July 2026
As the star cluster of Matariki rises in the northeast sky our small town is making plans to gather once again to celebrate, connect, reflect and commemorate. The public holiday for Matariki this year will be Friday 10th July, and…
Paul Mason
June 2026
Kia ora booklovers! Around 10,000 booklovers descended on Featherston for the 11th Karukatea Festival, officially the biggest and most successful in the event’s history. Across 47 events and 75 presenters, the Festival drew record crowds, building on the momentum of…
May 2026
This issue of new Phoenix is devoted to acknowledging ANZAC Day. Featherston and the wider Wairarapa has a unique association with the ANZAC memory. Not only was the WWI Featherston Camp the leaving point for 60,000 New Zealanders to serving…
April 2026
Featherston Booktown unveiled the programme for its 11th annual Karukatea Festival at Anzac Hall on Friday, 13 March. After a welcoming karakia by Liz Mellish and an introduction from Chair Peter Biggs, Festival Director Jordan Hamel revealed the lineup of…