Fun, laughter, bargains at First Church affair

First Church’s Spring Fling & CookBook Launch, held at Waihinga Centre Martinborough on Friday 6 September proved to be a highly successful night, with lots of fun, laughter and bargains for our 150 guests. 

The level and quality of clothing was top notch, high end, and we are very grateful to everyone who brought us their beautiful garments to model and sell. The hall looked amazing decorated in the colours of Spring.

The models strutted their garments, rocked hats, shoes and bags in style in a Spring-themed Fashion Show. They came out dressed in style for the Races, A day in the Vineyards, A Night on the Town, A Garden Tour, Tulip Festival and a Wairarapa Wedding. A big thanks to Tania Williamson, her team and models. … Continue Reading

Gin party kick-start for new Toast Martinborough format

Foley Wines is front-ending its updated Toast Martinborough festival at Wellington Anniversary weekend with a new project _ the Lighthouse Gin Garden Party. Foley also owns locally-produced Lighthouse Gin.

Distiller Rachel Hall will use the The Runholder Cottage at Te Kairanga vineyards at the Saturday (January 18) event with its shaded gardens to serve cocktails she has designed. 

Local food trucks will serve up fare alongside local cheese and charcuterie platters from the nearby The Runholder kitchen. … Continue Reading

Has the Mayor opened a can of worms? Dive in

Mayor Martin Connelly is asking the South Wairarapa community to speak up on the issues of spending and efficiency. 

He’s written in The Post:

“The current legislation sets out that the purpose of local government is to enable local decision-making and to promote the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of communities. These are very wide purposes and councils have interpreted them to mean they can do pretty much whatever they like.

The new Government states, among other things, that it intends to: remove any references to well-being; specify core services, to refocus the objectives of local government; impose a revenue/rates cap on non-core expenditure; review bylaw-making powers to enable cost-efficiencies; and examine ways to increase the use of shared services, reduce insurance costs, and lift debt ceilings for larger councils. … Continue Reading

Leaks, toxic mould, risks to staff – building not fit-for-purpose

The country’s first Heritage quake-proof building _ South Wairarapa’s council office _ is plagued by leaks, airborne and underfoot toxic mould, asbestos and even an abandoned leaking toilet.

The fix? 

Band-aid work estimated at an initial $130,000 and constantly repeating, or a wider refurbishment and up to a new build which one off-the-cuff estimate put at “$20-million.”

Councillors steered clear of both the least and most expensive options at last month’s Strategy Working Committee.

“We must provide safe conditions for staff to work in,” said Councillor Kaye McAulay as the meeting authorised staff to develop details for a building and office space “refurbishment,” for an initial outlay of $1.0 – 1.5 million. This “Option 2” would include a new roof.

Further work was also approved for “Option 4” _ which includes a new, larger office block, a possible  lease-back deal and “disposal of (the) 19 Kitchener Street site” _ along with its leaky heritage building.  … Continue Reading