New library staff on deck

Wairarapa Library Service is delighted to welcome our newest library assistants, Diana and Eledir (El for preference), to our team. 

Some of you already know Diana when she used to work at the café beside Martinborough Library, and loved the amount of care she took with your coffee.

She brings the same thoughtfulness and attention to detail to her role in our libraries. And as a business graduate, Diana isn’t fazed by our library system in the slightest!

While she’s used to much bigger libraries in her native Colombia, she likes that our libraries are such welcoming cosy spaces for the community where people are often greeted by name.

El comes to us from Wellington City Libraries where he has worked for the past five years. Like Diana, El believes in providing excellent customer service. He’ll be only too happy to talk about books and point you to your next great read. 

Diana and El look forward to working in our four libraries in Carterton, Featherston, Greytown and Martinborough, and getting to know all our customers.

Stunning first 4 – 1 win for Marty Women’s FC

By All-knowing Football Reporter

It was always going to happen. After a few draws, some losses the newly-formed MWFC won their first game. An impressive and resounding victory.

It started with ‘The Fox in the Box,’ the striker who plays in the traditional Number 9 role of

marauding the penalty box ready to pounce on any unsuspecting ball. 

The Fox in the Box strikes fast. The stylish Foxy play is augmented by the presentation of the tools of her trade, immaculate manicure and stunning hair, just like her control of the ball. 1 – nil.

Following her name’s sake in all matters football, ‘Gazzer’ played in the same manner as the

England striker. Dinking, dunking, stepovers, nutmegs and sheer speed. Nothing was

going to stop 2 goals from ‘Gaz’, and nearly a hat-trick.  … Continue Reading

Local government plans flagged away by Minister Brown

By Ray Lilley

Local bodies nationwide face a funding crisis, most agree, but the Coalition Government is apparently in no mood to sort out a solution _ even though several have been put forward in a major Local Government NZ report: “Future for Local Government Review.”

Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has just confirmed the Coalition Government will not be responding to the review’s 17 recommendations, such as returning to councils revenue equivalent to the GST charged on local rates or paying rates on Crown property.

The review agreed on the need to build a new system of government that’s fit for purpose, and to

rebalance the country’s tax take between central and local government. … Continue Reading

Local government push-back on Maori ward law change

A whopping 83.5 percent of local councils have voted to push back against newly-passed government legislation which forces councils to hold a public poll (referendum) at the 2025 election if they want to retain or introduce a Maori ward.

South Wairarapa District council agreed in  2023 to introduce a Maori ward _ before the new legislation which now requires a costly poll on the issue at the next election.

In 2021 the then-government changed to law to eliminate binding polls on such wards _  before the change, a poll could be requested by five percent of voters. 

The Local Government NZ AGM saw an historic push-back against the new law _ led by Palmerston North City Council _ that forces councils to hold a public poll at the next local election if they wish to keep or introduce a Māori ward.

The Palmerston North remit said Maori wards and constituencies should not be subject to compulsory polling. It gained 83.5% support.  … Continue Reading