Wairarapa Times-Age (NZ)
Shears to serve as film set
Golden Shears will receive some serious star power this year when it doubles as a set in a major feature film. Shearing the Love is billed as a sports comedy, set against Masterton’s iconic Golden Shears competition, in what will be the directorial...
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Govt agencies’ email fail
A number of government websites have failed to implement essential security measures designed to prevent email spoofing and phishing attacks. This was despite a government mandate requiring all public agencies to adopt new standards by October last...
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What will replace the hall?
What will replace Masterton Town Hall is being hotly debated. To proceed with demolition, Masterton District Council had been required to have an “activation plan”, which included a public space with seating, event areas, food trucks and room for...
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A new home for Hansells
The company that now owns Hansells has bought the former Government Print building in Masterton and plans to move its Wairarapa operations to the site for growth potential. Walter & Wild completed the purchase of 43 Ngaumutawa Rd just before Christmas...
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The facade comes down
Masterton residents are watching in disbelief as the face of the town’s grand centrepiece finally comes toppling down. Perry St resident Joyce Winn, who was watching the demolition of the town hall facade yesterday morning with her husband Sid, said...
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Data breach under scrutiny
Patients at two Wairarapa GP practices will soon find out whether their personal data was compromised in a major New Year’s Eve cyber attack on a patient portal. Carterton Medical Centre and Whaiora in Masterton use Manage My Health to connect...
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‘Biggest crowd for 10 years’
In perfect weather for a family day out, thousands headed to South Wairarapa’s premier racetrack for a day of fun, food and a bit of a flutter. Wairarapa Racing Club general manager Matthew Sherry estimated between 15,000 and 18,000 people attended...
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Caution continues at tills
Wairarapa residents were more careful than carefree when it came to last year’s Christmas shopping – a trend businesses and economists say could shape spending patterns well into 2026. Data from leading payment organisation Worldline showed...
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Too many councils a ‘myth’
The Government’s recently proposed council shake-up has been called the most wide-ranging in a generation. Changes would include scrapping regional councils, introducing a rates cap of between 2% and 4%, and a simplification of planning...
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Honours hit the high notes
A Greytown couple’s lifetime contribution to music has been recognised in the New Year’s honours list. Ed and Juliet Cooke have both been awarded the King’s Service Medal (KSM) for their services to music. The awards came as something of a shock to...
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Regional flood risk rising
Almost 18,000 properties across Wairarapa are estimated to be at risk in the event of a severe flooding event. The numbers were revealed by Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) following a Local Democracy Reporting request under the Local...
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Struggle to provide shelter
In 2025, the Government’s focus on homelessness included improving the efficiency of transitional housing and expanding existing programmes, such as Housing First. As reported in the Wairarapa Times-Age, neither initiative shifted the funding dial...
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It’s been a very berry Christmas
Sales of fresh berries were out the gate this Christmas – quite literally for some vendors such as Wee Red Barn in Masterton. Queues on Christmas Eve started early and snaked for hundreds of metres outside the Barn’s satellite stall near South Park...
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Falling short of key targets
Wairarapa continues to miss key government mental health targets, with new data revealing worsening wait times for people presenting to emergency departments with mental health and addiction needs. Despite access to primary care largely meeting...
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Housing overhaul begins
Trust House Limited has appointed Holmes Construction to build 16 new homes as part of a $130 million plan to overhaul its Wairarapa housing portfolio. John Prendergast, Trust House’s chief executive, said he was “delighted” to award the local firm...
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New builds in the new year
After a more than two-year development freeze, Martinborough’s stalled building consents are set to get moving again. South Wairarapa mayor Fran Wilde announced yesterday what she described as “a great Christmas present for builders, tradies and...
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Far-reaching forestry deal
Sealed with feathers in tōtara, an agreement on the future of one of Wairarapa’s most significant productive forests was made this week. With a contract that spans generations, Rangitāne Tū Mai Rā Trust and Japaneseowned Juken New Zealand (JNL) held a...
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CBD trees facing the chop
A large number of trees in Masterton’s CBD could soon be axed as part of a broader upgrade of the town centre, the council says. No further specific consultation with the public was planned before the trees were felled in 2026. “It’s likely that many...
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Water facility could stimulate economy
Wairarapa could be one step closer to having additional water storage capacity if current plans progress. Carterton District Council (CDC) will hold a workshop today to discuss a proposed new facility at Waingawa. The workshop, open to the public, is...
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Luxury homes in demand
Wairarapa’s luxury property market is heating up, with a mansion fetching $8.7 million topping the region’s high-end sales this year. Realestate.co.nz said all of the region’s luxury homes sold for $2.175m or more, with other notable properties...
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Celeb skipper celebrates win
A Wairarapa superyacht captain who has skippered for the likes of the Obama family has been globally recognised for his world-spanning seafaring career. Guy Guildford, captain of the 32-metre motor yacht Heavenly Daze, said it felt “amazing” to win...
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Young girl collides with car
A child who collided with a car on her scooter at a Carterton pedestrian crossing was fortunate to come away with just a few bruises and scratches. Johnny Meeuws, the father of the 11-year-old girl, said he received “one of the worst phone calls” he’d...
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