UPDATER: Wairarapa Moana mussels in deep trouble – survey

By Martin Freeth

Trees of Martinborough

Kākahi/ freshwater mussel populations in Lake Wairarapa are in deep trouble due to water pollution and the effects of climate change – a condition confirmed again in preliminary results from recent monitoring by NIWA  ecologist Mark Fenwick and his band of “citizen scientists.”  

Mark was joined by about 30 Wairarapa locals and a group of environmental specialists from Greater Wellington Regional Council and the Department of Conservation for the 10^th annual ‘kākahi count’ at Western Lake Reserve on Saturday, 10 February. Ten teams of three people waded into the shallows and collected mussel samples for measurement and visual assessment of their shells. … Continue Reading

Water woes budget questions pile up

Water supply and wastage are major issues for South Wairarapa District Council (SWDC) and the people of Martinborough, Featherston and Greytown. 

As always, dry summer weather has brought restrictions on household water use and this summer, leaks in the town supply systems are more evident than ever. So what progress is SWDC making?

Recently-released financial data for the half-year ended 31 December 2023 gives some indication. 

But it also raises serious questions about whether SWDC and its water service supplier, Wellington Water Ltd, are anywhere near on top of the issues.

A council Statement of Comprehensive Revenue and Expenses for the half year shows $2,3m in actual operating expenditure on water supply – that is $194,000 less than budgeted for.  … Continue Reading

Lions help make a wheel difference

A Martinborough Lions Club member learnt recently of a family who might need a bit of assistance. The family consisted of mum, dad and seven children – of whom two are fostered. If that was not challenging enough, one of the children in their care has special needs. 

The Lion’s member asked if there was some tangible way in which Lions might help.

Well, it happened that the child with the special needs is fiercely energetic and to burn off some of

that energy the family had had some success with a child’s motorised vehicle, but that vehicle was

no longer available. 

In an ideal world, the dad said he would love to purchase a Go-cart, one where the older siblings could be at the wheel and allow the younger child to expend some of that energy. … Continue Reading

Plan ahead for next 30 Remutaka Hill road closures

The year has well begun and so have the Remutaka Hill road closures, so be prepared for 30 more this year _ already one night closedown has passed by. 

NZTA, or Waka Kotahi, has confirmed that there will be 30 overnight closures between March 10  and June 21 this year. 

This is a larger number than usual, in fact, an additional 13 extra nights of access closures.

The first night’s closedown on Remutaka Hill road was for maintenance on Sunday 14 January.

This was followed by the Tauwharenikau Bridge, closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, from January 23 to 7 February, for bridge concrete and bearing repairs. 

This necessitated a detour along the Number 1 Line. It opened during weekends and on Waitangi Day. 

Work by KiwiRail began on Featherston’s Fitzherbert Street railway crossing between 20 and 22 January – a capacity upgrade designed to support more passenger services for Wairarapa commuters in coming years. … Continue Reading