Nelson became the capital of the province of the same name in 1858, which at that time included about a quarter of the southern island. Today it is limited to the city. Nelson is thus a town, region and the only district in the region, making it a Unitary Authority. However, the city of Nelson is also the cultural and economic center of the area. These include the neighboring regions of Marlborough and Tasman on the shores of the Tasman Bay, with the towns of Richmond, Motueka and Mapua, and often also the area of the Abel Tasman National Park and the Golden Bay around the city of Takaka.
The economic priorities of the region of Nelson and its surroundings are traditionally fishing, horticulture, tourism and forestry.

A window of the cathedral

By plane

Nelson Airport with IATA code NSN offers connections to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch with Air New Zealand. SoundsAir is an option for connecting to Wellington, but it uses tiny planes that are not everybody's business when the weather is good.

By bus

• Intercity Coachlines connects Nelson by bus across the region.

On the street

From SH 6 you can reach Nelson via Picton via Blenheim and Havelock, from the west coast the route from Westport, Murchison and Wakefield to the city.

By ship

The center of Nelson is within walking distance.

• Nelson Coaches. public transport to Richmond. last amendment: no

• Abel Tasman Coachlines. It provides public transport to Tasman Bay and Golden Bay. last amendment: no

Christian Church Cathedral

Bell tower of the cathedral

• -41,276173,2841 Christ Church Cathedral.       . The building was started in 1925, and only in 1972 was the house completed. The exterior is reminiscent of neo-gothic elements, with several styles inside, including Art Deco, and some elements, such as a part of the glass windows and the bell tower, are modern. last amendment: no

• Trafalgar Street. With some Art Deco houses, the main shopping street is the port, passing through Selwyn Place to the cathedral. last amendment: no

• -41,2745173,2832 Nelson Provincial Museum, corner Trafalgar/Hardy Street.           . Opened: 10.00 - 17.00 on weekdays, 10.00 - 16.30 on weekends. last amendment: no

• The Suter, Bridge Street. Public art gallery. last amendment: no

• -41.2983173.243 World of Wearable Art. . Gallery for imaginative "garments" (WOW - go absolutely) WOW is the annual worldwide contest of portable art and the best parts are exhibited. Here you can look at the creations and see in the cinema the presentation of art, where the costumes are then also moved. There is a car museum nearby. last amendment: no
• -41,26166667173,296944444 Founders Heritage Park, Atawhai Drive.     . A replica of historic houses from Nelson, the museum village is located in Founders Park near the Japanese Gardens. last amendment: no

• Hiking and cycling in Nelson and its surroundings. Bike Nelson and bike guide available for 5,- NZ$ in public libraries, bikes can be borrowed from Nelson Bike Rentals - Avanti Plus

• Happy Valley Adventures. About 10 km northeast from Nelson in direction of Blenheim. Options: Horse treks, off-road quadbike tours, drive through the river with an amphibian vehicle, Skywire tours: in a gondola on the steel rope high above the forest and corridor. last amendment: no Type is group

• March Festival. A celebration in the Founders Heritage Park. It does not always have to be March, it can also take place in April. last amendment: no

• Nelson Events. Calendar of events for the region. last amendment: no Type is group

• Nelson Hospital. Tel: +64 (0)3 546 1800. last amendment: no

• -41.270489 173.2842851i-SITE Visitor Information Center, Millers Acre Center, 77 Trafalgar St., Nelson 7010. Tel: +64(03) 548 2304, e-mail: [email protected]. last amendment: no

• The public libraries are open on weekdays from 10:00am and offer free internet access.

• General emergency number: nationwide 111

Nelson and the surrounding areas are one of the most pleasant regions of New Zealand in terms of climate throughout the year. The summer temperatures range from 10 to just under 20 degrees Celsius in winter. This is accompanied by moderate rain.

Nelson is surrounded by three national parks, the Abel Tasman National Park and the Kahurangi National Park in the west and the Nelson Lakes National Park in the south. To the south is Mount Richmond Forest Park.