A Plumber’s Tale: stuck deep in the waste pipe, round the bend

Numb fingers, twisted elbow, stuck shoulder, aching back muscles and trapped in a household waste pipe to the shoulder_ the plumber, after more than 30 minutes lying face hard against a house outer wall, finally managed to use his free hand to “phone a friend.” “I go above and beyond …

Introduced predators decimate coastal and forest birds, wildlife

By Joe Howells My journey into conservation has been a short one, prompted by a lifelong love for our wild South Wairarapa coastline and our native forest remnants, _and having more time on my hands as I move into semi-retirement.  Clive Paton got me involved in the Aorangi Restoration Trust, …

How well do we know people in our community?

By Bruce Congalton Becs Mackie is bubbling over with wonderful ideas for her Ventana Creative Workshops when we meet in her bright, high-ceilinged studio at 7 Kitchener Street. It’s obvious that she has a very creative mind and the walls show off her artistic talent. But she’s never formally studied …

Buyer still sought for Palliser Bay Station

By Martin Freeth South Wairarapa’s Palliser Bay Station is still on the market after failing to sell at tender last November. Bayleys agent Andrew Smith says a high-profile marketing campaign leading into the tender stimulated “phenomenal interest” in this highly notable property – 3,719 ha with extensive areas of flat …

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Toast’s Festival Road makes for a walkable event

December 9, 2024 December 2024 Comments Off on Toast’s Festival Road makes for a walkable event

Take away the cars and they will come? 

The new owners of Toast Martinborough (Foley Wines) are offering a major revamp of the 30-year-old wine, food and live music weekend, with shanks pony a bigger part of the activities _ and cars banned from Festival Road.

The updated and up-priced event now covers Wellington Anniversary weekend, stretching from Friday night through Monday, instead of its traditional latish-November weekend slot.

Festival Road as it’s branded, along its 2.5 kilometers, leads past the six key wineries signed in to the event _ The Runholder, Moy Hall, Luna Estate, Poppies Martinborough, Tirohana Estate and Ata Rangi. Each venue has wine. Then there is food and live music. … Continue Reading

Train services cut for 46 days urgent track work – December 2024

December 9, 2024 December 2024 Comments Off on Train services cut for 46 days urgent track work – December 2024

Buses over the hill will replace trains under the hill for 46 days _ from December 26 through February 10 _ as eight kilometers of Remutaka Tunnel track are replaced.

KiwiRail plans the work as part of a full upgrade of the Masterton-Upper Hutt link, with the tunnel rail line not upgraded since it was installed in 1955 _ some 70 years ago, KiwiRail manager of Metro Services Jon Knight said in a statement. … Continue Reading

Unnerving contrasts in Aratoi summer

December 9, 2024 December 2024, Uncategorized Comments Off on Unnerving contrasts in Aratoi summer

By Becky Bateman

Aratoi’s Summer exhibitions are a riot of colour, but the stories behind these works will surprise and inspire you.

Main Gallery exhibition ‘Never Be Seen’ is an exhibition of artists who utilise the tension inherent in perception – through the literal use of blue and green tones, the telling of histories hidden in plain sight, forgotten objects, slippages in language, and unnerving contrasts.

“The saying goes ‘blue and green should never be seen’,” laughs Aratoi Director Sarah McClintock. “As a rule of colour its origins are murky – but it likely relates to the fact that the colours sit next to each other on a standard colour wheel.”

On the opposite side of the Main Gallery, forces of nature Keren Chiaroni, Emily Efford and Cathrine Lloyd return to Aratoi with the exhibition ‘Dream Gardens.’ … Continue Reading

How Well Do We Know People In Our Community? – December 2024

December 9, 2024 December 2024 Comments Off on How Well Do We Know People In Our Community? – December 2024

By Lyle Griffiths

Born in Whanganui, Mariana McDermott first lived with her mother in the home of her grandmother. After her mother remarried, the family moved to Martinborough, to Hikawera, where her stepfather, Tiki Mahupuku McGregor, built his own home. It was close to the old meeting house, which had been burnt down by a swagger who inadvertently went to sleep with his cigarette still burning.

“My stepfather had an interesting background. He came from the Papawai Marae.

“His mother was Maata Asher (Martha Grace), the close friend of Katherine Mansfield.

“I loved going to Martinborough School,” said Mariana. “The school bus would pick me up from the gate outside our home. The teachers were kind. if you were having problems with a subject they would always help. But we were also accustomed to speaking to our teachers with respect and we were expected to pay attention in class. … Continue Reading

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Sports

‘Spectacular’ new golf club building opens

Martinborough golfers say it’s hard to believe that just over 12 months ago they were still in the old clubhouse _ “and now we have a spectacular new building.”  “To get where we are today has meant a huge fundraising effort and amazing support from members: we couldn’t have done …

Martinborough golf by a hank – of wool

  We start at the end of the month, when the annual Baabraa Trophy between Martinborough and Eketahuna was fought out on a glorious Sunday in Martinborough. A field of 70 played a stableford round and the average stableford points for the two clubs were calculated. Eketahuna scored an average …

Lady golfers show Rosebowl winning ways

September has been an up and down month weatherwise for golfers, some beautiful early spring days followed by cold and rain. Thankfully for the important days the weather has mostly come to the party. Early in the month the Cotter Rosebowl was successfully defended at Carterton by Martinborough’s team of …

Regular Features

How well do we know people in our community?

By Bruce Congalton Becs Mackie is bubbling over with wonderful ideas for her Ventana Creative …

Martinborough Fire Brigade Report

This month sees the end of an era for the Brigade as Chris Hooson, the …

From the Mayor  – February 2025

By Martin Connelly I wish all readers of The Star a happy New Year.  Last …

From the Mayor

By Martin Connelly Water services have been a political football for some time. We associate …

EVENTS

Wellington Heritage Festival WHEN: October 26 – November 17  WHERE: * Wellington Region – 140 …

How Well Do We Know People in Our Community?

By Lyle Griffiths Pforzheim in Southern Germany was where Thomas Röckinger lived with his family, …

LETTER OF THE MONTH

Could ZERO growth be the answer?   So, Martinborough’s sewage woes continue, and have seriously …

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