The Visitor Information Ambassador Pilot Programme (VIA) is all about locals sharing their love for Nelson Tasman with the people who visit.
The VIA programme brings together a diverse group of trained Visitor Information Ambassadors who provide friendly, face-to-face support for visitors across the city. Their role is to share local knowledge, offer practical advice, and help visitors feel welcome.
The current group includes 20 active ambassadors, made up of local community members and international students, creating a strong and balanced mix. In the past two months alone, ambassadors have supported hundreds of visitors.
Including international students as ambassadors is an important step towards inclusion and diversity. It also creates a great balance, blending local insight with global perspectives and lived visitor experience.
When Nelson’s i-SITE closed, many people said they still valued personal visitor support. This pilot responds to that need while strengthening community connection.
The VIA programme is led by Nelson City Council and delivered by Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA), with support from YHA, Nelson, Uniquely Nelson, Nelson Public Libraries and Nelson City Council customer services.
Recruitment for the current pilot is now closed.
For general enquiries, please contact Anjali, Project Coordinator.
News from NT
Nelson City Council (NCC) and the Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA), with funding support from the Selwyn Foundation, have partnered to pilot a new Nelson Visitor Information Ambassador Programme, engaging retired residents to provide information and manaakitanga to visitors in Nelson, enhancing their experience of the region.
