Winter in Wairarapa is pretty chilly so it’s important to have the right gear, while Kathmandu is targeted at outdoorsy people, you don’t have to be a tramper to appreciate its range of merino wear and thermal wear. You can layer the thermal wear under lighter pieces so you can be fashionable and warm without all the bulk. There’s always a good range of jackets and you get special deals if you join the Summit Club (just $10).

You can spend a good hour or so in here just browsing the huge collection of good quality, second-hand clothes so its a good idea if you are looking for something specific, for example, a winter coat or some warm tops. They have divided the store into handy sections so you can head straight to the coats/jackets section or the retro section if you fancy something vintage. There is also designer section if you are wanting to grab something more top-end for a bargain.

Hebe is a boutique designer clothing for women located in the Kuripuni shopping village, that has the latest NZ-made labels. They get in the latest season’s range from designers like Kowtow, a Wellington based label that currently has a really on trend "technical parka", and Ricochet, which does really good knitwear and coats. Because it’s NZ made designer wear, this is a more expensive place to shop but it usually lasts more than one winter.

Thrive is a great, friendly place to go if you want something locally made and fashionable. They have a cool shop in Martinborough which also stocks shoes and lots of new winter boots are starting to come in. On Friday May 16th, they are having a special ‘Meet the Makers’ drinks and nibbles with 10% off sale between 5-7pm so if you’ve never been, check it out.

This is an all-round great place to go for everyone, not just hunters. Designed to protect people from the elements, the Hunting and Fishing clothing range has heavy-duty rain coats, thermals and winter footwear. The staff are also very friendly and can help you find whatever you’re after.

You’ll enjoy shopping for Mum here as walking into the shop, you are greeted by fantastic smells and sights from the colourful range of hand-crafted soaps, flowers and gifts. At pretty good prices, you can get a gift basket with bath bombs, salts and soaps or make your own one up. They also have some great jewellery and as it is also a florist, you can go the classic route and get Mum a bouquet of flowers.

You can’t really go wrong with chocolates for Mother’s Day and Schoc in Greytown has so many flavours and varieties there is always something for everyone. They have gift hampers or you can make up your own box of chocolates, in 6, 15, or 35 packs. If your Mum is adventurous, select some of the more unique flavours like boysenberry and whisky, tequila lime and salt or pomegranate. There’s also a good choice in the tablet range, with over 60 to choose from. You can also order online and deliver it straight to Mum so if you don’t live in the same place it is quite handy.

For a nice day out, take your Mum out to Gladstone for lunch to the vineyard cafe. It has a beautiful outdoor setting and the food, of course, goes well with the range of wines. They also have a special Mother’s Day promotion and are offering free dessert for mums, bookings are recommended. If you can’t be with your Mum, send her a bottle of Gladstone’s award winning Pinot Noir - you can order online.

Having trouble thinking of what to buy for Mum? You’ll probably find something at Farmers, whether it’s perfume, clothing, shoes, jewellery, makeup, or homeware. The Masterton store has a nice selection of perfumes, makeup, and skincare gift packs if you feel like your mother wants to be pampered. There is a great Trilogy and Antipodes range here. Head over to the homeware section to find heaps of designer cookware. If you really can’t think of anything, maybe just a gift card will do.

If your Mum is a foodie, there’s no better place than Moore Wilsons to shop from a range of gourmet treats in one place. There’s lot of locally-made food here like the olive oil range, grab a bottle of extra-virgin, some dukkah, a loaf of fresh bread, fresh cheese and wine and take your Mum on a picnic. There is also the kitchenware department with all sorts of gadgets and cookware to please mothers that like to cook.

Taste is an excellent cafe, and it lives up to its name with plenty of delicious options on its large, varied menu. As well as slices and cakes, they have amazing gourmet pies and salads at $7 to meals under $15. Its food and location makes up for its homely decor, centrally located by Russian Jack Square and the library, its a great place to meet up with a bunch of friends.

This place does great, gastro pub style food and lunch here can be had for just $12. From 12-2pm, the restaurant/bar offers a good range of cheap eats like the tasty open steak sandwich or salt n’ pepper calamari salad. The front windows open out onto the street so it’s a great place to watch the bustling Kuripuni Village with a drink. With a fresh, airy, modern decor it’s a great spot to have a work lunch or meet a friend.

For a cheap, cool eat on a hot day, try Fridgies. Right on the main artery through Masterton, Fridgies has fantastic fruit and veggies and the best, cold treats for a steal. Grabbing a real fruit ice cream here will set you back $4 - it is huge and they have so many flavours from gooseberry to feijoa to Milo. They have heaps of locally grown goods and meats, which you can peruse as you wait for your ice cream to be made - there is usually a line of 2 or 3 people but it moves pretty fast. They also have a great Facebook page where you can check out the specials and find out what seasonal produce is in.

If you want to takeaway good, reasonably priced Indian then this restaurant in Kuripuni will do the trick. You can get a nice curry for under $15 that will serve two people, add a naan bread and you’ll both be full for under $20. The staff are great and the restaurant has a nice modern feel. If you can spend a couple more dollars try the Goan Beef curry or Masala Dosai, they are some of the tastiest dishes here.

For some tasty, cheap Asian food, Noodle Canteen is an excellent place to go. Right on the main street in the shopping centre, the takeaway noodle bar has everything like the classic beef and black bean sauce or nasi goreng. It’s made right in front of your eyes so you see what’s going into it. Most dishes are around $10 and there’s quite a lot packed into a box so you save some for another meal.

Get your kids involved in the Chill Out School Holiday Programme held by the centre from 22 April to 2 May. As well as swimming at the centre’s pool, there will be a triathlon, a cook off, a skating day, movies, arts and crafts, a carnival day and outdoor adventures. Each day has different prices depending on the activity. Of course, you can make a day of it at the pool if you don’t want to join the holiday programme and have some fun in the park right across the road. The pool boasts a Rapid River, Hydro slide, Speed Slide and Dive Well for hours of fun and there are plenty of lanes for serious swimming. After a swim, head over to the kid’s playground in Queen Elizabeth Park and have a picnic. Mr Whippy is usually stationed nearby for some cool treats.

The hub of connecting communities in Wairarapa is offering a FREE school holiday programme for kids from the whole Wairarapa region from Monday 28th to 30th April. There is even a free bus to get kids from South Wairarapa towns to take part in sports, raft building, puppetry, swimming, paddleboarding and skating activities. The community centre, on Perry St, is also just a great place to find out about events and programmes in the area, learn about Neighbourhood Support, the community gardens or visit the Citizen’s Advice Bureau. The people are friendly and can usually help with anything.

On a rainy day during the school holidays, take the kids to a movie at the classic Regent 3 Cinemas. The cinema recently upgraded to digital for picture-perfect viewing and crystal-clear sound and they have a good candy bar with great, buttery popcorn. The location is right in the centre of town and is adjoined to Cafe Strada, so you can drop the kids off and grab a coffee or meet up with a friend. Kids’ films screening now include Muppets Most Wanted, Rio 2, Mr Peabody and Sherman and The Lego Movie. If your kids haven’t experienced a 3D film yet, take them to Mr Peabody and Sherman or The Lego Movie, which are also available in 3D. Prices are reasonable, kids up to age 12 are $9 and children under 3 are free.

Explore the rugged South Wairarapa and use this friendly holiday park as your base. This relaxed holiday park has knowledgeable hosts and is close to the Martinborough’s town centre and award-winning wineries. It’s the perfect place to take the kids and travel to popular spots like Lake Ferry for walking, biking or fishing. After a day out, come back to the park where you can stay in studio motels, cabins or tent with free wifi.

With flat, easy to walk grounds, kids will have fun on this 18-hole golf course and if they are up for a challenge there is even a special ANZAC Day Mini-Tournament with hundreds of dollars in prizes up for grabs. A perfect activity for a summer’s day, it is a picturesque course and you don’t even have to be a member of the club to play. As well as special events, there are regular tournaments and even ‘night golf’ events. Easy to get to, it is just off SH2 and past the Carterton Showgrounds.

A great outing for everyone, Pukaha Mount Bruce is a spectacular wildlife reserve and home to the world’s only little white kiwi in captivity, Manukura. It’s great for kids as this Easter, from Good Friday to Easter Monday (18 – 21 April) there are special egg-related activities happening. Come along and see if you can tell a kaka egg from a hihi egg, run in the Henergy egg & spoon race and help find the golden moa egg hidden in the park to get a prize. In the reserve, there are tuatara, longfin eels and endangered New Zealand birds including the North Island Brown Kiwi, North Island Kokako and Takahe. There are also daily talks and feedings to learn all about these native creatures, and guided and self-guided tours. The adjoining cafe also makes great coffee if you need a pick-me up before going on one of the two hour bushwalks.

If the kids need entertaining this Easter, they can join in on an Easter egg hunt held by the local radio station. More FM Wairarapa is holding a Giant Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday 19th at the Kids Zone Playground in Queen Elizabeth Park, Masterton. The hunt will begin from 10am, so head on down to collect some chocolate goodies, including the classic Cadbury Creme Egg.

This Carterton bakery, deli and cafe is open every day of the year including Good Friday so head here to have a cuppa and one of their huge hot cross buns by the fire. If you have family or friends visiting, it’s a good spot for some lunch - there’s a huge range of food available and a lovely courtyard to dine in if the sun is out. They also have free wifi so you can get in touch with those family and friends who may not be close by for the holiday break.

If you’ve had too much chocolate and are looking for something to do, head to the driving range with some mates this Easter. Clubs and buckets of balls can be hired if you don’t have your own. After swinging your heart out, grab a chilled beer or a local wine at Cafe Solway, adjacent to the driving range, which has superb views of the Tararua Ranges. The driving range is handily located on the main road through Masterton and is set within 24 acres of the picturesque Copthorne Hotel and Resort Solway Park Wairarapa,

"Ten CC" as it’s known by locals, is the penultimate of bakeries. Home to some of the best baked goods, shakes and pies in New Zealand, the service here is top-notch, led by the Kloeg family who have run the bakery-cafe for over 25 years. It’s very popular but there always seems to be a seat in the light-filled, friendly cafe. I recommend the aptly named "Shearer’s Pie", the Bounty milkshake and grabbing some of their award-winning hot cross buns and breads to take home.

The Clareville Bakery is just outside of Masterton, about 10 minutes away, but it is worth the drive. The European-style bakery is inside an old church which has an amazing atmosphere for their open mic nights on Wednesdays. Try the caramelised walnut and blue cheese baguette or one of the cronuts - they use real vanilla beans to flavour the custard. If you are just passing by, you must grab a loaf of the Pain Au Levain (sourdough) - the Clareville bakers are reknowned for their breads.

Zest is breath of fresh air. Off the main drag, you’ll see retirees, business people and young people gather in the white, airy surrounds for lunch, or just to have a coffee on the outside tables. It offers its own Subway-style sandwich service where you pick from an array of breads, sauces, cold-cuts, cheeses and fresh veges to make a custom sandwich. It’s simple, good food for when you’ve overdone it on the cakes or slices.

If you need a decent lunch at a cheap price, this is the place to come. A wide range of sandwiches priced as low as $2.50 will satisfy any hungry customer, skip the slices and if you are wanting something fried, the chicken and chips combos will do the trick. The service is friendly and the ladies at the counter will make you feel right at home.

From the outside, the Trocadero cafe looks like a classic Kiwi tea room but it’s really not. There aren’t many places in Masterton fitted out with retro furniture, coffee bean sacks on the wall and seventies mirrors, it wouldn’t be out of place in Wellington’s Cuba St cafe scene. There’s lots of food options, especially for the gluten intolerant. It boasts the best coffee, iced coffee and iced chocolates in town - and it’s hard to fault. Don’t forget the lovely courtyard out the back, perfect on a hot Wairarapa summer day.