This statement is a description and interpretation of the urban structure and economic importance of Picton, and the outstanding geographic characteristics of Queen Charlotte Sound which may be called the rural region tributary to Picton. It is a statement showing how Picton has developed by the interaction of various historical, economic and political factors to become the only important port in Marlborough, with a population of 1,600.

As yet it is too early to state in what direction the future of Picton lies; whether its potentials as a tourist centre will be fully developed, or whether it will progress along industrial lines, or whether, as is more probable, some combination of these two possibilities will be evolved as the basis of its future development. Wherever possible, likely trends along which the progress of the town may develop in future are correlated with existing conditions.

The urban study of the town is based on a Land and Survey Department plan of 1926. In choosing Queen Charlotte Sound as the hinterland of Picton, the importance of the town’s nodality in respect to its tributary region has been of prime importance. As a port, Picton has a hinterland stretching far into the South Island, while its industries make the town dependent in some way on many parts of Marlborough; but whereas Picton is only of small importance in these connections, its significance as the nodal point of Queen Charlotte Sound is outstanding. The area chosen for discussion, then, is the tributary rural region of Queen Charlotte Sound that is materially dependent upon Picton. This region is of little economic importance, and has been dealt with only briefly.