Mouldering historic Carkeek Observatory still awaits council action

History in the grass: Stephen Carkeek descendant Ra Higgott found these rails, wheels and guides from the observatory dome lying in the grass on site, restored them and handed them to SWDC for “safe keeping.”

By Ray Lilley 

“Firstly, my apologies for not communicating with you for a while and for the project moving slower than we had originally anticipated,” Carkeek Observatory’s council-appointed project manager James O’Connor wrote recently.

He also noted more delays ahead before preservation work begins on the site of the country’s oldest observatory _ four years after it was granted the country’s top heritage protection rating.

The Heritage 1-listed observatory was built in 1868 by amateur astronomer and local sheep farmer Stephen Carkeek. Located off Murphy’s Line Road in  South Featherston, the historic observatory was 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.  

It won HeritageNZ’s top protection level when listed four years ago, and its preservation and protection came under the aegis of South Wairarapa District Council.  … Continue Reading

Riot of summer colour awaits at Aratoi

Little Jewels – one of five Aratoi summer exhibitions.

By Becky Bateman.

Aratoi is offering Summer exhibitions which will be “a riot of colour,” but add the stories behind these works will surprise and inspire you.

Aratoi director, Sarah McClintock isn’t afraid of a bit of colour and her Main Gallery curated exhibition Never Be Seen proves this point.

“The saying goes ‘blue and green should never be seen’,” laughs 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.

“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. 

“To truly see and understand something is to recognise everything that makes it both beautiful and ugly, important and irrelevant, comfortable and uncomfortable,” she noted.

On the opposite side of the Main Gallery, forces of nature Keren Chiaroni, Emily Efford and Cathrine Lloyd return to Aratoi with Dream Gardens, which opens the same weekend as the Wairarapa Garden Tour and continues over the summer until March.

“Dream Gardens constructs a theatrical space that unites people to mentally imagine themselves in a dream with the garden staged at night.” said Keren. “You walk through a walled space through a gate into this fabulous, staged dream-scape where not everything is quite what it seems. The more you look, the more details you will see.” … Continue Reading

Workshops focus on sustainability: Divine River

School students make sustainables.

Local workshops which promise hands-on activities like making foot scrubs, bath salts, and lip balms, with a strong emphasis on environmental awareness, are being staged locally by charity group Divine River.

With over 30 sessions so far, the group said its “workshops have been a hit with all ages, filling a critical gap in accessible activities that foster teamwork, connection, and a sense of belonging.” 

In a statement Divine River NZ Trust quotes a Wairarapa librarian noting that local libraries “have become a hive of activity with young people and their caregivers making eco-friendly products. The participants leave with a greater awareness of personal care, sustainable practices, and pride in their creativity.”

The trust said its workshops “empower participants with sustainable personal care choices, promoting both personal well-being and environmental consciousness. Recent workshops included making Lavender Shea Soap and Spearmint Foot Scrub.”

Divine River NZ Trust has a Cinema Fundraiser evening at Circus Cinema on 7 November. 

Shawn Brown of Muirlea Rise Takes a Bow

Shawn Brown corks a last barrel and heads for the road.

Shawn talks to Lyle Griffiths

“It is time for a new chapter,” says Shawn. “Muirlea Rise has been a family vineyard for 37 years but now I am bowing out.

My parents, Lea and Willie Brown were originally from Auckland, but my father was always fascinated by the science of winemaking. He was the first independent wine merchant in New Zealand.

After a chance encounter with Sir Ron Trotter at the White Heron, where he was offered a glass of Burgundy, he was hooked. While it became my father passion, Mum just went along for the ride.

In the 1970s they began their search for the best land on which to grow Pinot Noir. The options were Central Otago or Martinborough.

In 1987 they purchased a 1.89 hectare of land in Martinborough. A house was moved onto the section, but it was burned down by an arsonist. A second house was also moved on, and this became our family home.

Martinborough was quite depressed in those years. Farming was suffering. The wine industry was in its infancy.

Work on the vineyard began. The rows were ripped turning up numerous stones. Rock relocation was the name of the game. The posts were put in by hand. It was hard labour. … Continue Reading