Lucy Cooper

Questions have been raised online after an image of bags printed with Wairarapa MP Mike Butterick's details, allegedly found in a bin on a Wairarapa school property, was posted by a popular political social media commentator.

Wairarapa MP Mike Butterick has defended offering branded bags to students in recent visits to the region's schools. The issue came to light online on Friday morning.

MP-branded bags carrying a party logo do not amount to “explicit electioneering” unless they directly seek support for or against a candidate or party, Parliamentary Service says.

Comment Eleven businesses in Masterton's town centre will receive funding to spruce up their shopfronts as part of a council initiative aimed at revitalising the town centre.

The Wairarapa Times-Age has published more than 30 stories since 2018, when reporters covered the draft engineering reports raising fears Wairarapa Hospital may not survive a 1:500 year earthquake.

Comment The region's community and health leaders have welcomed the announcement that Wairarapa Hospital will benefit from a multimillion-dollar redevelopment.

Comment A Martinborough grower is leading the effort to establish a $5 million state-of-the-art drying and bulk seed and grain storage facility at Waingawa industrial park.

Receivers for the company formerly known as Hansells Masterton Limited spent just over $106,000 in the six months to April, mostly on its own fees.

Warning: This story contains discussions of suicide. Reader discretion is advised. For years Lucy Adlam struggled with undiagnosed premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

OPINION: I am partial to a toastie. Two slices of white bread, a bit of ham, a handful of grated cheese, maybe a dash of chutney if I'm feeling flamboyant.