Marlborough Sounds Marinas

It's back! Proudly supported by Marlborough Sounds Marinas - register now for this brilliant annual event here in Waitohi Picton! ⛵🏃🏼‍♂️
With a range of courses for the whole family (or friend / work group) the Marina 2 Marina is great motivation to keep moving over these winter months and aim for in October. See you there!

MARINA 2 MARINA IS BACK! 🥇

One of New Zealand’s most scenic running events returns to the Marlborough Sounds this October. From waterfront trails to native bush tracks and panoramic views across the Sounds, Marina 2 Marina is more than just a run - it’s an experience.

Whether you’re chasing a challenge, walking with friends, or bringing the whole family along, there’s a course for everyone.

Choose your challenge:
🏃🏼 The Link - 24km
🏃🏼 The Snout - 13km
🏃🏼 Marina 2 Marina - 10km
🏃🏼 Kids Dash - 2km

Entries are now open - Register online today at www.marina2marina.co.nz

Council has launched Waitohi Picton Matters, a new quarterly newsletter dedicated to keeping the community informed about key projects and developments shaping the future of Waitohi Picton.

A major focus of the newsletter is the Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Programme and what it means for Picton. It’s set to deliver two new rail-enabled Interislander ferries by 2029, along with major upgrades to port infrastructure in both Picton and Wellington.

Mayor Nadine Taylor said the new publication for Picton residents reflected both Council’s commitment to the town and the importance of Picton’s role in New Zealand’s transport network.

“I am excited to see Picton play its part in an infrastructure development of national significance. We are the home of the Cook Strait ferries after all,” Mayor Taylor said.
Recent news that StraitNZ Bluebridge had signed a new 39‑year commercial agreement with Port Marlborough - securing its ferry services in Waitohi Picton until 2064 - further strengthened the town’s future as the South Island’s critical Cook Strait link, she said.

Council is working closely with all key agencies involved in the various projects - Port Marlborough, KiwiRail, NZTA and Ferry Holdings Limited, which is responsible for procuring the new ferries.

For Picton, the key sites around town will include Port Marlborough’s Waitohi Ferry Redevelopment Project and a new overbridge in Dublin Street, constructed by KiwiRail.

In addition, other developments include previously planned NZTA intersection upgrades at Kent/Dublin and Wairau/Kent streets, the designation change to Kent Street to become State Highway 1 and Wairau Road/Nelson Square returning to a local road.

Council is also progressing the development of the Picton Truck Park on Dublin Street to help address truck parking issues around town.

Waitohi Picton Matters will be distributed through existing community channels and copies are available at the Picton Library and Service Centre – Waitohi Whare Mātauranga.

Port Marlborough
KiwiRail
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Nelson, Tasman & Marlborough

Properties in the Marlborough Sounds accessible only by boat have traditionally relied on jetty numbers for identification but there is now also a complementary Water Addressing system – and, what’s more, it’s free.

Water Addressing uses a distance-based method like rural RAPID numbering but measured along the shoreline instead of a road. It’s helpful for a range of household services including banking and insurance services, voter registration, as well as infrastructure management and property identification.

Council’s Road Name and Addressing Co-ordinator Belinda Darrell said Marlborough’s Water Addressing project was one of the largest implementations to date in New Zealand.

“The scale of this project is considerable. With more than 1500km of coastline to consider, easily the largest and most complex in the country, the Marlborough Sounds presents a rather unique challenge.

“Our GIS assessment earlier this year showed around 1700 properties in the Sounds were not numbered and many were only accessible by water. The implementation of this system is a major step toward providing consistent, modern addressing across our region,” Ms Darrell said.

Council has worked closely with Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) to ensure the new system aligns with New Zealand’s Addressing Standards. Several councils across the country already use Water Addresses including Tasman, Auckland, Christchurch, and Porirua but the Marlborough Sounds is the largest single catchment.

Ms Darrell said the project had involved teams across Council including GIS and IT.

“There has been a lot of work involved to ready the technical and data management systems required to deliver Water Addressing for the Sounds but the benefits in terms of clarity, safety and support for emergency and service providers for this area make it worthwhile.”

The Water Address location for each property will be assigned to one of the following, depending on the site:

• The dwelling
• The jetty
• The midpoint of the property

Within each bay, Water Addresses are allocated clockwise, and once the first property is assigned an odd or even number, the entire bay follows that same numbering pattern to maintain consistency.

Each Water Address also includes the locality name to help distinguish properties within the Sounds.

“This locality information is essential because many bays in Marlborough share the same name, with some duplicates appearing up to five times across the region,” Ms Darrell said.

Council will use the official bay names provided by LINZ when assigning new water addressing. Once assigned, property files will be updated in Council’s system to reflect the change and a formal confirmation letter sent.

“We want to make it super easy for people – you will simply need to apply via Council’s website, and we will take care of the rest,” she said.

For more information on Water Addressing, how to check if your property is eligible and how to apply including step by step support go to: www.marlborough.govt.nz/services/property-addressing or email: [email protected]

Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand

A Yellow Heavy Rain Watch is in place for the Marlborough Sounds, including Picton and Havelock.

Although a strong wind warning has not been issued, as a precaution—and if you are able to—please ensure your vessel mooring lines are:
☑️ In good condition
☑️ Properly secured
☑️ Suitable for the expected conditions

The Marlborough Heritage Festival is held from the 15 - 20th May 2026, and celebrates our heritage and the passionate people who keep its history alive. The festival is organised by community groups and our local heritage organisations across Havelock, Picton, Blenheim, Renwick and Ward, coordinated by Heritage Marlborough. Read more about the events on offer here.

Marlborough Heritage Festival Marlborough Heritage Festival . The Marlborough Heritage Festival celebrates the district’s heritage and the passionate people who keep its history a

When recycling isn’t clean or sorted correctly, it doesn’t get recycled at all — it goes straight to landfill. This is something we all need to get right, so please think twice when using the waste facilities at our marinas.

Take a moment to read the article below to see exactly what goes where and why it matters.

Good Intentions, Wrong Bin: The Hidden Cost of Contaminated Recycling - Marlborough Marinas Last year, you told us that better waste and recycling facilities were important to you – and we listened. In...

Launching a trailer boat this Easter holiday? Then why not book a casual berth for a few days (or more) and make the most of your time on the water with the walk-on-walk-off convenience of a short-stay marina berth.

20% off Casual Berthage when Launching and Parking - Marlborough Marinas With Easter approaching and some of the best boating of the season still ahead, it’s a great time to keep...

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