Notable news and notes from around Marlborough
Chinese Ambassador Dr Wang Xiaolong, left, and Consul General He Ying, hear about Marlborough from Mayor Nadine Taylor and St Clair Senior Winemaker Kyle Thompson during their visit on 5 May. Photo: Marlborough District Council.
Ambassadorial visit
Marlborough put its diplomatic foot forward in welcoming Dr Wang Xiaolong, China’s ambassador to New Zealand, for his first visit to the province.
Mayor Nadine Taylor hosted the ambassador, who was accompanied by Consul General He Ying and three other Chinese diplomats. Marlborough established a sister region relationship with Ningxia, China, in 2017.
Expressing her pleasure at hosting the ambassadorial delegation, the mayor said: “As an exporting region, it is important Marlborough is outward looking and internationally connected. Visits like this are a wonderful opportunity to build on our existing relationships and strengthen our wine, tourism, people and education connections with China.”
Roadway workings
Thomas Road Bridge reopened two days ahead of schedule – Thursday 7 May, instead of Saturday 9th – after crews completed abutment repairs more quickly than expected.
Council cited “favourable weather and tidal conditions combined with the crew repairing both sides of the bridge in unison” for the Tuamarina span’s early reopening.
Meanwhile, Council plans to hold a community meeting this Wednesday, 20 May, to update Spring Creek residents on progress with the Peninsula Road stop bank project. It will start at 7:15pm in the Spring Creek Community Hall on Ferry Road.
Speaking spotlight
Blenheim residents Simon Popham and Chris Valli have been invited to deliver keynote presentations at the Speakers Tribe NZ Mini TenX event in Auckland on 20 June. They are among 10 speakers chosen nationwide.
Themed “Many Worlds, One Story”, the TEDx-style event will comprise 10-minute keynotes. Chris and Simon are no strangers to stages, as both are members of Blenheim Musical Theatre and Marlborough Repertory.
Hypertension checks
The Heart Foundation, as part of a campaign to raise awareness of hypertension, is offering free blood pressure checks at a pop-up event on 23 May at Bunnings Warehouse in Blenheim from 10:30am to 2:30pm.
Often called the “silent killer”, hypertension – also known as high blood pressure -- is the single biggest risk factor behind New Zealand’s leading cause of death: heart disease. The condition quietly puts more than a million New Zealanders at risk, and many don’t know it.
Blood pressure checks can be done by a range of health professionals at a GP practice and at many pharmacies, the foundation says, adding that buying a home blood pressure monitor is also an option.