Tranzit well advanced in Electrifying bus journey

Tranzit Turning a diesel fossil-burner double-decker bus into an EV was a Southern Hemisphere first.

South Wairarapa Rebus Club News

Turning diesel fossil-burner double-decker buses into EVs is one trick which Masterton-based Transzit mastered with the launch of its 100 percent battery-powered bus.

This successful prototype, a Southern Hemisphere first, now carries passengers in Wellington, and in the coming months Tranzit’s second “Repower” conversion will be finished. 

Tranzit’s 42 electric buses in Wellington have 3 million km under their tyres, saving 1.8 million litres of diesel and reducing CO2 emissions by 4,900 tonnes.

Over the next 12 months Tranzit will introduce 42 e-buses into Palmerston North’s new and expanded bus network, in partnership with Horizons Regional Council, helping it become NZ’s first city to have a 100% e-bus fleet. In addition, more e-buses will be introduced into Auckland and regional New Zealand, and more “Repower” buses are in the pipeline.  

These facts emerged at a recent meeting of South Wairarapa Rebus Club when Paul Snelgrove, managing director of The Transit Group gave a talk entitled “Tranzit: Our Repower Bus Journey.” … Continue Reading

National Nude Gardening Day unnoticed?

Saturday, October 21 was NNGD, but there are no reports that it was observed in either the urban or rural gardens of Martinborough and the South.

Wine Release Days are marked with considerable fervour, but not deshabille _ as in “the paintings of Venus all shared the same state of deshabille.”

Toast sees some, mainly younger celebrants, get some of their kit off in the heat of the day. 

The Christmas Parade sees a jolly, plump person full adorned in appropriate gear, despite the heat.

The annual hamburger challenge Burger Wellington sees all chefs correctly attired, even in the heat of the kitchen.

Daffodil Day is prim and proper across all daffodil fields. 

As is Lavender Harvest Day.

NNGD however, “is a global phenomenon” according to the nationwide Federation of Naturalists _ not just the preserve of “hardened nudists.”

Getting out in the sun, as nature intended, is reported “to be very liberating and empowering. It promotes body positivity and a renewed appreciation of the environment” (particularly hedges) said spokeswoman Alice de Wet. “We invite everyone to try it.”

So, mark the calendar: October 21, 2024.

SWDC planning and environment group manager Russell O’Leary (no pun intended) was quoted as saying there “is no bylaw covering public nudity in South Wairarapa” _ and no designated naturist areas. Really?

New sites at 30th Toast Martinborough

By Joelle Thomson

Toast Martinborough turns 30 this year and goes back to its roots with two new sites joining the established big names.

The new sites are both collaborations and will be within walking distance of the other wineries, making it easy for festival goers to get to all of the Toast sites.

“Big Sky Wines is excited to be sharing a site on New York Street with its friends from Escarpment Vineyard and Stad_Ko,” says Katherine Jacobs, who co-owns Big Sky with Jeremy Corban.

Their site is called Boundary Block and will also serve brews from Martinborough Brewery, Garage Project and Almighty non-alcoholics with food from Social Chef, Mao & Co dumplings and noodles, and Jawl’s Kitchen.

The three wineries on Boundary Block will offer a wide range of wines to Toast patrons, including bubbles and rosé as well as Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and quirky natural wines, such as skin fermented Sauvignon Blanc, among others.

The other new collaboration at this year’s Toast is called Hunting Giants, a name that gives away the two identity of the two wineries involved. This collaboration between On Giant’s Shoulders and Huntress wines will serve food from Tora Collective and Saint Sebastian.

The Huntress founder and winemaker, Jannine Rickards, says Hunting Giants will be one of the smallest sites at this year’s Toast Martinborough with a wide range of wines, including On Giant’s Shoulders Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, alongside Huntress Amber Waihonga Pinot Gris (made, incidentally using grapes grown on the original On Giant’s Shoulders vineyard), Kuratea chilled red and Waikoa white blend. Both wineries will serve older vintages of Pinot Noir at the indoor cellar door.

Other wineries taking part in this year’s Toast include Ata Rangi, Luna, Moy Hall, Palliser, Runholder and Tirohana Estate.

More information: toastmartinborough.co.nz

Sicilian night wine & food

At the 13 October meeting of the Martinborough Wine & Food Society, 34 members and guests were treated to a tasting of Sicilian wines, accompanied appropriately by pizzas supplied by Colombo Winery pizzeria.

Our host, committee member John Penney, had visited Sicily a few years ago with his wife to attend a wedding and to do some touring. His scholarly presentation of 8 typical wines from the region (3 red, 3 white, and 2 dessert wines) was accompanied by a visual presentation of some of his favourite pictures of the villages and mountains of Sicily, and of hospitable Sicilian friends.

The Society’s next event, planned for 10 November, will take place at Luna Estate. A Christmas lunch is being planned at a local venue in mid-December.

The Society always welcomes new members. If you are interested in learning more about us, please contact President, Philippa Pointon, on 021434163, or Treasurer, Dave Stewart, on 0274530475.