Nelson Region
The Nelson Region, located at the north-west tip of New Zealand's South Island, is characterized by its stunning coastal landscapes on the southeastern shore of Tasman Bay. Covering an area of 422.4 square kilometers, it boasts a mild climate with warm summers and mild winters, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts drawn to its sandy beaches, national parks, and mountainous terrain. The region has a rich cultural history, initially inhabited by Māori tribes who settled in the area during the fourteenth century, followed by European settlers in the early nineteenth century. The city of Nelson is the largest urban center within the region and serves as a hub for various industries, including agriculture, forestry, and tourism.
Economically, the region is diverse, with a focus on horticulture, food processing, and marine industries. The local economy benefits from its favorable climate, supporting the cultivation of kiwifruit, grapes, and other fruits. As of 2023, the estimated population of the Nelson Region is around 55,600, with a significant and growing Māori presence. The demographic landscape reflects a mix of ethnicities, primarily European, with a notable aging population. The region's connection to its Māori roots is evident, as nearly 19% of residents speak te reo Māori, highlighting the importance of cultural heritage in the community. Overall, Nelson is a place of both natural beauty and historical significance, appealing to residents and visitors alike.
Subject Terms
Nelson Region
Located on the north-west tip of the South Island, the Nelson region forms the south-eastern shore of Tasman Bay. It borders the Tasman region to the west and the Marlborough region to the east. Its total land area is 422.4 square kilometres. With sandy beaches, a mild climate and proximity to the mountains and national parks of Tasman and Marlborough, Nelson is a playground for holiday-makers and outdoor enthusiasts. Its namesake city is the largest in the top of South Island. The majority of Nelson residents live in urban areas. Pepin Island is also part of the region.
Historical Perspective
The first inhabitants of the Nelson region were Māoris who arrived from North Island in the fourteenth century CE. They settled along the shores of the Golden Bay. The first Europeans arrived in the region in December 1642 when crew members of Abel Tasman's ships came ashore at Golden Bay and were killed by Māoris near Separation Point. Europeans arrived in larger numbers in the early nineteenth century, when traders, sealers and whalers set up stations in the Cook Strait area.
On 16 October 1839, Te Rauparaha, a Ngāti Toa Rangatira chief, sold land in the Nelson and Golden Bay areas to Colonel William Wakefield of the New Zealand Company. A dispute later arose as to what land had been a part of their agreement, resulting in Lieutenant Governor William Hobson establishing a commission to investigate land claims. Two years later, Wakefield's brother Arthur established a New Zealand Company settlement at what became Nelson City. Māoris continued to resist European settlers, who soon sought to move inland from Nelson, and a 17 June 1843 clash broke out in the Wairau Valley (now part of Marlborough) in which Wakefield, twenty-one other British settlers and at least four Ngāti Toa were killed. The incident led to the fortification of Church Hill in Nelson. In 1858 the settlers in the Wairau Valley broke away from Nelson to form the separate province of Marlborough, until the provincial system ended in 1875. In 2008, the Waitangi Tribunal found several land purchases of the early settlers had violated the Treaty of Waitangi. The Te Tau Ihu Treaty settlement legislation was passed six years later.
Geography and Climate
The Nelson region has a temperate climate, with warm summers and mild winters. According to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), average summer temperatures range between 12 and 22 degrees Celsius, while average winter temperatures are between 4 and 14 degrees Celsius. Most precipitation falls in winter and spring, with an average annual rainfall of around one thousand millimetres. The Nelson City is one of the sunniest in New Zealand, with nearly 2,500 hours of sunshine per year. The coastal region has less wind as it is shielded by mountain ranges on three sides.
The coastal area includes beaches and the Waimea Plains, while the interior is hilly. The Richmond Range lies near its eastern border with Marlborough. A network of rivers and streams wind through the region. The dominant vegetation is trees, with beech forests found at higher elevations and pine forests covering lower hills.
Economy
The Nelson region has a diverse economy. Its temperate climate and loamy clay soil make it ideal for growing fruits such as kiwifruit, apples and pears. Grapes are grown in cooler areas, with several small wine regions. More than one-quarter of the land is covered with forests of native trees, helping to support its forestry industry. The region is a centre for processed wood products, paper and printing manufacturing. It also specialises in food and beverage manufacturing, marine construction and aviation manufacturing. The fishing industry also is a prime contributor to the economy. Two of New Zealand's largest seafood-processing plants are located in the region, as is the Cawthron Institute, which conducts aquaculture research and development, marine and freshwater environments research and testing, and food and product analysis. Its commercial airport and Port Nelson make the region an economic hub for transporting goods both internationally and domestically. The region's climate, scenic areas and recreational activities support the tourism industry.
According to data from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, in 2020, 1,230 people worked in cafes, restaurants, and takeaway food services; 1,190 worked in hospitals; 1,080 worked in education; 810 worked in the fishing industry; and 810 worked in supermarkets and grocery stores.
While the average annual household income in Nelson was slightly lower than the national average, the cost of living was also slightly less, as reflected by lower average rents and house prices.
Demographics
The estimated resident population of the Nelson region in 2023 was 55,600, according to the Census. It is one of the least-populated regions in New Zealand, but its population has grown steadily since the 2013 Census, when it had 46,437 residents. At the time of the 2013 Census, the Māori population was 4,167, which was less than 1 per cent of the nation's total Māori population. In 2023, the Māori population was 6,690.,
Nelson has an ageing population, with the median age 44 years in 2023, compared to the national median age of 38 years. About 22.5 per cent of the population was aged sixty-five years and over. Slightly less than one-fifth of the population was born overseas, with England being the most common place of birth. The region is fairly homogenous, with 84.7 per cent of the population belonging to a European ethnic group, 11.9 per cent Māori, 8.6 per cent Asian, 2.8 per cent Pacific Islander, and 1.4 per cent Middle Eastern. English is the only language spoken by almost 93 per cent of the regional population, with the next most common language, te reo Māori, being spoken by 18.9 per cent of the regional population.
Bibliography
"Facts and Figures." Nelson City Council, nelson.govt.nz/services/community/business-2/facts-and-figures. Accessed 11 June 2024.
Macara, G. R. The Climate and Weather of Nelson and Tasman. 2nd ed. NIWA, 2016, www.niwa.co.nz/sites/niwa.co.nz/files/Nelson‗Tasman%20ClimateACCESSEDpdf. Accessed 12 June 2024.
"Nelson." Regional Economic Activity Report 2015. Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, New Zealand Government, www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/business/business-growth-agenda/regions/documents-image-library/rear-2015/min-a003-rear-report-lr-optimised.pdf. Accessed 12 June 2024.
"New Zealand Company Settlers Arrive in Nelson, 1 February 1842." New Zealand History, New Zealand Government, 1 Feb. 2017, nzhistory.govt.nz/first-nz-company-settlers-arrive-in-nelson. Accessed 12 June 2024.
"QuickStats about Nelson Region." 2013 Census, Statistics New Zealand, www.stats.govt.nz/Census/2013-census/profile-and-summary-reports/quickstats-about-a-place.aspx?request‗value=14578&tabname=&p=y&printall=true&sc‗device=pdf. Accessed 12June 2024.
"2023 Census Data Highlights: Nelson Region." Business Scoop, 29 May 2024, business.scoop.co.nz/2024/05/29/2023-census-data-highlights-nelson-region/#: Accessed 12 June 2024.