Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum

07/09/2026

A new museum called 'The Whale' will open in June 2027.

Follow the construction journey here as a completely different set of elements are contended with:
https://thewhale.com/follow-journey

The village of Andenes is the northernmost settlement of the island of Andøya, and lies 300 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. The midnight sun is visible from May 19 to July 25, and the sun is below the horizon from November 25 to January 28.

How exciting to follow this journey!

Track The Whale’s journey from idea in 2014 to construction in June 2025 and its planned June 2027 opening. Explore key milestones, collaborations, and what’s happening now in the project timeline and story.

04/09/2026

If you haven't seen Jeff Thompson's work displayed at Barbara Speedy's Diversion Gallery right here in Waitohi Picton you're in for visual and inspirational feast that will surprise you unexpectedly.

We’re not quite sure how he does it but Jeff tames corrugated iron like a wild horse, transforming rigid sheets into pliable ribbons, curving like toffee, sometimes leaping mid air like a graceful dancer. There is a playful element to his work too: meccano has had a playful makeover which has got to be beheld to be appreciated.

What makes this exhibition really special is Barbara's explanations about Jeff's works, what inspires him and the creative process.

Corrugated iron is such a familiar part of the New Zealand landscape, even on the drive from Waitohi to Blenheim you'll see it on sheds and farm buildings. But in the hands of Jeff it becomes something quite extraordinary. You'll never see corrugated iron the same way again.

There’s something wonderfully Kiwi about seeing such an everyday material turned into art that feels so creative, alive and full of movement.

If you haven't visited Diversion Gallery yet, pop in and have a look before the current exhibition closes on 12 September.

We're lucky to have such a special little gallery here in Picton. Go and discover it for yourself. ❤️



📸 A few glimpses from our visit…

02/09/2026

Here's a great throwback to the legendary Watersiders' Picnic in Picton ⚓️☀️.

Back in the day, the annual union picnic was the event of the year. The wharves would completely shut down, special excursion trains would roll into town, and families would swamp the Picton Foreshore for a massive day of brass bands, ice cream, and fiercely contested tug-of-war matches.

The Watersiders' Union was completely dismantled after a big dispute in 1951.

Let's have a look at some key historical events leading up to that:

1913 Great Strike: A dispute over a travel allowance became a nationwide general strike, violently crushed by rural special police ("Massey's Cossacks") after two months.

1951 Waterfront Dispute: A fight over a 15% wage increase triggered a historic 151-day lockout, New Zealand's largest and most bitter industrial conflict.

The Crackdown: The government declared a state of emergency, used the military to work the docks, and completely destroyed the watersiders' union.

Back to the photo: I wonder if they had a safety plan in place that day? 🧐

01/09/2026

The next chapter of Waitohi Picton's transport history.

On August 11, 1962 Picton officially welcomed the GMV Aramoana, NZ's first passenger, rail and car ferry after significant earthworks and construction at the port area.

It's worth having a drive up to the Picton lookout to see the hive of activity happening once again as HEB Construction, Port Marlborough's main contract partner, begins the complex and large scale task of preparing for the new inter island ferries arriving in 2029.

We love our history and we are thrilled to see more of it happening in front of our very eyes.

Well done to everyone involved in the project that will serve our rohe and motu for decades to come.

📷 Historic photographs from the Picton Historical Society collection
📷 Recent photograph at the Waitohi Ferry Redevelopment

31/08/2026

🌸 School holidays are coming! 🌸

Looking for something fun to do? Pop into the Museum these school holidays for crafts, puzzles and colouring activities for the kids! 🎨🧩✏️

Mum and Dad and Grandies can have a good browse around the Museum while the kids are busy!

📅 26 September – 11 October
📍 Picton Heritage & Whaling Museum, 9 London Quay

Come along, explore the museum and have some holiday fun! 🐳🌿✨

31/08/2026

Caught a beautiful glimpse of the historic Boulder Bank Lighthouse last weekend! 📸 Fun fact: Built in 1861, this was actually New Zealand’s second permanent lighthouse. Standing on that unique 13km stretch of boulders, it has been watching over the Nelson Haven for generations.

28/08/2026

Delighted to see the classic traffic light drink right here in Picton at Fork & Fable.
It's worth bringing your kids in so the parents can relive their childhood!

We love seeing nostalgia kept alive !

28/08/2026

🚚📬 Bringing the Awatere Valley mail run back to life

We recently met John Burnett from Marlborough Vintage and Farm Machinery Society at a heritage forum, where he told us about a fantastic restoration project.

The Marlborough Vintage & Farm Machinery Society is restoring a 1927 International SF46 truck that was one of the first trucks used to deliver mail and supplies up the Awatere Valley in the 1930s.

Before trucks, the journey was made by horse-drawn wagons. The truck travelled the valley twice a week, carrying mail and supplies to farms and stations, and brought wool, shearing and mustering gangs back out. It even had to ford rivers where there were no bridges.

The truck was owned by L.N. “Brum” Nation, and there are some wonderful stories surrounding him and the old mail run. Remarkably, the Camden Station mail bag that once hung on the truck is still preserved and has now been passed on to the Society.

And the best part? Once the restoration is complete, they plan to recreate the original Awatere mail run. 📬

What an incredible way to bring a piece of Marlborough's rural history back onto the road.

👉 Follow Marlborough Vintage & Farm Machinery Society NZ's page to keep up with the restoration!

If anyone has any further information about this truck MVFM would be keen to hear from you.

25/08/2026

A fantastic event that Picton School are hosting to raise funds to do all kinds of cool things for the tamariki.
A drive in movie night 🎬 🚗! This is definitely a nod back to days of yore, but with the best technology and a massive screen.

Forget about the drive to Blenheim and have an economical night of novel entertainment for the whole family 🤩