The Carterton District is a fabulous rural area with a strong community heart. Well known for its arts focus, friendly locals and amazing parks, beaches and connections to the mountains. The rolling hills and spacious valleys lend themselves to exploring by road on bikes, with Nga Haerenga trails and shared trails. Annual events such as the Daffodil Festival, Anzac and Christmas parades bring the community together. Art is a feature around the main town, with beautiful murals depicting the rail/daffodil themes of Carterton. Community events such as Carols in the Park, weekly Farmers Market and Big Wai Art sale are well attended.

Carterton residents participate and get involved in Emergency preparedness, look out for their neighbours and are a resilient bunch. There is a high number of Neighbourhood Support groups with a focus on creating connected and caring communities. Carterton Neighbourhood Support partners with FENZ, Police, WREMO and the Community Patrol.

The benefits of belonging to a Neighbourhood Support Group are:

• Connection among neighbours, between neighbourhoods and areas, thus enhancing the enjoyment and safety of living in the Carterton

• Effective Neighbourhood Support across Carterton builds resilience in the community and offers the opportunity for a cohesive response to a civil emergency and strong resilience of its people to cope

• Neighbourhood Support offers each region within the Wairarapa an opportunity to develop closer ties among the people in its region and enhanced understanding of the challenges and strengths of each region.

• Neighbourhood Support is a proven vehicle for delivery of increased safety in neighbourhoods. It is also a vehicle which promotes a sense of well-being amongst the residents of each community.