Media Centre

Public submissions open tomorrow (Friday 3 September) on Masterton District Council’s 2021 Representation Review proposal covering the next two local body elections.

Wairarapa’s Mayors have commended the community response to the Level 4 lockdown so far and called for calm and a continued effort as Level 4 is extended into next week, 11.59pm on Tuesday, following Covid-19 cases identified in Wellington.

Wairarapa’s three district councils moved quickly to reactivate a coordinated response to the Covid-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown that came into effect at 11.59pm on Tuesday (17 August).

Work will start next week on a new roundabout at the intersection of Te Ore Ore Road with Blair and Totara Streets, increasing safety in an area of longstanding concern.

Masterton’s swingbridge across the Waipoua River will be closed from Wednesday (21 April) as work begins to replace its deck.

A focus on ensuring the cost of delivering council activities is fully recovered is behind the increase in some fees and charges, proposed as part of the current consultation on Masterton District Council’s draft Long-Term Plan. Costs have increased due to adjustments for inflation, to respond to changes set by central government, and to cover borrowing costs for capital projects associated with the services.

Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson believes there are thousands of great reasons and a couple of excellent incentives for people to take time to make a submission on the Council’s long-term plan consultation, which opens tomorrow  (1 April). The draft plan, called Stepping Up, sets out plans for a new civic facility, a 10-year Masterton revamp, and 25 new pensioner houses on council-owned land.

Nearly $90,000 in community wellbeing, events, and COVID-19 sports grants have been approved by Masterton District Council’s Awards and Grants Committee.
This includes nearly $50,000 in Community Wellbeing grants, more than $17,000 in Community Events grants, and $21,000 in the COVID-19 Sports Grants.

Essex Street carpark will be closed on Friday 19 March to allow tree removal ahead of a major revamp that will see park numbers increased from 117 to 125.

An independent assessment of Masterton District Council has highlighted significant improvement since it was first assessed as competent in 2017. The Local Government NZ CouncilMark assessment is a voluntary process, with the Council’s assessment now a “strong” BBB, up from a BB.

Rain in the Tararua Range has raised the level of the Waingawa River, the source of Masterton’s drinking water, enabling water restrictions to be eased to allow sprinklers on alternate days.

A sprinkler restriction is now in place for Masterton – the latest start to summer water restrictions in years.

More than $120,000 has been allocated for activities enhancing community wellbeing in grants announced by Masterton District Council’s Awards and Grants Committee.

Masterton District Council wants to cut printing and postage costs by encouraging people to sign up to receive their rates notices via email.

Masterton Library’s efforts to increase digital accessibility and reach more of the community have been boosted with a successful application to the New Zealand Libraries Partnership Programme.

Masterton district residents have given Masterton District Council an overall thumbs-up in a satisfaction survey conducted in March-April this year.

Masterton District Council is determined to minimise the number of dog owners who pay more than they need to for dog registration this year.

Just in time for the freedoms of Alert Level 2, Masterton District Council is launching a digital public art trail around town, giving locals and visitors an online map highlighting public art pieces.

Masterton District Council is starting a conversation with residents about traffic speeds in and around Masterton, as the first stage of a review of speed limits.

Masterton’s swingbridge across the Waipoua River is likely to be re-opened to all users by summer, after Masterton District Council approved replacing decking on the bridge to make it once again accessible to mobility scooters as well as pedestrians and cyclists.

The aviation and agricultural communities in Wairarapa are deeply saddened by the death of a pilot in a crash at Kourarau Hill, Carterton, this morning.

Masterton District Council has dropped a range of fees and charges and extended timeframes as immediate measures to support the community during the COVID-19 response.

All three Wairarapa district councils are putting measures in place to ensure ongoing support for local retailers and service providers during lockdown.

After one of the driest summers in recent memory, consistent rain over recent days has allowed Masterton District Council (MDC) to end garden watering restrictions for what is hoped is the foreseeable future.

 Rain has allowed Masterton’s garden watering restriction to be eased to sprinklers on alternate days.

Ongoing dry weather after weekend rain has forced Masterton District Council to reinstate a total garden watering ban.

Weekend rain in the Tararua Range has lifted the flow of the Waingawa River, enabling Masterton District Council to ease garden water restrictions for the next few days to sprinklers on alternate days – houses with odd numbers on odd days, evens on evens.

Outstanding service to the community by groups and individuals has been recognised in the 2019 Masterton District Council Civic and Youth Awards.

Masterton District Council has temporarily closed the swingbridge over the Waipoua River after some users reported problems with the decking timbers.

More than 1,300 responses were received as part of Masterton District Council’s community engagement on the future of its Town Hall, closed in 2016 after being found to be earthquake-prone.

A total ban on garden watering has been reintroduced for Masterton, with weather forecasts indicating this could stay in place for at least a week.

Masterton gardeners are getting what is likely to be a brief respite from the total garden watering ban, after unexpected rain yesterday (Thursday) saw a rise in the level of the Waingawa River.

As a result, Masterton District Council (MDC) has eased the garden watering restriction to handheld hoses only.

Extremely low river levels in the Waingawa River have forced Masterton District Council (MDC) to introduce a total watering ban in Masterton until significant rain occurs, in line with restrictions throughout the region.

Masterton District Council (MDC) is planning to start installing around 9,000 water meters in Masterton residential properties in February, but meters will not be used to charge for water services until the 2021-22 financial year.

Ongoing dry conditions have forced a ban on sprinklers in Masterton, with garden watering limited to handheld hoses only until the level of the Waingawa River improves. Masterton District Council (MDC) is responding to flows in the river, the source of Masterton’s drinking water, falling below 1,300 litres per second.

Kiwi reggae royalty Herbs will headline the biggest Waifest lineup ever put together, in Masterton on Waitangi Day (6 February).

Garden sprinkling will be limited to alternate days for Masterton residents from Sunday 1 December, as Masterton District Council (MDC) responds to a sustained period of dry weather.

A new simplified water restrictions system will make it easier for Masterton residents to understand how to conserve water this summer.

Users of the Wainuioru Rural Water Scheme have been reminded to boil their water before it is used for human consumption, after a sample tested positive for E.coli.

Masterton District Council is putting a ballot box on the road on Friday (11 October) to enable voters around the district to drop their votes in without having to go to the Council office.

Masterton District Council is starting a conversation with residents about traffic speeds in and around Masterton, as the first stage of a review of speed limits.

A region-wide strategy addressing how to meet the wellbeing needs of the Wairarapa’s ageing community was launched this morning at an event at the Carterton Events Centre.

Statement from Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson:

Masterton District Council will prioritise a rejuvenation of Park Street after engagement with businesses across the town centre.

The Masterton District Council has today adopted its Annual Plan outlining key projects and activities for the 2019-20 year.

The Masterton District Council has launched a new campaign to boost voter turnout in October’s local body elections.

It is with profound sadness that Masterton District Council, the owner and operator of Hood Aerodrome, offers its condolences to the families and friends of those lost in the aircraft incident on Sunday 16th June.

The Masterton District Council will this year give 34 organisations a total of $189,500 through its Community Wellbeing Fund.

Hood Aerodrome, owned and operated by Masterton District Council, is supporting police and emergency services following an aircraft incident near Masterton this morning.

Casual swimming will be temporarily unavailable at Masterton’s Trust House Recreation Centre as maintenance work continues on the complex.

Masterton District Council will decide on the next steps for the Town Centre Revamp project later this month as final developed designs are received.

A collaboration between Masterton’s community groups and the Masterton District Council is helping keep families warm while also increasing funding for charitable projects.