If you see a blank image below use the right column to get the pdf and store it on your iPad or Kindle............
AUTUMN ISSUE #29 NOW ONLINE - CLICK THE PICTURE TO READ ON
I have had to be very self-disciplined over the last few weeks, with the stunning summer days proving to be quite a temptation to go for a swim or walk, instead of working. However, I resisted and finally, Issue #29.
The annual Wairarapa Wedding Guide features venues, menus, hair, beauty and services, proving that our region is the ultimate wedding destination. Not only does it have wonderful natural elements to use as a backdrop, like mountain views, endless skies and vines, there is also an array of country churches, gracious gardens, stately homes and rustic barns.
Geoff Walker, a local photographer, exhibits his magnificent photographs taken on a recent trip to Uganda, of the people from the village of Rackoko in Pader District.
There are plenty of events taking place over the season, including Golden Shears, Martinborough Fair, Harvest Festival, Balloon Festival, and Round the Vines, so be sure to bookmark your calendar.
We profile lots of interesting people in this issue, from artists to entrepreneurs, who make the Wairarapa such an interesting place to live.
Thanks to our advertisers who make this magazine possible with their support. Hope you enjoy this issue and see you again in Winter.
If you see a blank image below use the right column to get the pdf and store it on your iPad or Kindle............
SUMMER ISSUE #28 NOW ONLINE - CLICK THE PICTURE TO READ ON
An early spring voyage to Europe was the perfect antidote to the winter blues. It was fantastic to catch up with family and friends, see amazing art and architecture, taste incredible food and wine. But it was on the return journey, driving over the Rimutakas and rounding that special corner where the entire valley comes into view, that reinforced how lucky we are to live here. So much space and fresh air, no traffic jams and most important, the ability to park your car directly outside the place you are going to.
With the arrival of summer there is a very busy calendar of events to suit any taste, so be sure to check out the Events Section and come to the Wairarapa and enjoy the many things going on, as well as the superb wine and food available.
Congratulations to Jared Gulian from Moon over Martinborough, who has landed a book deal with Random House (see page 35). Jared writes for the magazine and has a blog about life on their tiny olive farm. He and his partner are both American city boys, who somehow ended up living in rural Wairarapa with an olive grove. Yet again another example of the diverse talents and skills of people living in our special region.
My thanks go to all the advertisers and contributors who have supported the magazine and to you, the readers for your encouragement. There’s plenty to read in this issue and I hope you enjoy it.
Wishing everyone a merry Christmas and happy New Year.
SPRING ISSUE #27 NOW ONLINE - CLICK THE PICTURE TO READ ON.
My motivation for gardening reached an all time zero this winter as the rain continued unabated and drowned most of my vegetables. After weeks of rain I decided to put the vegetable beds to sleep with lots of mulch and manure and now they are full of worms and almost ready for spring and warm weather that, hopefully, will be here very soon.
With the advent of spring and summer we see the return of many festivals and new events, starting with Toast Martinborough in November, when 10,000 visitors will flood the tiny village for a day of fine food and wine.
The Wharekauhau Wine and Food Society Market launches in Martinborough this spring and is expected to bring big benefits to the community. Held at Te Kairanga Wines, the market is beginning Sunday, 11 November and will be held on the first Sunday of each month, showcasing local food, wine, as well as local arts and crafts.
In this issue we feature many and varied interesting people and places that make our region so unique.
Looking out of my office window I can see blossom on the fruit trees which means spring is just around the corner.
I hope you enjoy this issue and look forward to seeing you in Summer.
WINTER ISSUE #26 NOW ONLINE - CLICK THE PICTURE TO READ ON.
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand, for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” - Edith Sitwell
There’s something about the Wairarapa skies that sets it apart from other places as shown in the dramatic cover image by Wellington photographer grant Sheehan.
Despite the recession and downturn in the economy, we have managed to survive and now head into our seventh year of publishing.In the early days of the magazine, a rather parochial person asked me what was I going to find to write about each issue, to which I replied that I would never run out of ideas or material, as there are so many interesting people living here and so much happening.
And I was right. This issue we profile various people from fashion designers, a furniture maker, to a whirling dervish twirler.
As a destination, the Wairarapa is a favourite for those looking for something a bit different when it comes to fashion, as shown in the Winter Fashion section. Catering for all ages, tastes and styles there is a huge variety, from boutique one-off designs to classic day and evening wear, making it well worth a visit.
We know that many people send the magazine to friends and family overseas, but given the high cost of postage this can be quite prohibitive. Now the magazine is available to read online, so let them know and go to www.wairarapalifestyle.co.nz.
In this issue we feature the Wairarapa Conference guide, plus lots of interesting stories about life and leisure in our beautiful region.
Keep the home fires burning and stay warm. Look forward to seeing you in spring. Cheers Raewyn.
AUTUMN ISSUE #25 NOW ONLINE - CLICK THE PICTURE TO READ ON.
On the eve of our 6th year of publishing the magazine, I would like to take the opportunity of thanking all of the advertisers, without whose support the magazine would not be possible. Also the writers and photographers, whose professionalism reflects the high standard we endeavour to maintain, and to you, the readers,whose support and encouragement keeps us going.
This issue we feature the Wedding Directory which shows that the Wairarapa is an unforgettable place for a wedding. Not only does it have wonderful natural elements to use as a backdrop, like mountain views, endless skies and vines heavy with fruit but also an array of professional people who can assist those planning to get married in our beautiful region.
There are plenty of events happening over the season, namely Harvest Festival, the Balloon Festival, Yarns in Barns, Round the Vines and ANZACWW1 Air Show, so be sure to bookmark your calendar.
There are lots of interesting articles in this issue - artists, entrepreneurs, and honest heartland folk that make the Wairarapa such an interesting and varied place to live in. I hope you enjoy this issue and look forward to seeing you in Winter.
SUMMER ISSUE #24 NOW ONLINE - CLICK THE PICTURE TO READ ON.
At last there is a feeling of summer and there is a buzz in the air as the weather warms up. There are so many events going on over the summer season which we feature in the Events section - Harvest Festival, Martinborough Fair, craft markets, Summer Shakespeare, Round the Vines, pre-season rugby and various musical concerts to name a few. So come to the Wairarapa and enjoy the many things going on, as well as the superb wine and food.
In this issue our three international roving reporters, Sandy Cowell, Simon Burt and Tanya Katterns take us on a journey to Northern California, China and Kenya, each with an amusing tale of their life beyond the Wairarapa.
After four years of writing for the magazine Anne Taylor is taking a new career path, and I would like to thank her for her input and professionalism. Also Julie Kidd, who has amused us for several years with her witty and humorous stories, is heading for Auckland with her family and will be missed. Joining us this issue are writers Julia Wilton, Tina Finn and Tanya Katterns who, I am sure, will each bring their own personality to the magazine.
There’s such a diversity of people who live in the Wairarapa, each with different skills and talents. From artisans of hand gold leaf lettering, limited edition printing to international filmmaking, you will find them here. There’s plenty to read in this issue and I hope you enjoy it.
Having survived the wet winter and so-so spring I’m looking forward to a long warm summer and all the pleasurable things that come with it, like getting back into the garden.
My sincere thanks to all the advertisers and contributors who have supported the magazine and to you, the readers, whose encouragement is inspiring.
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you in Autumn.
SPRING ISSUE #23 NOW ONLINE - CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW.
How do I get people to like me and become friends?” I asked Vanya Wilkinson, my teacher of Facebook 101. In an attempt to enter the world of social networking, I had enlisted her help to explain the complexities of this media. Having set up a ‘Wairarapa Lifestyle Magazine’ page on Facebook, where I intended to post bits of information that may be of interest, I didn’t know how to populate it with ‘friends’. Apparently it’s all to do with getting people to push the ‘like’ button on the page and then they have access to any information I post.
Have a look at the page on Facebook and press the ‘like’ button. I am still a novice, but with time and maybe a few more lessons it will become a productive tool. As for Twitter, I can’t even begin to get my head around that yet!
Let your friends and family, who aren’t lucky enough to live here, know that they can now read the magazine online at www.wairarapalifestyle.co.nz.
Congratulations to the Toast Martinborough team as they celebrate the 20th festival. Where else do you have an event that sells out within 10 minutes of the tickets being released?
This spring the Wairarapa will be alive with a rich array of arts, sports and entertainment thanks to the Wairarapa Spring and Rugby Festival. The Festival, which kicks off on 10 September, is being run in conjunction with the REAL New Zealand Festival held during the Rugby World Cup 2011.
This issue we have a 10 page Retail Therapy section with an impressive array of businesses, catering for any taste, age and style, making the Wairarapa a destination for people who want that ‘something’ different.
While the snow was very picturesque, it’s good to feel the warmth of the sun again. The fruit trees are in flower, lambs and calves are running around the paddocks and there’s a distinct feeling of Spring in the air. Time to get back into the garden and Tunnel House and I’m looking forward to planting out all the seedlings I have been carefully nurturing.
Hope you all enjoy this issue and will see you in Summer.
WINTER ISSUE #22 NOW ONLINE - CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW.
Winter 2006 Issue # 1 - five years ago we published the first issue of the magazine with only 28 pages and a few adverts, today we have tripled in size. And it’s thanks to the loyal advertisers who have stuck by me over the years, to the readers whose positive feedback have given me confidence to keep on going when times have been tough, and to the fantastic writers and photographers whose contribution have given the magazine such a professional edge.
A special thanks must go to Mel Komene, Vicki Harrington and the team at PMP Print in Christchurch for the amazing job they do, especially in times of great adversity. Last issue, in the midst of the earthquake in February, they managed to print, collate, staple, trim and dispatch the magazine, with delivery only a few days behind schedule - the only hitch was the plant that does the laminating on the cover was out of commission. An incredible effort and much appreciated.
Publishing the magazine has given me the opportunity to meet some incredible people and form friendships with many, which might not have been possible otherwise. The Wairarapa is home to many interesting people from diverse backgrounds, and over the past five years I have seen it change, as people decide to call it home, bringing with them different skills and experience.
We know that many people send the magazine overseas to family and friends, but given the high cost of postage that can be quite prohibitive. Now the magazine is available to read on line, so let them know and check out www.wairarapalifestyle.co.nz.
In this issue we feature Wairarapa Conference Guide, plus lots of interesting stories about life and leisure in our beautiful region. I hope you get through winter and will see you in spring.
What a fantastic summer we have had with temperatures often in the 30’s and consistently in the mid to high 20’s. The garden has grown out of control after days of hot weather followed by the odd rainfall.
It’s been very busy in the Wairarapa since early summer and there are still plenty of events taking place over the Autumn season. The Sunny Boy ballon, a favourite in 2004, is returning to our skies when Balloons over Wairarapa takes off in March. The annual Wairarapa Harvest Festival, an annual favourite, held on the banks of the Ruamahunga River, provides an opportunity for town and country to come together and sample local food and wine.
This issue we feature a 24 page section, Wairarapa Weddings, showcasing the region as the ideal place to be married . It’s a ‘must read’ for those planning a wedding, and the vast array of venues and professionsals are guaranteed to make the day very special.
Again we feature enterprising people involved in various professions and the arts, who call Wairarapa home and make it such a unique place to live. Sincere thanks to all the advertisers and contributors who continue to support the magazine - without them it would not be possible to publish this and future issues. I hope you enjoy this issue and will see you in Winter. Cheers Raewyn.
