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Parenting workshops hosted by Heartlands Services

February 21, 2025 February 2025 No Comments

Heartlands Services Martinborough is to run parenting workshops from March to June 2025. 

“This initiative aims to empower local parents with valuable insights, tools, and support to navigate the challenges of today’s ever-evolving parenting landscape,” said manager Charlotte Harding.

The series will feature a lineup of expert speakers, addressing key topics which have been highlighted as a significant concern for parents. 

From managing anxiety in children, to understanding the complexities of the teenage brain, these workshops are designed to provide practical strategies and expert advice. The sessions will include essential themes like cyber safety, building resilience in young people, and supporting neurodiverse children. … Continue Reading

Pingao _ the little coastal sand sedge miracle?

February 21, 2025 February 2025 No Comments

Fifty tussock-like plants covered in wire mesh boxes sit in the sand well along the beach-front at Lake Ferry’s Okorewa Lagoon. Few have heard of the unprepossessing native _ Pingao _ which once ruled the nationwide sand beach landscape until out-competed by English-introduced marram grass. 

Now, groups of enthusiasts across the country have begun the long process of recloaking sandy beaches with Pingao, as South Wairarapa Biodiversity Group president Jane Lenting told The Star.   

“I got invited to Kuranui marae for a half day (seminar) on pingao. I’d never heard of it … and after talks we went down the coast to look at remnants. There are some remnants there but there’s also a project at Whangaimoana.”

The group looked at the Whangaimoana project _ “and that’s when I learnt about (pingao’s) importance and significance,” she said. … Continue Reading

Skyline Challenge is back: new date, new courses, new charity

February 21, 2025 February 2025 No Comments

The Skyline Challenge ride, run and walk has a new date this year – Saturday 29 March. 

“We’ve moved the date forward to March to take advantage of hopefully better weather,” said organiser Lee Quayle. “Moving from April to March should give us more settled and warmer weather for participants.”

“We’ve also responded to feedback about the courses and made significant changes to their length and design.” 

Thus, the 32km course has been shortened to 28km. There’s also less elevation than previous years with maximum elevation gain being 183m, a good 150m less than the gut-buster of a 32km ride that used to be included. … Continue Reading

Future options for water services up for decision

February 21, 2025 February 2025 No Comments

February is decision month, in which South Wairarapa District Council will formalise its decision to join the joint Wairarapa + Tararua (Wai+T) WSDP (water services delivery plan) after exiting a Wellington Regional model option.

Council will also vote to continue work on a central government required “status quo” water delivery model, a model unlikely to be considered viable. 

“Wai + T” is bureaucrat shorthand for the grouping of South Wairarapa, Carterton, Masterton and Tararua to develop a WSDP for the future of drinking water, waste water and storm water delivery/management across the four districts. 

It took SWDC councillors less than half an hour on December 18 to approve the plan of work on the Wai + T and stand-alone models. … Continue Reading

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Sports

‘Spectacular’ new golf club building opens

Martinborough golfers say it’s hard to believe that just over 12 months ago they were still in the old clubhouse _ “and now we have a spectacular new building.”  “To get where we are today has meant a huge fundraising effort and amazing support from members: we couldn’t have done …

Martinborough golf by a hank – of wool

  We start at the end of the month, when the annual Baabraa Trophy between Martinborough and Eketahuna was fought out on a glorious Sunday in Martinborough. A field of 70 played a stableford round and the average stableford points for the two clubs were calculated. Eketahuna scored an average …

Lady golfers show Rosebowl winning ways

September has been an up and down month weatherwise for golfers, some beautiful early spring days followed by cold and rain. Thankfully for the important days the weather has mostly come to the party. Early in the month the Cotter Rosebowl was successfully defended at Carterton by Martinborough’s team of …

Regular Features

How well do we know people in our community?

By Bruce Congalton Becs Mackie is bubbling over with wonderful ideas for her Ventana Creative …

Martinborough Fire Brigade Report

This month sees the end of an era for the Brigade as Chris Hooson, the …

From the Mayor  – February 2025

By Martin Connelly I wish all readers of The Star a happy New Year.  Last …

From the Mayor

By Martin Connelly Water services have been a political football for some time. We associate …

EVENTS

Wellington Heritage Festival WHEN: October 26 – November 17  WHERE: * Wellington Region – 140 …

How Well Do We Know People in Our Community?

By Lyle Griffiths Pforzheim in Southern Germany was where Thomas Röckinger lived with his family, …

LETTER OF THE MONTH

Could ZERO growth be the answer?   So, Martinborough’s sewage woes continue, and have seriously …

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