Marlborough, New Zealand
Marlborough, located in the north-east of New Zealand's South Island, is a region renowned for its stunning landscapes, including the picturesque Marlborough Sounds and a wealth of vineyards. Spanning an area of 14,534 square kilometers, it is bordered by the Nelson region, the Pacific Ocean, and several mountain ranges. The climate is characterized by dry winters and hot summers, contributing to its reputation as the country's premier wine-growing region, celebrated especially for its exceptional sauvignon blanc. The region's largest town, Blenheim, serves as the administrative center and hub of the wine industry, alongside other notable towns like Renwick, Picton, and Havelock.
Historically, Marlborough has been inhabited since the 13th century by Polynesian migrants, with European exploration beginning in the 18th century through figures like Captain James Cook. Its economy has evolved from traditional activities such as sheep grazing and fishing to a significant focus on viticulture since the 1970s. As of 2023, Marlborough had a resident population of around 49,431, with a notable Māori presence, reflecting its rich cultural heritage. Despite recent economic challenges, including a decline in wine exports, the region maintains a strong labor market and continues to be an integral part of New Zealand's agricultural and beverage sectors.
Marlborough, New Zealand
The Marlborough region is located in north-east South Island, New Zealand. It has a land area of 14,534 square kilometres and is bordered by the Nelson region to the west, the Canterbury region to the south, the Pacific Ocean and Cook Strait to the east and Tasman Bay to the west. The northern part of the region includes numerous bays and islands and the Marlborough Sounds. Islands that belong to the region include Stephens Island (Takapourewa), D'Urville Island (Rangitoto ki te tonga) and the Chetwode Islands.
The region is known for its sunny weather, its sounds and its vineyards and wineries. The region is the premier—and largest—wine growing region in New Zealand; as of 2023, there were 163 wineries. Its sauvignon blanc is considered the best in the world.
Marlborough is governed by the Marlborough District Council. Blenheim is the government seat, largest town and centre of the wine district. Other key towns are Renwick, Picton and Havelock.
Historical Perspective
The earliest known human inhabitants of the Marlborough region were Polynesian migrants who settled at Wairu Bar in the thirteenth century. By the seventeenth century, the region was home to several iwi (tribes), including Waitaha, Ngāi Tara, Ngāti Māmoe and Tumatakōkiri. The area was later settled by Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Apa and Rangitāne, all of whom, according to Māori tradition, descend from those who arrived in New Zealand in the waka, or canoe, known as Kurahaupō. The first known Europeans to spend substantial time in the area were British navigator James Cook and his crew aboard the HMS Endeavour. They anchored at Ship Cove in the Marlborough Sounds in 1770, explored the nearby waters and Cook Strait, and returned to the area on two subsequent voyages. European whalers arrived in the nineteenth century, and whaling reached its peak in the 1830s and 1840s.
After the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, European settlers arrived aboard the New Zealand Company ships. Land disputes soon arose between the New Zealand Company and Māori chiefs and led to a violent conflict in which at least four Māoris were killed. The colonial government backed the Māori chiefs' claims, which resulted in the colonial governor repurchasing the land from the Ngāti Toa. Europeans arrived in greater numbers starting in 1846 and engaged in sheep grazing, followed by dairying and farming. Gold was discovered at Wakamarina in 1864 and at Cullen Creek in 1888, leading to short gold rushes. As European settlement grew, the region developed economically.
In 2011, the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act was passed. It overturned a 2004 act that granted the Crown ownership of the foreshore and seabed of the Marlborough Sounds and allowed Māoris to apply for customary rights and title to the area.
Geography and Climate
The Marlborough region is known for its dry weather and abundant sunshine, with Blenheim often topping all locations in New Zealand for the most annual hours of sunshine. In 2015–16, it recorded 2,475 sunshine hours. The region has three climate zones. The Wairau Valley and surrounding areas have a dry climate with cooler temperatures in the winter and hotter summer temperatures. They typically receive fewer than 800 millimetres of rainfall a year. The coastal areas are wetter and have more moderate temperatures. The northern zone has the highest precipitation, with annual rainfall of 1,600 to 1,800 millimetres, and is wetter than the Kaikoura coast.
The region is predominantly hilly with several valleys. Ancient river valleys now underwater make up a network of sounds known as the Marlborough Sounds. The region has several mountain ranges, including the Inland Kaikoura, St Arnaud and Boddington Ranges in the south and the Gordon and Bryant Ranges in the west. Major rivers include the Wairau, Awatere, Opawa and Omaka. Wairau Plain, a large alluvial plain, is located on the rivers' floodplain and was once swampland. The Alpine Fault runs through the region, as well as several other active faults, including the Awatere, Wairau and Clarence Faults. The region is one of New Zealand's most seismic areas, although it has not had a major earthquake since the mid-nineteenth century.
Economy
The natural resources of the Marlborough region have long shaped its economy. As the area is rich in forests, grazing land and minerals, early economic activity included harvesting timber and flax, mining gold, and raising sheep and dairy cattle. Harvesting salt followed in the twentieth century. Due to the region's exceptionally long coastline, commercial fishing also contributed to the economy. During the 1970s, large-scale grape growing and winemaking were introduced to the region. Both rapidly spread as the climate was ideal for growing grapes. Within a few decades the region gained an international reputation for its wines and became the centre of New Zealand's wine industry.
However, wine exports dropped sharply in the quarter ending March 2024, hurting Marlborough's economy. Sales in Marlborough's retail sector also declined because of increases in the cost of living, in particular higher mortgage payments. Despite this, the labour market increased by 4.4 per cent by the end of March 2024. Employment was strong in agriculture and beverage product manufacturing, even with the drop in wine exports. The unemployment rate was a low 2.4 per cent, much lower than the national unemployment rate of 4 per cent.
Demographics
The estimated resident population of the Marlborough region in 2022 was 49,431, according to the 2023 Census. At the time of the Census, 8,331 Māoris were residents of the Marlborough region, comprising 14.9 per cent of the population. Almost 90 per cent of the population claimed affiliation with a European ethnic group. Slightly more than 11 per cent claimed Māori affiliation; 2.3 per cent Asian; and 2.8 per cent Pacific Islander. Respondents could belong to more than one group.
The majority of the population was born in New Zealand, with 16 per cent born overseas; England was the most common place of birth after New Zealand. English was the only language spoken by almost 90 per cent of the population. Slightly more than 2 per cent of the population spoke te reo Māori.
The Marlborough region has an ageing population. The median age of the region's total population is 41.3 years, compared to the national median age of 38.1 years. It also has a smaller proportion of younger people than the nation as a whole, with 16.1 per cent of the population under fifteen years of age compared to the national average of 18.1 per cent in that age group.
Bibliography
Chappell, P. R. The Climate and Weather of Marlborough. 2nd ed., NIWA, 2016.
Environment. Marlborough District Council, www.marlborough.govt.nz/Environment.aspx. Accessed 12 June 2024.
"Marlborough." New Zealand Now, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, New Zealand Government, 9 Jan. 2017, www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/regions-nz/marlborough. Accessed 12 June 2024.
"Marlborough's Wine History." Wine Marlborough New Zealand, www.wine-marlborough.co.nz/about-marlborough/marlboroughs-wine-history. Accessed 12 June 2024.
McKinnon, Malcolm. "Marlborough Region." Te Ara—The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, 16 Nov. 2016, www.teara.govt.nz/en/marlborough-region. Accessed 12 June 2024.
"2023 Census Data Highlights: Marlborough Region." Auckland Scoop, 29 May 2024, auckland.scoop.co.nz/2024/05/2023-census-data-highlights-marlborough-region/. Accessed 12 June 2024.