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.

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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

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

Wairau Bar Rd near Blenheim.

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

Snow blankets the landscape in Central Otago.

Part of SH3 closed after slip as snow hits South Island highways

"Road users are urged to take extra care travelling on state highways today, especially those at higher elevations," NZTA said.

Thu, Jun 25

The Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve could be potentially sold off under the Conservation Amendment Bill.

Nearly half of Marlborough could be sold or developed under new bill

Lobby group Forest & Bird releases maps showing that up to 60% of NZ’s conservation land could be affected by the Conservation Amendment Bill.

Wed, Jun 24

Coronet Peak on June 17, 2026.

Gales, snow, rain: More warnings likely as low bears down on NZ

MetService says watches and warnings already in place from Northland to Wellington are likely to be upgraded as the system develops.

Tue, Jun 23

State Highway 6/Coast Road, between Rapahoe and Nine Mile in the Grey District, has opened to a single lane under stop/go traffic management after a slip forced the full road closure earlier this morning.

Heavy rain, strong wind warnings as front tracks up the country

Warnings blanket the South Island and lower North Island as heavy rain and strong winds trigger flooding and road disruptions on the West Coast.

Sat, Jun 20

Weather warnings and watches are in place across western and alpine areas of both islands, including Fiordland, Westland, Buller, Grey, Canterbury, Otago and parts of the lower North Island.

South Island braces for heavy rain, gales

Orange warnings cover Fiordland, Westland, Buller, Grey and Canterbury as an unseasonably warm but unsettled system moves in.

Fri, Jun 19

Cause of death confirmed for infant found on side of Blenheim road

Cause of death confirmed for infant found on side of Blenheim road

Police are urgently appealing for the family of the infant to come forward.

Mon, Jun 15

May 2026
The Interislander ferry Aratere aground near Picton.

Aratere crew not fully trained in new steering system before grounding

A final report finds KiwiRail focused on installing the new equipment but not on preparing its crew to use it safely.

Fri, May 29

Marlborough’s first set of permanent traffic lights is to be installed in Picton, in a restricted port zone on Lagoon Rd. (File photo).

The New Zealand region about to get its first traffic lights

A request for Marlborough’s first set of permanent traffic lights to be installed in Blenheim has led to the revelation there is already a set in the works for Picton.

Wed, May 20

Body of baby discovered on side of the road in Blenheim

Body of baby discovered on side of the road in Blenheim

Police working to determine how the infant came to be at the place where it was discovered by a machinery operator.

Wed, May 20

Wairau Bar Rd in Blenheim

Police investigate sudden death near Blenheim, road closed overnight

A scene guard will remain in place at the rural road just outside of Blenheim.

Tue, May 19

Marlborough councillors have voted to incorporate their new water services organisation as Marlborough Waters.

'Excessive': Three months to develop new Marlborough water agency brand

Development took three months to come up with the brand for the region’s new water services organisation – Marlborough Waters.

Tue, May 19