Murky waters

Taking a deep dive into the government’s 3 Waters reform requires a swim through some very murky water indeed.  All the public outrage seems to be focussed on asset grabbing and giving governance to Iwi but both of these arguments are actually red herrings in the muddy pond.

To fully understand the call for national reform it is sensible to have a clear, unemotive look at our own local infrastructure as it is indictive of a good portion of New Zealand’s service network.

A check of local history books show that Featherston’s first water supply became functional in 1906 following a crown grant of land for a reservoir.  The town’s original sewerage system dates from the 1920’s and that is much the same time line for many towns throughout New Zealand.   … Continue Reading

The Men’s Shed

After modest beginnings in the Old Council yards where The Green Cycles are today, the Men’s Shed is now sited in the old Courthouse. 

The Council donated a new roof. Members refurbished the inside of the building. They repainted, rewired, and installed workbenches. They fixed panels of fluorescent lights to the ceiling to provide good lighting for project work. They installed a television screen and connected to Wi Fi for viewing helpful tips on U tube. … Continue Reading

The Wairarapa Automobile Association

The initial idea of an Automobile Association was floated during a 1912 social gathering of J Bidwill, J C Bidwill, I Wilson, and G Fenwick at Bidwill’s Pihautea Homestead. The discussion came around to the motor reliability trials which were being held in England with Wilson suggesting the setting up of an organisation to hold something similar locally.

A public meeting was held in Featherston on October 12^th  which attracted fourteen people. It was decided to form such an organization to be called the Wairarapa Automobile Association with Mr M Elgar President and I Wilson secretary. … Continue Reading

Under The Martinborough Stars 

A few weeks ago, the photograph of our Milky Way’s Black Hole was revealed. Black Holes are a very important stage in a star’s evolution. Only the most massive stars will explode in a supernova and only the very largest will turn into a black hole after the explosion. 

The Black Hole from this photo is from the centre of our Galaxy, the Milky Way. It is called Sagittarius A*. Black Holes are found in nearly all galaxies, especially in the centre, and along with the mysterious Dark Matter, it keeps the galaxy together. … Continue Reading