Rainy weekend
In contrast to today’s sunny start, cloud and rain are scheduled for this weekend as a low-pressure system and its associated fronts close in. Metservice said a band of rain and strong northeasterly winds are moving across the North Island and is forecasting high cloud and easterlies developing this afternoon in Wairarapa, turning to rain tomorrow morning. This wet weather will continue and get heavier on Sunday, with fresh easterlies turning into southerlies later in the day. This wind is nothing new, as yesterday Castlepoint was logged by Metservice as the windiest point in the country, reaching 54km per hour.
Transport
discount
Metlink is running drop-in sessions for anyone curious about the Community Connect Concession, which is a new initiative giving Community Services Card holders a 50 per cent discount on their public transport fares. Metlink ‘ambassadors’ will be available at Wairarapa libraries to answer questions and help Community Service Card holders apply for the concession. A variety of session times are running at all district libraries, as follows. Masterton District Library: Mondays from 9.30am-3:30pm on July 3, 10, 17, 24, Tuesdays from 9.30am-1pm on July 4, 11, 18, 25, Fridays from 9.30am-5.30am on July 7, 21, 28, and Saturdays from 9.30am-1pm on July 8, 15, 22, 29. Carterton library: Wednesdays from 2.00pm-5pm on July 5, 12, 19, 26. Greytown Library: Wednesdays from 9.30am-1pm on July 5, 12, 19, 26. Featherston Library: Tuesdays from 2.30pm-5pm on July 4, 11, 18, 25, and Thursdays from 9.30am-midday on July 6, 13, 20, 27. Martinborough Library: Thursdays from 1pm-5pm on July 6, 13, 20, 27.
Roadworks
update
Waka Kotahi has said that the safety improvements it’s making to State Highway 2 between Masterton and Carterton are well underway. The roundabout at the SH2 and Norfolk Rd intersection is in the process of being built with 47 precast blocks, each weighing 3.5 tonnes. Waka Kotahi said these blocks make for a stronger roundabout that can better withstand the heavy loads transported along this route, meaning less maintenance will be required in the future.
