Wairarapa Midweek Wed 1st March

Other people’s vegetables

With the cost of living on the rise, Julia Mahony finds there are many ways to stock up on fresh produce, support locals and save a few dollars – even with minimal gardening skills.

Community

Fundraising for good lives

The Mahi Tahi Tatou Charitable Trust is seeking support from the community to help enable good lives for Wairarapa locals with disabilities. Full story P5.

A stalwart of Solway

Solway College pays tribute to its former principal, Morag Murray, who left a lasting impact on the school community. Full story P8.

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A lot more...

To help farmers’ businesses and the environment prosper, we listen to what they need.

Greater Wellington is helping farmers in their efforts to improve their freshwater systems and biodiversity, which helps profitability and their impact on climate change.

Got

it in the bag

Wairarapa archivist Mark Pacey goes back to 1987, when Masterton played host to an iconic Kiwi gameshow. Full story P32-33.

King Street Artworks’ gallery space has re-opened for regular exhibitions – starting with a collection of works from talented potters Linda Thornton and Jacqui Clark. Full story P4.

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Planes and vegetables

worked as a commercial fisherman for a time.

With clear skin and few wrinkles, Alban had always stayed healthy and fit and worn sunscreen for as long as it had been available, Catherine said.

Remarkably, he has been vegetarian for all 100 years of his life. He has never smoked and doesn’t drink.

Born in Greymouth on February 15, 1923, Alban’s parents – also both vegetarian – moved the family to Masterton in time for Alban to attend Central School [now Masterton Primary School], then Wairarapa College.

“Alban then began training as a primary school teacher but the requirement to sing in class put him off,” Catherine said.

Instead, he became a mechanic and began his life-long love of restoring cars and building and flying model aeroplanes, competing in the New Zealand Model Aeroplane Championships. He also

Of course, Alban was involved in World War II, starting off in the New Zealand Army, but transferring to the Air Force due to his interest in aeroplanes. He married Catherine in 1964 after meeting her at a dance at Kopuaranga, north of Masterton, close to her home of Mauriceville.

The pair had four sons and have spent their almost 60 years of marriage travelling extensively, spending long periods of time in Australia during winter.

“For five or six years, Alban and I played 54 holes of golf a week around the New South WalesQueensland border,” Catherine said. “We were still travelling together when Alban was 96 –Edinburgh in Scotland is one of his favourite places.”

Alban’s mother lived to the age of 96, and his grandfather to age 99. His heritage is Swiss-Italian.

Catherine is not vegetarian but joined Alban in his healthy eating.

“We would eat colossal amounts of fruit and vegetables – potatoes were a mainstay of our meals.”

Alban still enjoys his vegetables, many of them from the couple’s

School event rejigged

Despite a difficult few weeks for many alumni and the current school community, Wairarapa College is going ahead with its centenary celebrations next week – with a few small tweaks.

From March 10 to 12, the college will be hosting several events to mark its 100th anniversary – and has organised a modified programme, bearing Cyclone Gabrielle and the recent national emergency in mind.

“The impact of Cyclone Gabrielle has resulted in a need to not only celebrate our proud history as a community school – but

also to raise funds for those in the community and Wairarapa College alumni who are in need,” principal Matt White said. White said the impact had led to a centenary committee decision to reshape some events without losing the overall celebratory feel.

For example, the Saturday evening dinner in the Wairarapa College Hall will be combined with the planned 1920s ball and revamped into a bigger gala celebration. The ticket price for the celebration has been reduced to encourage a wider audience.

In addition, the overall centenary event will have multiple donation opportunities available throughout the weekend.

Starting life as Wairarapa High School in 1923, the school merged with Masterton Technical School in 1938, then taking the name Wairarapa College.

“We have a proud history of serving the Wairarapa as its largest community school,” centenary committee chair Jason Kerehi said.

“It is fitting that we once again get behind the community when it is needed.”

large garden. “He has a sweet tooth, eats dark chocolate and loves fruit cake,” Catherine said. “His birthday cakes have always been carrot cakes, and he enjoys Greek-style yoghurt.”

Alban’s day activity group Wairarapa Care

Masterton Mayor Gary Caffell, and Deputy Mayor Bex Johnson.

“Alban has had a very busy, wonderful life,”

Catherine said. “We’ve always had big properties to look after which

100 years ago.

kept him occupied after retirement. We enjoy watching old movies together. And he still has a very good sense of humour.”

When asked what it felt like to be 100, Alban replied with a smile: “Not much different.”

WaiCol alumni are still welcome to register to attend the centenary on the event’s website and Facebook page. Tickets are still available for the gala celebration, but numbers

are limited.

“It is our Wairarapa community, as well as our alumni, which we will be celebrating. It’s not too late to register for the three days of exciting events we have on offer,”

Kerehi said.

• More information about the changes to the Wairarapa College centenary programme can be found at waicolcentenary.nz

Stories of life fired into pottery

After a covid-induced hiatus, King Street Artworks’ [KSA] gallery space is once again hosting solo and joint exhibitions – starting with a collection that would not be out of place “at any major art gallery” overseas.

“Quite a lot more...”, featuring work from experienced potters Linda Thornton and Jacqui Clarke, opened at the King Street Art Gallery last Saturday morning, with a crowd of friends, whānau and KSA artists in attendance.

The exhibition is the culmination of a year’s work for the two artists: Showcasing a range of functional and decorative pieces – vessels, busts, jewellery, wall hangings and eye-catching ornamental fruit – in understated yet striking colour palettes.

KSA is a free, open-door creative space where, supported by a team of tutors, artists of all abilities can experiment with a range of artistic mediums. It has an active ceramics studio where Thornton and Clark met 10 years ago.

KSA has now, after having paused them due to the pandemic, reinstated its regular exhibitions at the King Street Art Gallery, allowing artists to display and sell their work.

At the opening for “Quite a lot more...”, studio coordinator Ian Chapman praised Thornton and Clark for “providing us with work of an exceptional standard”.

“Linda and Jacqui’s art could easily be on display in any major art gallery around the world,” he said.

“This is the first solo

or semi-solo show we’ve had in a few years, and it’s great to kick off with work of such high quality.”

Clark said the exhibition’s title is a tribute to the communal nature of KSA and the inspiration gained from their fellow artists over the years.

“We felt like the pieces in this exhibition work together as a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts,” she said.

“It reflects the experience of creating work in a shared space. You learn so much from the other artists – you’re always absorbing different ideas, different styles, different types of creativity.

“Each of my pieces carries all the people I’ve met at King Street – the conversations, the friendships, the lessons they’ve passed on. It’s a tapestry of my time here.”

Although Thornton and Clark have shown individual pieces at Aratoi, in both KSA’s annual exhibition and the Wairarapa Art Review, this is the first full collection they have exhibited.

Thornton was previously a profilic silversmith, specialising in jewellery making – but found she needed a new direction, as concentrating on detailed and intricate pieces was triggering headaches.

Her friend and neighbour invited her to KSA, where she decided to try ceramics, “something [she] had always wanted to do”.

“I loved that it was such a relaxed, non-

competitive environment.

It was nothing like taking art classes, where you’re under pressure to produce a result.

“You just sit there, fiddle around with a piece of clay, and see how it evolves. And, after all the tiny jewellery I made, it was really rewarding to make something big.”

Thornton’s exhibition pieces are mostly sculpted in black clay, which she enjoys for the depth it produces – “especially when touched with gold”.

“Black clay has a real glow to it, it’s tactile, and all the carvings show up beautifully. It makes everything look striking and different.

“Why not, for example, have a black apple and pear?”

Clark, who grew up in a “very artistic family” in South Africa, discovered KSA when her son attended the studio as a homeschooled student –and she started attending to lift her own mental health.

Her pottery is mostly inspired by the natural world – and her current body of work is heavily influenced by the eucalyptus trees on her property and the shapes found in their leaves, twigs, and bark.

“Their bark is like a skin

– all the patterns, textures, pigments and scars. We all wear our story on our skin, and trees are no different.

“I also have an affinity for eucalyptus trees as they’re imported. I myself am an immigrant and am a naturalised citizen of New Zealand. Eucalyptus trees are the same.”

She and Thornton are thankful for the encouragement and support they have received from their tutors and the wider KSA community, allowing them to hone their skills and grow in confidence.

Both believe ceramics has taught them patience

– as clay can, at times, be notoriously difficult to work with.

“Anything can go wrong – pieces can break in the kiln, colours can come out differently than you planned, glazes can crack. You come to expect the unexpected,” Thornton said.

“We ceramics artists are on the journey together. When something goes well, we’re all thrilled to bits. If not, we share in the misery!”

• “Quite a lot more...” will be on display at the King Street Art Gallery, 16 Queen St, until March 18.

Drive for good lives

A Wairarapa disability organisation is seeking community support to “enable good lives” for its participants.

The Mahi Tahi Tatou Charitable Trust was set up in 2021 to support people with disabilities in Wairarapa – and to empower disabled school leavers to participate in their communities through education, employment, creative and sporting opportunities.

The trust runs a day programme from its Masterton premises, as well as several social enterprises, a drop-in centre, and advocacy and information services for disabled locals and whānau.

The organisation, previously reliant on grants and donations, is now holding a fundraising drive to help it cover operational costs and continue providing accessible services.

Fundraisers include a pop-up shop, Givealittle page, raffles, market stalls – and “anything else we can think of”, trust chairwoman Rebecca Stevens said.

Stevens established the trust to create opportunities for disabled rangatahi once they leave school – particularly for those excluded by other providers or who had

struggled during the covid pandemic.

“The inital trustees all had children who were 10 to 12 years old. We thought we had about 10 years to get organised – but the need is now,” she said.

“The services we provide are either free or below cost, as we want to meet the needs of people who have fallen through the cracks.

“During covid, a lot of services were reduced or ceased, and many have not started back up again. We’re working with school leavers who were turned away from other services because they were ‘too hard’ or didn’t come with enough funding

“We need to be sustainable in the long

term – so we’re looking for new ways to fund our organisation.”

The trust holds its day programme three days a week – where participants can learn life skills, work towards finding employment, attend weekly crafting groups, and do woodwork projects at the on-site workshop.

The organisation has also incorporated a lawn mowing and gardening business to help support disabled people into employment.

The trust runs a line dancing class in partnership with Wairarapa Age Concern and a social ten pin bowling group – as well as managing a bowling team for Special Olympics Wairarapa – and is setting

Let’s go fly a ... dog

up a weekly programme on Arrow FM.

As part of its fundraising drive, the trust has established a pop-up shop in the old Percy’s Mart on Queen St, which Stevens hoped would eventually provide volunteering and employment opportunities for disabled people.

Stevens said the initial funds raised would go towards a wheelchair accessible vehicle – “so we can get more people to community events and activities”.

• For more information about fundraising for the trust, email mahi. tahi.tatou.trust@gmail. com or search Mahi Tahi Tatou Charitable Trust on Facebook.

The Wairarapa Balloon Festival 2023 in early April will have two new balloons adding to its wow factor.

The first balloon will be Buster the British Bulldog, whose cheeky canine grin and wagging tongue has had outings at various international events, including the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in England.

The second balloon will be the Transit Van, flown by Martyn Stacey of Christchurch.

The five-day festival will feature 20 towering creations in the air over the Easter weekend. Other attractions include air balloon walkthroughs, tiger moth performances, drone racing, model

aeroplane displays, and live music from The Shenanigans.

Event director Peter Aymes said there’s much to look forward to at the event.

“It promises to be a joyful and vibrant extravaganza not to be missed – irrespective of what the weather throws at us,” he said.

“Each day has a special highlight, and local towns will host planned ascensions, including Masterton, Carterton, Greytown, Martinborough – and one more mystery location on Easter Monday.”

• The festival begins on April 6 in Masterton at 6.30am.

Local history launch soldiers on

A keen crowd of Wairarapa bookworms braved wild weather to celebrate a new local history – including two special guests from Wellington.

On February 17, Masterton District Library hosted the launch for Our New Zealand Home: the story of the United States Marine Corps [USMC] servicemen stationed in Masterton during World War II.

Our New Zealand Home, by Wairarapa archivist Mark Pacey, explores the relationship between the Masterton community and the USMC soldiers, who camped at Solway Showgrounds in 1943 while on leave from combat in the Pacific.

The book, published by Pacey’s label Gosson Publishing, comprises anecdotes sourced from oral history recordings –digitised by the Wairarapa Archive – which recalled the Americans bringing vibrancy and youthful hijinks to “a town darkened by years of war”.

Despite Cyclone Gabrielle and the ominous weather conditions, close to 50 people attended the launch, among them two representatives from the

Embassy of the United States: Office of Defense cooperation chief Major Tom Adams [USMC] and defense attaché Colonel Matt Sova [US Army].

Pacey admitted “not many people would host a launch in the midst of a cyclone” – but the date set for the event was significant, as it was 80 years to the day since the first USMC servicemen arrived in Masterton.

He said it was “heartwarming” to witness the community’s support for Our New Zealand Home and its recognition of the USMC’s role in New Zealand history: To protect the country from hostile advances while our own own troops were fighting overseas.

“The Marines’ stay in Masterton is a small part of their history, but an essential one,” Pacey told the audience.

“It is important we know who these men were, where they came from, and what they did for our country.

“Our New Zealand Home aims to bring their story back into public knowledge. It has been an honour to walk in their footsteps and tell their stories.”

Between 1942 and 1944, there were between 15,000 and 45,000 American

servicemen stationed in New Zealand – including the USMC’s Third and Fourth Defense Battalions based in Wairarapa.

As Pacey’s book makes clear, Masterton locals largely embraced the Americans: Inviting them for Sunday roasts and to help with pest control on farms, helping iron their uniforms, and setting up a

community watering hole, the American Red Cross Services Club.

Pacey said he received great support from members of the current USMC while writing and researching Our New Zealand Home – and was heartened to have Major Adams and Colonel Sava attended the launch.

“The special guests from

the US Embassy were very friendly to everyone. They were even asked to sign a few copies of the book,” he said.

“One of the main points of the book is to show the bond that was made between our two countries during the war. It’s very touching to see that that bond still going strong.”

Pacey is the author of

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.

St

John

several local histories, including The Lost Wrecks of Wairarapa – inspired by his popular local shipwrecks series, printed in the Times-Age.

• Our New Zealand Home is available at Hedley’s Booksellers and Paper Plus in Masterton and can be ordered online at gosson.co.nz

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.

Store, 19 Chapel Street, Masterton

A stalwart of Solway

Former Solway College principal Morag Murray died in Edinburgh, Scotland on February 14, 2023, after a brief illness.

Miss Murray, as she was known to two decades of Solway students, emigrated to New Zealand on her “overseas adventure” after finishing her Master of Arts at Edinburgh University. Before her death, Miss Murray said she never wanted to go to university – but she was strongly encouraged to use her brain.

After a brief stint as Solway deputy-principal Miss Murray, not yet 30 years old, took the principal’s job in 1969 and remained in the role until halfway through 1989.

Many former seventh form [Year 13] students from various Wairarapa colleges will remember going to Solway for English lessons with Miss Murray. The college principals had come up with a scheme to share the best teaching resources, and Miss Murray was recognised for her ability to bring English to life and engage students.

During the 1970s, she started Solway’s “School Sisters” programme:

“To encourage caring for each other, especially as the newbies could be so homesick”. The programme continues today and has grown to include three scheduled activities each term. Miss Murray also started the “Horizons” programme, a version of which still runs each week, giving students the opportunity to explore their interests and develop their talents.

Another of Miss Murray’s achievements was starting a fund to secure mini

busses for the school. When she had the first bus, she took all the school prefects to Auckland to stay with Solway Old Girls Association [SOGA] life member and former president Janet Coombes. There was a SOGA reunion there at the time, and she remembered a lot of fun and laughter.

One change Miss Murray said she happily made in the 1970s was to the school uniform – changing it from gym tunics and stockings [“the girls looked like

A flipping good Easter

sacks of potatoes!”] to a fashionable green trouser suit.

In 1984, she let the seventh formers choose their uniform, and they chose a kilt. The rest of the school supported the change, and the Ferguson tartan kilt remains the uniform today.

Miss Murray left Solway, and her many Masterton friends, after 20 years and spent some time in charge of O’Rorke Hall at the University of Auckland.

She returned to Scotland and spent her later years living independently in a retirement complex in Edinburgh. At the complex, she headed the residents’ committee for some years, going into bat for her fellow residents when they needed change.

But she was not always “the Principal”. Morag Murray will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humour, her caring nature, and her enduring faith.

She is survived by her sister Isla and several cousins, who lived near her in Scotland.

• Felicity Anderson is a former Solway College student and life member of the Solway Old Girls Association.

St Matthew’s Collegiate kicked o˜ the Easter season last week with its annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Race: A sprint to the ÿ nish line, complete with tasty breakfast food. The race is a long-standing school tradition to mark the customary feast day before Lent – where rich ingredients are used up in preparation for the season.

Year 7 to 11 students participate in the race in teams of four. One team member cooks the pancake, while others run a relay with the pancake and frypan, ˛ ipping it at least once.

This year, the girls competed in school house teams, with Batten House emerging victorious.

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MARCHINGTOWARDSAUTUMN

ARE YOU GROWING YOUR OWN FOOD YET?

The awful weather events recently have been another sad, but important, reminder that growing at least some of our own food at home is extremely wise. Many crops are going to be severely limited, or non-existent, and prices are set to skyrocket. There was a similar uncertainty during the lockdowns. Many people decided that becoming self-su˜ cient was the way to go, no doubt they’re grateful for the head start they have now.

Vegepods have become extremely popular over the past few years, and for good reason. These wonderful raised gardens are self watering, protect from bugs, space saving & very productive.

There’s plenty to plant: kale, silverbeet, pak choi, leeks, celery and sow our ican seeds of beetroot, broad beans, carrots, peas and spinach. We highly recommend sowing our ican Chef’s Best seeds for an increased success rate. It’s a good time to plant some herbs too - chives, mint, thyme, oregano and marjarom are some.

Growing food from home doesn’t have to be done on a big scale to make it worthwhile. Many delicious crops can be grown in pots, or even buckets; fruit trees can be espaliered along fences to save room; there are apple trees that grow in a columnar habit and hedges of feijoas and olives can give you food as well as privacy.

If you’re unsure where to begin come in and see us for friendly advice and handy information brochures. The sooner you start the sooner you’ll be eating your own home grown goodness.

GROW IN STYLE

Providing your family with home grown food would be even easier if you treated yourself to a NZ made Winter Gardenz greenhouse. Just imagine what you could grow, all year round!

ROSE CARE

 Stop dead heading now so hips can develop for winter colour. Hips are the fruit, or seed pods, of roses, and will only form on plants that haven’t been pruned too early, or if some blooms are left to mature. Hips can be made into tea, jams or jellies and have many natural beneÿ ts.

 Feed roses with Sulphate of Potash to help harden up new wood before winter.

 Continue regular sprays to control pests and diseases, Combat 3-in-1 is one recommendation.

 Regular applications of Wairarapa’s own seaweed tonic, Seamite, increases overall plant health.

 Add a layer of Daltons Mulch and Grow which will help keep moisture in and keep weeds away.

SPRING BULB TIME

Now is the time to stock up on Anemones, Dutch Irises, Freesias, Gladiolis, Hyacinths, Muscari, Ranunculus and Scilla. This is just the beginning of the bulbs, more varieties will come, but once they’re gone they’re gone.

We are now in March, which means summer is almost coming to an end, and the busy but wonderful Autumn Garden season is set to begin. Gardening is so good for you so why not take any opportunity you can to get out there to help your garden thrive.

LIONS CLUB OF CARTERTON SPUD N BAG

WEIGH IN & JUDGING

SUNDAY MARCH 26

SUMMER PRUNING

When your stone fruit (peaches, plums, apricots) ÿ nish fruiting, that is the time to give them a summer prune. It’s important pruning is done while the trees are in full leaf to prevent silver leaf infection getting in. Summer pruning is done to control size and shape and to get rid of any inferior branches. It is worthwhile splashing out and buying quality pruning tools. Not only will these last a long time (some warranties are for 25 years), they will also cut better, be easier to use and get the job done quicker.

German

tools are just one top quality brand we stock

A hive of activity at Taratahi

Thanks to a “generous grant”, enthusiastic committee, and active Carterton community, a historic rural landmark has a new lease on life.

The West Taratahi Community Hall on Chester Rd is emerging as a hive of activity and a well-used events hub for Carterton locals – which its committee hopes will continue following some significant renovations.

In January, the hall’s committee made a successful bid for funding from the Lotteries Commission – used to cover several upgrades to the 130-year-old building including new kitchen facilities, a heat pump, water filter, and portable wheelchair ramp.

The renovations were inspired by renewed interest in the hall as a community facility – now host to various activities, from exhibitions, to family gatherings, to puppy preschools.

The committee is seeking funding for further upgrades, including ceiling insulation and more accessible facilities for the outdoor toilet blocks.

The hall is going against the grain: In recent

years, several community halls throughout rural Wairarapa have faced closure, due to lack of funds and limited use, including the nearby Belvedere Hall.

A committee spokesperson said the building’s renaissance is “timely” – considering the role community halls played as emergency hubs during Cyclone Gabrielle.

“Given the recent flooding disasters, centres like this should be retained and used – as it’s during times of crisis that neighbours and community are vital.

“When there is a disaster, community halls can be important places for people to gather and find safety and support.

“Plus, it’s good for social cohesion. Even in rural areas, a lot of people still don’t know their neighbours. Having a shared space for events helps people get to know one another and form relationships.’’

The hall, built in 1894, originally housed the old Taratahi West School, which had a roll of about 25 pupils – many of whom walked to school, crossing several creeks along the way.

One of the Taratahi West alumni, Ian Phelps,

attended the school during World War II, and is now an active member of the hall’s committee.

Now 87, Ian cycled to Chester Rd from Masterton to carry out regular cleaning duties and raise the hall’s flag – but had to stop recently, due to increased traffic.

By the late 1960s, a dwindling roll saw the school close its doors, and ownership of the building was returned to the Crown.

The space was used as a community hall, with the rented property on the site – the old schoolmaster’s house – bringing in a consistent income stream.

In the last five years, the committee has worked hard to attract more community interest in the space – starting with clearing the land [which had been used as a rubbish dump] and planting a large native garden.

The hall is now used by a “diverse group of people” – including for band practices, craft groups, fitness classes, a puppy training school on the front lawn, and an exhibition by Carterton painter Kathy Bartlett.

It has also recently been booked for a wedding and a 60th birthday party.

Further, the hall is

included as a stop point on the planned Norfolk Road Trail, a multi-purpose walking and cycling trail along Norfolk and Chester Roads.

The hall committee is thankful to the volunteers and professionals responsible for the renovations: Including ArbInnovations, Cooper Farm Services, Rummages, Wairarapa Lawnmasters and local builder Hank Groeneweg.

• For more information about booking the hall for an event, contact the committee at WestTaratahiHall@ outlook.com

Other people’s fruit and veg

In a hazy childhood memory, I’m picking peas in a field. I think my grandmother is there, bent over beside me.

It could have been Carterton. It must have been Christmas time and we probably flicked the peas from their shells into an old metal colander on the kitchen bench of Nana’s farmhouse.

Years later, my daughters picked berries at Palmer’s farm and table grapes from Fantail Grove in Greytown. Since then, pick-your-own hasn’t been available much in Wairarapa, perhaps for health and safety reasons.

As Ed Cooke of Molewood Orchard says, some 25 Greytown orchards have vanished since the late 1980s, much of the land used for housing.

This autumn, Ed and his family will offer pick-yourown apples to the public at “reasonable prices”. In Ōpaki, Tūrutu Orchard has

created nostalgic fun with pick-your-own blueberries.

This tiny re-hatching of pick-your-own comes as we baulk at the price of fruit and veg in supermarkets, with encouragement to grow food at home.

I won’t be growing vegetables – I’m more of an observational gardener. Our home has nice ornamentals and one ancient, healthy lemon tree, and they’re enough. And we’ve had unexpected supplies: Over one boundary fence hangs our neighbour’s beanstalk, from which I’ve plucked a few leathery strips for the dinner pot. Over another, a neighbour’s passionfruit winds through our laurel hedge. In classic nongardener form, I told my family the unripe green balls hanging from the vine were tamarillos, or ‘tree tomatoes’ as they used to be called.

My bachelor uncle, who wore a black pirate patch after losing an eye

in the war, would make a delicious tree tomato cake. He was a great gardener, but my sister reminded me that he would ‘self-irrigate’ his flourishing vege patch, then give the produce to neighbours.

It’s a joy that people like the Cookes are enabling us to pick something from the source, having been nurtured by their hands. Nearby in Greytown is the perennial Pinehaven shop, with its own ready-picked goodness.

On Te Ore Ore Rd in Masterton, a family continues to sell their own veg from a roadside shed, operating largely through word-of-mouth as different crops are ready. The matriarch who tends the shop uses the family abacus, brought from China. Potatoes and eggs are good value at her shop now.

My fruitgrowing attempts have usually involved buying some little trees, leaving them to suffer in the

frost or parched earth –then moving house.

But last spring, a raspberry cane was plonked in a sunny corner to mark my daughter’s birthday. Told it wouldn’t fruit for a year, we forgot about it.

Just a few weeks later, I was stomping through rain-soaked weeds to gather at least four plump raspberries a day. Sometimes six. I did zilch to help those fellas along.

Then last week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Masterton man Alban Carmine, who has been a vegetarian for his entire 100 years. He

Has all this piqued my interest in growing edibles in an organised fashion? Not a bean. As more people offer the chance to share the fruits of their labour where they are grown, I’ll gladly drive to gather them. Sign up to wonky produce boxes, attend farmers’ markets, romantically forage for blackberries and buy frozen veg if the price is right.

Not as local as my own garden, but it’s supporting locals. With pea weevils banished, maybe one day I can re-live that hazy Christmas memory.

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STREET TALK

Nikki King

A decent curry –a balti probably, or a madras with naan bread and onion bhaji.

Tracey Higgins Steak, Parkvale mushrooms, roasted potatoes and salad with no dressing.

Haylee Carswell Greek salad and lemon meringue pie.

Debbie Flannery Roast chicken and roast potatoes.

CONTACT US

Miriam Coulter Smorgasbord.

Karen Roberts Baked Alaska.

Robert Mackenzie Scotch llet stu ed with oysters, blue cheese and avocado on top, a salad and taro chips.

Jean Cretney Roast pork with crackling, apple sauce and vegetables.

Janine Cardno Oysters.

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

Richard Alan Dahlberg

Never-ending snacks.

Cheryl Jaggard Wiener schnitzel with mashed potato, coleslaw and chips. If I could t in dessert, I would have mum’s pavlova.

Vanessa Maxwell

Everything!

Debbie Carman

I wouldn’t care what was on the menu, as long as I could share it with all my favourite people.

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.

If I could choose my last meal on Earth, it would be…

Century-old carvings and sketches on show

Aratoi’s new exhibition, Conversations through Time, showcases work by Alice Vallance Hosking and Kirsty Gardiner.

This exhibition has been a long-held dream for Gardiner, after she discovered Hosking’s work while working in the Aratoi Collection Store years ago.

Gardiner said it felt strange to create an exhibition showcasing not only her own work, but that of a woman who died 100 years ago.

“She was all around me, turning up in all aspects of my life. She not only grew up not far from my home but carved the grandfather

clock – one of my enduring memories of the old Arts Centre in Masterton, on permanent display with strollers parked up against it whilst mums and their babes enjoyed the cafe.

“Both of us rely on the simplicity of form, the conveyance of the natural world and the emphasis on handmade.”

Hosking, born in 1859, was a prolific carver and painter. Aratoi has a significant assortment of her works in the collection store, including a box of sketch books, a carved bench and a carved grandfather clock.

Her carvings epitomised

the idea of the Arts & Crafts Movement which was taking hold across Britain and the colonies in mid-19th century. It was a reaction against a perceived decline in standards that the reformers associated with machinery and factory production. The movement was notable for its celebration of organic materials, simple forms, attention to patterns which were all inspired by nature.

Hosking was a prominent figure in the Masterton community; she petitioned for suffrage in 1893 and was a founding member of the Ranfurly

Club which opened in 1899. This venue was a place where women could come to have lunch, afternoon tea, meet friends or interview servants. Hosking had been to London where similar ladies’ clubs were popular.

Alice Vallance Hosking and Kirsty Gardiner: Conversations through Time is showing at Aratoi until April 2.

Let us help you fill in your census form

Census appointment

Happy New Year to all our readers. It seems late in the year to be wishing you these sentiments but some of you may be aware that our Bureau only opened up again for business on February 18. This was due

Citizens Advice Bureau has been appointed as an Assisted Completion Location [ACL] for the 2023 Census. This involves supporting people across Wairarapa to complete their census forms and ensure they are counted in the census.

Stats NZ takes the privacy and confidentiality of survey respondents and their information seriously. As an ACL

period starts on February 13 and continues to the end of April. Who has to complete the census forms?

Everyone who is in Aotearoa New Zealand on Census Day, March 7. If a person is experiencing homelessness, do they have to fill in the Dwelling Form?

Yes

If the person is an international visitor, do they have to fill in a census form?

Yes. They must complete the first nine questions of

No. Census forms must not be photocopied for any each form has a unique QR code that links the form to Will ACLs be supplied with

people in completing the paper census forms they bring in themselves or help

them order paper forms. We can also support people to do the census online using the private access code printed on their census letter or we can help them request an access code. Are census forms available in different formats or languages?

People can complete their census forms online in English or Te Reo Māori.

There are three different options for paper forms:

• English standard print

• Bi-lingual English/Te

Reo Māori standard print

• English large print

A braille copy of the census questions is also available on request. Is their support available in other languages?

The census website has guidance and information in 27 different languages in addition to English and Te Reo Māori. This includes New Zealand Sign Language [NZSL]

videos. The 0800 CENSUS [0800 236 787] freephone helpline will also provide support in nine different languages [English, Te Reo Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Hindi and Punjabi].

Help Statistics NZ by filling in your census form – if you have trouble filling it in we can assist you. This is a free service and your information remains confidential.

THE ROAD FORWARD IN WAIRARAPA

“You deserve support, it’s never too late,” says Tony Thorn, peer worker and General Manager of The Road Forward.

With an office now in Masterton, The Road Forward is currently funded to work with male survivors of sexual harm in Wairarapa. There’s no cost, no judgement, and no limits on your access to support. Privacy is absolute.

“We use the term sexual harm,” says Tony, “to include any experience where a sexual boundary has been crossed, causing us harm. As survivors ourselves, our job as peer workers is to be present for whatever support is needed.”

2023 statistics from the Ministry of Social Development shows that one in six males are sexually harmed by the age of 16. Research suggests that the prevalence of sexual harm is, alarmingly, even more common for gay and bi-sexual males. About 50 percent (one in every two) transsexual males are sexually harmed at least twice by the age of 16.

“To put that into context, there are about 500 rugby teams in New Zealand. If we assume an average of 12 players per team, that’s about 6,000 men and boys playing rugby. Based on the statistics, about 1,000 of those may have been sexually harmed.”

Research tells us it can take men 20 years to come forward and disclose and seek help after sexual harm. “The

Wastewater testing vital for towns

concept surrounding masculinity keeps men silent.”

It can also take years to reach the top of a waiting list for ACC-funded counselling for sexual harm survivors. Peer workers at The Road Forward know from their own experiences that the sooner a survivor discloses and seeks support, the sooner they can start to lead happier lives.

“Getting support is so important,” says Taylor. “Survivors keep themselves isolated, living in a ‘fight or fight’ mode, expecting to be hurt again, and struggling to trust anyone especially if they’ve been harmed by a member of their family, whānau, or church – someone they should be able to trust.”

“It’s never too late, but the earlier the better. We can walk alongside survivors whether or not they’ve sought counselling, are waiting for counselling, or are already receiving counselling.”

Reach out to The Road Forward. You will be responded to within four hours, no matter how you make contact.

Support is entirely client-led. You might want to sit with a peer worker and simply have a cup of tea in the knowledge they understand you, or go for a walk together, or cry, or talk either over the phone or in person. Group and social options are also available to help reduce isolation. Call, text, or email today.

Call 0800 118 104 | Text 021 118 1043

Email support@theroadforward.org.nz

Visit www.theroadforward.org.nz

Wastewater testing for covid-19 is becoming increasingly important as individual testing dwindles.

Covid-19 in wastewater is monitored by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research [ESR]. It published results on the prevalence of the virus and the most common variants in the community.

Masterton-based epidemiologist Roger Morris said the Ministry of Health’s recording of cases via RAT and PCR tests was reliable a year ago, but that was no longer the case.

“When individual testing and reporting was high [during the pandemic’s peak] last year, it matched very closely with the amount of covid in the wastewater.

“The ESR dashboard

shows the Wellington region is not individually testing nearly as much this year as they were between March and November last year.

“Individual reporting was far more accurate, but as people stopped reporting their results at the end of last year, Wellington wastewater has a higher rate of cases than individual reporting.”

However, Morris said there was a close correlation between the two data sets.

Morris said he was impressed by how accurate the covid-19 wastewater detection was since the wastewater surveillance first started in late 2020.

“Wastewater testing can not only detect that there is covid in the population, but it detects even small amounts of the virus. If five to 10 people in the population get covid, it will show up in the wastewater surveillance.”

He said the surveillance works well for covid-19 but wasn’t effective for all viruses, as it depended on how human bodies excrete it.

“Some respiratory viruses are only excreted from the lungs, not faeces or urine, so they don’t appear in wastewater.”

ESR uses a Quantitative RT-PCR to test the prevalence of covid-19 in the community. The testing is done quantitatively, meaning it measures the amount of RNA from the the spike protein, and from there can work out how much viral RNA is in the wastewater.

In Wairarapa, according to the wastewater, covid-19 had increased in Featherston, Greytown and Masterton, but decreased in Martinborough compared with the previous week, as of February 12. Carterton reported no change.

PROSTATE CANCER

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:

E: admin@changewairarapa.org.nz www.changewairarapa.org.nz

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Newest Kiwi chick thriving

Pūkaha kickstarted 2023 by welcoming another kiwi chick to the world.

On January 24, Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre hatched the 117th kiwi of its kiwi breed for release programme.

The chick is a North Island brown kiwi, of which there is an estimated population of 24,500 in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Lucky visitors to Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre during the last week of January were greeted with a special treat. Visitors were able to catch a glimpse of the cute kiwi chick during its scheduled feeding and health check.

At around 10 days old, the little one started exploring the brooder [a heatcontrolled house for chicks] at night, which meant it was introduced to logs and other natural items it could forage.

The Pūkaha conservation rangers’ team has been lovingly monitoring its growth and can confirm that it is progressing beautifully.

“The kiwi is doing very well and has now reached its milestone mark of 400 grams. At the 400-gram mark, our kiwi is now big and mature enough to move into our nocturnal house,” said Tara Swan, senior conservation ranger at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre.

What’s next for the

new kiwi chick?

Very soon a DNA test will be taken to confirm whether our new kiwi is a

boy or girl

A name will then be given to it, based on its personality. In March it will be joining Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre’s older

chick Niwha in the nocturnal house

You can enjoy seeing a few cute photos of this newly hatched goodness until then. Be sure to follow us on Facebook or Instagram @pukahanz for

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Castlepoint Races is a unique event which has drawn crowds from throughout Wairarapa and beyond. It’s celebrating 150 years in 2023.

A blend of family fun and some betting on the horses, laced with laughter, is on o˜ er. ° ere’s fun for the fashion conscious, the kids, and those just wanting a great day out at the beach.

From day one it’s always been hairy organising horses to race on Castlepoint beach. In the late 1800s, organisers had to ensure some riders were sober enough to negotiate the race, so riotous and raw were the ÿ rst races. Continuous years in the

1990s and 2000s, saw the sand disappear on the beach, and protruding rocks cancelled race a˝ er race.

In 2023, two cyclones bent their fury in the coastal region. Cyclone Hale washed away the sand exposing rocks and Cyclone Gabrielle brought the sand back burying the rocks.

° e stage is therefore set for a great day of beach racing on Saturday 11 March 2023. Racing starts around 1pm.

Buses depart from Farriers car park, Masterton at 10.30am, tickets for the bus can be purchased from the website www.castlepointracingclub.com for $25 (includes bus & entry to the races)

Sand, sea and hoofbeats.

Horse racing on Castlepoint Beach dates to the early days of pakeha settlement at the coast.

Flying hooves pounded the sand long before there was a Castlepoint Racing Club. First settled by ˜ omas Guthrie in 1848, Castlepoint was one of the main resting places for travellers riding up and down the coast. Its dramatic geography and sheltered bay were a natural destination. Informal horse racing was a popular social occasion for the hardworking farming folk where the horse was a prized and necessary animal. ˜ e horses were importations from Australia, beautiful animals with sturdy constitutions and staying power. “Old Tom” and “Black Turk” were names given to the early racehorses. ˜ e horsemen backed their horses against each other, and bottles of rum were the welcome prize. ˜ omas Guthrie encouraged sporting evenings on the beach front of his station, with the workers taking part in various athletic activities. ˜ e more organised horse racing morphed from these occasions.

˜ ere are no written records until Boxing Day 1872 when racing occurred on John Morrison’s property which is now the Whareama Domain. By March 1873, the Castlepoint Racing Club was established, based ÿ rmly on promoting ‘family meetings’. When Tinui became more populated than

the beach, races were held there instead through the 1880s. Races were also held at Whakataki.

˜ is fragmentation of venues stopped dramatically however, following an incident when arsenic was added to horse feed at Whakataki killing two horses. Noone was caught but it was generally decided competition was getting way too serious.

150 years on, through the Boer War, two world wars, the erection of a lighthouse, depressions, the polio epidemic, storms, and recent e˛ ects of climate change – the Castlepoint Races have gone ahead, whenever possible. From 1914 – 1936 there was the longest continual break.

With the race revival in 1937, the Castlepoint Cup once again was gleefully competed for.

˜ ere was a break again during World War II and later in the 1990s

and 2000s. ˜ e disappearance of sand caused constant cancellations. Many times, rocks would protrude the sand and men would use sledgehammers, picks, and shovels in an attempt to get rid of the obstacles.

From the earliest rum-bottle wagers, there has always been a betting in one form or another. Race dates and times were governed by the tides. Early starting gates consisted of a rubber tube attached to a ÿ shing line.

At the ÿ nish line, judges would elevate themselves either on horseback or vehicle tray to sight the horses passing between a peg and the sea – which was the natural running tail. ˜ e ÿ rst tote was made of pipe frames covered in sacking, erected each race day. Later, wheels were attached for ease of erection.

Initially, the Castlepoint Beach

ÿ ghts on the beach. ˜ e women were fairly tough too – one story telling of how a woman gave birth in the a˝ ernoon and played the accordion at the landing shed dance that night! Women riders have competed in races alongside the men since 1938.

˜ ese days the races are held on the main beach in front of the store. Races vary in length, 800 metres for the hack, out to 1600 metres for the cup.

˜ e meetings have attracted large numbers of bookmakers from all over. ˜ e Whakataki Hotel and the Castlepoint Accommodation House always did a roaring trade on race days.

New book released

The Castlepoint Racing Club is so proud of achieving sesquicentennial status that a book outlining the races over the years has been commissioned.

Entitled “Racing Against the Tide”, Nelson-based writer Matt Philp has recently completed the book, published by Sugarbag Publishing.

course began round the curve of the basin onto the main beach, as the catwalk between mainland and the reef did not exist. ˜ e main beach was bisected by the old landing shed and jetty – the last of which were demolished in the late 1930s. ˜ e races were a masculine a˛ air o˝ en with

˜ e event got vice-regal recognition in 1957 when the Governor-General, Sir Willoughby Norrie, attended. He enthusiastically described the day as “unique.”

• Footnote: ˜ e heading “Sand, Sea and Hoo° eats” has been borrowed from the book of the same name written by Mike Simms in 1972 about the Castlepoint races.

˜ e book runs to 200 pages and about 160 photos, many of the more recent ones being taken by Lottie Hedley, a visual storyteller, with connections to Wairarapa, especially Castlepoint.

˜ e book will be available from Labour Weekend. To ensure a copy pre-orders are being taken at the Castlepoint Races for $50 per copy. ˜ e book can also be ordered via the club’s website www.castlepointracingclub.com

or by emailing jennybalfour14@gmail.com

˜ e President of the Castlepoint Racing Club, Scott Whitehead, says the book has been a huge commitment for the small club and they are grateful for the funding received from MDC’s Creative Communities; Eastern and Central Community Trust; Trust House; and Bryan and Carol Whitehead.

The Wairarapa Racing Club wish to congratulate the Castlepoint Racing Club on this fantastic event and join them in celebrating 150 years. These are exceptional achievements that would not be possible without the dedication of countless volunteers and an unwavering commitment to delivering for the community.

Wairarapa Racing Club 1498 SH 2, Featherston www.tauherenikau.co.nz

Following the devastating effects of Cyclone Gabrielle last month, the resilience of all those involved today is to truly be admired and we wish them all the best into the future.

The Castlepoint Beach Races are one of the region’s most loved racing events and we hope all those in attendance today have fun, enjoy a punt and raise a toast to Castlepoint Racing Club.

On behalf of the Committee and all its members

The Masterton Racing Club would like to congratulate the Castlepoint Racing Club on it’s Race day and achieving 150 years as a club!!!

A big thank you to all the sponsors of our clubs who make racing possible in our part of the country.

Like Castlepoint, the Masterton Racing Club is also 150 years old and will again be holding our picnic raceday at Tauherenikau on the 26th of March

Featuring the Kuripuni Sports Bar & TAB Masterton Club

Entry to the Track is by donation to Life flight Trust so that we can all benefit for the valuable work they do.

Happy Racing and Good Punting everyone.

Place your bets – the Calcutta Cup

˜ e ticket sales create a pool of money called the starting pool. On the night tickets are drawn, for example if there are 10 horses in the cup race 10 tickets are drawn. ˜ ose lucky enough to have drawn a horse are the ‘Horse Owner’. Horses will be auctioned in descending order as they are placed in the race book. Anyone can bid on any horse during the auction.

If the original ‘Horse Owner’ would like to keep their horse, they must have the highest bid. However, they only have to pay half the amount. ˜ e amount is added to the starting pool.

If the successful bidder is not the original ‘Horse Owner’ they must pay the full amount of the bid.

50% of the price paid is added to the starting pool with the other 50% going to the original ‘Horse Owner’.

˜ e successful bidder is now the ‘Horse Owner’.

˜ e pool prize money is therefore

made up of original pool ticket sales and money from horses bought.

If the horse, you own wins the Castlepoint Cup race the prize money is divided up as follow: 1ST, 2ND & 3RD prize.

It’s held on Friday night before race day at the Old Castlepoint Woolshed from 6.30pm, tickets go on sale at 7pm and anyone is welcome to come along.

General betting on race day

Tickets are purchased for $2. Each ticket purchased will have a letter printed on it. Prior to each race the letters are drawn and each horse is matched with a letter. Make sure you write down the letter to each horse in your race book as you don’t want to miss out on a potential win! If your letter is the winning horse you can collect your winnings at the tote!

The people behind the Races

Like any successful event, there’s a team of enthusiastic volunteers who make the event great.

Currently there are 34 stewards who meet four times a year at the Tinui Hall and hold an AGM where nominations

for various roles are sought eg: President, Vice-President, Patron, Secretary.

In the early days, it was quite a formal a˜ air where men were required to come to the meeting wearing a shirt and tie. ° ere were no women stewards

and most of the stewards lived rurally near Castlepoint. In 2023, there are three female stewards and a good mix of local and townresiding stewards who have a connection with the coastal landscape.

The Balfour Clan

Ian Balfour farmed at Bute Road in Tinui and although he now lives in Masterton, his focus is ÿ rmly on the coastal district he was raised and worked in – and to Castlepoint where the Balfour family have been involved in the race meetings for generations.

° e Balfour’s epitomise many families in the area who have put their heart and soul into the event.

Ian’s great grandfather and his namesake was involved in the early 1920s. ° en came Ian’s father, Peter, and it was only natural that young Ian would begin his passion for the event in the 1970s helping in the tote.

He was President of the club for nine years when there were just two meetings because of the beach condition. Ian’s sons Nicolas and Henry are now very much involved.

° ere’s much fun to be had at the race meetings. In 1973, a beard growing competition amongst the stewards was introduced and in 2023, it’s being held again.

Judging will occur at the ° ursday night function which is a special event being held to celebrate 150 years of the races. In true style, Ian is sporting a healthy growth. Growing a beard has been a sacriÿ ce with some stewards commenting that it has been a natural form of contraception!!

It’s not been popular in some families and it gets very itchy.

Not all horse stuff

• So, if you think the Castlepoint Racing is all about horses, you’d be mistaken. Food, fun, and activities are on tap for everyone. Here’s a taste.

• Child’s games golf ball and spoon race, wheelbarrow race, sack race, 3-legged race where 1st, 2nd and 3rd placegetters can win money.

• Fashion on the beach where you get all glammed up and strut your stu˜ down on the beach. Our very own MP, Hon Kieran McAnulty, will be judging. ° e winner gets a Romantic Getaway at Copthorne – not with Kieran but whom you choose.

• Pony race - where ponies and their beloved owners get to race.

• ° e Undie 100 - for adults (over 16) to wear their underwear, bring $2 to the start line and then they run

like mad. Winner takes all coinage as well as a $50 cash prize.

• ° e day ends with the ‘Big Dig’ where a large truck dumps a pile of sand on the beach ÿ lled with money. A special marked coin is within and if you ÿ nd it, take it to the Secretary’s o˝ ce to get a special prize.

Memorable moments and horses

• ˜ e horse that tried to swim to South America! In 2016, a horse spooked by encroaching waves shucked its rider, then bolted, wild-eyed, to the end of the beach, launched itself full throttle into the lagoon and headed towards ˜ e Gap and the open sea. Race o° cial Charlie White saved the day by waving down nearby boaties and they rounded up the horse before it met a watery end.

• “˜ e Laing Incident” is a legendary race in 1977 when Castlepoint Station manager, Peter Laing, was both starter and rider in the steward’s race on ‘Distant Drum’. Taking o˛ before the others the rest of the horses followed, and ‘Distant Drum’

ÿ nished much to the disgust of many. So angry were some, the steward’s race did not occur again until the race’s 125TH year in 1998. Riding in the hack races was Peter Laing’s ÿ rst association with the Castlepoint races in the late 1940s when he was working as a single shepherd on the Castlepoint Station. He le˙ the area for a time and returned

in 1952 as head shepherd and a˙ er marrying Nan, became the station manager from 1954. Peter always put the Station’s facilities at the racing club’s disposal – the woolshed, yards, paddocks, tools, vehicles, sta˛ – the lot!

• ‘Arakhan’ was a horse that went out pre-post favourite in the Auckland Cup but broke down a week before. It also hurdle raced in Australia and won the Marlborough Cup. It was a great horse to ride at the races but not as a hack around the farm as Bryan Whitehead recalls. As soon as ‘Akrakhan’ heard the Wellington race commentator, Peter Kelly calling a race, he would prance around the yard getting excited. At the

Castlepoint Races, when he lined up, he would get into a crouch position ready to spring. One time the starter was a bit late in letting the horses go and ‘Arakhan’ was so keen he hurdled the tape and headed for the sandhills.

• Aptly named ‘Sea King’ was a great favourite at Castlepoint. He had won more than $1million in NZ and Australia racing, and he won the Castlepoint Cup in 2016.

• ‘Zed Em’ who was locally owned, bred and trained by Kevin Myers and a regular at the races for many years. In 2019 ‘Zed Em’ was Australia’s steeplechaser of the year and also won in excess of $1million.

Castlepoint Holiday Park and Motels

Meredith’s moa bones valuable

Scholarships available for Good Beginnings Alumni

We believe education is a life long journey that starts from a child’s early years. This is the ÿ rst year that we have o° ered Good Beginnings scholarships, we look forward to seeing what careers you have chosen and what you are going to be studying in 2023.

Scholarships are available for students who attended Good Beginnings from 2006 onwards, for University, Apprenticeships and Polytechnic courses.

It has been our pleasure to own and operate Good Beginnings since 2006, along with our outstanding team of dedicated teachers.

We feel this is an opportunity to support and give back to the community and support our students in furthering their education.

If you meet the criteria you are invited to request a scholarship application form at admin@goodbeginnings.co.nz by the 31st March 2023.

Sunday

5 March 2023

CHILDREN’S DAY 5 MARCH 2023

Children’s Day (Te rā o ngā Tamariki) celebrates children in Aotearoa New Zealand. It’s a National Day of Awareness held annually on the first Sunday of March each year: 5 March in 2023. It was started in 2000 by the first Children’s Commissioner, who aimed to encourage a healthy environment for children (tamariki) and young people (rangatahi).

Children’s Day is a day for families and whānau to spend quality time with their children This is one of the best ways to help build their mana, their sense of self-worth and their ability to overcome challenges.

Results can include fewer behavioural issues at home or at school, fewer risky behaviours such as drug and alcohol usage, increased resilience, and even increased physical health. Quality time doesn’t need to involve spending money.

Here are some ideas for spending quality time with children and young people, while really listening to what they’re saying as well as showing them warmth and affection.

• Colours – Children’s Day colours are grass-green, deep purple, orange, and yellow. Have fun by wearing one or more of these colours, eating food of these colours, and naming as many things around you that are the same colours.

• Get creative – make handprints, family photo collages, 3D art, friendship quilt, build a robot.

• Put on a show – singing, dancing, acting. The floor is yours.

• Take over the kitchen – bake, make bread, cook a meal together, or invite grandparents over for a Devonshire tea with all the old-fashioned trimmings.

• Set up an intergenerational games’ day – with parents, grandparents and children learning the games that each generation played or play as children.

• Make a time capsule.

• Play board games.

• Hold a treasure hunt, dance party, or movie night.

• Get active – walk in the bush, swim at the pool, or play backyard soccer or cricket.

• Get outdoors – pack a picnic and take a trip to the park or the beach. Or go camping in your backyard or living room.

• Tell stories.

More fun ideas for family and whānau

Spend time as a family or whānau by planning a family fun contest. Here are some ideas:

• The longest unbroken apple peel.

• Coin spinning – see whose coin spins the longest.

• Blink challenge – stare at each other and see who blinks first.

• Laugh-a-thon – try to make opponents laugh by cracking jokes and making faces.

• House of cards – who can build the biggest house of cards.

• Jump rope – who can skip the longest.

• Handstands – who can stay up in the air the longest.

Supporting children and young people

Community celebrations of Children’s Day

Children’s Day is also celebrated with community events in some towns and cities around the country.

If you’re planning an event for tamariki in your community, register now at www.childrensday. org.nz. You can also go to www. childrensday.org.nz/find-events and find out what’s on in your community.

In Pahiatua, for example, Children’s Day celebrations will take place between 10am and 2pm at Bush Multisport Park in Huxley Street. There will be free entertainment and activities including a sausage sizzle, mini hot rod care rides, face painting, play area, bouncy castle,

dress-up characters, obstacle course, sports skill sand drills, and Police and Fire & Emergency displays. Bring your own drink bottle for freshwater refills.

If you’re a child or young person (tamariki or rangatahi) who needs to talk to someone about your life and your feelings, you can contact any of the groups below: Youthline works with young people, their families/whānau and those supporting them.

Free call 0800 376 633 | Free text 234 | Webchat at www.youthline.co.nz

The Lowdown is a website and free 24/7 helpline created with rangatahi, for rangatahi. It supports hauora (wellbeing), identity, culture, and mental health.

Free call 0800 111 757 | Free text 5626 | Visit www.thelowdown.co.nz

Whatsup is a safe place for children and young people to talk about anything at all. Free call 0800 942 8787 | Webchat at www.whatsup.co.nz

We can all do remarkable things

Midweek Musings

I saw an inspirational short film today about a person who, over 16 years, turned what seemed like a useless piece of wasteland in India into an area that is now refuge to a range of animals, including elephants, rhinos and tigers.

He did this with the support of no one but his family. There were no government grants or external funding. He was simply a man with a mission and a dream.

Seeing this made me think about the many excuses we give ourselves for not taking action. In truth, the reason we don’t follow up on dreams and goals is that we either can’t be bothered or they’re not as important to us as watching YouTube or scrolling through social media.

The fact is, we are all capable of remarkable things if we truly apply ourselves. We simply need to do the following:

• Identify what you want to do.

• Develop a plan, starting with a next step.

• Do the step identified in step 2.

• Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the remarkable thing is accomplished.

Community participation

I took part in the Around the Bays run in Wellington on February 19. I have competed in many running events, but there was something quite different about race day –as I did it as part of a team made up of students and families from my school.

I have enjoyed most of the events I have entered, always feeling a

sense of accomplishment when I cross the finish line. However, there’s something even more special when doing it with a group of people. We share the moments together as we support one another.

It doesn’t matter where anyone finishes. What matters is enjoying the moments for others as much as we enjoy them for ourselves.

Community is so important, with the event my school community took part in just one example. In times like those so many in our country are going through now, it’s even more vital that we look out for each other.

Habit change

Describing a particular eating plan in Born to Run 2, author Christopher McDougall shares the benefits he experienced from adding some foods to what he eats, while removing others that he tries to avoid.

He has been following this plan for quite some time, but is adamant it’s not a diet – it’s more a lifestyle. The benefits he enjoys have made the sacrifice of no longer eating former favourites worth it.

Something that made things easier for McDougall is, after going through an initial period of two weeks of ‘going cold turkey’, he no longer had the urges and cravings that had impacted on him his whole life. He essentially weaned himself off what once seemed like foods that would always be a part of his diet.

What McDougall did with his diet could apply

to many things we do. We simply need to go through a period in which things may seem too hard. But if we persevere, we will be able to get through to the other side – where we wonder how a habit that seemed like we’d do forever could have had such a hold on us.

Start again

I’m reading the book Born To Run 2, a follow-up to the brilliant Born to Run, written many years ago. The new version is more of a training manual that looks at how we can learn to become better runners, regardless of our life stage. The message of the book resonates with me. I do see the benefit of changing the way we have always done something [in this case, running] when we are made aware of a better way of doing it.

I have been running for 40 years, yet I know there are issues with my style – as I often feel very stiff and sore for long periods of time afterwards [but the

runner’s high still makes it worth it]. I will certainly be making the most of this new learning to get even more out of an activity I already enjoy.

Making changes can apply to anything. It can be a habit, a belief, a process. The important thing is to recognise that a step back to the foundations to start again, or look at something in a different way can make a positive difference in our lives.

Feedback

I pretty much started doing this writing for myself. I began writing posts and sharing them on a blog [that not many people read], then on LinkedIn [which, occasionally, a lot of people would read] after reading that Seth Godwin, a writer I admire, writes everyday, regardless of the quality and how many people read it.

I am lucky to have my writing now featured weekly in a newspaper,

where it has appeared for about six years.

Every once in a while, someone will give me really nice feedback on one of the things I have written about. This could be from someone I know, or from a complete stranger. Whenever this does happen, I appreciate it, knowing others enjoy and benefit from something I have shared. It’s now a reason why I keep doing daily posts. If they make people feel better, then perhaps others around them will feel better, making our community a nicer place to be.

• 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.

Fallprotect Scaffolding

Embracing the Values of Wh˜nau and Wellbeing

With his combined Pasiÿ ka and Dutch heritage, and with 13 of his 14 sta˛ identifying as either M˝ori or Pasiÿ ka, Josef Isaac’s sca˛ olding and safety netting business ‘FallProtect Sca˛ olding’ operates as an extended wh˝nau.

“I believe the key to FallProtect Sca˛ olding’s successes so far is relationships. A wise man once told me this and now I truly see this is so,” says Josef.

“The working relationships we have with our clients are key. We would not be where we are today without themlocal businesses have supported us and we have supported them. We o˛ er our services to residential, commercial, and infrastructure developments of all shapes and sizes. There are some awesome local businesses and people in Wairarapa. They know who they are.”

“The working relationships we have with our sta˛ are also critical. We would not be where we are today without our incredible sta˛ , and we are grateful to them. Two outstanding examples of this are Fraser Kingi our Operations Manager and Denise Barnard our O˙ ce Administrator.”

“If you have amazing clients, amazing sta˛ , and you’re a hard worker it seems to be a recipe for success.”

“A good work culture is the key to FallProtect Sca˛ olding attracting such great sta˛ , “Josef says. “We have three main pillars for our work culture: our senior managers model great behaviours and set high standards for the rest of the team, every worker has a good attitude and work ethic, and support in various forms is available for all our sta˛ . We lead by example, we look after our workers and, in

turn, our workers look after us. I’m a strong believer that if you treat employees with respect, they will reciprocate with loyalty and hard work.”

Support for sta˛ can come in the form of training, life coaching, work-life balance, mentoring, career planning or just ‘lending an ear’ when required.

“Most of us have challenges in life, and I want to make sure we o˛ er the boys the support they need to get through those challenges, especially the young fellas coming up as they ÿ nd their feet.

We hope our sta˛ will strive and get trade qualiÿ cations so they can support themselves and their families.

An outstanding example of this is our Supervisor Marcus Ale who recently achieved his Advanced Sca˛ olding Certiÿ cate. Close on his heels are

Originally from Wairarapa, Josef is glad to be building his business and living in the region in which he grew up. His mother still works as a nurse at Wairarapa Hospital.

His father, with Samoan and Tokelauan heritage, emigrated to New Zealand for his education at the age of 13, going on to work all his life for the railways. The ÿ ve Isaac boys and their younger sister were brought up to honour hard work, respect, and family values.

FallProtect Sca˛ olding started “with humble beginnings” in 2016 and has gone from strength to strength.

“We always work hard to make our client’s

workloads a little bit easier. If we can be one less headache for clients, then we are doing our job right. We can only meet the needs of our clients because of the skills and tenacity of our sta˛ ,” Josef says. “It can be a tough job and and these guys do it day-in and day-out.”

Josef carries over his focus on relationships into his family life. “I’m engaged to my beautiful Kate and we have a blended household with ÿ ve gorgeous children. Work-life balance is important for my family and for all my sta˛ . It’s critical for our mental health and our wellbeing.“

“I’m proud to have created something that provides jobs for our young M˝ori, Pasiÿ ka, and pakeha in Wairarapa.”

A game for the good, the bad, and vain

The television crew here for Top Town made the most of their time and ÿ lmed another event that was happening at the same time.

MARK PACEY of the Wairarapa Archive recalls when Masterton played It’s In The Bag.

While the crowds packed into Memorial Park to see the antics of the Top Town contenders, a different group of people were making their way to the Masterton Town Hall for an entirely different game. On February 16, 1987, 560 people who were either happy to be a spectator or wanted a chance to play, filed into the Town Hall for the first of two nights of gameshow fun.

Hosted by John Hawkesby and Hillary Timmins, the game started with a crowd

If you would like more nancial freedom and exibility in your retirement can advise you about what a reverse

mortgage is.

What is a reverse mortgage?

A reverse mortgage is like a normal home loan that has been designed for people aged 60 and over.

It allows homeowners to borrow against that home to live a more comfortable retirement.

You will have to repay any mortgage registered against the title to the property so that the provider of the reverse mortgage obtains a rst mortgage which means that any prior mortgage will need to be repaid. Importantly, you continue to own and live in your home for as long as you wish.

The amount you can borrow depends on certain factors such as your age and the value of your home. You are not required to make repayments, but instead, the total loan amount, including accumulated interest, is only repayable when you move permanently from your home or when you sell your property and move into long-term care or the survivor of you dies.

How are Kiwis using their reverse mortgages?

Debt consolidaton - to consolidate debt and enjoy more of what life has to offer.

Home improvements - to future-proof and enhance your home for years to come.

Support your family - to give your children and grandchildren a helping hand.

Day-today expenses - to supplement your income and cover daily expenses with ease.

Visit family and friends - to take a trip to see your children/grandchildren.

Car purchase - to maintain or upgrade your car.

Medical and healthcare - to cover healthcare costs and aged care.

Travel and holidays - to tick off dream destinations from your bucket list.

[1] Lifetime occupancy you can live in your home for as long as you choose.

[2] No negative equity guarantee - the amount required to repay the loan may not exceed the net sale proceeds of the property.

[3] Loan repayment - there is no requirement to make any loan repayment until the end of the loan, although you are free to do so at any time.

[4] The security for the reverse mortgage is a rst mortgage over your property.

It is important that you are completely happy with the reverse mortgage. To ensure this, you must receive independent legal advice from a solicitor of our choice, who will represent your interests and make sure you understand every aspect of the reverse mortgage.

What you need to know

Who can apply? - homeowners but subject to you satisfying any age conditions

Property criteria your property must be residential, of conventional construction and in good repair. It must also meet minimum property criteria, including a valuation, if required.

You may be able to take out a reverse mortgage on an investment property or holiday home. Loans cannot be secured against Occupations Rights Agreements in retirement villages.

Interest interest will be charged on your loan balance at the current reverse mortgage variable rate and will be added to your loan monthly.

The interest rate is variable, which provides you with exibility to make repayments at any time, without penalty.

The interest rate will change from time to time which depends on what is happening in the funding market and economy both in New Zealand and overseas, as well as changes to our own borrowing costs.

As a valuation of the property may or may not be required. Before you enter into

of people on stage, all vying for the chance to compete. The selection process was described by Hawkesby: “If someone is splenetic, are they goodtempered, bad-tempered or vain?” According to the report at the time, it was the bad-tempered hopefuls that won as the crowd on the stage was whittled down to just 10.

Hawkesby had taken over from Selwyn Toogood, who had hosted the show since 1954 when it started out as a radio show. Some had criticised Hawkesby for appearing to give clues

and hints to contestants when they got stuck.

“I try to give them help on only one question. If it’s a question that is either right or wrong, there’s nothing I can do to help them. But if they are on the right track and obviously know the answer, but are a bit nervous because of the surrounding, I’ll give them a clue. After all, the programme is about them getting through and bidding for a bag –without that, there is no show.”

The show had been on the road for a while and

continued after it left Masterton.

“The two programmes shot in Masterton are numbers seven and eight. We have just done two in Taupō and our next stop is Nelson and then Westport. It’s a bit like being on the road with a rock group but without having a hit single,” Hawkesby said.

The Masterton crowd had a great time and there were some real opportunities to grab prizes. Kay Simmonds won a writing desk and Donald McGregor won an antique phone.

There were some precarious moments where the question “the money or the bag?” was seriously debated by contestants. Money is great to have, but the intrigue of what could be in the bag was very enticing.

Carterton man Chris Trotman was put in that exact position. The money or the bag? What could be in that bag? A valuable and interesting item, or is it one of the booby prizes? In the end, Trotman decided to take the money, and it was a good thing he did. What was

in the bag? A pair of scissors. Over the course of the two days, both “super bags”, prizes containing the big money rewards, were won. The locals had a great time competing and watching, waiting to see what was in the mysterious bags. The television crew also had an enjoyable experience in Masterton. Between Top Town and It’s in the Bag, they spent several days here and saw quite a bit of what the town had to offer. Hawkesby found filming in the smaller towns “an experience”.

“Coming into the provincial areas of New Zealand is really great – like coming to New Zealand as it was eight or 10 years ago. I don’t mean that in a derogatory way. The provinces are the backbone of this country, the heartland.”

Aside from the entertainment value and the prizes won by the contestants, the shows were also of great benefit to the community. Over $7000 was also raised for the Wairarapa Outdoor Recreation Trust.

Trust’s home improvement costs

SUE TEODORO

Masterton social housing provider Trust House is facing financial headwinds as it embarks on an ambitious $50 million upgrade programme aimed at housing some of the region’s most vulnerable.

The organisation’s now-former chief executive, Charles Kaka, said degraded and older housing stock needs refurbishment. High demand for social housing means new homes are being built as fast as possible.

However, the organisation has high debt levels and faced

rising interest rates and building supply costs, as well as ongoing upgrade and general maintenance expenses. And the cost of each refurbishment is high if done to an acceptable standard.

Kaka took the TimesAge to view an example of an upgraded home in Kaka St, Masterton. The

result is impressive. The three-bedroom home has environmentally compliant water heating and a facility that can be modified to charge an EV. The warm, dry, rewired, reroofed, recarpeted, painted and insulated home is probably representative of state-of-art social

housing. However, such improvements – whether visible or invisible – come at a price.

“Each renovated property at this stage is $100,000. We think that number will go up to $150,000,” Kaka said.

He said funds for the renovation came from a variety of sources,

including debt.

“We have done about 10 of these – we committed to them late last year. These are old assets that have had a major renovation. On average, our assets are 55 years old.

“We think we can do 31 or 34 of these renovations in the next financial year,

funding dependent.”

Kaka said funding needs to be raised and acknowledged the increased rents are not expected to cover the costs fully.

“[Funding] comes from rents, debt, philanthropic donations,” he said.

“We’ve got about $23 million worth of debt.”

Kaka acknowledged the pressures, including rising interest costs and the impact of covid.

“The options are you get income from the rents, and you can get it by borrowing – and borrowing at today’s interest rates is not particularly kind,” he said.

“Our biggest cost this

year will be that we’ve got debt coming off fixed term and going on to a variable rate. We are also the biggest ratepayer in Masterton. Rates are going up.”

Down the road in Kuripuni, an extensive new build programme for infill housing is expected to substantially increase

the number of available homes on the large section. However, this project is presently selffunded by Trust House. There, one older standalone home has been demolished to make way for several homes, meaning three available bedrooms increasing to nine. Kaka estimated

the housing shortfall in Masterton is about 200 dwellings.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development

[HUD] acknowledged Trust House’s approximately 280 public housing tenancies and 189 private tenancies, but said central funding options

for upgrades are limited. Corin Haines, Masterton District Council community facilities and activities manager, was supportive in principle.

“Social housing is an important service provided to our community. We are happy to support providers where we can,” he said.

Before his sudden resignation as chief executive of Trust House, Charles Kaka gave the Times-Age an insight into what the organisation is aiming to achieve with its social housing stock upgrade programme.

reports.

Jumbo crossword

Sudoku

Last week’s crossword solution

ACROSS: 1 Trout, 4 Keep your shirt on, 14 Annul, 15 Anvil, 16 Historical, 17 Gleam, 19 Dam, 20 Dwindle, 21 Constrain, 22 Settle, 25 Flustered, 27 Figure, 28 Murmur, 33 French horn, 35 Fly, 36 Cocoon, 37 Crib, 39 Too, 41 Copious, 42 Veneer, 43 Endearing, 44 Apron, 45 Progress, 50 Up, 51 Comedian, 55 Doubt, 58 Potpourri, 59 Opaque, 60 Utensil, 61 Rip, 63 Lead, 64 Become, 65 Ilk, 66 Heightened, 68 Entice, 69 Acumen, 71 Accepting, 76 Voiced, 77 Assiduous, 79 Academy, 81 Ale, 84 Slash, 85 Incendiary, 86 Atlas, 87 Shove, 88 Money for old rope, 89 Brake.

DOWN: 2 Renown, 3 Union, 5 Exit, 6 Pothole, 7 Onrush, 8 Recur, 9 Halting, 10 Rags, 11 Opened, 12 Snide, 13 Glimmer, 14 Amateur, 18 Glasshouse, 23 Lemon, 24 Bracken, 26 Landing, 27 Flytrap, 29 Martini, 30 Ardour, 31 Offer, 32 Voodoo, 34 Need, 36 Court, 38 Began, 40 Raze, 45 Pupil, 46 Outcast, 47 Riot, 48 Street, 49 Quire, 50 Utopian, 52 Matchstick, 53 Dungeon, 54 Arises, 55 Divorce, 56 Banks, 57 Hush, 62 Tired, 67 Eclipse, 68 Embassy, 70 Mastiff, 72 Courier, 73 Legato, 74 Tunnel, 75 Embark, 76 Venom, 78 Incur, 80 Deter, 82 Shoe, 83 Crop.

Insert the missing letters to complete ten words — five across the grid and five down. More than one solution may be possible.

Posts, staples, and c ash:  How to get help after flood

Many Wairarapa farmers were battered on the back of Cyclone Gabrielle. If you need help or have help to give, here’s what you can do.

A fencing donation drive has been organised by Wairarapa Federated Farmers on behalf of the East Coast Rural Support Trust.

People are encouraged to gather up whatever fencing material they have spare and donate to farmers in need, Wairarapa Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Mike Butterick said.

He said the drive would help the trust focus on what was most important to them, which was people’s wellbeing.

“We’re developing a fencing material drop-off point here at 208 Manaia Rd, Masterton.”

Butterick said that he and Kate Wyeth would be available to answer any specific questions about the drop.

Additionally, people will be able to donate fencing items from local hardware stores, and they will be collected by or dropped off at the Manaia Rd base.

“Any little bit helps,” Wyeth said.

Butterick said it was important that people who made donations filled out a book so they could keep an inventory.

Cash donations are also open to the East Coast Rural Support Trust, which can be made by bank transfer to 06 0689 0045236 00, with the reference “FENCE DONTN”, and the code as your name.

Wyeth said recovery would be a marathon rather than a sprint.

Further community initiatives are in the works to organise relief for affected farms.

Minister for Emergency Management and Wairarapa MP Kieran McAnulty announced last week that the Government would contribute $75,000 to the Wairarapa Mayoral Relief Fund.

He said the funding would be distributed to those in need in Masterton, Carterton, and South Wairarapa.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Transport Minister Michael Wood also announced funding of $250 million to help Waka Kotahi NZTA and local councils to assess and fix roads and $50m to deliver interim emergency business and primary sector support.

Additionally, Inland Revenue support was

available, including interest write-offs, tax concessions for donated trading stock, and an extension of research and development tax incentive filing deadlines.

The Government has also committed an initial $4m through the Ministry of Primary Industries [MPI].

MPI said farmers, growers, and whenua Māori owners significantly affected by Cyclone Gabrielle would be able to get support to kick-start recovery efforts.

“The Government is providing $25m for farmers and growers to undertake urgent work, including fencing, and clearing silt to save trees and vines.”

The grants are to help farmers and growers get back on their feet as quickly as possible. The grants include up to $10,000 for pastoral and arable farmers to help with initial recovery, such as repairs to water infrastructure for livestock, and fencing.

COUNTRY LIVESTOCK

Report for Week Ending 24 February 2023.

Sheep

Ewes 6@122, 5@130 Lambs 6@138, 5@88, 8@82, 8@135

Cattle

Murray Grey X weaner bull 1@450

There is also up to $2000 an hectare [up to a maximum of $40,000] to remove silt from trees and vines, support cleanup, and minimise future losses.

MPI and Federated Farmers have restarted the national Feed Coordination Service to support farmers recovering from the cyclone.

The service helps match people with grazing or supplementary feed for sale to those who need it.

To offer or request feed or grazing, freephone 0800 FARMING [0800 32 76 46].

Forms for the service are also available on MPI’s website on the ‘Cyclone Gabrielle recovery: advice, support, and funding’ page.

• Mike Butterick can be contacted on [027] 3757945 or butterick@ ruralinzone.net, and Kate Wyeth can be reached on [027] 8181002 or kaite.wyeth@ ruralsupport.org.nz

Angus X weaner heifer 1@500, 3@435, 4@440, 1@565

Angus X weaner steer 2@775

Angus X weaner bull 3@495

Friesian X weaner steer 2@450

Hereford X weaner heifer 2@500, 1@500

Hereford X weaner bull 1@450

Kaiwaiwai* 417.6––311.213.0926

Masterton

220.2402110241.4040.927 For

walk

on the DairyNZ website Farmwatch page at dairynz.co.nz/farmwatch. *Kaiwaiwai is a split calving / winter milk farm.

With a lot of feed around, it can be difficult to achieve the ideal post-grazing residuals to optimise pasture utilisation and subsequent pasture growth and quality.

Target a post-grazing residual of 1500-1600 kg DM/ha or 7-8 clicks using a rising plate meter. Lower residuals will reduce regrowth. Leaving higher residuals reduce pasture quality at subsequent grazings and increase pasture wastage.

Achieving target post-grazing residuals and good animal performance requires:

• Accurate pasture allocation

• Grazing at the 2½ to 3 leaf stage

• Use of corrective actions when targets are not met

For more information, read the perennial ryegrass grazing guide at perennial-ryegrass-grazing-guide-web. pdf (dairynz.co.nz)

Empty drums and IBC’s can be returned and reused rather than sent to landfill. Monitored and audited by the sustainability team at www. getinstep.org.

HANDYMAN

LAWN AND GARDEN SERVICES

YOU GROW IT - WE

Based in Masterton covering all of Wairarapa

DWAYNE STEPHENS: 022 586 4793 stephens.rescue@yardservices.co.nz www.yardservices.co.nz

HEATING

• Chimney sweeping & Inspections

Keeping your home and family safe.

0800 244 663 (CHIMNEY) peter@woodburners.co.nz | www.woodburners.co.nz

DIGGER SERVICES

• Earthworks

• Trenching

• Post holes

• Concrete breaking

HEAT PUMP CLEANING

A CLEAN HEAT PUMP WILL

• Save power • Run more efficiently

• Extend life of Heat pump RING FOR FREE QUOTE Paul 0273015739 or 06 3709107

GUTTER CLEANING

COOLAVIN PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

Single & Multi level gu er cleaning ground based. Also various other property maintenance

BRIAN POPE

OWNER & OPERATOR 027 238 6753, 06 377 1285 bjpope@xtra.co.nz

INSECT & SECURITY SCREENS TO SUIT ALL DOORS & WINDOWS

• HINGED SCREENS

• RETRACTABLE SCREENS

• SLIDING SCREENS

Made to order in Wairarapa

WAIRARAPAALUMINIUM DOORS AND WINDOW SOLUTIONS

Supplier of Amplimesh Screen Products Call Rod 0800 258 737 | waialu.co.nz

Wairarapa

Financial Adviser FSP 600449 – authorised body of Link Financial Services Group Ltd FSP 696731

E charles.spilhaus@mortgagelink.co.nz

P 027 624 5509 W mortgagelink.co.nz 34 Bannister Street, Masterton

ROOF PAINTING

Dean Terry (AREA MANAGER)

Contact Craig on 0274 251 313 or 06 304 7931 grif ths8@gmail.com www.wairarapapainting.co.nz

farehamcreativespace.nz

Featherston Menz Shed 61

Fitzherbert St, open from 6.30pm.

Food Market Food trucks, 4.307.30pm 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,

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.

Seniornet Wairarapa Computer/ cellphone help, 1-2.30pm, Departmental Buildings, 33 Chapel St, Masterton. Call John [027] 383-

5654.

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 10am-2pm, 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

Masterton Marauders Wargaming Club At the Masterton Croquet Club, 1-5pm. Call Vince Cholewa [027] 344-1073 or visit http:// mastertonmarauders.blogspot.co.nz

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 Gordon [027] 414-7433 or [027] 628-5889.

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

MONDAY, MARCH 13

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]

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,

Wairarapa Stop Smoking Service Call a Quit Coach based at Whaiora 0800 494 246.

TUESDAY, MARCH 14

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.

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,

MARCH 11

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 Heritage Museum Behind the Featherston Library and

Supportive Care Services Free services for anyone needing support after a cancer diagnosis. Call (06)

378-8039. Wairarapa Embroiderers Guild

At the Ranfurly Club Rooms, Chapel St, Masterton. Call Billie Sims 3782949 or Jenny 377-0859 or email Wairarapaembroiderers@gmail.com

Wairarapa Farmers’ Market 9am-

1pm, 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.

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

SUNDAY,

MARCH 12

Carterton Farmers Market Memorial Square, 9am-12.30pm. Call [027] 663-9011.’ Featherston Menz Shed 61 Fitzherbert St, open from 1pm.

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.

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 Suppor Group 11am at the Salvation Army office, 210 High St

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.

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.

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

Seniornet Wairarapa Computer/

cellphone help 1.30-2.30pm, Departmental Buildings, 33 Chapel St, Masterton. Call John [027] 3835654. Social Bridge At South Wairarapa Workingmen’s Club, 1.30-3.30pm. Call Lesley [021] 299-6389.

South Wairarapa Workingmen’s Club Games afternoon. Call Doff

304-9748.

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.

Woops A Daisies Leisure Marching

Team practice 4-5pm, at the Trust House Rec Centre Stadium. Call Cheryl [06] 370-1922 or [027] 697-6974.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15

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 379-6582 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 Association Croquet 9.15am and 12.45pm behind the Hosking

Garden in the park. Call Carl Redvers 378-7109.

Parkinson’s Singing Group 10.30am, 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, Senior Citizens Hall, 8 Cole 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 10amnoon, 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: 7.308.30pm, Beginners/Couple Coaching, Social/Competitive. Call Wendy [027] 319-9814.

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The festival that knows your number

The countdown is on for Aotearoa’s three-day dance odyssey. The 121 Festival kicks o˜ at Tauherenikau on March 10. MARY

takes a peek behind the scenes.

With the festival mere days away, Olly de Salis is on the home straight –12 hour days, seven days a week: “It’s all systems go here.”

121 Festival’s enigmatic co-founder is running on adrenaline – and a twolitre water canister.

“I’ve got the biggest Frank water bottle you can imagine.

“We’re two weeks out and feeling positive. It’s going to be good.”

It’s hard for de Salis not to feel fortunate in light of recent events.

Multiple concerts, festivals, and events further north have been cancelled in the wake of flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle.

The Sting concert, originally scheduled for this Saturday in Hawke’s Bay, is the latest casualty. It’s a lesser tragedy for sure, but still a blow.

But de Salis, and 121 co-founder Cameron Morris, aren’t used to getting a lucky bounce.

Twice now, the festival has been cancelled – last year only days out – due to covid-19 obstacles and restrictions.

As a result, this year’s festival is only the second since it debuted at Tauherenikau Racecourse in 2020, drawing in 3000 revellers. Anticipation has been high ever since, with last year’s ticket sales clocking 5000.

The main page of 121 Festival’s website sets the vibe: A reflective ring waving lazily above a sparkling sea. It’s woozy and playful, and is in keeping with the melange of home-grown and international acts and artist installations.

It’s clear de Salis is fizzing.

“I’m excited to see [New Zealand act] Avantdale Bowling Club. I saw them at a soldout show in Wellington recently, and also I’m looking forward to Overmono, an electronic UK duo.

“But I’m really looking forward to it all.”

It certainly isn’t a party for de Salis though, who admits during the three days of the festival, he’ll be boosting around “like a maniac” complete with radio headset and bike.

“It’s basically 48 hours of non-stop work, filling all the holes that might crop up. It’s not like I can waltz around – I’m on a mountain bike cycling from one thing to the next.”

It’s faster and more eco-friendly, he says.

Eco-friendly is a huge part of de Salis’ ethos, and a pillar of the festival, resulting in the creation of Wasted Management, which involves organisers and attendees reducing waste first, and taking ownership of what does get produced.

“Outsourcing the problem means pollution.

“We will not outsource the problem – help manage it with us and dance with dignity” is the rallying message to everyone from artists, staff, onsite traders, and volunteers – for whom there is currently a callout, de Salis says.

“Volunteers make festivals go round, and we’re looking to get locals on if we can.”

He says the volunteers would be helping with anything from recycling efforts and car parking, to working behind campsite bars, and

even assisting with the wellness workshops – of which there are many.

“You can’t overemphasise the importance of volunteers and the local community efforts.”

And the best bit?

“Obviously, you get a free ticket and a whole lot of experience if you want to be in the events industry.”

There’s only one

caveat: “You have to be 18 or over; but there’s no upper limit; we welcome all.”

De Salis says they’re currently about halfway to their goal of having 150 volunteers to help out pre-, during and post-festival.

But if locals prefer to get amongst the dance odyssey too, discounted tickets will be on offer from Monday.

“Wairarapa residents can get a ticket for the Saturday for $99, down from $139,” de Salis says.

It’s as simple as heading down to the iSites in Masterton or Martinborough.

“We’re facilitating other people having the best time ever. You get your peaks and troughs in the lead-up.

“Right now you’re a bit stressed, but then

the euphoria comes, and you think: ‘This is why I do it.’”

121 Festival, Tauherenikau

Racecourse March 10-12, 2023

To volunteer: https:// www.121festival.co.nz/ apply/apply-volunteer

Discounted tickets on sale at Martinborough and Masterton iSites: $99, Saturday, March 11