Picton is a charming coastal town located at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound in New Zealand. Its picturesque harbor serves as a gateway to the beautiful Marlborough Sounds and the South Island′s world-renowned wineries. The port is popular among tourists for its stunning scenery, hiking trails, and water sports. It is also a hub for marine farming and the transportation of goods and products to other parts of New Zealand.
Picton is a charming town at the beginning of Queen Charlotte Sound with a picturesque harbor and white-water yachts.
Surrounded by mountains, it has stunning panoramas and a charming waterfront. Tourists are waiting for a variety of cafes, restaurants, stores. There is also an aquarium with different species of local fish. Nearby is the famous wine region, so you should definitely try a taste of the creations of New Zealand winemakers. In the dry dock stands the ship Edwin Fox, which transported convicts to Australia. From here the famous track along Queen Charlotte's Bay begins.
Picton is an important transportation hub for New Zealand. This is due to its geographical location. It is in the north of the South Island, with a ferry to the nation's capital via the Cook Strait. It is also the starting point for the roads and railroads into the interior of the South Island.
According to Maori legend, the Picton area was once the home of a powerful taniwha, or water spirit, named Tu-te-raki-whanoa. This taniwha was known to be friendly to humans and would often help the local people with their fishing and other tasks.
One day, a group of fishermen from a neighboring tribe came to the area and began to fish in Tu-te-raki-whanoa's waters without offering the proper respect and offerings. This angered the taniwha, and he began to create violent storms and rough seas in retaliation.
The local people realized that they needed to placate Tu-te-raki-whanoa in order to restore peace and safety to their waters. They offered the taniwha a special ceremony, including a feast of the finest food and gifts of the most valuable treasures. Tu-te-raki-whanoa was pleased with these offerings and calmed the seas once again.
Since that time, the people of Picton have maintained a strong respect for Tu-te-raki-whanoa and continue to honor him with offerings and ceremonies. The port of Picton is considered to be under the protection of this powerful taniwha, who watches over the waters and keeps them safe for all who travel through them.
