Return of the Kugels – October 2024

The Kugels Klezmer Ensemble played in Greytown two years ago, and by popular demand will be back in Greytown on 13 October. 

Former NZSO players Ross Harris (accordion), Robin Perks (violin), Debbie Rawson (clarinet, sax and “xaphon”), and Nick Tipping (double bass), plus versatile and charismatic singer Anna Gawn, will provide 90 minutes of wild, passionate and haunting Klezmer music, ranging from ancient traditional tunes to compositions from Ross Harris. … Continue Reading

Lifeline may help Community Garden project – October 2024

Well, the universe works in mysterious ways! After doubts about the future of the Community Garden it has been thrown a valuable lifeline.

Despite no additional gardeners coming forward, and no contacts to follow up, the group has had a significant uptake in people joining our Facebook page … future gardeners perhaps? 

Further, it has been approached by REAP Wairarapa to run a series of gardening courses at the Martinborough Community Garden for beginners. 

(If you are interested in joining the course contact Pip Maynard 021753281, or 066570172 Heartland Services Martinborough, 39 Jellicoe Street – you  need to enrol, but the course is free). … Continue Reading

Money-go-round saga of new street crossing lights

By Martin Freeth

Martinborough’s new street crossing lights are expected to be switched on finally in November, completing a drawn-out project which started in early 2023 with concerns about public safety after dark in The Square.

Ratepayers are on track to spent around $15,300 on each crossing lights upgrade, according to new information from South Wairarapa District Council (SWDC).

That sum is significantly lower than what SWDC had been proposing to spend before deciding in early 2024 to change the direction of the project and run a formal, competitive tender for the work. … Continue Reading

Property “inspectors” check for “hidden” SUIPs

South Wairarapa District Council has begun house-hunting in its three main towns _ seeking out hidden rating opportunities, though that’s not quite in the way officials are spinning it.

In a district-wide letter to homeowners, council chief executive Janice Smith explains the project to seek out SUIP (Separately Used or Inhabitable Parts – second dwellings on properties) rather more airily.

SWDC “will be undertaking a physical review of property information to build on the data provided to us by Quotable Value (QV) in relation to Separately Used or Inhabited Part (SUIPs). This information is a critical tool that Councils use to set rates,” she wrote mid-September. 

So, she continued, don’t be alarmed by council staff peering over the fence and staring up the driveway as they check for hidden dwellings during their “physical inspection (of) urban properties in Greytown, Martinborough and Featherston during September and October.”

In case readers missed the letter, it details the inspection process this way:  … Continue Reading