Stories by Maia Hart

A new art gallery in a "world-class" building in Marlborough can't open full-time because it is the "worst funded public art gallery in our country".

Multiple contaminants have been discovered in a Marlborough estuary in "crisis", adding pressure onto one of the "muddiest estuaries in the country".

Fears a child could drown in a Blenheim subdivision's flood-prone stormwater ponds have prompted a neighbour to call for fencing.

Whale jawbones held in safekeeping before being delivered to one iwi without telling another, was a breach of the Treaty of Waitangi, a High Court decision has ruled.

Waitohi Picton will get two new air quality and climate monitoring stations after a year-long study found contaminants from ships is likely causing breaches in national air quality standards.

The local council's environment planner recommended the consent be declined, raising issues with the "unattractive" structure, described as having "little interesting features".

Marlborough's council is working towards new modelling of sea level rise that will work in with previous climate change work.

A forestry company is allowed to drive seven piloted logging trucks a day on Queen Charlotte Drive.

Other than one salmon found to be in "extremely poor health", all animals from EcoWorld Aquarium have been released or rehomed - even a stingray.

Vehicles have been banned from Marlborough's east coast, except for a 9km stretch during the day, in a bylaw that's been years in the making.

Businesses are booming in Picton, with ferries out of action and people looking for somewhere to stay - and something to eat.

The volunteers left for Auckland on Friday to help with a "variety of logistical tasks".

The volunteers left for Auckland on Friday to help with a "variety of logistical tasks".

Disruptions common

Online voting might still be the answer Marlborough is looking for to increase participation after concerns were raised by councillors about the low voter turnout in the most recent election.

A person using a metal detector at Marlborough's premier park is believed to be responsible for leaving more than 100 holes.

While it might be "unusual" for a council to ask people to stop their cats from roaming, a predator-free organisation says there are good reasons to do it.

Fluttering shearwater/pakahā chicks from Long Island in the Marlborough Sounds have successfully been transferred to Cape Farewell for a second year.

A Marlborough woman has been told she needs to keep her cat off her neighbour's property - but the council won't tell her who complained.

After dealing with an influx of boaties over the last two summers, it's been a "bit slower" to get started in Marlborough this season.

The public's ideas on what should be done with Marlborough Sounds roads to make them safe and resilient to future flooding is being sought.

Specialists are checking the health of fish and tuatara left at a Picton aquarium after its owner finally relinquished control of the centre.

The Māori economy, aquaculture, aviation, forestry, the screen industry, technology and wine: these are the foundations of Marlborough's new economic wellbeing strategy.

A prominent meeting site for Captain Cook and Māori could soon have better heritage protection.