Nelson Tasman
.png)
Located at the top of the South Island, Nelson Tasman has always been a sought-after destination famed for its unique environment, sunny climate and favourable growing conditions. It is one of the country’s fastest growing destinations, and for good reason. A microcosm of the whole country, Nelson Tasman manages to squeeze everything that’s great about New Zealand into one easily accessible area.
The region has a rich history and interwoven story of migration from Tangata Whenua and
European settlers through the diverse communities of people who now call Nelson Tasman
home, creating a truly multicultural society.
The region's stunning natural landscapes draw visitors from all corners of the world, and the
favourable growing conditions mean that locals farm the most outstanding produce. The
oceans that surround the region make it the natural home for New Zealand’s blue economy.
The economy and people are globally connected. Shipping produce
and innovative products all around the world from this beautiful location.
Nelson Tasman is the geographical centre of New Zealand, it lays claim
to one of the country’s busiest regional airports and is home to the
largest fishing port in Australasia.
Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA) is the Regional
Economic Agency and Regional Tourism Organisation for Nelson
Tasman in Te Tauihu o Te Waka-a-Māui. It delivers on its purpose
by supporting collaboration, building capability, and attracting
resources, with a focus on increasing regional productivity.
About Nelson Tasman
The Demographics
Driven by migration to this welcoming, balmy and stunning region, the Nelson-Tasman’s population increased from 97,500 in 2013 to 115,000 in 2023. The population has also spread out, with 61% of population growth occurring outside of Nelson City over the past decade. With a land mass of 42,000 ha there is plenty of room for growth. Māori made up 10.9% of the population, compared with 18% nationally. Those living in Nelson Tasman who migrated to NZ totalled 23.8% of the population, compared to 28% nationally.
The Economy
The region has three key production and processing focusses – forestry, horticulture, and the ocean economy, all of which have expanded strongly over the past decade. Other key industries of employment in Nelson-Tasman include: health care and social assistance, construction, retail, professional services, accommodation and food services, and education.
Nelson-Tasman’s economy generated $6.6 million of GDP in 2023, that represented 1.7% of the national GDP. GPD per capita income in Nelson-Tasman was $42,711 in 2024.
Jobs growth over the past decade has been particularly rapid in Richmond (4.7%pa) and Motueka (2.8%pa). Employment
rose slower in Nelson (0.5%pa), but has improved in the past two years. Job numbers in other (mainly rural) areas grew by 2.8%pa over the past 10 years.
The three main urban areas of Nelson, Richmond, and Motueka are the region’s key employment hubs. These main urban areas had 78% of the region’s employment in 2023.
For more information regarding the economies metrics click the button below.
Climate
Temperatures are mild compared with the rest of the country, with the region's close proximity to the sea resulting in a relative lack of extreme high and extreme low temperatures. Temperatures exceeding 30°C are rare in coastal areas. For more on climate, click here .
Useful links
Follow this link to learn about how to set up operations in NZ, raising capital and investor visas.
Councils
Economic Development Initiatives in Nelson Tasman
By leveraging the strengths of the regional economy, with a focus on increasing regional productivity, the Nelson Regional Development Agency delivers on its purpose through three priority strategies:
-
Capability building
-
Attracting resources and activity:
-
Collaborating to compete
Below are some of the initiatives that NRDA is involved in.
Meet the Nelson Tasman Leadership
Jobs in Nelson Tasman
Nelson Tasman is focussed on developing a blue economy. Below are some roles that relate to that specialisation. Use the vertical scroll bar on the right of your screen to see more roles.