Community News

The April community funding round saw a large number of diverse applications from across Wairarapa. We are thrilled to share some more worthy local recipients of that round. Our second (and last) community funding round of the year opens next month, October 2023.

WBS is very proud to support local initiatives, fulfilling our purpose in ‘Helping our community prosper’. This month we continue to showcase some fabulous local organisations who were successful in their applications for our WBS community funding round back in April 2023.

Rather than our profits heading offshore, at WBS, any profits we distribute go back into our local community through grants and sponsorship.

We’re super proud to be supporting the 2023 Tīrama Matariki Light Glow at Masterton’s Queen Elizabeth Park this weekend, Friday 28 and Saturday 29 July. Tīrama Matariki means ‘the sparkling Matariki’ and it’s our region’s most prominent indigenous festival, promoting Māori artists and culture.

Wairarapa is special place. We know this, but were reminded again by the healthy number of applications received in the latest WBS community funding round, which closed on 30 April 2023. We are now humbled to be able to recognise the range of wonderful initiatives and sheer hard work being carried out in all corners of our communities, each improving and enhancing the lives of so many.

July is set to sparkle brighter than ever, with snow in the forecast for this years’ mid-winter Festival of Christmas in Greytown. The annual event will once again see Greytown transformed into a winter wonderland for the entire month, with a jam-packed programme of events, workshops, food, live music and family fun, as well as a special Matariki programme.

WBS is very proud to be getting behind phenomenal young talent Liam Lamb, as he leaves the running tracks of New Zealand to hit the famed athletics circuits of Europe. Indeed, we should all be watching on with interest as we could be seeing Wairarapa’s next Olympian in the making.

We were thrilled to be represented by Chief Executive Officer John Healy at the glittering awards ceremony held on Thursday 8 June, where the announcements for all sections were made.

It is with great pride we share that WBS has been unveiled as the naming rights sponsor of this year’s Wairarapa Awards, in an exciting new partnership with the region’s local Chamber of Commerce, Business Wairarapa. The event will become a feature of WBS’ 150th anniversary celebrations, reinforcing our strong commitment to supporting residents and businesses in the region.

WBS is truly delighted to be a major sponsor of the 2023 Wairarapa Film Festival, to be held in Masterton 25 – 28 May. The four-day festival is a special celebration of local film and film-makers, including inspirational stories, book signings, film workshops and fabulous guest speakers.

Look up… as Easter weekend promises to be extra magical this year with the return of the beloved Wairarapa Balloon Festival for 2023.

This month marks an impressive 150 years since WBS began business, and with this, its long term support for Wairarapa businesses, locals, and the community. In recognition of this milestone, WBS through the WBS Charitable Trust have announced they will commit an investment in the region of $150,000 from now until the end of 2024.

Is there anything more exciting than the anticipation, the nerves and excited cheers from the many busy side lines of our Wairarapa sports grounds? If there is one way to bring our community together, it is through our love of sport.

WBS is thrilled to be once again supporting the world-renowned Golden Shears competition, being held in Masterton from Thursday 2nd March to Saturday 4th March 2023.

The WBS Board are pleased to announce the appointment of John Healy as our new Chief Executive, as of 15 February 2023.

WBS credit rating has been reaffirmed by international credit rating agency Fitch Ratings, at BB+ (Stable), a rating we’ve maintained for close to 15 years, confirming our position as a robust and credible alternative for Wairarapa investors and borrowers.

WBS is proud to be partnering with Carterton District Council (CDC) to bring the WBS Carterton Heart of Winter Festival to the region from the 9th to the 18th July this year. The partnership will see hands-on support from WBS, with staff on hand to help with the...

Back in 2014 Dalefield Hockey Club had a big problem to solve. Players who had come up through the club were leaving to go to Victoria University and naturally joining Wellington teams. The club needed them back.

Our local food banks do a fantastic job in helping those in need across our communities.

Already under pressure to meet the demand for their services, all our local food banks have seen an increased need for food parcels during COVID-19.

In the middle of Martinborough, in the old Courthouse building, surprising creations are being built from scratch or brought back to life.