West Taratahi Hall

10/09/2025

From the The Phoenix Astronomical Society.
An Excellent Equinox this year!!
Wow what a month!! Much to do both experiential and learning wise. A lunar eclipse, a solar eclipse, Space Week in Carterton from 12 to 18 September, and our meetings on Friday 19 September and 20 September 2025.
Our next monthly meeting is in two parts - the first is at 7pm on Friday 19 September where the keynote speaker is Mitch Schulte, who will provide context to the science for the Mars Missions in recent years. Mitch is the Mars Missions Science lead at NASA, and in NZ to conduct a series of academic seminars on the biochemistry found in the Rotorua region and their linkages to the Mars Mission. The second at 7pm on Saturday 20 September will focus on observation and is also an opportunity to raise any matters related to observation or equipment you wish to discuss. Both these meetings will be held at the West Taratahi Hall, 713 Chester Road, Carterton.
Should the weather be favourable on Saturday night, we will include night sky observation so we encourage you to bring your telescope or binoculars. Do bring warm clothing and headwear, and do anticipate moisture. Current night temperatures are some 3-7 degrees Celsius with a potential chill factor of 1-3 degrees Celsius..
As always we will have coffee and tea available, and we anticipate good conversation over a range of subjects so we welcome any prospective or non-members who choose to attend.
We also encourage you to attend Space Week being held held primarily at Wairarapa Event Centre in Carterton. This starts on Friday 12 September 2025 and concludes on Thursday 18 September 2025. All events have free entry but you must register for attendance - all details at https://www.wairarapa.space/carterton-space-week/from-wairarapa-to-the-stars-carterton-space-week-2025/
The links below connect you to the TPAS Bulletin and Te Patiki from the PNAS. Both newsletters are an excellent read and full of information. Specific information is provided in both the TPAS Bulletin and Te Patiki on the solar eclipse to occur at Dawn on Monday 22 September. Please note that this eclipse begins at 5.29am and peaking about 7.45am. We will only see near full eclipse (ie partial) as the best viewing is in Antarctica.
West Taratahi Hall is easily accessed with plenty of parking. Access from the North is through Norfolk Road, turning right at the Waingawa roundabout, while access from the South is by turning left into Chester Road at its intersection with SH2 at Clareville near the Wairarapa A&P Showgrounds.
TPAS is Wairarapa based, particularly Carterton, while its membership includes the wider regions.

From 12–18 September 2025, Carterton comes alive with a full programme of talks, workshops, films, and school activities as part of World Space Week — the largest international celeb…

25/08/2025

Wow what a fantastic day we had on Sunday at the hall. The weather was perfect and the grounds looked amazing.
The kids had a great time on the new bike track and plenty of walkers also. It was so nice to sit outside and enjoy the coffee, and the BBQ while listening to the music.
A big thank you to Allan the shearer for the sheep shearing and loom rug demo.
Thank you to “Our place Café” for the coffee cart and lovely cakes. Profits will go towards the AED. They put so much work into this and we really appreciated their input.
To everyone else who came along, tried out the new track, thank you. We hope you had a wonderful day and got a look at all the hall improvements and changes that have been made.
We have other work currently being planned, and lots of ideas for the hall coming up. Please let us know if there are any ideas you would have for the community that we can look into.

19/08/2025

From The Phoenix Astronomical Society.
Winter is consolidating - what better time to marvel skyward
Our next monthly meeting is this Saturday 23 August 2025 and will be held at the West Taratahi Hall, 713 Chester Road, Carterton. The keynote speaker is Ian Cooper who will provide detail on the forthcoming Great New Zealand Solar Eclipse Season. The meeting starts about 7pm.
Should the weather be favourable, we will include night sky observation and a laser tour so we encourage you to bring your telescope or binoculars. If there is observation, do bring warm clothing and headwear, and do anticipate moisture. Current night temperatures are some 3-7 degrees Celsius with a potential chill factor of 1-3 degrees Celsius..
As always we will have coffee and tea available, and we anticipate good conversation over a range of subjects so we welcome any prospective or non-members who choose to attend. This is also an opportunity to raise any matters related to observation or equipment you wish to discuss.

TPAS is Wairarapa based, particularly Carterton, while its membership includes the wider regions.

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08/08/2025

Our new childrens bike track will be officially opened on Sunday 24th August at 12 30pm

12.30pm BBQ
1.30pm Opening of the bike trail (children can ride on it when they arrive)
2pm Blade Shearing Demo by World Champion blade shearer Alan Oldfield and he will be making a peg loom rug

Please use the new carpark, there is lots of room for parking also on the grass in the Hall grounds. Please don’t park on the roadside.

We also have lovely cakes and coffee for sale and music

Come and hear what we have planned for the future for the hall, and have a look around at all the upgrades we have had done, thanks to Lotteries Community Grants and Carterton District Council. It is hired out regularly for meetings, events and functions. We also have games evening and other ideas in the pipeline.

email [email protected],
facebook west taratahi hall”,
text Jill on 0274198760.

24/07/2025

West Taratahi Community Hall announces the upcoming opening of the new Children’s bike trail plus see World Champion blade shearer Alan Oldfield shear sheep and make a peg loom rug.
Sunday the 24th August at 12.30pm (rain date 31st Aug)
12.30pm BBQ
1.30pm Opening of the bike trail (children can ride on it when they arrive)
2pm Blade Shearing Demo
Hear about the future plans too for your Community Hall. There are more exciting things to come! Please use the new carpark, there is lots of room for parking also on the grass in the Hall grounds. Please don’t park on the roadside.
The Hall itself is available for Hire at reasonable rates The Hall has had significant upgrades, thanks to Lotteries Community Grants and Carterton District Council. It is now used regularly for a variety of functions/workshops/meetings and events.
The hall email is [email protected]
The page is “west taratahi hall”, or you can text Jill on 0274198760.

15/07/2025

sorry but we have had to cancel the games evening tonight. will post up later the next event once we have it. Apologies for the last minute notification.

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06/07/2025

our next games eveing is on the 16th July at 6.30 till 9pm. Come along for a fun evening with old and new friends. Supper provided and the het pump will be on. If you have any board games youd like to bring along please do, we have a few but always welcome to new suggestions. Gold coin donation if able.

04/06/2025

dont forget the games/board evening is on tonight 7pm. we have a heat pump so dont worry about the weather. supper provided. gold coin donation if you are able.

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29/05/2025

Our next board games evening is Thursday June the 5th at 7pm. Come along for a fun evening of games and catch up with old and new friends. Supper provided. A small gold coin donation if you are able would be greatly appreciated. The new car park is open, but parking is also at the hall by the flag pole. See you then

15/05/2025

this sunday at 1 30pm, meet at the NEW CARPARK on chester road for an hour or two planting new natives and shrubs in the carpark area. Please bring spade etc. Wed love to get the new plants in and established. Please dont park in the hall area as there is a private event going on at the time. See you there Sunday at 1.30 pm

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15/04/2025

Our next working bee will be on Sunday the 27th April at 1pm. We have some weeding and tidying up of the gardens to do and would love to see you all if you have an hour to spare. Bring your own tools, clippers, trowels etc. Will pop on afternoon tea for afterwards.

25/09/2024

dont forget, tomorrow is the AGM for the West Taratahi Hall, 730pm at the hall, all welcome

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