How Well Do We Know People in our Community?

By Lyle Griffiths

Gavin McLellan was raised in Scotland in Bishopton, just west of Glasgow. His father was a GP, his mother was a nursing Sister. Gavin is the youngest of five and the only boy! He is married to Keryn Banks and came to live in Martinborough in 2020.

“My father advised me against becoming a doctor, and so I had no idea what profession I wished to pursue. I was interested in lots of things: Astronomy, Art and Architecture. After some meandering at university, finally I graduated in Land Economics from the University of Paisley and then qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1996 – so my interest in Architecture was rewarded in a different way.

The arrival of the Millennium changed my way of thinking, partly a faith-based epiphany. I wasn’t comfortable with ethics in the property industry and making rich people richer. Global poverty had become a critical issue. 

“I participated in the huge protests organised by Jubilee 2000 going to G7 summits in Birmingham and Cologne. These called on the World Bank and governments to deliver debt cancellation to the poorest and most indebted nations.

In 1999 I moved from volunteer activist to full time work for Tearfund, an International Development Charity. They provided funding in over 60 poor countries for partner projects such as creating better water sources, food security, and sponsoring children. I had the chance to lead some supporter tours to Uganda, Ethiopia and Kenya. … Continue Reading

Martinborough Playcentre: connecting, supporting

Paisley, Saskia, Charles, Indy and Deklin (ages from 1-4) engrossed at the play table.

At 38 Venice Street two mornings a week, Mondays and Wednesdays, Martinborough Playcentre is open from 9:00 till 12:00 noon.

“What I love about the Playcentre,” says Krissy Gain, who’s twins attend, “are the connections I have made with other families. Everyone is so supportive. We all decide how our own centre will be run.”

“We arrange our cleaning nights out of Playcentre hours so we can sit down afterwards and have some parents-only quality time,” she said.

Children who attend with their parents are aged from 0 to 6 years so there is a mixed age-band.

The Playcentre movement is unique to New Zealand. Initially founded by a small group of women in Wellington in the 1940s to support families, by 1948 it had become a national organisation, providing parent education, equipment, and facilities for learning.

As a parent co-operative organisation, everyone contributes to the running of the centre. Tasks may be opening the sand pit, creating craft at a collage table, making playdough or gloop, reading a story, or setting up the paints. And of course, assisting with the clean-up. There are numerous ways in which to take part.

The curriculum is based on current education theories and research and is guided by the New Zealand Childhood Education Curriculum. It provides a free education programme to help to build parenting skills and increase understanding of how children learn and develop.

At every session there is fully trained Early Childhood Education teacher. In order for the Playcentre to remain open the ECE teacher must be supported by parents with different levels of Playcentre training. Courses are offered online and in person.

Krissy Gain again: “This Mother’s Day we are organising a dinner for Mums. A special time out.

“We also welcome new members. So, if you would like to find out about our Playcentre stop by for a visit.”

The first three visits/times at the Playcentre are free. Following that there is a fee of $40.00 per family per term. Children under one are free. 

You can enrol online at: wwwplaycentre.org.nz/centre/Martinborough

Historic Carkeek Observatory protection work begun

By Ray Lilley

Work to preserve and protect New Zealand’s oldest astronomic observatory is under way, with conservation architects working on shelter design and the scope of work required to protect the 156-year-old timber structure into the future. 

Heritage New Zealand designated the crumbling totara-clad building a Class 1 Historic Place in July 2020.

Located off Murphy’s Line Road in  South Featherston, the historic observatory was built by then-retiree Stephen Carkeek on his sheep farm and only re-discovered _ in rundown  state _ by a small group of astronomy buffs in the 1990s.

It faded from memories again till the then Martinborough Dark Sky Association (now Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve) helped resurface memories of the historic _ but unvisited and unloved _ landmark.  

The historic building, sited in the South Wairarapa District Council’s territory, won historic place status, as Heritage New Zealand noted: “our Board has decided that Carkeek Observatory has sufficient significance to be entered on the (Historic Places) List as a Category 1 Historic Place.” … Continue Reading

SWDC Maori ward decision may need full refresh

South Wairarapa District Council faces a dilemma over its newly-minted Maori ward, approved last November amid cheers, smiles, hugs and hongi _ some 27 years after the district established a Maori Standing Committee to help inform council decision-making.

A Coalition Government statement has advised a new Bill “will restore the ability for communities to petition their councils to hold binding polls on Maori ward decisions.”

“This will include holding binding polls on wards that were established without the ability for local referendums to take place,” Local Government minister Simeon Brown said.

In South Wairarapa the Maori ward decision came after widespread discussion and consultation but without a referendum vote – a pathway established by the Clark Labour government in 2001.

Masterton established a Maori ward in 2021 and has had a Maori ward councillor at its council table since the 2022 local body elections.

SWDC was due to include a Maori ward vote at the 2025 election.

The catch in the government’s change is the cost of a referendum vote – reported as at least $100,000 and “an expense we don’t need for an issue already debated and agreed at the council table,” Masterton mayor Gary Caffell said.  … Continue Reading