We are proud locals. The Marlborough Sounds is where we choose to work, play, explore, relax, spend time with whānau, and also what sustains our work.
We stay connected with our communities through regular interaction with community representatives including the Picton Regional Forum, Pelorus Promotions, Picton Business Group, The Marlborough Cruise Think Tank, various Ratepayers’ Association and the Smart and Connected groups in Havelock and Picton, as well as our local schools.
Our core company value of Mahi Tahi ensures that we take a partnership approach to issues and ideas, and we are committed to working together with our staff, customers, iwi, communities and customers.
We appreciate the opportunity to support community-based organisations and we prioritise partnerships that provide consistent community and environmental benefits.
Port Marlborough has enduring relationships with these groups:
Community → Port Marlborough Pavilion at Endeavour Park → Marina 2 Marina Event → Picton Maritime Festival → Picton Christmas Parade → Havelock Mussel Festival → Marlborough Nelson Marine Radio → Havelock Mens’ Shed → Havelock Museum → Coastguard Marlborough → Marlborough Sounds Community Vehicle Trust → Waikawa Marae
Education → Marlborough Girls’ College → Marlborough Boys’ College → Queen Charlotte College → The Port Marlborough Sounds Discovery Fund → Queen Charlotte College Aquaculture Programme
Sport → Marlborough Colleges Sailing Club → Queen Charlotte Yacht Club → Waitohi Rugby Club
Environment → Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary (foundation partner) → Picton Dawn Chorus → Envirohub Marlborough → Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards (marine category) → Marine Farming Association Environment Award → Seaweek
The Port Marlborough Sounds Discovery Fund was established in 2018, aiming to foster stronger connections between Marlborough primary school students and the Marlborough Sounds.
The goal was to assist in the facilitation of outdoor education, to aid understanding of our ecosystems and heritage, to encourage a sense of kaitiakitanga and care for this precious area, and to build skills in relevant areas like water safety and water sports, for the safe enjoyment of boating and adventuring in our backyard paradise.
Since 2018, the Sounds Discovery Fund has supported thousands of Marlborough school students on various trips throughout the Sounds. These have included sailing lessons with the Queen Charlotte Yacht Club, scientific voyages of exploration with Otago University’s Richard de Hamel, camps at Mistletoe Bay, sponsorship of the Tuia 250 schools’ day, voyages of discovery throughout the Queen Charlotte and Pelorus Sounds on vessels such as Tutanekai, Beachcomber and Steadfast, and has supported numerous water-safety training for tamariki throughout Marlborough.
If your school would like to apply for funding for the 2022/2023 Port Marlborough Sounds Discovery Fund, which is allocated at our discretion for any Marlborough Sounds based educational experience taking place from July 2022 – June 2023 please let us know by emailing communications@pmnz.co.nz
School Camps at Mistletoe Bay
In 2022, Port Marlborough and StraitNZ Bluebridge partnered to support the Mistletoe Bay Trust with a $20,000 boost to support school camps at Mistletoe Bay.
Schools interested in visiting Mistletoe for camp can contact the trust directly to apply for funding for their camp by contacting: stay@mistletoebay.co.nz
