Love local

We are all very familiar with the love local message, but it seems we will need to drive this in a whole new way as the impacts of Covid omicron start to become a reality..

Local businesses in Martinborough and across the region have seen a significant slow down in recent weeks.

There is a nervousness in the air as the realization of how New Zealand will ride this wave, it’s different to everything we have been through before with Covid. No more lock downs, but we are needing to prepare for the impact of managing our businesses during a public health order regime that requires a great deal of self management. There’s uncertainty too as to how long this phase will continue. … Continue Reading

LOCAL SCRIPTWRITER WINS AN EMMY 

The scene was played in Auckland and Martinborough simultaneously: screams of surprised delight when Shoshana McCallum’s short form series INSiDE won an International Emmy Award in November.

Shoshi’s parents Neil and Dawn McCallum, founders of Dry River Wines, shared the proud moment linked up live in Martinborough. Shoshi says “With Auckland locked down, my co-creators Dan Musgrove (co-writer), Peter Salmon (producer/ director), lead actor Morgana O’Reilly, plus other cast and crew were all spaced distantly on the back lawn for the ceremony, hooked up to an online live broadcast of the International Emmy Awards from New York. … Continue Reading

Book review

Nine live

Nine lives is a novel concept of coupling nine notable New Zealanders with nine New Zealand authors who have been connected to them one way or another. Hence we have sports journalist Paul Thomas writing about cricketer John Wright who he knows through his profession. Author Lloyd Jones writes on potter Paul Melser a friend through cricket. And author Elspeth Sandys writing of her cousin Rewi Alley  

In each case resulting in an interesting, mostly lengthy, essay about aspects of the subject’s life. … Continue Reading

Councillor Comment

It is looking like another busy month ahead as we work towards the Annual Plan for 2022-2023 year and all that is involved in setting the budgets, costings and rates for the 2022 to 2023 year ahead.

At the recent Planning & Regulatory meeting we discussed the proposed Joint Review for Wairarapa Rangatahi Strategy. Rangatahi/Youth (12-24 year olds) are valued members of our community and as such South Wairarapa District Council are committed to ensuring that they have opportunities to positively participate in Council and community affairs, and are supported to reach their full potential.

The proposed Wairarapa Rangatahi/Youth Strategy is a new strategy for the 

South Wairarapa District Council, which would create a common vision and set mutual

goals/priorities to progress youth development outcomes for the South Wairarapa … Continue Reading