South Wairarapa District Council

21/08/2026

There’s a wind warning in place for Wellington and Wairarapa on Sunday 💨💨💨

If you’re out and about, be extra careful as strong winds can damage trees and power lines, and make sure outdoor furniture like trampolines are secured.

Keep an eye on the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office for general updates.

For weather updates, head to MetService New Zealand.

UPDATE - 11:50am Friday 21 August - Heavy Swell Warning included

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HEAVY SWELL WARNING - Kapiti - Porirua Coast

A Heavy Swell Warning has now been issued for Otaki to Cape Terawhiti.

Northwest combined (swell + wind) waves are expected to rise to 4.5m on Sunday 23rd August, easing Sunday evening.

👉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.
👉If you are planning on heading out into the water, check the marine forecast before you do, and if in doubt, do not go.
👉 Check the forecast before heading out on a boat, and if in doubt, do not go.
👉 Keep an eye on the weather and visit MetService for the latest updates.

The highest risk period is typically at or within 1-2 hours of high tide.

Tides: The highest risk period is typically at or within 1-2 hours of high tide

Makara Beach high tides: 5:07am Sun 23rd.
Otaki River Entrance high tides: 6:00am Sun 23rd.

💨 STRONG WIND WARNING - Wellington and Wairarapa 💨

It must be almost spring 😲 The weather is warming up but the wind is kicking in 💨

MetService has issued a Strong Wind Warning for WELLINGTON (including Porirua and Hutt Valley) and WAIRARAPA from 1am Sunday 23rd Aug noon Sunday 23rd Aug.

North-westerly gales are forecast to become severe with gusts reaching 120 km/h in exposed places.

⚠️ Strong wind gusts like these could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures.
🚗 Take extra care on the roads (especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles).
🪑Secure any outdoor items like wheelie bins, trampolines and outdoor furniture that may blow around.

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

Take care, WREMO Duty Team

20/08/2026

🏊 It may still be winter, but the countdown to pool season is officially on!

📅 Our district's three swimming pools will be open for the summer season from Saturday 28 November 2026 to Sunday 7 March 2027.

📍We have outdoor pools in Featherston, Greytown, and Martinborough
✅ Entry is free
😎 Three months of summer swimming awaits
👉 Check pool opening hours and timetables here: https://swdc.govt.nz/services/swimming-pools/

These community summer hotspots are managed by Community Leisure Management (CLM) for the council, and these hours are based on popular attendance hours, school use and community feedback from previous seasons.

With the season dates now confirmed, put them in your calendar and start planning those summer swims and lazy afternoons by the pool. We look forward to welcoming you back for another great season in the water.💦

18/08/2026

📢 Feedback sought on a proposed new 30 year lease for Martinborough Squash Rackets Club

South Wairarapa District Council is inviting feedback on a proposal to grant a new lease to Martinborough Squash Rackets Club Incorporated for part of the recreation reserve on Todds Road, Martinborough. The land is currently occupied and used by the Martinborough Squash Rackets Club and the Martinborough Golf Club.

✅ Proposed 30 year lease from 1 September 2026
✅ Lease covers the club's existing building footprint (approximately 500m²) and a shared access and parking area
✅ Proposed annual lease fee of $400 + GST, subject to three-yearly reviews
✅ Feedback is being sought as part of the Reserves Act 1977 process

🗣️The Reserves Act 1977 requires Council to publicly notify this proposed lease and give people an opportunity to share their feedback. Let us know if you support, oppose, or have any comments on the proposed lease.

You can share your feedback by:

📝Completing the online survey at https://haveyoursay.swdc.govt.nz/
💻 Emailing your submission to [email protected] (please let us know if you wish to speak to your submission)
📬Posting your submission to South Wairarapa District Council, PO Box 6, Martinborough

⏰ Submissions close on Saturday 5 September 2026.

14/08/2026

Key takeaways from yesterday’s Infrastructure Committee meeting:

WATER

💧 The Committee considered a proposal to investigate a proof of concept smart water meter trial for South Wairarapa and requested that the Chief Executive engage with the Waitī Waters Board and report back on the feasibility of undertaking a trial.

🚰 Stage one of the Featherston watermain renewal upgrade is now 98% complete, with planning for stage two underway.

✅ The Featherston, Greytown and Martinborough wastewater treatment plant upgrade project is now underway following the award of the contract to Filtec.

ROADING

🌧️ Storm recovery work is ongoing to remediate impacted sections of our roading network following the significant weather events this year.

🪸 Stage one of the EcoReef works at Whatarangi is complete, with planning underway for the next stage at Turners Bay.

🚜 Kerb and channel renewals have been completed on Featherston's Lyons Street, Watt Street, Harrison Street and Regent Street.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES & OPERATIONS

🏕️ Greytown Campground driveway has been resurfaced. Other resurfacing works are scheduled for later this year, including Greytown’s public carpark behind the Workingmen’s Club.

🏊 Flooring at Martinborough Pool has been renovated to address concerns around slipperiness, with renewal of the changing room roof planned before the next swim season begins.

🪧 NZTA has approved a second Welcome to Featherston sign at the south end, helping progress a long standing community effort.

And a bit about our Infrastructure Committee…

The Infrastructure Committee provides governance oversight and monitoring of Council’s operational functions and capital programmes for roading, the water network, waste management and minimisation, public amenities and Council properties.

All our Council and Committee meetings are livestreamed on YouTube and are open to the public. See the full meeting summary on our website: https://swdc.govt.nz/news/infrastructure-committee-highlights-water-roading-recovery-and-community-operations/

📷Pictured: EcoReef - Cape Palliser Road at Whatarangi by HEX LOC and the Welcome to Featherston sign.

12/08/2026

📢 Community Board funding is now open for Featherston and Martinborough, with Greytown funding opening soon.

Community Board grants support a wide range of projects that help strengthen and connect our communities. Our three community boards each have approximately $20,000 to distribute this financial year, providing funding for projects, events and initiatives that benefit local communities. Funding has supported everything from foodbanks and social services to arts, sporting and community resilience projects.

If you have a project, event, or initiative that will benefit your local community, we encourage you to apply.

Applications currently open:

📍 Featherston Community Board
⏰ Applications close 13 September 2026.

📍 Martinborough Community Board
⏰ Applications close 20 September 2026.

👉 Find out more and apply online: https://swdc.govt.nz/community/grants/

📸Featherston Matariki Festival Community Hāngī. The Featherston Matariki Festival Community Hāngī brought the community together in a celebration of culture, connection and whanaungatanga. Pictured are Peter Ammunson, Warren Maxwell and his mother, alongside Max Schubert McArthur, who led waiata for the community to join.

📸Greytown Rugby Football Club. Greytown Rugby Football Club celebrated its remarkable 150th anniversary this year. The club's junior teams have previously benefited from support from the Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund, helping to foster the next generation of local rugby players and strengthen community participation in sport.

📸Fernside Garden, Pūkaha Wairarapa Garden Tour. Fernside Garden is one of the featured gardens in the 2026 Pūkaha Wairarapa Garden Tour, supported by the Featherston Community Board. Garden enthusiasts will have the opportunity to explore this beautiful garden as part of the tour taking place on 21 and 22 November.

05/08/2026

South Wairarapa District Council elected members have majority voted to submit a proposal for a Wellington-Wairarapa Unitary Authority as part of the Governments Head Start pathway. This pathway allows Councils to work together to submit proposals for amalgamation into a unitary authority.

Members considered a number of options, including establishing a Wairarapa Unitary Authority or taking no action and allowing the Government to make decisions through the "Backstop" process. The vote was six in favour of the Wellington-Wairarapa option, and four in favour of Wairarapa.

Mayor Fran Wilde said the decision was one of the most significant that elected members would face and that it was disappointing that the decision had been forced on them with such a short timeframe.

Affordability, local voice and long-term sustainability were some of the key considerations elected members approached their decisions with – you can listen in on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh51E0sedVI&t=3810s

Mayor Wilde has now been given authority to work with the chair of the Wellington Region Mayoral Forum to further develop the Wairarapa-Wellington unitary option that includes South Wairarapa, ahead of the proposal deadline of this Sunday, August 9.

We recognise that this decision will generate a range of views within our community and we will continue to keep you informed about the proposal outcome and next steps.

You can find the meeting agenda, decision report and supporting information on our website: https://swdc.govt.nz/meeting/council-5-august-2026/

05/08/2026

❄️ This cold snap is sticking around for a couple more days, with -5 forecast overnight Thursday 🥶

We are encouraging all road users to take care out there as the cold weather can create slippery conditions and black ice that is often difficult to spot.

Take it easy behind the wheel, leave plenty of space between vehicles and allow extra travel time.

✅ Keep an eye on MetService for the up to date weather forecast, and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi for State Highway conditions.

🧊 The temperatures are getting low ₗₒᵥᵥ ₗₒᵥᵥ ₗₒᵥᵥ ₗₒᵥᵥ ₗₒᵥᵥ ₗₒᵥᵥ 🥶

Clear skies and light winds have helped overnight temperatures plummet across the inland South Island, with Mount Cook and Twizel recording a bone chilling -9°C

❄️ Temperatures are forecast to drop further tonight, with widespread severe frosts and the risk of black ice on the roads. So take care and watch out for bridges or shaded corners if driving in the morning.

Check out your forecast minimums at https://www.metservice.com/towns-cities

03/08/2026

💦 Greater Wellington is starting a review of the Lower Wairarapa Valley Development Scheme. With recent flooding across parts of South Wairarapa affecting farmland, roads and bridges, they'd like to hear from people who live, work, own land or have a connection to the Lower Wairarapa Valley.

This first stage of this engagement is about building a clearer picture of the area today. They're asking the community to share local knowledge about past flooding, environmental changes and what people value about the area.

Your information will help support flood hazard modelling and the wider review of the scheme.

👉 Find out more and share your knowledge here: https://haveyoursay.gw.govt.nz/lowervalleyreview

30/07/2026

✨South Wairarapa elected members met this afternoon to progress several important pieces of work for our communities.

All of our Council and Committee meetings are livestreamed and are open to the public but we know not everyone can tune in. Here are the key decisions made at today's Council meeting:

💦 Council endorsed a resource consent application for irrigation of treated wastewater from the Martinborough Wastewater Treatment Plant (MWWTP) to land located north of Pain Farm.

While Pain Farm was originally going to be used for this purpose, Council purchased a new site in 2025 which is considered well suited to treated wastewater irrigation and offers environmental and operational advantages, including its proximity to the treatment plant.

Lodgment of the application represents a significant milestone in progressing the MWWTP Stage 2 consent improvements and achieving the long-term objective of increasing land-based disposal of treated wastewater instead of discharging it into the Ruamāhanga River.

🤝 Council adopted the Statement of Expectations for Waitī Waters, the new organisation that will be responsible for delivering drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services across the region from 1 July next year.

The Statement was developed by the Stakeholders' Forum, which represents the interests of the shareholding councils and sets out what councils expect Waitī Waters to deliver over the next 10 years. It will guide the organisation's long-term planning and help shape future decisions about water services, infrastructure investment, affordability and community outcomes.

🔎 Read the full meeting summary here: swdc.govt.nz/news/council-meeting-highlights-30-july-2026/

30/07/2026

Rapid Relief Team NZ is heading to Martinborough on 13 August to host a Farmers Community Connect event. The event is to support farmers affected by the recent severe weather with donations of fencing materials along with access to:

🌭 FREE BBQ lunch
☕ Barista coffee
🐄 Local support services including health services, farm management advisory and veterinary support
👏 Opportunity to connect with your local community

The donated fencing packs include posts, battens, and wire. It's important that attendees register before 7 August to receive the fencing materials. Details are in the post below⬇️