At-home farewell for beloved pet

Wairarapa pet owners can now farewell a loved companion in the comfort of their own home. As a nation of animal lovers, we don’t like to think about having to say goodbye to our beloved pets. Now you can in the surroundings your pet knows well – home. 

When the time comes, making the final hours as comfortable and peaceful as possible makes the experience much easier for both the pet and its owner.

Five Wairarapa-based veterinarians have set up Devoted, a home euthanasia and aftercare service that offers clients an alternative option to an in-clinic procedure, where the animal may be exposed to sounds and smells they find stressful.

“Providing the very best care, and helping to ease pain and suffering, is something Devoted takes very seriously,” says veterinarian Adrian Evans, who manages the service. 

“Sadly, the majority of pets do not die in their sleep, and many elderly pets can eventually suffer from debilitating diseases, such as arthritis or chronic organ failure,” he says.  … Continue Reading

Talking the Wairarapa Walking Fest

Summer and Tilly learn, explore and connect on the walk.

“Learn, explore, connect! Ako, hōpara, hono!” is the motto of the Wairarapa Walking Festival, now in its third year. 

The varied November programme, with 26 walks, has been launched by Ra Smith and Gareth Winter, two awesome local speakers. 

Celia Wade-Brown, Festival founder says “everyone can learn plenty from these fascinating talks about early walkers.” Videos are available via our Wairarapa Walking Festival Facebook page.

Several walks have charter buses, thanks to Metlink and Transit. 

Tracey Higgins, co-convenor, says that “anyone who wants to relax, keep their carbon footprint down, or doesn’t have a car available, is welcome,”

Locations: Gladstone Wine & Olives, Castlepoint New Migrants, Hurunui-o-Rangi Marae, Wairio Wetlands, Homewood Storeroom, Putangirua Pinnacles, Pūkaha Lookout and Kaiwaiwai Dairies.

Registration is essential! Three walks on Fridays meet the Wellington trains: Gladstone Wine and Olives, Featherston Books and Coffee, and our Rainbow Walk. Several others tie in with the regular 200 bus. … Continue Reading

“The Wairarapa Explorer” hits the tracks

Steam Incorporated will be stoking up the coal fire in mid-November as The Wairarapa Explorer returns the Age of Steam to the tracks between Masterton and Carterton.

As assistant operations manager Tommy Secker notes, a steam train run is “a great opportunity for locals to get amongst …” steam, billowing smoke and a fast-running historic train.

On offer: “a quick sprint in either direction of your choice, between Masterton and Carterton,” with the chance to also inspect the historic Carterton station building.

“The beautifully restored station building at Carterton will be open for passengers to visit during our short stopover,” Secker adds.

Wairarapa Rail Restoration Society Inc is a community group with the aim to restore the historic station built in 1880 “to its former glory and to develop the precinct to include facilities for passing rail excusrions.”

The station, a daily stop for all Wairarapa’s northern commuters heading for work in Wellington, often is not acknowledged for its historic significance, he said.  

Wairarapa’s Railway Restoration Society works with other similar interest groups, like Steam Incorporated, to achieve its aims.

Admission for the middle-of-the-day trip: Single – $19.00; Family of 4 – $69.00 return.

Wairarapa Annual Ploughing Match

It was 70 years ago, in 1953, that a committee was formed in the region which founded the  Wairarapa Ploughing Match Association.

The eirst Match took place at Arthur Southey’s property on Moreton Road, Carterton, and since that histroric event Wairarapa has hosted several New Zealand Ploughing Finals.

The first of them was in 1969 at The Establishment of H A Evans, West Bush Road, Masterton. The second in 1977 at Mick Rayner’s at Gladstone, while the third took place at the Stout and Clarkson properties at Kahutara.

Wairarapa Ploughing Match Association and Wairarapa Vintage Machinery Club have since combined forces to stage the Wairarapa’s Annual Match _ which attracts more than 20 entrants.

This year’s Annual Match is being held on 8 October at 117 Gladstone Road, Carterton from 

11 a.m. Admission: Gold Coin. 

For more information please phone Barbara Wilson 06 379 7403 (evenings).