Meet The Mayor – Martin Connelly

Martin Connelly is a self-described greenie, who loves Wairarapa Moana and first fell for the charms of the South Wairarapa during a weekend at Pāpāwai Marae

Where were you born and bred and where do you consider home?  

I was born and bred in the headwaters of the Rangitata River, in the shadow of the Southern Alps. I came to the North Island in 1999for work and planned to return to the South Island; but things changed. First there were the earthquakes, then my mother died and when one of our children moved to the North Island, we decided to build a house in Greytown. We have been here ever since.

How long have you been Mayor and which ward do you live in?

This is my first term and I live in Greytown.

What inspired you to stand as an elected member for South Wairarapa District Council?

I wanted to be part of a council that developed great customer service and listened to people.  I also wanted to give voice to those people who do not always feel heard and may struggle to represent their own views. 

Furthermore, I wished to have some opportunity to preserve and enhance the distinctive features of the three beautiful towns in our district.

What achievement are you most satisfied with as an elected member?

Our agreement to have a Māori ward. I campaigned for a year before I was Mayor, to let Mana Whenua know that I wanted to improve the Council’s partnership with them. The move towards inclusion of a Māori ward is a further step along that path. 

What achievement are you most satisfied with as an elected member? 

Our agreement to have a Māori ward. I campaigned for a year before I was Mayor, to let Mana Whenua know that I wanted to improve the Council’s partnership with them. The inclusion of a Māori ward is a further step along that path. 

What has surprised you most about being part of Council?

How slow it is to make change. It takes a long time.

Where is your favourite place in the South Wairarapa and why?

Pāpāwai Marae holds a very special place for me. It was one of first places I visited when I moved to the North Island and I had an enlightening time there. The spirit of Pāpāwai cheers me and its history is very important in Maori and Crown relationships.

I also love the view of Wairarapa Moana from the train as it exits the tunnel before coming into Featherston. There is about a 30 second chance to see the lake and when I do I know I have arrived home at last. Wairarapa means glistening waters and, in the right light from that viewpoint, it really does glisten.

What do you love the most about the South Wairarapa?

The hills, mountains and rivers remind me of Canterbury. The charming, interesting villages have some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met anywhere and are quite different to Cantabrians. The district is also only an hour away from an international airport, if I need one. I think the public transport is pretty damned good.

If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be?

Hobart in Tasmania. I feel at peace there.

What is your ideal meal and where would it be?

Fish and salad with ice cream for afters because ice cream is one of the essential food groups after all.

What is your favourite beverage made in the Wairarapa?

Martinborough Brewery’s excellent beers. I buy the mixed pack and think it’s easily as good as many better known beers. I also think that Molewood Orchard’s pear juice makes an excellent drink whether on its own or with soda water.

Who are your heroes in real life?

Musicians, artists and those who do things for the community. People such as Mae Croft, who runs the food bank in Martinborough and her counterparts throughout the Wairarapa. We are lucky in this part of the world to have people who do so much work for others.  

I’m a great fan of opera and classical music, so my heroes include the opera singer Jonathan Lemalu. I love art and am keen to support local artists. I often invite an artist to display their art on my office wall for a couple of months.

Paramedics are also heroes to me. I was once privileged to be invited to join Wellington Free Ambulance for a 12 hour shift. I was ‘blown away’ by their skill. We’re bouncing along in the ambulance and a paramedic was putting a canula into someone’s arm.  They are amazing people.

What phrase do I overuse?

I often start sentences with the word ‘and’.

Which writer do you most enjoy?

I love reading history and for a long time Antony Beevor was a big favourite. I also find Bill Bryson to be wonderful.

How do you unwind and relax?

I listen to music, I garden and I play bridge.