Tasman, New Zealand
Tasman is a geographically defined area in the north-west of New Zealand's South Island, governed by the Tasman District Council. It is bordered by the Buller District to the south-west, the Marlborough District to the east, and the Nelson Unitary Authority to the north-east. The region features a diverse landscape dominated by the Southern Alps in the south and the Tasman Sea to the north and west, with several coastal townships including Motueka and Takaka. The area has a rich cultural heritage, with Māori tribes inhabiting the region since the fourteenth century, and European settlement beginning in the 1840s.
The economy of Tasman is largely driven by agriculture and tourism, with visitors drawn to attractions like the Abel Tasman National Park, known for its accessible hiking trails and stunning beaches. The population, as of 2021, was primarily of European descent, and the demographics reflect a historical influence from early European settlers, including German immigrants who introduced grape and hop cultivation. Despite its natural beauty and cultural significance, Tasman contributes a small percentage to New Zealand's overall GDP. The region's demographics and economy continue to evolve, reflecting both its historical roots and contemporary influences.
Tasman, New Zealand
Tasman is a politically defined territory in the north-west of New Zealand's South Island. The Tasman District Council is the territorial authority, and the council's political borders define the territory of Tasman. Tasman is bordered to the south-west by the Buller District, to the east by the Marlborough District and to the north-east by the Nelson Unitary Authority. The Southern Alps reach the south of the Tasman District, while to the north and west is the Tasman Sea. The south and north-west of the Tasman District are incredibly remote, while the north, on the coastline, is home to several townships, such as Motueka, Takaka, Collingwood and Kaiteriteri.
The Tasman District has a shared Māori and Pākehā cultural heritage. Evidence suggests Māori have lived in the Tasman District since the fourteenth century CE, with archaeologists recording around three hundred different Māori settlements in Golden Bay. Golden Bay was the site of first interaction between Māoris and Europeans when, in 1642, Dutch explorer Abel Tasman's ships were weighed anchor there, resulting in a fatal confrontation. Nearby Nelson was New Zealand's second planned European settlement, and thus from the 1840s onward, Tasman had an established European cultural tradition. In the twenty-first century, the Tasman District's economy is dominated by agriculture and tourism. Tourists are attracted to Tasman's Abel Tasman National Park, one of the most accessible and popular national parks in New Zealand.
Historical Perspective
Several Māori tribes inhabited Tasman prior to European colonisation. Tribes such as Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Tama and Te Āti Awa have, at times, settled in the area. Ngāi Tara occupied the area around Nelson from 1550, but they were ousted by Ngāti Tūmatakōkiri in the early 1600s. It was another two hundred years before Ngāi Tahu, the largest tribe in the South Island, established a presence in the Tasman area. Māori established agriculture and fished in the area prior to European colonisation.
European colonisation began in the early 1800s, and the British-owned New Zealand Company negotiated land sales in the 1840s. Local Māori chief Te Rauparaha objected to the terms of the sale, which resulted in clashes between Māori and settlers. The first European settlers arrived in Nelson in 1841. The early years of the settlement were a struggle against the environmental conditions and Māori antagonism. Although most of the settlers were British, 140 Germans arrived in 1843. These settlers were the first to introduce grape growing and hop growing to the region. Other settlements such as Motueka, Collingwood and Takaka were quickly established and populated by Europeans.
Geography and Climate
The Tasman District's geography is dominated by the Southern Alps. As a result, most of the district's territory is mountainous, with the western part of the district dominated by the Tasman Mountains. This mountain range separates Abel Tasman National Park from Kahurangi National Park and contains New Zealand's longest cave, Bulmer Cavern. The Tasman District only contains flat plains alongside the Motueka, Riwaka, Takaka and Aorere Rivers.
The Tasman District also contains New Zealand's largest sandspit, Farewell Spit, which dominates the north-west of the district. Abundant forests allow native birdlife to flourish. The beaches of Golden Bay in the north of Tasman are renowned for their beautiful golden colour. Tasman is home to three national parks: the Abel Tasman National Park, the Kahurangi National Park and the Nelson Lakes National Park. These parks were established to ensure that native plants and animals in the area are conserved and maintained for the enjoyment of future generations.
Economy
According to Infometrics, as of 2023 the Tasman District and the neighbouring region of Nelson, combined, only contributed 4.1 per cent to New Zealand's national gross domestic product. Farming was slow to be established in the region due to its isolation from other parts of New Zealand and the variable fertility of the local soils. Sheep and beef farming have dominated land use in the district since the nineteenth century. However, Tasman's climate is particularly good for certain crops, such as hops, tobacco and stone fruit, that other parts of the South Island, in particular, cannot grow. Once a larger port was established in Nelson in the early twentieth century, apple exports began to grow.
Copper, coal, gold and other minerals have been mined in the region since European colonisation. However, the mining industry became less important toward the end of the twentieth century. As in other parts of New Zealand, tourism has become an important industry in Tasman. Tourists are attracted by the mountains and the golden-sand beaches as well as the orchards and vineyards in the area. In 2022, tourism generated $233 million.
Demographics
As of 2021 the Tasman District's population was 2,593. Most of Tasman's population lives in the Richmond Ward, which borders the urban area of Nelson. Other highly populated wards are also close to Nelson, such as the Waimea/Moutere Ward. Motueka is the largest settlement outside of the Nelson city zone, with 3,006 residents. Motueka's growth in population in the twenty-first century has been driven by internal migration, as, for example, elderly New Zealanders decide to retire in the area. Given Tasman's large landmass dominated by mountains, the population density of Tasman is small.
New Zealanders of European descent made up about 67 per cent of the population as of 2021, larger than the New Zealand average of 55 per cent. In 2013 the greater Nelson region (including the Tasman District) was the least ethnically diverse region in New Zealand. An interesting demographic fact is that German is the second most-spoken language in the district, whereas in most other parts of New Zealand te reo Māori is the second most-spoken language. Although Māoris have frequently occupied Tasman, it is not likely that the Māori population ever exceeded more than a couple of thousand. As of 2024 there were no large Māori settlements in the Tasman District.
Bibliography
Green, Nicki. Ngā iwi o Te Tau Ihu o Te Waka a Māui. Nelson Provincial Museum, 2007.
Harris, Jill. A Place to Live: The Tasman District—A Community Profile. Tasman District Council, 2009.
Heritage, New Zealand Government, 3 Aug. 2015, www.teara.govt.nz/en/nelson-region. Accessed 17 June 2024.
Hindmarsh, Gerard. Kahurangi Calling: Stories from the Backcountry of Northwest Nelson. Craig Potton Publishing, 2010.
"Tasman, 2021 Census QuickFacts." Australian Bureau of Statistics, https://abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/LGA65210. Accessed 17 June 2024.
Walrond, Carl. "Nelson Region." Te Ara—The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, Ministry for Culture &