Gin party kick-start for new Toast Martinborough format

Foley Wines is front-ending its updated Toast Martinborough festival at Wellington Anniversary weekend with a new project _ the Lighthouse Gin Garden Party. Foley also owns locally-produced Lighthouse Gin.

Distiller Rachel Hall will use the The Runholder Cottage at Te Kairanga vineyards at the Saturday (January 18) event with its shaded gardens to serve cocktails she has designed. 

Local food trucks will serve up fare alongside local cheese and charcuterie platters from the nearby The Runholder kitchen. … Continue Reading

Has the Mayor opened a can of worms? Dive in

Mayor Martin Connelly is asking the South Wairarapa community to speak up on the issues of spending and efficiency. 

He’s written in The Post:

“The current legislation sets out that the purpose of local government is to enable local decision-making and to promote the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of communities. These are very wide purposes and councils have interpreted them to mean they can do pretty much whatever they like.

The new Government states, among other things, that it intends to: remove any references to well-being; specify core services, to refocus the objectives of local government; impose a revenue/rates cap on non-core expenditure; review bylaw-making powers to enable cost-efficiencies; and examine ways to increase the use of shared services, reduce insurance costs, and lift debt ceilings for larger councils. … Continue Reading

Leaks, toxic mould, risks to staff – building not fit-for-purpose

The country’s first Heritage quake-proof building _ South Wairarapa’s council office _ is plagued by leaks, airborne and underfoot toxic mould, asbestos and even an abandoned leaking toilet.

The fix? 

Band-aid work estimated at an initial $130,000 and constantly repeating, or a wider refurbishment and up to a new build which one off-the-cuff estimate put at “$20-million.”

Councillors steered clear of both the least and most expensive options at last month’s Strategy Working Committee.

“We must provide safe conditions for staff to work in,” said Councillor Kaye McAulay as the meeting authorised staff to develop details for a building and office space “refurbishment,” for an initial outlay of $1.0 – 1.5 million. This “Option 2” would include a new roof.

Further work was also approved for “Option 4” _ which includes a new, larger office block, a possible  lease-back deal and “disposal of (the) 19 Kitchener Street site” _ along with its leaky heritage building.  … Continue Reading

Here’s to a Happy 55th Birthday, Aratoi!

By Becky Bateman 

The Wairarapa has always had a large and active community of artists and craftspeople _ but before 1969 it had no dedicated exhibition space. After the closure of Masterton Museum in 1954 and the dispersal of its collection, there was a strong desire among arts supporters to see some evidence of the cultural life of the community.

Enthusiastic gallery proponents bought, with the aid of public subscription and John Maunsell of Hansells, the foundation work for a future public art collection: a Barbara Hepworth sculpture “at a very good price” of £500 (over $20,000 in 2024).

On October 11, 1969, the Wairarapa Arts Centre opened. 

Patron Dr Morvyn Williams said in his opening speech that ʺin the arts there is no place for arrogance – every man, woman, and child should take part in the activities of an arts centre.ʺ … Continue Reading