About Wairarapa

The region is named after its largest lake, Lake Wairarapa. The Wairarapa District Health Board meets the needs of the citizens of Martinborough, Featherston, Greytown, Carterton, Masterton and outlying rural districts. It's a 15-minute drive from Masterton to Carterton, another 10 to Greytown and 15 more to Featherston. As rural service towns with Masterton being the largest, it is lightly populated.

The region is well served by different transport modes. The State Highway 2, via Rimutaka Hill Road connects the region to Wellington in the south and the Manawatu in the north. The Wairarapa railway line connects the region via the Rimutaka Tunnel to Wellington. Many residents, especially in the southern towns such as Featherston and Greytown, commute to work in Wellington, either by train or over the Rimutaka Ranges by car.

Within the Region:

• Putangirua Pinnacles. Some of the most amazing rock formations you will ever see. Peter Jackson filmed here for part of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
• Aorangi Forest Park. A significant wilderness area offering backcountry tramping, camping and DOC huts and cottages.
• Cape Palliser Lighthouse. It’s a 250-step climb to the base of this candy-striped lighthouse (1897).
• Seals. The largest breeding area in the North Island.
• Martinborough Brewery. Produces premium hand crafted beer, using natural ingredients, blended together by people who are passionate about their craft, product and region.  The brewery is “micro” in size, producing 1200L batches of beer. Open for tasting, flagon fills & take away.
• Queen Elizabeth Park. Planted in 1877, Queen Elizabeth Park has a lake, playground, a little train and a cricket oval.
• Pukaha Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre. A 10-sq-km centre that is one of NZ's most successful wildlife and captive breeding centres.
• Martinborough. Located at the centre of the Wairarapa wine region. Its many boutique wineries welcome visitors, and most are within an easy walk of the town square.