Still options for flood rubbish
The deadline for free dumping of flood-damaged materials may have passed, but the Tasman District Council is still willing to work with people to find a solution. Council communications officer, Tim O’Connell, says some people still have clean-up work ahead of them following the winter storms and the council will work with them on a needs-based system. If people have waste to get rid of, he encourages them to contact the council to see how it can help. Silt disposal sites have also closed, but again, the council can help people find a solution for silt they want to get rid of, he says. “If you need on-site advice, please contact council and we’ll arrange a waste advisor to visit you, and give advice on waste disposal options for you.
Māpua garden tour
Friends of Māpua School are on the hunt for gardeners with green fingers who are keen to show off their pride and joy to the public by being part of the Māpua Garden Tour in early November. The fundraising group is seeking new gardens for the annual event which reflects the passion of local gardeners. To add your garden to the tour or get more information, email foms@mapua.school.nz
Storm recovery extended
Mayor Tim King made the decision to extend the official emergency recovery period has been extended in Tasman as the region continues its clean-up after two back-to-back storms in June and July. Unless extended again or ended sooner, the recovery period is now slated to last until Thursday 11 September 2025. Extending the recovery period gave Tasman the opportunity and resources to focus on specific aspects of the clean-up, for example the district’s river systems and stop bank networks. The council’s recovery team is available to help those who require assistance or advice.
eBus info sessions continued
Age Concern Nelson Tasman is continuing with its ‘All On Board’ programme which teaches seniors about how the region’s eBus service works. The next drop-in session is being held on Wednesday 20 August at the Tāhunanui Community Hub from 1–2pm. Further drop-ins are planned across September and the following months. A selection of semi-guided tours are also planned, with the next going between Stoke and Nelson with a visit to the Suter Art Gallery before returning, on Tuesday 26 August. For more information, you can call Jackie from Age Concern at 03 544 7624, extension 4
Aratere makes final voyage
After 26 years of cruising to the other side, the Interislander’s Aratere ferry made its final trip on Monday. The ferry left Picton around 11am and arrived in Wellington just after 2pm. The vessel is being retired so infrastructure upgrades can be made for the new ferries in time for their arrival in 2029. The Aratere crossed the Cook Strait 53,000 times and carried more than 5 million passengers during its time in service. Tugboats are reported to have sprayed water into the air in a sign of respect for the retiring ship.
Community Investment Fund opens for applications
Do you have an idea for a community project but need a bit of help? Nelson City Council’s Community Investment Fund is now open for grant applications. Grants, generally between $2000 and $5000, will be available for community projects in Nelson that: reduce the impacts of poverty, reduce social isolation and bring communities together, support people who are living in substandard housing or are at risk of homelessness, improve access to work and learning opportunities and improve general community well-being. Applications close on 5 October 2025 at midnight. Apply at https://buff.ly/kaOFE5w
New carpark for Paru Paru Rd
The construction of the Paru Paru Road carpark will begin in September. Located next to Trafalgar Centre, it will hold 78 cars. Construction will happen within the grassed area and should have minimal disruption to those using the area. This carpark will provide parking for the new play space, further parking capacity for recreational and other events at Rutherford Park or Trafalgar Centre, and parking close to the city centre to mitigate loss of carparking as part of the Bridge to Better project and the Nelson Bus Hub redevelopment. The grass area was left a mess recently after people used it for parking while attending Trafalgar Park events.
Council to develop waterfront masterplan
After being selected as a priority after the city centre revitalisation summit, Nelson City Council is investigating how to best enhance its underutilised waterfront around the Nelson Haven. A plan was developed for the precinct in 2016, but that is now considered out of date. The new masterplan will consider site accessibility and transport, local amenity and ecology, cultural elements – both Māori and colonial – future opportunities, and constraints and hazards. While focusing on council assets, the plan will also consider opportunities with the private sector. The masterplan will be funded by the Nelson 2000 Trust.
New sounder for harbourmaster
Nelson City Council has approved up to $80,000 of spending to buy a survey standard sounder. There is no such sounder in the region. It can scan underwater in detail to check for hazards and obstructions following floods, and would aid in mapping uncharted areas, marking channels, preventing groundings, and conducting annual surveys of the shipping anchorage sites. The council expects to be able to hire the sounder out to recover its costs.
Winter festivities come to city
The Whakatū Winter Festival begins this week with the return of an artificial ice rink, live entertainment, night markets and a silent disco. The Winter Wonderland ice rink will be set up in the carpark of Morrison Square from today until Sunday. Friday and Saturday nights will bring live local music at 1903 Square in upper Trafalgar St, and also in Morrison Square. There will be a Starry Night market, andextended opening hours at the Nelson Provincial Museum for the Toi Koru exhibition and a Silent Night Disco at Morrison Square.
Algal bloom following July floods
An algae bloom is currently affecting Tasman Bay waters. Tests conducted by Cawthron Institute confirmed the bloom consists of two species of non-toxic microorganisms that appear as discoloured, maroon patches in the water. The bloom is not considered dangerous to human health, but it was still wise to avoid swimming in discoloured water, the Nelson City Council say. The bloom is caused by nutrient inflow, brought in by the July floods, followed by still and calm waters, and optimal water temperatures. The bloom will disperse naturally with bigger tides and increased wind and wave action, and as normal water circulation returns.
Knife prompts police call-out to Waimea College
One of two incidents at Waimea College last week prompted police to be called to the school. On Wednesday, a student called police after another student brought a knife to school. The student had brought the knife to trade for a BB gun from another student, principal Fraser Hill says. “We want to reiterate to everyone that while the decision to call the Police by a student was the correct one, there was in fact no threat of harm to anyone.” He says the decision to bring the items to school was “poorly thought through”. “This is a lesson learned by the two young people involved. This incident is a prompt for us to remind all students and families that items that have the potential to cause harm have no place on our school campus, even if they are just being kept for personal interest or use outside of school.” Fraser says, in addition to that incident, another incident earlier in the week was brought to his attention involving an “incident between a student and staff member”. Nelson App understands that the staff member physically assaulted the student, although this wasn’t confirmed by the school. “We are aware that a number of students witnessed this interaction… we can confirm we are working through the appropriate process to understand what happened and what our next steps will be, and we would like to assure you, our school is handling the matter in line with best practice. The safety and well-being of everyone is a priority for us.”
