Council News

Elections: Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote. It was pleasing to see that again South Wairarapa voting turnout was higher than the medium at 55% which is almost the same as in 2016. 

To my fellow Ward Councillors, Pip and Jeppy, it is great to be working with you again for the next three years.

Council meetings: As I write this, on the 30 October, we will all be sworn in, Councillors and Community Board members, at a ceremony in the Waihinga Centre.  I am looking forward to working with our new Mayor, Alex Beijen, my Martinborough Ward Councillors, Pip & Jeppy and my fellow councillors from Featherston & Greytown.  

Our first meeting will be to adopt the Annual Report, this is a summary of the achievements and milestones over the last 12 months.  Once adopted, a copy of this will be available on the SWDC website or can be requested from the Council office.

Celebrating 30 years of SWDC: On 1 November, we celebrate the milestone of the Martinborough, Featherston and Greytown Borough Councils and the Featherston County Council joining together 30 years ago (1989) to become what we know as the South Wairarapa District Council.  

A gallery of old photographs is also being created on the SWDC website and Facebook page to mark the 30-year anniversary. If you have any old photos of the Council or the District, particularly of around 20-30 years ago, please share them to comms@swdc.govt.nz.

Tree plantings were also held in the three towns by the Councillors and Mayor of the last triennium. Unfortunately neither Pip nor Jeppy were available in Martinborough, they still have to plant their trees. Once done, there will be a total of ten Mt Fuji Cherry (Prunus Shirotae) planted at Considine Park, Martinborough, behind the sculpture in Featherston, and at Colliers Reserve, Greytown. 

Waihinga Centre: And finally, great news that the Wahinga Centre has been shortlisted for yet more awards. This time for two NZ Wood Resene Timber Design Awards, in the Public Design and the Engineering Innovation categories. Winners will be announced in March 2020.