Last week we held our first ever Feed and Fund event! Inspired by our friends at Ka Pai Carterton, this event is all about bringing the community together, hearing from different community projects, sharing kai and microfunding a project that benefits our town!
Our community came together to fund Athletics Featherston Inc a grand total of $451.10 to go towards much needed equipment for our tamariki 
Big thanks to MC Mark, Top Chef Erin, prize giver Deputy Mayor Melissa Sadler-Futler, our amazing pitchers, and to you the community who showed up, shared a feed and funded a very special community group.
We hope to do more of these events in the future – watch this space!
Athletics Featherston Inc
Ingrid gave a very passionate pitch about the need for new equipment for the Athletics Club, and even brought along a real life model to showcase their awesome new uniform!
An upgraded athletics club in Featherston would boost the towns image and popularity as our athletes are competing in various regions outside of the Wairarapa and we could host events such as interclubs. We are doing the best with what we have but long-term the club will not survive under current conditions, with competing clubs like Masterton and Upper Hutt having better training facilities and equipment. I’m confident we could attract larger numbers with some key upgrades. The kids we do have absolutely love this sport and alot of talent!
Contact athleticsfeatherston@gmail.com or find them on Facebook
Bucks Road Campsite Upgrades
We are a group of local residents who are excited to be working in partnership with the Department of Conservation (DoC) to upgrade current facilities at our fabulous Bucks Road campsite.
At this stage we are fundraising for a sum of $3,852.50, which is the cost for the removal of two large Eucalyptus trees at the site. Site preparation including removal of the trees is the first step to upgrading the Bucks Road campsite. A new site plan has been drawn up that includes a new toilet facility, shelter with kiosk, covered table and seating area, more defined camping sites and planting of eco-sourced native trees.
The Bucks Road campsite on the DoC’s land is a valued taonga (treasure) to locals throughout the Wairarapa and beyond. The popular swimming hole, close to the campground is the only place consistently considered safe to swim in summer according to regular water testing by Land Air Water Aotearoa.
Unfortunately due to COVID 19 restrictions, international tourist numbers have been severely impacted which has constrained the DoC’s budget. Although we know the DoC supports the upgrade there is simply not enough money in the DoC’s budget to fund the full amount. However the DoC will look much more favourably at our application due in December 2022 if we are able to raise some funds ourselves. Also the DoC look positively at projects where they are able to work alongside a motivated community group.
As indicated earlier, the first step of the process is the removal of two large Eucalyptus trees. We have been supplied a quote (see attached) for the dismantling of the 2 trees, and the chipping of branches, whilst leaving wood on site. The DoC is keen for this 2nd option as it means they can use the wood to supply DoC huts throughout the Wairarapa.
Upgrading the popular Bucks Road campsite will have many benefits for local residents and community as well as businesses. Especially given the completion of the nearby cycle / walking bridge that connects Featherston to Greytown that will attract many more visitors to the Bucks Road site.
Contact edharcourt61@gmail.com
Divine River
Divine River NZ Trust is a local charity aiming to nurture sustainable personal care choices. We facilitate Community SEWstainable workshops and in-school workshops to engage with communities to provide the knowledge, skills, and opportunity to build connections.
Our goal is for community-led volunteer groups to grow from these initial workshops that enable communities to provide sustainable personal care options for themselves, their whanau & their communities.
We have already delivered a series of Community SEWstainable workshops earlier this year at Fareham Creative Space and have another planned for Term 4 2022 at Featherston Community Centre. We would love to continue to build relationships with the Community Hubs and Schools within Featherston to share our passion to bring about positive community-led solutions to the current climate change issue.
Contact divinerivernz@gmail.com or find them on Facebook
Cross Creek Railway Society Inc
A ride on the Mini Fell Engine H199 and Kiwirail DC “Sam Mac” DC4450 is a highlight for many when they visit Featherston. The group is always happy to hear from new volunteers who want to drive the train or upkeep the facilities.
Contact Cross Creek on (021) 150 2024 or crosscreekrailwaysociety@gmail.com, or find them on Facebook
Ä€ Mua Community Resource Centre
This is a facility by and for the people of Paetumokai – Featherston. Located at 69 Boundary Rd, already home to Featherston Foodbank, A Mua will initially comprise a resource recovery centre – the Re-Use It Shop, which will accept donations of a wide range of reusable items which otherwise might have been destined for the landfill. These items are on-sold to the public at reasonable prices to be given another life- either as they are, or repurposed into something new. All profits from the shop will fund other centre initiatives as well as being made available to Featherston community groups by way of grants. It is our hope that A Mua will become a community hub for all those wishing to deepen community connections and resilience, share knowledge and skills and do something to lessen the impact on our environment.
Contact: Ā Mua Community Resource Centre on Facebook