Martinborough Playcentre: connecting, supporting

Paisley, Saskia, Charles, Indy and Deklin (ages from 1-4) engrossed at the play table.

At 38 Venice Street two mornings a week, Mondays and Wednesdays, Martinborough Playcentre is open from 9:00 till 12:00 noon.

“What I love about the Playcentre,” says Krissy Gain, who’s twins attend, “are the connections I have made with other families. Everyone is so supportive. We all decide how our own centre will be run.”

“We arrange our cleaning nights out of Playcentre hours so we can sit down afterwards and have some parents-only quality time,” she said.

Children who attend with their parents are aged from 0 to 6 years so there is a mixed age-band.

The Playcentre movement is unique to New Zealand. Initially founded by a small group of women in Wellington in the 1940s to support families, by 1948 it had become a national organisation, providing parent education, equipment, and facilities for learning.

As a parent co-operative organisation, everyone contributes to the running of the centre. Tasks may be opening the sand pit, creating craft at a collage table, making playdough or gloop, reading a story, or setting up the paints. And of course, assisting with the clean-up. There are numerous ways in which to take part.

The curriculum is based on current education theories and research and is guided by the New Zealand Childhood Education Curriculum. It provides a free education programme to help to build parenting skills and increase understanding of how children learn and develop.

At every session there is fully trained Early Childhood Education teacher. In order for the Playcentre to remain open the ECE teacher must be supported by parents with different levels of Playcentre training. Courses are offered online and in person.

Krissy Gain again: “This Mother’s Day we are organising a dinner for Mums. A special time out.

“We also welcome new members. So, if you would like to find out about our Playcentre stop by for a visit.”

The first three visits/times at the Playcentre are free. Following that there is a fee of $40.00 per family per term. Children under one are free. 

You can enrol online at: wwwplaycentre.org.nz/centre/Martinborough

Historic Carkeek Observatory protection work begun

By Ray Lilley

Work to preserve and protect New Zealand’s oldest astronomic observatory is under way, with conservation architects working on shelter design and the scope of work required to protect the 156-year-old timber structure into the future. 

Heritage New Zealand designated the crumbling totara-clad building a Class 1 Historic Place in July 2020.

Located off Murphy’s Line Road in  South Featherston, the historic observatory was built by then-retiree Stephen Carkeek on his sheep farm and only re-discovered _ in rundown  state _ by a small group of astronomy buffs in the 1990s.

It faded from memories again till the then Martinborough Dark Sky Association (now Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve) helped resurface memories of the historic _ but unvisited and unloved _ landmark.  

The historic building, sited in the South Wairarapa District Council’s territory, won historic place status, as Heritage New Zealand noted: “our Board has decided that Carkeek Observatory has sufficient significance to be entered on the (Historic Places) List as a Category 1 Historic Place.” … Continue Reading

SWDC Maori ward decision may need full refresh

South Wairarapa District Council faces a dilemma over its newly-minted Maori ward, approved last November amid cheers, smiles, hugs and hongi _ some 27 years after the district established a Maori Standing Committee to help inform council decision-making.

A Coalition Government statement has advised a new Bill “will restore the ability for communities to petition their councils to hold binding polls on Maori ward decisions.”

“This will include holding binding polls on wards that were established without the ability for local referendums to take place,” Local Government minister Simeon Brown said.

In South Wairarapa the Maori ward decision came after widespread discussion and consultation but without a referendum vote – a pathway established by the Clark Labour government in 2001.

Masterton established a Maori ward in 2021 and has had a Maori ward councillor at its council table since the 2022 local body elections.

SWDC was due to include a Maori ward vote at the 2025 election.

The catch in the government’s change is the cost of a referendum vote – reported as at least $100,000 and “an expense we don’t need for an issue already debated and agreed at the council table,” Masterton mayor Gary Caffell said.  … Continue Reading

Greytown’s mid-year Festival of Christmas returns

After 50,000 people visited last year’s event, and winning the region’s business Supreme Award, it’s hardly surprising that Greytown’s Festival of Christmas is to reconvene for a month from June 29. 

Claimed by organisers as “Wairarapa’s biggest annual event” after just three years, they say sponsors, grant funders, local business and individual donators have all helped “confirm it’s back for 2024.”

It announced the 2024 theme will be Fire and Ice, giving inspiration to some fun new events and activities, as well as “the return of some firm favourites” like “spectacular lighting” which creates a real wow factor, Snowfall on Main Street, Cocktails and Comedy, European-style Night Markets, the pop-up Gin and Spice Bar, with fireworks, live performers and entertainers throughout Main Street, said Country Village Heaven Trustee Nick Rogers.

The 2024 festival kicks off with Greytown Trustlands Big Switch lights-on Saturday 29 June, and ends with the Surprise and Delight Finale Saturday 27 July.

The programme, with tickets on sale, was due to be released on 3 May.