Marlborough District

41°53′S 173°40′E / 41.883°S 173.667°E / -41.883; 173.667

Marlborough
Te Tauihu-o-te-waka
The Marlborough Sounds seen from the Wellington–Picton ferry
Marlborough within New Zealand
CountryNew Zealand
District1989
Unitary authority1992
SeatBlenheim
WardsBlenheim
Marlborough Sounds
Wairau-Awatere
Government
 • BodyMarlborough District Council
 • MayorNadine Taylor
 • Deputy mayorDavid Croad
Area
 • Total
12,484.59 km2 (4,820.33 sq mi)
 • Land10,457.89 km2 (4,037.81 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2025)
 • Total
50,800
 • Density4.86/km2 (12.6/sq mi)
GDP
 • TotalNZ$3.466 billion (2021) (13th)
 • Per capitaNZ$67,045 (2021)
Time zoneUTC+12:00 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13:00 (NZDT)
Postcode(s)
Area code03
ISO 3166 codeNZ-MBH
HDI (2023)0.937
very high · 5th
Websitewww.marlborough.govt.nz

Marlborough District or the Marlborough Region (Māori: Te Tauihu-o-te-waka, or Tauihu), commonly known simply as Marlborough, is one of the 16 regions of New Zealand, located on the northeast of the South Island. It is administered by Marlborough District Council, a unitary authority, performing the functions of both a territorial authority and a regional council. The council is based at Blenheim, the largest town. The unitary region has a population of 50,800 (June 2025). It borders the Nelson Region and Tasman District to the west, and the Canterbury Region to the south.

Marlborough is known for its dry climate, the Marlborough Sounds, and Sauvignon blanc wine. It takes its name from the earlier Marlborough Province, which was named after John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, an English general and statesman.