threatens lakes

wet and dry conditions.

“Last August the fl ooding we saw brought the water levels of the lake up to the Wairio wetland,” said Brown. “It would be easy for purple loosestrife to spread into the lake if this happened again, so it was really important we got on top of it before the next flood.

On a positive note, Brown said purple loosestrife is easy to kill with a single dose of herbicide.

“Wairarapa is also fortunate in that so far the weed is reasonably well contained here, there are other regions that aren’t quite so lucky.”

Club Wairarapa holds open day

The Wairarapa Services Club at 20 Essex Street, Masterton has seen the history of Masterton played out over the decades, and as it heads this year towards its 105th birthday, it’s throwing open its doors to the public, to show just what is on off er, if you become a member.

weed control for purple loosestrife in the Boggy Pond wetland over the past few years. However, late last year the team was dismayed to discover the invasive weed in Wairio Lagoon as well.

“Wairio lies much closer to Lake Wairarapa; we thin of it as the last buff er ̀ zone before it reaches the lake,” said Brown. “If this particular weed reaches the lake it could take root in some places that aren’t very accessible and would be very hard to control.”

The team swung into action and have already completed six days of canoe-based control and three ground-based days. Last month a survey was undertaken using a helicopter where an additional 15 plants were discovered and treated from the ground.

Contractors are completing additional weed work in Wairio and Boggy Pond over the next few weeks targeting willows, oaks, gorse and blackberry as well as the dreaded purple pest. Brown said the purple loosestrife response won’t stop here; work to control it will be ongoing for the next couple of years.

“When a plant has seeds it creates a seed bank that sits in the ground. You have to control it for a number of years before the seed bank disappears.

To top it off with purple loosestrife each plant can produce two million seeds per year.”

Further challenges with this noxious weed are that it is easily transferred through water movements including flood events or machinery, soil and human transfer. It’s also very tolerant of hot, cold,

Purple loosestrife fl owers in late summer and could be present in nurseries and private gardens across Wairarapa. efore the next fl owering ̀ season DOC will undertake a campaign with partners, neighbouring landowners and the public to raise awareness and support. In the meantime, there may still be late blooming purple loosestrife on your property. Follow the directions for purple loosestrife at weedbusters. org.nz to treat it and stop it spreading.

It’s holding an OPEN DAY on Sunday 19 March from 1pm –6pm. All manner of activities will be occurring at the Club. Think snooker, darts, pool, golf, and cards – all adjuncts will be in action.

President, Tina Goodin says the Club is well-known for its friendly atmosphere and welcoming nature to newcomers. Membership stands at only 1,050 at present and she’d like to see it double in number.

There’s live entertainment twice a month, and an excellent restaurant that caters for functions up to 80 seated or 130 casual eating, as well as lunches and dinners Wednesday to Saturday.

Tina is the fi rst woman President in the century-old Club which opened in August 1918 for the returned servicemen of Wairarapa. It was built with the generous help of Arthur Powys Whatman, who donated £4,000 pounds towards the erection of the arts and crafts style building.

Over the years, there have been additions and extensions, but the Club’s main façade on Essex Street is proud in its originality. ‘Soldiers Club’ can still be seen etched into the stained-glass window above the door. Inside, the panelled walls and ceilings give it a warm, graceful feel. That’s not to say there’s not plenty of modern action. The expansive function room fl owing out to a courtyard is free-of-charge to members, and a meeting room is regularly used by local groups and organisations. Tina says the $50 annual membership fee (once approved by the Committee) gives members the right of entry to more than 300 clubs around New Zealand. A special deal is on off er –if a person signs up in March 2023 – the $50 will take them through to 30th June 2024. That’s two months free membership.

Name Changes:

Over the years the Club has experienced several variations of its name. Originally it was the Wairarapa Soldiers Club, then the Wairarapa Soldiers Hostel (when accommodation was off ered). It then became the Wairarapa Services Club, followed by the Services and Citizens Club, and now is trading as Club Wairarapa the home of the Masterton RSA.

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