South Wairarapa District Council met on Thursday 29 October, where elected members adopted the 2025/26 Annual Report, considered a proposed road name for a new Martinborough subdivision, and made appointments to council committees following the recent by-election.  

All of our Council meetings are livestreamed and open to the public. We know not everyone can tune in though, so here’s a quick summary of the key outcomes of the most recent meeting held this month.  

Annual Report 2025/26 

Council adopted its 2025/26 Annual Report and Summary Annual Report, which provide an overview of the organisation’s performance, finances and activities over the past financial year.  

The Annual Report is one of the Council’s key accountability documents. It is an overview of what was achieved during the year, how ratepayer funds were spent, and how Council performed against the commitments made to the community. The Annual Report, including all financial statement, is independently audited by Audit NZ and helps ensure transparency about Council’s activities, challenges and progress over the past 12 months.  

While the Annual Report received an “Unqualified” audit opinion from our auditors, indicating that the financial statements were presented fairly in all material respect, it also received two emphasis of matter paragraphs, this is standard across all councils Audit NZ work with. These matters draw attention to future changes and potential uncertainties that may result from water entity transition and local government reform.  

New road name for White Rock Road subdivision 

Councillors approved the name Brackenridge Lane for a private road serving a new 22-lot rural subdivision at 60-62 White Rock Road, Martinborough.  

The subdivision is located on the former Brackenridge Country Retreat and Spa site. The proposed name reflects the history and identity of the property, which has been a well-known accommodation, events and wellness destination in Martinborough for more than 25 years.  

Committee appointments 

Following the recent election of Councillor Peter Biggs to fill a vacancy on Council, councillors considered a number of committee and external body appointments.  

Councillor Biggs was appointed to both the Economic Growth Committee and the Social Resilience Committee. Council also appointed Richard Rooney as Council’s representative on the Destination Wairarapa Board.  

More information  

Council meetings are open to the public and are livestreamed where possible. Residents wishing to speak during the public participation section of a meeting can contact Council at least 24 hours before the meeting. 

Agenda papers and meeting information are available on the South Wairarapa District Council website – Council – 29 October 2026 

Watch the meeting recording on YouTube: Council – 29 October 2026