From Masterton to Martinborough:

Community Generosity Behind Hospice Street Appeal 2026

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This year's Hospice Awareness Week carried a simple but powerful national message. Hospice care is a circle of compassion. Like a cloak, it wraps around not just the person who is unwell, but their whānau, friends, volunteers, and community too. It's about living every moment, and about care that continues well beyond a person's final days, supporting those left behind through grief and beyond.

Here in the Wairarapa, we were proud to bring that message to life through our Annual Street Appeal, and the response from our community once again reminded us just how much heart the Wairarapa has.

Out and About Across the Wairarapa

From Wednesday 13th to Saturday 16th May, our volunteers were out collecting in Masterton, Carterton, Greytown, Featherston, and Martinborough with buckets and plenty of smiles.

Alongside the street collections, we ran three sausage sizzles at the Martinborough Mitre 10 Yard Sale, the Featherston Weekly Market, and the Solway Farmers Market, while the team at Mitre 10 Masterton kindly staffed and ran their own sizzle on Friday afternoon in support of the appeal.

What We Achieved Together

Across the Wairarapa, our incredible volunteers collectively raised $12,512 this year, a 12% increase on 2025. In the current economic climate, that result reflects something truly remarkable about our community and its collective generosity.

Thank You Wairarapa

None of this would have been possible without the generosity of individuals who gave up their time to stand on street corners, run barbecues, and lend a hand wherever needed. To every single volunteer and business that hosted a donation collection bucket, thank you.

We'd also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the following organisations, who supported us by collecting, staffing sausage sizzles, or donating supplies:

• Carterton Central Lions

• Greytown Lions

• Masterton Host Waipoua Lions

• Red Robins

• Mitre 10 Mega Masterton

• Osborne Group

• Laser Electrical

• Fresh Choice Featherston

• Four Square Martinborough / P&K

A special mention goes to Mitre 10 Martinborough, who generously donated all proceeds from a dedicated section of goods at their Yard Sale to Hospice Wairarapa, and donated the remaining items to our retail stores. Thank you for such a thoughtful contribution.

Every dollar raised through the Street Appeal helps us keep our services free for people facing life-limiting illness, and for the whānau walking alongside them. Your contribution makes that possible.

Thank you Wairarapa, for continuing to show up and support Hospice Wairarapa, rain or shine.