Support for Digital Learning

Martinborough School has introduced a BYO (bring your own) device scheme to support online learning in the classroom.  The School Board has been supporting online learning through digital technology by leasing class sets of chromebook laptop devices for the past seven years. “At this point we needed the support of parents and families to come to the party and bring their own devices to support online learning”. 

The School has partnered with local IT company SchooledupIT in Greytown to supply the chromebook devices with compatibility to the school network. Families can purchase the device outright or pay the chromebook off over one to three years. “We were also approached by local people and businesses who wanted to contribute and this venture ended up raising $15,000, including a significant donation of $5,000 from the Martinborough Lions Club”.  … Continue Reading

Standing up for South Wairarapa 

Greytown’s Martin Connelly is standing for mayor of South Wairarapa in the coming elections.

Appalled by the council’s budget blowouts and fractious relationships, he wants to restore public trust in the council. For that to happen, he says; “we need change, and that change starts at the top. A simple platform: integrity”.

“We have so many opportunities to strengthen and grow as a region, and our communities have great ideas about what is needed, and where,” he says. “It’s the mayor’s job to listen to the people and make these things happen, not to get bogged down in pet projects and petty quarrels.”

Rates increases is a key topic for Martin. The increase of 29 percent — double what was indicated in the Long Term Plan—has put intolerable pressure on many of South Wairarapa’s residents, especially those on low and fixed incomes. 

“We risk becoming a region where many people are forced to decide between paying their rates or their power bill,” he says. “Rates increased by double what was promised in the Long Term Plan, but our communities have little to show for it other than financial stress and three very costly barbecues at our public swimming pools.” 

“I want South Wairarapa to be a region where people want to come to work and live,” he says. “The best way to do that is to start by looking after those who are already here, while carefully planning for what our communities will need in the future.”

Martin grew up on a Canterbury high-country sheep station, he began his working career as a teacher before moving into senior public sector roles. Along with representing New Zealand at the OECD and receiving the Prime Minister’s Prize for Public Policy in 1998. With his expertise in policy development and fiscal management, he wants to focus on leading the council back to the heart of its role: serving its community effectively.

He now lives in Greytown, where he enjoys spending time with his family and grandchildren. He is currently the president of the South Wairarapa Bridge Club and an avid photographer. When he’s not out searching for the perfect photograph, Martin can often be found walking his dog Carlos and chatting with everyone he meets along the way. 

Martin Connelly martin.connelly@xtra.co.nz (027) 500 8120

What if ?

The Martinborough Fair first appeared in Martinborough in 1977 and looked set to celebrate its 45 birthday this year.  It is a Martinborough icon that attracts thousands of visitors to the town each year and delivers cash to support to a great many South Wairarapa organisations through its success.

Setting up and running the Martinborough Fair is a big job that involves the input and goodwill of many local individuals and groups.  Rules and regulations must be adhered to which is not an insignificant task.  It is exactly rules and regulations around the Covid Pandemic that sadly, forced them to consider moving this Martinborough icon event to another venue this year.

But what if they had decided to ignore the rules and run the Martinborough Fair ‘protest style’? … Continue Reading

Martinborough Lions

To end our year of 2021 a very enjoyable Christmas evening and dinner was held at Coney Wines, was enjoyed by all who attended.

Our Christmas  Raffle  was won by John Blundell and family.

Into our new year 2022, not a very good start for the Club, with the Covid Traffic Light in RED, having to cancel our club activities; Toast Martinborough,  The Martinborough Fair days taken from the Square to Tauherenikau Race course, with March Fair day cancelled ,Skyline Challenge  cancelled,  with Lions Convention in Gisborne also.

Never the less helping out in the community still continues. … Continue Reading