Nelson (New Zealand)

Nelson is a port city on South Island NZ (Tasman Bay's eastern shores), with population around 50,000.

The town is the oldest on South Island and New Zealand's 2nd-oldest (after Russel) established in 1841 and granted city status in 1858. Port Nelson is a maritime gateway for the NZ regions Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman, as well as a main industrial hub. In 1994 was suggested building a deepwater port with 1-km-long dock (wharf) extending from Boulder Bank into Tasman Bay. The project aimed to allow world's largest cargo and passenger ships to berth and manoeuvre safely and with ease. The so-called "Port Kakariki" project (USD 97 million) planned to make Nelson NZ a hub for West Coast NZ coal shipping to Asia, as well as main cargo terminal for handling logs barged from Mapua across Tasman Bay.

Unlike many NZ cities, Nelson has many preserved Victorian-style buildings. The South Street area is designated a heritage site. The city has beautiful public parks and reserves (Grampians NP is one of the largest), numerous bars and restaurants, and is also popular as a shopping destination (including for hand-made arts and crafts). Annually are held the Nelson Arts Festival and the Wearable Art Awards.