Marlborough

A pilot helping fight the big Marlborough fire walked away largely unscathed after ditching into the Wairau River while trying to fill his monsoon bucket. Audio

A forest fire in Marlborough is burning out of control tonight and crews intent on saving houses are now also facing another outbreak nearby. Audio

Jeff Sewell is a local farmer he can see smoke, Steve Hill runs Hillsfield House bed and breakfast in Renwick. Audio

Farmers are fighting to save their homes, and those of neighbours, as 60 firefighters backed by helicopters and planes battle a blaze in Marlborough's Wairau Valley. Audio

Sixty firefighters backed by helicopters and planes are battling a fire that's threatening homes near Renwick in the Wairau Valley near Blenheim. Audio

A fire is being fought at North Bank in Marlbourgh which began at about 11:15 last night, with the fire service saying some people have been evacuated. Audio

The hot, dry weather in Marlborough continues and water supplies to vineyards in the area hang on a knife-edge. Class B water restrictions have taken place in the Wairau Valley. Audio

An aircraft remains on standby amid concerns a large scrub fire in Seddon in Marlborough could re-ignite. Audio

Further north near Blenheim, other firefighters who've been battling a big scrub fire are on edge as it flares up again. Audio

Fire crews in North Canterbury and Marlborough have been scrambling to control blazes this afternoon. Audio

Politicians, iwi and the Department of Conservation have joined force to try to manage the competing environmental demands on the Marlborough Sounds. Audio

The National Whale Centre opens in Picton to focus on the natural and cultural history of cetaceans and to mark 50 years since the end of commercial whaling in New Zealand. Audio

Marlborough hill country farmer David Grigg, Mid-Canterbury cropping farmer David Clark and Tim Jones from 45 South Cherry Orchard in Central Otago. Audio

The National Whale Centre opens in Picton to focus on the natural and cultural history of cetaceans and to mark 50 years since the end of commercial whaling in New Zealand. Audio

It's nearly 50 years since Marlborough whalers J. A. Perano and Company harpooned their last whale in New Zealand waters. Peter Perano reflects on what it was like to be a third generation whaler… Audio

A team of Marlborough women -and one bloke- take turns hand-milking Daffodil at 3pm each day. From the Jersey cow's milk they process a variety of goodies from cultured butter and cream to cheeses and… Audio

Dame Anne Salmond discusses Maori relations with the ocean, comparing Te Whanau a Apanui's opposition to the oil company Petrobras' drilling ship to the time 250 years earlier when canoes headed out… Audio