For artist Martin Doyle, Carterton is more than a place to live – it’s a constant source of inspiration.

Martin and his partner moved here in 2015, and to his surprise, the people and places of Wairarapa quickly found their way into his sketchbooks. Daily drawing became a practice he couldn’t do without.

He often sketches people, animals, and the streets of Carterton and South Wairarapa. Many of his drawings are annotated with snippets of overheard conversations or observations – a way of capturing not just the image, but the life surrounding it.

Martin’s art is playful, raw, and rooted in the community he calls home. Whether drawing in his studio or on a park bench in town, he sees the extraordinary in the everyday.

For nearly 40 years, quilting has been at the heart of Pauline Cave’s life. It all began when she and a friend from her antenatal class signed up for a quilting course together. From that very first class, Pauline was hooked.

Since then, quilting has been much more than just a craft for Pauline, it’s been a way to connect with others. Wherever she has lived, she’s joined quilting groups, swapping ideas, learning new skills, and teaching others. She’s played active roles on quilting guild committees, passing on her knowledge and helping to grow a strong community of quilters.

Her work has been exhibited both in New Zealand and overseas, but these days, quilting is about something simpler: the joy of creating and the satisfaction of using up her ever-growing stash of fabric.

For Pauline, quilting is about more than sewing pieces of cloth together, it’s about stitching together friendships and creativity.

 Just like Pauline, your neighbour might have skills or stories to share. Connect with your neighbours today to find out what story lives over the fence.