Navigating the Sounds: 1700 Properties to Receive New Water Addresses

Marlborough District Council introduces a shore-based numbering system for boat-access properties to improve emergency and postal service navigation.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 4:39 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Moving Beyond Jetty Numbers

Historically, property identification in the Sounds relied heavily on informal jetty numbers. However, these no longer meet national standards for property identification. The new system replaces this patchwork approach with a distance-based method similar to the RAPID numbering used on rural roads.

The primary difference? Instead of measuring along a road, the distance is measured along the shoreline.

A Massive Geographical Undertaking

The project is one of the largest of its kind in New Zealand, encompassing more than 1,500 kilometres of coastline. The unique geography of the Sounds presented specific challenges for the council’s Geographic Information System (GIS) team:

Clockwise Numbering: Addresses will be allocated clockwise within each bay.