14 Wairarapa Midweek Extra Wednesday, September 30, 2020 ARATOI VOICES
Extra
Close connection to neighbours Aratoi is proud to be part of the wider Wairarapa artistic scene. As part of that connection, it has a close relationship with ConArt, the vividly painted container village next door which houses a community of artists. ConArt was initiated by the Masterton Trust Lands Trust which, envisaging a place where artists could meet and work in the heart of Masterton, called a meeting of artists. “A group of us, including Ian Chapman, Jane Sinclair, Di Griffiths and I, stood as a committee,” said artist Paul Gadsby. “We became an incorporated society in 2016 and it really kicked off. The trust covered construction and fit-out costs. We pay rates and power and they pay us a grant to cover rental. It is
an amicable, co-operative venture.” There are two working studios in constant use, plus a gallery, retail space and a container which doubles as storage and sometimes as another studio. Rates for studio hire vary according to the season and ConArt charges a small commission on sales. The year is arranged into 13 blocks of time with artists changing every four weeks. Karen Madoc and Caroline Percy are the artists presently working there. “The space is for Wairarapa artists primarily but we have had visiting artists. For example, we had an American artist here through New Zealand Pacific Studio and next block a Hamilton artist has booked a studio,” Paul said.
ConArt’s Paul Gadsby pictured at his exhibition opening at Aratoi. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
“We have around 100 members. We promote, sell, encourage and actively recruit local artists and are always looking for quality artists. As a result the standard of art becomes higher.” “ConArt serves as an
TENANCY LAW CHANGES PHOTO/STOCK.ADOBE.COM
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WAIRARAPA
Landlords and tenants need to understand the changes to tenancy law and how this will affect them. All landlords including boarding house landlords, must comply with various legal obligations as governed by the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill. The changes are taking effect at three key dates : Phase 1: August 12, 2020 Phase 2: February 11, 2021 Phase 3: by August 11, 2021 Let’s look at Phase 1 for now.... Transitional and emergency housing will be exempt from the act where the housing is either funded [wholly or partly] by a government department or provided
06 377 0078 or 0800 367 222 43 Perry Street, Masterton Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm wairarapa@cab.org.nz www.cab.org.nz
under the Special Needs Grants Programme. Rent can only be increased once every 12 months which is a change from once every six months. The covid-19 legislation that put a freeze on rent increases is still in place until September 25. Any rent increase notices given to tenants from August 12 must comply with the new 12-month rule. If a notice was given before August 12, it is still within the six month rule.
How this will work in different scenarios: Before the law changed on August 12, the rent can increase with 60 day’s written notice on or after September 26 if the tenancy started more than 180 days [six months] before the rent increase will take effect and it has been more than 180 days [six months] since the last rent increase. After the law changed on August 12, the rent can increase with 60 day’s written notice on or
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interface between the artist and the public and contributes to the art economy, providing revenue that wasn’t there before. As well, it has become a tourist attraction in its own right.” Because ConArt is right
next door to Aratoi and the core business of both is art, you would expect that there would be an interchange of ideas and projects. This is evident at the moment, with ConArt playing a major part in Kotahitanga, the exhibition of Wairarapa art at Aratoi. “Kotahitanga was Aratoi director Susanna Shadbolt’s idea and both Ian Chapman and I supported the idea when she first suggested it to us. It is fantastic because people in Wairarapa and visitors can see the quality of art in Wairarapa. The buzz Kotahitanga has created in the whole Wairarapa arts community is amazing.” All works showing at Kotahitanga can be purchased on a cash and carry basis. The exhibition closes on November 15.
after September 26 if the tenancy started more than 12 months before the rent increase will take effect and it has been more than 12 months since the last. Important covid-19 information on rent increases; rents were frozen March 26 initially for six months until September 25. If a rent increase was negotiated or served before March 26, but didn’t come into effect until after that date, then that increase is of no effect [there is no increase].
Landlords can give notice of intention to increase the rent but this cannot take effect until after September 25 [at the earliest – the legislation may be extended past this.] Landlords and tenants can agree to lower the rent temporarily. This could be for a specific time period or until a specific event occurs. Once that time is up, the rent returns to the original amount. In all events, it is advisable for landlords and tenants to try to come to an arrangement that suits everyone. We shall address Phases 2 and 3 in future articles. The Tenancy Services have put together a helpful “Fact Sheet“ covering the changes available on their website www.tenancy. govt.nz or you can get a free copy from our office Wairarapa CAB. Reminder: We have a Justice of the Peace [JP] in attendance for legal document work, but please call us first for availability.
