Tuku 26 Whakatū, our popular festival of heritage, has something for everyone with more than 80 individual event listings celebrating our diverse cultural heritage. Nelson Whakatū has a rich heritage, from the early arrival by Māori and its later establishment as the New Zealand Company’s first settlement in the South Island. This cultural diversity has been enriched by the subsequent arrival of newer migrants from all corners of the globe.

Māori have long understood the importance of their past and whakapapa. Early Nelsonians recognised their stories, too, with the opening of the Literary and Scientific Institution of Nelson
in 1842, the first in New Zealand. It is by reflecting on the heritage of our Māori, European and newer migrants that we build a sense of who we are and our future.

Tuku 26, from 21 March to 3 May 2026, is a community-owned festival with more than 78% of the events run by the wider community rather than Council. Nelson City Council is an
enabler and sponsor, providing grants funding to organisations and individual hosts to help run events and minimise the cost for participants.

The festival begins with an action-packed weekend of events including the Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring public show day on 21 March at the Richmond A&P Showgrounds and traditional Māori weaving inside the Magenta Creative Space in Selwyn Place, Nelson. Popular events on Sunday, 22 March, include the Multicultural Festival at Founders Heritage Park, from 11am to 4pm, and the Port Nelson Community Open Day, also from 11am to 4pm.

Port Nelson is this year marking 125 years since the establishment of its predecessor, the Nelson Harbour Board. It is one of several significant local anniversary events we are
celebrating during Tuku 26. The others include:

• The Cable Bay cable installation (150th anniversary)
• Nelson Centre of Musical Arts (125th anniversary)
• Nelson Tramping Club’s 92nd anniversary
• Beginning of the Founders Heritage Park 40th anniversary

Tuku 26 delivers an economic benefit to the region as well as an opportunity to celebrate our heritage. A big thank you to all the community organisations and individuals who help make this festival successful. Enjoy.

Full programme is available here https://www.tukuwhakatu.nz/programme-tuku26