How Well Do We Know People in our Community? Jane Riddiford. A local girl comes home.

Lyle Griffiths

Memories of the Wairarapa are part of Jane’s childhood, firstly visiting her grandparents at Longwood, then moving to Martinborough to live at Ruamāhanga Farm.  High school years were spent as a weekly boarder at Erskine College and then on to University and travel.  

An interest in the power of community was sparked early, through participation in an outdoor theatre event, produced by “Welfare State,” from the UK. The interactive performance took place along a mile of Kapiti coastline, highlighting the plight of whales. “I realised then that the connection between land, storytelling and community involvement was a potent combination.” says Jane.

After travelling overseas for several years, she returned to NZ and in the 1990’s did a Sustainable Land Management Diploma at Unitec.  My main project was at Newton Central School where we involved pupils, their families and local Iwi in creating an Inner-City Forest.  The area which had been laid bare by motorway construction was replanted with locally sourced natives and is now protected by DOC. Jane described how “We were not only growing a forest but growing a community.”

During that time Jane worked as a Co-ordinator for Kelmarna Gardens, an organic City Farm in Auckland, which supported people suffering from mental health issues. Produce was sold to restaurants and the local community. These experiences laid the foundation for the next twenty-five years in London.   … Continue Reading

From the Mayor

Moeraki Road (thought we cannot see it to be certain) after the dramatic rise of the Pahaoa River.

Mayor Martin Connelly

We will all be talking about Cyclone Gabrielle for a very long time.  It was the most destructive weather events in our lifetime, causing most of the North Island to be put into a State of National Civil Defence Emergency.  As I write this, on the 18^th of February, the cyclone has resulted in 10 deaths. 5000 more people are unaccounted for, and many thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes.

In the Wairarapa, the worst affected area seems to be around Tinui, but closer to home the White Rock Road and Pahaoa Road have been severely affected and people have been cut off. Most people who live near the Wairarapa Coast are likely to have experienced road-slips, power outages or phone problems.

My deepest sympathy goes out to the families of people who died in this disaster.  I also express my sympathy to those whose lives have been severely and dramatically altered by the Cyclone.  Just as with the Christchurch Earthquake, the after-effects of this cyclone are going to last for a very long time.

Unsurprisingly, people in the Wairarapa have been keen to help.  Over the past two days I have been linking groups here, who are working out ways to assist those in the North, with matching organisations in the Hawkes Bay who can receive that assistance.  Thank you to everyone in the Wairarapa who has found a way to help our unfortunate neighbours.   … Continue Reading

From the CEO

Hello everyone. 

I hope you’re warm, dry and well after Cyclones Gabrielle and Hale. We extend our deepest sympathies to those in our district who have experienced damage and isolation, and of course, to those who have suffered extensive damage or loss of loved ones in Hawkes Bay and Gisborne districts. It has been shocking and puts us all on notice about the need to adaptation.

The need to be prepared for climate change and to improve our existing infrastructure is something that preoccupies us at Council. 

In Featherston, a lot of work is being done on urban planning, flood hazard mapping and wastewater treatment. 

In Martinborough roading is a continual focus, both in the town with street lighting and the continual maintenance of vulnerable roads like Cape Palliser, White Rock and Tora. 

In Greytown, a flash flood recently reminded us of the age of some of our infrastructure which of course would be very costly to fix if we tackled it all at one time. The creation of a climate change committee in this triennium and the water leaks campaign we are running are indications that we mean to give adaptation our full attention. … Continue Reading

FIRE BRIGADE REPORT

Firefighter Tamara Hudepohl.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to the Muriwai Volunteer Fire Brigade following the tragic loss of two Firefighters during the recent cyclone responses, and our thoughts are with our colleagues both paid and volunteer who responded to, and are still a vital part of the ongoing cyclone recovery. The importance of these volunteers and their Fire Stations were amply demonstrated, and shown to vital to so many communities.

We were very fortunate in Martinborough to avoid the flooding, landslides and clean up required in the Eastern foothill regions surrounding us, and although we were well prepared we received no calls for help with flooding. Our Medical First Response team were ready to assist our response partner Wellington Free Ambulance with both manpower and 4WD access during this time.

I know our Firefighters and Medical Responders made considerable effort to be available to respond if required, and thank their families for supporting them during this trying time. … Continue Reading