Politics
Fran Wilde: infrastructurea key community issue
The district’s key challenges include busted and bursting water pipes, non-compliant sewerage systems, roading resilience under climate change challenge, seriously lagging flood…
Politics
Politics
Speed limits, consulting, elections: busy times
March is nearly over, with some vineyards already harvesting and others about to start. The mornings are feeling cooler, letting us know that…
Politics
SWDC Election countdown already under way
South Wairarapa (and other district councils nationwide) last week posted Ratepayer Roll Enrolment Confirmation Letters and Forms to voters for their participation…
Politics
Slicing the rates pie, adding a small downward adjustment
Urban rates in South Wairarapa likely will rise 8 – 12 percent for the 2025 – 2026 year – while average farm…
Politics
Rates growth to fund waters upgrading explained
South Wairarapa property owners face 84 percent growth in district council rates over the next nine years to pay for major upgrading…
Politics
Wairarapa-Tararua Water – new kid on the block
South Wairarapa council’s Long Term Plan forecasts assume no change in the current three waters ownership and operating structure. Wellington Water Limited…
Politics
South Wairarapa “getting best deal” on water services … really?
Wellington Water Ltd (WWL) says it has given South Wairarapa a better deal than other areas – surely a surprise to local…
Politics
An Elephant just noisily entered the room
Local election year has opened in the district with the first mayoral candidate announcing a bid. Frances Helen Kitching, aka Dame Fran…
Politics
From the Mayor
Towards the end of February I attended an event at Tora where the council gifted an Emergency Resource Container and its contents…
Politics
Fish hooks help cement in new road speed rules
Dozens of reversed road speed reductions across the district which were rescinded by the Coalition Government, have extra protection against their re-introduction:…
Politics
Reducing costs key message from Rates Cap Quiz
Holding down council spending is the stand-out message from respondents to The Martinborough Star’s rates cap quiz of last month – and…
Politics
Council staff numbers rising: what do they do?
There are a reported 74 people working for South Wairarapa District Council (SWDC), so what do they all do? Officially, SWDC does…
