20/10/2024
Interesting facts about Nelson City in New Zealand
1. Nelson is the oldest city in New Zealand's South Island, established in 1841.
2. It became a city by British royal charter in 1858, making it the second-oldest settled city in New Zealand.
3. Nelson was named after Admiral Horatio Nelson, who won the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
4. The city's Māori name is Whakatū, meaning "construct," "raise," or "establish".
5. Nelson is located on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay at the top of the South Island.
6. It is the only consolidated city-region in New Zealand.
7. The Nelson urban area has a population of 51,900 (June 2023), making it New Zealand's 15th most populous urban area.
8. Residents of Nelson are referred to as Nelsonians.
9. Nelson is known as "Sunny Nelson" due to its high number of sunshine hours per year.
10. The city holds the record for the most hours of natural light in New Zealand in a year (2,711 hours) and a month (336 hours).
11. Te Waikoropupu Springs in nearby Golden Bay has some of the clearest water in the world, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.
12. Nelson has a thriving local arts and crafts scene.
13. The city hosts more working artists and galleries than most other places in New Zealand.
14. Nelson is home to three of New Zealand's cultural treasures: the Suter Art Gallery, the Theatre Royal, and the Nelson Centre for Musical Arts.
15. The city hosts various events popular with locals and tourists, such as the Nelson Arts Festival.
16. The first rugby game ever played in New Zealand took place in Nelson in May 1870.
17. Nelson is home to the longest-running kite festival in New Zealand.
18. The city has the first playing field in the world with a bed made entirely of recycled glass.
19. Port Nelson is the largest fishing port in Australasia, processing about 220,000 tonnes of fish annually.
20. The oldest known building in Nelson can be found at 29 Bridge Street.
21. The city has three main historic places: Broadgreen Historic House, Isel House, and Founders Heritage Park.
22. Trafalgar Street is Nelson's main shopping axis.
23. The Centre of New Zealand offers panoramic views of the city and Tasman Bay.
24. Tāhunanui Beach is a popular spot for both locals and visitors.
25. Nelson has been described as "The Naples of the Southern Hemisphere".
26. It's also known as the "Top of the South" due to its geographic location.
27. The legendary ring from "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy was crafted by a local Nelson ring maker, Jens Hansen.
28. Nelson's Saturday Market has been operating for 40 years and is considered a must-visit attraction.
29. The city is an incubator for some of New Zealand's most successful businesses and products.
30. Nelson is highly accessible and well-connected to other main centers in New Zealand.
