Access to Pelorus Sound and Havelock

Havelock Pelorus Sound Havelock

3. Access to Pelorus Sound & Havelock – Te Hoiere

Pelorus Sound and its gateway at Havelock have a unique position, different yet complimentary to the more developed and well–known Queen Charlotte Sound with Picton.

Positioned more clearly in the marine farming and classic agriculture space, the quintessential Pelorus mail boat trip in many ways represents the essence of the area – a remote rural and marine farming community and rugged landscapes.

With its own sense of history and icon destinations like French Pass, D’Urville Island and Kenepuru Sound, the Pelorus experience can be couched in a slightly more explorative adventure–based narrative. The gateway of Havelock, with its authentic working wharf and colonial village history is embraced by the hills of the local landscape giving it an undiscovered and very authentic feel quite different from Picton.

Located on a natural roading axis linking Picton to Nelson and Pelorus to Blenheim, its situation is an opportunity to be moulded in an authentic manner creating a must stop self–drive visitor experience and a unique linkage between seafood and wine.

Key Strengths Key Concerns

Marine farming Depth of harbour limiting ship size

Historic Havelock Marine farming industrial scale operational base

Greenshell mussel capital of the world 45 mins from Blenheim

Great wharf facilities Less photogenic of the Sounds

Located on main axis road Less established nationally historic sites as compared to Queen Charlotte

Gateway to French Pass & D’Urville Less accommodation, F&B options in Havelock

Seafood and wine crossover Lower number of established commercial tourism operators

One end of a possible double back cruise between Havelock & Picton No view from Havelock out to sounds so harder to sell

Quintessential New Zealand freshwater valley river & bush experiences Limited iwi narrative

Limited workforce

Key Opportunities Key Strategies

Development of wharf side for shorter seafood experience Develop feasibility study around Havelock seafood experience

Development of a closer and shorter time period water–based seafood experience and marine farming tour Develop community framework on Havelock historic village experience

Development of greater heritage narrative for Havelock Develop partnerships with local iwi to investigate natural environment experiences

Development of end–to–end Picton/ Havelock Sounds based overnight (2–night 3 day) experience Investigate Picton Havelock overnight/3–day cruise options

Development of appropriate scaled accommodation experience Research town planning options that encourage passers–by to stop and discover the wharf space

Development of better Portage Hotel boating connections to boost occupancy & access Create stories around the wine and seafood connection – a unique NZ attribute

Development of Pekapeka and/or Tuatara visitor opportunities

Develop overnight base position for Havelock to support experiences in the Pelorus Sound, Bridge & Rai Valley

Working closer with local iwi to promote heritage and narratives