Visitor Industry Update 15 November 2016

Marlborough – Back in Action

Marlborough’s visitor attractions and services are already back in action following the earthquake in North Canterbury on 14 November 2016.

Marlborough accommodation, restaurants, cafes, local transport and attraction experiences are operational, as are the Blenheim, Picton and Havelock i-SITE Visitor Information Centres open daily to assist travellers with travel plans and bookings.

Marlborough is fortunate to have multiple transport services and routes in and out of the region and access is improving by the hour thanks to the hard work of transport operators and roading authorities.

Our thoughts are with our regional neighbours in Kaikoura as Marlborough emergency management teams continue to provide assistance with the recovery effort.

Air services:

Marlborough and Picton Airports are operational. Air is operating scheduled services in and out of Marlborough Airport and added an additional return flight to on 14 and 15 November to increase capacity.

Sounds Air is operating services from Picton and Marlborough Airports. Flights across are in high demand. Additional services are operating between Marlborough and Christchurch and Christchurch Kaikoura service is operating four times a day.

Pelorus Air are providing a charter service between Marlborough and Kaikoura.

Ferry Services:

Interislander and Bluebridge have resumed limited services.

Interislander

Wellington to Picton

0830 (KAITAKI) – vehicle and foot passengers – replacing the 0900 departure 1530 (KAIARAHI) – vehicle and foot passengers – replacing the 1445 and 1700

Picton to Wellington

0930 (KAIARAHI) - passengers with vehicles only – replacing the 0905 and 1045 1400 (KAITAKI) - passengers with vehicles only – replacing the 1415 and 1845

Physical Address: Phone: +64 3 579 2375 8 Sinclair Street, Blenheim 7201 Mobile: +64 21 749 368 Postal Address: Email: [email protected] P O Box 29, Blenheim 7240

Interislander is prioritising clearing affected bookings so currently no new bookings are being taken. All affected foot passenger bookings will be cancelled and full refunds will be issued.

Contact: Interislander 0800 802 802 or visit www.interislander.co.nz

Bluebridge:

Strait Shipping's Bluebridge Cook Strait is operating a single ship schedule until a second berth becomes available in Wellington.

Bluebridge is operating with limited shore based facilities – including no toilets, no running water, no phone lines and the Picton passenger terminal remains closed. Onboard facilities, however, are fully operational.

For sailing details and other information visit www.bluebridge.co.nz

Coastal Pacific Rail Service

The will not be operating until further notice. Full refunds will be issued to any affected passengers.

Road access to Christchurch

The NZ Transport Agency have established an alternative route between Picton and Christchurch, via Murchison and the Lewis Pass. SH1, Picton to Blenheim/Seddon is now open but Seddon to Cheviot remains closed. Cheviot to Christchurch is open.

Contractors are continuing to work to re-establish a connection to Kaikoura, and the NZTA is working with Kaikoura District Council to open the inland road (old SH70) between Culverden and Kaikoura.

Intercity Coach Service:

The Picton to Nelson service will resume from 16 November.

A daily service between Christchurch and Picton will operate from 16 November via the Lewis Pass.

Cruise Ship Facilities:

Port Marlborough have confirmed that both Waitohi Wharf and Waimahara Wharf are operational for cruise ships to berth. The next ship is the Emerald Princess scheduled into Picton on 21 November.

Conference Venues:

Marlborough’s Convention Centre and ASB Theatre have been inspected and operating as normal.

Comprehensive visitor information can be sourced via www.MarlboroughNZ.com. For trade enquiries on Marlborough’s visitor services and facilities please contact Andrea Johnston-Taylor [email protected]

ENDS