Waves of Regional Migration
Marlborough has always been shaped by peoples travelling from distant shores. The journey began over seven centuries ago when Polynesian navigators established a permanent village at Te Pokohiwi (the Wairau Bar), navigating across the Pacific Ocean to make this region their home.
Beginning in the 1840s, waves of British and European settlers arrived to clear bush, drain swamps, establish pastoral runs, and build township infrastructure. Alongside them, Chinese market gardeners, gold miners, and traders brought specialized skills that supported early local commerce.
Earliest Arrivals1280 - 1300 A.D.
Colonial Settlement1840s - 1900s
RSE Scheme Began2006
Key FocusCommunity Integration
Modern Industry & Seasonal Labour
The Pacific Connection
The rapid expansion of the Marlborough wine industry created substantial seasonal labour requirements for vineyard pruning, canopy management, and harvesting. In 2006, the introduction of the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme established formal partnerships with Pacific island nations.
Workers from Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji travel annually to Marlborough, contributing essential skills to the provincial economy and enriching local community life.
Community Integration
Today, Marlborough is home to dozens of distinct nationalities and cultural backgrounds. The museum works in partnership with the Marlborough Multicultural Centre in Blenheim to gather oral histories, archive family photographs, and preserve traditions from every background.
Through shared civic events, trade demonstrations, and heritage exhibitions, the museum celebrates the diverse threads uniting our provincial community.
Contribute to the Archive
Do you or your family have a story of migration to Marlborough? The Marlborough Archives collects personal letters, photographs, and records from all regional communities.
