Who said Martinborough was “the place to live”, but never lived here?
When did Māori first settle in the south Wairarapa? Where is New Zealand’s oldest dwelling? Who gave Martinborough a framed photograph of himself? Where were meetings of the Māori Parliament held? When did a road across the Remutakas open? Where was New Zealand’s first sheep station? Why are Martinborough’s streets laid out like a Union Jack?
Answers to questions like these can be found in a new series of posters now hanging in the Martinborough Museum on the corner of the Square and Oxford Street. It’s open at weekends between 10.30am and 2.30pm if you want to take a look.
The posters have three aims, says Richard Rudman, the volunteer leader of the project.
“We want to cover key aspects of the history and development of Martinborough and the South Wairarapa, to introduce people who have been prominent in the town and the district, and to answer questions that visitors often ask.
“The posters don’t try to be definitive or exhaustive histories or biographies: they’re designed to spark interest, to be interesting, and to be read quickly.”
The first eight posters — produced with the help of a grant from the Martinborough Community Board — are just a start. A second series is already being prepared, with more to follow as volunteer time and funding permits.
