Diallo turns 23
Natureland’s Cape porcupine celebrated his 23rd birthday last week. At 23, Diallo is the oldest porcupine in Australasia. He celebrated with a birthday cake made by senior keeper Hani Fern and was sung happy birthday by children participating in the Keeper Kids programme.
Council adopts Annual Plan
Tasman District Council has adopted the Annual Plan for 2026/27, and says it will reflect on what it heard through the process. The feedback will help shape the next Long-Term Plan, which spans 10 years. “We heard clearly that people want council to be open about the choices being made, the pressures behind them, and how feedback is used,” says chief executive Leonie Rae. They say feedback went beyond immediate decisions. People raised concerns about financial sustainability, defining core services, and how council prioritises spending across Tasman. They also asked for clearer information, visible trade-offs, transparent use of feedback, and confidence that decisions are fair and consistent across the district. The Annual Plan deals with the year ahead. It confirms the work programme and budget, any changes from the current 10-Year Plan, and responds to current pressures. Some of the feedback sits within that one-year timeframe, and some points to longer-term choices about what the council provides, what is invested in, and how future costs are managed.
Hospital redevelopment update
Oncology services have relocated to 34 Franklyn St, next to the Dialysis Unit, to prepare the campus for the new inpatient building later this year. The facility will bring chemotherapy infusion and outpatient cancer clinics together into a dedicated space. Site preparation continues for the new 28-bed temporary ward, which is being constructed offsite on Nayland Rd. Temporary changes to pedestrian access between the main entrance and Franklyn St have been enacted for about three months. Pedestrians should follow the signed route along Franklyn and Tiphai Sts and the main entry driveway. Shuttle buggy services are still available. Preparatory works for the new 128-bed inpatient building and 270-space car park building, involving service diversions, earthworks, and piling, are expected to begin in August. Design for the inpatient building is ongoing with a contract to be awarded by early 2027.
Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever at 1903 Square
Locals are being invited to don red and recreate the iconic dance from Kate Bush’s 1978 hit Wuthering Heights as part of the global “Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever” this Saturday. The free event, organised by local Kate Bush fans Sally Thomas, Kae Bennetts and Suzanne Washington, will begin at 11am in 1903 Square with a dance practice led by Katarina Salcin-Watts, followed by the official performance. Koha donations will support Nelson Women’s Refuge. In case of wet weather, the event will be held on Sunday at 11am.
Declining compliance at Tasman’s dairy farms
Tasman currently has 112 dairy farms and, for last decade, their compliance has met or exceeded 90%. However, for the 2025/26 milking season, only 85% – or 95 farms – were compliant. Low risk non-compliance was recorded for 16 farms, with a further one recording moderate risk non-compliance. Of the 17 non-compliant dairy farms, six related to minor ponding of effluent while 11 farms had effluent systems that were not sealed. One of the latter farms, located in the Matiri area, was the moderate risk non-compliant which had effluent seeping from an aging clay-lined pond. Remedial action was taken and the landowner is upgrading the effluent system before spring.
Dinner serving as major fundraiser
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nelson-Tasman will once again host its annual fundraising dinner at Rutherford Hotel Nelson, with funds used to help make a massive difference for local youth. The annual Fundraising Dinner and Charity Auction will be held on Friday 28 August 28, and organisers are aiming to top last year’s $70,000 raised for life-changing youth mentoring friendships. Shortland Street and Dancing with the Stars personality Shane Cortese will MC the evening. Tickets can be purchased by emailing nelson@bbbs.nz
Mayors for Peace Art Competition
Entries are now open for the annual Mayors for Peace Art Competition. This year’s theme - What Peace Means to Me - inviting young people aged between six and 15 to share their unique ideas and global perspectives through art. Tasman has regularly earnt top spots in the global competition. A local panel of judges will select five artworks from each of 6-10year and 11-15-year categories, with Tasman Mayor Tim King announcing the winners at a special exhibition opening in September. The top artworks will then all make their way to the Mayors for Peace Secretariat in Japan to compete on the international stage. An artist workshop is being held at Richmond Library on Monday, 10 August, at 3.30pm to help with inspiration. Entries close on 4 September. Full details and entry portals can be found at tasman.govt.nz/art-competition.
Jazz Festival switches to winter
Nelson Jazz Festival is returning, and, for the first time, the festival has moved to winter, drawing people to Nelson and Tasman hospitality venues over a long weekend from 22 to 26 July. “We are keen to provide visitors and locals a menu of great live music to complement the food, drink and ambience of the regions cafes and bars,” says Jak Karaitiana, president of Nelson Jazz Club. “We are excited to offer a programme of some of New Zealand’s best jazz musicians to get us out and about in a Nelson winter. It promises truly outstanding entertainment, from the sultry to the high energy.” The premiere event of the festival is at The Rutherford on Saturday night. The crowd will enjoy a double bill featuring the groups Jazz Embassy and Tiger Moth. Jazz Embassy brings together some of Nelsons finest players, Tiger Moth features top jazz players from Christchurch. “The Double Bill event promises to be one to delight and excite,” according to Graeme Nicholas, part of the organising committee. “Three hours of superb jazz from top musicians, I wouldn’t miss that. And it is here, in Nelson.”
Rescue helicopter donations hit all-time high
A record $1.78m was raised during this year’s Westpac Chopper Appeal to help New Zealand’s national network of rescue helicopters continue their potentially lifesaving work. The highest total in the annual appeal’s history includes $51,877 raised in the Nelson Marlborough region. Westpac NZ Managing Director of Product, Sustainability and Marketing, Sarah Hearn, says she is in awe of how much people contributed to support the Chopper’s services in their area. “We’re so grateful to every person who contributed in any way, from donating to our people shaking buckets, to the keen cyclists who rode 230km from Queenstown to Invercargill for the Westpac Chopper Bike Ride, those who took part in a quiz night, auction, bake sale, walking challenge, or contributed in any other way, including eating lamingtons. Our research showed that one in four people have either needed a rescue chopper themselves, or know someone who has, and the incredible generosity to achieve this record highlights just how close to people’s hearts the choppers are,” Sarah says. “Because all funds go back to the region where they were raised, every dollar counts and helps meet the rising costs of training, equipment and supplies.”
