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Nelson City

Whakatū

Haere mai ki Whakatū - Welcome to Nelson

Pronunciation Guide: (Far-car-two)

Known as a vibrant and welcoming city, Nelson is (quite literally) at the heart of New Zealand. It’s accessible and highly connected to other main centres. There's more choice than you can shake a cocktail shaker at.

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Quick fact in celebration of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori

Thought to be named after the winds that swirled through nearby Matangi Āwhio (Auckland Point), which resulted in waka being placed upright on land. It is also known as Wakatū in another dialect. More information can be found on The Prow.

The place is abuzz as a dining and entertainment destination all year round.

With alfresco dining on cobblestone streets and wonderful waterfront restaurants, complemented by MarchFest in Autumn, Moveable Feasts in Winter and the Cider Festival in Spring. More recently, pop up markets and quirky side street fare has become a feature of the central city with a microbrewery on Collingwood Street and market stalls at Kirby Lane.

The city is an incubator for some of New Zealand’s most successful and most-loved businesses and products, and the contemporary creative energy of some of these businesses is showcased at Nelson’s weekly Saturday Market. The market has been operating for 40 years and is a ‘must do’ activity for visitors and locals. It’s a wonderful way to get a taste of the work of local fashion designers, artisan producers and the surprisingly diverse people who make up our community. 

We’re proud of our legacy of artistic endeavours. In fact, Nelson has more working artists and galleries than most other places in New Zealand and is home to three of the country’s cultural treasures: the Suter Art Gallery, the Theatre Royal, and the Nelson Centre for Musical Arts. 

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Right on the city’s doorstep are some of the most stunning and most frequently photographed natural landscapes in the country.

It’s hard to beat the view of the city and Tasman Bay from the top of the Centre of New Zealand or the sight of snow-capped hills from Tāhunanui Beach on a crisp, sunny winter morning. And if you’re looking for outdoor adventures, Nelson fits the bill. The Coppermine Trail is just minutes from the city, so it’s possible to hurtle down a hillside one minute and enjoy a latte at a riverside café the next.

From the city’s borders out towards the stunning mountain ranges that form the backdrop to Tasman Bay, Tāhunanui Beach is well-loved by Nelsonians and visitors alike. The bay is a hub for watersports, and no matter the time of year, you’ll find paddleboarders, kite surfers, sailors, and kayakers venturing out into the picturesque horizon as families enjoying fish and chips on the beach watch on inquisitively. Plus, set behind the sand dunes is every child’s dream come true, with playgrounds, bumper boats, trampolines, go karts, a skating rink, a zoo, and even a hydro slide, all within walking distance.  

Get up close and personal with Nelson City's artisans

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Jens Hansen - The Ringmaker

Discover Jens Hansen Studio – creators of the world's most famous ring. Handcrafted, unique designs, cherished by generations and inspired by Tolkien's legendary tales. Visit our Nelson studio and own a piece of art.
Silver Partner 
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Flamedaisy Glass Design

Wander in and marvel at some of the most unique pieces of glassware and art around Nelson Tasman.
Bronze Partner 
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The Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū

The Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū is the public art gallery for the Nelson region.
 
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Red Art Gallery & Café

Sit amongst art while sipping a cup of coffee at Red Gallery & Café in the heart of Nelson. Located in a heritage building, this place offers much to discover and marvel at.
 

Things to do in and around Nelson

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