The pump price squeeze is hitting Nelson hardest, with 91 jumping 46c a litre in just over three weeks.

The region where petrol prices are rising faster than anywhere else

One region has jumped from an average of $2.85 to $3.31 a litre as global oil supply fears drive prices higher across the country.

6:00am

Blenheim couple baffled after back fence mysteriously catches fire

Blenheim couple baffled after back fence mysteriously catches fire

A blaze with no obvious cause had firefighters scratching their heads and followers reaching for everything from rogue embers to wizards and the Laser Kiwi.

Tue, Sep 15

Kevin Lavery in his capacity as chairperson of Hamilton and Waikato’s water company IAWAI. (Source: Waikato Times/ Christel Yardley)

New Marlborough water board loses member before first meeting

Kevin Lavery stepped down due to a "significant increase in the demands of my work commitments in Tauranga".

Thu, Sep 10

Water was being trucked into Awatere to maintain drinking water supply. Source: Marlborough District Council.

'Water supply is back on' for Seddon after main repaired

Marlborough District Council said staff and contractors completed the repair last night, and water had been returned to the system carefully to protect the network.

Thu, Sep 3

Water was being trucked into Awatere to maintain drinking water supply. Source: Marlborough District Council.

Water trucked into Marlborough town as 'major leak' hits supply

Marlborough District Council said the leak "may be challenging to fix", and urged people to conserve water for the next 48 hours.

Wed, Sep 2

Above average temperatures are most likely for the east and north of the North Island this spring.

One of strongest El Niños on record to drive warm, windy spring for NZ

Above average temperatures are most likely for the east and north of the North Island this spring.

Wed, Sep 2

August 2026
The current weather warnings in place.

New and upgraded weather warnings as fronts bring wind and rain

A series of fronts "embedded within a strong and moist northwest flow" will move over New Zealand today and tomorrow, followed by a change to strong, colder southwesterlies.

Sat, Aug 22

Police (file image)

Man in court after $100k in meth, firearms seized in Marlborough

A 39-year-old was charged with possession and supply of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

Fri, Aug 21

MetService weather warnings and watches on August 21, 2026.

'A taster of spring': Fronts bring heavy rain, gales

MetService said a couple of fronts, embedded in a strong and moist northwest flow, will move over New Zealand across the weekend.

Fri, Aug 21

Launched by pioneering winegrowers in 1985, the festival grew alongside Marlborough's rise to global fame for its sauvignon blanc

Marlborough Wine & Food Festival put on hold after 40 years

The 2027 festival had been scheduled for February 13, but tickets were never released for sale.

Thu, Aug 20

ACT councillor Malcolm Taylor says he filed the motion despite acknowledging Marlborough council already practised his proposed reporting improvements. (Source: LDR / Kira Carrington)

Mayor criticises ACT councillors for motion copied from another council

Malcolm Taylor filed a notice of motion in June proposing more rigorous requirements for reports presented to councillors.

Thu, Aug 13

The country's local government map has been redrawn in a dozen different ways, some regions united, others deeply split, and a handful of councils refusing to move at all.

Who's merging with who? Councils reveal their amalgamation picks

From mergers to standoffs, councils nationwide raced to finalise Head Start proposals before Sunday's deadline.

Mon, Aug 10

ACT candidate Paul Henry recalls his embarrassing encounter with the late Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh on the Blenheim leg of his speaking tour.

ACT candidate Paul Henry tells electorate to vote for a National MP

"I would love it for Tom to win. I would absolutely love it. I would love people to give two votes to ACT. The reality is, it is very unlikely."

Wed, Aug 5

July 2026
Horse trekking across the station could be on the agenda for a future lessee.

New preferred operator chosen for New Zealand's largest farm

At 180,787 hectares, Molesworth is slightly larger than Rakiura/Stewart Island and bigger than 10 of New Zealand’s national parks.

Fri, Jul 31

Detective Hannah McCabe, left, and Detective Constable Paul Beckett beside the casket as Beckett reads a poem. Marlborough Police chaplain John Etheredge, right, leads the service.

'Belongs to all of us': Farewell for stillborn boy found on side of road

The infant was found on Wairau Bar Rd, north of Blenheim, by a machinery operator on May 19.

Wed, Jul 29

The southern seawall at Wellington Airport during storm conditions.

Severe gales for Marlborough to Wairarapa later this week

MetService said there was "moderate confidence" the gales would affect the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington and Wairarapa.

Tue, Jul 28

Upper Hutt's possible exit from a proposed Wellington "metro" authority has complicated the region's amalgamation plans.

'A giant dating game': Where councils stand as merger deadline looms

Some districts are close to a deal. Others have walked away entirely. Here's where every part of the country stands with two weeks to go.

Mon, Jul 27

Funeral service to be held for stillborn found on Blenheim roadside

Funeral service to be held for stillborn found on Blenheim roadside

The service will be held at Fairhall Cemetery children's memorial area on Wednesday, July 29 at 10.30am.

Tue, Jul 21

Peters announced the names in a speech at Parliament today, alongside confirmation KiwiRail will operate the two vessels for 30 years from their arrival in 2029.

Peters decries 'snivelling wokesters' as new Cook Strait ferries named

Minister for Rail Winston Peters says critics will "work themselves into a lather" over one of the names, as he confirms KiwiRail will run the new ships from 2029.

Fri, Jul 17

The affected area viewed on a map.

Biotoxin warning issued for Marlborough Sounds shellfish

The public were urged not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from the Tennyson Inlet and Fitzroy Bay areas due to the presence of toxins.

Fri, Jul 10

Two Marlborough communities cut off by damaged roads

Two Marlborough communities cut off by damaged roads

MetService has downgraded its red heavy rain warning for parts of Marlborough and Canterbury to a yellow heavy rain watch.

Wed, Jul 8

Marlborough Wine and Food Festival in 2025, which took place the day after the second Brookby Beats event. A rejected funding application revealed plans to move Brookby Beats away from the festival. (Source: Marlborough Express)

Marlborough festival weekend set to lose wine and music event

Brookby Beats' organisers have applied with the council to establish the experience as a standalone event.

Wed, Jul 8

The Awatere River in flood.

In photos: Evacuations as Kaikōura declares state of emergency

A state of emergency has been declared in Kaikōura as torrential rain causes widespread flooding and evacuations, with severe weather continuing to batter parts of Canterbury and Marlborough.

Tue, Jul 7

Easy Mart owner MeeMee Maung has welcomed the removal of the slippery pavers on Blenheim’s Market St, saying it will improve safety for everyone. (Source: LDR / Kira Carrington)

Blenheim's 'slippy' pavers to go after people injured in falls

The slippery pavers were a notorious hazard. In 2019, reports of injuries prompted the council to acid-wash them to improve their slip resistance.

Thu, Jul 2

June 2026
The “lightly enforced” bylaw has been widely ignored with 156 round trips in a prohibited red zone over 28 days.

Drivers keep breaching beach ban on Marlborough coast

Harsher penalties could be on the way for those committing "ecological vandalism" by driving on Marlborough's east coast beaches.

Fri, Jun 26