From the mayor

Merry Christmas!

We now have a new electorate MP, Keiran McAnulty and I look forward to seeing what he can do for the South Wairarapa over the next three years.

The new Banking Hub is now open at the Waihinga Centre in partnership with Destination Wairarapa. I would be delighted to receive feedback on how this new service works for you. This is an excellent initiative given we have lost all our banking branches in the South Wairarapa over the past few years.

I attended the Rose Show and the Kirk Fair in the past few weeks and it is great to see the Waihinga Centre being used often by the community. I remember attending a wedding in the venue in the 1990s and it retains the same historic feel – without the peeling paint.

Members of Council staff and some councillors visited Kohunui Marae at Burnside recently, and had a very enlightening hui with members and committee of the Marae. They have set up a native plant nursery there, and I encourage you to visit if the opportunity arises. 

The Christmas parade is coming up on the 12^th and I’m proud we continue to hold our parades with excellent support from our community. I encourage businesses to create a float and take part – it is a good advertising opportunity as well as lots of fun!

We’re supporting the Pack the Bus initiative again this year, which provides the opportunity to give Christmas gifts to families in need. The bus will be parking up on Thursday 3 December, 11.30am – 1.30pm, in Martinborough Square. If you can’t get there and want to give, you can drop off at participating businesses, including any Wairarapa Property Brokers, or at Council offices. Check out the Mediaworks Wairarapa Facebook page for more details.

Water conservation is everyone’s responsibility, all year round, but is especially important in summer, so please make an extra effort to save and recycle water where you can.Remember, if you’re on town water, we have alternate day garden watering all year round – even properties on even dates, odds on odds. Check out the Council website for up-date-restrictions over summer. 

Keep safe, don’t eat too much, shop local and have a great Christmas.

Kia kaha Mayor Alex