Dawn blessing for new business

A new marine business has been blessed ahead of its opening on a Blenheim property, acquired by an iwi through treaty settlement with the Crown.

Rangita¯ ne o Wairau iwi members gathered at the property, just over the railway lines on Horton St, for a blessing including karakea and waiata at dawn on Monday.

The iwi’s commercial arm, Rangita¯ ne Investments Ltd, constructed the building for lease by Marine & Outdoors, as the first stage in a series of light industrial premises to open on the Horton St site.

Rangita¯ne Investments commercial property manager Corey Hebberd said the completion of the new store was a ‘‘catalyst to the next stages of developing this site, for the long-term benefit of Rangita¯ ne’’.

Rangita¯ne Investments chairman Ta¯ Mark Solomon said the light industrial site was part of a strategy to build a longterm, sustainable presence for Rangita¯ ne within Marlborough’s growing economy.

‘‘Developments like this allow our investment company to support the iwi trust to provide a wide range of wha¯ nau services, to strengthen the culture, identity and mana of Rangita¯ ne.’’

Marine & Outdoors would centralise their Koromiko and Blenheim operations on the site, off State Highway 1 and near the Blenheim Railway Station.

Managing director Pete Walters said the team was excited to be in the new Blenheim store after a two-year planning process.

‘‘We’re really excited. It’s great for Marlborough, and it’s good to see something happening in that spot,’’ Walters said.

‘‘We’re hoping to become a walk-in destination store, so people on their lunchtimes can come in and grab things for their weekend. And there’s plenty of parking, so no problems there.’’

A grand opening would be held on September 14, with deals and demonstrations all day including a chance to win a jetski, Walters said.