Community kōrero 

Siv Fjærestad, Community Development Coordinator, South Wairarapa District Council 

Ehāra taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini. 

(My strength is not as an individual but as a collective.)

As I am writing this I know a lot of our community are still recovering from Covid, and that we are not out of the woods yet. I wanted to do a big shout out to the Martinborough and Featherston Foodbanks, and everyone in the community who is volunteering in some way to support community members who have been isolating or affected by Omicron. 

Youth Week

Did you know that Youth Week is coming up? Youth Week is a nationwide festival of events organised by young New Zealanders to celebrate the talents, passion and success of local young people. We identify young people to be those aged between 12 and 24 years old. 

Youth Week aims to amplify young people’s valuable contributions to their communities by supporting them to design, deliver and evaluate all aspects of the week. The week also recognises the youth workers, youth service providers and others working with and for young people.

The theme for Youth Week 2022 is “Our voices matter, we deserve to be heard.”

Youth Week 2022 will take place between 7 -15 May, and is also a highlight of the Wairarapa youth calendar. 

As part of Youth Week, the Masterton and Carterton Youth Councils in collaboration with South Wairarapa youth representatives, are running a series of events and competitions to encourage youth to share their opinions on issues and solutions facing rangatahi in the Wairarapa. 

Survey for a Sossie’ All youth have to do is answer three questions, and in return get a free sausage!   ‘ 

Saturday 7 May, 12pm – Martinborough (Waihinga Centre) 

Saturday 14 May, 12pm – Featherston (Clifford Square)

There will also be fun interactive activities happening alongside, and an Instagram reel comp, so make sure to follow @cartertonyouth and @mastertondistrictyouthcouncil  or watch the SWDC Facebook page for more.

Rangatahi Strategy

This year the South Wairarapa District Council is joining Carterton and Masterton District Councils in the review and development of a combined Wairarapa Rangatahi Strategy. This is a new strategy for our council and will create a vision and goals to progress youth development outcomes for our district, and support a regional lens on rangatahi development needs. 

There will be opportunities to get involved in workshops and the development of the Strategy in May so make sure you follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SouthWairarapaDistrictCouncil), on our website, or contact Siv Fjærestad on cdco@swdc.govt.nz to be kept in the loop.

Jobs Expo

An employment expo is coming to a town near you in May! The South Wairarapa District Council in partnership with the Wairarapa Whanau Trust ​and Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) are putting on a series of events, featuring a Career Bus and Tent Expo in Martiborough (23-24 May) Featherston (26-27 May) and Greytown (30-31 May).

Explore the Career Bus to interact with the technology and soak up information that is targeted to your interests, or head to the tent to be inspired as employers offer an insight into real job opportunities!

Following on will also be World of Work Kiosk hubs located in Martinborough, Featherston and Greytown.

Want to know more? Get in touch with Henriette Nagel Project Manager and Employer Liaison, SWDC and Ella Brown (Youth Coordinator Wairarapa Whanau Trust)