Insider Guides

Describe yourself and what you do in 3 words/phrases

Curious, independent, loyal

Where is your favourite place in Marlborough?

My parents home on Rapaura Road near Spring Creek. My grandfather was born in this house, and for me standing on the lawn looking out towards the hills I am reminded that this region is my turangawaewae….

If you had only 3 days in Marlborough, how would you spend the time?

I would spend my time traversing the valley- by starting at the coast - Rarangi Beach, driving up the Awatere Valley up to Lake Rotoiti and driving back down the valley to catch a boat out to Meretoto/Ship Cove in Tōtaranui /Queen Charlotte Sound. Stopping along the way to eat and drink the variety of local produce on offer.

We are celebrating Tōtaranui 250 in 2020, what is it about the coastlines in Marlborough that made it one of Captain James Cooks favourite places to stop?

I believe that it was the same reason that people continue to come here- the connections with people, the wealth of food from our land and sea and a welcoming and sheltered respite from sailing on a vast ocean.

The Marlborough region holds a lot of important heritage and history, with much of it available to go and see the sites today. What is the stand out piece for you?

For me it is Meretoto/Ship Cove. This is one of the four landing sites in New Zealand that can acknowledge the First Encounters between Māori and Europeans ( namely Captain James Cook and his crew, including Tupaia on the Endeavour) that has shaped our nation hood.

Dual Heritage - Shared Future He rae ki te rae, he ihu ki te ihu, Te hau ka rere, te ha ka tau
A meeting of peoples, a mixing of cultures, a blending of heritage, a sharing of future

He rae ki te rae, he ihu ki te ihu, Te Hau ka rere, te ha ka tau
A meeting of peoples, a mixing of cultures, a blending of heritage, a sharing of future.