Often known as ‘the top of the south’, Nelson Tasman takes up the northwestern corner of the South Island. The main centre, Nelson city (population 46,000) is a 5-hour drive from Christchurch. By air, Nelson is just 30 minutes from Wellington, 40 minutes from Christchurch, and about 1½ hours from Auckland.
Statistics
50,880
21.5%
Nelson City: $650,331
Tasman: $620,815
$40,326
There are many unique aspects to this region. Nowhere else in the world, for example, will you find three very distinctive national parks in a relatively small area, offering glistening waters, golden sands, spectacular native forests, lakes and mountain ranges, easily accessible year-round.
Nelson’s coast is notable for two huge, shallow bays - Tasman Bay and Golden Bay. The interior is hilly and mountainous with attractive lakes and areas of limestone and marble which feature deep caves and sinkholes. Te Waikoropupu (Pupu) springs, said to produce the clearest freshwater in the world, is part of the southern hemisphere’s deepest known cave system.
With an ideal growing climate, Nelson produces all of New Zealand’s commercial hops and has consequently become the country’s craft brewing capital with 11 craft breweries, while the region’s 25 boutique wineries excel at producing aromatic wines and chardonnay. Other horticultural stand-outs include apples and berries, while the ocean’s produce has made Port Nelson the largest fishing port in Australasia.
Nelson Tasman is known for its beautiful reserves and national parks which offer excellent walking and tramping. There are many outdoor recreation options, from kayaking in the Abel Tasman Park to walking the Heaphy Track, one of New Zealand’s nine ‘great walks’.
The coasts and lakes are ideal for swimming, boating, sailing, and fishing. Golden Bay particularly is famous for its unspoiled sandy beaches and is popular with alternative lifestylers for its fertile farmland and distance from mainstream society.
Nelson city is smart and well developed. Its thriving local arts and craft scene include some of New Zealand’s best visual artists, potters, glass blowers and woodcarvers, and the city offers a full range of amenities including excellent cafes and restaurants.
The region’s economy has four main drivers - horticulture, fishing, forestry, and tourism.
Nelson’s port is the largest deep-sea fishing port in Australasia.
Horticulture includes apples, pears, kiwifruit, and hops. Viticulture and winemaking are developing strongly, with craft beer brewing becoming increasingly popular.
The Nelson Tasman region is known for its warm summers and cool winters. Average maximum summertime temperatures range from 21-24°C with the highest recorded reaching 36.3°C. Average winter maximums range around 13-14°C.
Winter can be stormy but generally, Nelson enjoys one of the best climates of all major New Zealand centres.
Many migrants have already made Nelson - Tasman home. The table below shows where these migrants are moving from and demonstrates the diverse population you can expect to find in Nelson - Tasman.
It can be comforting to know there are others, similar to you, who have experienced the move.
|
Country of origin |
No. of migrants |
|---|---|
|
UK and Ireland |
4,579 (9%) |
|
Asia |
2,798 (5.5%) |
| Europe (excl. UK and Ireland) | 1,476 (2.9%) |
| Australia | 1,018 (2%) |
| Pacific Islands | 763 (1.5%) |
Now that you know about what Nelson - Tasman has to offer, have a read about everyday life in the region, and services and support you can access.
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