Wairarapa Midweek Wed 3rd May

Audrey in Wonderland

both pieces comprising fanned sections packed with figures. Hall can tell both stories in detail.

A colourful realm of ceramic characters and creatures has been carved and shaped by the 93-year-old hands of Masterton artist Audrey Hall.

Hall’s solo art show, “Wonderland”, is on at King Street Artworks in Masterton until May 31. As of Monday, 16 pieces had sold.

In scenes imagined by Hall, many based on nursery rhymes or fairytales, Peter Pumpkin Eater’s wife is kept inside a giant vegetable; a man chops down the Tree of Life atop a tower called “Genesis and Destruction”; and Adam and Eve encounter the serpent – in this case, the Garden of Eden is half a green apple encasing the couple and their tormenter.

Standout pieces in the show include circular ceramic books depicting the stories of Les Misérables [a novel by Victor Hugo, first read by Hall 70 years ago] and the Greek legend Theseus and the Minotaur;

Elsewhere in the gallery, a dragon sits with its mouth hinged open, as a mouse goes to work on the beast’s rows of teeth in “Dragon at the Dentist” – one of the pieces that sold straight away.

Rows of Hall’s interpretations of characters from Alice in Wonderland and Wind in the Willows line the walls. Red Riding Hood, Paddington Bear, Little Boy Blue and many companions pop against the white background.

A lighthouse, a spinning wheel, a gypsy caravan, sea snails and squirrels vie for attention, in the King Street Gallery’s first solo show since covid-19. Hall began visiting the opendoor community creative space 13 years ago, to fill her retirement days.

Continued on page 3

Ceramics artist Audrey Hall with “Adam and Eve” PHOTO/JULIA MAHONY

Julia Mahony julia.mahony@age.co.nz

We

Not only do we stand by what we sell, we will also stand by you to ensure that your farming interests reap maximum benefits of the irrigation systems you have installed.

are committed to providing you the support when and where you need it.

Colourful stories told in clay

Continued from page

“I hadn’t done pottery before, so I went to make a birdbath and thought that was it,” she said. “Now I come nearly every working day. Every town in New Zealand should have a community facility such as this, where people are so friendly and welcoming.

“It’s taken me years to do a show. I couldn’t be bothered, but there was some nagging and people convinced me.”

Hall’s intelligence, wisdom and wit are appreciated at King Street, where coordinator Ian Chapman described her as “a bit of a star around here”. Hall banters with fellow artists and shares with them a love of the puzzles: Wordle [“it’s quite easy”] and Sudoku [“I’m not expert level yet”].

It’s clear that Hall has spent her lifetime learning and her love of reading has fired her creative talent. She’s also determined to keep her mind sharp: “I purposely don’t write down any appointments, but try to remember them all,” she said. “I have only forgotten one – as far as I know!”

Hall was born in

Wimbledon, London.

Early plans to become a doctor were overtaken by a desire to study History and Classical Studies. She completed four terms at Exeter University, before pursuing employment.

“I don’t regret it,” she said. “A lot of my reading is historical, and I’ve learned a lot from that.

In recent years, I’ve been enjoying Indian and Chinese writers. I also like films, classical music and jazz.”

Hall moved to

Auckland in 1964, where she worked as a primary school teacher for 20 years. When it came time to choose a retirement village 23 years ago, she and her partner settled on Masterton, for its deciduous trees, flat terrain, “but most importantly, its good library”.

Hall is a resident at Masonic Village, where she does her own cooking and orders groceries on her cellphone, in its lime green case. “I like garlic,

but go easy on the chilli,” she said. She drives herself to King Street Artworks and plays table tennis once or twice a week at the Red Star Table Tennis Club in Masterton. “But only because they allow me to hold on to the table with one hand, and my partner must pick up the balls for me.”

The pieces for “Wonderland”, which have slowly been filling three rooms of her home,

were packed by her daughter and transported by her granddaughter to the gallery.

Hall’s solo show does not mean a creative break – she is busy making a replica of a Persian drinking vessel with a handle depicting an ibex, dated 3000 BC, from a photograph. In her blue smock, she has a regular spot at the studio art tables, where her tools and other equipment stay put.

“I had about three

shots at using an electric pottery wheel but didn’t like the feel of it,” she said, digging a woodenhandled tool into a block of clay.

“My work is hand-built. Most ideas come straight out of my head.”

• King Street Artworks, 16 Queen St, Masterton, is open 10 am - 3 pm MondayFriday. Audrey Hall’s “Wonderland” solo show runs until May 31.

A long-time Wairarapa

Rotarian has driven the “road less travelled” – from one end of the country to another – for a good cause.

Earlier this month, Carterton local Coral Aitchison took part in the Bangers to Bluff car rally: A 1,666km journey from Auckland to Bluff, behind the wheel of a “banger” –an old vehicle, costing less than $2,000.

Seventeen drivers, each supported by a

backup vehicle in case of a breakdown, took part in this year’s event – travelling on roads less commonly used by motorists, and taking in some spectacular scenery.

Significant areas include the Raglan to Kawhia Road, Molesworth Station track [between Blenheim and Hanmer Springs], Aoraki/ Mount Cook, Danseys Pass [Central Otago] and the Catlins.

The annual car rally,

organised by the Rotary Club of Half Moon Bay, is a fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand and the HopeWorks Foundation [which supports New Zealanders with brain injuries and neurological conditions]. Should they arrive safely in Bluff, all vehicles are auctioned off, with proceeds going to both charities.

Aitchison, a member of the Rotary Club of Carterton, said the 14-day trip, starting March 21, was “a great adventure” – with the Molesworth Station Road a particular highlight.

“[It was] a magical

journey through some aweinspiring scenery,” she said.

“The cars spaced themselves out once the other drivers caught on to the dust trails from the vehicles in front. My Rav4 was perfect for the track – high enough to ride smoothly over the terrain.

“Although it was late March, there was still snow in the tops. There was also heavy snow on the way to Tekapo and up to Mount Cook.”

Despite a couple of bumps in the road – such as a seven-hour ferry delay en route to the South Island, and the Danseys Pass being blocked off –

Carterton Rotary member Coral Aitchison makes it to Blu˜ – having travelled over 1600km from Auckland in a “banger” for charity.

PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Aitchison said the trip went smoothly overall.

All vehicles, bangers and support crew made it to Bluff and were auctioned off the following day. Aitchison’s Rav4 fetched the highest price, selling for $3,410.00.

A total of $20,000 was raised from the sale of the vehicles alone – with sponsorships and other donations bringing the total to $90,000.

Artist Audrey Hall with her ceramic piece “Squirrel Handyman”. PHOTOS/JULIA MAHONY

Audrey Hall’s ceramic book “Les Miserables”.

High rider is reigning supreme

A young Wairarapa equestrian and self-confessed “adrenaline junkie” is riding high – having been selected to represent her country two years in a row.

Fifteen-year-old Alexandria “Poppet”

Anstis has earned a spot in the Under 18 New Zealand mounted games team – heading for the World Mounted Games Team Championships in Australia in October.

This will be Poppet’s third appearance in the international ring. Last year, she was one of the youngest riders to qualify for the New Zealand Under 18 squad – accompanying the team to the World Championships in France as a reserve, and competing in several side tournaments.

A week later, she competed in the World Pairs Championships in Ireland, where she and her partner finished fourth in their age group.

Poppet’s international selection has come as part of a successful competitive season, with several podium finishes – including first equal at the Under 15 New Zealand Individual Championships over Easter weekend.

The season ended last weekend, with her qualifying for an allages squad heading to South Africa for the Mounted Games Nations Championships [for nonEuropean countries] in December.

In the mounted games discipline, riders take on various fast-paced tasks from the back of a cantering pony: Hitting targets, collecting and dropping off various objects [such as mugs, bottles, socks and tool boxes], and passing items between team members.

Some tasks involve

leaning over the side of a pony to pick up an object, or dismounting and remounting in quick succession – and all must be completed at high speed.

The secret to Poppet’s success in the “extreme sport” of the equestrian world? “A lot of training” – and an unflappable attitude.

“After each game, lots

of riders listen to their scores when they’re read out. I never listen – I block my ears every time,” the St Matthew’s Collegiate student said.

“If you know your score, you can get into your head and get nervous. I have no idea where I am, or if I’m ahead or behind anyone else. I just go out there and ride, and try and get it right.

“It helps if you’re a bit of an adrenaline junkie as well.”

Poppet’s cool head has earned her several high placements this season: Including second in the national Under 15 Pairs, fourth in the Under 18 pairs, and first in the New Zealand Junior Teams Championships.

All her titles were achieved on a borrowed

horse, as the pony she usually competes with was recovering from an injury.

Competing with a less-than-familiar horse can be “nerve-wracking”, but nothing Poppet, as a seasoned equestrian, can’t handle.

“I did have about a month to train with the pony I have been using. But I have gone into some games with a pony I’d only just sat on that morning.

“It is harder, especially if your borrowed pony isn’t as used to mounted games. You have to help them out a bit. But you do what you can – otherwise, you don’t compete.”

For riders and their ponies, physical fitness is paramount – and Poppet spends most afternoons and evenings training.

“You have to do a lot of basic dressage routines to build up your pony’s muscles – so they can do things like stop suddenly and make quick turns. I usually train for at least two hours after school, or until it gets dark. Mum usually helps me set up and reassemble all the equipment.”

Poppet said competing in France last year was a “good learning curve” – getting used to riding on sand instead of grass, early morning and late night training during a record heat wave, and competing on a pony trained in “a completely

different riding style”.

She wasn’t as happy with her performance in the reserves tournaments, but thrilled with her result at the Pairs Championships in Ireland – where she rode on yet another borrowed pony and with a UK partner she’d only met the day before.

“I was assigned to two other people, but they pulled out. I didn’t know much about Heidi [her eventual partner], other than that she was a good rider.

“But we got on really well. You need to have a lot of trust in your partner – you have to hand things to one another while going past at high speed, and if anyone makes a tiny mistake, it can all fall apart.”

Her performance earned her high praise from the president of the New Zealand Mounted Games Association, mum Louise Hight said.

“He said she’s done the best he’s seen any New Zealander do overseas, on a borrowed pony – and that she can be very proud of herself.

“We’re all proud of her. She’s accomplished so much.”

Poppet will begin training with the New Zealand team later this month, with monthly training sessions divided between the North and South Island.

Alexandria “Poppet” Anstis thrives in competition mode.

Poppet and “honorary Kiwi” partner Heidi came fourth at the World Pairs Championships in Ireland last year.

Poppet and her pony take a break between competition rounds. PHOTOS/SUPPLIED

Erin Kavanagh-Hall erin.kavanagh-hall@age.co.nz

Paulik picks pickle play

New Zealand’s fastestgrowing racket sport has made its debut in Wairarapa.

Last Wednesday, 22 people attended the first session of the region’s new social pickleball league – held at the badminton courts at the Masterton War Memorial Stadium on Dixon St, Masterton.

Though several attendees had no prior sporting experience, they picked up the rules of the game – a combination of tennis, badminton and ping pong – almost right away: and excitedly signed up for the next session.

Though pickleball is new to Wairarapa, it has exploded in popularity throughout the world in the last few years – with 4.8 million players in the US alone.

Originally devised in the 1960s to help suburban families relieve holiday boredom, the

sport is commonly played with paddles, a perforated plastic ball and a 3ft [0.9m] net –and has been embraced as a more accessible alternative to other racket sports.

In New Zealand, pickleball has become a highly popular social passtime and is estimated to be the fastest expanding racket sport: With 48 clubs nationwide [stretching from Kerikeri to Gore] and its own governing body, the Pickleball New Zealand Association.

The new Wairarapa league was set up by long-time tennis coach Cilla Paulik and Trust House Recreation Centre venue manager Nikki Roud: Who became inspired after attending the inaugural Wairarapa Senior Regional Games in March.

At the games, Pickleball was offered as one of the “taster” sports for attendees to try out – and received an enthusiastic response.

The two women had

a meeting “just before the school holidays” – and, within two weeks, had booked the space, hired gear from Pickleball Wellington, and organised radio and social media advertising.

“We decided just to go for it. We jumped on the bandwagon pretty quickly!” Roud said.

“Pickleball is played at other Belgravia Leisure venues around the country, and it does really well. There’s a huge buzz about pickleball in New Zealand, and we thought it would be a great fit in Wairarapa.

“It’s a fun, low-impact sport, which appeals to a wide variety of people.”

The invention of pickleball is credited

Pritchard and Bill Bell, who challenged their families, bored during their summer holiday, to create a new game to entertain themselves –using ping pong paddles, a wiffle ball, and a badminton net.

Several theories exist as to the origin of the name – including that the sport was named for Pickles, the Pritchards’ family dog.

Rules were eventually established: All serves are underarm, the ball must bounce once on each side of the court before being returned, you cannot volley while standing in the “kitchen zone” [7ft from the net], and you can only win points on

your turn to serve. The first player or team to score 11 points wins.

Paulik said pickleball is suitable for all ages and abilities – and is less demanding than tennis, which can be “quite technical” and requires a high level of athletic ability.

“You don’t need to have played a racket sport before to pick it up. It’s played on a smaller court, and the ball doesn’t bounce as high, and the rules are easy to get your head around.

“You can go at a slower pace at first – but the game gets pretty fast the more advanced you get.”

New Wairarapa league player Samantha Sharif, originally a member

of the “extremely popular” Kapiti club, said pickleball was a “very social game” – with plenty of opportunities to connect with players elsewhere in the country.

“Pickleball New Zealand has been good at organising friendly tournaments between clubs – so there are a lot of opportunities for people to play competitively and get involved.

“Eventually, we’re hoping to meet up with the clubs in Manawatu and Central Hawke’s Bay and have some games.”

• The Wairarapa league meets each Wednesday from 9.30am to 11.30am. Entry is $5 per person.

Erin Kavanagh-Hall erin.kavanagh-hall@age.co.nz

New members of the Wairarapa pickleball league [clockwise from left] Arend Lanser, Samantha Sharif, Michelle Marshall and Cilla Paulik enjoy a doubles match. PHOTO/ERIN KAVANAGH-HALL

Wheels event rolls out community help

The proceeds from Wairarapa’s largest showcase of wheeled vehicles have been handed over to two very deserving recipients. The team behind Wheels at Wairarapa, held at Clareville Showgrounds over Waitangi weekend, pledged the funds raised from the event to the Life Flight Trust and the Honeysett family of Kahutara.

Twelve-year-old Eli Honeysett was

diagnosed with a rare spinal condition in 2016, and is now paralysed from the neck down. Last Monday, the Wheels team presented Eli, his parents, and two brothers with a cheque for $1000 to go towards his ongoing care needs.

Carterton-based trucking business Ellison Cartage, one of the exhibitors at Wheels, also contributed funds to Eli’s donation.

Gavin McLellan, development manager at Life Flight, accepted a cheque for $2,150 on behalf of the organisation. Wheels at Wairarapa, organised by the Wairarapa Vintage Machinery Club and Wairarapa A&P Association, featured a variety of wheeled and tracked vehicles – such as vintage cars and tractors, giant earthmovers and steam engines.

Are you looking into intermediate or secondary school options for your daughter for 2025 and beyond?

We invite you, your family and our Wairarapa community to visit our beautiful and thriving school.

Wheels At Wairarapa convenor Robin Parker [left], Kelly Ellison of Ellison Cartage, and Wairarapa A&P Association vice president Allan Grant with Eli Honeysett and his family: Brothers Isaac and Jesse, and parents Tracey and Matt [right].

PHOTO/DEBBIE HUNT

St Matthew’s Church

St Peter’s

Out & About

Thousands of Wairarapa locals attended Anzac Day commemorations at sites of significance throughout the region – including at the Anzac Memorial Bridge at Kaiparoro. Photographer MARLENE

DITCHFIELD visited the popular bridgeside service.

Members of the No 21 Squadron Air Training Corps, District of Masterton, stand guard on the Anzac Bridge.

PHOTOS/MARLENE DITCHFIELD

Local attendees wearing their family members’ military medals.

Air Cadets Meg Lanser [left] and Lailia Shields-Buschi prepare to lower the flags.

Lieutenant-Colonel Martin Dransfield, New Zealand Defence Force, and Tararua District Mayor Tracey Collis.

Kiwi and Aussie solidarity.

STAY ACTIVE IN YOUR GARDEN THIS AUTUMN

HELP PLANTS COPE WITH THE COLD

As winter approaches many of us prepare ourselves, and our homes, for the cold months. We change the duvet on the bed from summer to winter weight, dig our rain jackets and woolly jerseys from the back of the wardrobe and make sure the wood shed is ÿ lled with wood.

Many plants also beneÿ t from some winter preparation, especially frost and cold tender plants such as: Passionfruit.

WALLY’S VAPORGARD

Vaporgard is known as a ‘Liquid Frost Cloth’ and is an incredible product by Wally Richards from Garden Enterprises.

VaporGard develops a polymerised skin over each spray-droplet, providing protection as a sunscreen for chlorophyll. You should notice an increase in chlorophyll within a few days of using Vaporgard with by way of a darker green colour of the foliage. The build-up in chlorophyll makes the leaf a more e° cient food factory - producing more carbohydrates, especially glycols. These glycols are basically an anti-freeze. So, plants that are treated with Vaporgard have the ability to have cells that are still ‘free’ but have protection from the cold.

A good coating of Vaporgard on the top and underside of foliage will protect your plants adequately if there is a frost every few nights, but, if there are several frosts in a row then the cells won’t have time to heal before they are frozen again. If this happens then we recommend you use frost cloth as extra protection.

HARDEN PLANTS WITH POTASSIUM & MAGNESIUM

You want to avoid feeding cold tender plants with any fertiliser containing nitrogen leading up to winter because nitrogen increases foliage growth. Any soft, new growth has the potential to get hit by the cold and frost, and could cause your plants damage.

A good way that you can toughen your plants up to cope with the cold better is by applying Potassium, which hardens the cells of the plants; and Magnesium, which helps the plants stay green, allowing them to still gain energy from the sun even though the days are shorter.

Kings Fruit & Flower Booster can be added now to increase potassium.

POND CARE

Control pond sludge with Mud Muncher. This should be used in autumn to combat leaves falling into the pond and the breakdown of pond plant vegetation.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN THE CURE

WINTER CLEAN UP SPRAYS ARE A MUST!

You should be prepared to start your winter clean up spray programme as soon as the leaves start to fall on your trees, especially if you have ones prone to leaf curl, such as peaches.

The ÿ rst spray can be applied when there’s around 30% leaf fall, and then again at about 95% leaf fall. These can be followed by another spray in late winter and another

just before bud burst in early spring.

We recommend spraying with a mixture of Grosafe FreeFlo Copper and Enspray 99 Spraying Oil. For more information call in and pick up an information brochure.

GROSAFE COPPER & SPRAYING OIL

˜ YOU’LL USE THEM TIME & TIME AGAIN

FreeFlo Copper and Enspray 99 are two products you should always have on hand, you can use them to:

 Give stone fruit trees a clean-up spray for control of leaf curl & insects

Check

 Control fungal diseases and insects on roses and citrus, and to

 Protect winter brassica crops from caterpillars, aphids and fungal disease (for even better results Yates Success Ultra and also be added)

AUTUMN IS PRIME PLANTING TIME

SASANQUA CAMELLIAS

are coming into ower now. This is the perfect time to buy and plant.

LAWN CARE

If it didn’t get done last month, give the lawn a makeover by spraying for weeds with Grosafe Lawn Guard and feed the with Kings Lawn Fertiliser to encourage a stronger root system and new growth. Treat any moss with Sulphate of Iron.

DAY GIFTS SORTED

MOTHER’S

We have loads of gift ideas in store or give mum a GardenBarn voucher so she can pick her own pressie

During autumn there are a lot of important tasks to be done in the garden, so here’s a brief reminder of some top tasks for May.

The next stop is: Carterton

What do Rod Stewart, Elton John, Phil Collins and Roger Daltry have in common? Aside from the obvious – they all share a love for model railways and have their own layouts.

These famous folks also share their hobby with the members of Wairarapa Railway Modellers Inc –currently organising the 2023 Wairarapa Model Train Show at Carterton Events Centre next weekend.

The show, held over two days, will feature 14 layouts of various sizes, [including Lego layouts] by modellers from Wairarapa, the Wellington region and Hawke’s Bay, as well as trade stands.

In model railroading, layouts are dioramas containing scaled models of tracks, working trains and background scenery –and can range in size from covering tabletops to entire rooms or buildings.

The 2023 show will also include a fundraiser: A complete layout built by members of Wairarapa Railway Modellers, which will be raffled at the event, all proceeds going to the Carterton Foodbank.

The layout comes complete with a locomotive, wagons, scenery and a power supply, so is ready to take

home and run for the lucky winner.

Cafeteria facilities offering tea, coffee, and hot and cold snacks will be hosted at the event by the Masterton Holdsworth Lions Club, as a fundraiser for the Life Flight Trust.

The Wairarapa show, which usually attracts thousands of model rail

enthusiasts of all ages, is held every two years, and has previously been set up at the Town Hall and YMCA in Masterton. Following covid, Wairarapa

Railway Modellers relaunched the show in 2021 at Carterton Events Centre.

The 42-year-old club meets twice monthly

in Carterton, and has members hailing from throughout Wairarapa and beyond – including from the Hutt Valley.

The club’s headquarters has four working layouts, and a fifth under construction, and caters for models and layouts in all different sizes, and members with varying levels of experience.

President Peter Murray said the club’s aim is to raise the profile of model railways as a hobby suitable for all ages, where people can learn a range of skills: From artistic techniques to basic carpentry and electronics.

“Model railways can also be a very social hobby – it’s a great way to meet new people,” he said.

The Wairarapa Model Train Show will be held on Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14, from 10am to 4pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for school-age children, and can be booked online via Carterton Events Centre. Door sales will be cash and Eftpos only [no payWave or credit card facilities]. Raffle tickets will only be available at the show.

• For more information about the Wairarapa Railway Modellers, contact Peter Murray on 027 630 1780.

ABOVE: Club members have built a model railway layout to raffle at the show – with proceeds going to the Carterton Foodbank.

RIGHT: Model railway fans enjoy the displays at the 2021 show at Carterton Events Centre. PHOTOS/SUPPLIED

May the pasta pirates be with you...

Tomorrow is International Stars Wars Day. May the Fourth be with you.

For the uninitiated: Star Wars Day, observed since the late 1970s, is an informal commemorative day to celebrate the space opera franchise in all its iterations: Movies, games, Disney + exclusives, novels, LEGO, the works. According to the origin story, the Star Wars Day catchphrase was officially used on May 4, 1979, when Margaret Thatcher took office as UK prime minister. The Tory Party placed an ad in the London Evening News which read, “May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations.” [Either a brilliant or ruinous link, depending on your preference]. The catchphrase took off in the social media age, Lucasfilm and Disney upped the marketing machine, and a new holiday was born. Hardcore devotees usually celebrate with watch parties, dress-ups, fan art, and buying new merch. Because you can’t fault Disney for its business

Young(ish), scrappy & hungry

Erin Kavanagh-Hall

sense.

A confession: Star Wars doesn’t light my saber [apologies to the fans – this is not the column you’re looking for]. I have some great memories watching the original trilogy with my Dad, Carrie Fisher was amazing, and the creature design has aged impeccably. Still ... it’s a Western set in space. You love it, or you don’t.

If, like me, you can take or leave Star Wars, there’s no shortage of unofficial commemorations to choose from. Humans are nothing if not observant. Type “weird national holidays” into Google –you’ll see what I mean.

September 19, for example, is International Talk Like A Pirate Day –which started as a joke between two friends, and gained prominence after appearing in a satirical

newspaper column circa 1995. Observers of this tradition are challenged to drop pirate “lingo” into daily exchanges – asking for change for “a gold bullion” at the supermarket, and acknowledging the boss with an “Aye, aye, Capt’n”. Workplace swordfights are a matter of discretion.

I’ve never worked anywhere that’s observed Talk Like A Pirate Day. An authentic pirate accent is difficult to sustain –unless you’re Geoffrey Rush. And pirate puns get old.

For the chronically overwhelmed among us, there’s International Moment of Frustration Scream Day on October 12. Invented by Americans Ruth and Thomas Roy, the occasion permits all frazzled adherents to step outside at 12pm and

scream for 30 seconds.

Apparently, screaming is good for you: It can help release tension, boost endorphins, and even increase physical strength by up to 7 per cent.

Therapists recommended screaming in nature, into your pillow, in your car, or along to your favourite songs – or, if you’re a parent, to the Frozen soundtrack. Heavy metal Disney – I’m down.

The website nationalday.com/what-istoday has some interesting ideas. April 27 is Love Your Thighs Day [why not?!]. Today, May 3, is Garden Meditation Day. If you have the patience for either gardening or meditation, I salute you.

In the US, my birthday [October 17] is National Pasta Day. My favourite food group. Earlier this year, the UK Food Standards Authority

moved to restrict shared birthday cakes in the office, comparing the proximity of sugar-filled treats to passive smoking. I wonder if birthday pasta buffets would be more tolerable. Too many carbs? Never.

I can’t say I’m a big one for national holidays. If you love your partner, you show them on the regular – not with an overpriced card one day of the year.

If you love Star Wars, any day is an excuse to binge The Holy Trilogy. If you love pasta, Pasta Day falls at least twice a week. If you are more of the devout type, you’re officially spoilt for choice. However, I’d advise warning the neighbours before any October screaming sessions. This is a ridiculous column, Wairarapa. In my defence, today is World Press Freedom Day...

The Wairarapa Midweek is subject to New Zealand Media Council procedures. A complaint must ÿ rst be directed in writing to the editor’s email address. If not satisÿ ed with the response, the complaint may be referred to the Media Council P.O Box 10-879, Wellington 6143. Or use the online complaint form at www.presscouncil.org.nz. Please include copies of the article and all correspondence with the publication.

has the pleasure of inviting you to a tree planting event to mark the coronation of His Majesty Charles III, King of New Zealand, on 6 May 2023

The coronation will be marked by similar ceremonial events all over Aotearoa, celebrating the commencement of a one million dollar nationwide planting effort

A plaque will be unveiled at the ceremony to mark the occasion, and the tree will be planted by

Bill Knowles

Saturday 6 May 2023, 9am

Sparks Park, Belvedere Road, Carterton

A light morning tea will be served at the conclusion of the ceremony. Attendees will be gifted a Totara sapling as a commemorative gift to mark the occasion.

BUDS!

Annie Woodhams, Martinborough local, sewer and founder of Stitch 4 Kids NZ

As a child, I spent a lot of time… Daydreaming. And I have the school reports that prove it!

My friends and loved ones always say I am…

A legend – in my own mind.

The famous New Zealander [living or dead], I’d like to have a meal with is… Jacinda Ardern.

The most delicious ice cream ˜ avour is… French Vanilla by Tip Top –because Tip Top ice cream is [for most ° avours] glutenfree. Thanks, Tip Top!

I would love more time°to…

Run wild, kick up my heels, chase my dreams, be silly, ride my bike.

My favourite local shop°is… Peonies Home & Living in Martinborough. The welcome from Di or Karen is always heartwarming.

CONTACT US

The family member I most admire is… James and Shaun – my lovely boys, who have been there with me through the toughest of times.

A song I know all the words to is… Tutira Mai. I love this song because it calls people to stand together. Standing together through good times and bad is what I believe in.

Wairarapa needs…

More doctors and nurses –desperately.

The best accompaniment to a cup of co˛ ee or tea is… Someone interesting to have a yarn with.

MIDWEEK PHOTOS

Have you got a photo you want to share with Wairarapa?

Whether it’s a reader photo, a cutie, or a snap of you with your Midweek, email it to midweek@age.co.nz with ‘Midweek Photo’ in the subject line, and it could be featured in this segment.

CUTIE OF THE WEEK

You may share your opinion in print and online. To comment online, message our Facebook page and feel free to comment on any of the stories. Please email letters to midweek@age.co.nz or post to Wairarapa Midweek letters, P.O. Box 445, Masterton. Include name, address, and phone number. Noms de plume are not accepted. Letter writers’ town of origin will be published with the letter. Letters should be no more than 250 words, and may be edited for space and clarity.

Just a boy and his dog!

Reader Adi sent in this adorable shot of grandson Theo, now ÿ ve months old – chilling out in his jolly jumper, with fur sister Nyx standing guard. Theo lives with his family on the Gold Coast in Australia – where Adi got to visit him earlier in the year. PHOTO/ADI McMASTER

PHOTO/FILE

ARATOI VOICES

Aratoi showing your wish list

Last year we sent out a survey asking you what you wanted to see more of at Aratoi.

The response was huge, with the desire to see more of our collection on display at the top of the list. We decided to use the Aratoi foyer as a pop-up art space, bringing out collection works, school art, themed pieces and to use it as a flexible space for spontaneous exhibitions.

Over the past year we have displayed an early Stephen Allwood piece and a huge Mark Lander painting, revisited Schools

Art from 25 years ago, and presented the finalists of a photography competition. We brought out a collection piece about flying from Harry Wong to celebrate Wings over Wairarapa, two partythemed paintings to mark the Christmas festive season and PINK! a collection of pink-coloured works to commemorate World Cancer Day in February.

For our next foyer exhibition, we have brought out a stunning piece by Wairarapa artist, Rhondda Greig.

CITIZENS ADVICE

Collection manager Jo Torr picked Greig’s work from the collection saying “… the vibrancy of colour in her piece creates an immediate response. I love the energy in her work ...” Greig’s large dramatic painting relates to the Wairarapa drought of 1998, almost the direct opposite of the summer

Family Court function˜– Part 2

• Go to court hearings and meetings with the judge

we all experienced in 2022/23.

Grieg said “The familiar colours of summer disappeared as the lands dried up. The animals were all trucked away from rural areas. There was no feed for stock. There was a strange silence like a reproach for our management of the

countryside. Calligraphic sweeps of paint enabled me to express these almost apocalyptic departures. To lose Blue would have been unimaginable.”

• What would you like to see on the foyer wall as a pop-up exhibition? Let us know your ideas, email info@aratoi.co.nz

After a Family Court hearing or conference the judge may appoint an independent family lawyer to your court case, called a “Lawyer for Child”.

The lawyer helps the judge understand the child’s views and communicates their best interests.

The lawyer may:

• Talk to the child to understand how a separation or change in family situation is affecting them

• Explain the court process and judges’ decisions in a way the child will understand

• Make sure the child’s views are explained to the judge

• Spend time with other people in the child’s life. This might be parents, teachers, social workers, whanau [both family and friends]

The lawyer gets paid to represent the child – the government pays for at least one-third of these costs. The judge will then decide if you and/or others involved in the case must pay for the remaining costs. If this happens, the judge will make a “Cost Contribution Order”.

Making parenting arrangements

After a separation or change in the family situation, it can be hard to figure out how parents, guardians and whanau can continue to be part of their child’s life.

It helps if everyone can come to an agreement. This is usually quicker, cheaper and less stressful than going to court. It also means your child doesn’t need to go through the court process.

Parenting Plan Workbook

This is for parents, guardians and whanau who are involved in the day-to-day care of a child, after a change in

NIBBLE AWAY AT YOUR DOG REGO

Dog registration fees are due at the end of June, but there’s an easy way to take the pain away from payments. For as little as $5 a week, you can cover the cost of registration in instalments – and avoid late fees.

Just set up an automatic payment with your bank. Registration must be paid in full by 31 July to avoid penalties.

parenting arrangement for separation. It helps you think about how your child will be looked after, and what decisions you’ll need to make. You can download the workbook for free: justice.govt.nz/ parenting-plan-workbook or have a copy sent to you: Freephone the Ministry of Justice on 0800 224 733.

Parenting Through Separation Course

This free course helps parents, guardians and whanau understand their child’s best interests after a separation. You’ll learn how:

• Sharing child care will work for your whanau

• To write a parenting plan

• Conflict during separation can affect children, so you can help your child cope with changes

To get help

You can go to this course any time. It’s usually held in small groups. You won’t have to go to the same group as your ex-partner [or anyone else involved in the separation].

To find out more visit

Don’t forget to update your contact or dog details if they have changed. Do it online, call 06 370 6300 or email: animalservices@mstn.govt.nz

justice.govt.nz/parentingthrough-separation or freephone the Ministry of Justice.

Family Dispute Resolution Mediation Service

An independent person or family mediator works with parents, guardians and whanau to help reach an agreement about a child’s care after separation.

The family mediator won’t force you to agree to anything or make any decisions for you. They are trained to help you reach an agreement.

To find out more visit justice.govt.nz/familydispute-resolution

This service is free if you qualify for funding. This depends on your income and how many people rely on you for financial

support. If you don’t quality for funding you will need to pay $448.50 per person.

Citizens Advice Bureau has Justices of the Peace available most weekday mornings but please telephone 377-0078 to make sure they are in attendance.

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

06 377 0078 or 0800 367 222

43 Perry Street, Masterton Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm wairarapa@cab.org.nz www.cab.org.nz

WAIRARAPA

Rhondda Greig, Blue Escaping the Drought II, 1998, acrylic on board, purchased, 1999. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Climate change: An alternative approach

published another report, How much forestry would be needed to offset warming from agricultural methane?

Don Luciano’s tapas nights –an experience to remember

“Our new tapas nights o˜ er an abundance of ambience and passion,” says Marvin Guerrero, owner of Don Luciano. Evenings in King Street, Masterton, will never be the same again now that Don Luciano has opened on Friday and Saturday nights for tantalising tapas, cocktails, and local wines, all to the beat of music to lift the soul and raise the spirits.

Tapas, in Spanish cuisine, means small dishes of food that are served to be shared. They vary widely and cover anything from a bowl of almonds or olives to a plate of grilled prawns. Don Luciano is taking tapas to another level.

“We’re o˜ ering small plates or bocadillos, blending in° uences from Spain, Italy, the Caribbean, Sri Lankan, and my native Honduras,” Marvin says. You could try chicken, chorizo, and prawn paella, together with jalapeno poppers, salt and pepper squid with chipotle aioli, or taco ° auta bursting with beef, cheese, guacamole, feta, coriander, radish, and lime, and more … this is not ÿ nger-food.

Creative talent in the kitchen includes Sajitha, from Sri Lanka, and Travis, longtime friend of Marvin’s and former owner of Greytown’s Saluté. The chefs take traditional recipes and modify them to suit the New Zealand taste buds, they use local produce,

If you’d prefer wine, Don Luciano has an extensive cellar of locally grown and produced wines: red, white, rosé, and bubbly.

Save room for dessert. Crispy churros covered in cinnamon and sugar to dip into a spiced espresso ganache. Or a˜ ogato with vanilla ice cream, Gracias espresso co˜ ee, and liquor if you want (you probably will).

Don Luciano has been a Masterton feature for more than ÿ ve years, owned by the energetic Marvin. It builds on his 32 years in the hospitality industry. The King Street café and roastery, painted in primary colours and hung with paintings redolent of the country of Marvin’s birth, is a tribute to his grandfather Don Luciano who was a co˜ ee farmer in Honduras “where the best co˜ ee beans are grown.”

Locals and visitors alike can already attest to the quality of the Gracias co˜ ee at Don Luciano’s café and roastery. It’s a new experience in one of the cocktails or drizzled over deserts on a tapas night.

Let’s not forget the takeaway options: quesadillas, burritos, tacos, prawn linguini, paella, squid salad … Whether you have an o˝ ce ‘do’ to organise, a girl’s night out planned, or a

Briner said: “In 2019, the PCE published Farms, forests and fossil fuels: The next great landscape transformation? This report explores a different approach to New Zealand’s long-term emissions reduction targets and policies, and what they could mean for our landscapes.”

He said our approach relies heavily on forest offsets, causing us to delay serious reduction of gross emissions.

“Further, the forests are themselves vulnerable to expected damage from climate change”, he said.

Instead, Briner said, we could treat CO2 emissions from fossil fuels separately from biological emissions and removals.

“This would help us focus on eliminating fossil CO2 emissions, and also manage agriculture and forestry in a way that achieves freshwater and biodiversity objectives.”

In 2022, the PCE

This questions the rationale behind having a net target for long-lived greenhouse gases, but a gross target for biogenic methane.

“Why do we allow emitters of fossil fuel CO2, but not emitters of livestock methane, to use forestry offsets to help meet their targets?” said Briner.

Briner acknowledges that forests do not remove methane from the atmosphere.

“But if forests have a cooling effect, it should be possible — at least in theory — to use them to offset the warming from any greenhouse gas, including biogenic methane.”

To test the feasibility of this idea, the PCE commissioned Professor Dave Frame and Dr Nathanael Melia to calculate what area of forest could achieve roughly the same change in temperature as reducing livestock numbers.

Briner will discuss the science underpinning this work, and its implications for climate policy, to a meeting of Science Wairarapa at 7.30pm on Thursday, May 11, at the Education Centre, 22 Dixon St. Masterton. All are welcome; a door charge of $5 will apply.

The PCE was established in 1986 as an independent watchdog for the environment. The commissioner, Simon Upton, is appointed by and reports to Parliament and can provide recommendations but has no decision-making power.

• Science Wairarapa is supported by Wairarapa REAP.

Greg Briner, a senior adviser to the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment [PCE], will visit Wairarapa next week.

Greg Briner. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Travis, Marvin and Sajitha

Marvin, Don Luciano owner

NOW OPEN

Masterton’s Reduced to Clear: in a league of its own

Founded by Sean Hills in 2008, Reduced to Clear (RTC) started small but is now taking the country by storm. Over two million customers shop at RTC each year.

Sean worked in the food supply industry for many years before having an epiphany. He saw food going to waste each week. While this was going on, the global ÿ nancial crisis had started, and people were doing it tough.

“I had a light-bulb moment,” Sean says. His problem-solving brain moved into action. “We could rescue food, reduce food waste, employ people, and price the food so people on a budget could a° ord to buy it.”

With the opening of Masterton’s RTC, Sean is now CEO of 12 stores employing about 140 people. Shopping at RTC can save a family a lot on their food bill each week. And, to date, “we estimate we’ve saved about 100,000 tonnes of food from being wasted”.

After Sean’s light-bulb moment, he tested his idea by opening a small outlet store in Manukau. One day a week Sean put out a sign: ‘Cadbury chocolate sale’. Cadbury was an early adopter of the concept. The ÿ rst Thursday, 69 people turned up. Next Thursday, it was more than 100. The following Thursday,

more than 200. “It snowballed.”

Now, RTC o° ers about 2,000 di° erent products at any one time, some of which you can order online for delivery.

SO HOW DOES RTC DO IT SO CHEAPLY?

There are ÿ ve main strategies: “Buy in bulk. Purchase overruns, which is when suppliers have produced too much of something. Purchase ‘ends of packaging lines’ which is when there’s been a change in packaging and supermarkets don’t want products with the old packaging. Import container loads of product and clearance lines from all over the world (many brands not normally available here). And, lastly, purchase clearance products from suppliers.”

Some clearance products are those approaching their ‘best before’ date and so supermarkets won’t take them, freeing them up for RTC to buy at bargain prices and sell to consumers at heavily discounted prices.

“We test the quality of our products,” says Sean. “If it’s in our shop, it’s 100 percent safe.

And there’s a total money back guarantee if the quality of any product does not meet consumer standards.”

RTC’s core range of products such as eggs, bread, co° ee, and sugar are not clearance products. They’re products sourced either directly from overseas or local suppliers. “We have a large range of core products at any one time and the range is constantly growing.” Predominantly, RTC sells grocery lines, but it also has other o° erings and weekly deals. As part of its grocery lines, it o° ers many treats that people cannot always a° ord to otherwise buy.

“Fridays are a good day to shop at RTC. Fridays are often when cheeses, yoghurts etc arrive in store.”

“We’re not a normal supermarket,” advises Sean. “We can’t anticipate what clearance items will be available, so we do run out of things. If you see something and like it, my advice is to buy it - it may not be there when you come back. Our products are always changing. You can do a reasonable shop with us. The best way to save is to come to us ÿ rst to see what we have that week and then get any extras from your usual supermarket.”

With the global economy tightening and mortgage rates going up, more people are doing it tough. About 10 percent of people in Wairarapa currently seek help from foodbanks. Reduced to Clear, constantly evolving and going from strength to strength, is here to help.

Best before dates could use some explanation

• BEST BEFORE does not mean ‘expiry’ or ‘use by’. Food can usually be sold and eaten for many months after its best before date, if it has been stored properly.

• EXPIRY and USE BY are terms used on perishable food such as meat, poultry, and deli products. Once an expiry or use by date has been reached, the food cannot be sold.

Sean Hills, founder and CEO of Reduced to Clear

From left to right: Luke Jones (Store Development Manager), Paul Davidson (Store Manager) and Stephen Jones (General Manager Reduced to Clear Group).

PHOTO/Graeme Bowden

The lure of takeaways

Have you ever felt really hungry, treated yourself to takeaways and immediately afterwards felt yuck and wished you hadn’t had them? But it never stops me going back for

punishment. Brain and tummy very rarely see eye to eye. Why do takeaways always taste so good?

As the saying goes, “Anticipation of pleasure is sometimes greater

the pleasure itself.”

I should add I am not a big takeaway eater and when I do, it’s usually fish and chips maybe once a month.

I can recall some years ago going into McDonald’s and the trainee who served me was told “look after this man, he’s a VIP”. I made it very clear that a six-monthly visit does not warrant VIP status and Macca’s wasn’t the place I would like to be considered one.

I wonder if Maurice and Richard McDonald who opened their little restaurant in 1940 in San Bernadino, California ever dreamt of the monster it would become.

There are now 13,500 McDonald’s in the USA alone, 40,000 worldwide in 118

countries, serving 69 million people every day with an annual turnover of US46 billion.

It always surprises me when I go into food halls in malls, where there is usually a great selection of ethnic food, the biggest queue is always at McDonald’s.

A worldwide survey was done asking countries to declare their most popular takeaway. The results were fascinating. Despite the sheer volume of McDonald’s around the world, they never featured once as the most popular [in fact burgers in general didn’t feature].

Pizza came out top with 44 countries declaring it their favourite fast food. The list included countries such as Iceland, India, Peru and Morocco.

Chinese is the most popular in 29 countries including USA [that was a surprise], Australia, Bolivia, UK and Tanzania. Next came sushi, number one in 10 countries including Brazil, Sweden and Ukraine. Then comes fish and chips, favoured in five countries including New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Fiji and Granada.

Fried chicken is also the favourite in five countries including Gambia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Bali.

I can remember watching a documentary about a group of Cook Islanders who had left New Zealand and gone back to their homeland on a small atoll

Continued on page 20

A place where change is possible

If you are experiencing troubling issues like anxiety, grief or depression, or if you’ve been affected by family violence, we can help. We offer a non-judgmental, respectful, caring space where we help people through their process of change.

P: 06 3775716

E: admin@changewairarapa.org.nz

www.changewairarapa.org.nz

Our St John Wairarapa Store has something for everyone from good quality clothes to furniture,craft,electrical, vintage items, books, Records, extensive Dvd collection the list is endless.

Proceeds from our Store support our Community Health Initiatives including Health Shuttle, Caring Caller and Youth.

Downsizing, decluttering?

We would be grateful to accept your good quality donations – call 027 202 0715 to arrange a pickup or drop off in store during opening hours.

Do you have a flair for retail or display –we urgently require volunteers to help us in our store –contact Paul for more information.

Which butter chicken?

Continued from page 19

north of Rarotonga. When they were asked what they missed most about New Zealand, the cry went up in unison: Kentucky Fried Chicken and when the film showed a plane arriving, there were people getting off with boxes of KFC, brought all the way from

and that was Thailand while tapas reigns supreme in Denmark.

Some very odd results and although fish and chips was listed as New Zealand’s favourite, in 2022 the most sold takeaway food here was butter chicken.

I tried researching where butter chicken

different and I understand it depends where in India, the chef comes from, which I suppose could apply to any food.

I was in Fiji in 1996 when the first McDonald’s opened [that’s not why I went, I should add] and there were great long queues of people but the thing I noticed the most was the rubbish. On every street and around every corner, masses of McDonald’s bags and milkshake containers, blowing around the streets and clogging up gutters. It was very sad to see.

But I think the most alarming news regarding takeaway food is that in 2022, vegan takeaways was up 30 per cent. This is so outrageous, I demand a Royal Commission of

If I am confident with where we’ll be in the future, Composed with how we are at present It is merely because I am standing on the shoulders of the past.

Purpose and Context

Since the Council’s current Long-term Plan (LTP) was written in 2021, the economic environment we operate in has shifted significantly. The increase in rates forecast in the LTP for 2023/24 was 3.19%. However, the costs of services the Council provides to the community (as it has for households and businesses) have increased dramatically since then.

We need your feedback and insights to make some tough financial decisions for our communities.

Interest rates and inflation are climbing. Essential costs for things like insurance, transport, and building materials remain high. Due to the nature of our infrastructure, construction sector inflation is a better measure of the impact on Council’s costs.

A series of severe weather events over the past 12 months have added to cost pressures, particularly in roading, where we have sustained many millions of dollars of damage to our network. Repairs after these events have also used up our Rural Road Reserve.

Businesses we work with to deliver water, waste and maintenance services have been forced to pass their increased costs to customers, including the Council. Our aging water infrastructure continues to require ongoing maintenance. This has become even more costly over the past year and is extremely challenging for a small Council to meet. Wellington Water Limited, the Council Controlled Organisation, that delivers water services on our behalf, has recommended a three-option budget. The proposed budget up for consultation is based on the low-cost, high risk option.

The Council has made a concerted effort to review expenses and control costs wherever possible. We have critically reviewed our spending and have only included essential operating costs. We are negotiating the best outcomes possible with external suppliers and contractors. Where we can, we are delaying non-essential spending. In an ideal plan, we would be proposing Wellington Water’s recommended high-cost/low-risk budget for water and a significantly greater roading infrastructure budget to maintain and improve the quality and reliability of these services. Unfortunately, this approach would increase rates even further on top of what is proposed, which we believe is unaffordable for most ratepayers.

The Council on your behalf must, however, maintain a level of service that keeps everyone safe and all our core services operating properly. You will see in this consultation document, especially in water services, this tension between keeping costs as low as possible and maintaining adequate service delivery.

We recognise the negative impact that cost-of-living increases are having on households and businesses in our district. We take our role seriously as a territorial authority to maintain a reasonable level of service while keeping costs as affordable as possible for ratepayers.

This is the balance we have tried to maintain when considering the Annual Plan budget.

In the 2023/24 Financial Year, we will continue to focus on improving the resilience of our roading and water networks.

In the water space, there will be progress made on the Memorial Park Water Treatment Plant upgrade, Featherston Donald Street Pump Station upgrade, Featherston Wastewater Treatment Plant consent, and the Martinborough Wastewater Treatment Plant compliance project.

All these major capital projects will contribute to greater water resilience in our Wards.

For the Annual Plan budget, we have included the lowcost/high-risk water budget that was forecast in the 2021-31 Long-term Plan. This is not recommended by either Council Officers or Wellington Water Limited. As explained under Statement of Proposal [page 12], the risks are very high with this option and it has only been chosen for ratepayer affordability. There are tough choices to be made about how much we spend on water services, and we welcome your feedback on the risks attached to that decision.

In roading, we will be concentrating on safety and maintaining access to our vulnerable rural communities on the Coast. We will deliver routine work across the network such as repairing foothpaths (reducing spending on new footpaths), maintaining rural and urban roads, and resealing roads where our budgets allow.

We are also asking feedback, especially from our ruralbased ratepayers, on increasing the money we put aside for the Rural Road Reserve as a way of being better prepared for the impact of natural disasters including severe weather on our rural network.

With these huge increases in costs and the challenges of delivering in the current environment, there is no way that we can affordably deliver the programme of work outlined in the 2021-31 Long-term Plan without making changes to the way we deliver them.

As a result, for the 2023/24 year, Council is proposing a 15.9% increase, or an additional $3,376,671 on, the 2022/23 total rates income.

This increase is further explained in the pages that follow.

This budget is necessary to:

• Keep the lights on in terms of the minimum amount of operating expenses we need to run our major drinking and wastewater treatment plants,

• Foster the wellbeing of our community and the economy,

• Continue to deliver the many essential services for our community,

• Grow sustainably as a district.

Message from the Mayor

We are approaching the time of the year when this Council sets rates for the next year. We do this when we approve a document called the Annual Plan. At a similar stage in 2021, the Council estimated what the rates would be in 2023/24 and published that estimate in its Long-term Plan. Things have altered a lot since then, so we are now proposing an Annual Plan that is different to that earlier estimate. And because our proposed Annual Plan is different, we are consulting you, our stakeholders, before we make any final decisions.

Consultation is a formal process which has some rules. Some of the key rules are that we must:

• be very clear what it is that we are proposing and why

• give you, the public, plenty of time to read and respond to our proposals

• provide you with sufficient information so that you understand why we are making our proposed changes to the Long-term Plan

• give you the chance to present your views in person to us, including by Zoom or phone if you so wish, and

• the consultation process must be genuine, and we must consider your responses with an open mind and be willing to change our proposals.

I assure everyone reading this that the consultation will be genuine. We are open to changing our mind after we have listened to what you have to say.

We need your feedback

Effective financial management requires us to be upfront about the financial position we are in and the future problems we face. In this case we are consulting you about decisions for 2023/24. From a cost point of view, the biggest choices involve rural roads and urban water systems. We seek your input. If you want more facts and figures on these or any other financial matter, please ask.

In 2023 we have a new Mayor and most of your Councillors are also newly elected. We will involve you, our residents, in decisions about rates. We will listen closely, and with an open mind, to what you tell us. We will also be honest with you about the reasons why we need you to consider seriously the proposal in this document.

Ngā mihi, Martin

Connelly

We need you to tell us what you think about the proposed changes to the 2021-31 Long-term Plan. The options in each of these proposals are to manage the impact of rates on you.

Public consultation is a legal requirement when this level of change is proposed, and we are keen to understand what you think and welcome your views.

Refer to pages 18 and 19 to respond to these four proposals and to provide feedback on whether to:

A. Keep the LTP Year-3 water budget of $3.541 million (including inflation) or increase the budget to reduce legal, health and safety, and plant failure risks.

B. Keep the current $300,000 annual Rural Road Reserve contributions or increase it to provide a buffer during times of urgent need.

C. Include a budget of $165,000 for a pool of casual Library staff to cover leave or remove the use of a pool of casual staff that will result in libraries being closed more often.

D. Keep or remove the community and youth grants scheme of $170,000.

What is an Annual Plan and why do we need one?

Our Annual Plan sets out how we plan to deliver services and infrastructure projects for the coming 2023/2024 financial year and how it will be funded. This amount is used to set rates, charged proportionally to property owners in the South Wairarapa district. The Council’s current Long-term Plan is for the 2021-31 period.

The Council develops a Long-term Plan (LTP) every three years. In the interim two years, we create an Annual Plan to make sure we continue to deliver on the initiatives set out in the LTP. Annual Plans identify our activities, the resources to deliver them and where the resources will come from, for example rates or user charges.

The proposed budget for 2023/24 is a change to what has been set out in the 2021-2031 LTP. Because there are changes in the proposed Annual Plan compared to year three of the 2021-31 LTP, it’s important everyone in the district has the opportunity to review what’s proposed and provide feedback.

We are asking for your feedback to help us with the tough financial choices that need to be made. Your feedback and submissions help ensure the Council is directing projects, services and funding in ways that consider the needs of those who live in our communities now and into the future.

Elected members, from left to right: Front row – Alistair Plimmer, Melissa Sadler-Futter (Deputy Mayor), Martin Connelly (Mayor), Kaye McAulay, Aidan Ellims. Back row – Aaron Woodcock, Rebecca Gray, Martin Bosley, Pip Maynard, Colin Olds

Progress over the last 12 months

As ratepayers, you will want to know that your money is being spent responsibly on things that matter to you. We have achieved some long anticipated goals over the last year and we share some of the highlights here:

• The Papawai Wastewater Pipeline upgrade was brought forward and successfully completed in the 2021/22 year.

• Tauwharenikau (Tauherenikau) pipe repairs were completed as a medium-term solution while a longer-term one is planned and budgeted for.

• An upgraded 8 million litre water storage capacity was added at the Waiohine reservoir to increase the resilience of the water supply to the Featherston and Greytown communities.

• The Featherston Wastewater Treatment Plant consent application has been made to Greater Wellington Regional Council.

• One of the four Martinborough water reservoirs has received much needed maintenance, with work completed on the reservoir’s interior linings and exterior walls.

Better off funding

• Significant unplanned roading issues arose due to severe weather events, such as Cyclones Dovi, Hale and Gabrielle, since February 2022. Numerous roads have had to be repaired and resealed, culverts replaced, and drains realigned. Unplanned repairs have created a flow-on effect on planned maintenance, and the work is ongoing.

• The Featherston Masterplan is progressing as planned, with face-to-face and online public engagement. Formal public consultation will come later in 2023.

• The review of the Wairarapa Combined District Plan continues and public consultation is scheduled for later in 2023.

• We continue work to improve our relationship with mana whenua through the appointment of a dedicated role. The Māori Standing Committee now has new voting rights at Committee meetings.

• The Rangatahi Youth Strategy with Masterton and Carterton Councils has reached a milestone, with public submissions assessed and the document adopted by Council.

• The new dog pound facility project made substantial progress and is nearing completion.

The Council was successful in having $1.88 million of the Better Off Tranche 1 Funding as part of the Three Waters Reform programme, now known as Affordable Water Reform Programme, approved by the Department of Internal Affairs. Recommendations for prudent investment of this will be taken to Council in coming months.

Wairarapa Moana

What’s causing the increase in the proposed total rates required?

Below are the key changes that have caused the proposed increase in total rates income required.

Cost increases categories

Inflation

Higher inflation is driving up the cost of delivering services and projects for our community, and has increased across the range of Council activities.

Increased asset valuations are driving up our depreciation costs

Depreciation is the amount of money that should be put away each year to recognise the decline in value of our assets. It can be used to maintain (renew) and/or replace an asset, like a building or water and wastewater pipes. Depreciation costs are based on the replacement cost of the asset divided by the remaining useful life of that asset. The intention is to make sure we put enough money aside to renew or replace the asset when the time comes. With inflation, the value of our assets and the expected cost to renew or replace them has increased. If we don’t increase depreciation now, we will need higher rates or more borrowing to fund renewals and replacements in the future.

Resourcing the needs of Council

The increased demands of delivering Council services have grown across the board, including the need to respond to emergency events, maintaining service levels in libraries, managing council projects and ensuring that we keep the skills needed to deliver essential services. Council recovers the cost of some roles through fees and charges for the services delivered by those roles, and Government funded grant schemes. The full cost of these roles have to be shown in the budget, so income from fees, charges, and grants are also included to offset the cost. Ratepayers do not pay for these roles through their rates.

Information Technology costs

A lack of any previous investment in our corporate systems, means that the increases in information technology (IT) relate to a very real risk pertaining to our data security and wider technology enhancements. The increase in cost is largely driven by securing customer data, our business continuity systems, digital storage of information and moving technology to the Cloud . These were not previously included in the LTP.

Insurance costs

Insurance is expected to increase by at least 15% due to a tougher stance taken by the insurance companies based on the increased risks that they perceive.

Loans repayments and interest rates costs

Interest rates on loan borrowing have increased. The LTP forecasted 3.5% interest rate, however, this has since increased, and the Council has budgeted for a 5.5% increase on loans. Loan repayments have also increased in line with the projected capital works programme.

Other costs

There are a number of other costs that Council has prudently budgeted for. Increases in legal fees, hearings and compliance costs, project management for the LTP year, new development related fees, valuation fees, audit fees, contractors, and consultants.

Cost reductions

Council has mitigated these increases by:

• Reducing water operating budgets – 2022/23 compared to 2023/24

• Pausing water loans repayments for one year.

$1,1735.5%

$926 4.4%

$9164.3%

$1,0875.1%

-$679-3.2%

-$1,004-4.7%

Where we get income from and what it is spent on

The Council receives its income from several sources, mostly from rates. This income funds the costs required to run Council, with almost half spent on roading and water activities.

Where we get our income from What our income is spent on

Rates&ratespenaltiesWakaKotahisubsidy Fees&licences Contributionsfromdevelopment Userlevies Interest&otherminorincome

RentalincomeGrants,subsidies,&donations

* Some income is used to fund reserves, with specific purposes, e.g. financial contributions from developments are ringfenced into a reserve to pay for growth in infrastructure.

For every $100

of total rates income

Council is proposing to spend:

Rates Impact

We are very aware of the tougher economic conditions affecting our budget as well as yours. We have made every effort to minimise our costs to have as low an impact as possible on our communities, while maintaining service levels. To meet the increased costs of running the Council, we propose to increase the total rates income by 15.9% compared to last year’s total rates income.

To minimise the increase in total rates required, we have undertaken a line-by-line review across the business costs, particularly to amenities costs and water budgets. Savings in water mostly benefit urban ratepayers so rural ratepayers will have a higher percentage increase than urban ratepayers.

The tables below show the proposed rating change from the 2022/23 year to the 2023/24 year.

If you want to calculate the impact on your rates, please use the rates estimator: www.swdc.govt.nz/rates-estimator

General rates (including GST)

To estimate your general rate multiply your land value by:

For example, if you have an urban residential property with land value of $350,000: $350,000 x $0.00214554 = $751

For example, if you have a rural property with land value of $2,000,000: $2,000,000 x $0.00237697 = $4,754

Targeted rates (including GST

& commercial)

Water race rates (including GST)

To estimate your general rate multiply your land value by:

For example, if your property includes Longwood water race, and has land value of $500,000: $500,000 x $0.00152670 = $763

Rates examples (including GST)

Residential Urban examples

10 Annual Plan 2023/24 Consultation

Commercial Urban examples

Rates examples (including GST)

Rural examples

Type of property (use based on data from QV)

Statement of Proposal

The Council is consulting on proposed changes to services for 2023/24 Annual Plan compared to year 3 of the Long-term Plan.

Proposed changes are set to commence on 1 July 2023.

Introduction

As we enter into our annual plan consultation, we again acknowledge the increased cost of living pressures and associated challenges that have affected our communities.

In light of the increased cost pressures, your Councillors and Council staff have been working hard to identify areas where we can limit increases while maintaining our services at an acceptable level. However, we recognise that it is necessary to increase rates to maintain the levels of services that our communities expect and deserve. We are committed to striking a balance between our responsibilities to our communities, the financial realities we face, and accepting that we might not be able to get the things done that need to be done if we cannot afford it.

There are some tough choices to be made, and we are seeking your feedback to assist Councillors to make decisions on how much we spend on water, libraries, The Rural Road Reserve, and community and youth grants. We welcome your feedback and input as we work with, and for, you to create a sustainable plan that meets the needs of our communities.

Proposals

South Wairarapa District Council is seeking your views on the following proposals:

AWater Budgets

Whether to keep the LTP Year-3 water budget of $3.541 million (including inflation) or increase the budget to reduce legal, health and safety, and plant failure risks.

BRural Road Reserve

Whether to keep the current amount we put aside, $300,000 per year, into the Rural Road Reserve or increase it to provide a buffer during times of urgent need.

CPool of Casual Library Staff

Whether to include a budget of $165,000 for a pool of casual Library staff to cover leave, or remove the use of a pool of casual staff that will result in libraries being closed more often.

DCommunity & Youth Grants

Whether to keep or remove the community and youth grants scheme budget of $170,000.

A - Water Budgets

Proposal A: Whether to keep the LTP Year-3 water budget of $3.541 million (including inflation) or increase the budget to reduce legal, health and safety, and plant failure risks. (Urban and water connected ratepayers only)

We seek your feedback on three different water related budget options as part of setting this year’s rates:

OPTION 1

(included in the proposed budget)

Keep the total operating budget managed by Wellington Water Limited of $3.541m (including inflation) from the Long-term Plan Year Three budget. This would keep costs low but also means delivering minimal levels of service . The Long-term Plan budget was set in a different time and is no longer considered adequate for current service levels. This is considered a low-cost/high-risk option.

OPTION 2

Sets the total operating budget managed by Wellington Water Limited at a higher amount of $4.871m (including inflation). At this funding level there are still significant risks. We would remain vulnerable to consent breaches, loss of supply incidents, and safe drinking water breaches.

Wellington Water Limited considers this the ‘High-risk Owner’ budget.

However, the minimum funding requirements to operate our plants are met. Basic planned and routine maintenance levels are maintained. The Wellington Water Limited depot in the Wairarapa could continue to operate. High priority investigations could progress.

The weekly impact of Option 2 would be:

• Additional $3.82 for each water connection to the current proposed 2023/24 rate

• Additional $2.00 for each sewer connection to the current proposed 2023/24 rate

• Additional $0.60, on average, for each urban ratepayer, to the current proposed 2023/24 general rate

Note: Neither option 1 nor 2 include the cost of responding to emergency events.

OPTION 3

Wellington Water Limited’s recommended budget level of $7.496 million (including inflation) to fund existing projects and unplanned work, such as the Martinborough abatement notice, and to maintain good levels of service.

The weekly impact of Option 3 would be:

• Additional $11.62 for each water connection to the current proposed 2023/24 rate

• Additional $6.38 for each sewer connection to the current proposed 2023/24 rate

• Additional $0.70, on average, for each urban ratepayer, to the current proposed 2023/24 general rate

AWater Budgetscontinued

$1.4m recommended to cover a full suite of investigations.

High priority investigations will progress but only core services will be addressed increasing the risks identified in Option 1.

Risks: Water Budget Options

Minimal and underinvestment in investigations may lead to challenges in compliance, safety, and regulatory risk management. With inadequate information to inform the capital works program or risk mitigation strategies we will encounter pressures on the reactive maintenance budget, capacity constraints on growth opportunities and delay in improvements to issues such as flooding.

Investigation

Same as Option 2

Drinking water and stormwater monitoring included in this option which are a compliance requirement. This includes SWDC's share of software as a service, previously unbudgeted for.

Lack of funding for critical, compliance monitoring and water sampling testing at this level.

Active leak control efforts included.

Funding the full $247k for control systems are critical to the operation of Councils water networks for controlling and monitoring Council’s treatment plants, pump stations, flow meters and valve assets. This funding level does not include any active leak detection and control.

Regulatory compliance activities are unavoidable requiring $411k of funding. The balance, $53k would be insufficient to operate the control systems that are critical to the treatment plants, pump stations, flow meters and valve assets. This would lead to operational failures, health and safety issues, increased reactive maintenance costs and potential prosecution.

An additional $170k to increase planned maintenance activities which will reduce risk of failures and faults that would be addressed by reactive maintenance activities.

Monitoring

Operations

Same as Option 1

At this funding level, only the minimum running costs of the planned maintenance team are covered meaning the risk of overflows and network failures would increase, and faults would go undetected for longer, impacting levels of service and resulting in more expensive repairs.

Includes a budget for emergency events.

Some sludge removal included.

N/A –no change in funding.

Included in the Reactive Maintenance budget (above)

only covers the minimum running costs for the operation in South Wairarapa. It would cover labour, vehicles, plant, depot costs and accounts for inflation. It includes the day to day activities to respond to unplanned maintenance of the network. It excludes responding to any unexpected incidents and events such as Fitzherbert St flooding in period of high rainfall.

A core budget of $1.416m

Funding at this low level will result in the disestablishment of the operation in South Wairarapa, and the operating model would have to rely solely on subcontractors, which would further compromise ability to deliver on levels of service, due to increased cost and restricted resource availability. Cutting funding to this level will result in minimal levels of service being achieved, with no room for overtime, night or weekend work. Events occurring during these periods of time will not be able to be dealt with by WWL at this funding level.

Reactive maintenance

treatment plant chemicals costs of 21% are accommodated, Martinborough Treatment Plant cost uplift of $143k included to cater for investigation of improvements and increased volumes. This option still excludes costs for sludge removal activity across the three wastewater plants.

Increased

This budget does not take account of increases of costs, including chemicals. Result is the risk of potential non-compliance with regulations and reduced water supply reliability.

Treatment plant

Existing non-compliance issues will continue to worsen under this funding level, as there is no allowance to investigate & implement solutions for non-compliance issues.

N/Ano change in funding.

We are a council-controlled organisation jointly owned by six client councils; the management charge is agreed on an annual basis and proportionately allocated to each of these councils.

Management & advisory services

No budget for emergency event funding included. In the previous two years an average of $372k has been required for out-of-budget expenditure.

No budget for emergency event funding included. In the previous two years an average of $372k has been required for out-of-budget expenditure.

Emergency event fund/ reserve

Reducing the expenditure below the recommended figure will mean accepting a continued/increased risk of regulatory non-compliance, and a reduction in operational activity and will compromise our ability to deliver core services and increases the risk of operational failures.

B - Rural Roading Reserve

Proposal B: Whether to keep the current $300,000 annual Rural Road Reserve contributions or increase it to provide a buffer during times of urgent need (Rural ratepayers only)

The Council currently puts $300,000 into the Rural Road Reserve every year from rates collected from our rural rate payers.

This reserve is used for unexpected and urgent repairs to the rural road network, often damaged by severe weather events. We have experienced seven major weather events in the previous 12 months that have caused $7 million of damage to our roading network. The Rural Road Reserve is now used up

Options Service Impact

Option 1

(included in the proposed budget)

Maintain the current annual rural roading reserve contribution level of $300,000.

Option 2

Increase the annual rural roading reserve contribution to $500,000.

Option 3

Increase the annual contribution to the Rural Road Reserve to $1,000,000.

At this level, it may take a few years to build up the reserve and would not meet any urgent costs that exceed this amount. The more money we can set aside, the more prepared we will be to respond to emergency events, particularly on our vulnerable coastal roads.

Rates Impact

No further impact

This would result in a greater level of response to address unexpected and urgent repairs to our rural roads.

This would result in the rural roading reserve being replenished and give greater ability to service the roading needs of our rural communities, allowing more work to be completed.

C - Pool of Casual Library Staff

The weekly impact would be an additional $1.33 per week on average, for rural rate payers.

The weekly impact would be an additional $4.66 per week on average, for rural rate payers.

Proposal C: Whether to include a budget of $165,000 for a pool of casual Library staff to cover leave, or remove the use of a pool of casual staff that will result in libraries being closed more often.

We currently have 10 full-time staff working across the four libraries in South Wairarapa and Carterton districts for which we pay a share. Each library requires at least two librarians to remain open.

In 2022/23, there were many days when staff were on leave (due to illness, for training, or time off) so in order to keep our libraries open we used a casual pool of staff. The cost of using casual staff came to $165,000, which was unbudgeted. This year we are proposing that we put that $165,000 into the 2023/24 budget in order to keep our libraries going in the same way we did this year.

The alternative is that we do not add $165,000 to the budget, and we do not fund a pool of casual staff when we have permanent staff on leave. This will result in more days when our libraries are closed due to insufficient staffing.

Options Service Impact Rates Impact

Option 1

(included in the proposed budget)

Include $165,000 for a Library staffing level that allows a pool of casual staff to cover leave.

Option 2

Remove the $165,000 funding that is currently allocated to the pool of casual staff costs.

Include $165,000 for a Library staffing level that allows a pool of 3 casual staff to cover leave.

No further impact

This will mean that libraries will be closed on some days most weeks where a minimum of two staff are not available.

D - Community & Youth Grants

The weekly impact would be a reduction of $0.55 for each rating unit to the current proposed 2023/24

Uniform Annual General Charge.

Proposal D: Whether to maintain or remove the community and youth grants scheme.

This Annual Plan budget currently includes $170,000 for community and youth grants which is at the same level as last year.

The Council has, for many years, allocated funding to community groups to deliver projects, events, and services that benefit the people of the South Wairarapa. By providing community groups and organisations with direct financial assistance, the Council can support shared objectives, be a catalyst for positive change, deliver value for money to ratepayers, and help to sustain a thriving and independent community sector.

This year (2022/23) 55 community groups and activities were funded by grants, including multi-year funding agreements that help organisations to provide services in our communities. Organisations like the Wellington Free Ambulance, the Wairarapa Whānau Trust, Cobblestones, and Arotai Regional Trust, received significant funding. Many other community groups have also benefited from these grants including Digital Seniors, our foodbanks, Featherston Booktown young readers programme, sports and recreation activities, our schools and early childhood education programmes, and great events like the Wairarapa Balloon Festival.

Options Service Impact Rates Impact

Option 1

(included in the proposed budget)

Keep the current level of community and youth grant funding.

Option 2

Stop providing community and youth grants this year.

This means that valued, local community groups can continue to deliver the well- respected activities over the next 12 months.

No further impact

The three community boards and the Māori Standing Committee would maintain their small grants programme and additional pressure would be put on this funding.

The weekly impact would be a reduction of $0.57 for each rating unit to the current proposed 2023/24

Uniform Annual General Charge.

Submissions

Submissions can be made in a variety of different ways

• Online at www.swdc.govt.nz

• By email, either by responding to the questions within the body of the email or by scanning your responses and sending to submissions@swdc.govt.nz

• By posting your responses to Council offices, PO Box 6, Martinborough 5741

• If Council venues are open, drop this completed submission form to your local library or the Council Offices at 19 Kitchener Street, Martinborough

You can also:

• Contact an elected member to have a conversation

• Attend the planned Zoom meeting and in-person drop-in sessions to find out more and give us your feedback.

• You also have the option to speak to your written submission at the Council meetings especially set aside for this purpose on 8 and 9 June 2023 at the Supper Room in the Waihinga Centre, Martinborough. See our website for all these details www.swdc.govt.nz

Consultation Questions

The next two pages contain the four questions Council wishes to hear from our community on. You can complete this in hard copy form and drop it at the Council’s office or local libraries, or make your submission on our website www.swdc.govt.nz

It is a requirement that all submissions are made available to the public. As a result your name and feedback will be available to the public on the Council’s website following consultation. However, contact details will remain private.

First and last names

Residential address

Postal address

Landline (if any)

Mobile phone number

Email address

Preferred method for contact (tick as applicable):

 Mail

 Email me

 Call my landline

 Call my mobile phone

 Send me a text message

Do you wish to speak to your submission at the public hearings scheduled for 8 & 9 June?

 Yes  No  Yes  No

The Council is keen to work more collaboratively with our community to ensure what we are doing remains fit- forpurpose. If you’d like to be considered for future workshops and consultations, then please indicate below:

A. Water BudgetPlease tick one option

1. Keep Long-term Plan budget of $3.5 million, not maintaining current levels of service. Included in the proposed budget.

2. Increase budget to $4.9 million, improving the ability to meet current levels of service, with some gaps.

3. Increase budget to Wellington Water Limited’s recommended level of $7.496 million (including inflation).

B. Rural Road Reserve Please tick one option Feedback

1. Keep current budget of $300,000 p.a. which will likely not meet the Council’s foreseeable requirements to fund emergency works.

2. Increase budget to $500,000 p.a. which will provide a greater level of reserves for Council to draw on to fund emergency works.

3. Increase budget to $1 million p.a. which will enable more essential work to be completed and a reserve built up for future use.

1. Keep a budget of $165,000 for the cost of casual staff to keep libraries open when permanent staff are on leave.

2. Remove the budget for the cost of casual library sta and risk continued library closures on some days of the week.

D.

1. Keep current level of grants of $170,000 included in the budget.

2. Do not provide any grants in 2023/2024

What else is important to you? Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Community & Youth Grants Please

C. Pool of Casual Library Staff Please tick one option

Tell us more – looking ahead to our next Long-term Plan

We would love to hear more from you so we can begin planning for our next Long-term Plan (2024-2034).

While the formal consultation process for the 2024-2034 Long-term Plan won’t begin until next year (so you will have more chances to input and make a formal submission), the earlier we can begin understanding what matters to you for the district and what the Council should be focused on to achieve this, the better.

We have a number of outcomes and strategic drivers in the current Long-term Plan, we’d like to understand which ones are most important to you and if there are others that are missing.

Please choose your top ten priorities by ticking those ten points that are most important for you.

 Residents are active, healthy, safe, resilient, optimistic and connected

 A place of destination, new business and diverse employment that gives people independence and opportunity

 Sustainable living, safe and secure water and soils, waste minimised, biodiversity enhanced

 Strong relationships with whānau, hapū and marae, celebrating diverse cultural identity, arts and heritage

 Enhancing three waters delivery and environmental quality

 Nurturing and creating the district’s special character, qualities and culture

 Creating better connections and social wellbeing

 Supporting sustainable growth, employment, economic wellbeing and development

 Strengthen social connections within the community

 Encourage civic pride and participation

 Provide universally accessible, safe and diverse spaces to strengthen connection between people and place

 Advocate for better transport and technology to improve social and business opportunities

 Plan for growth that protects rural land and character

 Contain rural residential expansion

 Support quality urban development

 Limit growth in coastal and other areas subject to climate change impacts

 Support the transition to a low carbon economy

 Encourage economic diversity and local vibrancy

 Leverage partnerships with central and regional agencies to enable economic development and employment opportunities

 Deliver sustainable, clean, clear, safe and secure drinking water

 Design and implement innovative, sustainable, efficient and affordable wastewater and stormwater systems

 Protect and replenish our natural environment and biodiversity

 Minimise waste and provide environmentally sustainable services

 Take active measures to adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change

 Empower and enable our community to drive behavioural change for the benefit of the environment

 Work in partnership with mana whenua and iwi, respecting tikanga, kaitiakitanga, and taha Māori

 Take opportunities to embrace and celebrate diversity

 Take opportunities to advance and showcase arts, culture and heritage

 Protect town and rural community character, retaining our unique look and feel

 Improve urban design and integrate what we build with natural features

 Other - please specify:

Assistance with rates

We know that the welfare of your families is very important. We are here to help should you need assistance paying your rates. Please contact us as soon as possible so we can work with you on a payment plan. Are you struggling to pay your rates? We have a number of ways that might help.

The first step is to contact the Council as soon as possible so we can work with you. We do have several “tools” we can use to assist you. By contacting us before it’s too late, it can avoid a situation where the Council is forced to recover arrears at the end of the rating year.

Ring and ask for the rating officer at 06 306 9611 or contact our rates team at rates@swdc.govt.nz

What are the options?

Direct debit

Council encourages the payment of rates via direct debit. This ensures the correct amount is paid, it spreads the load and avoids penalties for late payment.

We offer weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or quarterly direct debit payment options. By withdrawing funds directly from your bank account, you can avoid a large bill and keep the funds in your account until the last minute.

Forms are available from the Featherston and Greytown libraries, as well as the Council office and on our website www.swdc.govt.nz/forms. Complete the form and drop it off at the library, at our offices, post it to SWDC, PO Box 6, Martinborough 5741, or scan and email it to rates@swdc.govt.nz

Rates Rebate Scheme

You may qualify for a rates rebate from the Department of Internal Affairs during the rating year (July to June). The maximum rebate for 2022/23 rating year is $700.00 (This will be revised by DIA effective 1 July 2023)

Eligibility Criteria includes:

• Are you listed on the Rating Information Database (RID) as the ratepayer of the property;

• Were you living at the property on 1 July - the start of the rating year;

• Do you meet the income threshold based on the previous tax year?

If this is you, you may qualify for a rates rebate.

To check your eligibility, please contact our rates team or check out the DIA Rates Rebate Calculator online www.govt.nz/ratesrebate-calculator

Received a rates rebate last year?

If you received a rates rebate last year, we will send you an application for the new rating year. You need to apply each year as applications do not roll over from one year to the next.

If you did not receive a rebate last year and think you are eligible this year, applications close on 30 June 2023. Please go to our website www.swdc.govt.nz/rates for an application form. These are also available from the Council office in Martinborough; or at the Featherston or Greytown libraries.

If you have any questions regarding the rates rebate scheme or your eligibility, please email the rates team at rates@swdc.govt.nz or call 06 306 9611 extension 858, and we will be happy to help.

Rates due date extension and penalty remission

If you need an extension to the payment due date, these will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the rates team at rates@swdc.govt.nz or call 06 306 9611 extension 858 as soon as possible. You can request a remission of late payment penalties in special circumstances. Further details on Councils penalty remission policy can be found online - www.swdc.govt.nz/policies

Rates payment plans

We do offer payment plans for overdue rates. Payments can be made at a level you are able to afford without incurring penalties or extra fees. If you need assistance, please give our rates officer a call to discuss these options.

Rates postponement

As a last resort, it is possible to get partial and temporary rates relief through postponement. Further details on the Postponement policy can be found online - www.swdc.govt.nz/policies

We also encourage you to get your rates invoice by email, which saves the district on postage costs. To set this up please contact rates@swdc.govt.nz

For more information on any of these options, please call us on 06 306 9611 or see our website www.swdc.govt.nz

Contact your Elected Members

Mayor Martin Connelly South Wairarapa themayor@swdc.govt.nz

Deputy Mayor Melissa Sadler-Futter Featherston melissa.sadlerfutter@swdc.govt.nz

Councillor Rebecca Gray Featherston rebecca.gray@swdc.govt.nz

Councillor Colin Olds Featherston colin.olds@swdc.govt.nz

Councillor Aaron Woodcock Greytown aaron.woodcock@swdc.govt.nz

Councillor Martin Bosley Greytown martin.bosley@swdc.govt.nz

Councillor Alistair Plimmer Greytown alistair.plimmer@swdc.govt.nz

Councillor Pip Maynard Martinborough pip.maynard@swdc.govt.nz

Councillor Kaye McAulay Martinboroughkaye.mcaulay@swdc.govt.nz

Councillor Aidan Ellims Martinboroughaidan.ellims@swdc.govt.nz

A festival of books, storytelling and ideas

A cultural smorgasbord at the eighth Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival

We have a cultural smorgasbord on o er at this year’s Festival. Our audience will de nitely be spoilt for choice,” says Peter Biggs , Chair of the Featherston Booktown Trust. “I can’t wait to see the streets of Featherston alive and humming with book lovers from all walks of life.”

e popular Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival returns for anothaer year of fantastic and diverse literary events over the weekend of 12 –14 May in the beautiful Wairarapa. e annual Festival celebrates all things bookish, with dozens of presentations and workshops about writing, reading, selling, illustrating, printing, making, and publishing. e creative festival – which sets the South Wairarapa and the wider region buzzing – attracted over 8,000 people in 2022 and is set to top that this year.

With a line-up of more than 104 presenters and 51 events, the Festival has something for everyone including tributes to Katherine Mans eld, Te Ao Māori, shipwrecks, poetry, activism, Queer art, cra beer, spooky late-night stories and Pasi ka tales. ere are also 13 events devoted to the cra of the book and 10 free events for tamariki, which follows on from the Young Readers Programme in Schools from 10 - 12 May. Booksellers remain at the heart of the Festival with 30 attending.

e Festival kicks o on Friday 12 May with the sold-out Fish’n’Chip supper featuring guest speaker, broadcaster, and author Guyon Espiner who will join us for two other events over the weekend. Late Night Lit sees nimble writers entertain the audience with ash ction inspired by the words of one of our great story writers: Katherine Mans eld, who died 100 years ago this year. For those looking for some late-night thrills, Camp re Tales returns to chill your bones with four original horror stories written by Aotearoa New Zealand authors.

e rest of the weekend is a stacked bookshelf of events featuring two events in te reo Māori with simultaneous interpretations in English; activism with Māori artist Tāme Iti ; examining the evolution of the book in the digital world; much loved Hairy Maclary creator Lynley Dodd ; a look at Sci- and fantasy novels in Aotearoa New Zealand and a sensitive conversation on the impact of Parihaka on both Māori and Pākehā.

Major Sponsors

12 – 14 May booktown.nz

Saturday night presents a provocative and entertaining lineup with Pasi ka Power featuring some of the most powerful Pasi ka voices in our literary scene followed up with lmmaker Gaylene Preston in conversation with Featherston writer Noelle McCarthy

Saturday’s Late Night Lit highlights the unique poetry of Sam Duckor-Jones (who also has a popup version of his colourful Gloria installation in the Anzac Hall), Poet Laureate Chris Tse and Rebecca Hawkes, who is back by popular demand, and two Te Aro Pā poets, Rachel Buchanan, and Debbie Broughton

Sunday hums along to a vibrant beat when Nick Bollinger talks about the art of writing music with Shayne P Carter (Straitjacket Fits / Dimmer) and Warren Maxwell (Trinity Roots). Politics gets a look in with former minister Chris Finlayson . en, quench your thirst with Emerson Breweries Richard Emerson and his biographer Michael Donaldson .

Celebrating Queer Stories examines the creativity and contribution of our LGBTQIA+ writers and artists. e sold-out Mrs Blackwell’s Mother’s Day A ernoon Tea brings broadcaster and author, Stacey Morrison, Hinemoa Elder and Emma Espiner together for an un ltered and open conversation about health and wellness, whānau, relationships and the guiding force of ancestral knowledge.

“Diversity and inclusivity is the standout theme to this year’s festival and the lineup of writing talent really re ects that,” says Peter Biggs.

“ ere truly is something for everyone. As the world changes and evolves, so does the role of writing in our lives and the programme shines a light on those who seek to make a di erence with the written word. Once again, our tamariki are well catered for with a host of participatory events, for they are the future of the Festival and Aotearoa New Zealand. And, thanks to the generous funding from the South Wairarapa District Council, REAP Wairarapa, South Wairarapa Rotary and Read NZ Te Pou Muramura, all events for tamariki are free.”

e Young Readers Programme in schools starts on 10-12 May and involves 30 events and 26 presenters inspiring 1,500 students at 20 di erent venues including schools, maraes, and halls across the Wairarapa. e extremely popular Book Voucher scheme is back, in which 1,500 $15 book vouchers will be given to local South Wairarapa primary school-aged tamariki thanks to donations made by the Friends and Business Friends of Featherston Booktown

Liz Mellish (Te Ātiawa, Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui), the Deputy Chair of Featherston Booktown Trust says, “I am particularly excited to see so many Māori writers in the programme this year, which was developed through consultation with our mana whenua. From welcoming Tāme Iti to Featherston for his rst Featherston Booktown appearance; the fully te reo events and the three fabulous wāhine at Mrs Blackwell’s Mother’s Day A ernoon Tea event, our rich culture is celebrated and deeply embedded in this programme.”

2023 also sees the debut of the Featherston Booktown Podcast that was developed and made by Shane Te Pou and Phil Quin in conjunction with Featherston Booktown. e Podcast features some of the guests appearing at the Festival such as Shayne P. Carter, fantasy author Ryan Cahill and artist and poet Sam Duckor-Jones. e theme music for the podcast was composed by Kolya Marks , a Year 13 student from Kuranui College who has a keen interest in composition and has been an attendee of the Festival in previous years.

e Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival is made possible thanks to the continued support of our funders and supporters including Creative New Zealand , e Lion Foundation , Trust House Foundation , Trust House Limited and the South Wairarapa District Council

e Featherston Booktown Karukatea 2023 Festival runs from 12 - 14 May.

Tickets from eventfinda.co.nz

Full programme: booktown.nz

Featherston Community Centre. FREE Join Heather Haylock , author Granny McFlitter picture book and the Featherston Knitters Group for some wild, woolly, fantastically funny and u y fun. You will be wowed by Granny and her quick-as-awink knitting needles as they save show just in the knit of time!

GetOutdoors

GetOutdoors

Craft of the Book

Craft of the Book

12

–14 May

KIDS EVENTS

– 14 May

booktown.nz

KIDS EVENTS

Saturday 13 May 11:00 AM –Midday, St Teresa’s School. FREE

Launch a rocket, fossick in a creek, build an epic fort, hunt for bugs or sleep under the stars. ese are just some of the fascinating activities Wairarapa author Paul Adamson suggests in his latest book, Get Outdoors. Bring the family and gather great ideas for some fresh-air fun.

Saturday 13 May 11:00 AM –Midday, St Teresa’s School. FREE Launch a rocket, fossick in a creek, build an epic fort, hunt for bugs or sleep under the stars. ese are just some of the fascinating activities

Wairarapa author Paul Adamson suggests in his latest book, Get Outdoors. Bring the family and gather great ideas for some fresh-air fun.

KIDS EVENTS

GrannyMcFlitter Knows Knitting

GrannyMcFlitter

Knows Knitting

Saturday 13 May 1:00 PM –2:00 PM, Featherston Community Centre. FREE

Saturday 13 May 1:00 PM –

2:00 PM, Featherston Community Centre. FREE

Join Heather Haylock author of the Granny McFlitter picture book series, and the Featherston Knitters Group for some wild, woolly, fantastically funny and u y fun. You will be wowed by Granny and her quick-as-awink knitting needles as they save the show just in the knit of time!

KIDS EVENTS

Reading NannyMihi with Melanie Drewery

Reading NannyMihi with Melanie Drewery

Saturday 13 May 1:00 PM –

Saturday 13 May 1:00 PM –

2:00 PM, St Teresa’s School. FREE Melanie Drewery author of over 20 children’s books, including the muchloved Nanny Mihi series, will read from her books and talk about what inspires her. Ask her about her journey from idea to published story.

Writing Funny Stories Workshop for 8-12 year olds

Writing Funny Stories Workshop for 8-12 year olds

Sunday 14 May 1:00 PM –2:00 PM, Featherston Community Centre. FREE

2:00 PM, St Teresa’s School. FREE Melanie Drewery, author of over 20 children’s books, including the muchloved Nanny Mihi series, will read from her books and talk about what inspires her. Ask her about her journey from idea to published story.

AmorangiandMillie’sTrip ThroughTimewith

AmorangiandMillie’sTrip ThroughTimewith

Lauren Keenan

Lauren Keenan

Sunday 14 May 11:00 AM –Midday, Featherston Community Centre. FREE

Sunday 14 May 11:00 AM –Midday, Featherston Community Centre. FREE

Join Heather Haylock author of the Granny McFlitter picture book series, and the Featherston Knitters Group for some wild, woolly, fantastically funny and u y fun. You will be wowed by Granny and her quick-as-awink knitting needles as they save the show just in the knit of time!

What do you nd really funny? Join Leela (11) and her dad Raj to work out how you can turn the funny things that crop up in your daily life into a great story. ey turned a joke about people farting uncontrollably into a children’s novel they wrote together – e Bad Smell Hotel!

Sunday 14 May 1:00 PM –2:00 PM, Featherston Community Centre. FREE What do you nd really funny? Join Leela (11) and her dad Raj to work out how you can turn the funny things that crop up in your daily life into a great story. ey turned a joke about people farting uncontrollably into a children’s novel they wrote together – e Bad Smell Hotel!

Singalong with Kath Bee

Singalong with Kath Bee

Sunday 14 May 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, St Teresa’s School. FREE

Sunday 14 May 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, St Teresa’s School. FREE

The Two J’s: Two Writing Workshops for Adults with Joy Cowley and Jillian Sullivan

The Two J’s: Two Writing Workshops for Adults with Joy Cowley and Jillian Sullivan

Saturday 13 May 9:00 AM –Midday, Featherston Community Centre. $30

Saturday 13 May 9:00 AM –Midday, Featherston Community Centre. $30

Start the morning with a warm welcome from two remarkable writers with over 117 years’ of experience between them before you split into groups. Joy Cowley will share what to do before you start writing and o er hints on writing for children, while Jillian Sullivan will focus on how character and structure drive a story.

Start the morning with a warm welcome from two remarkable writers with over 117 years’ of experience between them before you split into groups. Joy Cowley will share what to do before you start writing and o er hints on writing for children, while Jillian Sullivan will focus on how character and structure drive a story.

Creative Strategies for Self-publishers

Creative Strategies for Self-publishers

with Liz Constable

with Liz Constable

Saturday 13 May 3:00 PM –4:00 PM, Featherston Community Centre. $30. With a giveaway personalised pack of a small handmade notebook, a pen and a postcard.

Saturday 13 May 3:00 PM –4:00 PM, Featherston Community Centre. $30. With a giveaway personalised pack of a small handmade notebook, a pen and a postcard.

In this workshop you’ll get to write your own practical and exible stepby-step strategy to help you become a self-published author. Under Liz Constable’s expert guidance you’ll have fun, work out the best way forward for your project and get advice about how to avoid the pitfalls.

The Joy of Writing: Gavin Bishop, Renée, Joy Cowley and Peter Biggs

The Joy of Writing: Gavin Bishop, Renée, Joy Cowley and Peter Biggs

Sunday 14 May 1:00 PM –2:30 PM, Kiwi Hall. $20

Sunday 14 May 1:00 PM –2:30 PM, Kiwi Hall. $20

What brings writers back for more when it’s time to shut down their laptops? Peter Biggs quizzes four of our most esteemed writers and illustrators – Gavin Bishop Renée Joy Cowley and Lynley Dodd – about their writing habits and the joy they get from their work.

In this workshop you’ll get to write your own practical and exible stepby-step strategy to help you become a self-published author. Under Liz Constable’s expert guidance you’ll have fun, work out the best way forward for your project and get advice about how to avoid the pitfalls.

What brings writers back for more when it’s time to shut down their laptops? Peter Biggs quizzes four of our most esteemed writers and illustrators – Gavin Bishop Renée, Joy Cowley and Lynley Dodd – about their writing habits and the joy they get from their work.

Paper-making Workshop with Rob Kennedy

Paper-making Workshop with Rob Kennedy

Something that happened a long time ago can still be relevant today. Awardwinning author, Lauren Keenan, creator of Amorangi and Millie’s Trip rough Time, o ers tricks and tips about how to turn what happened in the past into an interesting story.

Something that happened a long time ago can still be relevant today. Awardwinning author, Lauren Keenan creator of Amorangi and Millie’s Trip rough Time o ers tricks and tips about how to turn what happened in the past into an interesting story.

Join Kath Bee singing songs like Individuality, Dad I wanna be a Camel, Sprinkle A Little Sunshine and more. Dance, sing, do actions and even pop bubbles! Follow Kath to the Chicken and Frog Bookshop, where she will read from her books Dragons Under My Bed and Dougal the Kākāpō and sing more songs.

Join Kath Bee singing songs like Individuality Dad I wanna be a Camel Sprinkle A Little Sunshine and more. Dance, sing, do actions and even pop bubbles! Follow Kath to the Chicken and Frog Bookshop, where she will read from her books Dragons Under My Bed and Dougal the Kākāpō and sing more songs.

Exploring the New Book: Substack/Patreon/Metaverse

Exploring the New Book: Substack/Patreon/Metaverse

Saturday 13 May 11:00 AM –Midday, Featherston School Hall. $15

Saturday 13 May 11:00 AM –Midday, Featherston School Hall. $15

e internet now o ers new ways to read and experience books including Substack, Patreon and the Metaverse. Join one of Substack’s Pro deal writers, Emily Writes and Martin Baynton, creator of other worlds in the Metaverse, as they discuss this brave new world with investigative journalist, Mike White

Illustrators on Stage: Gavin Bishop, Martin Bayntan, Giselle Clarkson and Fifi Colson

Illustrators on Stage: Gavin Bishop, Martin Bayntan, Giselle Clarkson and Fifi Colson

Saturday 13 May 5:00 PM –6:00 PM, Featherston School Hall. $15

e internet now o ers new ways to read and experience books including Substack, Patreon and the Metaverse. Join one of Substack’s Pro deal writers, Emily Writes and Martin Baynton creator of other worlds in the Metaverse, as they discuss this brave new world with investigative journalist, Mike White

Saturday 13 May & Sunday 14 May 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM, St Teresa’s School. $25

Saturday 13 May & Sunday 14 May 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM, St Teresa’s School. $25

Saturday 13 May 5:00 PM –6:00 PM, Featherston School Hall. $15

Illustrators are so important to the success of a picture book. Outstanding experts Gavin Bishop Martin Baynton and Giselle Clarkson share what their life’s work is about in a no-holds-barred discussion de ly wrangled by Fi Colston

Illustrators are so important to the success of a picture book. Outstanding experts Gavin Bishop Martin Baynton and Giselle Clarkson share what their life’s work is about in a no-holds-barred discussion de ly wrangled by Fi Colston

Enjoy learning about this ancient cra , see what paper made from our native plants looks like, join the conversation about the sustainable use of native plants, and then make paper for next year’s Featherston Booktown Visitors’ Book. Suitable for all ages and abilities.

Enjoy learning about this ancient cra , see what made from our native plants looks like, join the conversation about the sustainable use of native plants, and then paper for next year’s Featherston Booktown Visitors’ Book. Suitable for all ages and abilities.

Weekend Highlights

Weekend Highlights

Campfire Tales R13

Campfire Tales R13

Friday 12 & Saturday 13 May 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Friday 12 & Saturday 13 May 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Gallipoli:TheScaleofOurWar

Gallipoli:TheScaleofOurWar

Sunday 14 May 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Kiwi Hall. $15

Sunday 14 May 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Kiwi Hall. $15

Waimarie/RSA. $20 includes a free take-home zine.

Waimarie/RSA. $20 includes a free take-home zine. Gather round as we chill your bones with four dark tales written for this event by Kiwi horror authors. Take home a free zine with the stories and original artwork by T. Wood.

Gather round as we chill your bones with four dark tales written for this event by Kiwi horror authors. Take home a free zine with the stories and original artwork by T. Wood.

Produced by Denver Grenell and Ricky Dey with support from Creative New Zealand

Produced by Denver Grenell and Ricky Dey with support from Creative New Zealand

Paint

Fur Babies: Pets in Print

Fur Babies: Pets in Print

Saturday 13 May 3:00 PM –4:00 PM, Waimarie/RSA. $15

Saturday 13 May 3:00 PM –4:00 PM, Waimarie/RSA. $15

Kotahi Miriona Tāngata E Kōrero Ana. One Million Speakers.

Kotahi Miriona Tāngata E Kōrero Ana. One Million Speakers.

Author Spotlight: The Pioneering Life and Work of Jacquie Sturm/Te Kare Papuni

Author Spotlight: The Pioneering Life and Work of Jacquie Sturm/Te Kare Papuni

Kiwi

Klassics: Paul Millar on CoalFlatby Bill Pearson

Kiwi Klassics: Paul Millar on CoalFlatby Bill Pearson

In a tribute to Lydia Wevers 1950–2021

In a tribute to Lydia Wevers 1950–2021

Gallipoli: e Scale of Our War is one of Te Papa’s most viewed exhibitions. ree contributors to the companion book – exhibition director Chris Pugsley, curator Puawai Cairns and creator Sir Richard Taylor – tell Peter Biggs how the Gallipoli campaign was brought to life through this compelling exhibition.

Gallipoli: e Scale of Our War is one of Te Papa’s most viewed exhibitions. ree contributors to the companion book – exhibition director Chris Pugsley, curator Puawai Cairns, and creator Sir Richard Taylor – tell Peter Biggs how the Gallipoli campaign was brought to life through this compelling exhibition.

it

Pink

Gloria Pop-up Installation by Sam Duckor-Jones

Paint it Pink –Gloria Pop-up Installation by Sam Duckor-Jones

–

Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 May 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Back of the Anzac Hall, entrance via Birdwood Street. KOHA

Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 May 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Back of the Anzac Hall, entrance via Birdwood Street. KOHA

Former Featherstonian, Sam DuckorJones, returns to share his innovative and immersive art. Gloria, based on his new home of the same name in Greymouth, will explode this year’s festival with resplendent pink hues and tones, and invite you to re ect on transformation – both artistic and human.

Former Featherstonian, Sam DuckorJones returns to share his innovative and immersive art. Gloria, based on his new home of the same name in Greymouth, will explode this year’s festival with resplendent pink hues and tones, and invite you to re ect on transformation – both artistic and human.

The Secret Art of Editing

The Secret Art of Editing

Saturday 13 May 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, The Joy Cowley Room, The Royal Hotel. $15

Saturday 13 May 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, The Joy Cowley Room, The Royal Hotel. $15

Poet Laureate Chris Tse chairs a panel of graduates of the Whitireia Publishing Programme, Jasmine Sargent, Madison Hamill and Callum Knight who reveal the realities of editing and being edited. Bring your burning publishing questions!

We are second in the world for pet ownership. Why do we love our fur babies so much? Dame Lynley Dodd of Hairy Maclary fame, investigative journalist and dog lover, Mike White and award-winning writer and cat lover, Ashleigh Young, explore our obsession in conversation with Deborah Coddington

We are second in the world for pet ownership. Why do we love our fur babies so much? Dame Lynley Dodd of Hairy Maclary fame, investigative journalist and dog lover, Mike White, and award-winning writer and cat lover, Ashleigh Young explore our obsession in conversation with Deborah Coddington

Saturday 13 May 5:00 PM –6:00 PM, Kiwi Hall. $15

Saturday 13 May 5:00 PM –6:00 PM, Kiwi Hall. $15

I whakakorengia, ā i panaia e te ao mō te nuinga o te rau tau tahi mano iwa rau, heoi, kei te kaha tonu te whakaorangia o te reo Māori, ā, he kotahi miriona tāngata kōrero Māori te whainga mō te tau 2040 e tino haumarutia ai te reo.

Will we have one million te reo speakers by 2040? Join Tāmati Rimene Sproat (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangitāne) as he discusses the journey of te reo Māori with language champions, Ngahiwi Apanui (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti and Stacey Morrison (Kai Tahu, Te Arawa).

I whakakorengia, ā panaia e te ao mō te nuinga o te rau tau tahi mano iwa rau, heoi, kei te kaha tonu te whakaorangia o te reo Māori, ā, he kotahi miriona tāngata kōrero Māori te whainga mō te tau 2040 e tino haumarutia ai te reo. Will we have one million te reo speakers by 2040? Join Tāmati Rimene Sproat (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangitāne) as he discusses the journey of te reo Māori with language champions, Ngahiwi Apanui (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Hine) and Stacey Morrison (Kai Tahu, Te Arawa).

Other Worlds – Sci-fi and Fantasy Fiction in Aotearoa

Other Worlds – Sci-fi and Fantasy Fiction in Aotearoa

Saturday 14 May 3:00 PM –4:00 PM, The Joy Cowley Room, The Royal Hotel. $15

Saturday 14 May 3:00 PM –4:00 PM, The Joy Cowley Room, The Royal Hotel. $15

Sunday 14 May 11:00 AM –

Sunday 14 May 11:00 AM –

Midday, Kiwi Hall. $15

Midday, Kiwi Hall. $15

Jacquie Sturm, o en only known as James K. Baxter’s wife, emerged as an important literary voice in her own right. Based on her newly published collected works, Roger Steele considers her life and art with her friend, Renée, and academic Paul Millar

Jacquie Sturm, o en only known as James K. Baxter’s wife, emerged as an important literary voice in her own right. Based on her newly published collected works, Roger Steele considers her life and art with her friend, Renée and academic Paul Millar

Sunday 14 May 1:00 PM –2:00 PM, The Joy Cowley Room, The Royal Hotel. $15

Sunday 14 May 1:00 PM –2:00 PM, The Joy Cowley Room, The Royal Hotel. $15

Bill Pearson was a sensitive boy brought up as a working-class West Coaster, an academic, writer and gay man. His biographer Paul Millar will traverse Pearson’s fascinating life and controversial writings, including his iconic novel Coal Flat Pro ts from this session go to the Lydia Wevers Scholarship in New Zealand Studies.

Bill Pearson was a sensitive boy brought up as a working-class West Coaster, an academic, writer and gay man. His biographer Paul Millar will traverse Pearson’s fascinating life and controversial writings, including his iconic novel Coal Flat Pro ts from this session go to the Lydia Wevers Scholarship in New Zealand Studies.

In te reo with simultaneous English interpretations.

In te reo with simultaneous English interpretations.

The Hopfather – Most of this Actually Happened

The Hopfather – Most of this Actually Happened

Sunday 14 May 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Waimarie/RSA. $15

Sunday 14 May 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Waimarie/RSA. $15

Celebrating Queer Stories

Celebrating Queer Stories

Sunday 14 May 11:00 AM –

Sunday 14 May 11:00 AM –

Poet Laureate Chris Tse chairs a panel of graduates of the Whitireia Publishing Programme, Jasmine Sargent Madison Hamill and Callum Knight, who reveal the realities of editing and being edited. Bring your burning publishing questions!

Sci- can bring answers in through the back door long before science comes in the front. Danyl McLauchlan talks to sci- writer Gina Cole fantasy author Ryan Cahill and Quentin Wilson publisher of the late Phillip Mann’s last sci- novel.

Sci- can bring answers in through the back door long before science comes in the front. Danyl McLauchlan talks to sci- writer Gina Cole, fantasy author Ryan Cahill, and Quentin Wilson, publisher of the late Phillip Mann’s last sci- novel.

Midday, The Joy Cowley Room, The Royal Hotel. $15

Midday, The Joy Cowley Room, The Royal Hotel. $15 Be part of celebrating the creativity and contribution of our LGBTQIA+ writers and artists. Playwright and author Victor Rodger and art historian, biographer and non- ction writer Joanne Drayton explore queer art and writing with Poet Laureate Chris Tse

Be part of celebrating the creativity and contribution of our LGBTQIA+ writers and artists. Playwright and author Victor Rodger and art historian, biographer and non- ction writer Joanne Drayton explore queer art and writing with Poet Laureate Chris Tse

In his biography of Richard Emerson e Hopfather, Michael Donaldson tells the story of our pre-eminent brewer, o en lauded as the godfather of our cra beer industry. Hear from the man who built our modern beer scene and nd out how Michael made this tale of adversity and triumph into a book. Moderated by Ryan McArthur

In his biography of Richard Emerson, e Hopfather Michael Donaldson tells the story of our pre-eminent brewer, o en lauded as the godfather of our cra beer industry. Hear from the man who built our modern beer scene and nd out how Michael made this tale of adversity and triumph into a book. Moderated by Ryan McArthur

The Cruel Sea –Shipwreck Stories

The Cruel Sea

–

Shipwreck Stories

Sunday 14 May 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, The Joy Cowley Room, The Royal Hotel. $15

Sunday 14 May 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, The Joy Cowley Room, The Royal Hotel. $15

Cristina Sanders, author of Mrs Jewell and the Wreck of the General Grant, and John McCrystal, author of Worse ings Happen at Sea discuss their mutual obsession with tall ships, the people and treasure they carried, and how and where they were wrecked around our treacherous shoreline.

Cristina Sanders, author of Mrs Jewell and the Wreck of the General Grant and John McCrystal author of Worse ings Happen at Sea, discuss their mutual obsession with tall ships, the people and treasure they carried, and how and where they were wrecked around our treacherous shoreline.

Notes on the Page –Writing Music

Notes on the Page –Writing Music

Sunday 14 May 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Waimarie/RSA. $15

Sunday 14 May 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Waimarie/RSA. $15

Writer and broadcaster Nick Bollinger with Shayne P. Carter (Straitjacket Fits, Dimmer) and Featherston’s own Warren Maxwell (Trinity Roots, Little Bushman) discuss di erent approaches to writing music and making a life in music. A erwards, the Featherston Vinyl Club will spin some tunes to get your toes tapping and close out the Featherston Booktown 2023 Karukatea Festival in style.

Writer and broadcaster Nick Bollinger with Shayne P. Carter (Straitjacket Fits, Dimmer) and Featherston’s own Warren Maxwell (Trinity Roots, Little Bushman) discuss di erent approaches to writing music and making a life in music. A erwards, the Featherston Vinyl Club will spin some tunes to get your toes tapping and close out the Featherston Booktown 2023 Karukatea Festival in style.

I have mentioned Derek Sivers many times. Every time I see his name appear as a podcast guest I know that real wisdom will be coming my way. This was certainly the case when he was interviewed on the Tim Ferriss Podcast.

Sivers discussed how important it is to not discount everything that a person has to share; their ideas, thoughts and opinions, just because there is one thing that they may have a position on that you don’t agree with.

I’m as guilty with this as anyone; it wasn’t too long ago an education document was released that I was picking up a lot of good content from. However, I came to a point where a position was shared that I strongly disagreed with. The position I then took was to dismiss the document in its entirety, discounting everything I had read earlier and had agreed with.

“Don’t drain the pool” is a concept that Sivers shares to counter the personal experience I

have given. We should be capable of appreciating what another person or organisation shares, while also disagreeing with other points. No one will ever be perfect, least of all ourselves. The sooner more of us recognise this, the more positive progress we will make as a society.

Finding out

Being in another country with a completely different culture to the one I come from has given me a new perspective on many things. One, in particular, is the Hindu religion, something I knew almost nothing about, other than a very vague awareness of the caste system. Being in a place has not only given me some firsthand experience; seeing festivals and meeting people whose everyday experiences are centred around the Hindu faith, it has also encouraged me to find out more about a way of life that has so much we could all learn and benefit from.

I am certainly not suggesting that anyone

goes out now and converts to become Hindu; but I am suggesting there are ways and ideas we may be a little ignorant about, perhaps even perceiving negatively, that we could in fact learn from, and would certainly respect and appreciate more if we’re prepared to take the time to find out about.

Prep for what’s ahead

Sometimes it seems easy to wing it, to get by without any preparation, hoping things will be okay when we’re uncomfortable and anxious in our uncertainty. There will be many times when things do work out, but this is only the end result; the anxiety will still have been there during the event.

I have just read an extreme example of a lack of preparation that could have been fatal. The event was the world rafting championships, with the USA men’s and women’s teams taking part. The event ended with the women’s team claiming second place, whereas the men’s team flipped their raft at the very start and had to be rescued by, you guessed it, the women’s team.

Don’t drain the pool Lifestyle

Before the event the two teams had taken very different approaches. The men’s team did little

planning, barely looking at what lay ahead, whereas the women’s team carefully analysed the course, finding out what they would be facing. It’s pretty clear which approach worked out for the best. We may not be competing in dangerous rafting events, but there will be many other things in life that will go so much better for us if we plan ahead for what’s to come. This doesn’t mean life will be without adventure, but it will mean the adventures we do have will be a lot more successful!

Making the most of a situation

Sometimes we anticipate things being better than they initially turn out to be. I remember this being the case with two countries I visited in the past that I was really looking forward to, these being Malaysia and Morocco. In both cases the initial disappointment stayed with me when, in fact, there was so much in each of these fabulous countries I could have enjoyed if only I had adjusted my expectations a little.

I’m writing this post based on an experience I’m having. After an awesome week in Ubud, Bali, I have arrived in another part of the island to find

it isn’t quite meeting my expectations. Despite this, instead of writing the 10 days off, I will look at all of the things the area does have and make the most of these: the beach; restaurants; our hotel; the

people; and every other opportunity the time we have here will offer us. I remember an episode I once saw of Yes Theory, when the hosts went to what was described as the most boring town in

America. They arrived in the town looking to deliberately have as good a time as possible. This attitude and approach led to an awesome experience, not just for the hosts, but also for everyone they

encountered. If stars of Yes Theory can have such a great time in “the most boring town in America” then surely I can have a brilliant time in a beach town in Bali.

A great example

As many who read this column will know, it seems like I have been trying to learn a second language forever. I remember my first being a NZ Sign

Language course around 35 years ago, followed by attempts at numerous others, including:

Māori: German; French; Mandarin; Japanese; Cook Island Māori; Samoan; Indonesian and Latin. For some of these languages I have a very basic understanding at most, but there’s none I could have more than the most rudimentary conversation in.

Yesterday I went on a guided tour up Mount Batur in Bali. For the experience we were met by Darsana, our guide, at 3.30 in the morning. Darsana was an awesome guide, nothing was too much trouble, and we may not all have got up the mountain without him.

Aside from being a fabulous guide, another thing very impressive about Darsana was his ability to speak in several languages. These included: Indonesian; Balinese; English; French and German. This was despite him not having anywhere

near the level of resources I do. He has simply recognised the need to be multilingual for his job, then set about doing what needed to be done.

Darsana’s example with his language learning is a message to all of us. The excuses we all have for trying to achieve any goal really aren’t valid when we compare ourselves with what he has access to.

Set your own direction

I came across this concept while reading the book Karma, by the yogi, Sadhguru: ‘I am not wind blown. I am selfpropelled.’

This simply means we need to be setting our own direction in a deliberate way, as opposed to just drifting along, waiting for things to happen. Without our own clear choices and direction, the most likely outcome is that others will set our direction, essentially controlling our lives, and it’s quite likely this direction isn’t the one we want to be travelling in. We can chart our own destinies, choose what we want to do, then put in place plans and actions to get there. Be selfpropelled.

Actions lead to consequences

The idea of actions having consequences is such a simple concept. Essentially everything we do will lead to some sort of outcome, which could happen almost immediately,

or culminate to have a significant impact on us, perhaps years from now.

If you were to take a stocktake of key areas in your life, such as: your health; your finances; your relationships; your career, you could take each and do an assessment of all the actions you have taken over a given period of time [perhaps a year] and you will see that what you have done has got you to the position you are in today.

Take, for example, your health. I have a good friend whose weight and overall health was getting very poor. He recognised this and started walking a little each day. Today he is so much healthier; he has lost weight, he looks great, and he is mentally stronger. He could have blamed so many different things for his previous poor health, but instead recognised it was his life choices that had got him to where he was, and it would be his deliberate choices and actions that would get him to a much more positive place.

• Tim Nelson is principal of Lakeview School and author of the book Small Steps for a happy and purposeful life. He endeavours to learn something new every day by reading books, listening to podcasts, and engaging with a wide range of other content.

Durga Mata is a major Hindu goddess, worshipped as a principal aspect of the mother goddess Mahadevi. PHOTO/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Tim Nelson

Full Range of Motorcycle Oils at Fagan Motorcycles

Solar farm redesign

A 190-hectare solar farm proposed for Greytown is going back to the drawing board in light of extensive consultation.

Helios Energy has confirmed that the consultation process under way means all aspects of the project –including the design, the number of panels, and positioning – are back “on the table”.

Helios Energy announced the $140 million project in partnership with longtime Greytown family, the Kemptons, in August last year.

The proposed solar panel farm would have 190ha of Kempton land bordering Bidwills Cutting Rd, State Highway 2, and Kemptons Line, given over to the project with a 35-year lease.

Helios said at the time

of the announcement that the number of solar panels was yet to be determined, but the project would produce enough electricity to power 20,000 homes.

Helios director Jason McDonald said Greytown was chosen due to its climate and proximity to a substation.

“We were looking for areas near the grid that had the available capacity to connect and were suitably sunny.”

The renewable energy project, billed as a necessary step toward meeting increasing energy demand –projected to increase nationally by up to 70 per cent by 2050 –received mixed reactions from residents.

A public information evening about the project had a reported “mob” of 20-30 people turn up in strong opposition.

Company spokesman Jonathan Hill said consultation on a draft

proposal at the end of last year attracted a “bunch of feedback from a range of quarters”, and Helios is now refining the design as a result.

Hill said the consultation on the project has been wide-ranging, citing the community dropin sessions, and conversations with the district council and mana whenua.

“We received a wide range of feedback, from highly supportive to having some concerns about certain aspects of the project,” Hill said.

“We are addressing that in the ultimate project design that we put forward for consent.

“This is a positive project for the region and the country. The country desperately needs renewable energy.”

Hill said a resource consent application would be months away. “There’s nothing imminent.”

Mary Argue mary.argue@age.co.nz

Helios is reÿ ning its solar farm proposal after extensive consultation.

PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Course in full swing

Te Kura Tapere is the name of the UCOL level 3 course held at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre. The 2023 edition has had great interest from students into the programme, with 10 students joining this year’s journey through conservation.

Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is the perfect location for such a course The centre brings a blend of historic values around conservation with new and innovative methods of ecology, conservation, and biodiversity. The course also provides a solid foundation of whakapapa [genealogy] and connection to the land.

What happened in Term˜1?

Animal and Plant Identification Assignments:

The students spent the last term obtaining a foundation of animal and plant knowledge. The two assessments are targeted towards a

hands-on and practical approach. Allowing students to explore the ngahere [forest] and locate first-hand accounts of animal and plant species. There is emphasis on the connection that varying species have within their local area.

What will happen in Term˜2?

Ākonga [students] will look at Customer Service and Community Engagement.

This assessment focuses on applying customer service skills in a conservation environment. Providing understanding of how to engage various age groups, defuse conflict and apply techniques to accommodate a range of personalities, values and beliefs.

The students will delve into the learnings of promoting positive communication and being mindful of well-being within conversation.

Next will be an introduction to trapping and monitoring.

This assessment will empower our ākonga with good trapping and

monitoring habits. We will teach students how to target various predator/ pest species. Pest and predator behaviour and trap/site selection.

The students will be forming discussions on issues such as humane trapping, health and safety and navigation within the ngahere.

What are our students saying about the course?

“The course has given me confidence in the bush. It has been surprising how much there is to our native spaces, and I love learning these things. Pūkaha has such a range of wildlife, it’s the perfect classroom,” student Alex Ross said. The course will aim to provide students with a foundation of skills, including pest and predator awareness, knowledge of fauna and flora along with

community and customer engagement.

Ross’ classmate Daphne Blakaway said: “It has been fun building my knowledge, especially in a place like Pūkaha.”

The students recognise the taonga [treasure] that a natural environment like Pūkaha holds within.

“How cool is it to be able to walk outside into the forest and see the giant tuna, and cheeky kākā,” Blakaway said.

UCOL course facilitator and Pūkaha rabbit control operations manager Rhys Watkins is extremely excited for this willing bunch of youthful learners and the rest of the year they have ahead.

“As always, it is a pleasure to teach these students a raft of conservation skills. I am also privileged to be able to share my opportunities and conservation kōrero.

“I look forwarded to what the future brings for the programme, especially with the upcoming opening of our purposebuilt education centre, Te Wānanga Taiao, here at Pūkaha,” said Watkins. What pathways are there in conservation for °konga studying Te˜KuraTapere?

Te Kura Tapere provides our ākonga with the necessary stepping stones into the conservation industry, opening a raft of career pathways.

If you know of any year 12 or 13 students interested in a course like this one, they can find out more at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre at www.ucol.ac.nz

• The Wairarapa Midweek has partnered with conservation groups to put a spotlight on conservation efforts locally.

Rhys Watkins Education Facilitator, P˜kaha National Wildlife Centre

Be Warm this Winter with a

Jumbo crossword

Sudoku

solution

ACROSS: 1 Abolish, 4 Off the cuff, 9 Profuse, 13 Toss, 14 Envies, 15 Laying, 16 Boasted, 19 Coat of arms, 20 Thousand, 21 Hunch, 24 Paltry, 25 Saucer, 27 Sandpaper, 32 Released, 33 Caesar, 34 Derrick, 38 Driveway, 39 Landed, 40 Even, 41 Habit, 42 Dregs, 45 Partner in crime, 52 Impel, 55 Space, 56 Upon, 57 Pupils, 58 Creative, 61 Disobey, 62 Kidney, 63 Nuisance, 66 Adornment, 68 Viable, 69 Errand, 73 Drive, 74 Deadline, 76 Firescreen, 81 Shallot, 82 Muesli, 83 Dugout, 84 Tint, 85 Adhered, 86 At long last, 87 Express.

DOWN: 1 Attic, 2 Obstacle, 3 Hangar, 4 Opium, 5 Fuse, 6 Holster, 7 Ceylon, 8 Finds, 10 Room, 11 Fissure, 12 Sketch, 17 Hoarseness, 18 Snide, 22 Acid rain, 23 Cater, 24 Pounded, 26 Also, 28 Amateur, 29 Decamp, 30 Deaden, 31 Scribe, 33 Cider, 35 Realm, 36 Give, 37 Seem, 43 Repair, 44 Gecko, 46 Amps, 47 Tension, 48 Expand, 49 Imply, 50 Calendar, 51 Earwax, 52 Inaccuracy, 53 Pair, 54 Leeward, 59 Fears, 60 Mill, 64 Ember, 65 Bakelite, 67 Divulge, 68 Viewing, 70 Orchid, 71 Fiasco, 72 Refute, 75 Doubt, 77 Ingot, 78 Notes, 79 Mope, 80 Idea.

Insert the missing letters to complete ten words — five across the grid and five down.

one solution may be possible.

Eleven towers at rural wireless black spots

and Stony Bay.

customers.

Rural

Nearly a dozen cellphone towers have been installed in rural Wairarapa as part of the government’s Rural Broadband Initiative.

Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications Ginny Andersen announced last month that 400 mobile towers have now been installed across the nation by the Rural Connectivity Group [RCG].

RCG was appointed by the Government in 2017 as the infrastructure provider to bring 4G wireless broadband to disconnected rural communities.

According to RCG’s site database, five of these are in Masterton, three in Carterton, and three in South Wairarapa. The towers are situated in Blairlogie, Kaituna, Mauriceville, Te Whiti, and Pack Spur Rd in Masterton. In Carterton, sites can be found at Flat Point, Kourarau Hill, and Mt Eringa.

South Wairarapa sites are situated at Whangaimoana East, Ruakokoputuna South,

RCG said it was solely focused on building telecommunications infrastructure to deliver wireless broadband and mobile services to rural New Zealand.

“The RCG is using funding from the Government’s Rural Broadband Initiative Phase 2 and the Mobile Black Spot Fund, as well as contributions from Spark, Vodafone and 2degrees.

“Our job is to build a 4G mobile network in areas with no broadband coverage or poor broadband coverage and areas of no mobile coverage. Our programme of work will enable as many Kiwis, businesses, and tourists to have access to critical wireless broadband and mobile services in rural New Zealand.”

The group said the sites it built would be shared by New Zealand’s three mobile network operators– Spark, Vodafone [now One NZ] and 2degrees – and provide services from all three mobile companies to ensure competitive wireless broadband and mobile services to rural

It said the companies allocated 700MHz spectrum to RCG to enable the 4G LTE [Long Term Evolution] with VoLTE [Voice over LTE or high-definition calling] for the rural network.

“RCG will mainly use 700 MHz frequency because it is the spectrum best suited for rural users, and this will be supported with 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz frequencies if additional capacity is required,” RCG said. A small number of our sites will have a 3G Mobile Operator Radio Access Network overlay, mainly on sites along state highways and at tourist locations, it said.

The group said its sites could be from 10m to 40m in height, depending on where they were located, and how many people they needed to provide coverage to.

Each site must meet government targets of providing fast wireless broadband, connectivity to a tourist location, or coverage to rural state highways.

With 400 towers now being installed, Andersen said Cyclone Gabrielle demonstrated how crucial

it was to have access to reliable mobile and internet services. Some areas of Wairarapa were left without cellphone or internet connection after the cyclone.

“This is why the Government remains committed to ensuring that more rural homes, businesses and communities can access fast, reliable broadband connectivity regardless of where they live, study, and work.

“These towers, funded by the Government’s Rural Broadband Initiative, provide essential broadband and mobile coverage to more rural and remote communities across New Zealand,” Andersen said.

She said the Government had invested in a range of programmes to improve connectivity across New Zealand.

As of December 2022, the Government’s connectivity programme connected about 1211

km of state highway to mobile coverage.

An additional 114 tourism spots now have mobile coverage, more than 600 marae have been connected to broadband, and about 80,000 rural homes and businesses now have access to improved broadband.

The additional $43 million from Budget 2022 for further rural capacity upgrades meant the Government has now allocated over $100

million to improving the capacity of rural broadband across New Zealand, Andersen said.

“This work will be completed within the next three years and will benefit around 69,000 households and businesses.”

She said in addition to the RCG, the Government has also partnered with 15 wireless internet service providers across to provide rural broadband coverage under the Rural

Anderson said Cyclone Gabrielle demonstrated how crucial it was to have access to reliable mobile and internet services.

Broadband Initiative.

These partners provide wireless rural broadband to remote and rural areas.

“The ongoing success of RCG and other government and industry investment is creating a strong foundation for New Zealand’s connectivity,” Andersen said.

“I commend the RCG for the work they have done to date to ensure New Zealand continues to be well connected.”

Have you checked in on your young stock lately? Now is a good time to review your feed situation and stocking rate. Body weight is the key driver of puberty, so its important that heifers reach key liveweight targets if they’re going to reach puberty at 12 months and get in-calf at 15 months.

Having targets provides a measure of performance and indicates well grown stock.

Heifer liveweight targets:

• 30% of mature weight at 6m

• 60% of

COUNTRY LIVESTOCK

Report for Week

Ending 28 April 2023

Feeder calves

Angus x bull 2@105

Angus x bull 1@30

Angus x bull 1@140

Angus x bull 2@130

Angus x bull 2@135

Angus x bull 2@135

Angus Heifer x 2@105

Angus Heifer x 2@115

Angus Heifer x 3@135

Angus Heifer x 1@75

Sheep

Wether 1@120, 2@100

Ewes 3@77

Lambs 6@130, 4@140, 6@124, 5@60, 2@37, 2@60, 12@101, 12@92

Cattle

Steer Hereford X Weaner 2@650

Steer Hereford X Weaner 2@520

Heifer Weaner Angus 3@530

Heifer Hereford X Weaner 3@710

1 Bull @600, 1 Heifer @790

Poultry

Rooster 1 @10

Nearly a dozen cellphone towers have been installed in rural Wairarapa.

PHOTO/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

TOMLIN WATER TANK SERVICES

Autumn is a good time of year to get your water tank cleaned and/or repaired to ensure you are storing healthy water.

Tomlin Water Tank Services

o ers a complete clean and repair service for water tanks. They can repair splits, cracks and holes in concrete tanks and apply a new waterresistant cement lining that is safe for drinkable water.

Regular maintenance will keep your water healthy, tank in service for longer and

help prevent pumps from expensive breakdowns.

Ian and Jodi’s industrial cleaning and repair equipment sits on a purpose-built trailer to make it manoeuvrable –ideal for constricted areas. If your tank is in town, on a lifestyle block or farm ‘out the back’ they can get pretty much anywhere.

Ian has had many years of experience in water tank servicing. Give him or Jodi a call to discuss your tanks needs.

Phone: Ian 0211201290 Jodi 06 377 2258 Find us on Facebook Email: braddick1@xtra.co.nz Web: tomlinwatertankservices.yellow.nz

As a travel broker with NZ Travel Brokers, Lynne can provide travel advice and planning for your next holiday including flights, accommodation, airport transfers, sightseeing and tours. “I own my own business with NZ Travel Brokers.”

“There are beautiful places to explore in our lovely country and overseas. I can also offer travel insurance

to clients wanting cover while they are on holiday.”

Lynne has travelled throughout the Pacific, Asia, US, Mexico, Britain and Europe.

are qualification), in

She holds the CIT Diploma in Travel Consulting, ATITB (Aviation qualification), National Certificate in Travel Level 3 and 4, and NZQA approved Experienced Consultant Award.

YOU

IT

Based in Masterton covering all of Wairarapa

DWAYNE

022 586 4793 stephens.rescue@yardservices.co.nz www.yardservices.co.nz

MOBILE BLASTING

We are a dustless mobile surface preparation company that services the entire Wairarapa region. Automotive • Residential • Industrial Call Evan: 027 664 9507 evan@mobiledustfreeblasting.co.nz mobiledustfreeblasting.co.nz

MOTOR VEHICLES

M: 021 100 5724 E:

www.truckersessentials.co.nz www.homesafeproducts.co.nz

THURSDAY, MAY 4

Alcoholics Anonymous

Featherston Community Centre, 7.30-8.30pm. Call 0800 229 6757.

Belly Dance for Beginners Kiwi Hall, Featherston, 6.30-7.30pm. Call

Antonia Blincoe [021] 105-7649.

Carrington Bowling Club 57 High Street, Carterton,1pm for 1.30 pm

start. Call Pauline Hodgson [027]

406-672.

Carterton Community Choir 7.159pm, at Carterton School, Holloway St. Call [022] 373-4299.

Carterton District Historical Society 142 High St North, Carterton, open 2-4pm or by appointment. Call Vivienne 379-5564 or email carterton.hist.soc@gmail. com

Danzability Class 11am-noon, at Studio 73, Greytown. Call physio. rachel.horwell@gmail.com or [022]

077-2654.

Digital Seniors Wairarapa Call

0800 373 646 for an appointment.

Martinborough St Andrew’s Church, 9.30-11am; Featherston Featherston Community Centre, 1.30-3.30pm.

Fareham Creative Space Open

studio, 10am-3pm, 80 Underhill Rd, Featherston. Email: registrations@ farehamcreativespace.nz

Featherston Menz Shed 61

Fitzherbert St, open from 6.30pm.

Food Market Food trucks, 4.30-7pm outside the Masterton Town Hall, rain or shine.

GirlGuidingNZ Carterton Pippins, 5-7 years, 4.15-5.30pm. Carterton Brownies, 7-9½ years, 6-7.30pm. Call Sharon [021] 033-0550.

Justice of the Peace Masterton CAB

9.30am-12.30pm.

KeepFit! 10.30am, Senior Citizens Hall, Cole St, Masterton. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

Masterton Art Club 10am-2pm, tutored classes available, also print on Fridays, at 12 Victoria St. Call Sue 377-7019 or Elissa [0274] 706-528. Masterton Petanque Club 2pm, in Queen Elizabeth Park. Call Myrna Lane 377-3064.

Masterton Toy Library 10am-1pm, 365 Queen St.

Narcotics Anonymous 7.308.30pm, at St Matthew’s Church, Church St, Masterton.

Parkinson’s Exercise Class 1.30pm, at the Wairarapa Boxing Academy, Dixon St. Call Roslyn [027] 264-8623.

Patient Activity Programme At Hospice Wairarapa, 59 Renall St, Masterton, 10am-1pm. Call Kirsten 399 1050. Red Star Table Tennis Club 5-7pm at Red Star Sports Association 10

Herbert St, Masterton. Call Peter [027] 566-4664 or Brian 377-4066.

Ruamahanga Club Cards – 500, 1-4pm, at Wairarapa Services Club, Essex St, Masterton.

Social Learners Bridge 1-3.30pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Barbara [06] 304-9208.

Steady As You Go Falls Prevention and Balance Class, 9.30am, Senior Citizens’ Hall, Cole St, Masterton. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

Thursday Morning Bikers Meet at the fountain at the Queen Elizabeth Park entrance, 9.30am. Contact David [021] 246-0295.

Wairarapa Fern and Thistle Pipe

Band Weekly practice, Masterton Brass Bandrooms, Park Ave, Masterton. Email fernandthistle21@

gmail.com

Wairarapa Model Aero Club 9amnoon, at the Masterton Aerodrome. Whakaoriori Shufflers Line

dancing, Red Star clubrooms, Herbert St, Masterton, intermediate, 1-2.30pm. Call 377-5518 or 3771135.

FRIDAY, MAY 5

Aratoi Burn It All Down to May 14; Simon King: Shades and Echoes to May 21; Print Council of New Zealand

to June 4; Masterton Museum: A Cabinet of Curiosities to July 2023.

Carterton Craft Market Mon-Sat: 9am-4pm, Sun: 10am-3pm, 25 High St North, Carterton. Call Desley [027] 787-8558. Carterton Senior Citizens 12.303.30pm, play cards, Rummikub and Scrabble, at the old courthouse next to the library. Cloth Collective Sewing Workshop 10am-2pm, Kiwi Hall Supper Room. Call Sara Uruski [0274] 474-959.

Dance Fit At Carrington Park, Carterton, at 6-7pm. Text dance groove to [022] 321-2643.

Greytown Music and Movement

For pre-schoolers, 10am, at St Luke’s Hall, Main St. Contact email admin@ stlukesgreytown.co.nz

Fareham Creative Space Open studio, 10am-3pm, 80 Underhill Rd, Featherston. Email: registrations@ farehamcreativespace.nz

Free Community Fit Club 6am and 11am, Carrington Park, Carterton. All ages, all fitness levels. Call Di [027] 498-7261.

Justice of the Peace Carterton

library noon-2pm; Masterton District Court 11am-1pm; Eketahuna Library

1.30-4.30pm.

Kids Song & Story 9.30-10.30am, social hour during school terms for preschool children and their caregivers, Epiphany Church hall, High St, Masterton. Pam Thomas 378-6740. Masterton Croquet Club Golf Croquet 9.15am behind the Hosking Garden in the park. Call Russell Ward

377-4401.

Masterton Masters Swimming

Club Club night 5.30-6.30pm, Trust House Recreation Centre back pool. Call Stu [027] 295-4189 or Lucy [021] 0204-4144.

Needlework & Craft Drop-in

10am-noon, Featherston Community Centre. Call May [06] 308-6912 or Virginia [06] 308-8392.

Spontaneous Dance Kiwi Hall, Featherston, 6.30-8pm. Call Pavla Miller [022] 075-3867.

Sunset Cinema Carterton Events Centre, Rangatahi Hub. Doors open

7pm, movie starts 7.30pm. Info at sunsetcinemacarterton.com

Wairarapa Kids Choir Choral

singing for children aged seven years up, 3.50-4.50pm, Courthouse, Holloway St, Carterton, during school terms. Call Jill [027] 347-5891.

Wairarapa Stop Smoking Service Quit Clinic at Whaiora 9am-noon. Free support available across Wairarapa. Call Whaiora 0800 494 246. Walk and Talk Meet outside Dish Cafe, First St, Masterton, 9.30am.

SATURDAY, MAY 6

Carrington Bowling Club 57 High Street, Carterton, 1pm for 1.30 pm

start. Call Pauline Hodgson [027] 406-672.

Cobblestones Early Settlers Village Open 10am-4pm seven days. History comes alive with six heritage buildings, carts and carriages, set in two acres of beautiful gardens, bring a picnic to enjoy.

Featherston Fusiliers Wargaming and boardgames club, meet at Featherston Assembly of God cafeteria, 22 Birdwood St, 10am4.30pm. Contact featherston. fusiliers@gmail.com

Featherston Heritage Museum

Behind the Featherston Library and Information Centre. Sat/Sun 10am2pm, other times by arrangement.

Call Elsa [021] 263-9403.

Featherston Weekly Market 8am2pm, 33 Fitzherbert St. Greytown Menz Shed 9am-noon.

Call Paul Dodge [021] 0262-6595.

Justice of the Peace Service centre available at Masterton Library, 10am-noon.

Lions Book Sale 9am-1pm, next to Wairarapa Farmers Market, Solway Showgrounds, Judds Rd, Masterton, under the grandstand.

Martinborough Museum Open

Sat/Sun at No 7 The Square, 10.30am-2.30pm. Donation/koha

appreciated.

Masterton Croquet Club Association Croquet 9.15am and 12.45pm behind Hosking Garden in the park. Call Carl Redvers 378-7109.

Parkrun Weekly 5km run/walk.

Measured, timed, free. 8am start, at the Woodside end of the Greytown rail trail. Info: parkrun.co.nz/ greytownwoodsidetrail

Saturday in the Park Food trucks by the Skate Park, QE Park 10am2pm, rain or shine.

Tinui Craft Corner and Museum

Open Sat/Sun 10am-4pm. Call Lesley

Hodgins [06] 372-6433.

Toy Library Masterton 10am-1pm, 365 Queen St. Featherston 14 Wakefield St, 10am-noon.

Wairarapa Cancer Society Supportive Care Services Free services for anyone needing support after a cancer diagnosis. Call (06) 378-8039.

Wairarapa Farmers’ Market 9am1pm, Solway Showgrounds, Judds Rd, Masterton, under the grandstand and nearby redwood tree.

Wairarapa Genealogy Branch Family History Research Rooms, 5 Church St, Masterton, 10am-noon.

Wairarapa Spinners and Weavers 10.30am-2pm, in the Wool Shed, Dixon St, Masterton. Call Trish 3788775 or Lynette 377-0236.

Women’s Self Defence With Dion, 9am, band rotunda, Queen Elizabeth Park. Call [020] 4124-4098.

SUNDAY, MAY 7

Carterton Farmers Market Memorial Square, 9am-12.30pm. Call [027] 663-9011.’

Featherston Menz Shed 61 Fitzherbert St, open from 1pm. Masterton Park Bowling Club Queen Elizabeth Park, bowls roll up at 1pm, names in by 12.45pm. Call

377-5458. Masterton Petanque Club Club day 2pm, in Queen Elizabeth Park. Call Myrna Lane 377-3064. Masterton Toy Library 10am-1pm, 365 Queen St.

Narcotics Anonymous Featherston Community Centre, 7-9pm. Call 0800 628 632 Rotary Sunday Market 7-11.30am, Essex St car park. Contact thehodsons@xtra.co.nz

South Wairarapa Pipe Band

Practice at St John’s church hall, Featherston, 4-6pm. To confirm time please call [027] 628-5889 or [027] 453-0182.

Wairarapa Model Aero Club 9amnoon, at the Masterton Aerodrome.

MONDAY, MAY 8

Art for Everyone Featherston Community Centre, 7-9pm. Call Sandie [021] 157-4909.

Carterton Alcoholics Anonymous

8pm, Salvation Army Community Rooms, 210 High St. Call Bob [021]

042-2947 or Martin [06] 372-7764.

Carterton Community Toy Library Events Centre, Holloway St, Mon-Sat during CDC Library hours.

Carterton Scottish Dance Club

7.30pm, at Carterton School Hall, Holloway St. No partner required. Call Elaine 377-0322.

Carterton Food Bank 10-11am Mon-Fri at Haumanu House. Call 379-4092.

CCS Disability Action Wairarapa Office 36 Bannister St, Masterton,

10am-1pm Mon-Fri. Call 378-2426 or 0800 227-2255.

Citizens Advice Bureau Free and confidential advice, Mon-Fri 9am4pm, 43 Perry St, Masterton. Call 377-0078 or 0800 367-222. Clareville Indoor Bowls 7pm at Tom Bubb Lounge, A&P complex. Call Colleen 379-8399.

Creative Hands Programme At Hospice Wairarapa, 59 Renall St, Masterton, 10am-noon. Call Kirsten 399-1050.

East Indoor Bowling Club 7pm. Call Julie 377-5497 or George 378-9266. Epilepsy Support Group 11am at the Salvation Army office, 210 High St South, Carterton. Call 0800 20 21 22.

Featherston Music Club 7-9pm. Call Shaun O’Brien [027] 672-6249.

Free Community Fit Club 6am and 11am, Carrington Park, Carterton. Call Di [027] 498-7261.

GirlGuidingNZ Masterton Rangers, 12½-18 years, 6.30-8pm. South Wairarapa Guides [Greytown], 9-12½ years, 6-8pm. Call Sharon [021] 033-0550.

Hospice Wairarapa Support Services Free of charge for anyone dealing with a terminal illness. Call [06] 378-8888.

Indoor Bowls 1.30pm, Club Carterton, Broadway, Carterton. Call [027] 645-0905.

Justice of the Peace Masterton CAB

9.30am-12.30pm.

Keep Fit! 9.30am, Senior Citizens’ Hall, Cole St, Masterton. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

Line Dancing 10.30am, Senior Citizens’ Hall, Cole St Masterton. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

Literacy Aotearoa Free computing and digital device classes for adults. Call 377-4214.

Mah-jong 1-4pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Pat Hamilton [06] 308-9729.

Masterton District Brass Band Rehearsals at 7pm, in the Band Room, Park Ave, Masterton. Call [022] 574-0742.

Play Gym St James Church Hall 116

High St, Masterton, 9.30-11am, for 0-3-year-olds.

Red Star Table Tennis Club 6-8pm at Red Star Sports Association 10 Herbert St, Masterton. Call Peter [027] 566-4664 or Brian 377-4066. Senior Citizens Club Cards 1-4pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Val [06] 308-9293.

Steady As You Go Falls Prevention and Balance Class, Featherston 9.30am, A/G Church. Masterton 1.30pm, Senior Citizens’ Hall, Cole St. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

The Dance Shed 450A Belvedere Rd, Carterton. Beginners Linedance Class: 6-7pm. Linedance Intermediate Class: 7.30-8.30pm. Call Wendy [027] 319-9814.

Troubadour Music Group 6-8pm, Wairarapa Community Centre, 41 Perry St, Masterton. Contact Stefan [027] 226-6019.

Wairarapa Services Club Cards –500, 1.30pm, at the club, Essex St, Masterton.

Wairarapa Stop Smoking Service

Call a Quit Coach based at Whaiora 0800 494 246.

TUESDAY, MAY 9

Caregivers Programme Caring for your loved one who is unwell, at Hospice Wairarapa, 59 Renall St, Masterton. Call Kirsten 399-1050. Clareville Badminton Club Main Stadium at Clareville, 7.30pm -9pm. Call Steve [027] 333-3975. Carrington Bowling Club 57 High Street, Carterton,1pm for 1.30 pm start. Call Pauline Hodgson [027] 406-672. Carterton District Historical Society 142 High St North, Carterton, open 2-4pm or by appointment. Call Vivienne 379-5564 or email carterton.hist.soc@gmail. com Central Indoor Bowls Club 7.30pm, Hogg Crescent hall. Call Mathew or Graeme 378-7554. Chair Exercise Gentle chair exercises, 2-2.45pm, at St John’s Hall, Greytown.

Dance Fitness 6.30-7.30pm, at Fareham House Hall Featherston. Call Justine [0204] 105-2830.

Digital Seniors Wairarapa Call 0800 373 646 for an appointment. Carterton 3 Mile, 66 High St, 9.30-11.30am; Greytown Greytown Library, 1.30-3.30pm.

Fareham Creative Space Open studio, 10am-3pm, 80 Underhill Rd, Featherston. Email: registrations@ farehamcreativespace.nz

Featherston Amateur Wrestling Club During school terms. Classes are weight and skill dependent; Beginners, 5-9 years, 5.30-6.15pm; 10 years+ [including adults] 6.157.30pm.

Featherston Menz Shed 61 Fitzherbert St, open from 10am. Featherston Wahine Singers

7-8.30pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Susan [021] 246-4884. Free Community Fit Club 11am, Carrington Park, Carterton. All ages, all fitness levels. Call Di [027] 498-7261.

Free Literacy and Numeracy Classes At Literacy Aotearoa Masterton. Call Carol [022] 524-5994 or visit us at 340 Queen Street, Masterton. GirlGuiding Masterton Pippins [5-7 years] 3.45-5pm. Call Chrissy Warnock 372-7646.

Justice of the Peace Masterton CAB

11am-1pm. Knit and Natter 3pm, Wairarapa Community Centre, Perry St; 7pm, Te Awhina Cameron Community House,

2 Stuart Cres, Masterton. Other handcrafts encouraged.

Paint/draw From live model,10am-

noon, at Masterton Art Club, Victoria St. Call Elissa Smith [027] 470-6528.

Mah-jong Carterton RSA, 1pm. Call

Margaret 379-8681.

Masterton Alcoholics Anonymous

7.30pm, St Matthew’s Church Hall, 35 Church St. Call Anne 378-2338 or

David [021] 116-5505.

Masterton Croquet Club Golf

Croquet 9.15am behind the Hosking

Garden in the park. Call Russell Ward

377-4401. Masterton Senior Citizens and Beneficiaries Association Meet for social indoor bowls, 500 cards, or a chat 1-3pm, Senior Citizens hall, Cole

St. Call Ngaire 377-0342.

Masterton Toy Library 10am-1pm, at rear of Masterton YMCA, 162

Dixon St, Masterton.

Red Star Table Tennis Club 9am-

noon at Red Star Sports Association

10 Herbert St, Masterton. Call Peter [027] 566-4664 or Brian 377-4066.

Scallyrag Border Morris Dancing

7-8 pm at the Auditorium, Kuranui College, Greytown. Contact

Alison [021] 111-1894 or email

scallyragmorris@gmail.com

Social Bridge At South Wairarapa Workingmen’s Club, 1.30-3.30pm.

Call Lesley [021] 299-6389.

South Wairarapa Badminton Club

Featherston Sports Stadium, Underhill Rd, 7.30pm, rackets available.

South Wairarapa Workingmen’s Club Games afternoon. Call Doff

304-9748.

Taoist Tai Chi 6-7.30pm at St Mark’s Church Hall, 185 High St, Carterton.

Wairarapa Genealogy Branch

Family History Research Rooms, 5 Church St, Masterton, 1-3.30pm.

Wairarapa Modern Jive Carterton School hall, 7.15-7.30pm

Intermediate workshop; 8-8.45pm

Beginners class. Contact Lance [021]

134-5661.

Wairarapa Services Club Cards –Euchre, 1pm, at the club, Essex St, Masterton.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10

AA Meeting At 7.30pm, Epiphany church hall, High St, Solway, Masterton. Call [027] 557-7928.

Athletics Wairarapa Club night, 5.45-7pm, Colin Pugh Sports Bowl, Masterton, all ages and abilities

welcome.

Cards “500”, 1.15-4.15pm, at the Carterton Club. Call Barbara 3796582 or Val 379-8329.

Carterton Cycle Group An informal group of ‘leg power’ and e-power cyclists, from Belvedere Rd [weather permitting] for 20km or 40-60km rides. Call Irene [027] 634-9167 or Lesley [021] 299-6389.

Dance Fitness 9.30-11am, preschoolers with parents or caregivers, music and movement and art, at Fareham House Hall Featherston. Call Justine [0204] 105-2830.

Digital Seniors Wairarapa Call 0800 373 646 for an appointment.

Masterton Citizens Advice, 10-noon.

Free Classes Literacy, language and numeracy for adult learners. Call Literacy Aotearoa 377-4214. Greytown Menz Shed 9am-noon. Call Paul Dodge [021] 0262-6595. GirlGuidingNZ Masterton Brownies, 7-9½ years, 5.30-7pm. Call Sharon [021] 033-0550.

Healing Rooms Confidential prayer for healing or any situation, 2-4pm, at St Matthews Church Hall, Church

St, Masterton, no appointment necessary. Call [027] 245-2819.

Heart of Arts Wairarapa A community gallery, 47 High St North, Carterton, Wed-Fri, 10am-4pm, weekends, 10am-2pm. Juesday Art 10am-12.30pm, AOG Church, Birdwood St, Featherston. Call Julia [06] 308-8109.

Justice of the Peace Masterton CAB

noon-2pm. Kiddie Gym For 0-3-year-olds, 9.3011am, at St David’s Church, corner High and Victoria Sts, Carterton. Call Lorna or Abby 379-8325.

Masterton Art Club 10am-2pm, also print on Fridays, at 12 Victoria St. Call Elissa [0274] 706-528.

Masterton Park Bowling Club

Queen Elizabeth Park, bowls roll up at 1pm, names in by 12.45pm. Call 377-5458.

Masterton Croquet Club

Parkinson’s Singing Group

10am, at the South Wairarapa Workingman’s Club, Main St, Greytown. Call Marguerite Chadwick

379-5376.

Rangatahi to Rangatira Youth Group Join us for sports, food, and leadership, Carterton Events Centre. Text “R2R” to [027] 742-2264.

Recreational Walking Group

9.30am, Essex St car park. Call Ann Jackson, 372-5758, or Ann Duckett, 378-8285.

Scrabble Club 1-4pm, in the stadium meeting room of the Trust House Recreation Centre, 2 Dixon St, Masterton. Phone Sue McRae [027]

449-0601. Silver Ukulele Club 1-3pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Jan [06] 308-8556.

South Wairarapa Caregivers

Programme Caring for your loved one who is unwell, at a café in South Wairarapa. Call Kirsten 399-1050.

Soulway Cooking and Crafts

10am-noon, High St, Masterton. Call Nikki Smith 370-1604 [church office].

Te Runga Scouts Cubs, 6-7.30pm, 45 Harley St, Masterton.

The Dance Shed 450A Belvedere Rd, Carterton. Line Dance Class

6-7pm; Rock N Roll Dance Class: 7.30-

8.30pm, Beginners/Couple Coaching, Social/Competitive. Call Wendy [027]

319-9814.

Wairarapa

Acknowledgements

RANT, Charles Iraia arlie)

Cindy, Clayton and Meg, Lucas and Gemma, Harrison and famili wish to express their heartfelt than to relatives, friends, neighbours and work colleagu who have supported them in various ways following the recent sudden passing of Charlie. We have appreciated the lovely personal messag of sympathy, cards, letters, flowers, food, koha, phonecalls, tributes and visits

A special than to: The Emergency Services

Personnel who attended Charlie; to the ministers a elders who guided and supported us during this time; to those who worked tirelessly behind the scen both at home and the Marae; to all who travelled from near and far to be with us at this time; a to our wonderful local community who supported our visiti whanau We are comforted in the knowledge that Charlie has touched the lives of so many wonderful people. As it is not possible to thank you all individually, pl do accept this a personal acknowledgement to each and every one of you Visit www tributes co nz

Public Notices

CART ERT ON COMMUNI OOD

OLLEC TIV E (C art ert on Foodbank)

Firewood

GUM 4m 3 $680, 2m 3 $400

DOUGLAS˜FIR 2m 3 $390

MACROCARPA 4m 3 $670, 2m 3 $390

SPLIT PINE 4m 3 $560, 2m 3 $330

MANUKA 2m3 $560

BAGGED KINDLING $15each

COMBO’S °2M3 X 2= 4M 3 ˛

GUM & D/FIR $700 GUM & MAC $700

GUM & S/PINE $640 D/FIR & MAC $690

D/FIR & S/PINE $630 MAC & S/PINE $630

MANUKA & D/FIR $920

Trades Services

Employment

WAIRARAPA IME AG E

DELIVER PER ON REQUIRE MAS ER ON RU N

Late night early morning start 6 days a week

We are seeking a fit and reliable person to deliver our newspaper into our readers letterboxes

You will need your own reliable vehicle

ON A NI 027 51 0616 ma il lk lly71@g ma il.

Technology Teacher or Trade pers on Wairarapa College is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated permanent, full -time or parttime Technology Teacher or Tr adesperson. Great communication skills a a willingness to share your knowledge are an advanta ge along with experien in resistant materials includi wood and/or metal

Experienced Tradespersons and Beginning Teachers m apply.

Please contact office@waicol.nz for further information

Applications close May 12th 2023

If you need help with your rental property, call us today! We have preapproved tenants waiting for a home.

EACHER AI E

Wairarapa College is looking to employ a Teacher Aide on af ixed -term contract, 15 hrs per week, term time only, starting soon possible and finishing on 30 April 2024. In this role, you will be supporting a young person to achieve goals both inside and outside the classroom, within our Alternative Educ ation programme

A J Description is available on request

Please apply via email with a copy of your CV included to:

Gaylene Rodgers

Principals A Email: office@waicol.nz

Closing date for these applications is 24 May 2023

Quality in Senior finalists

SENIOR SPORTSWOMEN

Cushla Abraham –Woolhandling

Cushla Abraham represented New Zealand in two woolhandling tests against Australia after winning the Alexandra fine wool woolhandling national title.

Abraham paired with Angela Stevens, the daughter of fourtime Golden Shears Open champion John Kirkpatrick, to upset a more experienced Australian team by six points in Bendigo in November 2022. However, in the second test at the Golden Shears in Masterton, Australia reversed the result, with the series finishing tied at 1-1.

Ocean Bartlett – Cricket

Ocean Bartlett was selected for the NZ Cricket development team tour of India.

The leg-spinner allrounder captained the side in two wins over the West Indies; however, the Indians were a different proposition, with the side losing all five games.

Bartlett went on to make her Hallyburton Johnstone Shield debut for the Central Hinds in their six-wicket win over Northern Districts.

Against Canterbury, she claimed her best figures of 4-60 in her brief List A career.

Sarah Linton –Barefoot Waterskiing, Muay Thai

Sarah Linton won a team’s silver medal and was the sixth-best woman at the 2023 world barefoot waterskiing championships in Australia.

Competing in her seventh world championships, Linton improved one spot from her seventh-place finish at the previous world championships in 2018 in Canada with a fifth place in the open women’s jump, sixth in the tricks, and seventh in the slalom.

At the 2022 Oceania Water ski championships, Linton won a gold medal as the first women’s ultimate skier champion, two silver medals, and three bronze medals.

Linton was also selected

for the NZ Blackgloves team to compete at the 2023 World Muay Thai Championships in Thailand in May.

Tanya Wheeler – Bowls Martinborough’s Tanya Wheeler secured a spot in Wairarapa sporting history with a dramatic victory in the National Champion of Champions singles final.

Wheeler came from 1619 down in the race to 21 shots against Linda Ralph from the powerhouse Carlton-Cornwall club in Auckland, picking up four shots in the penultimate end and then a single shot in the final end to become the first Wairarapa women to win the coveted title.

Wheeler qualified for the Champion of Champions event in Hastings by being the Martinborough club champion and then winning a tournament to represent Wairarapa.

SENIOR SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

Corban Mita –Mixed Martial Arts

Corban Mita won three gold medals for New Zealand at the WKA mixed martial arts at the World Championships in Wales, coming out on top in three different categories.

Mita from Undisputed MMA won gold medals in the men’s 67.1-70kg Combat Boxing, Muay Thai, and Glory Rules and finished as the top individual for New Zealand on the medals table.

Dane Lett – Hockey

Dane Lett reached a personal milestone, making his 100th international appearance for the Black Sticks in the opening match at the 2022 Hockey World Cup in India, a 3-1 victory over Chile. The Black Sticks went on to equal their best performance at a World Cup in finishing seventh.

At the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, New Zealand failed to repeat their silver medal effort of 2018, finishing fifth after missing a place in the semifinals.

Lett also captained Wellington to finish second to Otago at the 2022 National Championships in Dunedin and was playercoach of the Dalefield side, who were third in the Wellington premier men’s championship.

Dwane Garrett – Drag Racing

Dwane Garrett was rewarded for consistency over the 2022-23 season, winning the Top Door Slammer National Championship.

Garrett, in his ‘Torquing Heads’ Chev Camaro, won the Wellington Invasion at Auckland’s Meremere Dragway. Garrett capped his season in March with a stunning victory at Masterton over Kiwi

drag racing legend Tony Marsh in the fastest time and highest speed of the meeting at 6.295 seconds at 221.80mph, with Marsh narrowly behind in 6.395 seconds at 215.83mph.

Paerata Abraham –Shearing Paerata Abraham won the national circuit final for the New Zealand Shearing Championships in Te Kuiti, earning selection for the New Zealand team to compete in Scotland and Wales this June and July.

Abraham won several speed shears throughout New Zealand and Australia, including bagging a $10000 windfall for winning the Hamilton Speed Shear in Victoria.

He also made many shearing finals throughout New Zealand. Those included the Golden Shears Open final, where he was first to complete shearing his 20 sheep in 15 minutes 43.88 seconds.

In the last in the series on the ÿ nalists for the Wairarapa Times-Age Sports Awards, CHRIS COGDALE proÿ les the Senior Sportswomen and Sportsman categories.

Dwane Garrett won the top doorslammer national championship.

PHOTOS/FILE

Tanya Wheeler won the National Champion of Champion singles.

Ocean Bartlett was in the NZC development team to tour India.