Daphne GEISLER

Count Me In

Kia Ora. In my professional career, I developed analytical, financial, strategic management and presentation skills, along with experience in collaboration and listening. Skills I believe necessary to fulfil the role of Councillor. I managed the New Zealand branch for two international companies, consulted on project and change management to government agencies, and worked at Mary Potter Hospice. 

In 2000 Martinborough became home. My late husband Ric and I bought property and established a small organic orchard, homestay and later a retail business. We considered ourselves very lucky. 

I have read and contributed to both the Long-Term Plan and Annual Plan, attended community meetings where I have listened to the views of others and submitted my own feedback. I understand the stated priorities of Council and ongoing work being undertaken. I will question and research to develop a better understanding and will bring rigour and discipline to monitoring performance and decision making. … Continue Reading

Jason Jackson

Martinborough is an amazing and thriving place with a strong community spirit and backbone. Therefore the need of the community to be addressed, spending has to be done more wisely. We must utilise, upgrade and maintain the resources and facilities we have. We must strive to build on what has been achieved already and  move forward. In moving forward we need to accommodate for the growth of Martinborough and together work with the  Greytown and Featherston Wards. 

And focus on what drives our community/town as far as our industries that support us and get behind these businesses and people. I  would be very proud to represent the Martinborough Ward and be a voice for the people.

Wharekaka Trust Board AGM

The picture shows pupils from Martinborough School who regularly visit Wharekaka receiving their specially knitted slippers which have been produced by our residents, superbly organised by Gail Jacobson. We love having the children visit – thanks to Martinborough School for coming.

The annual general meeting of the Wharekaka Trust will be held at 6.00 pm. on 19^th September 2019 in the Dining Room of the Home. All members of the community are invited. 

The Home is governed by the Wharekaka Trust Board which is in turn appointed by members of the Wharekaka Trust. The Wharekaka Trust is a charitable community trust which works with, and for, the Martinborough community. 

Forty six years ago, the inaugural Trust Board meeting was held on 2 July 1973 to establish a day care centre for elderly people in the Martinborough Maternity Hospital premises in Oxford Street. This first meeting set up, elected and developed the rules and regulations providing the constitution for the Board of Trustees which, with a few amendments, governs Wharekaka today.

The major changes over the years have been the move from a day facility to a residential home, the development of the villas around the perimeter of the home and most recently the move into hospital level care. In the words of the old song, “we’ve come a long way, baby!” … Continue Reading

Under the Martinborough Stars

‘Ophiuchus’ from “The Box of Stars” by Catherine Tennant.

By Becky Bateman

I took a stargazing group recently at Peppers Parehua; it was a stunningly dark night with no moon. “What’s your Star Sign Becky?” was one of the very first questions I got asked when I Introduced myself as their star gazing guide for the night. 

This isn’t the first time.  Normally I get asked about aliens, but most common of all, why Pluto isn’t a planet anymore. It’s been 13 years since Pluto was reclassified as a Dwarf Planet but there is a lot of love for that little ball of ice.

‘Star Signs’ form a belt of 12 constellations around the Earth; you always see at least 6 of these constellations along the ecliptic on any given night. The ecliptic is the path of the Sun, which makes these signs even more important. Historically, these 12 signs can be used as a time piece so depending on where particular signs were, you knew the time of year.

Virgo, the maiden holding an ear of wheat in her hand, rises in the East in Autumn, reminding us to collect in the harvest. Scorpius sets in the West in mid Spring, its tail vertical in the sky from the horizon. Māori know this sign as Te Matau a Maui, and it ‘pulls’ the Milky Way/ the great Waka down towards the horizon ready for Summer or voyaging weather. … Continue Reading