Salisbury Rd reopens early after rebuild
Richmond’s Salisbury Rd reopened to two lanes last Thursday 16 April, several days ahead of schedule. The section of road between the Champion Rd roundabout and Arbor-Lea Ave has undergone a major rebuild, including repairs to structurally failed areas, reconstruction of parts of the road base and a new asphalt surface. As part of the project, a number of car parks were reinstated on Salisbury Rd just north of Waimea College. Route two, five and six eBus services have returned to their usual routes and stops along Salisbury Rd. Salisbury Rd is a key transport route for Tasman, with the work aimed at extending the life of the road and reducing the need for ongoing reactive repairs.
Talk explores legacy of Nelson photographer
The Nelson Institute will host a talk exploring the life and work of pioneering photographer Rosaline Margaret Frank at the Nelson Public Library on 3 May at 2pm. The talk will be presented by Rosalina McCarthy, who will outline Rosaline’s early family life and career as Nelson’s first woman professional photographer, as well as conflict between the early Nelson Council and the Tyree Studio and its subsidiaries. The talk will also examine the legacy of Rosaline and the nationally significant Tyree Collection. Topics include the UNESCO heritage status of the collection and the role of early photographers as social historians. Rosalina’s most recently published book, Belated Accolades, traces the establishment of Nelson Province and its photographic social history from 1843 to 2017. Entry costs $3.
Driver Reviver stop at Kawatiri
Driver fatigue is a major problem on roads. In 2024, there were 19 fatal crashes, 80 serious injury crashes, and 447 minor injury crashes where driver fatigue was a contributing factor. Tasman District Council’s road safety coordinator Jeni Thornborough says we often think that driver fatigue means falling asleep at the wheel. Falling asleep, however, is an extreme form of fatigue. She says fatigue is tiredness, weariness or exhaustion. You can be fatigued enough for it to impair your driving long before you ‘nod off’ at the wheel. So, TDC have teamed up with AMI Insurance and several other community agencies to run a Driver Reviver stop at Kawatiri ahead of the ANZAC long weekend. We want to help travellers stay alert and arrive safely at their destinations by offering an opportunity for a break and practical tips to combat driver fatigue, especially on long journeys. The Driver Reviver event is taking place on Friday 24 April from 1pm until 4pm at the Kawatiri Junction Rest Area between Murchison and Wakefield, offering free coffee and snacks to motorists, encouraging people to take breaks during long road journeys.
Tasman housing and business land plans move to fast-track
Tasman District Council has welcomed a decision by the Minister for Resource Management Act Reform to direct Plan Change 81 and Change 1 to the Tasman Regional Policy Statement into the Streamlined Planning Process. The decision recognises the importance of Tasman’s future growth and the district’s contribution to New Zealand’s housing supply, business land needs and wider economic well-being. It also acknowledges the urgency of providing more developable land to support a growing community. The proposed plan change is intended to enable about 4,250 new homes and 80 hectares of additional business land. The Minister’s decision confirms the proposal meets the tests for urgency, significant community need and alignment with national urban growth priorities. The Minister’s direction makes clear that natural hazards, climate change risk, highly productive land and the impacts of the proposed urban design provisions must be carefully assessed. The decision was formally published in the New Zealand Gazette on Monday.
Tākaka Hill night closure
State Highway 60 Tākaka Hill will be closed for two hours between 2am and 4am on Friday 24 April when a 100-tonne crane will return to the Goodall’s Straight site to remove the drilling machinery that’s been used by contractors since 17 March. The closure has been scheduled for the early hours of the morning when traffic volumes are at their lowest. Access either side of the work site will be available for residents, but traffic will not be able to travel through the work site while the closure is in place. Drivers should time their travel to avoid these works. Although the drilling machinery is being removed, erosion matting and planting is yet to be completed at the Goodall’s Straight site. This will be carried out later when the weather conditions are favourable. Although the drilling machinery is being removed, erosion matting and planting is yet to be completed at the Goodall’s Straight site. This will be carried out later in when the weather conditions are favourable. Contractors are also continuing work to repair an overslip that occurred during the heavy rain event at the end of March. Stop/go traffic management remains in place at Cooks Corner (Site A) from 7am to 5pm, Mondays to Fridays with delays of up to 10 minutes expected. A 30kmh temporary speed limit is in place at all times until work is completed by the end of April.
Nelson snack maker wins top food awards
Nelson-based Nutty D’Lites has taken out two gold awards and a silver at the 2026 Outstanding Food Producer Awards. The company’s sea-salted caramel almonds and gingerbread spiced almonds both won gold, with judges describing the sea-salted caramel almonds as a “perfect snack”. Cinnamon spiced almonds received a silver award. Nutty D’Lites says the recognition reflects the care and effort that goes into producing its artisan snacks locally, including early mornings and “careful caramelising”. The business thanked customers who support it through local markets and online orders, saying the awards would not have been possible without their backing.
Follow the artisan trail through Moutere
Moutere artisans open their doors on Sunday, with a trail of creativity leading visitors along country roads to the village. Studios, galleries and workshops across the Moutere will showcase everything from food and wine to baskets, sculptures and even carnivorous plants. As their website puts it, Upper Moutere is home to a ‘bunch of creative and productive people’ who share their work with the public for the biannual event. The trail runs between 10am and 4pm, with a map available at www.moutereartisans.co.nz
Council looking to classify reserves
Several Golden Bay reserves are unclassified, and Tasman District Council is seeking to rectify that historic situation. Classifying reserves outlines each area’s purpose, guiding their long-term management. In most cases, classification won’t alter how residents use reserves. Reserves can be historical, recreational, scenic, or designated for specific local purposes. Residents can have their say on how Golden Bay’s reserves should be classified on the Shape Tasman website until 18 May.
Motueka resident scores community service award
Colin Hooker retired to Motueka from Wellington with his wife in 1999. A scientist by trade, Colin has remained active in the community, eventually becoming president of a local walking group and of the Motueka Music Group where he organised several concerts and cared for the Chanel Arts Centre. He also became a tutor for those learning the English language and for seniors learning technology, and served on the management committee for Adult Learning Support in Nelson. The council has bestowed Colin an Outstanding Community Service Award for his continued involvement in the community.
