“Welcome to Marty” gets some Lions, Community Board work

Martinborough Lions Club has decided to step up its efforts to support the community’s new arrivals.

Following a recent article in The Star about “Welcoming Newcomers,” Martinborough Lions has decided to sponsor a section in The Star dedicated to promoting community activities. 

The initial article highlighted a common issue: many people are unaware of the activities available in our community unless they know someone involved. 

To bridge this gap, Lions are introducing the Community Activities Noticeboard in The

Star.

“We are thinking of the noticeboard having three parts,” Lions member Ashley Mudford said. … Continue Reading

Fifty long years of Wairarapa’s Consumer Advice Bureau

A spirited introduction by Masterton Intermediate School’s Kapa Haka group signaled an impassioned start to the 50-year celebrations of the Masterton-based WaiCAB.

As John Bunny, MC for the occasion, said: “These children represent the New Zealand of tomorrow. If their parents or caregivers need support from the CAB and can gain assistance, then New Zealand will be a better place.”

Gary Caffell Mayor of Masterton, Mike Butterwick MP for Wairarapa, and Kerry Dalton the Chief Executive of The Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand were warmly welcomed.

Judy Evans, chair of the Masterton Branch, commented on the major contribution of the volunteers who gladly give four hours of their time every week to helping others.

She recalled the inaugural opening of the CAB in 1974 where they began with just two volunteers. Today 28 Masterton volunteers provide a weekly service from Monday to Friday, 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

WaiCAB is based in the Masonic United Lodge Rooms at 43 Perry Street. … Continue Reading

High Court grants extra coastal rights to Wairarapa Māori

Wairarapa Maori iwi and hapu have won a High Court action which recognises their customary rights over five areas of the South Wairarapa coastline.

Despite fishing industry objections, High Court Justice Cheryl Gwyn granted the five Customary Marine Titles (CMT) after Māori groups agreed on a geographical division of the areas in accordance with tikanga/custom.

Among the rulings, Justice Gwyn granted customary marine rights for up to 3km out to sea in three of the areas, with two of them reaching 10km out. 

In doing so, she rejected arguments by seafood industry groups that the remote area had been commercially fished for a century and meant the Maori claim to offshore customary rights did not meet the test of continuous use. 

Justice Gwyn noted that Wairarapa Māori had traditional names for both the offshore Continental Shelf and the Hikurangi Trench, which meant they saw their mana extending to those areas. Claimants told of fishing for groper up to 10km from shore and up to 8km for blue cod and gurnard.  … Continue Reading

NEWS FROM FIRST CHURCH

Horror: no cream on the Lenten apple pie … Continue Reading