Picton Business Group
Advocacy

Advocacy is at the heart of Picton Business Group.

We want New Zealanders to know that Picton is a town that ‘punches above its weight’ - with more shops, services, goods, activities and other business providers than people expect!

We are committed to the development, wellbeing, and success of Picton/Waitohi and its business community. PBG ensures the interests of businesses and the wider community are heard and acted on, especially in regional and central government and with key stakeholders like Port Marlborough and Destination Marlborough.

Our advocacy includes:

  • Submissions to Marlborough District Council’s Annual and Long Term Plans.

    Picton Business Group makes submissions to advocate on key issues to Marlborough District Council, central Government and key organisations impacting tourism and business.

    Click for Recent submissions on:

    2025

    January 19, 2025PBG Submission to Annual Plan for London Quay and Lower High St 202555.8 KbJan 19, 2025
    55.8 Kb
    January, 2025PBG submission on town centre strategic plan101.1 KbJan, 2025
    101.1 Kb
    January, 2025Picton Town Centre Beautification plan - Submission to MDC 202552.7 KbJan, 2025
    52.7 Kb
    January 1, 2025Submission PBG Nelson Square and Truck Parking - annual plan55.2 KbJan 1, 2025
    55.2 Kb

  • Maintaining proactive relationships with councillors and council staff, with follow-up on critical matters.

  • News Media publicity about hot topics - and what amazing services Picton offers!

    Picton Business Group offers a strong collective voice on key issues and problems confronting the business community. That includes committee members engaging with news media, raising public awareness and pushing for change, as well as publicising what Picton does so well.

    Concern about delays to ferry decisions
    PBG committee members Nikki Fitzgerald and chairman Hamish Watson urge action on ferry replacement decisions, April 2025.
    New Ferries Plan - It just needs to be done

    The small port town ‘punching above its weight’
    December 2024, PBG Committee member Barbara Speedy points out that Picton offers the businesses and services you’d expect in a much larger town or city.
    Small New Zealand town gets one million visitors a year

    Re-opening Dublin St
    In July 2024, Picton Business Group committee members publicised the impact of the long-deferred reopening of Dublin St for ferry traffic to come into the township. The street had been blocked for over a year as part of the IRex preparations. Just 36 hours after this article (below) appeared, work began, and was finished by August. That’s all about having a collective voice and speaking up!
    Dublin Str Road closure takes toll

  • Feedback to central Government