Stories by Maia Hart
News
Dog attacks on vineyard sheep an 'accident waiting to happen'
An animal control manager in Marlborough says there have been six attacks on sheep in the past year and often "three or four or five" were attacked at once.
'Who's going to run the show?': 26 lessons from Aratere grounding
When the Aratere ran aground in Picton Harbour, it wasn't clear who was leading the emergency response, the harbourmaster says. Audio
Near-100 house Blenheim development fast-tracked
The decision to fast-track the consent, under the Covid-19 Recovery Act 2020, was released on Friday.
Ex-councillor wins legal battle against council over pines
A former Marlborough councillor has overcome the final legal hurdle after taking the council to court over management of pines on his land.
Councillor-turned-MP on salary donations and hate mail
Councillor-turned-MP Jamie Arbuckle said he received "a lot of phone calls from a lot of charities" when he announced he would donate his council salary.
'A step backwards': Māori ward's fate hangs on council's vote on public referendum
It has been described by the region's first Māori ward councillor as frustrating and heartbreaking.
Battle over museum ends as council hands over keys
The long stalemate over the re-opening of the Marlborough Museum is over.
Too full to take the bait? Rabbit cull delayed amid food boom
A poison drop to cull the number of rabbits in central Blenheim has been delayed after warm weather meant the pest already had "a lot of feed".
Piecing together 196km Whale Trail no easy feat
The team behind a cycleway from Picton to Kaikōura has called on the council to keep the job moving as it looks to ramp up construction.
Cemetery fee hike could spark backlash, councillor warns
An estimated $1800 hike in burial fees in Marlborough could be met with some "pushback" from the community, a councillor says.
Why did a man cross Cook Strait to ask for a footbridge?
Nicholas McGowan travelled to Blenheim with a vision.
What are the Marlborough Sounds marine options?
Plans to spend nearly $40 million upgrading marine infrastructure in the Marlborough Sounds have been labelled "unnecessary", while others are worried their area will miss out on improvements.
Cracks in Marlborough stopbanks at least a metre deep
Holes have been drilled into Spring Creek's stopbanks in an attempt to understand why they cracked, with initial tests showing the cracks are at least a metre deep.
Double job MP's resignation from council may not stop by-election
The mayor says she understands the MP's bid to avoid a costly by-election but the decision is one for councillors.
MP to keep job as councillor - and two salaries
Jamie Arbuckle, a councillor who has become an member of parliament, says he has settled into having two roles so comfortably he's going to keep both pay cheques.
Wheelie bins aim to fix Marlborough’s recycling issues
Those tasked with Marlborough's wheelie bin roll-out say they are confident that recycling is no longer going to end up going to landfill.
The ‘treasure’ plant mistaken for algae in Marlborough Sounds
A seagrass still found in the region is in global decline and many don't know of its importance, a coastal scientist says.
Trees drilled, 'filled and capped' with poison in Blenheim park
The "visible decline" in the health of the plane trees meant it was clear a substance had been poured into the holes, a report to council said.
Future of Picton overbridge up in the air
A Picton overbridge being built to keep traffic flowing when larger ferries brought more vehicles into town might not ever be finished.
Sediment in Blenheim river up one metre in last 10 years
A metre's worth of sediment on average has built up in Blenheim's Taylor and Ōpaoa rivers over the past 10 years, prompting a plan to dredge them.
Marlborough stopbanks at ‘catastrophic’ risk of failure
Repairs are expected to cost $9m, but councillor says they are necessary due to the risk to human life.
Marlborough rates rise 12.65%, consultation coming on Sounds rebuild
Repairs to the Marlborough Sounds roading network are expected to cost ratepayers $106 million.
Police to enforce speed limits at urban schools under new plans
A raft of speed limit changes are on the cards for Marlborough's roading network, including permanent 40kph speeds outside schools.
More vacant shops as Blenheim’s CBD changes shape
Central Blenheim has become a place to socialise rather than shop, forcing retailers to close their doors.
Marlborough waterways dry up with no rain on horizon
Creeks in Marlborough that have "never dried out before" are empty, leaving questions about how long until the region needs tighter water restrictions.