Speed level massacre on local roads

Travelling with friends through New Zealand hanging out of the window

 It’s called the “Draft Interim Speed Management Plan” and its 145 pages set out how and why south and central Wairarapa should significantly reduce road speed limits to help meet the national Road Safety Strategy.

That strategy, “Road to Zero,” promotes a vision that “no death or serious injury whiule travelling on our roads is acceptable,” says P2 of the draft report. 

It was included on the South Wairarapa District Council’s agenda for its June 7 meeting.

The Waka Kotahi, NZ Transport Agency, report sets out the reasons for introducing “high quality speed management plans” throughout the region  – plans which see current speed limits like 100 kph, 70 kph and 50 kph disappear from most of the urban and rural roading networks.

These current speed limits, following public consultation, likely will be replaced by maximum limits of 80kph or 60 kph on many rural roads, and 40kph or 30 kph on urban streets, as set oui in the report.

The current limits of 100 kph, 70 kph and 50 kph all but disappear from the 145 pages of planning detail.

Waka Kotahi said it’s working in partnership with local government and the safety sector to implement the “right mix of (road) safety solutions for each region.”    … Continue Reading

How Well Do We Know People In Our Community?

Pam Shackleton moved from Wellington to the Wairarapa in the early 1990s. Andrew was working in the wine industry and Pam was expecting her third child. A fourth child meant that full time employment wasn’t an option. However, the introduction of computer technology was gaining speed, so Pam worked part time at Te Kairanga helping to set up their computer and payroll systems.

In 2008, Pam took up a position as Office Manager at the Martinborough Health Centre. Dr Steve Philip was the doctor. Dawn Colton and Annette Clark were the nurses. There were three receptionists. The building was brand new. It was warm. The workflow was great. There was space for other specialists to use the consulting rooms.

“My major role was to set up the administration systems, and clinical guidelines to ensure smooth running of the business and good transition for the staff”. The initial one-year contract became permanent with the position morphing into Practice Manager.

“With responsibilities for installing computer systems for payroll and accounts, managing human resources, hiring staff, planning strategically, implementing new policies, and understanding government funding systems there was such a lot to learn,” says Pam.

“I found attending the PMAANZ (Practice Management Administrators Association) conference very helpful. Through conferences, and by joining the Wellington Branch of the Association, I developed many new contacts whom I could ask for advice. It also helped me to keep up to date with new health systems and policies. … Continue Reading

Palliser Pinot Noir wins world wine accolade

A coveted “Best in Show Award” has been won by Martinborough’s Palliser Estate vineyard at the prestigious 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards _ a top accolade for New Zealand’s “home” of Pinot Noir.

Palliser winery’s “Hua Nui 2021 Single Vineyard Pinot Noir” won the “Best in Show” category with a massive 97 points from the judges. It also won a Platinum medal with 97 points for its “2021 Single Vineyard Om Santi Chardonnay,” another organic entry.

 Three other New Zealand wines also won Platinum awards in competition with more than 18,500 wines which were entered into the world-wide event.

“The single vineyard premium Hua Nui Pinot Noir won the award,” Palliser CEO Pip Goodwin told The Martinborough Star, adding that “the plan has been to be at the ultra-premium end of the market … and this accolade shows we’re on the right path. 

“It’s a nice accolade for our (wine-producing) region.”

“We’re very proud of the award and the quality of wine that is now being produced from that organic vineyard (Hua Nui, or Fruits of Abundance)” she said. 

“It’s very nice for the team too to get that accolade, as organics is a journey and for the team a labour of love, so a lot of work has gone into that vineyard.” … Continue Reading

SANTA PARADE COUNTDOWN…less than 200 days

Children believe that all the fun of Christmas is conjured up by Santa and his Elves, from their base at the North Pole.  The rest of us know the magic happens thanks to a lot of hard graft behind the scenes by regular human adults.   Martinborough’s  Santa Parade is no exception.  Already lots of different organisations, individuals and the Community Board are busy creating an event to delight both children and adults on December 9.   Don’t forget to put the date in your diary now.

Every Santa needs a sleigh so The Mens Shed are putting together a smart rig to carry him where ever he needs to go.  Madcaps are limbering up their vocal cords for the carol singing.  No modern event would be complete without detailed traffic management plans and Storm Robertson, the Chair of the Community Board, is on the case.  The Toy Library are preparing a photo opportunity session with Santa prior to the parade and organising a mailbox to post letters to him.   Sarah Taylor will be doing the digital marketing and working with Dusty and Lulu to produce a suitable logo.  Alison Trow will be collating the float applicants and is working on the forms right now.  Charlotte Harding, wearing one of her many hats , will be working on pre-parade activities in the square – it is Martinborough Magic Weekend for the Business Association at that time too .

Madcaps would love some more singers for the carols and The Toy Library are looking for new members to join them and be part of the event.

If you are interested contact Angela Brown from the Community Board for more information. Angela.Brown@swdc.govt.nz

We would also like to share photos and memories of past parades in The Star and on our Facebook page. Contact Angela.Brown@swdc.govt.nz if you can help.