Council lock-out or game changing engagement _ two views

A South Wairarapa District Council December workshop included some “invited” ratepayers, while others who turned up were locked out of an event the council claims “paves the way” for working with the community.

The attempt at inclusion came after the 1,000-strong ratepayer/resident petition that called for a cap on rates of three percent (3%) in the coming year after years of double-digit rating increases.

Ratepayer Jim Hedley told The Star that the “Council locked the doors” at the event, “leaving about 1/2 dozen of the public locked out so they could not hear what was said.”   

“Why be so secretive? So much for transparency, it is no wonder that Council’s leadership and decision making reputation is only 7% in a recent survey.”

Council CEO Janice Smith described the workshop “as a game changer for the council.

“It was a fantastic opportunity to listen, reflect and do some myth-busting of misinformation that

often surrounds rates and council spending.  … Continue Reading

Double, Double, Toil and Sustainable Profit: 48 years of Martinborough Fairs

A friend who had recently moved to Wellington expressed surprise when told there are, not one, but two Martinborough Fairs every year, exactly one month apart.  

“Have there always been two?”she wanted to know. 

Her answer came from a long-serving member of South Wairarapa Rotary, who advised that, when the very first Rotary Martinborough Fair produced a small loss in 1977, organisers made the brave call to try again a month later. 

The second fair produced a profit, and the “dual” model became the template for all subsequent years. … Continue Reading

From the Mayor  – February 2025

By Martin Connelly

I wish all readers of The Star a happy New Year. 

Last year I heard many people utter the phrase “I am trying to survive until 2025.” Those of us that are still here obviously did survive, so let us hope we can now start to “thrive.” 

Last year was a very tough year for many people and businesses. Most of us know people who work in Wellington, who lost their jobs. Throughout the country business liquidations rose by 40% in 2024. Our economy is currently in a recession. 

We are lucky to have many groups in our community who assist those in need. There is the food bank that helps families to feed themselves, people who drive cancer patients to hospital, and a whole range of locals who help others. 

I cannot say “thank you” to all those people often enough, and how fortunate we are to have you in our midst.

Tania and I had a low-key Christmas and New Year. Christmas involved a family gathering nearby,

and the New Year was even more relaxed. I went to two delightful carol services just before Christmas and then went to Christchurch for a family wedding soon after. It was very nice to catch up with our wider families, but it did remind me how much marriage ceremonies have changed over the years.  … Continue Reading