The community spoke and we responded by amending the opening hours at two of our three swimming pools in South Wairarapa for the rest of summer to give commuters more flexibility for a swim after a long journey home.

“We’ve listened to our community and adjusted the hours at Featherston and Martinborough swimming pools following some concern about pool hours when they opened in November last year. We know that school groups make up most visits to the pools during term time. Within the overall hours available, there wasn’t much room to adjust Greytown pool hours this summer, due to school use on weekday mornings,” says Janice Smith, South Wairarapa District Council Chief Executive.

Council has worked with the contractors, CLM, to shuffle the hours to remain within funding parameters. “We hope that shifting the hours strikes a balance that works for everyone,” says Smith, South Wairarapa District Council CEO.

Pool hours are reviewed annually to align with where the overall attendance numbers are consistently high, to accommodate school groups and local swimming clubs using the facilities after hours. The council is extremely mindful of the need to ensure lifeguards are present at all times for the health and safety of all who use the three public pools in the district.

“South Wairarapa District Councillors deeply value the importance of swimming lessons for our tamariki provided via schools. We also want to ensure our pools are accessible and welcoming to the whole community,” says Melissa Sadler-Futter, SWDC Deputy Mayor and Councillor.

The new hours at South Wairarapa’s swimming pools run from Saturday 1 February.

Featherston & Martinborough 1 February – 9 March 2025

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 11.30am to 7.30pm
Tuesday, Thursday 11.30am to 5.30pm
Saturday, Sunday 11am to 7pm

Greytown 1 February – 9 March 2025

Monday – Friday 10am to 5.30pm
Saturday 11am to 6.30pm
Sunday 11am to 6pm