Population
At the last New Zealand census in 2013, the combined population of the Marlborough and Kaikoura regions was 49,857. The majority of these people are located in the towns
of Blenheim, Picton and Kaikoura. Blenheim, which is located on the fertile Wairau Plain, has a population of over 24,000; Picton, at the terminus for the
Wellington-Picton ferries, has a population of over 2,500; and the Kaikoura township has a population of 3,555.| Main population centres: | |
| Blenheim | 24,183 |
| Renwick & Woodbourne | 2,517 |
| Picton | 2,745 |
| Havelock | 489 |
| Seddon | 507 |
| Kaikoura | 3,555 |
| Population mix: | |
| European | 93% |
| Maori | 13% |
| Pacific Island | 1% |
| Asian & Other | 1% |
| Age mix: | |
| Under 15 | 20% |
| 15 to 64 | 64% |
| 65+ | 16% |
Statistics from Statistics New Zealand
It's a Fact...
THE FIRST VINES
Although Marlborough's current status as a wine producing region began in 1973 with Montana's plantings, the region's grape growing heritage actually began a century before. Pioneer winemakers David Herd and Charles Empson planted the first Marlborough vineyard in 1873. Empson died soon after the first harvest in 1875, but Herd went on to win prizes for his well regarded red muscatel wine. The winery survived until 1931.
Although Marlborough's current status as a wine producing region began in 1973 with Montana's plantings, the region's grape growing heritage actually began a century before. Pioneer winemakers David Herd and Charles Empson planted the first Marlborough vineyard in 1873. Empson died soon after the first harvest in 1875, but Herd went on to win prizes for his well regarded red muscatel wine. The winery survived until 1931.