News from Marlborough District Council

Ake, Ake, Ake! Keeping te reo Māori alive

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori - Māori Language Week - gets underway on Monday (14 September) and you’re invited to get involved.

Under the theme ‘Ake, Ake, Ake - A Forever Language’, the 2026 focus is Te Reo Towns - a celebration of the communities who have kept te reo Māori alive and an invitation for all of Aotearoa to help it flourish into the future.

Te Reo Towns will celebrate the kura (schools), sports clubs, businesses, marae, whānau and communities who have woven te reo into daily life for generations. Locally, Council will be shining a light on the five local marae who have done this here in Marlborough.

A theme has been assigned to each day of the week, highlighting the ways te reo Māori belongs in our everyday lives. There are many resources available to help you champion te reo Māori at home, work, school and within your clubs this Te Wiki o te Reo Māori and beyond.

Find them, and more information, here: www.reomaori.co.nz

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Bringing local stories to life for Marlborough kids

Council’s Arts, Culture and Heritage team has welcomed a part-time Education Coordinator, tasked with helping Marlborough kids connect to their culture and identity through stories of the region.

Andrea Selwood has taken on the role after three decades working in college classrooms across the country. She brings established resources and is collaborating with Marlborough schools, museums and iwi partners to tailor programmes for tamariki.

“The idea behind my work is to strengthen the connections between our tamariki, their culture and our region,” she said. “My approach values adaptability, strong relationships and inclusive learning.”

In one of her first initiatives in the role, Andrea teamed up with Havelock School, taking year six to eight students to Te Pokohiwi, Wairau Bar. There they learned why tangata whenua settled in the area, explored the wreck of the Waverley, and learned Māori names for some Marlborough landmarks, along with the histories attached to them.

Heritage Marlborough Manager Liz Ward said Andrea’s role was established to help Marlborough kids connect with and learn about their history, strengthening their knowledge and sense of belonging.

“It’s wonderful to have Andrea on the team, working not only with our tamariki but with our schools, museums and iwi to pass on this knowledge in a fun and engaging way. Her ‘Then and Now’ lessons linking to the new social studies curriculum have already been well received by both teachers and students.”

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Reminder Last day to pay rates
The final payment date for the first 2026/2027 rates instalment is Friday, 11 September.

Overdue payments incur a 10 per cent penalty. Ratepayers who pay by direct debit never miss a rates payment or incur penalties. It is the easiest and most flexible way to pay. You choose how often you pay and on which day of the week the payment is taken from your account.

You can also go paperless and receive your rate invoices by email on the day they are sent - sign up for online invoices here: https://data.marlborough.govt.nz/OnlineSignUp/

If you would like to know more about paying rates by direct debit go to: www.marlborough.govt.nz/services/rates/ways-to-pay/direct-debit

For more information call Council’s Customer Support Officers on 03 520 7400.

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CCTV inspections help pinpoint issues
Council’s CCTV inspections of Blenheim’s wastewater network are progressing well, with crews identifying a significant number of places where stormwater or groundwater is entering the sewer system.

Known as infiltration and inflow (I and I), this unwanted water reduces the capacity of the wastewater network and can place additional pressure on pipes and treatment infrastructure during wet weather.

The CCTV programme began earlier this month and is helping Council better understand the condition of the existing network and identify where repairs or improvements are needed.

Over the coming weeks, contractor March Cato will continue carrying out manhole inspections across central Blenheim, Springlands and Redwoodtown. Residents may see crews working in streets and around wastewater infrastructure as these investigations continue.

The information gathered will help Council prioritise problem areas and plan a targeted sewer relining programme, which is expected to begin early next year.