A possible merger of the Marlborough and Kaikōura districts takes centre stage in this week's council update. Councillors have unanimously backed taking the proposal to the next stage, although questions about rates, debt, representation and local identity remain to be answered. Also this week: storm damage closes popular walking and cycling routes, and a Blenheim art project gives voice to words left unsaid.
Council backs Kaikōura merger proposal
Marlborough District Councillors voted unanimously last week to submit a joint proposal with Kaikōura District Council to the Government's Head Start initiative, taking the first formal step toward establishing a single unitary council covering the two districts. The joint proposal was submitted to the Government on 10 August.
Mayor Nadine Taylor said Council’s decision was about ensuring both Marlborough and Kaikōura had strong voices in shaping their own future.
"It allows both councils to take a proactive, locally-led approach to investigating how local government could work best for our communities in the future.
"This is an exciting opportunity - a combined unitary authority could deliver benefits for both districts, while protecting local identity and representation."
The proposal would see Marlborough and Kaikōura, subject to further investigation and Government approval, merged into a single unitary authority from 2028. Kaikōura would have its own dedicated ward and continue to receive services through a service centre in Kaikōura.
Mayor Taylor acknowledged the community’s support for progressing the proposal had been conditional on concerns about rates, debt, infrastructure, local representation and identity being addressed.
"We’ve heard clearly from our community that any future proposal must provide certainty around financial impacts and ensure local voices continue to be heard.”
"Those matters will be the focus of detailed analysis and full public consultation early next year, if the Head Start proposal is supported by Government.”
Cabinet is expected to decide in September which proposals will proceed to detailed design. If approved, further work would be undertaken on governance, financial arrangements, representation, service delivery and implementation, followed by a comprehensive public consultation.
The Head Start Proposal is available on the Council website here.
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Rain damage closes farm park access
The eastern access to Wither Hills Farm Park, via Cobb Cottage Road, has been temporarily closed.
Erosion from heavy rain has created dangerous holes in places, forcing the closure of the track, which is mostly used by mountain bikers and walkers.
Council’s Natural Rivers and Drainage Engineer, James Mills-Kelly, said heavy machinery was needed to complete repairs. He hoped the work would be finished by mid-September.
“The closure is at the Cobb Cottage end of the farm park, where the track enters private property,” he said. “There is a risk to users, hence the closure. Signs will be in place.”
Mr Mills-Kelly acknowledged the closure would affect a large number of users and encouraged them to use the Redwood Street or Dry Hills entrances while repairs are underway.
Rain and flood damage have also closed part of the Marlborough Vineyard Trail, between Jacksons Road and Old Renwick Road.
The 20km trail passes some of Marlborough’s most popular winery cellar doors and scenery. The closed section has been affected before and was briefly closed after the June/July 2025 rain event.
Council maintains the trail, which was developed with support from landowners.
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Words left unsaid inspire talking walls project
Is there something you wish you had said to your younger self or to a loved one?
Council’s latest Space Create initiative - ‘Words I haven’t told you’ - is an opportunity to express these sentiments.
From 7 August to 4 September, Herb + Olive Café in Blenheim’s High Street will host a talking walls style pop-up event by local artist Raffaela Dragani.
Arts, Culture and Heritage Manager Nicola Neilson said Raffaela’s installation will invite visitors to reflect on these unspoken conversations.
“She has drawn inspiration from her relationship with her Italian grandmother to create a unique opportunity for others to share those words they may have wished they had said but were not able to.
“Anyone can visit Herb + Olive and write down the words they wished they had said so that Raffaella can bring them to life by creating a series of drawings.
“The audience’s collective voice will be captured in a series of artworks which will be presented to the public at the end of the installation,”
Mrs Neilson said.
Mrs Neilson encouraged people to visit to read other’s entries.
“This is a great example of one of the aims of Space Create which is to bring energy, visibility and fresh ideas into the town centre using temporary public art, installations and community-led creative initiatives.”
To keep up with more council news and information, visit the council news page here.
