Uncorked: Nexus between Picton and Kaikōura

Metaphorically if not also logistically, Marlborough is racing 100km southbound toward a potential merger with Kaikōura. That came out of a Council meeting last Thursday afternoon which green-lit a gauge of where Marlburians prefer to head while staff continues to kick the tyres.

Ironically if not also tellingly, councillors heard just a few hours earlier about unmet needs only 25km from chambers, northward on SH1, within the current confines of Marlborough. Three social service providers from Picton spoke in a public forum preceding a committee meeting and laid out specifically how effects of poverty are affecting their town.

You can read about the situation in the Sounds – and the considerations for Kaikōura – in this week's Marlborough Weekly news articles. For what it’s worth, here are my thoughts.

First, though, some context might help. I come from a place where homelessness is epidemic despite relative riches. California has the fourth-largest economy in the world, dwarfing most nations, with growth outpacing the other leaders. Yet, nearly 1 in 250 Californians is homeless.

In the rural city where I lived for a decade through last August, the incidence of people living rough doubles the state rate. Homelessness is just the tip of the iceberg, of course, but it’s the most conspicuous result of poverty.

What front-line providers see in Picton would shock many residents of Marlborough. Services seem plentiful. Public and charity agencies do offer support, but much is centred in Blenheim. That might as well be Kaikōura for people without the means to get there and back.

Bringing our Canterbury neighbour into our district makes a lot of sense, at least on paper, with port towns a key element of affinity. Councils’ consolidation might – likely will – prove the right route. While mapping things out, though, we should make sure the road we pursue does not bypass the road we already have.