Rainy weather (file image).

Large hail, deafening thunder pound Auckland on election day

Severe thunderstorm watches remain in place for several regions, with forecasters warning more heavy rain and storms are expected through today.

Saturday 4:59pm

The tail of a light plane (file).

Self-fly tour firm confirms its plane in fatal crash near Nelson

The plane has been located "destroyed" in a remote area south of Castor Peak, and two people confirmed to have died.

Thu, Nov 5

Number One Family Estate is the second winery outside the famous Champagne region to take the title.

Marlborough sparkling wine bursts Champagne's bubble

A Marlborough house has taken the prestigious award for its Brut NV at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships in London.

Wed, Nov 4

Much of the South Island is under weather warnings ahead of Labour Day.

South Island blanketed in weather warnings as Labour Day front nears

MetService said an active front was expected to sweep across the South Island on Monday and early Tuesday, before moving over the North Island.

Sun, Oct 25

Police believe the cyclist may have witnessed the crash that killed one person on Friday, October 24.

Witness cyclist sought after fatal truck and car crash in Blenheim

"We believe the cyclist could have either witnessed the truck passing by or may have seen or heard the crash," police said.

Sat, Oct 24

Pregnant mums transferred by helicopter amid Wairau Hospital staffing 'gaps'

Pregnant mums transferred by helicopter amid Wairau Hospital staffing 'gaps'

It comes after senior doctors in the hospital's emergency department spoke out about the chronic understaffing which they said was putting patients lives at risk.

Mon, Oct 19

'Patients may die': Marlborough ED doctors plead for more staff

'Patients may die': Marlborough ED doctors plead for more staff

Health New Zealand said it was listening, and planned to hire more permanent senior doctors in the emergency department.

Sun, Oct 18

Each person on the conveyor was on a different type of recycling. Councillor Cyril Dawson’s job was aluminium. (Source: LDR / Kira Carrington)

Costly recycling mistakes: $30 vape sparks $2.5m headache

The Blenheim Waste Sorting Centre reopened today, 11 months after a discarded lithium-ion battery sparked a fire.

Wed, Oct 7

September 2026
The Padrone is partly submerged near Waitaria Bay jetty in the Marlborough Sounds.

Boat partly submerged in Marlborough Sounds sparks oil spill response

The 56-foot boat sunk near Waitaria Bay jetty in Kenepuru Sound carrying 2000 litres of diesel and 60 litres of engine oil.

Tue, Sep 29

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.

Fri, Sep 25

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