Mussel & Seafood Festival 2027 locked in
The date has been announced for the 2027 Havelock Mussel & Seafood Festival, with the popular event returning to Havelock, Marlborough, on Saturday 13 March. Running from 11am to 7pm, the festival will celebrate the region’s seafood with local food stalls, live entertainment and chef demonstrations. Families can also enjoy a kids’ zone, while local beer and wine will be available throughout the day. Early bird tickets go on sale from 1 November, with profits supporting local organisations and community projects.
July flood costs estimated
Marlborough District Council estimates damage from July’s severe storm will cost more than $8 million. The multi-day deluge caused flooding, road closures, slips and significant damage across the region. Council estimates up to $1.4 million will be needed for emergency response work, with a further $6.6 million to restore roads. The worst damage was south of the Wairau River, including Tyntesfield Road and Awatere Valley Road near Camden Station. The council has applied for emergency funding from the Transport Agency and will consider other options once its contribution is confirmed.
NZ wine exports hit $2.1b
New Zealand wine exports reached $2.108 billion in the year to June 2026, according to New Zealand Winegrowers’ latest annual report. Export volumes also rose eight percent to 306.2 million litres, making it the industry’s second-highest June year total on record. However, the 2026 vintage produced around 440,000 tonnes of grapes, down 15 per cent on the previous year. New Zealand Winegrowers says the smaller harvest is bringing production closer to current market demand as the industry focuses on long-term growth.
Crews battle Spring Creek blaze
Firefighters tackled a major house fire in Spring Creek after nine brigades were dispatched to the property around midnight 26 September. The fire spread to nearby trees, car parts and other debris in the yard, reaching what Fire and Emergency described as a fourth-alarm fire. Seven or eight pumps and several water tankers were at the scene at its height. A digger was used to pull apart debris while crews dampened down remaining hotspots. No one was injured in the fire.
