The Times-Age story on The Bachelor, Arthur Green, appeared to excite many people across Wairarapa.
Mr Green, who stars in the TV3 reality show The Bachelor NZ, was in Martinborough over the weekend visiting his family and also to throw a surprise party for his friend.
He grew up on a farm near Pirinoa.
His dad Mark and stepmother Sarah Green own the Martinborough Hotel.
For Mr Green, Martinborough is home base, where family are, and a place to "chill out" with a spot of fishing, paua diving or duck shooting.
News of his arrival in Wairarapa was one of the most popular articles online in the last couple of weeks, with 625 Facebook shares.
It also reached 15,352 people via a link posted on the Times-Age Facebook page and was liked by 154 people.
Many online readers, mainly women, wished they had been in Martinborough to catch a glimpse of the 26-year-old.
Samantha Carter said: "Noooo!! I sure can't believe it!! Damn I wish we saw him haha."
Zoe MacKenzie said: "Why didn't you call me Art!! I woulda come lol. I grew up 10 minutes from Martinborough."
Monica Meyrick said: "I'm calling up sick. Let's go see the bachelor if he's still there haha."
Shona Henwood said: "I saw this ... he could've at least come and visited G & I ... two of his compulsive/religious watchers."
Monica Geris said: " I AM MELTING."
Rosemary Rayner said: "What a beautiful family Mark & Sarah, you must be so proud watching Arthur on TV."
A woman who shared the Times-Age's photo of Mr Green said her daughter was quite taken.
Sarah Lee said: "Miss 9 spotted the NZ Bachelor on the balcony of the Martinborough Hotel this morning! She was a little star struck at the sight of him and exclaimed, slightly breathlessly, 'Is that Arthur?!'"