Martinborough

European settlement John Martin is regarded as the town's founder and set out the first streets in the pattern of the Union Flag in the 19th century. Before Martinborough was established the southern part of the region was known as Waihenga, a point that seems to be lost at times in the history of the district. A feature is the colonial architecture, one example of which is the historic Martinborough Hotel, built in 1882. Prior to the expansion of viticulture, Martinborough was largely a rural service town for nearby farms. Mayors of Martinborough Borough Council The mayor of Martinborough officiated over the Martinborough Borough of New Zealand, which was administered by the Martinborough Borough Council. The office existed from 1928 until 1989, when Martinborough Borough alongside Greytown and Featherston boroughs also with Featherston County was amalgamated into the South Wairarapa District Council as part of the 1989 local government reforms. Marae The local Hau Ariki Marae and Te Whare Wananga o Tupai meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Kahungunu hapū of Ngāti Hikawera o Kahungunu. In October 2020, the Government committed $371,332 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae, and create 37 jobs. == Demographics ==

Stats NZ describes Martinborough as a small urban area, which covers . It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Martinborough had a population of 1,875 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 51 people (2.8%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 381 people (25.5%) since the 2013 census. There were 912 males, 954 females, and 9 people of other genders in 828 dwellings. 3.8% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 52.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 279 people (14.9%) aged under 15 years, 198 (10.6%) aged 15 to 29, 837 (44.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 558 (29.8%) aged 65 or older. ==Economy==

Martinborough has a large number of vineyards producing wines, notably Pinot noir. Martinborough has a warm micro-climate, with hills to the east and west. Almost all the vineyards are in thin ribbons around the northern and eastern sides of the town, and on the Dry River to the south. All follow dry riverbeds, which provide appropriate soils for viticulture. Notable wineries include Schubert Wines, Te Kairanga, Tirohana Estate, Palliser Estate Wines, Dry River, Martinborough Vineyard, Murdoch James, Ata Rangi, Craggy Range, Tiwaiwaka, Haythornthwaite, and Escarpment. During November, the region's wines are celebrated in the Toast Martinborough wine festival. This event temporarily enlarges the population by 10,000. Other industries around Martinborough focus on traditional beef and sheep farming; growing olives, lavender and nuts; and fishing at the coast settlements of Ngawi and Cape Palliser. Tourism is an important industry for the town, and the Martinborough i-site provides advice about accommodation, activities, wineries and where to eat. Several wineries and specialist tour operators offer vineyard tours, and the Martinborough Brewery is also located in town. == Dark Sky Reserve ==

In January 2023, an area of , was certified as the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve by the International Dark-Sky Association. The area covered by the reserve includes the Aorangi Forest Park, and the South Wairarapa and Carterton Districts. Martinborough was the location for the first public meeting to discuss the proposal to apply for dark sky accreditation, and the town is approximately in the centre of the reserve. The Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve was the second dark sky reserve to be certified in New Zealand (after the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve was recognised in 2012). The certification of the new dark sky reserve was the result of 5 years of volunteer work by the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve Association and local partner organisations. ==Education==

Martinborough School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of as of . It started in 1872 as Wharekaka School, became Waihinga School, then in 1898 Martinborough School. By 1921 it was Martinborough District High School, and when that merged with other district high schools to form Kuranui College in 1960, it became Martinborough School again. The nearest high school is Kuranui College. The international cooking school Le Cordon Bleu and UCOL considered establishing a campus in Martinborough by 2009. They eventually opted to open a campus in Wellington instead, disappointing locals who were hoping it would provide an economic boost to the town. ==Climate==

{{Weather box|width=auto ==Notable residents==

• John Martin - politician, runholder, and founder of Martinborough • Eric Ramsden - journalist and author ==References==