Masterton District Council

12/06/2026

*One Week To Go - Amalgamation Survey*

Over 400 people have already had their say. If you're still thinking about it, make sure you get it done before Friday 19 June.

Online survey: https://whatsup.mstn.govt.nz/flgsurvey

Or pick up a hardcopy from Waiata House or the Masterton District Library.

11/06/2026

Wairarapa history brought to life as 1940s newspapers go digital 📰

Around 1700 editions of the Wairarapa Times-Age from 1944 to1950 are now accessible from anywhere in the world, following the Wairarapa Archives’ involvement in the National Library of New Zealand’s Collaborative Newspaper Digitisation Programme.

The Archive secured a spot in the programme in May last year, and after Masterton District Library received $5500 in funding from Masterton Trust Lands Trust, the digitisation project is now complete with the newspapers available through the National Library’s Papers Past website.

The digitised 1944-1950 Times-Age editions, comprising nearly 15,000 pages, join editions from 1938 to June 1944. Papers Past also includes digitised copes of the Times-Age’s predecessors, the Wairarapa Age and Wairarapa Daily Times.

Masterton District Council’s Content and Access Manager Stephnie Burton says it is exciting to see the newspapers made available online.

“This work is a key part of not only preserving Wairarapa’s history, but also making it more accessible to anyone who wants to learn more,” she said.

“It’s been a significant project over the past year, so it’s incredibly rewarding to now see it live and available to the public.”

The programme provides partial funding to support the digitisation of newspapers across Aotearoa New Zealand. Preserving newspapers is especially important, as older editions were often the primary source of news and information, documenting the people, places, and events that have shaped community identity.

“Physical newspapers become more fragile over time. Digitising them not only preserves this content for future generations, but also makes it far more accessible, not just locally, but globally,” Burton says.

“The Archive receives research requests from all over the world, so making our collections available online is a huge step forward.

“We are also very grateful to Masterton Trust Lands Trust for their funding support, which has made this project possible.”

The Wairarapa Times-Age editions from 1944 to 1950 are now available to view at https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/all

Wairarapa Archive

10/06/2026

Buying dry firewood? Check that it's ready to burn with a wood moisture meter. You can borrow one for free from Masterton District Library.

The Home Health Kit has a bunch of tools that will help you check your home for moisture, leaks, and draughts - and a guide to help you make your place warmer and drier this winter.

Learn more: https://www.mstn.govt.nz/.../home-health-assessment-kit

Reserve a kit now: https://masterton.spydus.co.nz/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/OPAC/BIBENQ?SETLVL=&BRN=982073&ISGLB=1

You can borrow a kit for free from Masterton, Carterton and Greytow...

08/06/2026

Heavy Swell Updates – Tuesday 9 June 11.36AM 🌊

We are experiencing heavy swells along the Wairarapa coastline throughout today, with a warning in place until midday tomorrow (Wednesday, 10 June).

Please stay away from coastal areas, as the threat posed by these waves is significant.

We are receiving reports of people heading to the coast and potentially putting themselves at risk. We strongly urge you to avoid coastal towns while the weather warning remains in effect.

The swells currently being observed are among the largest seen in many years. whilst high tide is at midday, the peak for the largest waves to occur will be between 3 and 4pm this afternoon. This will decrease in the following 24 hours after.

Communities are encouraged to;

👉 Stay out of the water and avoid beaches and coastal areas.
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.

👉 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 your local council.
👉 For serious, life safety issues, contact 111.

Visit Metlink for up-to-date information about public transport, ouyr website for local roads, and NZTA/Waka Kotahi for State Highway information.

Stay safe out there!

⚠️ 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.

--------

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

MetService has issued a heavy swell warning from midnight Monday 8 June through to noon Wednesday 10 June, impacting the Wellington and Wairarapa coastlines.

Heavy swells and gale-force winds exceeding 100 km/h, combined with expected high tides over the next few days could put coastal communities around Wairarapa at risk of inudation. The highest risk period is typically within 1–2 hours of high tide, which for the coast will be late Tuesday morning.

Due to the unusual combination of swell, gale forece 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. 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.

Stay up to date with the latest information through our website, the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Wellington, and MetService New Zealand

Update from MetService

Valid from 12:00am 09 June to 9:00am 10 June

Combined Wave: Southerly combined waves rising to 9.5-10.5 metres late Tuesday morning, then easing Wednesday midday. Peak period 13-15 seconds.

Swell: Southerly swell rising to 4 metres early Tuesday morning, then rapidly rising to 8.5-9.5 metres late Tuesday morning, easing below wave warning criteria Wednesday midday. Period 17-19 seconds.

Wind Wave: Southwest wind waves 3.5-4 metres.

Pressure: Minimum pressure 1018.6hPa forecast 9am Tue 9th. Maximum pressure 1031.4hPa forecast 3am Wed 10th.

Remarks: Most significant impacts are expected between Turakirae Head and Te Kakau Point.

Tides: The highest risk period is typically at or within 1-2 hours of high tide
Cape Palliser high tides: 11:29am Tue 9th, 11:52pm Tue 9th.
Castlepoint high tides: 11:43am Tue 9th, 12:09am Wed 10th.

⚠️ Tuesday's swells could be among the largest seen in recent years across the Wellington Region coastline. If your property has been affected by previous swell events, now is the time to prepare.

🌊 Places you know well can look very different when large swells arrive, with waves reaching further up beaches, paths and rocky shorelines than usual.

Here are some actions you can take tonight:
👉 Move items from exposed garages and low-lying areas.
👉 Prepare a grab bag.
👉 Plan where you would stay if your property becomes unsafe.
👉 Bring pets inside.
👉 Check on neighbours.

📍The waves are expected to arrive from early on Tuesday morning, with the largest waves expected from 10am-1.30pm.

wremo.nz/home-ready

05/06/2026

We have a Queen's Cash winner 🥳

Congratulations to Duncan who has won $1,000 to spend back in the participating businesses for shopping at Sword and Board.

Thanks to everyone who has been out shopping and supporting our local businesses. Keep your eyes peeled - we'll be running another competition later in the project.

04/06/2026

Kia ora koutou, see below the weather warning from Wellington Region Emergency Management Office.

Whilst the impact in Wairarapa is currently expected to be minor, weather patterns can shift and our teams are actively monitoring. We will provide updates should this change.

Stay safe and dry out there! 🌧️🌧️🌧️

Update 6/6 6.30am

Good morning everyone,

All warnings and watches have been lifted but it’s still going to be a bit wet and miserable today. Expect showers across the region, heavy at times, particularly for the Kāpiti Coast.

Continue to take extra care when out and about, especially on the roads.

Have a safe weekend

WREMO Duty Team

————————————————————————-

⛈️HEAVY RAIN WARNING - TARARUA RANGE⛈️
MetService New Zealand has issued a Heavy Rain Warning for TARAUA RANGE from 9.00 am Friday 5 June to 3am Saturday 6 June.

100-130mm is expected to accumulate with peak rates of 15-25mm/h.

There is also Heavy Rain WATCH for Kāpiti and the rest of the Wellington Region, 9am Fri-2am Saturday, with possible thunderstorms.

Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.

- Take extra care on the roads.
- Clear gutters and drains to help prevent surface flooding.
- If you’re making weekend plans, factor in the weather and be ready to adjust if conditions change.

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

For more information about watches and warnings, see https://about.metservice.com/about-severe-weather-warnings

Take care, WREMO Duty Team

28/05/2026

Heard about Head Start? It’s the amalgamation programme that gives councils a small window to come up with proposals for reorganising local government.

If we take the Head Start path, we have to submit a proposal before 9 August - it’s a tight time-frame. Please tell us what’s important to you by filling out the community survey now: https://whatsup.mstn.govt.nz/flgsurvey

21/05/2026

Street furniture from Queen Street will get a new home in the town square thanks to the Men's Shed. The old benches and bins will be reused in the temporary space after getting a spruce up in the workshop.

Don't miss the gate sale down at the shed tomorrow morning from 8am til noon.

Read the full story: https://www.mstn.govt.nz/council/news/council-news?item=id:2y92f587r1cxbyduvxb9

Pictured: John Bush, Graeme Lenihan, and Graeme Whittaker.