At this time of year, the dream of owning an elderly character home can lose its appeal. Those lovely native timbers and high studs go hand-in-hand with hollow walls and cold feet. But a local company is providing a remarkably simple solution to that chilly problem.
Swanson’s, a third-generation family business based in Masterton, started out servicing shearing equipment and continue to do so successfully to this day. Two years ago, while at the Mystery Creek Field Days, Nigel Swanson came across the innovative Airfoam insulation system.
 Each year we recognise the first hopeful days of spring when we wrap ourselves warmly and climb the gentle slope to the sea of nodding daffodils at Gladstone’s famous Middlerun farm. The view from Dick Booth’s farm is impressive taking in some of Gladstone’s most scenic elements, from its rolling hills and historic places, to the thriving Gladstone Vineyard and Fairmount Estate Winery. Looking out, it’s immediately apparent why seven generations of the Booth family has enjoyed living and working the land of one of the Wairarapa’s oldest and most well-known farms since Mr E.A Booth took over the property in the 1890s when the family first lived in a cottage near the creek.
 While rain, cooler temperatures and shorter days have alleviated the most recent drought, we can’t avoid the facts – water is now a precious commodity. So how do we meet the challenge, and balance our desire for the idyllic Wairarapa Lifestyle with a cautious and responsible attitude? We take a look at what to plant.
Our gardening ancestors brought more than just seeds and saplings of favourite plants with them when they came to New Zealand – they brought their ideals of the perfect garden. It was an idea modelled on their experiences in Scotland and England.
 Their business cards declare them to be from the Ministry of Panty Affairs. Martinborough sisters Josie and Sophie Bidwill, (Prime Minister and Minister of the Arts respectively) are the dynamic duo behind Martinborough’s Thunderpants, and have the knicker market successfully sewn up. Glamour may not be a word bandied about in the same sentence as Thunderpants – marketed as ‘comfy styley undies that don’t go up your bum’ - but they are arguably just as much a design icon as the Burberry coat or the Birkenstock clog. And if their mushrooming numbers of loyal worldwide wearers are to be believed, once you’ve tried them you’ll never wear anything else. Humorous and comfortable, they’re soft, non-scratchy, thick and resilient. The colours are bright, with a variety of funky prints - artichokes, cowboys, rockets and hearts. And miraculously it’s really true – they don’t go up your bum.
 I can’t get environmentalist David Bellamy out of my mind as I’m shown around Carterton’s ‘Stonehenge Aotearoa’ by its guiding light, astronomer Richard Hall. Maybe it’s the London accent. Maybe it’s the beard. Maybe it’s the enthusiastic gesticulations. Most likely all three, as well as an obvious passion for their subject and a real talent for presenting it to an audience.
 An unaware educationalist and ambassador for New Zealand has died; she just happened to be from a critically endangered, unique and ancient species of bird. It’s 11.30 in the morning at Pukaha Mount Bruce and Pam Basher, the longest serving staff member at the National Wildlife Centre, is preparing for the day’s first talk.
 Award winning architect Andrew Sexton has made a name for himself both in New Zealand and abroad, and the foundations for that success were laid down right here in the Wairarapa. Even as a boy at Lansdowne School in Masterton, Andrew Sexton’s drawings seemed to be a little more intricate than most of his classmates artistic creations. By the time he had moved on to Rathkeale College, technical drawing had become one of his greatest passions. “If it was anything to do with plans or drawings I always loved it,” he says.
 With its natural beauty, abundance of activities and devoted residents, Riversdale is thriving.
You could say Murray Brown and his business are at the heart of Riversdale Beach, the popular coastal village situated 60km from Masterton. As the owner of the Riversdale Beach Store, Murray or “Brownie” as he is known locally, sees the majority of local residents every day when they pop in to pick up their mail, order a flat white or feast of fish n’ chips, or stock up on essential items such as fresh bread and milk.
The old adage that our health is in our hands rings true for Frances Bohm, and it’s one that she’d like to see more people taking seriously. Having faced a number of health challenges herself, including allergies, serious infections and cancer, she is now on a path to help others take charge of their health and make positive lifestyle changes.
 In the first of a series, we meet Judith Stehr, who talks about her commitment to sustainable living. Judith Stehr has not done so badly for someone who “couldn’t even grow parsley” when she first moved to the country. Now, almost a decade on, this self-confessed former ‘townie’ is independent of the national grid, generating power and hot water from solar and wind energy, conserving rain and ‘grey’ water, putting all waste – including human – back onto the land, and enjoying fresh produce from the garden. And all this without the aid of a home handyman.
 Suggest to Max Edridge that he’s been single-handedly responsible for the revitalisation of Greytown and the affable architect will politely demur. But Edridge - resident now in the South Wairarapa town for two decades – is certainly widely credited with helping create the environment and infrastructure which has enabled Greytown to flourish in recent years. “I’ve heard people say it’s all down to me,” he concedes, “but I don’t buy into it. All I’ve done is respond to what’s in front of me and get some wheels turning.”
 Planning is well under way for a rich programme of Art Awards and exhibitions based at the Carterton Exhibition Centre, including the 2008 Wai Art Awards this month.
The Wai Art Awards and exhibition are to be held at the Carterton Exhibition Centre in Holloway Street, opening Queens Birthday weekend. The Award first started in 2006 under the name “The Fabulous Art Sale”, changed in 2007 to Fab Wai Art, and late last year we rebranded to Wai Art.
The A to Z of a well-spent day in Greytown.
AN alluring archipelago of shops awaits…
BUT there’s a problem - blood glucose has bottomed-out, battling the steering wheel over the Rimutakas.
CHOCOLATE curtails crisis. Congratulate self on coming to Schoc Chocolates. Commence with cardamom, and consider choice of nearly 90 other tastes. Juliette Binoche used Schoc’s book to research her role in Chocolat. Close eyes & contemplate co-star.
 Te Muna’s Charles Simons - finalist in Corbans’ Young Viticulturalist of the Year has put his roots down in the Wairarapa.
Having people wind him up about being a South African in ‘All Black country’ doesn’t cause Craggy Range vineyard manager Charles Simons any loss of sleep. But frosts in the middle of January do.
 The passion for producing World Class Extra Virgin Olive Oil continues for Mike Wilkinson & Wendy Fisher of Ruakokoputuna Olives who have purchased a state-of-the-art Pegaso 500 Olive Press which is also available to other olive growers for processing.
 It’s not quite the Jetsons, but a Martinborough company has developed the technology to make life a whole lot more comfortable.
Tony Stephenson describes it as “a house that cares.” A house where if you rise in the early hours to check on a child, your home courteously lights your path along the hallway. A home that even seems to know that in the middle of the night you may be a little bleary-eyed, and therefore offers only gentle illumination to prevent any undue glare. A home that turns off those lights when you return to your bed and then turns on the heated rail before you wake, so that your towel is just as warm as you like it as you step out of your morning shower.
Martinborough’s Brackenridge Country Retreat have added an exciting string to their bow, with a new development due to open in July. The Spa @ Brackenridge has been constructed in the park-like grounds surrounding Brackenridge, which opened in 2000 as an accommodation, conference and function facility. “We wanted to provide a secluded and tranquil facility, where people can exercise and be pampered at the same time,” said Brackenridge managing director Cathie Morison. The $1 million spa development includes a 20m salt water lap pool, a fully equipped gym, three treatment rooms, a lounge with open fire, (perfect for Hen’s groups), and a spa pool located in a private courtyard. “We are thrilled that we will be able to offer world-class facilities to the residents of Martinborough and the Wairarapa, as well as to those visitors who come to share the magic of our region,” said Cathie Morison. Membership will start from $13.50 per week.
An innovative new film is giving wine lovers a new experience to enjoy without venturing out into the cold. Visitors to Martinborough can now tour vineyards and meet winemakers without having to leave their seats. A new wine tourism experience offers wine lovers sky-high views of autumn-hued vines without the vertigo and a wine tasting lesson in an underground barrel room without the chill.
 Every Wednesday night in Martinborough, a multi-national force of soccer players gathers to share their passion. “Ici! Ici! Passes!” A “Frenchie” mid-fielder ignores his fellow countryman’s call to pass him the ball and instead powers past a strapping Dane. Then the Gallic attacker calmly side-foots a lone Scotsman only to be blocked by one nimble Italian waiting on the wing. The Frenchman weaves forward, and with one elegant stroke of his foot, curls home a winner, leaving the Kiwi goalie shaking his head in disbelief.
 The latest addition to Featherston’s Menu. ‘Traiteur!’ It sounds like an expletive uttered by one of those hot-blooded Mediterranean types on finding their beloved in the arms of another. Actually, it’s a food style that has recently arrived in Featherston, via Cornucopia Foodstore and Café. And it has absolutely nothing to do with pain or anguish. The new establishment, in the refurbished 1870s Anderson’s Building, is the realisation of a dream for Tony Austin and Erin Nesdale, to offer “natural, quality food for people to taste, buy and cook”.
 Murray Hill makes his living crafting jewellery and garden ornaments, but his real passion is a little more unusual.
Murray Hill sounds like a man besotted when he talks about Katy. Hearing him describe her affectionately as “a big old girl,” you would be forgiven for thinking that this Kiwi Bloke’s Featherston workshop might just be the last bastion of male chauvinism. A former military man, Murray is a straight-talker. I’m sure he wouldn’t have much truck with those who feel his words jar with current notions of political correctness. But when you finally meet Katy it instantly becomes apparent that while Murray’s description of her may be down to earth, it is undoubtedly accurate. Standing an impressive two metres tall at the shoulder and with a 3.6m throwing arm, Katy is just the latest in a line of what Murray describes as his “medieval weapons of destruction.”
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