Community Board 

Victoria Read

It is with building excitement that I write this column. The library has begun packing up their books and the tenants are preparing to move in to the Waihinga Centre. 

We began this journey over 5 years ago… it has had its ups and downs, but we are nearly there and the centre is looking amazing. 

The Martinborough Community Board has played an active role in the project – the board has donated funds as well as facilitating the use of funds from Pain Estate for the project. We also have a nominated member on the Board of the Waihinga Charitable Trust. 

I want to re-iterate WHY we support this project. This centre is for our future. We see the co-location of community services as being an important facilitator of wellbeing in the community. As the old saying goes – it takes a village to raise a child… 

Our surroundings directly, and profoundly, impact us psychologically, physically, energetically, emotionally and spiritually. If we can deliver an inviting space for just one person who feels lonely or isolated in the community, one child who needs warm and comfortable place to do their homework or one young mother struggling with the demands of a new baby it will have been worth it. 

This building welcomes the visitor to the Wairarapa and lets them know who we are – an innovative, inspired, creative community who values our history, our natural environment and our people.