Booklet to promote Masterton

A special booklet designed to boost the profile of Masterton businesses will soon land in brochure racks across the lower North Island.
Masterton Business Promotions Group's pocket-sized new book titled "Masterton - the Heart of the Wairarapa" is just about to be designed and printed for distribution to selected information centres, hotels, motels, restaurants and cafes across Manawatu, Horowhenua, Kapiti Coast, Wellington, Petone and the Hutt Valley.
Coordinator Barry Sims said about 60 firms had agreed to advertise in the 36-page publication, which would feature information about Masterton's attractions, businesses, district council and more.
Around 10,000 of the books will be printed for the first drop next month, and it was envisaged the next steps would be distributing them in Taranaki and Hawke's Bay, and then on airlines and airports around the country.
Mr Sims said the closest thing Masterton ever had to the booklet was a business directory produced a decade ago.
The new booklet would include a business directory in its back section.
He said the group had "worked our butts off" to get the project off the ground and had timed it when other groups such as Destination Wairarapa were producing their own publications.
"The response to this publication has been extremely positive - 'something for Masterton at last', 'well overdue', 'it must be supported and grown' and 'it could be the best advertising tool we have' were just a few of the comments made."