17 new citizens welcomed to Aotearoa-South Wairarapa

Some 17 new citizens of Aotearoa/New Zealand were welcomed to South Wairarapa in mid-August at Martinborough’s Waihinga Centre by Mayor Martin Connelly and council CEO Janice Smith.

The new citizens came from the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Palestine, Saudia Arabia,

Germany, the Philippines, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Fiji, Serbia, Switzerland and Sweden.

All were given a kowhai tree to plant as a mark of respect to the native flora of Aotearoa and to

signify them planting their roots in this country. The young trees were cultivated at He Kōtare Native Nursery in Featherston, which is run by the Pae Tū Mōkai o Tauira charitable trust, which works to revitalise Wairarapa Moana.

The ceremony began with the mayor paying homage to the mana whenua, the first people to call

Aotearoa their home. He then thanked Matua Abe from Kohunui Marae for his welcome.

“This is the first time I have welcomed new citizens from Saudia Arabia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Fiji, Serbia or Sweden. I am absolutely delighted to help you complete your journey to becoming a citizen here today,” Connelly told the group.

“On a personal note, it is also a special day for me. One of the new citizens is my wife, Tania, who

came from Dublin many years ago and last year decided that she had left becoming a citizen far too

long. We both know from first-hand experience how difficult it can be to get citizenship,” he added.

Congratulations to everyone who has managed it.”

The ceremony included 11 new citizens to the South Wairarapa as well as four from Carterton and

two from Palmerston North.

The ceremony ended with welcoming paramanawa (refreshments).

Spring Fling shouting slowly subsides

By the time this issue of The Star hits the stands to nourish your curiosity, for First Church it will be all over bar the shouting. Not in any mortal sense. Just that two of the year’s main extracurricular events will be behind us. 

That’s to say, in no particular order of importance, the annual Spring Fling hit the catwalk on 6 September with the wardrobe of locals enhanced by their own good judgement and donors’  generosity.

Once again, those optimists sporting shapely ankles and a sylph-like figure strutted their stuff in garments that would otherwise have fetched a pretty penny at Christies. … Continue Reading

Ma Olsen comes to a Film Festival screen near you

Save the dates _ Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 October 2024 _ for the Spring Programme of the Wairarapa Film Festival.

This Labour Weekend, you can immerse yourself in local films – past and present – and meet the filmmakers at our special screening events. 

Wairarapa Film Festival’s Spring Programme screenings are held each year at Circus Cinema, Restaurant & Bar, Jellicoe Street, Martinborough. … Continue Reading

PROFILE: Aidan Ellims Martinborough Ward Councillor

Aidan Ellims spent eight of his 17 years in the police force working sole charge in

Martinborough and would love to see the role reinstated so that there is a police presence

in the village. That is one of the many things he is passionate about in his role as a district

councillor.

How long have you been a councillor and which ward do live in? … Continue Reading