Our water problem 

Another summer and total water restriction in place again, this year earlier than ever. Living in the Wairarapa summer droughts and water shortages ever has it been and with climate change we can be sure that this ever will it be thus. 

The initial reaction is to say it’s ‘The Council’s fault, Councils away back should have started doing something about  supplying sufficient water’. Probably so, but maybe also a harsh call. While Wairarapa’s other councils only have to worry about a single town’s supply South Wairarapa is grappling with running three separate systems, with costs running at best estimates into many millions of dollars. Yes, something should be at least in the investigation stage. However realistically this is going to take years. … Continue Reading

It’s in the Bag

This was the catchy title for a great idea: donating handbags filled with essential toiletries plus treats like perfume for the Women’s Refuge.  When the call went out the response was typical Martinborough.  More than 90 bags chocka with goodies were dropped off at the collection point at Kitcheners, to bring a smile to the faces of women facing a difficult Christmas.

Photo caption

Front row: Jasmin Sullivan, Sue Sullivan, Nadia White and Christy Sullivan.

Back Row:  A Women’s Refuge representative  and a generous donor.  

 Jazz Scholars in Tune at Summer

Five musicians from Wairarapa Colleges recently spent at week at the NZ Jazz Foundation Summer School at Victoria University in Wellington.  The scholars had their fees sponsored by Jazz in Martinborough with proceeds from their 9th annual festival held in Spring 2019.

“We’re really pleased and proud of these students,” says Scholarship Organiser, Mary Quayle.  “We’re pleased to be able to provide funding from the proceeds of the festival to such a worthwhile, educational cause.  And very proud to see how well the students did at the actual workshops and Summer School concert.”

Three of the local schools were represented at the workshops, with Adam Butler (saxophone), Rowan Higgins (alto saxophone) and Amethyst Sutherland (bass guitar) from Kuranui College; Thomas Spencer (drums) from Rathkeale and Nicki Thomson-Schulz (electric bass) from Chanel. … Continue Reading

Know your town 

George Pain JP

The city father of the town we now know as Martinborough. 

The Pain family came to New Zealand on the ship Oriental arriving at Wellington in 1840, Mr Pain Snr, also George, was a bricklayer, George, their third son, was born in 1846. They lived at a place called Clay Point, later moving to the Wairarapa. Mr Pain Snr is buried at the Old Waihinga cemetery. … Continue Reading