Council’s 150th book being released tomorrow is a good read. It covers 1974-2024, is the third in a trilogy and follows the centenary book Unfinished Business 1924-1974 and The Jubilee History 1874-1924.
The most striking feature of the past half-century is the massive improvements in our city’s infrastructure, services and environment. An example is water. It was frequently rationed and its quality among NZ’s worst in the 1970s. The big investments, each controversial, in the Maitai Dam in 1980s, water meters in the 1990s and the Tantragee Water Treatment Plant in 2000s now have us among the best.
Fifty years ago, we were dumping our rubbish in the Haven, putting raw sewage into Tasman Bay and had the most polluted air in the country. We’ve made huge environmental gains with the York Landfill, Pascoe St Waste Recovery Centre, Bell Island and Wakapuaka oxidation ponds, the phasing out of open fires and creating the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary.
Transport improvements included QEII Drive in 1986, Whakatu Drive in 2000, the NBus in 2012, the new airport terminal in 2019 and the eBus in 2023. Significant recreational developments include Nayland Pool, the Saxton sports complex and the development of our network of cycleways.
These 50 years also saw Nelson open the first Environment Centre in NZ and establish NZ’s longest-running Arts Festival. There’s been major upgrades to our Museum, Theatre Royal, Centre for Musical Arts and Suter Art Gallery. There has been a renaissance in Māori culture with the development of Whakatū Marae, Treaty settlements and events such as the Waitangi Day, Kai and Matariki festivals.
I commend the 150th Taskforce, chaired by Councillor Mel Courtney, author Paul Christoffel, editor Nan Ward, publisher Karen Price and the City of Nelson Civic Trust for its $20,000 contribution.
This publication, Welcome to Whakatū Nelson City Council, will also be available as an eBook. It records our history, acknowledges our forebears and we can better navigate our future if we know our past. It helps build our identity as Nelsonians and pride in our city. Grab a copy from one of our libraries or buy one from Page & Blackmore for $60.
