Nelson Mail

Access dispute heats up

Iwi members blocking access to an “illegal” boat launching area just out of Nelson say they are acting as guardians of the estuary. For several days over the past week, Andrew Stephens, from the Wakapuaka 1B Trust, together with whānau member Helen...

Monkey bars’ reign of pain

Bumps, scrapes, and breaks happen every day in the playground, but it’s the monkey bars that are head and shoulders above the rest for causing injuries. Data from ACC shows the number of injuries relating to playgrounds across New Zealand has been...

Extreme heat could be new norm by 2050s

A record-shattering heatwave akin to unprecedented events in other parts of the world is possible in our current climate, scientists have found, and New Zealand needs to do more to get prepared. Universityof Waikato researchers Hamish Lewis and Dr...

Deck to be chopped back

A non-compliant deck at the holiday house of Gun City owner David Tipple and his sons will have to be reduced in size, and steps to Kaiteriteri Beach removed as part of a retrospective consent. A hearing for the controversial 80m² deck overlooking the...

Casual market not working

Students returning home to Nelson for the summer holidays are struggling to find jobs with enough hours. Data from Student Job Search shows that while there were lots of jobs available in Nelson, there was high competition for roles, and most...

Couple’s ‘impossible’ burger truck dream becomes a booming eatery

When Marty and Clare Soulek first floated the idea of running a burger truck, they were repeatedly told it would never work. Site after site across Nelson and Tasman turned them away, warning the business wouldn’t last through winter. Instead, the...

Officer’s legacy lives on

There were a few tears at the briefing for Nelson police officers ahead of their New Year’s Eve patrols in the city. But there was also a determination to do their job in memory of their colleague, Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming. A year ago Fleming, 62,...

Running legend honoured

Rod Dixon tells a story of misbehaving in class so he would get the “punishment” of doing three laps around the football field. When his teacher at Nelson’s Tāhunanui School cottoned on, the penalty was changed to writing lines, and young Dixon’s...

Resource consent lodged

The resource consent application has officially been lodged for a planned new surf lifesaving club at Nelson’s Tāhunanui Beach. But, while the club is excited to see progress on the project, a Nelson City Councillor has questioned why the application...

Flood victims face uncertain future

Heavy rain hit Tasman District on June 27, sparking the worst flood there in almost 150 years. The region went into a state of emergency again two weeks later, as another ‘atmospheric river’ struck the already sodden land. Katy Jones spoke to property...

What’s on in Nelson Tasman

Tomorrow Golden Bear Brewing 11th Summer Music Festival: Over the next 15 days, musicians and their bands will be banging out the sounds across all genres at the Golden Bear Brewing Company in Māpua. Starting with the Brazilian Social Club, this...

Shake-up in city’s hospo scene

A shake-up is under way in Nelson’s hospitality scene, with new venues opening and several established spots changing hands, as operators expand and invest. But it’s not all bright news with Two Thumb Brewing Co. Nelson going into liquidation on...

Whooping cough cases spike

Whānau are being urged to make a bubble around vulnerable family members this Christmas as Nelson-Marlborough experiences a surge in whooping cough cases. The latest data from the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science shows...

World’s ‘fastest-growing sport’ hits the Nelson region

Motueka real estate business directors Roar and Rebecca Kristoffersen discovered the sport of padel while visiting friends on a recent trip to Roar’s native Denmark. “In the past we would always say, oh let's go and have a drink and a meal or...

Historic land dispute settled

Ownership of more than 3000 hectares of land in Te Tauihu will be returned to descendants of its original Māori owners, including the Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve and the Abel Tasman Coast Track Great Walk, under a historic agreement signed on...

Demand up but course to go

A school in Nelson has experienced its highest demand in years for an outdoor education programme, set to disappear under Government reform. Nayland College has created a waiting list for its year 11 outdoor education (OED) course next year, after...

Solve scalp issues

An itchy-feeling, flaky scalp can be a real confidence killer. It’s the kind of persistent annoyance that makes you think twice about wearing your favourite black top, or might even hold you back from hitting the gym. More than 50 per cent of the...

Holiday hotspot eyes its future after flood

Bethany Park manager Roger Armstrong exudes positive expectation. “Perfect” spring conditions have left a soft bed of newly-sown grass for the hundreds of campers due to start descending on the holiday park in Kaiteriteri next week. Permanent...

‘Fastest planning in the west’

Resources will be stretched as councils face an “incredibly constrained” timeframe to come up with their first regional spatial plan that will shape the future of Nelson and Tasman. Under the Government’s reforms released yesterday, the Resource...

Spectacle has global potential

The organiser of an increasingly popular sports festival in Nelson is already seeing the potential to put it on the international running map. The Spectacle running festival was held on Friday and Saturday, and featured just under 600 more...

Quiet Nelson corner becomes a street food destination

Tucked into a tired-looking suburban road, Street Food on Washington is easy to miss – and that, owner Ben Smith says, is both “a blessing and a curse”. The small family-run eatery has quietly built a loyal following in a low-decile neighbourhood that...

Quiet Nelson corner becomes a street food destination

Tucked into a tired-looking suburban road, Street Food on Washington is easy to miss – and that, owner Ben Smith says, is both “a blessing and a curse”. The small family-run eatery has quietly built a loyal following in a low-decile neighbourhood that...

Tasman workers stay home

Tasman workers are choosing the kitchen table over the car commute, topping the country as the region with the highest percentage of people working from home. According to the 2023 census, 20.8% of employed adults in Tasman mostly work from home, up...

New lens on spending eyed

A “value-for-money lens” will need to be cast over all council funding decisions to meet a new 4% rates cap proposed by the Government, Nelson mayor Nick Smith has warned. Meanwhile, Tasman mayor Tim King says the cap could be achievable, but it would...

Business leaders push back

Nelson business leaders say the region is seeing far more economic activity and investment across multiple sectors than national coverage suggests. Speaking at a Chamber of Commerce event at Tides Hotel on Thursday, regional developer Andrew Spittal...

Visa declined for autistic boy

When Nithin Mankeel and Aparna Jayandhan Geetha met in nursing school in India, they shared a dream of moving to New Zealand and starting a family. For 15 years they worked towards it - including living apart for eight years while Mankeel worked in...

Region facing food crisis

Charities supporting families in a “burgeoning food crisis” are struggling to keep up with demand as donations dwindle. High rents, “unsustainable” food prices and unemployment are fuelling demand for food bank services in the Nelson region, while...

New housing development

A new housing development for a former Nelson motel site plans to build 27 oneand two-bedroom units. Milton Street Development Limited Partnership has put in a resource consent application for the former Milton Chalet Motel site to build a...

Chicks would be Xmas gift

Staff at the South Island’s largest fenced sanctuary are confident at least five kiwi pukupuku chicks are likely to hatch before Christmas, just months after 40 birds were translocated to Nelson. The kiwi pukupuku (little spotted kiwi) were introduced...

Franschhoek a feast for the senses

Call to get out of rivers’ way

“Mismanagement” ofrivers in NewZealand has put communities at risk of flooding, and people need to move out of high risk floodplains, an expert says. The warning – from environmental scientist Tom Kay – comes as the Tasman District Council prepares to...

‘Horror movie’ millipedes may be in the South Island

A millipede that has invaded Wellington homes in large numbers like “a horror movie” may have reached the South Island. The Ministry for Primary Industries said it was awaiting samples of a specimen in Nelson that, if confirmed, would represent the...

New ED wing a boost

Faster and safer care, including dedicated isolation rooms for infection control, are among benefits expected from Nelson Hospital’s expanded emergency department. The department’s new wing, the centrepiece of the expansion project, was opened by...

Tiny home battle costs big

An Upper Moutere couple who appealed an Environment Court decision that a tiny home on their property needed a resource consent have been ordered to pay $58,000 to cover a council’s legal costs. Mathias and Christin Schaeffner, who do not own the tiny...

Mining CEO puts private waterfront golf course on market

A privately built coastal golf course in Golden Bay – developed by mining CEO Chris Castle – has been listed for sale by tender. The Onekakā Links property, a rare 18-hole course spanning 4.62 hectares of beachfront headland at the northwest tip of...

Park residents’ future secure

After more than a year of uncertainty, longterm residents at Nelson’s Tāhuna Beach Holiday Park can rest easy, knowing their homes are secure. Last year, camp management warned the camp’s permanent residents that they could be forced to leave. That...

Pub turfs out Hooligans

Members of a car enthusiasts group, the Nelson Hooligans, have been banned from wearing their branded clothing at a popular suburban pub. Stan Holland, owner and publican of The Turf Hotel in Stoke, said he made the decision following several...

Tourism outlook uncertain

Tourism operators in Nelson and Tasman District hope the summer season will deliver a much-needed boost to the region, hit by recent factory closures and floods. But longer-term prospects for the sector remained uncertain, with “no real upturn” in...

Pensioner pens reply to ‘gutless’ critic of her house

When Margaret Wilde opened her letterbox she was met with an unpleasant surprise. An anonymous message written in blue marker pen on a piece of cardboard read: “This house looks like a shit hole. Clean it up and move that junk off the street.” Wilde...

Concern after hospital left in dark after power cut

Nelson Hospital was left in the dark for at least an hour when a generator failed to kick in during a major power cut. The top of the South Island lost power from 7.45am yesterday as wild weather hit, causing a major Transpower network outage. Power...

Plan for Hope Bypass revealed

A new investment case for the Hope Bypass will see the project built in two stages, and supports tolling the road once the project is complete. On Monday, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced that the NZ...

Low vax rate risks outbreak

The number of people declining vaccinations in the top of the south is growing, leaving the region vulnerable to an outbreak of disease. And, with falling vaccination rates and more parents declining altogether, Nelson Bays Primary Health is on track...

Over 53,000 sign outdoor ed petition

More than 50,000 people from New Zealand and beyond are urging the Government to reverse outdoor education changes that the sector fears could strip thousands of school students of life-changing learning. The subject association and industry groups...

Hospitality lift surprises

Nelson’s hospitality sector has surged ahead of the rest of the country, recording sales growth more than 10 times that of Auckland. According to the Restaurant Association’s latest Hospitality Report, the region posted standout sales growth of 15.1%...

Tasman voters have ‘done themselves a disservice’

Tasman’s first Māori ward councillor Paul Te Poa Karoro Morgan says he is disappointed that the region has opted to remove the ward after 2028. According to Tasman District Council’s preliminary results, 8049 (43%) voted to retain the ward, while...

Say goodbye to dark spots with Mela B3

It’s no secret that hyperpigmentation is an all-too-common skin concern that is incredibly frustrating to tackle, and there are a plethora of reasons why dark spots can appear, often seemingly out of nowhere. Regardless of how you get it, treating and...

Publican revives historic building

When Nick Inkster first set eyes on Nelson’s old Public Trust Office building, he knew it had the right bones for his next venture. The 1938 art deco beauty has seen better days but, to the Christchurch publican, it has all the ingredients – a...

New precinct to boost city

When Justin Candish looked at plans to demolish the Morrison Square complex in the heart of Nelson “all I could see was six months of traffic management, a year’s worth of demolition and a gravel car park at the end of it”. It was not the vision the...

Cheat sheets

Dish FAST Two is the follow-up cookbook to the best-selling original by Dish editor Sarah Tuck and the magazine’s food editor, Claire Aldous. It’s brimming with more than 100 simple, seasonal and flavour-packed recipes – perfect for a throw-together...

City alcohol ban extended

Increasing disorderly behaviour by a group drinking at Trafalgar Park – including an assault, spitting at an elderly woman and performing a haka on the field as the Tasman Mako trained – has seen the city’s alcohol ban extended. At the final meeting...

Pākawau campground sale ends years of uncertainty

A much-loved Golden Bay campground finally has new owners after nearly 10 years sitting on the market. Pakawau Beach Camp, near Farewell Spit, sold in August for $2.1 million to Nadia and James Bowen, a Marlborough couple who say they are “determined...

Weather radar due next year

The region’s long-awaited new weather radar is expected to be running in the summer of 2026, and is likely to be located in Nelson. At a Tasman District Council committee meeting on Wednesday, environmental manager data and monitoring Mike Ede said it...

Hope for Stoke Memorial Hall

Hopes are rising that the Stoke Memorial Hall could be reopened following newly announced changes to earthquake-prone building rules. On Monday, the Government announced it was ditching the earthquake-prone building standards system, and replacing it...

Govt ‘talking the wrong science’

Primary school principals say there are cases of classrooms being “flipped” twice a day, with children upending chairs and tables, throwing books off bookshelves and tossing maths equipment on the floor. “Just anything that’s in their way ... it looks...

Proper Crisps proposes closing Nelson factory

Proper Crisps is proposing to close its Nelson factory and shift its production to South Auckland. The potato chip company, which is owned by Griffin’s, yesterday signalled the proposed closure of its Nelson factory in Stoke in late 2027. “Recently...

Joe Bennett

Swing, roundabouts and the wheel of fortune

Water conservation dispute

Federated Farmers is lobbying the Government to quash historical and future Water Conservation Orders (WCO) as part of its RMA reforms. The group has also asked the Government to put a halt to a Tasman District Council plan change that legally embeds...

Closure imminent for popular cafe

The owners of a popular Nelson cafe and art gallery are on the verge of closing their doors as a major roadworks programme is set to start on their doorstep. Suzi and Antony Stevens have owned Red Art Gallery & Cafe for the past eight years. It’s...

Calls to halt outdoor ed changes

Taking outdoor education at high school was “a key turning point” for world adventure racing champion and outdoor educator Nathan Fa’avae. Tasman-based Fa’avae is among those speaking out amid fears a Government shake-up will see outdoor education...

$19m blow to region’s GDP

The closure of Eves Valley and proposed closure of Sealord’s coated fish factory means a potential yearly loss of up to $19.2 million of GDP, says Nelson Regional Development Agency’s chief executive. And following these closures, and after having...

Concerns over influence

Opponents of a proposed gold mine say they fear political influence risks overriding due process in deciding the fate of the controversial Golden Bay project. Sams Creek Collective’s Julie Downard said she is “hugely concerned” that Minister for...

The councillor vying for the mayoralty chains

In the race to be Nelson’s mayor, current councillor Aaron Stallard is firmly positioning himself as a “genuine choice” to incumbent Nick Smith. “I bring a different direction to the current mayor,” he says in an interview with the Nelson Mail. The...

Go-ahead for museum facility

Applause rang out and tears of relief flowed when plans for a new storage facility for Nelson and Tasman’s $20 million collection of historic taonga got the green light. After a four-hour debate yesterday, the Nelson City Council voted 12 to one to...

Calls for action as dangers mount outside city schools

The principal of St Joseph’s School fears a child could be seriously hurt in the traffic chaos that engulfs Manuka St each day. The hazards multiply when the ford is closed, which forces many drivers to U-turn, idle on yellow lines and jockey for...

Study plan ‘gut-wrenching’

A plan to make outdoor education a vocational-only school subject has been described as gut-wrenching by teachers, who fear the change would leave students, the industry and country worse off. Education Outdoors NZ ( EONZ) said the Education Ministry...

Youthful photo prompts call for law-tightening

The outdated, youthful photograph of a controversial mayoral candidate has sparked a complaint to election authorities and triggered a discussion on potentially tightening legislation. Tasman and Invercargill mayoral hopeful Maxwell Clark, running...

Tenths decision bringing closure one step closer

Relief for the Māori customary owners of the Nelson Tenths is a step closer after the High Court has ruled largely in favour of the plaintiff representing them in a second judgment. Justice Rebecca Edwards addressed questions of relief for customary...

Museum storage facility debate a ‘political potato’

The debate over whether the Nelson City Council should fund a new museum storage facility has become a “political potato”, frustrating museum leaders. With two days left for the public to have a say before a council vote next week, the Nelson...

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Reusable Eco Pads

These Garnier SkinActive Micellar Reusable Eco Pads are a sustainable alternative to disposable cotton pads, designed to gently cleanse and remove makeup with just micellar water. Soft and ultra-effective, each pad can be washed and reused up to 1000...

Residents split over speed humps

A group of residents are calling for the immediate removal of speed humps on roads in Nelson’s Tāhunanui Hills, saying they are noisy and causing potentially damaging vibrations. But other residents say the roads have been much safer since the council...

Mill closure a ‘huge blow’

Workers have been left “gutted” after Carter Holt Harvey announced a proposal to close the Eves Valley sawmill, a move that could end 142 jobs. Tasman mayor Tim King and Nelson mayor Nick Smith have confirmed they were told on Wednesday of a proposal...

New museum storage plan

Plans to replace the leaking Nelson Provincial Museum Pupuri Taonga o Te Tai Ao storage facility have been rethought, with a $14.9 million facility in downtown Nelson shelved. Instead, the museum is proposing a $9.8m building in Richmond West to house...

New tool for marine farmers

Forecasting rapidly changing sea conditions through a sophisticated software tool will help turn “on the lights” for marine farmers, its Nelson developers say. The Ocean Intelligence forecasting platform has been developed over three years in a...

Stanley Brook residents left isolated and vulnerable without internet

Five weeks since the second rain event hit Tasman District, Stanley Brook resident Trish Palmer still has no broadband and no landline. And there’s no estimate as to when, or if, those copper services will be restored. Palmer, a writer by trade, has...

Concern floods could worsen

A contentious plan that allows a seaside village to double in size has been approved by the Tasman District Council. But Māpua residents remained concerned that the development of subdivisions would worsen flooding for those who lived in low-lying...