Marlborough District occupies the northeastern corner of the South Island. It covers approximately 10,100 square kilometres and has a population of about 51,000. It is a unitary authority area, with the council based in Blenheim.

Marlborough has a dry, mild climate and fertile soils. It accounts for 74% of New Zealand’s vineyard area and approximately 84% of national wine production, making it the centre of the country’s wine industry. Renowned local wine varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The Marlborough Sounds’ indented coastline and numerous bays provide favourable conditions for aquaculture, particularly green-lipped mussel and king salmon farming. The district also has rich tourism resources and is renowned for the Marlborough Sounds, wineries and coastal scenery.

Marlborough established a sister-region relationship with the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in 2016.

The current mayor is Nadine Taylor.