Not many people can say their favourite father-son bonding activity is taking them to an international motorcycle sporting championship.

Recently, I've had to confront two good male friends for using sexist language.

Amy Dickon has a small pink photograph album with mementos from her daughter Lilly's significant milestones tucked inside.

The chance to appear in one of the world's most celebrated cultural festivals was "the best Christmas present ever" for Masterton teen Ella Phillips.

The vast Wairarapa terrain and musical legends of the 70s and 80s are the stars of King Street Artworks' latest exhibition.

For medical reasons, my wife's diet has been gluten-free for the last four years.

On the wall of Rachelle McIntyre's room is a simple canvas print, with bold letters on a plain background reading "Everything is going to be all right. Maybe not today, but eventually."

For lovers of film and classic rock, 2016 has not got off to a great start.

Despite years of teasing and some punishing rehearsal schedules, Gus Syben has never regretted choosing ballet shoes over football boots.

Barbara Jackson spends most days covered in dog hair, bathing cheeky pooches after a dip in Lake Wairarapa and teaching previously timid dogs to shake hands -- in other words, living the dream.

Wairarapa's newest club comes equipped with corsets, frilly skirts, huntress personas, parasols as weapons -- and racing teapots.

In the early hours of January 4, Damien Little bundled his two boys, aged four years and 10 months, into the family station wagon before driving the car head-long off a wharf into the swells below.

Depression, motherhood and the need to re-connect with creativity are all explored in a newly-published picture book featuring evocative paintings by a Masterton artist.

A leading Wairarapa veterinarian says positive motivation, rather than a "carrot and stick approach", is the key to sensible and caring animal ownership.

Sandra Walters has never watched an episode of Dr Who -- but she has memorised the trademark outfits of each of the famous timelords, down to their bowties and scarfs.

A big-hearted Masterton mum's latest community project is inspired by her little girl's favourite thing -- books.

With a new raucous sound, a major music festival appearance and supporting an American blues band, 2016 is shaping up to be a busy year for Carterton's Spank.

Joseph Teofilo has gone from playing chess with Dad to pass time on rainy days, to emerging as one of the top young sportspeople in Wairarapa.

With an internship on a political TV show and a Wairarapa Youth Award under her belt, Abbey May Wakefield's journalism career is off to a promising start.

As a little girl, I can fondly recall watching Lady and the Tramp and being enchanted by the idea of a ribbon-wrapped puppy under the Christmas tree.

In pottery, the masterpiece you envisioned in your head may turn out differently from what you first planned, says Masterton artist Wendy Groves.

A couple of weeks back, I had the privilege of meeting Irihapeti Roberts and Shari Taylor, co-founders of new adult kapa haka group Te Rangiura o Wairarapa (our front page story last week).

Miles of glittering fairy lights, a bedroom for Santa, a life size angel made from clingfilm and all manner of Christmas trees are helping bring joy to the Masterton community -- during what can be a difficult time of year for some.

Phillip Percy is known for his charming children's books with ordinary Kiwi blokes at the helm; a retired bread man, a fish delivery worker and, most recently, his own dad.

A "huge and cuddly" mama's girl from Carterton has won the hearts of pet-lovers in Wairarapa -- and a handsome prize to go with it.

A Featherston couple is building on the town's foodie reputation by adding a little sugar.

Carterton is set to embark on a world trip to post-war Britain, fundamentalist Saudi Arabia and 1920s Spain on the itinerary.

On the way to meet my birth mother for the first time, I called in to see Mum and Dad.

The bustle of the Christmas and holiday season is upon us again and it has been a busy year for the Wairarapa Green Dollars Exchange.

Enthusiastic volunteers, a once painfully-shy caterer, an aspiring broadcaster, a male ballet dancer and eloquent speakers of te reo were just a few of the youngsters acclaimed for their contributions to the Wairarapa region.