Marlborough Weekly

Royal recognition for Lorraine and Gerald

Two Marlborough leaders have been recognised in the 2026 New Year Honours list, each appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Dr Lorraine Eade received the honour for services to Māori, governance and the community. She has held a...

Tuning up for New Years

While Christmas is upon us, locals and tourists alike should lock in plans for ringing in the New Year in style on the Picton Foreshore Pure Events Marlborough is bringing back the annual Marlborough District Council New Year’s Eve celebration in...

Summer soundcheck

Live music will fill Blenheim’s CBD on summer Saturdays as part of a new council initiative to revitalise the town centre and showcase local talent. The Forum’s Rotunda will play host to Summer Sounds in the CBD over six Saturday afternoons throughout...

Hauling holiday happiness

Vehicle after vehicle, and present after present, flowed into Riverlands Roadhouse for the Roadhouse Breakfast Christmas toy drive on Sunday. The toy drive, part of the Salvation Army’s operation, Gifts for Kids, expanded its efforts this year to...

Doing it tough

Waihopai Valley was buzzing with energy on Sunday, November 30, as more than 150 eager participants took on the inaugural Renwick School Tough Kids Challenge. Under perfect skies, students and a few brave parents tackled a course designed to test...

Special spark burns bright

The iconic Olympic torch run stopped in to be carried by Special Olympics Marlborough athletes as they prepare for their most important four-yearly sporting event. The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Zealand, a key fundraiser for...

Patients’ wishes bring kidney care closer to home

With the cut of a ribbon Wednesday morning, the need for local kidney dialysis patients for make 10-hour trips thrice weekly for out of region care was ended. The opening of ‘Tātari Toto’ - the brand new, four-chair haemodialysis unit at Wairau...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Marlburians marked the province’s Anniversary Weekend in appropriate fashion – participating in a wide variety of colourful community activities. They ranged from the chills and spooky costumes of the newly-inspired ‘Halloween in the CBD’ promotion,...

Wairau welcomes whānau

Undeterred by heavy winds the day before the start of Te Tapuwaetahi o Rangitāne, hundreds of whānau gathered in Wairau for three days under warm, sunny skies. The festival, which began in 2009, returned here for the first time in over a decade. It ran...

Bombs away!

The Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000 Aquatic Centre is intent on creating a big splash by bringing the Kiwi pastime of doing bombs under their roof with the installation of a new manu platform. Operations manager Jack Foley said after liaising with...

Nathan’s rapid turnaround

Four years on from a Picton man’s first attempt in a stock Ute at the Kaikōura Hop, he will be bringing his burnouts to the world’s biggest stage in Australia. Nathan Bull and the Burnout Bully modified 1974 Holden HQ Ghost earned a golden ticket...

Harold needs help

Since 1988, Harold the Giraffe has been a familiar face in classrooms across New Zealand, teaching children important life lessons in a way that feels safe and approachable. In Marlborough, more than 4000 children each year take part in Life Education...

Seaside Special

The 2025 edition of Marina 2 Marina was in picture-perfect spring conditions as everyone from hardy runners to walkers out for a fun day in the sun hit the trails and tarmac around Picton, Waikawa and Anakiwa.

Alpaca pack complete

The positive power of social media has ended five months of searching to find friends for a popular yet lonely alpaca. Michael, the old, half-blind and lone alpaca of a former herd of five tasked with keeping the grass down at Okaramio Church now has...

Bringing back the Blue

Teamwork, great timing and a handy 450 tonne crane has kickstarted the return of a significant freshwater spring into its natural state. An honoured and productive waterway used by local iwi for food, crafts and baptisms, Koromiko’s Blue Hole spring...

UNBEATABLE

It was finals time in two of the major winter sports codes on Saturday. In Picton the senior A rugby competition came to a fitting climax when the home side, Waitohi, scored a 41-19 victory over Central, while, under the Stadium 2000 roof, Pelorus...

On your hobby horse

Marlborough Riding for the Disabled are hoping supporters will saddle up this September to put some ‘fun’ in fundraising. The inaugural Hobby Horse Tournament fundraiser, planned for Sunday September 14 at MRDA’s Taylor Pass Road arena, will be...

Games get go-ahead

Mark your calendar and dust off those quirky costumes - the South Island Masters Games will return to Marlborough in 2027 and 2029. The popular event, to be staged in Marlborough later this year, attracts around 2000 participants across 25 sports and...

Having a blast

Toes have been tapping to live tunes in venues across Marlborough this past week thanks to the efforts of student bands attending the annual Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival. After four days of concerts across the region, Saturday night’s Gala event...

Learning the write stuff

Budding writers were paid special attention by visiting Marlborough Book Festival authors on Friday. Over 200 Marlborough Girls’ College and Bohally Intermediate students enjoyed an hour with Stacy Gregg, author of the iconic Pony Club Secrets series...

Global MADness

A decision by a Marlborough hiphop dance combination to step up and compete in the country’s top division has earned them a trip to Prague and a chance to compete against the world’s best. Marlborough Academy of Dance’s 18-member ‘Mega MADness’ crew...

Full-throttle fundraising

A lucky local is set to win a brandnew Suzuki Swift while supporting crucial healthcare. Hospice Marlborough have started their newest fundraiser, supported by MotorWorld Blenheim and Ray White Blenheim/Picton, on Monday. The goal of selling 1000 $50...

Cleanup camaraderie

As floodwaters subsided, river levels returned to normal, and evacuees returned home, Marlburians began cleanup efforts across the region over the weekend. Community sourced water pumps were used across Spring Creek throughout the wet weather, as...

Gwen’s top of the table

Rugby mastermind of Max George Joiners, Gwen Win, is the 2025 champion of the Marlborough Weekly’s Super Rugby tipping competition. Gwen has taken out the competition, prevailed by one point over Taylor and Co’s Brad Taylor – the winner of the 2022...

Future proof

The region’s annual Future of Work conference on Wednesday allowed thousands of students a glimpse of a potential future, but for one teenager it prompted memories of days gone by. To her surprise, Marlborough Girls’ College student, Celia Spencer,...

Sailing the musical scale

Marlborough development orchestra Upbeat welcomed primary school students aboard the HMS Melody on Wednesday with performances across the region. Upbeat manager Biddy Butters said the goal was to spark the imagination of students through sound, while...

Six of the best

A small Marlborough primary school is wondering how lucky they are to have so many twins enrolled at once. Tua Marina School, situated between Blenheim and Picton, has a student body consisting of over 12 percent twins, with six sets of twins enrolled...

Park protectors

The discovery of potential play hazards in a local park by a group of kindergarten children has prompted a Council rethink. In the course of their regular Nature Connection park explorations, Springlands Kindergarten students have uncovered several...

Lucrezia’s ‘a winner at heart’

Modelling practise, personal growth and “getting over the fear of being seen” has prepared Marlburian Lucrezia Bradley to tackle the world’s premier beauty pageant. After stepping into beauty pageants and finding success through winning Miss National...

A stunner for St Clair

Tickled pink by high tea support

Two champions of the annual Pink Ribbon Breakfast went bigger and better than ever before on Sunday to raise funds for the on-going fight against breast cancer. Jenny Fyfe and Cathy Wheeler hosted over 50 local women at the Queen Charlotte Yacht Club...

Cheers to Havelock!

Havelock had plenty to celebrate on Saturday. Firstly, its annual mussel and seafood festival welcomed hundreds of people to town and it was annouced that the Havelock Marina and the surrounding aquaculture industry are set to get a $9.9 million...

Amping up sports in schools

Marlborough’s up and coming sports stars have been given a helping hand, thanks to a bright idea from a Blenheim business. Bohally Intermediate School, Blenheim School and Mayfield School are the 2024 recipients of the Aotea Electric and Air...

A gem of a reunion

A couple marking a milestone wedding anniversary have celebrated with their bridesmaid after being reunited by chance. Jim and Shirley Mears from Blenheim marked their blue sapphire wedding anniversary on 20 February, celebrating 65 years. And...

A league of their drone

Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, it’s a super drone and its owners think its capabilities could be key in a crisis. Skyworks owner operators Colin and Zoe Aitchison from Waikawa have one of just three DJI Flycarts in the country. They hope the...

Sublime times at Wine and Food

The sun shone, the wine flowed and there was plenty of local food to tempt the taste buds as people enjoyed Marlborough’s iconic Food and Wine Festival. Good vibes and plenty of smiles saw Saturday’s event go without a hitch as famous chefs and great...

Bird poo causing a stink

Birds are ruffling feathers in Blenheim’s town centre – fouling pavements and buildings with their mess. Pigeons and seagulls have been bothering business owners and operators, swooping on passersby and splattering streets with their droppings. The...

Walking the world

A Picton woman is set to tackle a 40,000 kilometre walk around the world, raising money and awareness for women’s charities. Helen-Maree Forde has a smile that shines, a smile she’s fought hard to find again. Around her neck sits a colourful Tree of...

Shore was fun!

Ready racers: Thousands of people made the most of the sunshine as they flocked to Picton’s foreshore on Saturday to enjoy the extravaganza that is the popular Picton Maritime Festival, including from front left, Anatohia Tanerau-Love and Samantha...

Sunsational!

It’s official, Marlborough is the sunniest place in New Zealand. Marlborough has taken the sunshine crown for 2024 it has been announced. NIWA have revealed official results for sunshine hours across the country. The region has recorded 2769 hours of...

MAKING A SPLASH:

Friends Meila Gardiner, 11, Harriet Cooke, 11, and Leon Cooke, 9, made the most of the sunny spells and school holidays to have fun enjoying the outdoor pool at Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000.

Countdown to new cheers!

Pure Events Marlborough’s Katrina Lange and Racheal Kenyon (middle) and Electric Fix band members Alex Dunn, Kim Weatherhead (left), Aimee Moore and Ariel Rohe (right) are ready to put on a show to close 2024 on the Picton Foreshore.

Picton legend turns 100

John Henson is surrounded by family, a smile on his face and a view across Picton Harbour to where he once worked as a boat builder. Celebrating his 100th birthday at Seaview Home where he now lives, John marked the special milestone surrounded by...

Hope for health

Concerns over safe staffing levels sparked a nurses’ strike as local union members gathered to call for action. New Zealand Nurses’ Organisation members gathered at Wairau Hospital and at The Forum in central Blenheim last Tuesday, joining around...

‘They’re family’

Cindy Thom opens the door with a smile on her face, kindness in her eyes. For the children who arrive at her home, some in the middle of the night, Cindy’s warm welcome gives reassurance at a time when their worlds have been turned upside down. Now...

Progress for ‘jewel in the crown’ hotel

Plans for a 4.5-star” jewel in the crown” hotel in the former Clubs of Marlborough are forging ahead. Letters of interest are in, consents are being worked towards, and tenants have officially started signing up for the Marlborough Wine and Food...

Drive to succeed

Spring winds blew, but the 151st Marlborough A&P Show packed plenty into its Saturday show day schedule for the region’s annual country-based competitions and celebrations. Saturday’s public show day hosted the A&P staple competitions, bringing fun...

Dogged effort to rescue Rosie

A much-loved labrador presumed dead after being swept away by floods has been rescued by firefighters three days after her disappearance. During last weekend’s floods, Rosie was washed away by the force of the flooded Taylor River. Her distraught...

Mural Magic

Mural artist Charlotte Buskin, Spring Creek School’s Keaana Millan-Ratima and AJ Gardiner, and Four Square Spring Creek’s Billi Richmond in front of the newly painted mural.

Pumped!

There were smiles all round as community causes across the region celebrated a boost in funds – all thanks to people fuelling up. Twelve Marlborough charities have benefited from a share of $16,000 thanks to Z Energy’s flagship community programme Good...

Home again

Marlborough’s most successful Olympian has been officially acknowledged and welcomed back to the club where his journey began. At age 15, Tom Murray started rowing with the Blenheim Rowing Club (BRC) to keep fit for rugby season. Fifteen years later...

Helicopter Heroes

Putting her husband Graham in the recovery position, Sharyn Smith cast her eye around, frantically searching for help. In the middle of the Pelorus Sounds, no phone coverage and no help in sight, Sharyn acted fast, taking the helm of the couple’s new...

Curls just want to have fun

Isobel McCulloch has wonderful memories of spending time with her nan. From staying with her during school holidays to chatting on Facetime the pair always shared a giggle. Now in memory of her muchloved nan Kathy McCulloch, Isobel, known as Issy, is...

Access All Arias

The hills will be alive with the sound of music as Marlborough performers join some of New Zealand’s top operatic talent at the Marlborough Opera Festival. A weekend of opera, song and theatre is set to take concert goers on a musical journey through...

Stronger together

Members of the A&P Boxing Club Waitohi Warrens leading the Blenheim HopeWalk along the Taylor River on Saturday.

It’s Back!

Quentin MacDonald carries the Ranfurly Shield into Seymour Square, followed by captain Quinten Strange and fellow Tasman Mako players in front of members of the Shield-winning Marlborough 1973-74 team.

Bright delight

Children from Uptown Preschool have been learning about Daffodil Day and their artwork is brightening up the walls outside Wairau Hospital’s Oncology Department.

Star struck

Evelyn Duncan, Rowan-McKay-Simpson, Angeline Forlong, Tristan Gregory-Hunt, Phillip Johnson, Amber Wright, Matt Allcutt, Kim Weatherhead, Natalie Joubert, Courtney Capener, Emma Tempest, Lucy McIilrith, Jo Harper and Peata Panaho with Jackie Clarke at...

Paw power

“So, you’ve got two back brakes on either side of the handlebars, a front brake if you need it, and yell “yee!” to turn right. You got it?” Stephen Potter runs me through the controls of the dry land dogsled – a standing tricycle, with a bike tire on...

Jazz joy

Marlborough Boys’ and Girls’ College combined band ‘Funkasaurus Rex’ band plays at the final Gala Evening at ASB Theatre.

Time off for Tom after silver

At the Paris Olympic Games, the Blenheim Rowing Club and Marlborough Boys’ College product underlined his status as one of this country’s finest-ever oarsmen. On Thursday night (NZT) he joined forces with his New Zealand men’s four crewmates Matt...

Family’s 20-year fight for justice

The daughter of an elderly couple waiting more than a decade for $100,000 compensation has vowed to continue their battle for justice. Melissa Cuff’s parents, Tom and Jan Harnett, were awarded the money in court-ordered reparations in 2013 following...

Crash criteria not met

e number of crashes on a dangerous stretch of SH1 is not enough to see the speed limit lowered, road bosses reveal. Between 2000 and 2023, 21 people have died on SH1 between Blenheim and Picton and there have been 46 serious crashes. But in terms of...