Coming slowly to a Remutaka Summit near you

By Ray Lilley

Is it a bird, is it a plane? It’s a Billboard statement to travellers that they are entering a globally-acknowledged Dark Sky Reserve – one of only 21 such high-quality star-gazing environments operating worldwide. 

Another 200 lower-ranked dark sky “places” across the globe have also been recognised by DarkSky International _ the formal accreditation body based in the United States. 

Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve will shortly place a Wairarapa dark sky image-bearing billboard at the Remutaka Summit, along with one at Waingawa in the north _ marking the boundaries of the current dark sky reserve.

The reserve was formalised by DarkSky International (DSI) in January 2023. One of the conditions placed on the Martinborough-based group is that highway billboards must be used to advise travellers they’re crossing the boundaries of such a reserve.

The Waingawa boundary, however, is temporary. 

Masterton District Council has begun work to join the current Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve – significantly expanding its 3,665 square kilometre size and adding most of the rest of the Wairarapa region to the area covered by dark sky lighting rules.

Each of the world’s dark sky reserves is based on what is known as a “core” by DarkSky International.

That core is normally the darkest segment of the reserve’s area, and in the Wairarapa it’s Aorangi Forest Park, a 194 square kilometer native forest administered by the Dept of Conservation in southern Wairarapa.  … Continue Reading

From The Mayor

By Martin Connelly

Firstly, can I thank the Deputy Mayor for keeping this column going and keeping you informed of council developments during my absence.

This week I have been reflecting on festivals and the impact they have on community wellbeing. Last weekend I was at Booktown and it made me wonder about how such an event can have such a powerful impact on so many people. Festivals have been around forever; they are part of our culture. They enable us to observe our traditions while enabling us to reinforce community pride and a sense of belonging.

While I was at Booktown, I bumped into several of the people who are organising the Martinborough Music Festival, which takes place at the end of September. 

For me and many others, the Music Festival is one of the “big events” in the calendar. The programmes are exciting, the players will be world class and we can enjoy all this right here in

Martinborough.

My thanks to the people those people who live among us who plan, organise, and crew the Music Festival. Especially the Biggs, the Trustees, and the volunteers in the bright aprons. A shout-out to Glenys who always allows large posters advertising the Festival, to adorn her fence.

The Music Festival is not a council event, so you might wonder why I mention it. The reason is that we all have a part to play in fostering the health and wellbeing of our towns. 

In this case, The Martinborough Music Festival Board of Trustees organises the Festival and the council is a minor player. The council’s major contribution is to keep the wonderful auditorium in tip-top condition. But we can all encourage, celebrate and support the Festival Trust Board, which is what I am doing.  … Continue Reading

EVENTS

Matariki Rising from 29 June

Nine stars herald the New Year

Remutaka Hill Closures by NZTA

State Highway 2, Remutaka Hill

5 NIGHTS 16 – 21 June

Hau Ariki Marae

Free health Clinic

Saturday 8 June, 9:00 a.m – 12noon

Clinic will provide:

Free flu vaccines

Ccovid boosters

Blood sugar checks

Blood pressure checks

Clinicians available to speak to people.

The Tudor Consort presents

“REPAST” _ intimate mid-winter song fest

4:00 p.m.Saturday, June 8 

Martinborough Town Hall

Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/

Metlink fares increases  

Greater Wellington Regional Council is  

raising public transport fares 10% from July 1. 

Fares have risen 13% in the past decade, 

the biggest rise – 6% – last year.

First Church Winter Book Fair

Martinborough Town Hall (Waihinga Centre).

Saturday 22 June, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

Sunday 23 June from 10am till 2pm. 

Join the shout-out to our Volunteers

By Angela Brown

Think for a moment about how important volunteers are in the community. 

So many people freely giving their time, energy, and resources to help positively shape where we live. June is National Volunteers Month and the theme of Volunteering New Zealand this year is Whiria te tangata – weaving the people together.

I had a catch-up with local legend Charlotte Harding to discuss an exciting community festival in the planning stages. And where did I find her on a Monday morning? Washing cars to raise money for the Martinborough Pump Track.

Since becoming a member of the community board, I have come across so many people selflessly volunteering in our community. 

They include: Martinborough Volunteer Fire Brigade and First Responders, members of Lions Club, the many foodbanks in the South Wairarapa district, Rotary Oceania, Community Patrols, the many community gardens, all of the South Wairarapa Men’s Sheds, senior coffee groups, toy libraries, community markets, Martinborough Museum and the South Wairarapa Biodiversity Group. 

Then there are sports groups, churches and school volunteers. The list is endless.

Volunteer Month in June sees an opportunity to acknowledge the amazing volunteers who we all know and the unsung heroes who often go unnoticed.

South Wairarapa District Council website and Facebook pages have more information. And, get involved by nominating a volunteer you admire. Why not seize the opportunity to become a volunteer yourself? 

It’s a great way to contribute and connect. It’s also rewarding.