South Wairarapa District Council

18/06/2026

Everyone agrees that Cape Palliser is a special place. 🌊 💙

The Council has submitted a proposal to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to secure a long-term and sustainable funding to ensure the future of the highly vulnerable Cape Palliser Road.

The road is currently classified as a Special Purpose Road due to its cultural and tourism value and high on-going maintenance costs which means 100% of maintenance and repairs is funded by NZTA. This special status is being removed nationwide in June 2027.

Following this, the road will revert back to the standard NZTA financial assistance rate of 51%, consistent with other local roads across the district. Without the additional assistance from NZTA, the cost burden will fall squarely on ratepayers.

We’ve been working with local residents and iwi on the business case and gathered information from recreational and commercial road users. 🙏

The outcome is a request for a hybrid funding model for the most critical and vulnerable parts of the road which NZTA has agreed to assess. The business case covers the core problems of resilience and prolonged closures, the road’s cultural and economic significance, and the mismatch between national benefits and limited local rates to cover costs.

Find out more about the submission on our website 👉 https://swdc.govt.nz/news/council-submits-funding-request-to-safeguard-future-of-south-wairarapas-fragile-but-significant-cape-palliser-road/

17/06/2026

UPDATE - I have been reunited with my owner😊

Does anyone out there know where I belong? 🐾

I was picked up at 4pm yesterday on Humphries Street in Greytown by a member of the public.

I have no tags and no microchip was found, therefore the Animal Control Officer doesn’t know where my home is.🥺

If you have information that could help me find my way back to my owner, please call the Council on 06 306 9611.

Ngā mihi – woof woof! 🐕

15/06/2026

Our Māori Partnership Committee (pictured) has been busy giving out funds to well-deserving community projects, including events that will bring people together to celebrate Matariki! ✨

The Featherston Matariki Festival and a Matariki event at the South Wairarapa Workingmen’s Club were two recipients of the fund. Other recipients include:

🌿 Pae tū Mōkai o Tauira – funding for a computer, printer and school group environment sessions.

🌱 Papawai Marae – funding for bedding, cutlery and garden maintenance items.

🛠️ Hau Ariki Marae – funding for essential infrastructure upgrades.

🌟 As well as Fareham Journey, Kahutara School, and gym SMAC Featherston.

In total, $28,463 was distributed. Find more details on our website: https://swdc.govt.nz/news/maori-partnership-committee-gives-matariki-a-sparkling-glow/

A little bit about our Māori Partnership Committee… 🤝

Their purpose is to advocate on behalf of tāngata whenua in South Wairarapa (including the descendants of hapū of Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Wairarapa) and to ensure the Council is fulfilling its obligations to them. It has two representatives from each of the three South Wairarapa marae, two representatives from Pae tū Mokai o Tauira, one representative from each of the two Wairarapa Iwi, two councillors and the mayor.

And in other funding news… 🎨

Six applicants were granted funds of $10,600 last month, allocated from the Creative Communities Scheme to support arts across the district.

The successful applicants were CanInspire (supports people affected by neurodivergence and cancer), Humorous Arts Comedy Festival (aimed at rangatahi), Goodtimes Foundation (music lessons), Wairarapa Youth Orchestra, Wairarapa Arts Trail, and Featherston Mulled Wine Concerts.

More info about our grants and funding opportunities are on our website: https://swdc.govt.nz/community/grants/

10/06/2026

Spot the difference! Before and during photos of safety rails being installed on Lake Ferry Road, just out of the Martinborough township. 🚧

New guard rails like these have also been installed on a bridge along Cape Palliser Road.

The old timber ‘sight rails’ were starting to rot. Sight rails are not traffic barriers intended to stop wayward vehicles but are sometimes used to enhance visual guidance. 👀

With many sight rails across the district nearing their end of life, we have begun a programme to improve safety around bridge approaches.

The new W Beam guardrails are better at stopping and guiding vehicles safely. If a car hits them, they behave in a consistent, reliable way, unlike the timber wooden rails, which are less predictable. ✅

10/06/2026

Central Government has given councils across New Zealand a three-month deadline to develop an amalgamation plan for their area. ⏳

We're holding public meetings across the district to hear community views on the potential options for South Wairarapa.

Join us tomorrow (Thursday 11 June) at Anzac Hall in Featherston at 7pm.

In the meantime, here’s some information about what the next steps are for South Wairarapa…

👉 In Wairarapa, there are currently three district councils, and the region is also part of Greater Wellington Regional Council.

👉 Through the Head Start process, councils are considering options of a Wairarapa-based unitary council, or a wider Wellington model, with local arrangements to manage Wairarapa-specific issues.

👉 We are working alongside the Wairarapa councils and the wider Wellington region to explore and assess which approaches best support delivery that protects local community voice and is affordable.

👉 No decisions have been made at this stage. Community input will be an important part of this process. We will continue to engage with residents as our proposal develops.

Find out more about the Simplifying Local Government proposal on our website and be sure to come along to the final of the three community meetings - community input will help shape Council’s approach: https://swdc.govt.nz/simplifying-local-government/

09/06/2026

*Updated at 9am, Wednesday 10 June*

Mōrena South Wairarapa,

It seems our coastline got off relatively lightly considering yesterday’s heavy swells.

Our roading team has inspected Cape Palliser Road and Lake Ferry Beach Access Road. There is some clean-up to do with logs and debris on the road surface.

At this stage, we anticipate that:

🚧 Cape Palliser Road will REOPEN from the Hurupi Stream (banana) bridge at 12pm today.

🚧 Lake Ferry Beach Access Road (accessed next to the hotel) will REOPEN this afternoon once the track has been cleared.

The heavy swell warning that was in place for the southern coasts of Wellington and Wairarapa has now been LIFTED by MetService.

While the warning period is over, people should continue to take care when driving on roads impacted by yesterday’s swells.🙏

We will share new updates if any come to hand. Take care out there! 🩵

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⚠️ The Heavy Swell Warning for Wairarapa is in place until 12pm Wednesday 10 June. 🌊

Please continue to stay away from exposed coastal areas while the MetService weather warning remains in effect.

Cape Palliser Road will remain CLOSED from the Hurupi Stream (banana) bridge, as will Lake Ferry Beach Access Road (accessed next to the hotel) due to the swell. 🚧

Our roading team will be onsite early Wednesday morning to assess any swell impacts. We will update the community following this and advise when roads will likely reopen.

The swells currently being observed across the region are among the largest seen in many years.

The highest risk period is typically at or within 1-2 hours of high tide, with the Cape Palliser high tide at 11.52pm and Castlepoint high tide at 12.09am overnight.

We continue to encourage our coastal communities to stay up to date and take action if they believe they are at risk. Please move to higher ground if you believe you are at risk, and call 111 if you are in an emergency situation. 🙏

👉 For road debris or damage contact us on 06 306 9611.
👉 For serious, life safety issues, contact 111.

Please continue to follow our pinned Facebook post for advice and Wellington Region Emergency Management Office updates, or visit our website: https://swdc.govt.nz/news/heavy-swell-warning-south-wairarapa-coast/

📷 Image of Cape Palliser Road taken by our roading contractors Fulton Hogan this afternoon.

08/06/2026

Heavy swells are impacting the Wairarapa coastline today, with large waves of 9.5-10.5metres expected. 🌊

Please stay away from exposed coastal areas, as the threat posed by these waves is significant. We strongly urge you to avoid coastal towns while the MetService weather warning remains in effect (until tomorrow, Wednesday 10 June).

The swells currently being observed are among the largest seen in many years. While high tide is at midday, the peak for the largest waves to occur will be between 3pm- 4pm this afternoon.

🚧 ROADING UPDATES
- Cape Palliser Road is now CLOSED from the Hurupi Stream (banana) bridge and is likely to remain so for at least 24 hours.
- Lake Fery Beach Access Road (accessed next to the hotel) is CLOSED due to swell.

Avoid coastal roads, particularly Lake Ferry, Ngawi and north – Mataikona, Castlepoint, Whakataki and Riversdale Beach. These swells could bring debris and surface flooding to roads.

Due to the unusual combination of swell, gale force winds and high tides, we are encouraging our coastal communities to stay up to date and take action if they believe they are at risk. Please move to higher ground if you believe you are at risk, and call 111 if you are in an emergency situation.

⚠️ Take care when on roads exposed to the sea during this time.
⚠️ Avoid coastal areas unless travel is essential.
⚠️ If you live on the coast and feel your safety or life is at risk, we strongly encourage you to self-evacuate inland.
⚠️ People living close to swell and surf exposed coastlines should be prepared for the possibility of waves flooding roads and leaving debris, with potential for road closures, and potential damage to property.
⚠️ Bring pets inside.
⚠️ Check on neighbours who might need some support.
👉 For road debris or damage contact us on 06 306 9611.
👉 For serious, life safety issues, contact 111.

⚠️ HEAVY SWELL REGIONAL UPDATE ⚠️

UPDATE 3:15 pm:

NZTA/Waka Kotahi have advised with sea conditions easing, the shared path between Ngauranga and Petone is now OPEN.

Users should still take care on the route while bad weather and strong winds persist.

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Tuesday 09 June 10.40am

A significant southerly swell is forecast to impact the Wellington and the Wairarapa coast today.

🌊 Waves of 8-9 metres are expected along Wellington’s south coast, with larger waves of 9.5–10.5 metres forecast for parts of the Wairarapa coast.

*WAIRARAPA COAST*
We are also advising people to avoid coastal roads around Wairarapa – particularly South Wairarapa Lake Ferry, Ngawi and north with Mataikona, Castlepoint, Whakataki and Riversdale Beach.

Cape Palliser Road is CLOSED from the Hurupi Stream bridge until further notice. It’s likely that the closure will remain in place until at least Wednesday 10 June.

Coastal communities are encouraged to stay up to date with news across Tuesday, and take action if they believe they are at risk.

*NGAURANGA TO PETONE SH2*
Due to heavy swells, the shared path between Ngauranga and Petone (Te Ara Tupua) is currently CLOSED. State Highway 2 between Petone and Ngauranga remains fully OPEN.

*REGIONAL TRANSPORT*
🚊 Rail services remain operating between Ngauranga and Petone.

🛳️ The east by west ferry services are suspended until at least 2pm today.

🚎 Road closures across the Wellington south coast mean delays are likely on some bus services.

🚘 Most coastal roads are closed and will remain closed until the area is deemed safe.

⛴ Interisland ferries have been cancelled.

For the latest information from Metlink see here: https://www.metlink.org.nz/alerts

For the latest information from NZTA/ Waka Kohtahi see here: https://www.facebook.com/nztawgtn

08/06/2026

Kia ora South Wairarapa coastal residents,

Due to the heavy swell warning issued by MetService, Cape Palliser Road will be CLOSED from 9am on Tuesday 9 June. This is precautionary and it’s likely to remain closed for at least 24 hours. 🌊🚧

If you’re camping out on the coast or live beyond the Hurupi Bridge (Banana Bridge) and will need to leave in the next few days, we encourage you to make your way inland now or as soon as possible to be safe – as the road will close 9am sharp (Tuesday).

MetService’s heavy swell warning applies to Wairarapa from midnight Monday 8 June until 12noon Wednesday 10 June.

Waves rising to 9.5-10.5metres (peaking 14 seconds) are expected late Tuesday morning, easing Wednesday morning.

The highest risk period is typically at or within 1-2 hours of high tide. Cape Palliser high tides are expected at 11.29am and 11.52pm on Tuesday 9 June.

It’s expected these swells could be the largest we have seen in some time so we are working alongside emergency services and our roading contractors to make early preparations.

These swells could bring debris and surface flooding to roads, so be extra cautious and avoid exposed locations.

We are encouraging our coastal communities to stay up to date and take action if they believe they are at risk. If you live in these communities and could be cut off, please ensure you have enough food and medication to last at least 7 days.

We will continue to share updates as more details are confirmed: https://swdc.govt.nz/news/heavy-swell-warning-south-wairarapa-coast/

🌊⚠️HEAVY SWELL WARNING – TURAKIRAE HEAD to MATAIKONA, CAPE TERAWHITI to TURAKIRAE HEAD 🌊⚠️

MetService New Zealand have issued a Heavy Swell Warning for the Wairarapa and Wellington.

Wairarapa:
Heavy Swell Warning for Turakirae Head to Mataikona
Valid from 12am, 09 June to 12pm, 10 June

Southerly combined waves rising to 9-10 metres late Tuesday morning, then easing Wednesday morning. Peak period 14 seconds.

The highest risk period is typically at or within 1-2 hours of high tide:
- Cape Palliser high tides: 11:29 am, 11:52 pm Tuesday 9th
- Castlepoint high tides: 11:43am Tuesday 9th, 12.09am Wednesday 10th.

Wellington:
Heavy Swell Warning for Cape Terawhiti to Turakirae Head
Valid from 6am, 09 June to 6am, 10 June

Southerly combined waves rising to 7-8 metres Tuesday midday, then easing Tuesday evening. Peak period 12-14 seconds.

The highest risk period is typically at or within 1-2 hours of high tide:
- Cape Terawhiti high tides: 12:26 pm Tuesday 9th, 12:49am Wednesday 10th
- Wellington high tides: 11:19am,11.42pm Tuesday 9th

These swells could bring debris and surface flooding to roads, especially around high tide.

Take care walking or driving along roads exposed to the sea during this time.

Surfers, divers, recreational reef fishers/surfcasters should be extra cautious and avoid exposed locations.

Check the forecast before heading out on a boat, and if in doubt, do not go.

Keep an eye on the weather and visit https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home for the latest updates.

Take care, WREMO Duty Team.

07/06/2026

Central Government has given councils across New Zealand a three-month deadline to develop an amalgamation plan for their area.

We're holding public meetings across the district to hear community views on the potential options for South Wairarapa.

Join us tomorrow (Tuesday 9 June) at the Workingmen’s Club in Greytown at 7pm.

In the meantime, here’s a bit of information about the Head Start pathway…

👉 Last month the Government proposed the ‘Head Start’ and ‘Backstop’ pathways for councils to put forward proposals for how they should be organised in future.

👉 Head Start provides a voluntary pathway for councils that are ready to develop and put forward reorganisation proposals, with the aim of establishing unitary councils across a region.

👉 The proposal aims to make the system simpler, more efficient, and more affordable for communities, by bringing together under one structure the services currently delivered by territorial authorities (such as roads, libraries and community facilities) and regional councils (such as environmental management and transport planning).

👉 Proposals put forward by council’s will be assessed on whether they are practical and achievable, whether they simplify systems and reduce duplication, whether they support improved services and infrastructure, and whether they provide effective representation for communities.

But what if councils don’t use the Head Start pathway?

👉 A ‘Backstop’ process will follow, where Central Government will determine new council structures and existing councils may be merged into unitary authorities.

👉 This means that reform will still proceed nationally, even if councils do not submit proposals themselves.

Find out more about the Simplifying Local Government proposal on our website and be sure to come along to one of the community meetings - community input will help shape Council’s approach: https://swdc.govt.nz/simplifying-local-government/

05/06/2026

Voting for the Featherston Community Board by-election has closed and the results are in. 🎉

Progress and preliminary results have been released, and with a wide margin, congratulations to Joanna Baldwin, who has received 469 of the 856 votes counted so far.

There are 13 special votes yet to be processed. The final result, incorporating the remaining special votes, is expected on Monday 8 June.

Ngā mihi nui to the Featherston residents and ratepayers who voted – over 31% of you made your voice heard - and to the other candidates who stood to represent your community. ✅🫶

Full results are posted to our website: https://swdc.govt.nz/featherston-community-board-by-election-2026/