Youth team up to green the trail
A team of Ignite Youth from Hope Community Church tackled the Waimea plains’ stony ground with spades and pickaxes last weekend to help plant more than 100 trees along Tasman’s Great Taste Trail. Youth coordinator Allen Carbon says it was about community spirit and inspiring young people to get involved. The stretch of trail has been a labour of love for Roger Jones, who has put endless voluntary hours into planting and tending the trees. This time, trees had been donated by Franks Trees, with more provided by Mitre 10 and Bunnings.
Four Square to political candidate
Janelle Hocking could go from walking the supermarket aisles to walking the hallowed halls of Parliament come 7 November. Murchison Four Square’s owner for 12 years is standing for ACT this election in West Coast-Tasman. Formerly involved with the National Party at both electorate and regional level, including serving as West Coast–Tasman electorates chair and policy chair, she joined ACT because its values and policies best aligned with her belief in practical solutions, regional growth, and individual responsibility. Along with supermarket duties, which included overseeing the opening of a larger Murchison store in 2025, Janelle has held leadership roles across sporting clubs, volunteer organisations, and local governance initiatives.
Brightwater Hall upgrade begins
Work is under way on Brightwater Hall, with strengthening and reroofing preparing the building for solar installation. Built by the community in the 1960s, the hall now needs upgrades to meet modern standards. The first stage supports the planned installation of solar panels and batteries, partly funded by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) through its Community Renewable Energy Fund. The system will provide backup power during emergencies, reinforcing the hall’s role as a Civil Defence facility. Contractor Scott Construction says the project required a full temporary weatherproof enclosure to allow work to continue safely. Further upgrades are planned, subject to funding.
Quebec circus to perform in Nelson
The internationally acclaimed Quebec circus company Machine de Cirque will perform in Nelson this October, offering the only South Island shows of the production. Presented by Nelson Arts Festival and supported by the Government’s Event Boost Fund, the 70-minute show features five eccentric characters using acrobatics, juggling and inventive props in a high-energy performance. It will be staged at the Trafalgar Centre from 30 – 31 October. Tickets are now available at www.nelsonartsfestival.nz/support/events-boost-fund/. The Nelson Arts Festival runs from 22 October – 1 November, with the full programme announced in August.
Airport upgrade targets flood risk
Nelson Airport has begun the next phase of a multi-year infrastructure upgrade, aimed at reducing flood risk and improving resilience. Contractor Fulton Hogan will install a larger stormwater pipe and estuary outlet, improve overland flow paths, and build a new watermain, along with two sewer pump stations and pipelines. The work will reduce flooding near the northern apron, strengthen water supply to the terminal, and upgrade ageing sewer infrastructure. It follows on from the replacement of an ageing stormwater pipe draining water from the runway to the detention basin beside Trent Drive. The works are located away from most flight activity and are not expected to disrupt passengers.
Haven waterfront masterplan under way
Nelson City Council is developing a long-term masterplan for the Haven waterfront on Haven Rd, aiming to guide future development of the area. A taskforce of councillors and Port Nelson, supported by council staff and designers, is working through early-stage planning. Chair Mel Courtney explains that the plan will set a shared vision while balancing commercial use, transport, iwi and environmental obligations, recreation and heritage. “We’re very much in the early stages of this work,” he says. Stakeholder discussions are under way, with public feedback to follow. Projects are expected to roll out over many years, depending on funding.
Returning ACT candidate for Nelson
Chris Baillie is making a return bid for Nelson, standing for the ACT Party in this year’s general election. The Honest Lawyer co-owner, former teacher and police officer previously served in Parliament from 2020 to 2023. During his time there, Chris was the party’s spokesperson for education, police, small business and workplace relations, drawing on his experience in leadership, conflict resolution and supporting local families and businesses. He also ran for Nelson City Council as an independent candidate in 2025.
Shared role boosts women’s services
Nelson Women’s Centre and HomeShare for Her are partnering to boost support for women, recruiting a shared community administrator and coordinator across both organisations. The joint role aims to improve collaboration, strengthen community engagement and make better use of limited funding by reducing duplication. HomeShare for Her provides a secure platform connecting women with supportive home-sharing options, while Nelson Women’s Centre offers wellbeing and community services. The partnership aligns with the centre’s new Housing Navigation Service, which will support women experiencing housing insecurity to understand their options and access services. HomeShare for Her adds an additional pathway for those exploring shared housing.
Matariki market at Saxton
Kiwi rapper Kings will star at the Te Huihuinga-o-Matariki Festival at Saxton Stadium on 10 July. The market to celebrate the Māori New Year will be open from 5pm to 9pm, offering a diverse range of food and arts and crafts. Organisers advise the public to bring their own serveware, drink bottle and reusable bags to reduce waste and there will be no access to cash withdrawals onsite and limited access for Eftpos transactions, so cash is encouraged. The event is hosted by Nelson City Council in collaboration with Ngā Iwi e Waru o Te Tauihu o Te Waka-a-Māui.
Three months of Motueka parkrun
More than 600 people have taken part in the Motueka Beach Reserve parkrun since its inception three months ago. Organiser Eileen Beattie says the event gets better each week, with a suburb group of volunteers, fortuitous weather “and the added pleasure of some stunning sunrises”. The 5km parkrun is held every Saturday at 8am, departing from near the Saltwater Baths. People can walk or run and are welcome to bring their pushchairs and leashed dogs. There have been 15 events held so far, and Motueka’s average finishing time is just over 36 minutes, with many heading to Coastal Café for a post-run cuppa. Register at parkrun.co.nz before attending your first event.
Tasman council seeks feedback on community occupancy policy
Tasman District Council is calling for public feedback on a proposed policy to standardise how community groups use council-owned land and buildings. The draft Community Occupancy Policy aims to create a fair and consistent framework for agreements, including fees, lease terms and maintenance responsibilities. It also seeks to address long-standing inconsistencies between groups while recognising their contribution to social, cultural and recreational life. Community organisations such as sports clubs, museums and hobby groups often access council facilities at low cost, partly supported by ratepayers. The policy looks to ensure this support is applied fairly across the district. Consultation is open until 9 August and submissions can be made at shape.tasman.govt.nz/community-occupancy-policy
