Councillor Comment:

Councillors, Community Board members, Maori Standing Committee members and Council staff have been working hard on the Long Term Plan and the Consultation Document.

There are many aspects to the Consultation Document which summarises the initiatives being considered and the impact these will have on our rates. One of these is looking at the introduction of bilingual council signage.  This will be a gradual phasing in of these as current signs need replacing and new signage is considered.  It is fantastic that the Maori Standing Committee have initiated this through their discussions with Council as it is so important to recognise our Maori heritage in the South Wairarapa. … Continue Reading

Book review

A sort of Conscience

At almost 600 pages this is a book for somebody who likes to settle in for  a good long read. Author Philip Temple, who is well known for his interest and knowledge of  New Zealand’s early history, has done a wonderful job with this one.

His explained the reason for his choosing this subject was that he thought historians’ had only focused on two members of the large and interesting family and he wished to correct the situation.  … Continue Reading

Dear Dr Jane

I have been told I have to do a conference presentation in four months time.  Public speaking has always terrified me and I have got out of it wherever possible over my life.  However, I have been told by my employer that this presentation has to be done by me, and me alone.  I’ve already started being anxious about it and losing sleep, and it’s still four months away! I have even considered resigning from my job to get out of it.

Any advice?

White Knuckled

Dear White Knuckled

You are part of the trembling majority.  Jerry Seinfield once quipped that at any given funeral most people would rather be in the coffin than giving the eulogy.  Fear of public speaking is frequently cited as one of the (if not the) most common fears we humans have.  Social death, apparently, is feared more than actual death.   … Continue Reading

Bike to the Top

– Mountain biking for the Whole Family

The return of the Martinborough Skyline Challenge on 15^th April, 2018 will give the whole family a chance to experience mountain bike riding around the Martinborough hills on private local farmland.

Set on the historic Huangarua, Puruatanga and Oystershell farms, the 4 courses are at varying levels of difficulty, a range of distances and across all types of terrain:  There is a 32 km grade 3 ride for those looking for a mountain bike challenge, a demanding and quite hilly 16 km ride for the slightly less capable rider,  an 8 km course for those looking for a family fun walk, run or ride to get you and the kids into the countryside.   Finally, there’s a flat 3km course for children under the age of 8 years.  … Continue Reading