Blenheim, New Zealand

Blenheim
Population:	34,500 (EST 2005)
Mayor:	Alistar Sowman
Urban Area
Extent:	north to Picton south to Kaikoura
Territorial Authority
Names:	Blenheim
Regional Council:	Marlborough District Council

The typical welcome sign, here shown "Kiaora welcome to Blenheim".

File:Wikipedia-blenheim2.jpg

In central Blenheim, shown here is the Taylor River.

Blenheim is a small city located in Marlborough, on the northeast of the South Island in New Zealand. The town has a population of about 30,000. The area which surrounds the city is well known as the centre of New Zealand's wine industry. It enjoys one of New Zealand’s sunniest climates, with hot summers and crisp winters.

The region has a wide range of leisure activities, from swimming with dolphins in the Marlborough Sounds to watching whales in Kaikoura; from walks through the bush and along the rugged coastline, as well as scenic boat cruising, fishing, water-skiing and kayaking. The relaxed lifestyle along with the flourishing wine and gourmet food industry in Marlborough are enjoyed by both locals and visitors alike.

Blenheim is named for the 1704 Battle of Blenheim, at which troops led by John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough achieved victory over a combined French and Bavarian force.

History

The sheltered coastal bays of Marlborough supported a small Māori population possibly as early as the 12th Century. Anthropologists have christened this part of central Aotearoa, Waenganui, a region that streched from inland Ureweras to Kaiapohia. Māori in the Marlborough Region cultivated crops, including kumara (sweet potato) and exploited marine resources.

Although the early history of Marlborough was closely associated with the Nelson settlement, the people of Marlborough wanted independence from Nelson. Nineteen years after the original Nelson settlement the request of Marlborough settlers was granted, and Marlborough became a separate province in 1859. Although gold was discovered in the province in the early 1860s the boom did not last and, while it helped to expand the region, the development of pastoralism provided the greatest long-term benefits. Marlborough squatters developed huge sheep runs that dominated the countryside, rivalling Canterbury's sheep stations in size and wealth.

Today the region's economy is still rurally based with pastoral and horticultural farming, providing a major source of income. The region's inhabitants continue to utilise the marine resources. Lake Grassmere is the country's only source of salt, and fishing and mussel farming are also extremely important in the region. Grape growing has been one of the fastest growing industries and Marlborough is now New Zealand's largest wine producing region, receiving worldwide recognition for its sauvignon blanc wines.

The sunny, pleasant climate has attracted people to the region, either as holiday-makers or as permanent settlers. The region is especially popular among retired people, as well as people seeking an alternative lifestyle.

Demographics

Historical populations
Census year	Population
1986	22,998
1991	23,787
1996	25,713
2001	26,550
2005	35,000

According to the 2001 census, Blenheim had a population of 26,550. A change of 3.3% since the 1996 census. 2005 estimates put Blenheim's population at 35,000.

Age

• 21.3 percent of people living in Blenheim were under the age of 15 years, compared with 22.7 percent for all of New Zealand.
• 16.7 percent of people living in Blenheim were aged 65 years and over compared with 12.1 percent for all of New Zealand.

Education

• 28.7 percent of people aged 15 years and over had a post-school qualification, compared with 32. percent for New Zealand as a whole.

Ethnic background

Most Blenheim residents are of European origin, predominately of British descent, but small Maori, Pacific Island and Asian communities exist. Ethnic diversity has increased in recent years with the arrival of large numbers of South Americans (mostly Brazilians) and Asians (mainly Japanese and Koreans) who work in the expanding viticulture sector.

The 2001 New Zealand Census showed that:

• 94.4% people in the Blenheim Urban Area belonged to the European ethnic group.
• 3.1% people in the Blenheim Urban Area belonged to the Asian ethnic group.
• 1.1% people in the Blenheim Urban Area belonged to the Maori ethnic group.
• 1.1% people in the Blenheim Urban Area belonged to the Pacific Island ethnic group.

Education

===Public schools===

Transportation

Air

Woodbourne Airport serves as a domestic airport. There are direct flights from Wellington, Christchurch and Nelson. Also near by is the RNZAF Woodbourne base.

Rail

Rail passenger services are serviced by the Blenheim Railway Station, which also acts as a local information centre. Passenger services are confined to the TranzCoastal, which is operated by Tranz Scenic. Freight services are operated by Toll Rail.

A major railway classification yard is located north of Blenheim at Spring Creek.

Media

Print

Blenheim is served by a variety of print publications. The major daily newspaper serving the Blenheim-Picton area is The Marlborough Express. It's headquarters are located in downtown Blenheim. Other smaller non-daily newspapers in the area include The Sun, The Saturday Express and the Midweek.

Radio

The following is a list of radio stations in Blenheim.

FM Stations

Frequency	Callsign	Nickname	Format	Owner
881	The Shed		Classic rock
887	Sunshine Radio		Easy listening
969	Clssic Hits Marlborough		Easy listening
	Sounds FM		Hip hop
	Easy FM	Easy listening

Highlights

• Marlborough residents have the highest median age of 36.1 years, compared with 33.0 years nationally.
• The population of Marlborough is increasing at a faster rate than the national average.
• The population of the land surrounding the Marlborough Sound's is the fatest growing in the region.
• The region had the third-lowest population (38,397 usual residents on census night 1996), and a low population density.
• The population is predominantly European and Māori.
• Agriculture and horticulture are important to the economy. The region is currently the largest and fastest growing grape producing area in the country.
• The region has the highest proportion of businesses in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries - 16.9 percent compared with 4.4 percent nationally (as of 30 June 2004).

References

• Reed, A. W. (2002). The Reed Dictionary of New Zealand Place Names. Auckland: Reed Books. ISBN 0-7900-0761-4.

External links

• Template:Wikitravel
• Destination Marlborough
• Marlborough District Council
• Marlborugh Express newspaper

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