Pirinoa is very much alive. That is, all 100 plus families. A new generation of parents are boosting the local school with 47 kids and 3 teachers at present. Most kids are flat out driving their parents crazy, raising lambs, calves and pets for lamb and calf day in October.
Farming, of course, is the main occupation locally, with lambing and calving well under way for most. The odd southerly has knocked the lambs and calves around a bit, but with spring approaching the mood is good so long as it doesn’t get wetter.
Red meat farmers and Dairy are optimistic with product prices looking very good.
It was good to hear from prospective district council candidates at a Pirinoa meeting last week, that the whole South Wairarapa is, in reality, a rural ward. Larger property owners still reminding councillors though, that we are still paying 3 to 4 time the amount for district facilities than our urban neighbours. Anyhow, seems to be a good selection of new blood standing for council elections.
Our Iocal rugby team, Tuhirangi, had another great season, winning the second grade. Well done lads.
The three senior ladies netball teams also had great results, Prem 2 came second, Senior 1 won their grade and Senior Gawaith enjoyed their netball. Come October, the local tennis courts will have their Thursday night community tennis. Anyone interested ph. Lynette 3077734.
Pirinoa Catchment group met recently to mainly establish what the group wants to improve, with help from an experienced facilitator and GWRC. At this stage it looks like gravel extraction, river maintenance, and control are the main areas of concern.
Our local marae, Kohunui, has contracted the past few years to supply native plants to locals for restoration plantings, wetlands and stream planting. These are mainly assisted by the Aorangi Trust and GWRC, with thousands of trees going out at this time of year.
Pirinoa Country Store has recently changed hands. Our hard working Carmen, after 25 years, has left. Thanks Carmen for your community service. Fiona, the new owner, is super friendly, all the best Fiona. And her coffee is only $4.
And where would we be without our Landgirl coffee culture café, full of local product and beautiful food, soon be going onto summer hours.
So shocked to hear of the unlucky loss of one of nature’s good guys, Stu McLeod. He had a dairy farm at Pirinoa, but was a Martinborough local. RIP Stu.
We’ve also had our great community supporters Kurt and Lisa Portas move on. But, we have a great 2 i/c in Scotty Mac and crew help raise that $10K to $20K to help the school, tennis, playgroup, hall and community. Thanks a million Kurt and Lisa.
