Newsy notes from around Marlborough

Marlborough News in brief

Conservationists
Rangitane o Wairau received formal appointment as the Control and Management Authority for Boulder Bank Site Historic Reserve | Te Pokohiwi o Kupe. Officials from the Department of Conservation and Rangitane signed a memorandum of understanding as well as associated documents.

Conferred under the Reserves Act 1977, Rangitane’s responsibilities include management of activities within the reserve; protection of cultural heritage and wahi tapu; and environmental restoration and maintenance. The pact does not transfer land ownership.

General Manager Corey Hubbard said Rangitane now has “the authority to actively manage this place — not just advise on it. It enables decisions to be made locally, consistently and with a long-term focus, while ensuring the reserve remains protected.”

Tree trimmed
Town Centre regulars may have noticed a change in foliage by the Rangitane building. Tree trimming took place after incidents on 20 February involving fallen branches and traffic on Maxwell Road.

Buffeted by strong winds that afternoon, sizeable limbs crashed down upon a small truck, then a large car. Both vehicles were able to drive away. Later in the day, crews cut and chipped chunks of the tree.

Power trustees
Marlborough Electric Power Trust has voting underway for the half of its governing board open in this biennial election. MEPT, the 100% shareholder of Marlborough Lines Limited, represents all consumers connected to the power network.

Five candidates vie for three positions with four-year terms. They include current chair Domenic Romano and deputy Lynette Rayner, along with Tanya Pouwhare, Nicki Stretch and Khalid Sulieman. Ian Martella, a long-serving trustee and former chair, did not seek re-election.

Visit www.mept.co.nz to cast a ballot. Voting will close 23 March at 12pm, with results announced by 27 March.

By(law) all appearances?
Council’s Environmental Health Team is polling the public on whether Marlborough should regulate the appearance industry – that is, businesses performing procedures such as waxing, manicure/pedicure, derma-blading, microneedling, tattooing, and body piercing.

Of 23 industry members responding to an initial survey, 17 favour a bylaw setting standards to protect clients. Submit input via haveyoursay.marlborough.govt.nz through 31 March.