Nelson Information

Nelson, (population 60,000) is a compact city which charms visitors, many of whom return to live there. They enjoy its good climate, relaxed way of life and easy access to an interesting region. The centre of the city is a very pleasant day out. Visit the public gardens (our favourite is the Miyazu Japanese Gardens) and the Suter Gallery. Take in some historic buildings, and climb Botanical Hill for a splendid view of the city. Beaches and picnic spots are close at hand for those who want a relaxing day in the sun. The cafe scene is vibrant and at least one vineyard visit is a must if you want to experience an important feature of the region. The winemaking and boutique brewing communities adds character to the area; Nelson is equally well-known for its arts and crafts community. Many artists have chosen to live here, allow yourself plenty of time to visit galleries to see their high quality ceramics, glass and paintings.

Historically, the region with its fertile land and coastal resources was very attractive to early Maori whose history recounts how a succession of tribes came from the North Island to occupy by force the lands of the tribe prevailing at the time. The Waitaha were succeeded by Ngati Mamoe and Ngati Tumatakokiri. Ngai Tahu, who dominated the region for about a century, were defeated by the Ngati Toa forces of Te Rauparaha.

Today six iwi (tribes) hold ancestral occupation rights over particular areas in the Nelson region and have three marae. Whakatu, the marae in Nelson, keeps alive the Maori name for the area. European Settlement Colonel William Wakefield of the New Zealand Company bought land from Te Rauparaha in the north of the South Island for a planned model settlement. After considerable indecision about the exact site, an exploratory group chose the ‘haven’ behind Boulder Bank.

Nelson came into being when the Fifeshire arrived with the first settlers in February, 1842. Further ships followed, the most notorious being the Lloyds with the wives and children of the exploratory party. Sixty-five children died on the voyage and Wakefield claimed the ship was a floating ‘bawdy house’ when it was revealed that the captain and crew had slept with the women. The colony struggled in its early years as there were few people with money to create employment. A further setback occurred when 22 settlers, including Arthur Wakefield, brother of William, were killed by Maori at Wairau in 1843. They had attempted to take over land which Te Rauparaha had not sold. Eventually small landholders started to prosper. Some of these were Germans, who developed orchards and vineyards in the Moutere area. Later hops and tobacco became popular and the land remains fertile for a diverse range of farming activities.

On the region's boundaries are the isolated region of Golden Bay and three National Parks: Abel Tasman, Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes.

Images Credits: New Zealand Graphic and Descriptive. Nelson., 1877, London, by Charles Decimus Barraud, Elizabeth Walker, C F Kell, Sampson Low Marston Searle & Rivington. Te Papa, Nelson, New Zealand., 1860-1869, by J Needham, Day & Son Ltd. Gift of Horace Fildes, 1937. Te Papa