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 MIKHAIL LERMONTOV
On 16 February, 1986, the Mikhail Lermontov left Picton piloted by the harbour master. The pilot made the decision to take the ship through a dangerous passage at Cape Jackson, where it struck rocks below the waterline on the port side. After beaching the ship, water-tight doors were breached and water gushed into the ship. One crew member died and some passengers were injured. The ship rests where it sank, lying on its port side.
On 16 February, 1986, the Mikhail Lermontov left Picton piloted by the harbour master. The pilot made the decision to take the ship through a dangerous passage at Cape Jackson, where it struck rocks below the waterline on the port side. After beaching the ship, water-tight doors were breached and water gushed into the ship. One crew member died and some passengers were injured. The ship rests where it sank, lying on its port side.