Editing Nelson, New Zealand (section)

== Geography ==
The Nelson-Tasman area comprises two [[unitary authority|unitary authorities]] – Nelson City, administered by the [[Nelson City Council]], and [[Tasman District]], administered by the [[Tasman District Council]], based in [[Richmond, New Zealand|Richmond]] {{convert|15|km|0|abbr=off}} to the southwest. It is between [[Marlborough Region|Marlborough]], another unitary authority, to the east, and the [[West Coast, New Zealand|West Coast Regional Council]] to the west.

For at least two decades, there has been talk about amalgamating Nelson City and the Tasman District to streamline and render more financially economical the existing co-operation between the two councils,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frethey |first=Max |date=2025-03-07 |title=Nelson councillors fear 'ambushing' Tasman on amalgamation question |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360605501/nelson-councillors-fear-ambushing-tasman-amalgamation-question |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Stuff}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://tdc.govt.nz/index.php?GoldenBayCommunityBoardNews |title=News |publisher=Tasman District Council |access-date=16 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523075841/http://www.tdc.govt.nz/index.php?GoldenBayCommunityBoardNews |archive-date=23 May 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Moorjani|first=Anita|url=http://taslib.govt.nz/index.php?SpecialCouncilMinutes,Friday2June2006 |title=Tasman District Libraries|publisher=Taslib.govt.nz|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312230334/http://taslib.govt.nz/index.php?SpecialCouncilMinutes%2CFriday2June2006 |archive-date=12 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tdc.govt.nz/index.php?SpecialCouncilMinutes,Thursday15June2006|title=Tasman District Council|publisher=Tdc.govt.nz|access-date=16 March 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523104651/http://www.tdc.govt.nz/index.php?SpecialCouncilMinutes,Thursday15June2006|archive-date=23 May 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> exemplified by the jointly owned [[Port Nelson, New Zealand|Port Nelson]] and the jointly funded Nelson Regional Development Agency.<ref>{{cite web |title=About us |website=NelsonTasman.nz |publisher= Nelson Regional Development Agency |url= https://www.nelsontasman.nz/about-us/ |access-date=16 March 2025}}</ref> However, an official poll conducted in April 2012 showed nearly three-quarters of those who voted in Tasman were opposed to the proposal, while a majority of Nelson voters were in favour.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gee |first=Samantha |date=2025-01-30 |title=Report urges re-consideration of Nelson-Tasman councils merger |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/540445/report-urges-re-consideration-of-nelson-tasman-councils-merger |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}</ref>

Nelson has beaches and a sheltered harbour. The harbour entrance is protected by a [[Boulder Bank]], a natural, {{convert|13|km|0|abbr=in}} bank of rocks transported south from Mackay Bluff via [[longshore drift]]. The bank creates a perfect natural harbour which enticed the first settlers, although the entrance was narrow. The wreck of the ''Fifeshire'' on [[Arrow Rock, New Zealand|Arrow Rock]] (now called Fifeshire Rock in memory of this disaster) in 1842 proved the difficulty of the passage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzine.co.nz/features/nelson_city_history.html|title=Nelson – the early years|publisher=Nzine.co.nz|date=3 December 1932|access-date=15 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218120905/http://www.nzine.co.nz/features/nelson_city_history.html|archive-date=18 December 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> A cut was later made in the bank in 1906 which allowed larger vessels access to the port.

The creation of Rocks Road around the waterfront area after the [[Tāhunanui]] slump<ref>{{cite web|url=http://geo-logic.co.nz/publications/tahunanuislump.aspx|title=Housing Development on a Large, Active Landslide: The Tahunanui Slump Story, Nelson, New Zealand|first1=Paul C|last1=Denton|first2=Mike R|last2=Johnston|author3=Soils & Foundations Ltd, Nelson|publisher=Geo-Logic Ltd|date=12 May 2002|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123051959/http://www.geo-logic.co.nz/publications/tahunanuislump.aspx|archive-date=23 January 2016}}</ref> in 1892 increased the effects of the tide on Nelson city's beach, Tāhunanui, and removed sediment. This meant the popular beach and adjoining car park were being eroded (plus the [[sand dunes]]) so a project to replace these sands was put in place and has so far proved a success, with the sand rising a considerable amount and the dunes continuing to grow.

=== Waterways ===
The Nelson territorial authority area is small (just 445&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) and has four main waterways, the Whangamoa, Wakapuaka, Maitai and Roding Rivers. The Roding River, the southernmost in Nelson, arises in the hills between Mount Meares and Dun Mountain. From there it flows westward before entering the Tasman District where it eventually joins the Waimea River, which flows into Waimea Inlet near Rabbit Island. The [[Maitai River]] flows westward from the Dun Mountain area into the town centre of Nelson before entering the Nelson Haven then Tasman Bay via 'The Cut'. Major tributaries of the Maitai River are: [[Te Wairepo / York Stream|York]] and [[Brook Stream, Nelson|Brook]] Streams plus [[Sharland Creek|Sharland]], Packer, [[Groom Creek, Nelson|Groom]], Glen, Neds, Sclanders, Beauchamp and Mill Creeks. The Wakapuaka River, which flows north from the Saddle Hill area to its mouth at Cable Bay in North Nelson, has two main tributaries, the Lud and Teal Rivers. Entering Tasman Bay near Kokorua in the north of Nelson, the Whangamoa River is the longest waterway in Nelson.

Smaller waterways in the south of Nelson include: Saxton Creek, Orchard Stream, Poorman Valley Stream, Arapiki Stream, Jenkins Creek and Maire Stream.

=== Central city ===
[[File:Millers Acre Complex in Nelson.jpg|thumb|Nelson i-SITE at Millers Acre Centre]]
The central city of Nelson, also referred to as the central business district (CBD), is bounded by Halifax Street to the north, Rutherford Street to the west, Collingwood Street to the east, and Selwyn Place to the south.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nelsoncitycouncil.co.nz/location|title=Where is Nelson?|publisher=Nelson City Council|date=27 April 2011|access-date=17 March 2013|archive-date=10 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210010425/http://www.nelsoncitycouncil.co.nz/location|url-status=live}}</ref> Other major streets within the CBD include Trafalgar Street, Bridge Street and Hardy Street.

=== Suburbs and localities ===
There are 30 recognised suburbs and localities in Nelson City as of 2025.

'''Suburbs: <ref>{{cite web | url=https://data.linz.govt.nz/layer/113764-nz-suburbs-and-localities/ | title=LINZ Data Service }}</ref>'''
*[[Atawhai]]
*[[Beachville]]
*[[Bishopdale, Nelson|Bishopdale]]
*[[Britannia Heights, New Zealand|Britannia Heights]]
*[[Enner Glynn]]
*[[Maitai, New Zealand|Maitai]]
*[[Marybank, New Zealand|Marybank]]
*[[Moana, Nelson|Moana]]
*[[Monaco, New Zealand|Monaco]]
*[[Nelson Central|Nelson]]
*[[Nelson Haven]]
*[[Nelson South]]
*[[Port Nelson, New Zealand|Port Nelson]]
*[[Stepneyville]]
*[[Stoke, New Zealand|Stoke]]
*[[The Brook, Nelson|The Brook]]
*[[The Wood, New Zealand|The Wood]]
*[[Toi Toi]]
*[[Tāhunanui]]
*[[Wakatu]]
*[[Washington Valley, New Zealand|Washington Valley]]

'''Localities:'''

* [[Cable Bay]]
* [[Delaware Bay (New Zealand)|Delaware Bay]]
* [[Glenduan]]
* [[Hira, New Zealand|Hira]]
*Hira Forest
*[[Pepin Island]]
*[[Todds Valley]]
*[[Wakapuaka]]
*Whangamoa

The Nelson commuter belt extends to [[Richmond, New Zealand|Richmond]], [[Brightwater]], [[Hope, New Zealand|Hope]], [[Māpua, New Zealand|Māpua]] and [[Wakefield, New Zealand|Wakefield]] in the Tasman District.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Functional urban areas – methodology and classification {{!}} Stats NZ|url=https://www.stats.govt.nz/methods/functional-urban-areas-methodology-and-classification|access-date=23 June 2021|website=www.stats.govt.nz|archive-date=22 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422194550/https://www.stats.govt.nz/methods/functional-urban-areas-methodology-and-classification|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== National parks ===
Nelson is surrounded by mountains on three sides and Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere on the fourth, with its region acting as the gateway to the [[Abel Tasman National Park|Abel Tasman]], [[Kahurangi National Park|Kahurangi]], and [[Nelson Lakes National Park]]s.

It is a centre for both [[ecotourism]] and [[Adventure travel|adventure tourism]] and has a high reputation among [[cave|caving]] enthusiasts due to several prominent cave systems around [[Takaka Hill]] and the [[Wharepapa / Arthur Range]], including the [[Nettlebed Cave]] and some of the largest and deepest explored caverns in the Southern Hemisphere.

Nelson is known for its great lakes, hikes and walks surrounding the town, the most popular being the [[Abel Tasman Coast Track]], [[Abel Tasman National Park]], and [[Heaphy Track]]. These tracks are also known for recreational activities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Recreation & Leisure in Nelson – Tasman |url=https://www.live-work.immigration.govt.nz/choose-new-zealand/regions-cities/nelson-tasman/recreation |access-date=30 March 2023 |website=www.live-work.immigration.govt.nz |date=14 July 2022 |language=en |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330122727/https://www.live-work.immigration.govt.nz/choose-new-zealand/regions-cities/nelson-tasman/recreation |url-status=live }}</ref> There are many huts and camping grounds in all three tracks for availability to stay in. There are places to fish, hunt and observe nature within the National Parks and Lakes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Haere mai |url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/ |access-date=2 March 2023 |website=[[Department of Conservation (New Zealand)|Department of Conservation]] |language=en-nz |archive-date=2 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302163709/https://www.doc.govt.nz/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Climate ===
Nelson has a temperate [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Cfb]]), with cool winters and warm summers. Nelson has rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year and has fewer frosts due to the highly marine geography of New Zealand. Winter is the stormiest time, where gales and storms are more common. Nelson has one of the sunniest climates of all major New Zealand centres,<ref name="royalsociety.org.nz">{{cite web|url=http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/2001/03/05/weather-summer-2/ |title=Nelson sets sunshine record for rival Blenheim to envy « Science in the News « News « Royal Society of New Zealand |access-date=7 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203070122/http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/2001/03/05/weather-summer-2/ |archive-date=3 February 2014 }}</ref> earning the nickname 'Sunny Nelson' with an annual average total of over 2400 hours of sunshine.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mean Monthly Sunshine |url=http://www.niwa.co.nz/education-and-training/schools/resources/climate/sunshine |work=NIWA |date=28 February 2007 |access-date=17 April 2013 |archive-date=1 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401073344/http://www.niwa.co.nz/education-and-training/schools/resources/climate/sunshine |url-status=live }}</ref> The highest recorded temperature in Nelson is {{convert|36.3|°C|0|abbr=on}}, the lowest {{convert|-6.6|°C|0|abbr=on}}.

{{Weather box
|location = Nelson (1991–2020 normals, 1862–present)
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
| Jan record high C = 33.3
| Feb record high C = 36.3
| Mar record high C = 29.4
| Apr record high C = 26.9
| May record high C = 22.9
| Jun record high C = 20.0
| Jul record high C = 19.5
| Aug record high C = 21.1
| Sep record high C = 24.3
| Oct record high C = 26.9
| Nov record high C = 28.9
| Dec record high C = 31.1
| year record high C = 36.3
| Jan avg record high C  = 27.6
| Feb avg record high C  = 27.6
| Mar avg record high C  = 25.4
| Apr avg record high C  = 22.3
| May avg record high C  = 20.0
| Jun avg record high C  = 17.1
| Jul avg record high C  = 15.9
| Aug avg record high C  = 17.4
| Sep avg record high C  = 19.6
| Oct avg record high C  = 21.9
| Nov avg record high C  = 24.3
| Dec avg record high C  = 25.7
| year avg record high C = 28.7
|Jan high C = 	22.5
|Feb high C = 	22.7
|Mar high C = 	21.2
|Apr high C = 	18.4
|May high C = 	16.0
|Jun high C = 	13.4
|Jul high C = 	12.7
|Aug high C = 	13.6
|Sep high C = 	15.2
|Oct high C = 	17.2
|Nov high C = 	19.0
|Dec high C = 	20.9
| year high C = 	17.7
|Jan mean C = 	18.1
|Feb mean C = 	18.2
|Mar mean C = 	16.4
|Apr mean C = 	13.7
|May mean C = 	11.2
|Jun mean C = 	8.5
|Jul mean C = 	7.6
|Aug mean C = 	8.8
|Sep mean C = 	10.7
|Oct mean C = 	12.7
|Nov mean C = 	14.5
|Dec mean C = 	16.7
| year mean C = 	13.1
|Jan low C = 	13.7
|Feb low C = 	13.7
|Mar low C = 	11.7
|Apr low C = 	9.0
|May low C = 	6.3
|Jun low C = 	3.5
|Jul low C = 	2.6
|Aug low C = 	4.0
|Sep low C = 	6.1
|Oct low C = 	8.2
|Nov low C = 	9.9
|Dec low C = 	12.5
| year low C = 	8.4
| Jan avg record low C  = 8.2
| Feb avg record low C  = 8.6
| Mar avg record low C  = 6.1
| Apr avg record low C  = 3.3
| May avg record low C  = 0.5
| Jun avg record low C  = -1.8
| Jul avg record low C  = -2.2
| Aug avg record low C  = -1.2
| Sep avg record low C  = 0.5
| Oct avg record low C  = 2.3
| Nov avg record low C  = 4.1
| Dec avg record low C  = 6.7
| year avg record low C = -2.6
|Jan record low C  = 2.8
|Feb record low C  = 2.8
|Mar record low C  = -0.2
|Apr record low C  = -2.8
|May record low C  =  -3.9
|Jun record low C  = -6.6
|Jul record low C  = -6.1
|Aug record low C  = -5.8
|Sep record low C  = -3.7
|Oct record low C  = -1.7
|Nov record low C  = -1.0
|Dec record low C  = 1.2
|year record low C = -6.6
|rain colour = green	
|Jan rain mm = 	73.2
|Feb rain mm = 	62.8
|Mar rain mm = 	71.1
|Apr rain mm = 	84.9
|May rain mm = 	87.7
|Jun rain mm = 	99.5
|Jul rain mm = 	78.6
|Aug rain mm = 	83.8
|Sep rain mm = 	84.6
|Oct rain mm = 	89.0
|Nov rain mm = 	67.9
|Dec rain mm = 	93.0
|year rain mm = 	
| Jan rain days = 	6.8
| Feb rain days = 	5.3
| Mar rain days = 	6.1
| Apr rain days = 	7.3
| May rain days = 	7.4
| Jun rain days = 	8.7
| Jul rain days = 	7.7
| Aug rain days = 	9.2
| Sep rain days = 	9.8
| Oct rain days = 	8.9
| Nov rain days = 	7.5
| Dec rain days = 	8.6
| unit rain days = 1.0 mm	
|Jan sun = 	264.6
|Feb sun = 	238.8
|Mar sun = 	230.8
|Apr sun = 	191.9
|May sun = 	176.0
|Jun sun = 	145.4
|Jul sun = 	159.6
|Aug sun = 	183.9
|Sep sun = 	192.5
|Oct sun = 	228.3
|Nov sun = 	242.6
|Dec sun = 	242.7
|year sun = 	
| Jan percentsun  =58
| Feb percentsun  =62
| Mar percentsun  =61
| Apr percentsun  =58
| May percentsun  =58
| Jun percentsun  =53
| Jul percentsun  =54
| Aug percentsun  =56
| Sep percentsun  =54
| Oct percentsun  =56
| Nov percentsun  =56
| Dec percentsun  =52
| year percentsun =
| Jan light = 14.8
| Feb light = 13.7
| Mar light = 12.3
| Apr light = 11.0
| May light = 9.8
| Jun light = 9.2
| Jul light = 9.5
| Aug light = 10.5
| Sep light = 11.8
| Oct light = 13.2
| Nov light = 14.4
| Dec light = 15.1
| year light=
| Jan humidity = 	73.6
| Feb humidity = 	77.4
| Mar humidity = 	81.1
| Apr humidity = 	83.2
| May humidity = 	87.9
| Jun humidity = 	89.8
| Jul humidity = 	90.0
| Aug humidity = 	86.9
| Sep humidity = 	78.7
| Oct humidity = 	76.2
| Nov humidity = 	71.3
| Dec humidity = 	72.5
|source 1 = NIWA Climate Data<ref name = NIWA>{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240520001949/https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/climate-data-and-activities
| archive-date = 20 May 2024
| url = https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/climate-data-and-activities
| title = Climate data and activities
| publisher= NIWA
| access-date = 20 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url = https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/
|title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent numbers: 4241, 4244, 4271)
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 20 Jul 2024}}</ref>
|source 2 = Weather Spark<ref>{{cite web
|url = https://weatherspark.com/y/144849/Average-Weather-in-Nelson-New-Zealand-Year-Round
|title = Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Nelson
|publisher = WeatherSpark
|access-date = 10 Dec 2024}}</ref>
}}

==="Centre of New Zealand" monument===
[[File:Geographical centre nelson.jpg|thumb|The marker at the "Centre of New Zealand"]]
Nelson has a monument on Botanical Hill, near the centre of the city. The walk to this is called the "''Centre of New Zealand walk''". Despite the name, this monument does not mark the actual geographic centre of New Zealand.

Instead, the monument marks the "zero, zero" point to which the first geodetic surveys of New Zealand were referenced. These surveys were started in the 1870s by John Spence Browning, the Chief Surveyor for Nelson. From this 360-degree viewpoint, survey marks in neighbouring regions (including Wellington in the North Island) could be [[Triangulation|triangulated]] and the local surveys connected.<ref>{{cite web
 |url          = http://www.nelson.govt.nz/recreation/recreation/parks-and-reserves/centre-of-nz/
 |title        = Nelson City Council – Centre of New Zealand Walk
 |access-date   = 23 August 2019
|url-status   = dead
 |df           = dmy
 |archive-date = 22 August 2019
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20190822231014/http://www.nelson.govt.nz/recreation/recreation/parks-and-reserves/centre-of-nz/
}}</ref>

In 1962, Ian Reilly from the now defunct [[Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (New Zealand)|Department of Scientific and Industrial Research]] calculated the geographic centre of New Zealand (including Stewart Island and some smaller islands in addition to the North and South Island, but excluding the [[Chatham Islands|Chathams]]) to be in a forest in [[Spooner's Range, New Zealand|Spooners Range]] {{convert|35|mi|0|abbr=in}} southwest of Nelson at  {{Coord|41|30|S|172|50|E|region:NZ_type:landmark|name=Geographical Centre of New Zealand}}.<ref>{{cite web
 |url          = https://drive.google.com/file/d/1giLDfmjydEA8HMARufmWodgdSZ1zbI9D/view
 |title        = Clipping from Nelson Mail, 27 June 1962 edition, sourced from GNS library
 |access-date   = 12 March 2019
|url-status   = dead
 |df           = dmy
 |archive-date = 22 August 2019
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20190822221830/https://drive.google.com/file/d/1giLDfmjydEA8HMARufmWodgdSZ1zbI9D/view
}}</ref>

Owing to the coarse nature of the underlying data (use of rectangular areas of 7.5 minutes of arc on each side), the centre calculated by Reilly has quite large error margins. Recalculating the result with more modern and accurate data shows the geographic centre of New Zealand is approximately 60&nbsp;km southwest of Nelson, in the Big Bush Conservation Area north of [[Saint Arnaud, New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/the-press/20190424/281629601675627
 |title         = Centre of NZ debate fires Up
 |date         = 24 April 2019
 |df         = dmy
 |access-date         = 1 October 2019
 |archive-date         = 1 October 2019
 |archive-url         = https://web.archive.org/web/20191001225721/https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/the-press/20190424/281629601675627
 |url-status         = live
 }}</ref>