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As the door is shut on some of Wairarapa’s iconic events, a marketing campaign is
underway to remind people that visitors continue to be warmly welcome.
Destination Wairarapa general manager Anna Nielson says, “Wairarapa - still plenty to do”, is pitched at visitors who had maybe planned to … View moreAs the door is shut on some of Wairarapa’s iconic events, a marketing campaign is
underway to remind people that visitors continue to be warmly welcome.
Destination Wairarapa general manager Anna Nielson says, “Wairarapa - still plenty to do”, is pitched at visitors who had maybe planned to come to the region for an event but are now having second thoughts because the event has been cancelled.
“All of the things that people love about Wairarapa such as our fabulous food and wine, big open spaces, stunning scenery and so on are all still here, ready and waiting to be enjoyed,” Ms Nielson says.
The New Zealand Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has effectively either cancelled or postponed indefinitely all events and public gatherings of over 500 people.
In Wairarapa, immediately impacted is this weekend’s annual Martinborough Round the Vines and the National Drag Racing competition in Masterton. Other big annual events such as the Wairarapa Balloon Festival over Easter Weekend have also been
either cancelled or postponed.
“These events bring lots of visitors to the Wairarapa, and our message is, although these events are now no longer running, there is still plenty on offer, so please come,” Ms Nielson says.
Tourism spend contributes about $195 million to the Wairarapa economy, employing around 1500 people. There are about 250,000 commercial guest nights in the Wairarapa each year.
“These are extraordinary times, particularly for people working in the tourism industry. As an organisation with over 300 members we need to do whatever we can to help businesses navigate through this period of uncertainty," Nielsen said.
Dear gardeners,
Please note that staff at call centre are currently unable to answer calls due to international Covid-19 restrictions. In the interim, please email your request to subs@mags4gifts.co.nz. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
It is with great disappointment that, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the latest guidelines from the NZ Government – and following extensive consideration by the Featherston Booktown Board of Trustees, Featherston Booktown has decided to cancel the 2020 Festival scheduled for 7-10 May 2020.… View moreIt is with great disappointment that, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the latest guidelines from the NZ Government – and following extensive consideration by the Featherston Booktown Board of Trustees, Featherston Booktown has decided to cancel the 2020 Festival scheduled for 7-10 May 2020.
In making this decision, the Featherston Booktown Board are putting the health and safety of the Featherston community, writers, volunteers, audience members and other guests above all other considerations.
Featherston Booktown Operations Manager, Mary Biggs, says she is sad but grateful to the Board of Trustees for making this very hard decision.
"We want to keep our Featherston community, our writers and visitors safe and well. An enormous amount of work has been done to get to this point, so it’s disappointing that the Programme launch can’t go ahead on the 31st March and that we can’t celebrate the artefact of the book at our Festival in May.”
Featherston Booktown would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused – but hope that in making this call when we have, any inconvenience will be minimised.
The Featherston Booktown Board of Trustees is considering rescheduling the festival to later in the year – or holding it in another form - but this will depend on Government requirements regarding crowd sizes and events.
“We shall continue to monitor the situation and advise the public on our decisions about the Featherston Booktown Festival,” said Chair of the Featherston Booktown Board, Peter Biggs.
We LOVE this offer - free daily tours of the reserve (with entry) .
These are available each day at 12.30pm, for around 45 minutes.
Nice!
Do we need some more shops to join Brown owl Fish & chips shop? Was good when the Dairy was there and the other chip shop. Looks pretty sad now.
If so, what?
- Dairy
- Post office
- barber shop/ hairdresser
- restaurant
- clothing outlet
- $2 shop
Fabulous food and wine, big open spaces, stunning scenery… there’s still lots on to see and do in the Wairarapa. Please help us by reminding your friends and family from outside the region whose holiday plans may have changed that we’re a great option for a quick getaway, take a look here at … View moreFabulous food and wine, big open spaces, stunning scenery… there’s still lots on to see and do in the Wairarapa. Please help us by reminding your friends and family from outside the region whose holiday plans may have changed that we’re a great option for a quick getaway, take a look here at what you can get up to.
Have you found yourself back in the classroom - virtual or otherwise - long after you left school? We’re looking for people who have taken steps to futureproof their careers by upskilling.
Perhaps you’re teaching yourself to code, or maybe you’ve enrolled in an evening class or online … View moreHave you found yourself back in the classroom - virtual or otherwise - long after you left school? We’re looking for people who have taken steps to futureproof their careers by upskilling.
Perhaps you’re teaching yourself to code, or maybe you’ve enrolled in an evening class or online course to help your employment prospects. It might have been something you did with your employer’s blessing, or maybe you’ve struck out on your own.
Maybe you’ve struggled to find work and did it as a way to get back on the career ladder, or perhaps you’re concerned about the pace of change in your field and want to stay ahead.
Whatever your brand of lifelong learning, we want to hear from you - email josephine.franks@stuff.co.nz
Wellington Water's decision to contract an international public relations firm to manage Wellington …
Wairarapa's Balloon Festival has been grounded by coronavirus and other major events are under th…
Hi Neighbours!
Make sure to have your say and spread the word about the Government's proposed 'accessible streets' rule changes.
One of the biggest changes would allow people riding things like bicycles, skateboards and e-scooters (powered scooter) to use the footpath, with a … View moreHi Neighbours!
Make sure to have your say and spread the word about the Government's proposed 'accessible streets' rule changes.
One of the biggest changes would allow people riding things like bicycles, skateboards and e-scooters (powered scooter) to use the footpath, with a speed limit of 15 kilometres per hour.
Find out about all the changes and submit your feedback on this important issue here: bit.ly...
Featherston people are upset their relatively new welcome signs have to come down because they're de…
There's no better time than now to get to know your neighbours, start a Neighbourhood Support group or update your group contact details. Together let's REACH OUT, LOOK OUT, and HELP OUT to keep our communities safe, resilient and connected.
For the latest COVID-19 health advice, visit … View moreThere's no better time than now to get to know your neighbours, start a Neighbourhood Support group or update your group contact details. Together let's REACH OUT, LOOK OUT, and HELP OUT to keep our communities safe, resilient and connected.
For the latest COVID-19 health advice, visit the Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora's website.
We love this 10km or 21km, walk or run through quiet country roads and vineyards in Martinborough. Themed drink stations, live music, samples of local wines. Bring your best activewear or fancy dress! This is a fundraiser for Martinborough School. Enter now!
Autumn may have arrived but rain hasn't, forcing Masterton District Council (MDC) to reintroduce a total garden watering ban.
The ban is triggered by low flows in the Waingawa River, the source of Masterton's drinking water.
Before this summer, Masterton had not experienced total watering… View moreAutumn may have arrived but rain hasn't, forcing Masterton District Council (MDC) to reintroduce a total garden watering ban.
The ban is triggered by low flows in the Waingawa River, the source of Masterton's drinking water.
Before this summer, Masterton had not experienced total watering bans for 10 years, but residents have responded constructively to the bans this summer.
Unsurprisingly, water consumption is highest when the temperatures rise and there has been no significant rainfall.
The maximum usage in Masterton was 17,492,000 litres on 23 January after temperatures had gone past 30 degrees Celsius for a few days prior to the first total ban coming into effect on 27 January.
Consumption dropped by 1,767,000 litres per day after the first full ban and 1,809,000 litres per day after the second ban on 10 February. That’s a saving of around 12 per cent.
MDC's Manager Assets and Infrastructure David Hopman said the council appreciated the conservation efforts of residents.
"We want to thank people for saving water. We know this is a difficult and frustrating time for gardeners, in particular, and we share the frustration with the lack of rain.
"No significant falls are forecast for at least the next five days but the council will, as usual, aim to ease restrictions when flows in the Waingawa increase."
The council is spending $1.6 million a year on renewal of water mains. In the 2018-19 financial year 3.6km of mains were renewed.
Saturday 21 March 9am -1pm ( not before) Kuratawhiti Street, Greytown. Signs out 9am.
Fridge, king single bed, bedside cabinet. Tables, assorted clothes(incl ball dresses),rugs , mirrors , pictures, blankets and much more.
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