Latest fromWairarapa

Wairarapa homes, roads flooded under irrigation plans
Farms, homes and roads would be totally submerged in a massive dam lake under proposed irrigation plans for Wairarapa.

Fire destroys trees worth $1m
A pine forest fire in South Wairarapa may have destroyed trees worth at least $1 million. The blaze at Pahaoa Rd, east of Martinborough, had engulfed at least 100ha by yesterday afternoon.

Choppers, crews battle Wairarapa fire
Six helicopters with monsoon buckets and seven ground firecrews battled a rapidly moving pine forest fire on Pahaoa Rd, east of Martinborough, yesterday that had engulfed 30 hectares by midday and was still burning.

Helmet helps climber survive 140m fall
Wearing a helmet may have saved the life of a climber who fell 140m on a rocky peak near Mt Awful, in the Mt Aspiring National Park, yesterday.

Fourteen jobs cut at Wairarapa DHB
Fourteen jobs have been cut at Wairarapa DHB to create one management team across the Wairarapa and Hutt Valley DHBs.

Discarded butt blamed for blaze
A discarded cigarette butt has been blamed for a blaze that wreaked $250,000 worth of damage to a shed, vehicles and equipment at a Masterton garden supply firm.

Man convicted for taking knife to McD's
A drunk man who walked behind the counter at a McDonald's Restaurant in Masterton last week clutching a black-handled kitchen knife was convicted of possession of a knife in a public place at Masterton District Court yesterday.

Fisherman falls into rough sea at Castle Point
A man who fell several metres into the rough sea while fishing from rocks in Wairarapa today was rescued by a local fishing boat.

Spotlight on beer festivals
As summer fades into autumn and the season of mist and mellow fruitfulness, it's time for hay to be saved, harvests to be gathered and, best of all, have festivals to attend.

Judge: Passenger's brake stunt 'stupid'
A man has been convicted of careless driving causing injury, despite the fact he wasn't driving the car that crashed, injuring him and his mother.

'Great leader' dies in Cycle Challenge
A prominent Northland businessman died from a heart attack while competing in the Wellington-to-Auckland Cycle Challenge.

Wairarapa airshow numbers soar
Up to 30,000 spectators shattered crowd records at the biennial Wings Over Wairarapa airshow in Masterton at the weekend, say organisers.