WIZwireless

What a difference a day makes! Video taken yesterday, photo taken today.

Yesterday was a little filthy weatherwise as you may have noticed, and we had a main link to a repeater at Bideford fail, affecting internet traffic through Tinui, Mangapakeha, Langdale, and Homewood. The secondary links kicked in as intended and kept the data flowing, but this is a local lifeline and we don't mess around.

Out we went, but there was no way on earth anyone was climbing a 30m tower in the hail, wind, and weather. I've been called a turkey before, but I'm not voting in favour of Christmas. Improvisation time.

Knock over some dead manuka branches obstructing the line of sight to Bennett's Hill, install a temporary replacement radio and antenna at a height high enough to access safely, and away we go. Return the following day to do it properly.

Sometimes, one must think outside the box, and break out the chainsaw. It's not all great views, sunshine and rainbows. Usually it's digging in and doing what needs to be done to keep Wairarapa connected.

Be excellent to each other. -Ben

Saturday morning I made the trek out to Flat Point to support the Flat Point Beach Community's subgroup, the Flat Point Dune Restorers. Awesome experience to get amongst it and plant some natives with a community group that genuinely cares about their environment.

A couple of dozen keen volunteers put in the hard mahi to clear the site, and plant 100 odd natives in an area that had been so disgracefully damaged, defiled, and dismembered by an idiot with a chainsaw. I don't know who you are, but you do. If there's any justice, there's always a stone in your gumboot and a grass seed in your sock that you can't find. You're a special specimen if you cut down a 25 year old pohutukawa.

We love giving back to the local community that supports us, and this was no exception. It was fantastic to swing a spade around for a cause and do some good in the world. We're looking forward to seeing the results in a year or two.

Ngā mihi nui for the opportunity to spread the aroha. We'll see you around.

- Ben, and your local team at WIZwireless, doing what we do best, keeping Wairarapa connected.

Absolute cracker of a day for an upgrade!

Snow on the Tararua Ranges, sunshine in the valley of the greatest province in the universe, and I got to see it from a couple-or-three metres up a tower. While the swallows buzzed around my head and the Tui were singing their hearts out, we were out there doing what we do best, keeping Wairarapa connected. Pic taken from our Dalefield site. Fensham Reserve is in the upper right quadrant of the photo if you're interested.

What we did - replace a wireless access point with a newer, shinier, faster, fancier model.

What it does - improves connections to subscribers across Dalefield, Woodside, Parkvale, Gladstone, Te Whiti and the wider valley.

Why we did it - because we're committed to constantly improving our network, and being the best local ISP in Aotearoa.

Stay awesome, Wairarapa. We'll see you around.

-Ben, and the team at WIZwireless

This post isn't a gripe, it's here to raise awareness and show the reality of what we're facing. We're here for the challenge, but it's a long, hard, uphill slog.

Ownership of this farm has changed. Gates were locked, and previous agreements were worth as much as a promise from a politician.

The forestry company who now owns this land were really good to deal with, allowing us access, which we appreciate very much, but...

For every amazing view out over the greatest province in the world, there's one like this. Previously productive farms, being sold into monoculture pine, and removing choices from communities. When we're unable to service an area, the ability to support local becomes very limited.

I'm not saying where, I'm not pointing fingers, naming names, or playing the blame game. It may be a cliche, but "it is what it is". We'll keep doing the best we can with what we have to keep Wairarapa connected.

Stay sane, support local, and if you're looking for a Christmas tree, I know a spot or five ;-)

-Ben

Story time!

On Sunday the 23rd of August, in weather so wild that the Wairarapa Cancer Society Inc was forced to postpone the Daffodil Day Motor Show, (until 18th October - get amongst it, it's a great day out) the wind at Te Awaiti snapped a 12mm coach bolt and ripped the solar panels off the transmission site. Thanks to a very deep battery bank, we were able to sit tight and wait for a relatively wind free day. Which didn't happen for a week and a half. That's Wairarapa at lambing/calving time for ya, folks.

The team attended on Friday 28th to assess the damage and deploy a generator to top off the batteries in case we were unable to get back there in a timely manner. Thankfully the solar panels had shifted a mere 10m to the East and were undamaged, sitting in the lee of the hill. They were strapped down, and "eyes on the forecast" were deployed. Today was the day for the rebuild. First day of Spring, time for a fresh start!

Several trips up and down the hill on foot from the side by side, 10 metres of timber, clamps, and more bugle screws than I can be bothered counting later, we had her back up and charging. It's not an easy walk, but it's a lovely spot to have lunch :-)

Kahu eyed readers may notice Shaun rocking the Wairarapa Wild Bird Rescue hoodie. If you want one, get hold of Danielle. We're coming into baby bird season and our local manu need all the help they can get.

That's all from me for now - be excellent to each other, support local, and we'll do what we do best at WIZwireless - keeping Wairarapa connected.

-Ben

Customers fed through Snowden will be experiencing issues as this wind comes through. Technicians are on route to attempt access.

If you are feeling a little chill around the edges. You are not wrong. Stay warm out there. Breeze Wairarapa 99.9FM

Kia ora I know we've been flooding your feed lately but this is the last one for a while, I promise. You already know that Wairarapa wild bird rescue is one of our favourite local charities, so please spend 5 minutes of your life sending a vote their way in the Environment category, they'd certainly appreciate it. What do you get for your vote? Awesome hi-res photos of Wairarapa wildlife, and the knowledge that you've supported a good local charity that deserves it. Speaking of which, hit up Danielle if you want a hoodie or a beanie for a cause. They're still available any time.

While we're on the subject of voting, enrol to vote! Make sure your voice is heard. We all know what's happening in November, but right now the Greater Wellington by-election is live and local. Get amongst it, it's super important that you do.

Whilst all this goes on, we're still doing what we do best, keeping Wairarapa connected. Tomorrow Shaun and I are off to Mauriceville to do the prep work for a major tower resilience upgrade coming next week. Basically our 20 year old pole is potentially vulnerable to Spring winds, no longer fit for purpose, and we're moving all the antennae over to a custom made, 5m high steel beast that will outlive everyone reading this.

Stay warm, be excellent to each other, and remember that it never hurts to help.

-Ben, Gemma, and your local WIZwireless team

2026 Canon Oceania Grants Supporting schools and not-for-profits who are addressing social and environmental issues in their community, inspiring change for future generations.

Open the gate to a great cause

Every ticket helps the Wairarapa Cancer Society continue providing free support and services for local people and whānau affected by cancer.

A huge thank you to Butcher Fencing and all the generous local sponsors for making this incredible raffle possible.

Get your tickets before entries close on 12 September.

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This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook.

Turtons Masterton thank you for all your support in this amazing prize pack

Over the moon today to see an idea come to fruition. I caught up with Danielle at Henley Lake to hand over the first batch of Wairarapa wild bird rescue hoodies and beanies. - Get one. Get two! Kit out the whole family for a good cause.