Red Cross Events

Annual Appeal

The Red Cross Annual Appeal will be held on Friday 19^th March from 7:00 am – 5:00 pm.Our great team of volunteers will be outside Kitcheners from 7:00 am – 12:00 pm and then at the entrance to P&K on Jellicoe Street from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

COVID got in the way last year and this is the only major fund-raising event that we hold during the year.  We hope to see you on the 19th

Neighbours Day

The New Zealand Red Cross are a proud partner of Neighbours Day Aotearoa.

The kaupapa of Neighbours Day Aotearoa is to encourage people to get to know their neighbours better.  This year’s theme is The Great Plant Swap as we want neighbourhoods to grow stronger together.  … Continue Reading

Historic cemetary now has a Lychgate

The original, historic Martinborough Cemetery on the corner of Dublin and Roberts Street, where many early residents are buried,  now has a beautiful lychgate or covered entrance.

As local historian Mate Higginson said, “This is a truly fitting gateway to our ancestors and the past .  It helps create a park-like setting for them to rest in eternal peace.”

The lychgate was made possible with the support of Bryce Neems, SWDC Amenities Manager, and Roger Smith who did a fantastic job of building it.   Mary and John Doyle, connoisseurs of heritage roses, contributed their expertise to the landscaping.

Why not make a visit now?  … Continue Reading

Regional Council notes

Value our rivers

Wairarapa rivers are popular places in the summer.  All our main waterways have places where traditionally people have been able to access the water either for a swim, to fish or just enjoy the scenery.  Some are quiet nooks on private land and others immensely popular public access spots teaming with people on a hot day.

We’ve always taken our rivers for granted and it’s come as a bit of a shock to many that the water quality in several of them is not in great shape, especially in this warmer weather.

There is a variety of reasons for this and it is pointless finger-pointing over it.  Whether it is discharge from urban waste water, agricultural run-off or heavy metals from stormwater off our roads, all historically ended up in our water ways and have contributed to the decline over the years.   … Continue Reading

Tenancy Law Changes

Landlords and tenants need to understand the recent changes to tenancy law and how this will affect them.

All landlords including boarding house landlords, must comply with various legal obligations as governed by the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill.

The changes are taking effect at three key dates :

• Phase 1:  12 August 2020
• Phase 2: 11 February 2021
• Phase 3: by 11 August 2021

Let’s look at Phase 1 for now . . . . 

Transitional and emergency housing will be exempt from the Act where the housing is either funded (wholly or partly) by a government department or provided under the Special Needs Grants Programme.

Rent can only be increased once every 12 months which is a change from once every six months. … Continue Reading