In our extraordinarily diverse city and towns we live and work together as one.

Nelson Tasman is famous for welcoming outsiders to our city, towns and suburbs. From the eight iwi of Te Tau Ihu, to past and recent internationals, people have always found a home here. With one in five people internationally born, Nelson Tasman has 48 different cultures living in its environs. Living an extraordinary life is an everyday experience in Nelson Tasman.

We have a unique combination of citizens living right next to each other: scientists, farmers, fishers, engineers and settled refugees, all rubbing shoulders to inspire change and innovation. The Nelson Tasman community are an egalitarian bunch and highly engaged – with strong opinions about most things. This is the home of New Zealand’s conservation movement, after all. You’ll meet them everywhere – at the markets, pubs, sports grounds, arts and music festivals, on the bike trails or on the water.

We care about this place – so it’s no surprise that crime is low and unemployment figures are below the national average. Our schools are high performing by NCEA standards and our sports teams, like the Tasman Mako (rugby), the Nelson Giants (basketball), and Tasman United (football); and sports individuals like Nathan Fa’avae, George Bennett, Val Smith, and Liam Malone, perform well on a national and global stage.

With the influx of overseas visitors adding to the mix, our richly diverse region has a strong economy and a bustling, boutique heart.

  • Eight iwi of Te Tau Ihu all with their own diverse stories. Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Ngāti Rārua, Rangitāne o Wairau; Ngāti Koata; Te Ātiawa.
  • 48 different cultures, the third highest total of residents born outside of New Zealand – one in every five.
  • Nelson Saturday Market is one of the oldest art and artisan street markets in New Zealand, bringing together our diverse cultures.
  • Home to high achievements in art, science, business, conservation and sports, excelling on the national and global stage.

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