Ella Phillips has gone from dancing the Highland Fling at her school's centenary, to dancing in front of thousands at Wellington's Westpac Stadium.

Not many children can say they have a constellation named after them -- but Carterton youngster Charlie Keyworth has his very own star, a parting gift from his loving mum.

When six-year-old Zavier Boyles announced he wanted to learn the bagpipes, his parents were convinced he was "going through a phase".

It would seem school dress codes are back in the news.

Red Cross has recently celebrated a century of service in New Zealand -- and Martinborough's Joyce Hogg has been an active member for half of it.

Elegant English cars from the 1930s don't just belong in museums and films -- in fact, they can still do several laps of the New Zealand country side.

After a difficult few weeks for their hometown, two Featherston musicians are teaming up to put the "unity" back in community -- with an outdoor concert and "knees up".

Introducing our new Midweek columnist -- Wairarapa-born fantasy author Shayla Morgansen, who will be sharing her thoughts on all things to do with "nerd culture", particularly old-school sci-fi.

When Mabel Trueman's daughter first encouraged her to take some classes at Te Awhina Cameron Community House, she didn't expect it would lead to a community service award.

Marguerite Chadwick plans to help people with Parkinson's live out loud -- starting with a choir and some classic tunes.

Art and depression era blues music have combined in Greytown -- with an exhibition of artisan guitars gracing the walls of the town's newest art space.

Disney's beloved tale of true love, looking beyond appearances and singing and dancing furniture is to be brought to life by a troupe of keen Wairarapa thespians.

Courtney Naera treasures her youngest child's every giggle, frown, slurp of his food, splash in the pool and grasp of her hand.

Political correctness is a term I often see bandied about -- particularly on social media and "below the line" comments on news articles.

A place at the national finals may have eluded them, but Wairarapa's adult kapa haka group has done their people proud.

Small, hand-drawn magazines featuring everything from pictures of owls, to feminist manifestos to poems about existential crises are causing a stir in Featherston.

Many kiwis know to 'take only photos, leave only footprints' when in the outdoors.

In the lead-up to Australia Day celebrations, I came across many readings relating to the indigenous perspective of the national Australian holiday.

Generosity has emerged from tragedy in Wairarapa, as residents rally around the man who played an unwitting part in last week's fatal car crash.

What started as a vision for a hopeful teenager has lead Nadine Allen to become a 'mother' to scores of young women needing to be "loved back together".

It's been a tough week in Wairarapa.

Mary Biggs' personal philosophy is inspired by a song lyric by Jewel - "if we surround ourselves with beauty, one day we'll become what we see".

A Wairarapa-born musician plans to make opera more accessible to the younger generation -- starting with a performance of a cheeky romantic comedy in her home region.

A son of South Wairarapa is taking to the water to help local Maori re-connect with their heritage.

Oh, Facebook. What a nice little double-edged sword you turned out to be.

All successful businesses have to start somewhere -- and in Wairarapa, a great many small enterprises have started with Masterton's Jeanette Hall.

An enjoyable pastime upon leaving the military has lead to a highly rewarding charity project for Greytown's Anthony Waygood.

When feeling depressed, Millie Ogg would look at her little niece's artwork to lift her spirits.

Unfortunately, the more books I read, the more the lack of diversity in the characters and repetitive cliche's of the genre become glaringly obvious.

New Zealand's very own Banjo Queen has made herself at home in Wairarapa.