Greetings from Netherlands

In 1964 a Dutch firm by the name of Costain Blankvood in conjunction with
Parsons Contracting were assigned the huge task of constructing the new waterway between Lake Ferry and the Ruamahanga River below where it entered Lake Wairarapa. Co was an engineer for Costain Blankvoord and so with his family of 2 boys and twin girls packed up and left to work in NZ for what was to be a four year project. They shifted in to a house on the corner of Regent and Oxford St’s. neighbours to us and made many friends in the town and surrounding area, including many well known Dutch family’s. … Continue Reading

MARTINBOROUGH GOLF CLUB

At long last the weather is starting to settle down which in turn is bringing smiles to the faces of the golfers. The match committee can stop pulling their hair out now as all matches are being played on time.
The lefties / righties tournament was held recently which proved to be very successful and mainly dry weather-wise. Of the locals to feature in the prize list, Shane Hartnell and partner Andy Small won best Nett on the day with Tora Boyne and Wallace Millar runners-up. Nigel Messenger, a mate of mine from over the hill and his partner Jim Walsh were 3rd Nett and Derek Stephens and Peter Hudson finished 4th Nett. … Continue Reading

From the Mayor

Economic development is a phrase bandied about by all and sundry today.  There are cries for councils to get involved to enable their districts to grow.  Everyone wants a slice of the economic development pie but what actually makes up that pie and what is council’s role in making it?

Sir Paul Callaghan described economic development as a strategy that encourages economic growth.  He went to say that the drivers behind economic growth are largely controlled by international and national factors, not local conditions.  Investment in new and expansion of existing businesses largely happens when global forces create the right environment for growth. … Continue Reading

Ducks Unlimited Annual Conference

o the uninitiated, the name Ducks Unlimited conjours up images of guns and birds falling from the sky. However, this organisation is anything but one that focuses on duck shooting. It is, in fact, New Zealand’s leading wetlands and waterfowl conservation group. Ducks Unlimited – or DU for short – “works to save our wetlands through protection, funding, technical aid and education so that the flora and fauna of our most endangered ecosystem are a legacy we can pass down to future generations” (www.ducks.org.nz) .
Attendees from as far north as Auckland gathered recently at Brackenridge for DU’s annual conference. The conference included a trip to the Wairio Wetland on the eastern shores of Lake Wairarapa to catch-up on restoration progress. Delegates saw the results of recent earthworks to create a 1.2 kilometre bund wall which has increased the open water area at the wetland providing ideal waterfowl habitat.

During the visit about 100 black swan lifted off, creating quite a spectacle. Delegates also saw the results of the annual planting exercises which average 3000 odd sedges, flaxes and swamp trees. … Continue Reading