Local Ambassador Pilot Programme
Brook Waimārama Sanctuary
The Visitor Information Ambassador Pilot Programme (VIA) is all about locals sharing their love for Nelson Tasman with the people who visit.
The VIA is a fresh initiative inviting residents aged over 65 to become Nelson Visitor Information Ambassadors. Their role? To offer friendly advice, local knowledge, and good old Kiwi manaakitanga that helps visitors feel right at home.
When Nelson’s i-SITE closed, plenty of folk said they still wanted face-to-face support for visitors in the city. This pilot is a step towards filling that gap. It also gives older locals a meaningful way to connect with others, stay involved, and make a real difference in the community.
The programme doesn’t just boost the visitor experience. It builds bridges between generations and celebrates community pride too. The pilot will run through to June 2026, with a testing period from 4 to 30 April 2025. After that, Council will review how it’s gone and decide whether to keep it going for the long haul.
The VIA programme is a true team effort, led by Nelson City Council and delivered by us, Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA). The idea first came to life after a spark of inspiration at a Uniquely Nelson board meeting back in 2024. It’s been gaining momentum ever since.
We’re also stoked to have the support of The Brook Sanctuary, who’ve generously offered up space at their Millers Acre rooms for the test period, free of charge. It’s a great example of locals backing locals to create something special for our city.
If you’re curious about the VIA programme or keen to get involved, your go-to person is Anjali. She’s the project coordinator and is across all the details.
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.
