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...
SHIP COVE
Captain James Cook arrived in Ship Cove in Queen Charlotte Sound on 15 January, 1770. The bay was named for its excellence as an anchorage, which allowed Cook to the careen his vessel, Endeavour. Ship Cove was the first place in New Zealand where the Union Jack was raised, although Cook did not proclaim sovereignty for England.
Captain James Cook arrived in Ship Cove in Queen Charlotte Sound on 15 January, 1770. The bay was named for its excellence as an anchorage, which allowed Cook to the careen his vessel, Endeavour. Ship Cove was the first place in New Zealand where the Union Jack was raised, although Cook did not proclaim sovereignty for England.