41°53′S 173°40′E / 41.883°S 173.667°E / -41.883; 173.667
55-545: Riverlands is a locality in Marlborough , New Zealand. State Highway 1 runs through the settlement, and the Ōpaoa River flows past to the northeast. Blenheim is about 2.5 km to the northwest. According to the 2013 New Zealand census , Riverlands has a population of 471, an increase of 9 people since the 2006 census. There were 231 males and 240 females. Riverlands covers 6.28 km (2.42 sq mi).> It had an estimated population of 580 as of June 2024, with
110-672: A daily return trip to Picton during the summer months until its scheduled passenger services were suspended in December 2021. They are scheduled to restart in November 2022. Roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferries link Picton with Wellington, forming the main link between the North and South Islands across Cook Strait . The two main shipping companies operating this route are the Interislander and StraitNZ , with both taking passenger and road vehicles and, for
165-438: A population density of 507 people per km . Before the 2023 census, the town had a smaller boundary, covering 9.17 km (3.54 sq mi). Using that boundary, Picton had a population of 4,503 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 486 people (12.1%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 456 people (11.3%) since the 2006 census . There were 1,950 households, comprising 2,277 males and 2,226 females, giving
220-750: A population density of 92 people per km. Riverlands had a population of 465 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 60 people (14.8%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 75 people (19.2%) since the 2006 census . There were 150 households, comprising 267 males and 198 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.35 males per female. The median age was 42.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 93 people (20.0%) aged under 15 years, 66 (14.2%) aged 15 to 29, 234 (50.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 72 (15.5%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 84.5% European/ Pākehā , 10.3% Māori , 9.7% Pasifika , 0.6% Asian , and 3.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas
275-575: A reference to the port in her short story " The Voyage " (in the collection The Garden Party), which is "an account of a trip to Picton from Wellington on the Cook Strait ferry". The roll-on/roll-off (RORO) road and rail ferry service between Picton and Wellington started on 11 August 1962, operated by the New Zealand Railways Department with the ship GMV Aramoana . Picton is located in an inlet known as Picton Harbour, on
330-468: A sex ratio of 1.02 males per female, with 582 people (12.9%) aged under 15 years, 507 (11.3%) aged 15 to 29, 2,031 (45.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,383 (30.7%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 87.9% European/ Pākehā , 18.3% Māori , 1.9% Pasifika , 2.5% Asian , and 1.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas was 17.6, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer
385-648: Is a town in the Marlborough Region of New Zealand's South Island . The town is located near the head of the Queen Charlotte Sound / Tōtaranui , 25 km (16 mi) north of Blenheim and 65 km (40 mi) west of Wellington . Waikawa lies just north-east of Picton and is considered to be a contiguous part of the Picton urban area. Picton is a major hub in New Zealand's transport network, connecting
440-569: Is from a bore at Speeds Road in Koromiko; during high demand, this is supplemented by a stream-fed supply in Essons Valley. The average daily water demand in the town is 3,800 m (130,000 cu ft), with demand in summer peaking at 5,770 m (204,000 cu ft). Prior to the commissioning of the Picton wastewater treatment plant in 1999, all the town's sewage was discharge raw into Queen Charlotte Sound. The town's wastewater system
495-748: Is located in Picton. It is the marae (meeting ground) of Te Atiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui, and includes the Arapaoa wharenui (meeting house). In October 2020, the Government committed $ 242,386 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae, creating 18 jobs. The town is also the usual starting point for holidays in the Marlborough Sounds . Highlights include fishing, walking, the Queen Charlotte Track , and diving. A popular dive trip
550-468: Is one of the 16 regions of New Zealand , located on the northeast of the South Island . Marlborough is a unitary authority , both a district and a region. Marlborough District Council is based at Blenheim , the largest town. The unitary region has a population of 52,300 (June 2024) . Marlborough is known for its dry climate, the Marlborough Sounds , and Sauvignon blanc wine. It takes its name from
605-894: Is the region's main seaport. Interislander and Bluebridge both operate roll-on-roll-off ferry services between Picton and Wellington. There are 29 primary and secondary schools in Marlborough. There are 22 state primary schools, one state intermediate school (Bohally Intermediate in Blenheim), three state secondary schools ( Marlborough Boys' College and Marlborough Girls' College in Blenheim, and Queen Charlotte College in Picton), and one state area school (Rai Valley Area School). There are two state-integrated schools , one Catholic primary school and one Christian composite school, both in Blenheim. Picton, New Zealand Picton ( Māori : Waitohi )
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#1732859056019660-521: Is to the 177-metre long wreck of the cruise liner MS Mikhail Lermontov , which lies at Port Gore, 37 metres underwater. Dive charter boats leave from Picton for the last resting place of the Mikhail Lermontov, one of the world's largest, most accessible and most recent shipwrecks. Guiding is essential as the 1986 wreck is in 30 metres of water and divers can become disoriented inside the hull, which lies on its starboard side. The completion of
715-729: The 2013 census . There were 24,594 males, 24,681 females and 156 people of other genders in 20,187 dwellings. 2.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+ . The median age was 46.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 8,232 people (16.7%) aged under 15 years, 7,119 (14.4%) aged 15 to 29, 22,239 (45.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 11,838 (23.9%) aged 65 or older. People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 85.9% European ( Pākehā ); 14.9% Māori ; 3.7% Pasifika ; 5.4% Asian ; 1.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.0% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English
770-477: The 2023 New Zealand general election , the ferry replacement project and its associated terminal redevelopments were cancelled by the incoming Sixth National Government . The Interislander terminal building originally built in the 1960s was demolished in 2024. Cruise ships regularly visit Picton between October and April. During the 2018–19 season, 44 ships carrying 85,000 passengers visited Picton. Picton Aerodrome at Koromiko 7.4 kilometres (4.6 mi) to
825-524: The Duke of Wellington , who was killed at the Battle of Waterloo . Thomas Picton's connection to the slave trade and controversial governorship of Trinidad has resulted in calls for places named after him to be renamed. The town's Māori name, Waitohi, translates into English as 'waters of the tohi ritual'. The tohi is a baptismal ritual of warriors before they went into battle. The warriors would line
880-783: The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) and part of the ECHELON network, is located in the Waihopai Valley 11 km (7 mi) southwest of Renwick. Marlborough is administered by a unitary authority , the Marlborough District Council . Between 1859 and 1876 Marlborough had its own provincial government, and was known as the Marlborough Province , which ended when the Abolition of
935-625: The Southern Alps , although that name is rarely applied to mountains this far north. Between those two sections is the long, straight valley of the Wairau River . This broadens to wide plains at its eastern end, in the centre of which stands the town of Blenheim . This region has fertile soil and temperate weather, which has enabled it to become the centre of the New Zealand wine industry. The fourth geographic zone lies along its north coast. Here,
990-460: The Ōpaoa River just north of Blenheim (the bridge over the river wasn't completed until 1880). The full line south to Kaikōura and on to Christchurch wasn't completed until 15 December 1945. The line's climb from Picton to Elevation Saddle required a steep 1-in-37 (2.7%) grade and a viaduct across the Waitohi River. The original viaduct was the largest wooden structure in the southern hemisphere at
1045-503: The Interislander on one ferry, rail wagons. There have been proposals in recent years (the latest in 2011) to relocate the ferry terminals from Picton to Clifford Bay , south of Blenheim, to reduce travel times. However, these plans never got past the design proposal and were eventually dropped. In 2019, consultation began on a redevelopment of the ferry precinct ahead of Interislander introducing new and larger ferries in 2024. Following
1100-591: The MP for the Te Tai Tonga electorate since 2023. A combined District and High Court at Blenheim serves the region judicially. Marlborough is served by four state highways : State Highway 1 , State Highway 6 , State Highway 62 , and State Highway 63 . State Highway 1 is the main highway in the region, connecting Picton and Blenheim, and connecting the region south to Christchurch via Seddon and Kaikōura . State Highway 6 connects Blenheim and Renwick, and connects
1155-733: The Marlborough Sounds. The Edwin Fox Maritime Centre features the remains of the Edwin Fox , the only surviving ship that transported convicts to Australia, and a small museum. State Highway 1 links Picton southwards to Blenheim , Kaikōura , Christchurch and beyond, while the scenic Queen Charlotte Drive (shorter in distance but usually slower than via State Highways 1, 62 and 6) winds westward to Havelock . The Main North Line railway opened on 17 November 1875 between Picton and
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#17328590560191210-550: The Provinces Act came into force on 1 November 1876. The Marlborough District Council consists of a mayor and 14 councillors. The councillors are elected from three wards: seven from the Blenheim ward, three each from the Marlborough Sounds and Wairau-Awatere wards, and one from the Marlborough Māori ward. The mayor is elected at-large. Elections are held every three years in conjunction with nationwide local elections , with
1265-615: The Robertson Range to the south and Mount McCormick to the east. The Elevation Saddle connects southwest of the town with the Tuamarina River valley and contains the main land transport routes between Picton and the rest of the South Island. Picton, including Waikawa, is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a small urban area and covers 9.64 km (3.72 sq mi). It had an estimated population of 4,890 as of June 2024, with
1320-587: The South Island road and rail network with ferries across Cook Strait to Wellington and the North Island . The Picton urban area has a population of 4,890 (June 2024), making it the second-largest town in the Marlborough Region behind Blenheim. It is the easternmost town in the South Island with a population of at least 1,000 people. The town is named after Sir Thomas Picton , the Welsh military associate of
1375-532: The bank of the sacred stream, and as they filed past, the tohunga (chosen experts) dipped a branch of karamū bush into the stream, striking each warrior on the right shoulder. The tohi rite was last performed on soldiers of the 28th Māori Battalion during World War II. Prior to European settlement, the Te Atiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui iwi occupied Waitohi Pā on the site of the present town. In March 1850, Sir George Grey and Sir Francis Dillon purchased
1430-422: The census question. Of those at least 15 years old, 5,586 (13.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 22,905 (55.6%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 10,971 (26.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $ 39,400, compared with $ 41,500 nationally. 3,513 people (8.5%) earned over $ 100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
1485-476: The census's question about religious affiliation, 52.3% had no religion, 35.0% were Christian , 1.3% had Māori religious beliefs , 0.4% were Hindu , 0.1% were Muslim , 0.5% were Buddhist and 1.3% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 465 (11.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 972 (24.8%) people had no formal qualifications. 420 people (10.7%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
1540-538: The drowned valleys of the Marlborough Sounds make for a convoluted and attractive coastline. The town of Picton is located at the southern end of one of the larger sounds, Queen Charlotte Sound . The town of Havelock is at the southern end of the Pelorus Sound; this sound feeds into Kenepuru Sound. In line with most of New Zealand, the Marlborough Region has a temperate oceanic climate ( Köppen Cfb ) with warm summers, cool winters, and rainfall distributed across
1595-479: The earlier Marlborough Province , which was named after General The 1st Duke of Marlborough , an English general and statesman. Marlborough's geography can be roughly divided into four sections. The south and west sections are mountainous, particularly the southern section, which rises to the peaks of the Kaikōura Ranges . These two mountainous regions are the final northern vestiges of the ranges that make up
1650-732: The export market, the Marlborough wine region now produces three quarters of all New Zealand wine . The most important varietal is Sauvignon Blanc , which is recognised as world-class; wine writers Oz Clarke and George Taber have described Marlborough's Sauvignon Blanc as the best in the world. Also, important is the production of méthode traditionelle sparkling wine made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which has attracted investment from large Champagne producers Mumm , Deutz , Moët & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot . The New Zealand Defence Force operates RNZAF Base Woodbourne , co-located with Woodbourne Airport west of Blenheim. The Waihopai communications monitoring facility , run by
1705-594: The first under the new MMP voting system . From 1938 to 1996, the region was covered by the Marlborough electorate . Marlborough is considered a safe area for the National Party , with the region held continuously by the party since the 1975 general election . Stuart Smith of the National Party has been the MP for the Kaikōura electorate since the 2014 general election . Tākuta Ferris from Te Pāti Māori has been
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1760-400: The head of Picton Harbour. Waitohi River starts in Essons Valley and passes through the town, draining into the sound near the ferry terminal. The township extends northeast along rolling land towards Waikawa Bay, separated from Picton Harbour by The Snout and Victoria Domain. On the land side, Picton is surrounded by hills and mountains, including Te Tara-o-Te-Marama/Mount Freeth to the west,
1815-733: The highway link south ended the relative isolation of this scenic area in the 1950s and encouraged modern motels, beginning with the American Luxury Motels, and many more after the ferry service to Wellington began. Other dive sites in the Picton region include Fish Reserve, the Koi wreck, and Long Island Marine Reserve. Introductory dives (discover scuba dive ) and PADI ( Professional Association of Diving Instructors ) certification courses from open water diver to dive master are available from Picton. Technical diving and TDI ( Technical Diving International ) courses can be completed in Picton, diving in
1870-419: The land from Te Āti Awa, who moved to neighbouring Waikawa Bay. In 1859, the Marlborough Province was created and the newly named Picton became the provincial capital. The provincial capital was moved to Blenheim in 1865. Author Katherine Mansfield spent time in Picton, where her grandparents, Arthur and Mary Beauchamp, and her father Harold, lived for some time when they came from Australia. She included
1925-659: The next election in 2025. As of October 2022, the mayor and councillors are: Nationally, Marlborough is part of the Kaikōura electorate , which also includes the Canterbury region north of the Ashley River / Rakahuri . For the Māori roll, Marlborough is part of the Te Tai Tonga electorate, as is the entire South Island. The electorate was first contested in the 1996 general election ,
1980-504: The only other crops with more than 100 hectares of planted area. The Marlborough climate has a strong contrast between hot sunny days and cool nights, which extends the ripening period of the vines. This results in more intense flavour and aroma characters in the wine. The first commercial vineyards were planted around Blenheim in 1973, and Marlborough subsequently grew to become New Zealand's largest and most internationally well-known wine-producing region. Due to this growth, particularly in
2035-700: The railheads met at Kaikōura. Today, the line is used by the Coastal Pacific passenger train, which operates one return journey per day during the summer months. The line is also heavily used by freight trains between Christchurch and the Cook Strait rail ferry at Picton. Woodbourne Airport (trading as Marlborough Airport) is the region's main airport. Air New Zealand Link operates flights from Woodbourne to Auckland and Wellington and Sounds Air operates flights from Woodbourne to Wellington and Christchurch Airport . Sounds Air also operates flights from Picton Aerodrome to Wellington. Port Marlborough at Picton
2090-569: The region to Nelson and Tasman via Havelock . State Highway 63 leaves State Highway 6 at Renwick and travels via the Wairau Valley and Saint Arnaud to meet SH 6 again at Kawatiri, providing a direct route to the West Coast and bypassing Nelson. State Highway 62 is a short highway linking SH 1 at Spring Creek with SH 6 north of Renwick, providing a direct route between Picton and Nelson and bypassing Blenheim. The Main North Line railway serves
2145-571: The region, running roughly parallel to State Highway 1. The first section of the line in Marlborough opened on 18 November 1875 between Blenheim and Picton. The line south of Blenheim opened to Seddon in October 1902, to Ward in April 1911, and to Wharanui in December 1915. The line finally opened across the present-day Marlborough border in October 1942 when the line was extended to Clarence . The entire line through to Christchurch opened on 15 December 1945 when
2200-530: The south of the town has regular services to Wellington with Sounds Air and charter flights around the Marlborough Sounds. The Picton Borough Council established the town's first electricity supply in September 1917. Electricity was generated by a Pelton wheel on the Waitohi River, which was later supplemented by suction gas engines, and was reticulated to customers using a 230/460-volt three-wire DC system. The Marlborough Electric Power Board (MEPB) took control of
2255-567: The time of its completion and lasted until 1963, when it was replaced by the current concrete and steel structure. The original Picton railway station was located on London Quay; the platform still exists, bisected by the Memorial Archway steps. The current station on Auckland Street was completed in 1914. It is a standard class B station , of weatherboard and tile, and has been listed NZHPT Category II since 1991. The Coastal Pacific long-distance passenger/tourist train from Christchurch made
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2310-543: The town supply in 1947. Between 1947 and 1950, the town was re-reticulated with the national standard of 230/400 volts three-phase AC, and a 33,000-volt line was built from Picton to Springlands in Blenheim to connect the town with the rest of the MEPB's distribution network. Today, Marlborough Lines (the successor to the MEPB) owns and operates the distribution network in Picton and the wider Marlborough region. Picton's main water supply
2365-429: The town's intermediate school provision (Years 7 and 8) from Picton and Waikawa Bay schools. Today, Picton has three schools: Seven Blenheim FM radio stations ( The Hits , Life FM , Magic , More FM , The Breeze , Rhema , and Brian FM) are rebroadcast in Picton via a relay transmitter atop Mount Freeth west of the town. The town can also receive AM radio broadcasts from Wellington. A private television translator
2420-418: The true right (south) side of the upper Queen Charlotte Sound / Tōtaranui . Picton Harbour is flanked to the west by Wedge Point, which separates it from Grove Arm, and to the east by The Snout, which separates it from Waikawa Bay . Within the harbour, Kaipupu Point splits the inlet into two, Picton Harbour proper to the east and Shakespeare Bay to the west. The main town is located on flat to rolling land at
2475-444: The year. Marlborough District covers 10,457.89 km (4,037.81 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 52,300 as of June 2024, with a population density of 5.0 people per km . The district is home to 1.0% of New Zealand's population. Marlborough District had a population of 49,431 in the 2023 New Zealand census , an increase of 2,091 people (4.4%) since the 2018 census , and an increase of 6,015 people (13.9%) since
2530-416: Was 17.4%, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people objected to giving their religion, 53.2% had no religion, 35.5% were Christian, 0.5% were Hindu, 0.1% were Muslim, 0.6% were Buddhist and 2.3% had other religions. The subnational gross domestic product (GDP) of Marlborough was estimated at NZ$ 3.25 billion in the year to March 2019, 1.1% of New Zealand's national GDP. The regional GDP per capita
2585-527: Was 18.7, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.5% had no religion, 39.4% were Christian and 1.3% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 63 (16.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 66 (17.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $ 40,900, compared with $ 31,800 nationally. 102 people (27.4%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
2640-501: Was established in 1876 to govern the town. The borough council was abolished as part of the 1989 local government reforms , and Picton became part of the Marlborough District. For electoral purposes, Picton is part of the Marlborough Sounds ward, which elects three of the council's thirteen councillors. At the national level, Picton is part of the Kaikōura general electorate and Te Tai Tonga Māori electorate. Waikawa Marae
2695-540: Was estimated at $ 66,277 in the same period. In the year to March 2018, primary industries contributed $ 650 million (21.3%) to the regional GDP, goods-producing industries contributed $ 1.55 billion (37.9%), service industries contributed $ 1.56 billion (51.2%), and taxes and duties contributed $ 260 million (8.6%). Marlborough has 25,045 hectares (61,890 acres) of horticultural land as of 2017, the second-largest area in New Zealand behind Canterbury. Wine grapes make up 23,050 hectares of that area, with sweetcorn and peas being
2750-435: Was replaced by St Joseph's in 1924. St Joseph's closed in 2017 due to a declining school roll. There was no secondary education provision (Years 9 to 13) in Picton prior to 1965, with secondary school students from Picton commuted to Marlborough College in Blenheim (split into Marlborough Boys' College and Marlborough Girls' College in 1963). Queen Charlotte College opened to serve the town in 1965, while also taking over
2805-556: Was spoken by 97.5%, Māori language by 2.8%, Samoan by 0.7% and other languages by 9.4%. No language could be spoken by 1.6% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 19.5, compared with 28.8% nationally. Religious affiliations were 30.6% Christian , 0.8% Hindu , 0.3% Islam , 0.6% Māori religious beliefs , 0.7% Buddhist , 0.4% New Age , 0.1% Jewish , and 1.1% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 57.5%, and 8.1% of people did not answer
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#17328590560192860-563: Was that 1,650 (42.1%) people were employed full-time, 687 (17.5%) were part-time, and 93 (2.4%) were unemployed. Picton's economy is largely influenced by its status as a major transport hub, in addition to servicing tourists and residents in the Queen Charlotte Sound. At the 2018 census, the three largest industries ( ANZSIC divisions) of employment for Picton residents were accommodation and food services, transport postal and warehousing, and retail trade. The Picton Borough Council
2915-593: Was that 20,424 (49.6%) people were employed full-time, 6,165 (15.0%) were part-time, and 699 (1.7%) were unemployed. Marlborough has three towns with a population over 1,000. Together, they are home to 72.9% of the region's population. (June 2024) Other towns and settlements include: Ethnicities in the 2018 New Zealand census were 87.8% European/Pākehā , 13.3% Māori , 3.1% Pacific peoples, 4.1% Asian, and 2.5% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities). The proportion of Marlborough residents born overseas
2970-446: Was that 207 (55.6%) people were employed full-time, 78 (21.0%) were part-time, and 6 (1.6%) were unemployed. Riverlands School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a roll of 225 students as of August 2024. The school celebrated its centenary in 2006. Marlborough Region Marlborough District or the Marlborough Region ( Māori : Te Tauihu-o-te-waka , or Tauihu ), commonly known simply as Marlborough ,
3025-458: Was upgraded in 2017, with a replacement main along Waikawa Road between Waikawa and central Picton and a bypass treatment plant to treat excess sewage that can't be processed at the main treatment plant. The first school in Picton opened in 1861 at the corner of Devon Street and Broadway. A new school opened in 1882, and part of the old school was moved to the new site, but was destroyed by fire in 1928. A Catholic Convent school opened in 1915, and
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