list, worth $US58.5 billion. … Continue Reading