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A solution to Auckland’s land shortage?

February 11, 2019 February 2019 Comments Off on A solution to Auckland’s land shortage?

Auckland’s golf courses are huge tracts of heavily subsidised central Auckland land lying vacant in the middle of a housing crisis. There are 39 golf courses, 14 of them publicly owned. Many Auckland Council-owned golf courses – including Remuera and Waitemata – are paying $1 a year in rent, despite charging annual fees in excess of $3000 and $1300 respectively. Both are taking up tens of millions of dollars of prime housing land in central suburbs near major transport links.

Alpha for All

February 11, 2019 February 2019 Comments Off on Alpha for All

Starting on Wednesday 13th February St Andrew’s Anglican church will be running an Alpha Course at St Andrew’s Church hall over a period of nine weeks.  Alpha is free for anyone in Martinborough to attend and I would be grateful if you would run a news story in your February edition of the Martinborough Star.  I’ve outlined some details below:

Alpha will start on Wednesday 13th February at 6:30pm at St Andrew’s church hall, 41 Dublin Street, Martinborough.

What is Alpha?

Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith. Each talk looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation.

Food

Alpha will start with a meal because it’s a great way to build community and get to know each other. … Continue Reading

As the crow flies

February 11, 2019 February 2019 Comments Off on As the crow flies

BY JOHN ANSELL

“As the crow flies” goes the phrase

For that least indirect of ways

That travellers hypothetically

Transport themselves from A to B.

(Or make a beeline, some might say

Like bees that buzz to B from A.) … Continue Reading

Book Review

February 11, 2019 February 2019 Comments Off on Book Review

The Spy and the Traitor

The blurb on the  cover of this just published book is a quote from John Le Carre ; “The best true spy story I have ever read.” Praise indeed, but not unwarranted. This book is really fascinating.

Set during the  height of the Cold War with Thatcher, Regan and Gorbachev in untrusting power and each having vast spy networks operating. While each country’s secret service was extremely good at  spying they strangely failed spectacularly when it came to monitoring their own members. Erroneously preferring to believe that their rigorous recruitment processes ensured trustworthy staff. The result being that each had highly placed super traitors working quite freely within. 

Along with this the British and American  services  were competitive rather than co-operative and neither trusted their European counterparts. This lack of co-operation had disastrous consequences.  … 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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