Masterton District Council

13/10/2026

Let us know what you think of our recreational and sports facilities ⚽ 🏊 🏋️‍♀️ 🏈 🏃‍♀️

We've kicked off community engagement about how sport and recreation facilities are being used, and what the community would like to see in the future.

With consultation on the next Long-Term Plan opening next year, and potential changes to local government on the horizon, we want to make sure we're focusing our efforts and investment where they will have the most impact.

Whether you're hitting the field, taking a dip, or using a playground - a competitive athlete, enjoy a social game with your mates, or simply love getting outside and enjoying nature - we want to make sure our facilities meet the needs of Masterton today and into the future.

Have your say through our Whatsup Whakaoriori? Page at https://whatsup.mstn.govt.nz/masterton-sport-and-recreational-facilities

08/10/2026

Masterton District Council's Animal Shelter is currently looking after this lovely girl - Shar Pei x, around 4-6 months old. She's well-trained so we think her family may be looking for her. Picked up early October.
Note: We are looking for her owners, not potential fosterers. If this is you - contact MDC on 06 370 6300 - proof of ownership will be required (i.e. photo).

05/10/2026

📢 Our Queen Street customer service centre upgrades are nearly complete!

👉 From 9am, Tuesday 13 October, our customer service team will return to 161 Queen Street. If you need to visit us, you'll be able to access our new customer service centre from that date.

👉 Until midday, Friday 9 October, our team will continue to be available at Waiata House, 27 Lincoln Road. From Friday afternoon, through Monday 12 October, the team will be relocating, meaning in person customer service functions with the customer service team won’t be available.

👉 If you want to chat to one of the customer service team, they will be available at 161 Queen Street from 9am Tuesday 13 October.

👉 Please note, if you have a meeting with one of the rates team, these meetings will continue at Waiata House, 27 Lincoln Road.

The renovated space features an accessible customer service centre and council chambers, dedicated meeting spaces to meet with elected members, and a new base for the Emergency Operations Centre.

Masterton District Council moved to purchase and renovate the Queen Street building in August 2025, rather than proceeding with the Waiata House extension proposed in the 2024-34 Long-Term Plan. This option more than halved the project's cost, delivering long-term savings while ensuring practical, cost-effective solutions remained at the forefront of decision-making.

Read more about the upgrades on our What's Up Whakaoriori? Page, https://whatsup.mstn.govt.nz/queen-street-customer-service-centre-upgrade

04/10/2026

Only a few weeks until Halloween! 🎃🎃🎃

Just like last year, we're creating a list of the homes in Masterton that want to register themselves as open to having trick or treaters on halloween. Registrations are open until 23rd of October, and the final house list will be published just before Halloween! 👻

If you're happy to have trick or treaters, use the link below to let us know and we will add you to the map. Once you register, one of the team will be in touch to confirm!

https://whatsup.mstn.govt.nz/hallowhere-2026

26/09/2026

Deteriorating weather on the way...

✅ 4PM UPDATE, 27 Sep– SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS LIFTED

Kia ora Wellington Region, MetService has now lifted the severe weather warnings for our region.
The Strong Wind Warnings for Wellington and Wairarapa, and the Heavy Rain Warning for the Tararua Range, have now ended.

While the worst of the weather has passed, please continue to take care if you’re out and about. There may still be fallen trees and branches, damaged powerlines, surface flooding, slips or debris on roads following today’s weather.

⚡ If you come across a fallen or damaged powerline, stay well clear and treat it as live.
🚗 Take care on the roads and be mindful that some areas may still be affected by the weather.
Thanks to everyone who prepared, kept up with the warnings and looked out for those around them.

Take care,
WREMO Duty Team
....

⚠️ UPDATE – 10AM SUNDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER ⚠️

MetService has updated the warnings for our region this morning.

💨 Wellington: The Orange Strong Wind Warning remains in place until 12pm. Severe northwest gales may still gust to 120 km/h in exposed places. Around midday, winds are expected to switch to strong or gale southerlies, briefly gusting to 90 km/h.
💨 Wairarapa: The Orange Strong Wind Warning remains in place until 3pm, with severe west to northwest gales gusting to 120 km/h in exposed places. Winds are expected to ease from the south this afternoon.
🌧️ Tararua Range: The Orange Heavy Rain Warning remains in place until 2pm. A further 40–60 mm of rain is expected on top of what has already fallen, with peak rates of 15–20 mm/h from late this morning.
⚡ Power outages remain possible with winds of this strength. Keep phones and power banks charged, secure loose outdoor items and stay well clear of any fallen trees or powerlines.

Take care and keep checking MetService for the latest information.
WREMO Duty Team

⚠️💨 STRONG WIND & HEAVY RAIN WARNINGS – WELLINGTON REGION 27 Sept 💨🌧️⚠️

Kia ora Wellington Region — some rough weather is heading our way on Sunday, with Orange Strong Wind Warnings covering Wellington and Wairarapa, and an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for the Tararua Range.

💨 Wellington
From 8am–12pm Sunday, severe northwest gales are forecast, with gusts reaching 120 km/h in exposed places.
💨 Wairarapa
From 7am–3pm Sunday, severe west to northwest gales are forecast, with gusts reaching 120 km/h in exposed places.

⚠️ Strong winds could damage trees and powerlines and cause power outages. Charge your phones and power banks, have torches handy, and make sure you’re prepared in case the power goes out.
🏠 Bring inside or tie down anything that could be picked up by strong winds, including outdoor furniture, bins and trampolines.
🚗 Take extra care on the roads, particularly in exposed areas and if you’re driving a high-sided vehicle or riding a motorcycle.

🌧️ Tararua Range
From 6am–2pm Sunday, 60–90 mm of rain is expected, with peak rates of 15–20 mm/h Sunday morning.
👉 Streams and rivers may rise rapidly, with surface flooding and slips possible.
👉 Clear stormwater drains where it is safe to do so.
👉 Never walk, play, swim or drive through floodwater.

Keep an eye on the forecast as conditions develop and check MetService warnings for the latest information. MetService is the official source for New Zealand severe weather warnings. about.metservice.com

Take care,
WREMO Duty Team

25/09/2026

The fluoride-free water fountain in Manuka Street, Lansdowne, Masterton, has been removed as a result of the boil-water notice in place on the Ōpaki Water Supply, the source for the tap.

Anyone holding water taken from the fluoride-free tap should discard it immediately and disinfect the container/s used.

This supply is managed by Ōpaki Water Supply Association, not Masterton District Council. The future provision of water from this source is dependent on Masterton District Council having complete confidence in the Opaki Water Supply operator to guarantee the water’s safety for public consumption.

Taumata Arowai, the Water Services Authority - https://www.taumataarowai.govt.nz/home/articles/opaki-community-encouraged-to-boil-their-water-following-high-levels-of-e-coli-contamination

Health New Zealand | National Public Health Service - https://www.healthnz.govt.nz/health-alerts/opaki-drinking-water-supply

18/09/2026

I whakanui mātou i Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori!

18/09/2026

Speed limit signs are being erected on Riversdale and Castlepoint beaches - a reminder to take care with motor vehicles! https://www.mstn.govt.nz/council/news/council-news?item=id:2zkqwwg3m17q9sa4nxl7

17/09/2026

On behalf of Masterton District Council, Mayor Bex Johnson acknowledges and thanks Mike Kawana for his commitment, dedication, and ongoing support of the Masterton community. Mike's recognition in the King’s Birthday Honours in June was incredibly well deserved, and we are delighted to see this achievement formally celebrated at the recent investiture ceremony at Government House.

He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.
What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.

Mr Mike Kawana, of Masterton, MNZM for services to Māori and the community

Mr Mike Kawana (Rangitāne, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Arawa) is the Rangatira Kaumātua of Ngāti Hāmua and Rangitāne o Wairarapa, and helped lead the Rangitāne Treaty Settlement process. He has served on the Masterton Police Advisory Board, the Wellington Police Advisory Board, and on the District Police Māori Focus Forum. He supported the development of the alternative restorative Te Pae Oranga Project, and has provided tikanga programmes for probation services and the Department of Corrections. He guided the installation of tukutuku and carvings in the Masterton Police Station, and helped revitalise the Wairarapa Māori Warden network. Mr Kawana has been President of the Wairarapa Country Music Club, Chair of the Pioneer Rugby Club, and led Rangitāne as host of Te Matatini.

16/09/2026

Media Release - Masterton District Council votes to use an invited tender process for new Town Hall

A topic of high public interest that generated strong debate during a Council session has resulted in Masterton District Council agreeing to proceed with an invited tender process for the construction of a new Town Hall.

As part of the decision in 2024, $25million was set out in the Long-Term Plan to support the demolition, rubble removal and creation of a green space in line with the resource consent, which has been completed. The remaining budget was to be used to construct the new town hall.

Mayor Bex Johnson said she was pleased a decision had been made on the future direction of the project and that work could now move forward.

“It’s been two years since the decision was made to remove the old Town Hall, and in 2024 we committed to delivering a new venue that will support events and activities in our town and district for years to come,” she said.

“Town halls and event spaces are often at the heart of a community. They provide large, diverse, multipurpose spaces where people can come together, connect, and celebrate.

Mayor Johnson said Council had also heard community interest in contributing to the project through fundraising initiatives.

“While the budget covers the cost of a fully functioning venue, we have heard there is interest from the community in supporting fundraising efforts for the Town Hall.

“We will soon be launching a formal charitable trust that will support fundraising and investment for the new town hall, both during construction and once it is complete,” she said.

The proposed venue is intended to be a multipurpose facility capable of hosting performances, concerts, theatre productions, community activities, and other events. The facility will include on-site catering amenities for functions and events, with a capacity of up to 1,000 people depending on the event configuration.

“We know the community had concerns about costs and that was why we limited the project to $25m. We have investigated whether such a venue can be delivered within this budget and, with strong project discipline, we can,” Mayor Johnson said.

Tendering is expected to take place in the new year, with construction anticipated to begin shortly after a preferred supplier has been selected and a contract signed. Timeframes will be confirmed once the procurement process is complete.

“Our job as a Council is to ensure Masterton is well positioned for the future and for generations to come, particularly as discussions around issues such as amalgamation continue.

“A Town Hall is a critical piece of community infrastructure, and I look forward to seeing this project progress.”

The Masterton District Council What's Up Whakaoriori project page will be updated regularly as the project progresses.

https://whatsup.mstn.govt.nz/town-hall