June 10 _ BLENHEIMSUN

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Wednesday. June 10, 2026

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Taylor Pass Trucks

Page 3

Marlborough Book Festival

Page 10

Young Viticulturist

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proudly local & t rusted in Marlborough since 2002

Life in

play

Anya (played byAva Petersen) and

Jack (Matthys-Louis Van Staden) are

menacedbyshadowcreatures,during

rehearsals for Pretending to be Human,

the upcoming Combined Colleges

Production.

Photo: AnthonyPhelps/Phelps Visuals

Storypage2.

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Pretending to be Human

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Follow the Blenheim Sun on

Marlborough’s favourite read.

Collegestudentsare bringing

aforest to life as part of

its theatre production next

week.

Theshow, Pretending to be

Human, is beingstagedfrom

16–20 June inthe Marlborough

Girls’ CollegeHall.

The production explores

themes of connection, belonging,

and finding your

place inthe world—topics

that resonate strongly with

many young people today.

Throughablendofhumour,

fantasy, and heartfelt storytelling,

the play invites

audiencestoreflectonwhat

it meanstobehuman andto

feel accepted.

Show director and drama

teacher Naomi Barton says

more than 50 students from

MarlboroughGirls’College,

MarlboroughBoys’ College,

andRichmondViewSchool

have been involved in bringing

the production to life,

both on stage and behind

the scenes. Students have

contributed asperformers,

technicians, designers, stage

managers, costume assistants,

and members of the

production team.

“A particular highlight

has been the creation of

the show’s forest-inspired

set, which was designed

and painted by students as

part of across-curricular

Production Arts project.”

Unlike previous years’

productions, Pretending to

Pretending to be Human: areallyvaluable messagefor ourrangatahi.

be Humanisnot amusical.

It’s aNew Zealand play,

written by Wellington

playwright Helen Vivienne

Fletcher who is visiting

Marlborough toattend the

play andgiveaworkshopfor

students whileinthe region.

She says the play tells the

story oftwo young people

–Ava and Jack –who find

themselves at acamp for

troubled youth. It turns out

that this is acampfor changelings

and tests whether they

can beassimilated into the

human world or the faerie

world, or whether they get

banished to the forest tobe

menaced byshadow creatures.

“It touches on important

values of our kura –to be

yourself,evenonrough days,

knowing that your friends

have got your back. It’s a

really valuable message for

our rangatahi to be sharing

with each other.”

Theactorswho play thetwo

main characters, Ava and

Jack, say they are enjoying

theexperience.

Matthys-Louissaidheliked

acting, having had alead

role in his primary school

production twoyears ago.

Ava said she hadn’t been

doing drama long but loved

it. This was the biggest role

she had had inashow and

wasreallyenjoyingit.

“It’ssocooltosee so much

connection,withbothsenior

andjuniorstudents. It’s been

agood opportunity toget a

lotofjuniors involved.”

Tickets are $20/adult

and $15/student, available

throughKindo,doorsales or

theMGC Financeoffice.

Join National Party Leader

Rt Hon Christopher Luxon for acommunity

meeting on what matters most toKiwis.

Hosted by Stuart Smith,

MP for Kaikōura

12:00pm

Friday 12 June

Marlborough

Events Centre

42a Alfred Street,

Blenheim

Fixing the Basics.

Authorised byJde Joux, PartySecretary@national.org.nz

The Blenheim

Wednesday June 10, 2026 3

Residents query

quarry notification

Former MarlboroughDistrict

Councillor andTaylorPassresident

FrancisMaher is surprised

thecouncil is notpubliclynotifiyinganapplication

to builda

quarry in thearea.

Francis said that hewould

have expected the applicaton

to be publicly notified because

of its impact onawide area,

notjustanotificationlimited to

immediateneighbours.

That was not the process followedwhenaquarry

hadbeen

established onBarracks Road

in Fairhall,hesaid. That quarry

hadbeenpubliclynotified,and

people affected had been able

to have asay.

Acouncil spokesman said

the difference was that public

notification was requested by

the applicant for the Barracks

Road quarry.

MarlboroughDistrictCouncil

records show the application,

by Gill Construction, isto

build aquarry at 748 Taylor

Pass Road.

The application says the site

is within 5kilometres ofa

suburban area,and it expectsto

extract upto40,000 tonnes of

rock ayear–whichequates to

up to 32 truckand trailerunits

making return trips through

MaxwellRoadand Taylor Pass

Road each daybetween 7.00am

to 5.00pm, Monday toFriday

Former MarlboroughDistrictCouncillorand Taylor Pass resident FrancisMaher.

and from 7.00am to12:30pm

on Saturdays.

Blasting and processing of

the rock would take place on

theTaylorPassRoadsite.

Mr Maher agreed with the

application that there was a

growingdemandfor rock and

aggregates, for roading and

riverprotections projects.

However, he said that basic

engagement needed to be done

with residents, andthe council

should be transparent about

theeffectsontraffic througha

significant housingareawhich

hadyoung families in it.

“This public notification

has been done with previous

quarry projects, and that

precedent should have been

followed with this application

too.”

He called upon thecouncil to

make the application subject

to public notification and to

work with residents along the

routethatquarrytruckswould

take to ensure thebestpossible

outcomefor all.

Picton RSA

tributes

treasurer

Members ofthe Picton RSA gathered

at TheThirsty PigonWednesday to pay

tribute tolong standing treasurer Joy

Fletcher, who was awarded the King’s

Service Medal in the Kings Birthday

honours list for her service to multiple

communityorganisations.

RSANewslettereditorDeb Parker paid

tributeinthe most appropriate wayshe

couldthink of.

Photo: GleniseDreaver

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4


The Blenheim

Business Trust

offers directions

in energy maze

Blue Duck Nude

Midwinter Swim

returns

The annual family friendly

nakedplungeintoLakeRotoiti

is on againat12noononSunday21Juneatthe

WaterTaxi

Jetty, Kerr Bay. Food sharing

andfire bowl after.

Formoreinfophone Bill 027

7108229.

Rising fuel prices andshortages

caused by the war in Iran are

making it harder for businesses,

and Business Trust Marlborough

is offeringtwo events to help Marlboroughpeoplemanagefuelcosts.

The business advisory group

is hosting two meetings over the

next three weeks, one looking at

reducingand managing fuel costs,

and one on changing to electric

vehicles.

The first meeting is tonight at

5.30pmatMag &Turbo Blenheim,

where Darrell Bate will host

the event at his shop, giving lots

of simple tips on how you can

savefuelbymakingsomesimple

changestothe wayyou driveand

maintain your vehicle.

Tim McKendry ofMcKendry

Advisors and Accountants will

also talk about how to manage

cashflowand budgetingwithfuel

prices rising and fluctuating so

quickly.

Then on 1July, BYD agent in

Blenheim Andrew McKendry

of McKendry Motors will host a

meeting at5.30pm inthe McKendryMotorsshowroomtoanswer

questions about electric vehicles.

He will have some vehicles and

chargers availabletoview.

Ian Martella ofCallaghan and

Martella Electrical will also be

theretoanswerany questionsabout

chargers, wiring, use ofsolar and

anything else electrical.

The fuel crisis has increased the

desire to look for other options,

andEVs arequickly increasing in

popularity. Andwiththiscomethe

questions-“DoIneed to installa

charger?”, “What about distance

Business Trust Marlborough

is offering

two events tohelp

Marlboroughpeople

manage rising fuel

costs.

range?”, “How do Iworkout power

use ifIgive myemployee one?”,

“Whatdotheycosttorun?”,“What

optionsare available?”.

Business Trust Marlborough

manager Brian Dawson says that

if fuel consumption isaconcern

in your business,thenthese events

arefor you.

“Rising fuel prices are having a

bigimpactonsomebusinesses, and

Business TrustMarlborough wants

to make sure that business owners

in Marlborough have access to

good information tohelp through

this crisis.”

Still makingthe rounds at 80

Elizabethisn’t thekindof80-yearoldwho

sits andwaits forvisitors.

Shegetsout andgoeslookingfor

company.

Most mornings she’supbetween

half past sixand seven. Warm water

with lemonand honey, then she’sout

thedoor with herdog, around ablock

or three, before breakfast.

“I’venever wanted to stay at home

sincemyhusband passedon,” she

says.“Imissthe company. So Iget out

andgolooking forit.”

That meanswalking. Up anddown

thestreet,twice aday most days.Into

town,back again. Stayingconnected

to thesmall ruralcommunity she’s

been part of fordecades.

“IfIwaitfor visitors,I’llbewaiting

along time,”Elizabethsays. “SoI’m

theone whodoesthe visiting.”

It’s not acomplaint.It’sjusthow it

is.And forElizabeth, that’s fine. As

long as shecan keep moving.

Buther kneehad startedtobecome

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The Blenheim


GardenMarlboroughattracts

international star powerfor festival

By ShelleyTopp

Garden Marlborough, in partnership

with its principal sponsor

BayleysMarlborough,has attracted

international star power for this

year’s festival with RichardHayden

as itskeynote guestspeaker.

Richard isthe Senior Director of

NewYork’siconic, High Line public

park whichattractsabout 8million

visitors to thecityevery year.

Garden Marlborough committee

member and programme chairwomanKaara

WightsaysRichard’s

inclusion brings anexciting international

perspective tothis year’s

programme.

“We are incredibly excited to

welcome Richard to Garden Marlboroughthisyear,”she

says.“Ihad

the privilege of visiting the High

Line last year and was completely

blown away bythe beauty of what

Richard, Piet Oudolf andthe design

team have achieved on aformer

elevated railwaylineinthe middle

of Manhattan. It is an inspiring

example ofhow powerful and

transformative public greenspaces

canbe.”

In his keynote presentation, ‘The

High Line:WildbyDesign’,Richard

will take audiences behind

the scenes ofthe globally celebrated

public garden, exploring

how ecology, design and public

spaces cancometogethertocreate

emotionally evocative landscapes

in even themostunexpectedurban

environments.

He will also present “Rhythm,

Repetition and Texture”, adesign-focused

sessionexploring how

structure, planting combinations

andnaturalisticprinciplescan creategardens

with year-round beauty

andimpactbeyondflowersalone.

Richard says heisexcited to be

visiting New Zealand for the first

time to sharethe storyofthe High

Line and explore conversations

around public gardens, ecologyand

theimportant role greenspacesplay

in shapingour communities.

Garden Marlborough will also

welcomeDrPeter Sergel,the visionarybehindHamiltonGardens

as a

specialguest forits four-day festival

whichisbeing held from November

5until November 8.

Alongside Richard’s keynote sessions,

Dr Sergel will host aspecial

screening ofthis year’s popular

documentary,‘TheTimeTraveller’s

GuidetoHamiltonGardens’, which

screened in cinemasall around New

Zealand earlierthisyear.

Thedocumentary explores theextraordinarytransformationofHamiltonGardens

from aformerrubbish

dump into aglobally recognised

‘museum ofhumanity’ in garden

form. Through immersive-themed

gardens, the project explores key

turningpointsinhuman historyand

the changing ways cultures have

viewed theworld.

Dr Sergel will talk aboutthe vision,

challenges and creative thinking

behind oneofNew Zealand’smost

celebrated public garden projects.

He will also hold aquestion-and-answer

sessionwiththe audience.

Beyond the keynote and special

events, this year’s Garden Marlborough

programme promises

apacked schedule ofinspiring

garden tours, workshopsand social

events.Beloved gardenswillreturn

alongside exciting new additions

opening tothe public for the first

time, while workshops will cover

everything from wreath making

and regenerative gardening to foraging,

photography, cocktails and

traditionalMāori practices.

Garden Marlborough has celebrated

thepleasures andbenefits of

gardening, welcoming thousands

of visitors annually to experience

the region’s exceptional gardens,

landscapes andhospitality forthirty

years.

Tickets for this year’s event go

on sale online from July 21 viathe

Garden Marlborough website at:

Garden Marlborough.

InTernaTIonalSTarpower:richardHayden,theSeniorDirector

of Horticulture at newYork’siconicHighlinepublicparkwillbethe

keynotespeaker at this year’s Garden Marlboroughwhich will run

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The Blenheim

Call for council to match

government

The Marlborough District Council

istoconsult other councils

about what isinvolved inaligning

procurement policies tocentral

government foreign policy, after

communityactivists called forformalrules

to stop councilinvestment

in companies involved inillegal

occupationsinternationally.

PalestineSolidarityNetwork Aotearoa

Te Tauihu oteWaka’sAimee

Paynetoldthe council’sstrategyand

communitypartnershipscommittee

that its procurement policies and

the principles should explicitly

reflect NewZealand’s commitments

to international law and ethical

procurementpractices.

This wouldruleout anypurchases

with companies identified by the

United Nations asinvolved inthe

illegaloccupationoflandbyIsrael.

Aimeesaiditseemedthe Council

didn’t currently buy any goods or

services from thecompanies identifiedinthe

proposal,but informal

policies couldchange.

“Assuch, this is notabout changing

existing practice. Rather, it

is about whether Council should

providecertainty andtransparency

about how future procurement

decisionsare made.”

Sheasked forthe Counciltocom-

PalestineSolidarityNetwork AotearoaTe Tauihu oteWakahas askedCouncil to providecertaintyandtransparencyaroundhowfutureprocurement

decisionsare made,stating that it’s procurementpoliciesand principles should reflect NewZealand’s commitmentstointernational law.

missionastaff report outliningany

legal, financial, procurement and

operationalimplications, allowing

councillors tomake aninformed

decision basedonafull assessment

of theissue.

Othercouncils, includingNelson

and Christchurch, had already

made thesepolices,she said.

In response to councillors’ concernsabout

potentialcosts of such

apolicy, acting Council chief

executive Jamie Lyall said staff

wouldconsult with othercouncils

to seewhatwas involved andthen

report back.

Committee chairman Gerald

Hope said councilwould do some

research andthenthe chiefexecutive

wouldrespond to Aimee.

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The Blenheim


GodsallwinsMarlborough

Young Viticulturist

Cloudy Bay viticulturalist

Kris Godsallwon the2026Ormond

Nurseries Marlborough

YoungViticulturist of theYear,

and is off to the national finals

in WairarapainAugust.

The 24-year-old was thrilled

to raisethe trophy anddelighted

that hishardworkhad paid off,

organisers said.

NickyGrandorge,Leadership

&Communities Manager at

New Zealand Winegrowers

(NZW) said competition was

tight at thetop,and allthe contestants

gave it their all, whilst

competing with great respect

andsupport foreachother.

“The rapport between the

contestantsastheystrivetowin

but also encourage each other

is areally special part of the

YoungVit competition.

“Relationships like this

strengthen our industry aswe

preparefor thefuture.”

Harry Watson from Berakah

Vineyard Management, who

came second,and IsaacLangley

from Pecchenino Viticulture

Services,who came third. Cameron

Hunter from Matua, who

wonthe Professional Reputation

Award, impressed the judges

with his exceptional positivity

andthirsttolearn,Nicky said.

In contrast to runningaround

in torrential rain last year, this

Kris Godsall celebrates winning the 2026 Ormond Nurseries

MarlboroughYoung Viticulturistofthe Year. Photosupplied.

competition took place under

clearblueskies in thevineyards

at Whitehaven.

This year, the Ecotrellis trellising

section went head-tohead,followedbythe

infamous

BioStart Hortisports. Alarge

industry crowd came along to

supportthe contestantsfor these

racesaswellasenjoy adelicious

lunchkindlylaidonbyFruitfed

Supplies.

Kris Godsallwon both thetrellising

andHortisports sections.

The contestants also rotated

around practicaland theoretical

challenges, including pruning,

irrigation, machinery, pest and

disease, nutrition, data analysis,

andparticipating in an interview.

TheSyngentaBiologicals NutritionSection

waswon by Harry

Watson, who, according to the

judges,“smashedit”.

Atough viti quiz andspeeches

took placeatthe Awards dinner

the same evening, before the

winnerswereannounced.

The seven contestants gave it

their all, impressing the judges

with their knowledge and positive

energy. They were Harry

Watson, Berakah Viticulture

Management; Isaac Langley,

Pecchenino ViticultureServices;

Kristopher Godsall, Cloudy

Bay; BrandonJewun,Thornhill;

CameronHunter, Matua; Daniell

Hare,Indevin;and TylerWhitt,

Spring CreekVintners.

Crisis team

plan called for

TheMarlborough District Council

should reconvene its COVID-era

crisis planning team to prepare

for aworsening fuel crisis, alocal

economistsays.

Alistair Schorn told the council’s

strategy and community partnerships

committee that impacts from

thecrisiscausedbythe warwithIran

was four times worse than COVID

andthe GreatFinancial Crisis.Councilshoulddosomeworktoensureit

had aplan ready togotodeal with

ongoingimpacts.

He said more than 1billion barrels

of oil had been taken out of the

economybythe crisis,and that could

rise to 1.5billion.

“Oil is theeconomy…wethought

we hadafinancial economythatused

fuel, but it turns out we have an oil

economythatusesdollars.”

TheMarlborough economywould

face headwinds, particularly if fuel

prices continued torise, Alistair

said. That would flow throughout

the community, with prices rising

andcustomers having less moneyto

spend. It would impact onbusiness

viability, ratespayments, andcould

even affect the council’s capital

worksprogramme,hesaid.

“Myask is that we investigatethis,

do some scenario planning.Ifnecessary,council

couldre-constitute the

economic action groupthatwas set

up during COVID.”

Alistair said thecouncil wasreally

responsive during COVID, with the

TEAM group linking council with

localbusinessesand industrygroups

to form aplantodealwiththe crisis.

“That was avaluable exercise.

There was aplan ready to go. It’s

better to have aplanand notneedit

than thereverse.”

CommitteechairmanGeraldHope

said he found the presentation “insightful

and informative” and he

appreciatedthe overview presented

to the Strategy and Community

PartnershipCommittee.

“Staff are well aware ofthe risks

from geo political disruption to

energy supply. The volume flowand

pricing offuel iscritical asitkeeps

our productive sector functioning

andthe wholeofour communityand

countryworking.”

Council acting chief executive

JamieLyall said councilwould continuetomonitor

thesituation closely.

“Fuel disruption planning, both

regional andMDC,has been aligned

with MBIE’s response plan phasing,

with thecurrent status at PhaseOne:

“Watchful.”

“Futureplanningactivitywillcontinuetoalign

with MBIE in theevent

of escalation to subsequent phases.”

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8


The Blenheim

Sun readershavetheir say... with theWORDonthe Street.

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GemmaO’Rourke

Picton

Ilike watching good movies or

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April

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thePhilippines.

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Waikawa

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I Like playing soccer with my

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to the editor

abridgeletters or withhold lettersfrom

publication.

Email them tonews@blenheimsun.

co.nz orpresent to our office at 72

High St.

Please note that your name and

street address MUST beprovided

with emails.

Roundabouts

Dear Ed,

ThereistalkofBlenheimneeding to ‘update’

andinstalltrafficlights,inplaceofroundabouts!

Why would we waste taxpayer money on

traffic lights when they work just fine…if

people use them asintended. Ican only say

thatthe person whoclaimstohavewaited10-15

mins to exit theroundaboutobviously does not

know howtouse one. As ChrisDaviessaid…

Havelock Bird Hide

Dear Ed

Wouldyou please pass on thegratefulthanks

of theHavelockLions Club to your readersfor

theamazing donationstheyhavemadetowards

the construction of theHavelockViewing Bird

Hide.Wewould like to thankthe donors and

issuereceipts. If they wish to contactour Club,

my emailaddress is ianc.cameron@xtra.co.nz.

We are continuing our fundraising efforts

towards raising the $69,000 needed and are

such nonsense!

Ican feel sympathy forthose waitingincars

behind….if indeed it happened.

Iuse that roundabout at least twice aday,

sometimesupto6times, andhavenever waited

more than acoupleofminutes,(even if thereis

ferrytraffic)amuch shortertimethanwaiting

for lights tochange inmyfavour. Interesting

that some of thestrongeropinionscomefrom

hopeful that wewill reach the target intime

forconstructiontobegin in earlyAugust. This

will mean that the Hide will becompleted

before theGodwits return to Havelock around

Labour weekend.

Furtherdonations arewelcomedand canbe

paid to Lions Club ofHavelock Charitable

Trust38-9027-0025006-00.

IanCameron

SecretaryHavelockLions Club

people whohaven’t livedinacity or town,with

trafficlights. So many of ourlargerregions are

installing roundabouts over traffic lights….

why? Becausetheyare more efficientatkeeping

trafficmoving. I’msuremoney needed to install

traffic lights would be much better spent on

health,oreducation.

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Monoculture

Dear Ed,

While Tony Orman’s letter (Monoculture

Folly, 27 May) referred to an environmental

disaster resultingfromthe twin monocultures

of pinesand vineyards, spaceprobablyprevented

mentioning water.

Both monocultures usevastquantitiesofwater,

especially pines. Waterisapublicly owned

resource.The Wairau Riverisapublic resource

and now side tributary streams are running

dryinanormal typicalMarlborough summer.

Theprice foramonocultureofpines will be

much depleted flowinthe Wairau River. The

threat is beingexacerbated by ludicrouscarbon

farming with unmanaged derelict forests,

creation of seed banks for wilding pines and

thelossofproductivebeefand sheepfarms.

Having first driven down theWairauValley

about50years ago, Iamshocked by itsreduction

from asubstantial flowtoariverstruggling

to survive. Thedisappearance of theroadside

orchardshops on theway into Blenheim surely

sendsanother warning.

Ibelieve thereissuchathingasaCommissioner

forthe Environment. Is he asleep -oris

he so enamoured ofwines and pines that he

hasn’t noticedthe damage they arecausing?

Yourssincerely,

DavidTranter

Waimate

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The Blenheim


Next steps confirmed for Marlborough beauty industry bylaw

Council’sEnvironment and

Planning Committee has

agreed to the development of

adraft Appearance Industry

Bylaw,including acost analysis

of resourcing it, for further

consideration.

The committee discussed a

detailed report presented by

Council’sEnvironmental Health

team about the prospect of

abylawthat would improve

public health and safety in the

region’s beauty and industry

practices.

The decisionfollows

engagement with local

industry operators and

strong community feedback

supporting better regulation.

If Council decides to proceed

with the bylaw,itwill go out for

public consultation.

There are no national

regulations for services in the

appearance industry -such

as tattooing, body piercing,

manicures, waxing and

microneedling. However,16

councils already have bylaws

in place and underthe Local

Government Act, councils can

choose to create bylaws to

protect and maintain public

health and safety.

Council’sresearch has revealed

ongoing public health concerns,

including inconsistent hygiene

practicesand arisingnumber

of ACCinjury claims, notably 26

claims in 2024 and 21 in 2025.

Commonly reported injuries

include lacerations, infections

and allergic reactions.

Surveys conducted with both

industry operators and the

public highlightedwidespread

support for abylaw. Of the 101

public responses,85supported

the initiative,with46per cent

reporting an adversehealth

experience after aprocedure.

Seventeen out of 23 industry

respondents also favoured

the move,citing the need for

consistent standards.

The proposed bylaw would

set minimum hygiene and

infection control standards,

enable proactive inspections

and support Council’sstatutory

obligations under legislation.

Further consultation with

industry,iwi, Pacific peoples

and Te WhatuOra is planned to

progressthe draft bylaw.

To find out more,goto:

www.marlborough.govt.nz/

services/environmental-health/

appearance-industry

An AppearanceIndustryBylaw couldhelpavoid

consequences like this lasertattooremoval procedure

gone wrong

Waste fee changes from 1July

Waste fees and charges are

changing,following an annual review

to ensure they reflect the true cost of

waste services.

Increases are driven by higher

operating costs, Government levies

and emissions pricing.

Solid Waste Manager Mark Lucas

said the changes were about

keeping the system fair while

encouraging peopletoreduce

waste.

“Weknow any increase hasan

impactonhouseholds, so we’ve

worked to keep changes as low as

possible while still covering costs.

“Also,byreusing and recycling

more,wecan reduce what we send

to landfill and keep costs downfor

everyoneover time.”

Bluegums Landfill chargesincrease

by 4.27%, with general waste up

about $10 atonne and timber,

vineyard posts and sawdust up

about $21 atonne.

At transferstations,mostuser-pays

charges increase by 6%.Whiteware

disposal risesfrom $15.00 to $25.00

per item, while laptops,microwaves

and printersincrease from $5.00to

$5.50.

Commercial recycling charges

increase by 4%, with twonew

streams -mixed glass and HDPE

plastic -also being introduced.

Council rubbishbags will increase

from $1.85 to $3.75 to reflectthe

true cost of landfill disposal, with no

disposal charge for thesebags at the

Blenheim Transfer Station. Abroader

reviewofwaste servicefunding will

be undertaken as part of the Long

Term Plan 2027–2037.

For more information visit

www.marlborough.govt.nz/services/

recycling-and-waste

Winter

events

1June to

31 August2026

Pick up your copy from

Marlborough District Council

marlboroughnz.com/whatson

10


The Blenheim

Sizzling line-up revealed for

Marlborough Book festival

The 2022 Booker Prize winner Shehan

Karunatilaka will head adistinguished list

of guestspeakersatthe MarlboroughBook

Festival in Blenheim next month.

Shehan wonthe prestigiousliteraryaward

for his second novel The Seven Moons of

MaaliAlmeida.Hewas born in SriLanka,

in 1975, and grew up there but moved to

Aotearoa NewZealand at 15,attending high

school in Whanganuiand laterstudyingat

Massey University. Hehas since lived all

around the world but isnow back in New

Zealand asrecipient of the Ursula Bethell

Writer in Residence programme at the

University of Canterbury.

Other guest authors atthe festival will

include two writers who were winners at

this year’s Ockham New Zealand Book

Awards,Wellingtoncreativewriting teacher

Ingrid Horrocks and Wellington historian

ElizabethCox.

Ingrid wonthe Jann MedlicottAcorn Prize

forFiction 2026 forher book of linked short

stories All Her Lives (Te Herenga Waka

Press, 2025) atthe awards and Elizabeth

won the BookHub Award for Illustrated

Non-Fictionfor Mr Ward’s Map: Victorian

Wellington Street by Street, abook about

the capital city, its neighbourhoods and

people at theturnofthe 20th century.

Several other festival guest authors also

featured at this year’s Ockham Awards.

Internationally acclaimed New Zealand

writer Catherine Chidgey, atwo-time

winner of the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize

in previous years, returns tothe festival

to talk about her novel The Book of Guilt,

whichwas shortlistedfor thesameprize at

this year’s awards.

Nelson-based writer Naomi Arnold will

speak about her book Northbound, Four

SeasonsofSolitudeonTeAraroa.

Queenstown writer anddocumentary film

maker, Peta Careywillspeak abouther book

The Hollows Boys, the story ofthe helicopter

deer recovery era inFiordland, told

through the lives ofthree brothers, Gary,

Mark andKim Hollows. Both Naomiand

Peta’s books were shortlistedfor thegeneral

non-fiction awardatthe Ockham Awards.

Art lovers are also in for atreat atthe

festival with Ngarino Ellis, aProfessor

in Art History at Waipapa Taumata Rau

University of Auckland, aguest speaker.

Ngarinowilltalkabout herwork, including

ToiTeMana: An Indigenous History of

Māori Art, which was co-written with

Deidre Brownand Jonathan Mane-Wheoki.

Twelve yearsinthe making,the book spans

800 years of Māori artistic expression and

won the Illustrated Non-Fiction Award at

the2025OckhamAwards.

The festival, which isrun by acharitable

trust, will also feature 10other notable

authors, ChrisStuart, DominicHoey,

Elizabeth Knox, Madi Williams,

Noelle McCarthy, Rachel King,

Rachel Clare and Tryphena

Cracknell, Ron Crosby and

Witi Ihimaera. Itwill be

held from Friday July 24

to Sunday July 26 at

Blenheim’s Whitehaven

Theatre Marlborough,

with some sessions

also being held in

the Marlborough

Library/Te Kahu o

Waipuna inBlenheim.

Festival trustee

Sonia O’Regan

says the organisers

are “thrilled

to bring together

such an extraordinary

group of

writers”,including

their first Booker

Prizewinnerguest

author.

“The festival is

held to celebrate

writers and readers,

providingawonderful

weekend inwinter,”

Sonia says. “Increasingly

people are travelling

from out oftown toattend

which isfantastic. Welove

welcoming visitors and also

puttingonagreatevent forlocals

to experience on theirdoorstep.”

The organisers are also pleased to

welcomeAir NewZealand as afestival

sponsorthisyearand are“thrilled theairline

hasincludedusinits generous regional

events sponsorshipprogramme”.

The festival tickets are now available

online at www.marlboroughbookfest.co.nz,

or from theWhitehavenTheatre boxoffice

in Blenheim.

DistinguisheD literary guest… 2022

Booker PrizewinnershehanKarunatilaka will

head adistinguished list of guestspeakersat

the Marlborough Book Festival in Blenheim

next month. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

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The Blenheim


HEBConstructiontakes helm of

ferryinfrastructureproject

By Kira Carrington

Work to redevelop Port Marlborough’s

ferryinfrastructureisgathering pace with

themaincontractornow appointed.

HEBConstructionwillhelpwithdesign

review andmanageplanningand logistics

for the new wharf and linkspan set to be

completed intime for the arrival of the

Government’s newferries in 2029.

However, arecent Treasury-led review

voiced doubtthatthe ferryupgradescould

be deliveredontime. Thereviewjudgedthe

risk of theferryterminalsbeing incomplete

when theferries arrivedwas severe enough

that projectdeliverer FerryHoldingsneeded

to prepareafallbackplan.

Port Marlborough chief executive Rhys

Welbourn said that theferry projectwould

have astrongfocus on safety,environmentalstewardship,and

efficientconstructionin

what wouldstill be aliveportenvironment.

“This isaunique opportunity tobepart

of amajor New Zealand infrastructure

projectthatwillstand andserve NewZealanders

and visitors for decades to come,”

Welbourn said. “Port Marlborough and

projectpartnersare committedtoworking

collaborativelytodeliver infrastructure that

supports resilient interisland connections

for future generations, while meeting the

programmerequiredfor thenew ferriesto

enterservice in 2029.”

HEB Construction project director Dan

Chisnall said thecompany hadassembled

ahigh-qualityteamand looked forwardto

working alongside Port Marlborough and

project partners todeliver the new ferry

infrastructure.

“Thisisacomplexand nationally significant

project, and one that plays to HEB’s

strengths indelivering large-scale infrastructure

inchallenging environments,”

Chisnall said.

HEBConstructionisabigplayerinNew

Zealand’sinfrastructuresectorand reported

profitof$26.2monrevenue of $830.2min

theyearendingDecember2024. Thecompany

wasalso engaged with the Bledisloe

North Wharf extension inAuckland and

completed building the Te Whiti Wharf 6

at Napier Port in 2022.

Some of itspreviousprojectsinclude the

Te Ahu aTuranga (Manawatū Tararua

Highway), the Northern Corridor Improvements

andDowntownInfrastructure

Development. HEBConstructionisowned

by Paris-based multi-national Vinci Construction

which recently announced it

would acquire Fletcher Construction, the

construction arm ofFletcher Building.

HEBConstructionwas alreadyestablished

and working on-site atPort Marlborough,

having wonthe tender to demolish theold

Interislander vehicle access bridge and

linkspan,which hasnow been completed,

Port Marlboroughsaid.

HEBConstructionwillhelpwithdesignreviewand manage planningand logisticsfor the

newwharfandlinkspanset to be completedintimefor thearrival of theGovernment’snew

ferriesin2029.

Virtual After-hours

Primary Health Care 24/7

Marlborough Primary Health is partnering

with Practice Plus to provide virtual

afterhours health care in Marlborough 24/7.

To access primary health care after 5pm on weekdays, all day

at weekends and public holidays, simply phone your General

Practice and you will be connected with ahealth professional

who will talk toyou about your symptoms and help book an

appropriate appointment.

Virtual appointments are safe and effective for many health

concerns and have been successfully treating thousands of

people every year all over Aotearoa New Zealand. Prescriptions

can beemailed directly toyour nearest pharmacy for collection.

From 01 April 2025 Marlborough General Practices will

have virtual appointment options through Practice Plus

for after-hours care.

Tūhonotia te Hapori: Connecting Communities to Wellbeing

Ph 03 520 6200 | 22Queen St, Blenheim | www.marlboroughpho.org.nz

12


The Blenheim

The29thannualMichael

GodfreyMemorial MX was

held on June 2inOmihi, 49

milesnorth of Christchurch.

Theevent is in memory of

promising youngjunior

MX riderand rugbyplayer,

MichaelGodfrey,who was

killed in acar accident at the

ageof16. Hisclose friend

Graeme Allanwon thefirst

eventin1984but nowadays

hasthe responsibility for

organizing thetwo-day event.

Photos:JohnCosgrove

Kase Shuttleworth of Motueka

racing in the junior 12-16 years

60-85ccclass at the2026Michael

GodfreyMemorialMotocrossover

theweekend.

LexiHale(88) ofBlenheimbattleswith

Gracie McHugh alsoofBlenheimduring

the ladies 15 years and over race

classatthe 2026 MichaelGodfrey Memorial

Motocrossoverthe weekend.

HarisMyttonofMotueka competes in

the junior 12-16 years 60-85cc class at

the 2026 Michael Godfrey Memorial


Hang time:William Simpson(left)ofHokitikajumps up

behindKaseShuttleworthofMotuekaduringtheirJunior

12-16125cc race at the2026Michael GodfreyMemorial


William Simpson of Hokitika during

oneofthe Junior 12-16125cc racesat

the 2026 Michael Godfrey Memorial


AnnabelleMoore of Murchisoncompetesinthe

ladies (18-andover) class

atthe2026MichaelGodfreyMemorial


MatthewJones (red0fromthe AwapawaBoxingClubatPicton, fightsagainst EiaPohio-Green (blue) from BoxOnBoxinginBlenheiminthe Men’s80kgeliteclass at the2026

Golden Gove tournament in Kaiapoioverthe weekend. Photo: John Cosgrove

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The Blenheim


14


The Blenheim

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The Blenheim


Wilding pine funding boost

The Government’s decision to

invest an additional $79million into

NewZealand’s wildingpinecontrol

programmehas been welcomed by

Marlborough Restoration Specialists,who

saythe fundingcomes at

acriticaltimefor both theenvironment

andrural communities.

Budget 2026 includes an additional

$79 million over the next

three years for the National Wilding

Conifer Control Programme,

taking the Government’s total

commitment to $109 million. Marlboroughhas

been identifiedasone

of thepriorityregions forongoing

controlefforts.

Terrence Stewart, Founder and

Owner ofNative Restorations,

says wilding pines remain one of

themostsignificantenvironmental

threats facing parts of Marlborough.

“This funding is afantastic step

in the right direction. My hope

is that some of it finds its way to

local Marlborough contractors

and restoration specialists who

are already doing this work every

day. Investing inlocal expertise

means the funding stays within

our communities while delivering

long-termenvironmental outcomes

forthe region.”

Wilding pines are invasive trees

that spread rapidly across vulnerable

landscapes, outcompeting

native vegetation, reducing biodiversity,

consuming valuable

waterresources,increasingwildfire

risk, and impacting productive

farmland. More than two million

hectares across New Zealand are

already affected, with untreated

infestations continuing to expand

each year.

Stewart says Marlborough’s

unique landscapes, including

high-country environments, tussock

grasslands,and native ecosystems,are

particularly vulnerable if

controleffortsare delayed.

“We see firsthand how quickly

wilding pines can establish and

spread.Oncetheygainafoothold,

thecostand complexity of removing

them increase significantly.

Early intervention isalways the

most effective andaffordable solution.”

Native Restorations hasbeeninvolved

in restorationand pest plant

management projects throughout

Marlboroughand thewider South

Island formorethantwo decades,

working toprotect native ecosystems

through weed control,

replanting andhabitat restoration.

Stewart hopes ameaningful

portion ofthe new funding will

supportlocally ownedand operated

contractorswithprovenexperience

in restoration and wilding pine

management.

The National Wilding Conifer

Control Programme has been

operatingsince 2016 andiswidely

recognised as one ofNew Zealand’s

most important landscape

protection initiatives, helpingsafeguard

native biodiversity, water

catchments, productive land and

iconic high-country environments

forfuturegenerations.

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16


The Blenheim

New NMIT boss

appointed

Work marked

by Pope

Blenheim woman Belinda

Vavasour’s decadesofwork

for the Catholic Church in

Marlborough have been

marked by amedal from

Pope Leo XIV, in what

Cardinal John Dew says is

one ofthe first given bythe

newpope.

Cardinal John presented

Belinda with the Benemerenti

medal after the Mass

at St Mary’s Church on

Saturday night.

He was visiting Blenheim

to present the medals to

Belinda and to give apresentation

of beingpartofthe

Conclave meeting inthe

Vatican that elected Pope

Leo XIV last year. Healso

went to Kaikoura to present

threeother medals at Sacred

Heart Church onSunday.

Marlboroughparishcouncil

chairman Blair McLean

said Belinda was astalwart

of thechurch, working

across all aspects of parish

life.

Nelson Marlborough Institute of

Technology (NMIT) has appointed

DrCarolineSeeligasits ChiefExecutive,marking

an importantstepinthe

institute’s next phaseasastandalone

organisation.

Caroline hasbeenserving as Acting

Chief Executive since January and

brings extensive leadership experience

across NewZealand’s vocational

educationsector, includingexecutive

leadership,governanceand strategic

advisory roles.

NMIT Council Chair Tony Gray

says the appointment comes ata

significant time for the institute and

thewider region.

“NMITisenteringanexcitingnew

chapterasastandalone institute, following

itsdeparture from thenational

Te Pūkenga network. Returning

to local governance enables us to

respondmorequickly anddirectlyto

the needs ofour learners, industries

and communitiesacrossTeTauihu.”

Tony says Caroline brings adeep

understanding ofvocational education,strongstrategic

leadership anda

clearcommitmenttolearner success

and regional development. During

her time asActing Chief Executive,

she has provided steady leadership

and demonstrated astrong focus on

building partnerships andpositioning

NMIT forthe future.

“The NMIT Council isconfident

Caroline is the right person to lead

NMIT into its next chapter aswe

continue tostrengthen our connectionswithlearners,

iwi, industry and

communities, whileensuringNMIT

remains responsive, innovative and

future focused.”

Caroline says sheislooking forward

to working alongside staff, learners

andstakeholders.

“Overthe past fivemonthsasActing

Chief Executive, Ihave gained an

even deeper appreciation forthe vital

role NMIT plays within TeTauihu

and the wider vocational education

sector. I’m pleased tocontinue that

work as ChiefExecutive.

What has stood out most tomeis

thededicationand professionalismof

ourkaimahi,along with theimportant

relationships wemaintain with our

ākonga,iwi,industryand communities

across theregion.

NMIT has aproud history and a

significant role in supporting regional

growth,workforce development, and

learnersuccess.There areconsiderableopportunities

aheadfor vocational

education, and Ilook forward to

working with ourpeopleand partners

to build onour strengths, deliver

high-quality outcomes for learners,

and ensure NMIT remains responsive,innovativeand

future focused.”

Caroline has previously held roles

at NMIT, including as deputy CEO

Dr Caroline Seelig has been appointed

Chief Executive ofNMIT,

marking animportant step in

the institute’s next phase asa

standalone organisation.

and Academic Manager from 2000

to 2008. She was CEO of the Open

Polytechnic ofNew Zealand from

2009 to 2022 andrecentlyundertook

education specialist roles for UCoL

andNorthTec.

Caroline serves on the Commonwealth

of Learning Board ofGovernors

and TeRautiaki Mātauranga

and TePae Tawhiti Committees for

Te WānangaoAotearoa.

In 2024,she wasawarded therank

of Officerofthe NewZealand Order

of Meritfor services to tertiary,vocational,and

online education.

The institute says its future focus

includes strengtheningregionalpartnerships,supportinglearner

success

and ensuring programmes continue

to respondtoevolvingworkforce and

communityneeds.

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The Blenheim

worldelder abuse

awareness day

June 15, 2026

Rights Don’t GetOld

Empoweringseniors and

ending elderabuse

By PaulaHulburt

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is

marked each year on June 15 andacknowledges

the significance ofelder abuse asan

ongoinghuman rights issue.

Unfortunately, in New Zealand there are

more than 2,200 cases of elder abuse each

year and it’s estimated 75 per cent ofcases

go unreported.

Perpetrators areoften relatedtothe victim

andinpositions of trust. AgeConcern New

Zealand revealed 88per cent of alleged

abusersare family memberswith61per cent

beingadult children or grandchildren.

Typesofabuse

Abusecan take many forms, includingpsychological,

financial, physical, neglect, sexual,

and institutional abuse. Understanding

thesedifferenttypes andputting prevention

strategies in placeiscrucial to ensuring the

safety anddignity of olderpeople.

Typesofelder abuse

PsychologicalAbuse

This involves causing mental anguish,

stress, orfear. It can include ridicule, humiliation,

threats, coercion,bullying, social

isolation, andcontrolling behavior.

FinancialAbuse

Theillegal or improper useofanolder person’smoney,

property, or assets. Examples

includetakingofmoney withoutthe person’s

consent, misuse of powerofattorney, failure

to repay loans, and scams targeting older

individuals.

Physical Abuse

Inflicting pain, injury, orthe use offorce,

this can include hitting, pushing, rough

handling,over-medicating,and inappropriate

useofrestraints.

Neglect

Failing toprovide for anolder person’s

physical,emotional,orsocialneeds.Thiscan

involve inadequate food, clothing, shelter,

lack of social contact, or neglecting health

needs.

Ensuringongoing

social contactcan

make it less likely

for anolder persontofallpreyof

abuse.

Photo: Stock.

Sexual Abuse

Non-consensual sexual acts or exploitative

behaviours, including inappropriate touchingorunwantedsexualacts.

InstitutionalAbuse

Policies or practices within organisations

that disregard anolder person’s rights or

causeharm. This caninclude rigidroutines,

lack of respectfor cultural customs, andinappropriaterationing

of essentialresources.

Signstowatch for

Age Concern New Zealand has called on

allofustospeak outagainst ElderAbuse.“If

youhaveagut feelingsomething is notright

or just an inklingsomeone is beingabused,

we want youtotalktous,”urges AgeConcern’s

chiefexecutive KarenBillings-Jensen.

Thesigns youmight spot include:

•Injuriessuchasbruises,cuts, or broken

bones

•Malnourishmentorweightloss

•Poorhygiene

•Symptoms ofanxiety, depression, or

confusion

•Unexplained transactions or loss of

money

•Withdrawal from family members or

friends

Gettinghelp

Thereare many agencies that work to raise

awarenessofelder abuseand supportpeople

in ourcommunities.

Blenheim’s Maata Waka’s Elder Abuse

Response Service(EARS)can help.Aimed

at people aged 65 yearsand over,the service

addresses the immediate safety needs of

older people experiencing oratrisk of

experiencingabuse andneglect.

Staff therecan actasanadvocate, link the

older person toessential resources such as

legaladvice, provideprotection, counselling

andensurephysicaland emotionalneeds are

beingmet.

Seek help if you, or someoneyou know is

beingabusedorneglected.You canget help

throughyourhealthcareproviderorvia the

24-hour helpline 0800 326 6865 (0800 EA

NOTOK).Thisisafree helpline foranyone

whoisavictim of elderabuse or neglect, or

thosewho suspectelder abuseorneglect is

happening.

Youcan also contactfreephone AgeConcern

0800 65 2105 forfreeand confidential

support.

If you orsomeone else is in immediate

danger,phone 111 forthe police.


Can an alarm really

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18


The Blenheim

SuperRugby Update

This weekendthe Blenheim Gymnastics

Club will behosting the Marlborough

Gymnastics Championships with

almost 400competitors from theSouth

Island and afew from the North Island

in attendance.

It is also the 40th anniversary of the

club, founded by Tony Quirk in1986

Local Grade 1Gymnast,

Amelia Hendricks, is all set

and ready to go for this

weekend’scompetition.

Marlborough

Gymnastics Champs

with Heather Cresswell assisting with

coaching. Tony andHeather arestill very

much involved in theclubtoday andare

lookingforward to theweekend.

The competition kicks offonFriday

evening at6pm and runs through until

5pm on Sunday, with abig weekend of

events planned.

By Ryan Webb –The RugbyOpinioneer

Chiefs vReds

TheRedsgot off to afearlessstartasLukhan

Salakaia-Loto scored offanunbelievable

pick andgoscenario. TheChiefsresponded

aminute later through Kyren Taumoefalou

off amassive burst from Kortez Ratima.

Thetwo teamsthenwentbackand forthas

they scrapped forpossessionwithSamisoni

Taukei’aho scoringfor theChiefsoffalineout

drive and Aiden Ross for the Reds scoring

off apick offthe breakdown and charged

over thetry line. Kyren Taumoefalouscored

againoffacharge at thebreakdown to make

thescore

22 -17tothe Chiefs at half time.

Damien McKenzie took the ball quickly

after the Chiefs being awarded apenalty,

andscoredthe Chiefs first tryofthe second

half under the posts. Damien McKenzie

scored again offasimple back line move,

again, straight under the posts. Matt

Faesler then scored for the Reds off a

drivingmaultotry andkeepthe Reds in the

hunt. Issac Hutchisonslidesthrough forthe

Chiefs to scorejustonfulltimetosecurethe

Chiefs in anotherSuper rugbysemifinal.

FinalScore:48-24 Chiefs

CrusadersvBlues

Aspectacular inside pass from AJ Lamto

Sam Nock saw the Blues open the scoring.

An unbelievable out-wide play gotthe Crusaders

on the board through atry bySevu

Reece. Ared card on Malakai Wrampling

for the Blues, opened the flood gates for

the Crusaders to score. Tries were scored

by Johnny McNicoll,David Havili &Chay

Fihaki during time that theBlues were down

to 14 men. TheBlues were able to getoverthe

line throughAnton Segner,but thedamage

hadalready been done. TahaKemarascored

just before half time to make thescore 33 -14

to theCrusaders.

Johnny McNicholl scored 2further tries

forthe Crusadersinthe second half,but the

Blues weren’t done, scoring through Xavi

Taele, Payton Spencer&CalebClarke. The

Crusaders scored again through Manumua

Letiu, which sealed the Crusaders into the

semifinals.

Finalscore:52–31Crusaders

MVPs: Johnny McNicholl –Crusaders;

KyrenTaumoefalou –Chiefs.

Shout out to the Hurricanes for a66-12

win over the Brumbies, well done boys,

successful run.

Semi finalsnextweek: Chiefs vCrusaders

in Hamilton on Friday 12th June, and Hurricanes

vBlues inWellington onSaturday

13th June.

Lookingforward to thesemifinals,itshould

be some cracking matchups. Thisisthe first

time since2012thatthe Chiefs have hosted

the Crusaders in asemifinal inHamilton,

and the first time

the Hurricanes

have hosted

the Blues

in recent

history.

Ryan Webb

KINDLING

WOOD

$6.00 per sack

Available from our self-service honesty shed

Monday-Friday from 8.30am-3pm

Open on weekends if the sign is out

Abig thank you to Rapaura Timber who very kindly

donated the wood again this year, and our amazing

volunteers, the choppers, baggers and deliverers.

All money raised stays inMarlborough.

8Wither

Road,

Blenheim

The Blenheim


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CROSSWORD

454

SUDOKU

Every row, column and box should

contain the digits 1to9.

WORDBUILDER

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9

10 11

357

B F E

L D A

12 13

14 15 16 17 18

How many words ofthree or more

letters, including plurals, can you make

from the six letters, using each only

once?

No words beginning with acapital are

allowed. There’s atleast one six-letter

word.

Good 20 Very Good 26 Excellent 32

19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26

27 28

29

Across

1. Triumph(14)

10. Dogma(5)

11. Self-assured(9)

12. Act(7)

13. Most simple (7)

14. Dig (5)

16. Intimidate(9)

19. Chances (9)

20. Throwout (5)

22. Liberate(7)

25. Periodic, recurring (7)

27. Stubborn(9)

28. Grab (5)

29. Previously said (14)

Decoder

Down

2. Female singing voice(9)

3. Exceed (5)

4. Matter-of-fact (9)

5. Distribute(5)

6. Astral prediction(9)

7. Chosen few(5)

8. Playhouse(7)

9. Foolish(6)

15. Stress (9)

17. Revive (9)

18. Rash (9)

19. Facade (7)

21. Pantry (6)

23. Lariat(5)

24. Wipe out (5)

26. Enthusiasm (5)

Crossword

Across: 1. Accomplishment, 10. Tenet, 11. Assertive, 12. Perform, 13.

Easiest, 14. Delve, 16. Terrorise, 19. Prospects, 20. Expel, 22. Release, 25.

Regular, 27. Obstinate, 28. Seize, 29. Aforementioned.

Down: 2. Contralto, 3. Outdo, 4. Pragmatic, 5.Issue, 6. Horoscope, 7.

Elite, 8. Theatre, 9.Stupid, 15. Emphasise, 17. Resurrect, 18. Impulsive,

19. Persona, 21. Larder, 23. Lasso, 24. Erase, 26. Gusto.

WordBuilder

abed, able, alb, bad, bade, bald, bale, baled, bead, bed, bel, blade, bled,

dab, dal, dale,deaf, deal, deb, eld, elf, fab, fable, FABLED, fad, fade, fed,

lab, flea, fled, lab, lad, lade, lea, lead, leaf, led.

DECODER

Each number represents adifferent letter ofthe alphabet. Write the

given letters into all squares with matching numbers. Now work out

which letters are represented by the other numbers.

VOLUME 1

Enjoy WordFit? Magazines available.

See www.thepuzzlecompany.co.nz

Sudoku

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The Blenheim

Luke Tucker from Leos

andMarlborough Boys’

College, andpartofthe

ForestandBirdCommunity

with Jane Worrall

from Forest andBird.

Junior Landcare Planting Day

Junior Landcare, anationalinitiativebyNZLandcaretrust

andsupported by thebupaFoundation, teamed up with

theWairauNatureNetwork to help restorethomsons Ford

Reserve, linkingchildrenand families to nature.

Photos by Anne Gaelle.

Out&

...with The Sun

your localpaper


AbOut

Have an event?

Contact035777 868

Hannah andKatrina So with theirwormhouse.

EddieandPeterJacksonputtingtheirbacks

into it.

ProjectCoordinator WendyOSullivan with AllistairBull, JulieBuunk,Helen Braithwaite,

Kris Damptser,NickDann, andRob Besaans.

MembersofThe ChineseAssociation ElderlyGroup were theretolendahand.

Hannah So, Enny Long, and Olivia Yanuar

enjoying thefresh air.

MartinandFinleyYoung,withJamesBarnsley,

andRod McNicoll.

THREE WiSE MEN: Rodie McCloy, Norm

Pointon, and Malcom Williams from Blenheim

LionsonBBQ duty.

ShirleyLamandJamesBarnsleytakeaquick

breakfor aphoto.

Wairau Nature NetworkTreePlantingDay at Thomsons Ford Reserve.

3 rd -20 th

June

2026

Canfor a Clean

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22


The Blenheim

Lets

'

Chat

• Areyou adog or catperson?

Dog person.

• What’s your favourite snack?

Apple.

• What wouldyou buyifmoney wasno

object?

Porsche911.

• Celebrity-wise whowould be at your dream

dinner party?

RuiHachimura.

• Savouryorsweet?

Sweet.

with

Blake

Co Owner-Rocket Shine

• If youcould boardaplanetomorrowwhere

wouldyou go?

Italy.

• What’s thebestthing youcan cook?

Eggs.

• Areyou amorning person or anight owl?

Morning.

• What’s your favourite colour?

Purple.

• If youhad to choose anotherjob what

woulditbe?

Personal Trainer.

• What is your favouriteplace forcoffee or

lunch?

UnfilteredCafe.

gardening this week

Rosesand winter cleanup: By WallyRichards

The new seasons roses are now

in (orwill besoon) and there are

lots of neat roses tochoose from

alongwithnew releases.

What should you look for when

selecting your roses? Firstly, you

should have in mind any colors

that youwishtoobtaintocomplement

agardensetting.

Once you find aspecimen that

youwould like,you will likely find

there may be several ofthe same

to choose from.

With either bush or standard

roses, look for the ones that have

three ormore good strong canes

growingout from therootstock.

These canes ideally grown outwards,

reasonably well apart in

different directions.

If yousee arosewithfourcanes

radiating out to the four cardinal

points,thenyou have an excellent

base to form your newroseon.

If youhavearosewithonlytwo

strong canes, then it wouldbebest

if these canes were as far apart

from each otheraspossible.

If they are close together, then

it is similar toarose with only

onecane.

Not the end ofthe world, but

these roses would need some selectivepruning

foraseason or two

to form abasefor future seasons.

The next concern is the roots.

Most roses these days come in

containers or bags with potting

mix used to potthemup.

Some may befound in abare

rooted statewithjustwet shredded

paperorsawdust to coverthe roots.

It canbeveryfatal to aliftedrose,

to have its roots dry out, somake

sure that bare rooted rose roots

aremoist.

If bare rooted,bestto‘heel them

in’ tothe vegetable garden till

ready toplant out intheir permanent

places.

‘Heeling in’issimplytemporarily

planting allthe rosestogetherin

thesameholeinthe soil.

When planting your new roses,

choose asitewhich is very sunny

as this will give you the best

flowers;shadedareas arepoorfor

good flowers on roses.

Roseswilltolerateawiderange

of soil typesbut if asandy soil add

agood amount ofhumus to the

soil,inaheavyclaysoil, digout a

hole twiceaslarge as needed and

use peat moss orcompost mixed

abouthalfand half to line thebase

of theholeand backfill.

This givesthe rose aniceareato

getstarted in.

Otherwise for planting in clay

soil,agood sprinkling of Gypsum

and sheep manure pellets inthe

planting hole is perfect.

If you avoid chemical fertilisers,

you will not harm the soil

life which you can enhance, by

drenching the soil after planting

with MycorrcinPlus.

Avoiding chemical fertilisersand

sprays will make for ahealthier

rose andlesslikelihoodofdiseases

such as blackspot.

Instead use agood manure type

compost asamulch, Wallys Real

Blood &Bone worked into the

mulch and sheep manure pellets

scattered over the mulch from

time to time.

In spring when new growths

appear apply 25g of Wallys Fruit

andFlowerPower once amonth.

It contains the potassium and

magnesiumthatthe rose needsfor

best foliageand flowering.

Magic Botanic Liquid (MBL)

should also be applied asaspray

over the foliage every 1-2 weeks

till theend of theseason.

Ihave reports from gardeners

that doing somakes abig difference

to flowers and foliage and

in some cases flowers which had

no perfume inthe past now have

lovely fragrances because ofthe

MBLtreatment.

Existing roses are likely to be

between flowering still, tolosing

theirfoliage at this time.

Itsagood time to spraythe roses

with potassium permanganate

at quarter ateaspoon per litre of

water tokill any diseases spores

that arearound.

If thereisbaregroundunder the

roses, then use the same spray to

spray the soil after any litter has

been removed.

Ihave not only dead headed

my roses but pruned back to a

lower leaf which has created new

growth and another lovely show

of blooms.

Thefinaland proper pruning, can

be done amonth or two after the

potassium permanganate spray,

later inJuly isagood time and

the extending day light hours at

that time will produce the spring

growth..

If youhaveroses growingwhere

they are nolonger suitable or

wherethe plants have become too

shaded to performwell, then after

the above treatment they can be

lifted andrelocated to anew spot.

It is importantafter planting that

the soil bekept moist for the first

year during dryperiods.After that

normally therosewillgodormant

in summer if thesoilistoo dry.

Avoid picking flowers the first

season just dead head them.

If youhavearosethatisforever

giving you problems with black

spot or otherdiseasesand youare

about togive uponitthen you

mightliketocut back canes, spray

with potassium permanganate

andlift.

Move to asunny spot away from

other roses and re-plant using the

methodsabove.Onlyfeedthe rose

organic mulches and foods along

with amonthly applicationofFruit

andFlowerPower.

Amonthly spray ofPerkfection

for roses will build upthe rose

immune system and help reduce

diseaseproblems.

Sun Weather Today 1-15 Thursday 2-15 Friday 3-14 Saturday 4-16 Sunday 4-18 Monday 6-17

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The Blenheim

Trafficlights

NO!! We just need to learnhow to useroundabouts

properly.WhenIsay ‘we’,Imean‘you’.

Youknowwho youare.You come to adead

stopandthenlooktoseewhat’s happeningon

your right.Totallydisruptingtheflowoftraffic.

Or youcomesailing into theroundaboutwith

your right indicator on but carry on straight

through causing confusion toother drivers,

and again, disrupting the flow of traffic. I

imagine you drive on, quietly pleased with

yourselfthat you’ve masteredtheroundabout

indication rules. Wrong!

Read theroadcodeagain!

DefenceBudget

MaybeI’m naivebut areweasacountrygoing

to allow Hegseth, who along with Trump

illegallystarted this warwithIran, tell us what

we need to spendondefence to supportU.S.

aspirations? Ithink he needstobetoldwhere

to getoff.

Re:DameLynda

Agree totally. Such ashame she went for

apotty mouthed speech atthe NZ Music

Awards. It showsthatifyou have to resort to

gutterlanguagetoget your pointacross, then

your pointhas been lost.

Near miss

To the woman in the white car that pulled

outinfront of acar pullingout of abusiness

in Seymour Street byStJohn. Icaught this

on dash cam. Youneedtobemorecareful at

peak timespulling outinahurryas younearly

caused an accident.

Walker visibility

To theyoung lass walkingdownBattysRoad

every morning around 7.45am: Stop being

so focused onyour phone -you should be

awarethatcarscanhardlyseeyouthesedarker

mornings.Maybe invest in ahivis vest.

txt talk with

Temporaryspeed limit

Can someone please tell me why the “temporary” speed limit at

theintersectionofSH6 andMahersRoadremains in placewhenfor

weeks therehas been no visiblereasonfor it?

FatTonys

Whatcanyousay? Brilliant,familyrunbusiness.

To top itoff, quality food. It’s so good you

keep going back. Some businesses around

Blenheim couldlearn athing or two.

Tipping point

The new NZ Tipping Point prog ontv, how

amateurish. And the mystery prize: apair of

fishshoes.Not funny, just silly.

Re:CafesARE Englishonly

To people moaningabout my response to the

Rumaki cafe in Rotorua. TheEnglish language

is not under attack. The English language is

not being threatened. There is no need to

STIPULATEEnglishlanguageuse becausethat

is the language that isused inevery single

cafe in thecountry barone.Itastonishesme

how ready people are towear the cloak of

victimhood whileignoringthe damage they

do to others.

Stormy June haiku

Thunderboltand lightningveryveryfrightening.

Springlands

Is it climatechangeor

Is it justWeather....

TrafficlightsinBlenheim?

Really?Pleasedon’t.Oratleastputthemonthe

outskirtsoftown, wherethe nextroundabout

is planned, andwhere they won’thinderthe

movement of traffic.

Trafficlights

NO to traffic lights inBlenheim. What about

theBy-Pass to relievecongestion,delaysand

trucks? And alittle patience and off-peak

travel?

The Sun

Solarfor schools

What afantastic idea toput solar onschool

roofs. Althoughthe initialcostishigh, this will

secure thefutureofreducingelectricity costs

considerably and itmay even make money

forthe schools. We putsolar in last year and

many of ourbills over thesummerhavebeen

credits.Insteadof$300plusbills in winter they

have been$100-$150.Let’shopetheycanstart

installation soon.

Eltham Road changes

Thankgoodnessthe raised concrete separators

have been removed. To me, that idea

didn’t make sense way back when installed.

Thelossofparking forresidentsand picking

upchildren. Also,the narrowingofthe road.

Over theyears,Ihaveseenahandful only of

cyclists actually usingit. Such astupid ideain

thefirst place.

Bike riders at risk

The parents of 2young Maori/Pacifica boys

travelling on bikes from Hutcheson St to

town on Friday night 5.30ish need to teach

them road safety before they get killed! It

wasdark, they hadnolights, weren’twearing

helmets and sped through roundabout

withoutlooking.Ihad to brakehardbecause

otherwisetheywould be dead...Ifeltsickand

shakyfor ages.

Thunder! Lightning!

Theway youlovemeisfrightning!

Second option

In response to Kirk Le Roux beingdismissed

by ahealth professional atWairau Hospital

EmergencyDept. Ref. Blenheim Sun27May.

My husbanddeveloped lumpsonthe side of

hisneck. He wasalsodismissed by ourdoctor.

Intuitiontoldhim to pursue it,soanother visit,

different doctor.ThisDrsenthim to ENTNelson.

Within acoupleofweeks,hehad surgery

forcancerinhis lymphglands. Thelumps and

affectedglandsremoved,32stitches, 6weeks

radiation.

Themoral of thestory -ifindoubt -get asecond

opinion.Wehopeyou aredoing well Kirk.


Talk of theweek

Thank you

Redwoodtown

School

Huge thank youtothe

caring andcompassionate

staff at Redwoodtown

school.Special thanksto

MrsStamp andMrs Vincent

forgoing aboveand beyond

forthe students.

Wonderfulstaff

HadtogotoWairau

Hospital A&Ethisweek. The

staff thereare wonderful.

Hadvarious testssowas

therefor severalhours.

Isaw care,concern and

compassion givento

patients.Weare so luckyto

have them.Theyare under

paid andoverworked. And

deservebetterfromthe

government.

Electric cars

Agreewithlastweek’stexter

WatchOut.Electriccarsare

indeed very quietand can

sneakuponyou without

warning. So be aware. Idid

chuckleattheir saying you

couldend up as ahood

ornament.

We welcomeyourtexts on

027242 5266.

Limitto70words please.

We reservethe righttopublish at our

discretion.Pleasenotethe opinions

expressedare notnecessarily thoseofthe

Sunmanagement.

Gotanimportant issuetosharewithMarlborough? Text your thoughts to 027242 5266

Every Saturday •6PM

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Photo: PaulaHulburt.

027 262932 03578 2430

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Story page 8.

M arlborough

P estcontrol

1 0% Marlborough

owned&operated


Public Notices

Public Notices

Wanted

To Let

double Glazing -Beat the rush with Marlborough

Glass. Stay warm, dry, and healthy

with Retro-fit Double Glazing for your Timber

and Aluminium Windows. DON’T DELAY -

TALK TO US TODAY FOR AFREE MEASURE

AND QUOTE! Ph578-5374.

mArlborouGhhunTInG &FIShInG

Come down to Marlborough Hunting

and Fishing for all your outdoor needs.

46 Main Street,Blenheimph03579 1600

SATurdAy 13 June, 8am-3pm,

Rachael Place, Witherlea. Workshop

clearance. Compressor,

tool chest, motormowers, garden

equipment, some householditems

and much more.

Book your spacenow in

our next (by5pm Monday)

Garage Sale Column!

Phone5777868

newS tipS

Send your tips to

news@blenheimsun.co.nz

Situations Vacant

DELIVERERSWANTED

Get fit with part time work delivering

newspapers and mailers into letterboxes.

•Regular weekly work

•Noexperience necessary

•Weare alocally owned company

•It’s easy, we drop the newspapers/mailers toyour door

Email: deliveries@alliedpress.co.nz

Include your name, address, email, phone number

Clothing Alterations:

by Lynette

Atkinson-Parker

For your sewing requirements

Phone 03 578 1010

or 027 578 1010

Quality Service Guaranteed

Amessage to our

48,900

readers

Please

support our

advertisers,

theheartbeat

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community

August 6, 2025 | LOCAL PEOPLE-LOCAL VIEWS - LOCAL NEWS

Marlborough Sounds -Picton -Koromiko -Tuamarina - Rarangi - Spring Creek - Rapaura - Grovetown -Woodbourne -Renwick -Havelock -Wairau Va ley -Seddon

Sun weather Today 2-15 Thursday 8-15 Friday 6-14 Saturday 6-12

Supermarket sweep!

Your Local Manufacturing Jeweller

Jewe leryRepairs • Ring Sizing • Rhodium Plating

Custom Makes • Remake • Re-Design

Watch Batteries • Watch Straps • Engraving

91 We ld St,Redw odtown|info@gmwjewe lery.co.nz |5 7 9340|(FB)/GMWJewe lery|gmwjewe lery.co.nz

Phoneus:035777 868

F rom left, William Hawker, Evalyn

Hawker, Witherlea School Acting PrincipalKate

Deane, New World Blenheim

owner, operator Tineke Powell, Theo

Sheard and RosePowe lar excited

abouttheupcomingraffle.

LOCAL PEOPLE - LOCAL VIEWS-LOCAL NEWS

Visit usonline at

blenheimsun.co.nz

7”, 45’s, singles, eps records wanted, any

amount top prices paid. Pennylane Records

430Colombo Street,SydenhamringDave021

222 6144, 7days.

PennylAne Records always buying records.

Excellent prices paid, 430 Colombo

Street, Sydenham, 366 3278, open 7days

FlyInG NUN RECORDS /tapes Will pay

$1000 Pin Group, Coat, Suburban Reptiles

Sat Night pc $1600 Anything by25cents,

Gordons, Builders, Clean, Mainly Spaniards,

Playthings, Toy Love or any other Flying Nun,

80s alternative, punk bands etc Pennylane

Records Dave 021 222 6144

Public Notices

TIdy 3bedroom house, double garage,close

to town. $505 per week. Nodogs orsmoking

allowed inside. Phone 0275261929.

Wanted to Buy

CAmPervAn/moTorhome, 2berth,

modern style, self-contained,low km’s.Cash

buyer. Please phone 0275469876.

MARLBOROUGH RSA

WISH TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO HELPED AND

VOLUNTEEREDATOUR VERYSUCCESSFUL

POPPY DAY. WE RAISED

$18,460.70

Allyourcommunity news

nowalsoonthe

Blenheim Sun Facebook page

ALL THE FUNDS RAISED ARE FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR

MRSA VETERANS, WIVES, WIDOWS AND DEPENDENTS.

WE ALSO WISH TO SHOW OUR APPRECIATIONTO

ALLTHOSE INVOLVED IN MAKING ANZAC DAY2026

SUCCESSFUL

THANK YOU.

OR SCAN THE

QR CODE

TO APPLY

Public Notices

RSA VETERANS’ SUPPORT CLINIC

Will be heldatMarlborough RSA

65e Weld Street Blenheim

19th and20thJUNE 9am to 4pm

• One-on-one with RSASupportAdvisor

• Find out what you’re eligible for,ifyou think

you haveaService-related injurythisisfor you.

• Get help with applications

• ConnecttoGovernment &Service agencies

Emailfor an appointment time

DSM.Marlborough@rsa.org.nz

The Burleigh Memorial

Olive Grove

Wish to acknowledge and thank all those who

assisted with our annual harvest.

• Alan Wilkinson and his AlapaViticultural Services Staff

• Calvin &Lisa Hart of Waterfront Bar &Grill

• Mike NewmanofMeaters of Marlborough

• Pak NSave Blenheim

Blenheim

Along with the Brayshaw Park and RSA members

and all the other volunteers who contributed.

The harvest produced 2060 Litres of oil.

OurSincereThanks.

26


In Memoriam

HUTCHINSON, Alison Mae (nee Hill):

29.09.1936-14.06.2021

They say that time heals the pain of losing

alovedone!

Iwill love you till the day Idie!

Brian XXXX

Always remembered by your loving sons

Barry,David,Rossand Neil anddaughter in

laws, Vivian,Claire, Christine and Lauree.

Your loving grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Rest in peace.

CATTERMOLE, Michelle Amelia:

14.05.63 -07.06.96

May the wind blow softly and whisper in

your ear,

How much welove you and wish you were

here.

Remembered with love, today, tomorrow

andtomorrow.

Mom, Dad, Debra, Yvette,Damianand families.

URGENT

services

Urgent Care Centre: Wairau Hospital

Grounds. Entry offHospital Rd,Blenheim,

8am-8pm daily. Phone (03) 520 6377.

Ambulance: Urgent 111. Non urgent 578

0797.

After Hours Chemists: Springlands

Pharmacy: Monday -Friday 8.30am -

6pm. Saturday 9m -5pm. Sunday closed.

Public Holidays -phone us to be advised.

After Hours Chemists. Phone number is

035782271

Community Care Pharmacy: Within the

Blenheim Warehouse,open 7days 9am-

6pm. Closed on Public Holidays.

Lifeline Marlborough: 0800 543354, 24hr

helpline.

Women’s Refuge and Sexual Violence

Support Centre Marlborough: Crisis

line number phone 0800 refuge or

03 5779939.

Victim Support: 0800 VICTIM (0800 842

846)

AlcoholicsAnonymous: 0800 AA WORKS

-0800 229 6757.

Citizens Advice Bureau: Free, friendly,

confidential advice. Mon -Fri 9.30am -

4pm. Phone 578 4272.

Wairau Hospital: Hospital Visiting Hours:

Daily 2.30pm -8pm, children under 12

mayvisit parents only.

Maternity Ward: 10am-noon, 4pm-7pm.

Children's Ward: Daily10am-8pm. Visiting

at all times is subject to the discretion of

the nurse in charge of the ward.

Emergency Dentist: Contact Wairau

Hospital 5209999.

Picton:

Ambulance: Urgent 111. Non-urgent 579

4870.

Chemist: Picton Healthcare Pharmacy. Ph

573 6420 Mon -Fri 8.30-5.30pm, Sat 9-2pm.

Medical Centre Pharmacy, Ph928 4265,

Mon-Fri 8am-5.30pm

txt talk

Gotanimportant issueto

sharewith Marlborough?

Text your thoughts to:

027242 5266

ANDERS, John Fredrick:

Passed away peacefully at HospiceMarlborough

after along battle on Friday 5June,

2026, aged 82 years. Lovedhusband of Pam.

Loved father ofthe late Mike and father-inlaw

ofSue, loved father of the late Darryn

and father-in-law of the late Donna. Loved

Andy of Che, Andre and Caitlin, Sam and

Tayla, and Nicole. Aloved Great Andy to

his great grandchildren. All messages tothe

Anders family c/- Cloudy Bay Funeral Services,

POBox 9, Blenheim 7240, or www.

cloudybayfunerals.co.nz. Grateful thanks

for the care John received atHospice Marlborough.

Donations to the Marlborough

Hospice Trustwouldbeappreciated andcan

be made via their website. Inaccordance

with John’s wishes, aprivate cremation has

taken place.

LocallyFamilyOwned

FDANZ ph 03 578 2004

cloudybayfunerals.co.nz

GILLESPIE, Maclaren Eric:

Passed peacefully on 4 June 2026 at his

home inAnakiwa, aged 78years, with Celeste

byhis side. Dearly loved father of“his

girls”; Hayley and Macaela, and Father inlawtoNick.

Lovedand cherishedpartner of

Celeste. Also remembered with love and respect

by themothers of hisgirls Barbaraand

Janice and loved and respected father figure

to our extended family -Michelle, Martin,

Russell andJesse.Dearly lovedand protected

little brother of hisbig sister,Gael Singer

and brother-in-Law toNiall Singer. Loved

“Uncle Mac” of Lorne, Guy, Claire and Rachel,Andrea,

Kurt, Spencer and Sarah.Witty,

clever, and much-loved friend ofmany.

Mac ishappily reunited with his parents,

Maclaren Eric Gillespie and Alva Daphne

Gillespie.Inlieuofflowers, we askthatyou

keepour smilingDad in your hearts.Plant a

native tree inhis memory or spend aquiet

moment in nature or by the ocean thinking

of him. Agathering to celebrate Maclaren’s

lifewillbeheldatthe beachfront in Tirimoana,

Anakiwa on 13 June 2026 at 11.00am,

followed byfood and drinks at the Queen

Charlotte Tavern from 12.00pm.

Apoemfrom“Handsome Mac”

“Look around -afreshnew day,

The sky, the hills,the sea…

But don’t forget inside the shadow,

That’s where the best will be

MAWER, Robert StephenJames (Bob):

Passed away peacefully at Ashwood Park

Rest Home on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in his

81st year after along illness. Loved husband

of Lyn. Loved father and father-in-law

to StephenMawer andCharleneand thelate

Wayne Mawer. Stepdad toBrad, Amanda

and Dean. Loved father-in-law to Jo. Loved

Grandad and Gran Bob to all his grandchildren

and great-grandchildren. “Happy

journey mydarling” Thankyou to Dr Helen

Pike, the staff atWairau Hospital and Ashwood

Park Rest Home for their care and

support ofBob. All messages tothe Mawer

family, c/- PO Box 9Blenheim, 7240 or

www.cloudybayfunerals.co.nz. According

to Bob’swishesaprivatecremationhas taken

place.

LocallyFamilyOwned

FDANZ ph 03 578 2004


Death notices

BEAMSLEY, GlennDavid:

On 6th June 2026, suddenly athome aged

51 years. Dearly loved partner of Rosie;

adored father of Jess and Ellie; cherished

son ofTony and Lyn; brother ofKim and

Brett. Special friend of Jo, and together

they shared the joy of raising Jess and

Ellie. Your unexpected passing has hit us

hard -you will be greatly missed and forever

held in our hearts. The family would

like toextend their heartfelt thanks to the

first responders and the amazing support

of friends and family. Inlieu offlowers, a

donation toHospice Marlborough account

number 06-0601-0148609-00, would be

appreciated. All communications may be

sent to: Beamsley family, c/- Sowman’s

Funerals, POBox 110, Blenheim 7240. A

farewell service to celebrate Glenn’s life

will be held at Sowman’s Funerals Mayfield

Chapel, corner Hutcheson and Parker

Streets, on Friday 12thJune at 2:00pm followedbytime

to sharememoriesoverlight

refreshmentsinthe Sowman’s Lounge.

HANNAY, Janice May“Jan”:

Peacefully on Monday 1June 2026, surrounded

byfamily after ashort illness, aged

85 years. Loved mother ofCarolyn, Diane

and the late Malcolm Hannay. Much loved

grandmother ofHolly, Rosa, Melissa, Sophie

and Lily. Loved byson-in-law’s Utuku

and Kerry, and sister of Max and the late

Ray Currie. Amemorial service for Jan will

be held at the Alzheimer’s Society Rooms,

8Wither Road, Blenheim on Saturday 13

June at 2pm.Pleasebring aplate.Donations

in memory of Jan toMary Potter Hospice

would beappreciated and can be made online

at www.marypotter.org.nz Messages

can be sent to “The Family of Jan Hannay”

c/-POBox 50-347, Porirua 5240.

Ninness Funeral Home, Poriru

MORRIS, Cherie Lynne:

Passed away peacefully at Hospice Marlborough,

on Sunday 7June 2026, aged 84

years. Dearly loved wife ofthe late Brian.

Lovedmotherand mother-in-lawofDenice

andBrian Healey,Brian,Lynne andMyles,

Alastair (deceased) and Michelle. Loved

Nana to her 9grandchildren and 16 great

grandchildren. Messages may be sent to

the family,c/- MorrisFamily,POBox 110,

Blenheim 7240. As per Cherie’s wishes, a

private family service has been held.

MCLEOD, Stuart Hector:

Passed away peacefully at Hospice Marlborough

on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, aged

85 years. Dearly loved husband of Colleen.

Lovedfatherand father-in-lawofCraig (Basil),

Murray (Muzza), Evan (Shorty), and

Lynda. Grant (Spud) and Michelle. Special

Grandad ofAlicia (Liss), Hayley (Hay), Olivia

(Blue),Abbey, Khloe, Brook, andCharlie.Loved‘Gaga’ofHarlowand

Oakley.All

messagestothe McLeod family,c/- PO Box

9, Blenheim 7240, or www.cloudybayfunerals.co.nz.

The family would like toexpress

theirheartfeltthanks to theteam at Marlborough

Hospice for their care and support. In

lieu of flowers, donations to Marlborough

Hospice via their website would beappreciated.Aservice

for Stuart hasbeen held.

LocallyFamilyOwned

FDANZ ph 03 578 2004


The Blenheim

MCCOSH, LoganJames:

On Thursday 4th June 2026, Logan passed

away peacefully at Marlborough Hospice

aged 78 years. Logan was dearly loved by

his partner Lois Giles and her family, by

his brother Blair, his sister Pam, and close

friends. Logan was afriend tomany inPicton,

Blenheim, Southland, andChristchurch.

He will be greatly missed and forever held

in our hearts. Lois and family extend their

heartfelt thanks to all the staff at Marlborough

Hospice for their care and support of

Logan. The family would also like toacknowledge

Lois Gilroy’s family and Robyn

McCosh’s family at this time. In lieu of

flowers,adonationtoMarlborough Hospice

Trust, account number 06-0601-0148609-

00, would beappreciated. All communications

may besent to: McCosh Family, c/-

Sowman’s Funerals,POBox 110, Blenheim

7240. At Logan’s request, acremation has

been held.Afamily lead remembrancegathering

will be held at the Queen Charlotte

Yacht Club, Shelly Beach, Picton onFriday

12th June, 1pm to 4pm. Friends and family

are welcome.

PERANO, Ronald Oscar (Ron):

Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June

2, 2026 at Metlife Retirement Village

Springlands, aged 91years. Dearly loved

Husband ofPauline and amuch loved father

of Steven (Christchurch), Gail (Blenheim)

andPaul(Victoria,Australia). Loved

Poppa of his grandchildren. All messages

to the Perano family, c/- PO Box 9Blenheim,

7240 or www.cloudybayfunerals.

co.nz. Heartfelt thanks to the wonderful

staff at Metlife Retirement Village Springlands

fortheir careofRon. In accordance

with his wishes, aprivate cremation has

takenplace.

LocallyFamilyOwned

FDANZ ph 03 578 2004


RENNIE, AgnesMerle: (Ag,Aggie):

At Ashwood Park Retirement Village,

Blenheim (formerly of Dunedin). Agnes

passed away peacefully on Tuesday June

2, 2026, in her 100th year. Cherished and

loving wife to the late John. Much loved

Mum toMargie and Graeme. Loving Gran

to Phil and Izzy, Blair and Shelby, and

GranGran to Felix. Treasured aunt of her

nieces and nephews. Loved friend ofLizzie,

and Lou. “No more tomorrows for us

to share. Yesterday’smemorieswill always

be there”. Ourgratefulthanks to thestaffat

Ashwood Park for their gentle care ofAgnes.

Messagesmay be sent to PO Box110,

Blenheim 7240. As per Agnes’ wishes, a

private cremationhas takenplace.

In Memoriam

Remember your lost loved

oneontheir anniversary.

The deadline is Monday5.00pm.Please contact the Sun for

furtherdetails. 72 High Street,Blenheim, email

office@blenheimsun.co.nz or phone 577 7868.

The

what’s on in sunny Marlborough


27

HealtH, Wellbeing and Sport

Blenheim Park Run

5km

Monday

Summer TableTennis

-every Monday at the Tua Marina Hall, Tua

Marina6.00pm-8.00pm$5perperson.Contact

Janice 027422 9095

Target Rifle Shooting Blenheim Club

–Athletic Park range, 7pm visitors welcome,

allgearprovided. ContactEddie 02102464417

Whitehead Park Bowling Club Redwoodtown

-Monday afternoons from 12.30pm to3pm.

All welcome. Contact Mike 572 4013 orJohn

5775295.

Tuesday

Over 55’s Snooker,

everyTuesday 1pmto3.30pmatSnooker Hub,

FirstLane.Cost$5.ContactGraham0278212379

fordetails.

TableTennis

-BlenheimIndoor Sports Centre.Table Tennis

session every Thursday, 6.30pm -8.30pm, $6

perpersontobepaidatfront desk.

Picton TableTennisClub

–Every Tuesday 10am-12pm. Picton Little

Theatre. Bats provided.Cost$4.

BrooklynCroquetClubWhitehead Park

-Doubles 12-45pm-3pm Tuesdays,Thursdays,

Saturdays. AllWelcome.Mallets availableGive

it ago! Club rooms available for hire, email

brooklyncroquetmarlb@gmail.com fordetails.

Target Rifle Shooting Services Club

-AthleticParkRange7.00pm.Visitorswelcome,

allgearprovided.ContactMalcom0276522640.

Cancer SocietyMarlborough:

BlueBrothers–Men’s exerciseandcomradery-

FREE exerciseandpeersupport-EveryTuesday

-10amStadium 2000,Kinross Street,Blenheim.

Marlborough Tennis Club

–Social Tennis and pickleball Parker Street.

Every Tuesday 8.30am to midday. Morning

Teaat10am. Non-members$5. AllWelcome.

Contact035786436.


Breast Cancer Support Group -Peer support

andconnectioninasafe welcomingspace. Everysecond

Tuesdayofthe Month7pm

-8pm at the Cancer Society Rooms, 76 A

MaxwellRoad, Blenheim.

Pilates@NativityChurch

-76AlfredStreet. 9am-9.45am.$10 perperson.

Picton Line Dancing

-AnglicanChurchHall,10 -11.30.Cost$7. Beginnerswelcome.Formoreinfo-Carol021-2125252

or Raewyn 021-715484.

Pilates@Connect

-8BeaverRoad. 10.45amfollowedbyacuppa.

$5 perfamily.

Wednesday

Cuddon Cycling Marlborough

-track circuit riding under the new lights at

Athletic Park velodrome. All ages welcome.

Gather at 5.30 to 5.45pm,starts6pm.

Noncompetitive, learn to ride in formation

safely.Roadorgravelbikes.

Target Rifle Shooting RiversideRSA Club

-AthleticParkrange. 7pm,visitorswelcome, all

gear provided.Contact Val021667746.


Live Stronger-Women’s exercise,peersupport

and wellbeing for women living with cancer.

Wednesdays 6pm -6:45 pm. Well &Good, 1

GroveRoad. Blenheim.Cost$5members,$10

casual.

Pickleball

-SimcoxIndoorSportsStadium,BattysRoad.

Wednesday 1pm-3pm. Cost $6including

equipment.

NiaDance

-Wanttobefitwithout pain andwithfun?NIA

empowers people of allshapes, size andlevel

of fitness.Every experience canbeadapted to

individual needs and abilities. Step into NIA

and positively shape the way you feel, look,

thinkand live.EveryWednesday9-10amat207

OakwoodLane. Corinne0273245757

Whitehead Park Bowling Club, Redwoodtown

-9.30am to12noon. Mixed roll –ups, all welcome,contact

Bob577 9436.

Wairau Valley TaiChi &Qigong

–Wairau Valley Hall, 10am, with Nancy. Ph

5722844, text 0275722881, lasfronteras@xtra.

co.nz.

GrovetownIndoorBowls Club

–Plays Wednesday7pm at theFoundry,John

StreetBlenheim.SeasonrunsApril–September.

Newmembers welcome, Ph 0223804730.

Thursday

CuddonsCycling Marlborough

-afternoonsatAthleticPark.Startsat1pm,road

or gravel bikes, all levels welcome. Refreshmentsafterwards.

KeepingYou Moving

-Every Thursday except 4th Thursday ofthe

month. Gentle indoor walking exercise for

seniors.Aimsto maintainandincreasemobility

confidence, fitness andbalance.Class followed

by acup of tea. 11.30am-12.30pm $3.00. St

Christopher’s Church Hall, 92 Weld St. Ph027

3852333ordonna@stchristophers.co.nz

Social TableTennis

-BlenheimIndoorSportsCentre. TableTennis

session every Thursday, 6.30pm -8.30pm, $6

perpersontobepaidatfront desk.

Social BadmintonClub

-9am-11.30 Thursday mornings. Simcox Stadium,BattysRoad.

$6.All adults welcome. For

more detailsphone Cathy021 503348.

Picton TableTennis

–adults. 10am-12pm Port Marlborough

Pavillion. $5, morning tea inluded. PhHelen

0211034050.

TaiChi &Qigong

–Redwoodtown Hall, 10am beginners, 11am

advanced.Livestrongerfor longer! Ph Nancy

5722884.

COPD Supportand Exercise Group

-Tailoredforpeoplewithbreathlessness.2nd&

4thThursofthemonth,1.15pm,Redwoodtown

Community Hall, cnr Weld &Cleghorn St. Ph:

Gillian 0274545102 or Diana0272105780.


-Doubles 12.45pm-3pmTuesdays, Thursdays,

Saturdays. AllWelcome.Mallets available Give

it ago!

Friday

Pickleball

-SimcoxIndoorSportsStadium,BattysRoad.

Friday 6pm-8pm.Cost$6includingequipment.

Funfor thewhole family.

Friday NightSkating Disco

–Blenheim Skating Rink, Stephenson Street

Blenheim, 5pm-8pm. Held the first Friday of

the month. Afun event for the whole family,

suitable forall skatingabilities.Helmets compulsory.

Cash sales only. Hire skates $5, own

skates $2, spectators free. Warm toasties on

offertoo!

Saturday


-Doubles 12.45pm-3pmTuesdays, Thursdays,

Saturdays. AllWelcome.Mallets available Give

it ago!

Blenheim Park Run5km

–Every Saturday 8am. Arrive 10mins early

for race briefing. Free entry but register at

parkrun.co.nz,printoffyourbarcodeandbring

it with you. Open to runnersand walkers, and

everyone in between.

Sunday

MarlboroughTennisClub

–Socialdrop-inTennisandpickleball.3pm-5pm

Parker Street.Non-members $2. All welcome.

Contact03578 6436 forinformation.

Every Saturday 8am. Starts just past

theAlfredStreetBridge on Tyalor River.

Arrive 10mins early for race briefing.

Freeentrybutregisteratparkrun.co.nz,

printoffyourbarcode andbring it with

you. Open to runners, walkers, and

everyone in between.

COPD Supportand

Exercise Group

Tailored for people with breathlessness.

2nd &4th Thurs ofthe month,

1.15pm, Redwoodtown Community

Hall,cnr Weld &CleghornSt. Ph: Gillian

0274545102orDiana 0272105780.

Blenheim TrailRunners

Mid-week Bash

Wednesday 10th June, 6.15pm Rifle

RangeCarpark,12Rowan Place. Blenheim.

This isaconversational pace

1hr run in the hills. 9km full course,

6.5km short course always available

on request. The mid-week bash is

fortnightly. Bringaheadtorchinwinter

months.

COMING uP

TheMoreFMMid

WinterSwim

WithCuddonEngineering.Sunday 21st

June, 9.30am Picton Foreshore. Take

theicy plunge foryourchancetowin

aheatpump,plus loadsofspotprizes.

Enterthebestdressedcomp,andwarm

up with aBBQ fundraiser supporting

localschools.BlenheimRuralFireForce

will warm you upwith some warm

waterpostswim.

NOT TOBE

MISSED!

An internationally acclaimed

Russian concert pianist with

an extraordinary repertoire.

Thursday 18 June 2026, 7:30pm

28


The Blenheim

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