Nelson travel guide

Background

The Nelson region has a rather bloody Maori history, with many of the early tribes who started arriving from the North Island in the 16th century being successively conquered by others migrating south. The Ngati Tumatakokiri (who gave Abel Tasman his hostile reception in 1642) were for a while the largest tribe, but they were effectively wiped out by the Ngati Apa (from Wanganui) and Ngati Tahu (also from the South Island). This transition was short-lived, however, when in the 1820s the Ngati Toa from Kapiti arrived and conquered the lot. So, when the New Zealand Company’s agent, Captain Wakefield arrived about two decades later, it was with Te Rauparaha (chief of the Ngati Toa) that he negotiated land purchase. From the early 1840s Wakefield went on to effectively establish the company’s largest New Zealand settlement – Nelson. However, very quickly problems arose when too many migrants arrived to too little work and not enough agriculturally viable land. To counter this, Wakefield and a survey party went in search for more land in the Wairau Valley to the southeast. Wakefield thought this land to be already his, but Te Rauparaha disputed that claim. The misunderstanding and subsequent disagreement led to what was called the Wairau Affray and the death of Wakefield, 21 of his party and four Maori. Understandably, this incident retarded the development of early Nelson and to make matters worse, the New Zealand Company went bankrupt in 1844 leaving many destitute and unemployed. Redemption arrived in 1857 when gold was discovered near Collingwood (Golden Bay) and a new impetus was brought to the region. By the end of the century, long after the gold had run out, the rich agricultural potential and sustainability of the region was finally being realized – a natural resource that remains the most important resource in the region to this day.

Ins and outs

Getting there

By car Nelson is 144 km from Picton via SH6, 424 km to Christchurch via SH6, SH65 (Lewis Pass) and then SH1 and 226 km to Westport via SH6.

The following companies provide regular bus services to Nelson and the region as a whole: Intercity, T03-5483290/T03-5481538, http://www.nelsoncoaches.co.nz, runs from Christchurch via Blenheim/Picton and the west coast. Atomic Shuttles, T03-322 8883, http://www.atomictravel.co.nz, runs from Blenheim/Picton and the west coast. K-Bus, T03- 358 8355/T0508-458835, http://www.kahurangi.co.nz, runs from Christchurch, Blenheim, Picton, Golden Bay, the Heaphy Track, Abel Tasman and Kaikoura.

Operators servicing Motueka and the Abel Tasman National Park include: Atomic Shuttles, K’Bus and Abel Tasman Coachlines, T03-548 0285, www.abeltasman travel.co.nz. Abel Tasman Coachlines and K’Bus also run further northwest to Takaka and Golden Bay.

Buses heading south to St Arnaud and the Nelson Lakes National Park and the Rainbow ski area include: Nelson Lakes Shuttles, T03-521 1900, www.nelsonlakes shuttles.co.nz. The VIC (I-Site) can assist with bookings.

Average fares to Christchurch are $54, Greymouth $50, Takaka $30, Heaphy Track $50 and Blenheim $28. Most of the bus services stop right outside the VIC (I-Site) on the corner of Trafalgar and Halifax streets. Intercity drop off at the bus terminal on Bridge Street.

Nelson

Banks

You will find all the main branches in or around Trafalgar St.

Internet

Boots Off, 53 Bridge St; Aurora Tech, 161 Trafalgar St, and KiwiNet, 93 Hardy St.

Medical services

Nelson Hospital, Tipahi St, T03-546 1800. Emergency Pharmacy, corner of Hardy and Collingwood sts, T03-548 3897.

Police

T03-548 8309.

Post office

Post Restante, corner of Trafalgar and Halifax sts, opposite the VIC (I-Site), T03-546 7818, Mon-Fri 0745-1700, Sat 0930-1230.