Home » Marlborough
Official club name: The Friendship Force of Marlborough
Closest regional airport: Blenheim Airport, 8 km (5 miles) from the town.
Cost of transportation between airport and our city: None, hosts meet Ambassadors at Blenheim Airport in private cars. There is also a ferry service daily from Wellington into Picton, 19 km (12 miles) from Blenheim and Ambassadors would also be met there.
Maximum number of Ambassadors our Club can host: 25
How to arrive in Blenheim: There are several options. New Zealand is serviced by three major international airports, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, each of which has daily direct flights into Blenheim. Wellington has two ferry services that travel to Picton several times daily. There is also a daily train and bus service from Christchurch to Blenheim.
The club was chartered in 1987 and has approximately 80 members; the majority live in Blenheim or Picton. Most members are retired and there are singles and couples.
Blenheim, the main town in Marlborough, is situated in a large valley and with a population of approx 30,000 people. Picton is smaller but, being at the head of the Marlborough Sounds is an important port hosting a number of cruise ships annually. Marlborough is a rapidly expanding wine region, our Sauvignon Blanc becoming world renowned and giving rise to a large number of wineries and their vineyards. An even bigger industry is that of mussels, prolific in the sheltered bays of the Marlborough Sounds. To a lesser extent, there is cattle and sheep farming, some orchards and forestry. The climate is moderate. Temperatures range from frosty (-6° C) in winter to a warm 30° C in summer. Autumn is probably the best time to visit, i.e., March, April or May when the weather is most predictable.
We extend a very warm welcome to visitors from all countries and cultures to our beautiful country. The club offers Ambassadors a welcome and farewell dinner, and some free time with your hosts. There will be a mayoral welcome and a visit to a local school for a performance by its Kapa Haka group. We may take you for a boat trip in the Sounds, or a trip to Nelson to the 'Wearable Arts' museum. We have a fantastic Aviation Heritage museum created in part by Peter Jackson, renowned film-maker, and his Weta Workshop. We may take you to Kaikoura to give you the opportunity to go whale-watching. There are many things to do.
For further information: Contact
Date updated 5 April 2010