Richmond School book week
Last week, Jane Mitchell took on five different personas, starting with Mr Strong, followed by Clifford the Big Red Dog, The Paper Bag Princess and The Mad Hatter, before finishing the week as Little Red Riding Hood. It was her favourite week of the year because, as Richmond School librarian, it was all about books, culminating in the entire school dressing up as their favourite book character. Throughout the week, pupils took part in buddy reading, visited the local library, held a Scholastic Book Fair and a Where’s Wally competition, and created some “amazing” bookmarks.
Men invited to connect
Local men are being invited to take a break, grab a coffee and connect with others as part of this year’s Love U Bro movement. Hikitia! Te Tauihu will host a drop-in event at Tāwera on 4 September, from 11.30am to 1.30pm, giving men of all ages an opportunity to meet, kōrero and learn more about the national kaupapa. Organisers say there will be no speeches or formal programme, with the focus instead on connection and informal conversations. The Love U Bro movement grew from the work of She Is Not Your Rehab and encourages men to support one another and prioritise their mental health and well-being.
Motueka Repair Cafe celebrates Repair Festival
Motueka Repair Cafe will celebrate Repair Festival Aotearoa 2026 this month after helping save hundreds of household items from landfill this year alone. The festival runs from 5 - 27 September, highlighting the value of repairing and reusing items rather than throwing them away. As part of the celebrations, Motueka Repair Cafe will host an information stall at the Motueka Sunday Market on 6 September, weather permitting. The group will also hold its regular monthly repair session at Motueka Library from 10am-1pm on 19 September, which falls during both Repair Festival 2026 and Climate Festival week. The volunteer-run repair cafe offers free repairs for household items that might otherwise be discarded, with koha welcomed from those who can afford it. So far this year, volunteers have repaired 392 items, preventing 405kg of waste from going to landfill and avoiding an estimated 4,051kg of carbon dioxide emissions – the equivalent of 60 return flights between Nelson and Wellington. Lamps have been the most commonly repaired electrical item, while trousers top the list of non-electrical repairs. Repair cafe volunteer Julie Cave is scheduled to speak to the Motueka Rebus Club on 18 September.
Morrison Square palms relocated as work ramps up
The queen palms that once stood in Morrison Square have been relocated to Quarantine Rd as construction activity gathers pace across the redevelopment site. The tree move comes 12 months after Morrison Square Development Company took over the city block, with work now under way on multiple projects. Groundworks are progressing for a planned boutique hotel, while structural steel and a new lift core have been installed at the future medical facility. Enabling works have also begun on a new retail tenancy linking Hardy St to the planned piazza, as well as a future eatery and laneway redevelopment.
Council ends two-hour parking trial
Nelson City Council’s three-month winter parking trial has ended, with parking in the city centre returning to one hour free from 30 August. The trial, which extended free parking to two hours, was introduced over winter and has now been completed. Council thanked those who provided feedback during the trial, saying responses will help shape its long-term Parking Strategy, which is due for public consultation in 2027.
Tory St closes for pipe upgrade
Work is under way on a major sewer and water pipe upgrade in central Nelson, with Tory St closed while ageing infrastructure is replaced. Nelson City Council began the project on 31 August, and work is expected to run until 2 October, weather permitting. The council says many of the city’s water and sewer pipes are reaching the end of their service life and need replacing to reduce the risk of failures, leaks and disruptions. Work is scheduled to move to Nile St from 23 September until 4 December. Further details on traffic impacts will be provided beforehand. The final stage of the project will be at the Maitai Valley Rd and Nile St intersection in November.
Sounds blue cod closure
The annual Marlborough Sounds blue cod closed season began on 1 September and lasts until 10 January 2027 inclusive. During this period, blue cod cannot be taken from the Marlborough Sounds area. MPI say potting surveys have shown overfishing and few mature fish, especially in the inner sounds. Following input from a local advisory group, the closed season, which was first introduced in 2011, was extended over the 2025/26 summer season to get fishing pressure down to sustainable levels and help stocks recover.
Hopgoods recognised among best
Nelson restaurant Hopgoods & Co has been recognised among the best in the country at the Cuisine Good Food Awards 2026. Hopgoods was the only eatery from Nelson to make the list this year, receiving a one hat status. Restaurants can receive ratings of one, two, or three hats – three being “the best of the best”. Mahana’s Gravity Cellars was also initially on the one hat list, however after announcing it would not reopen following the winter break, it has been removed.
Mobil Murchison closing for 12 weeks
Mobil Murchison will close for 12 weeks to allow for underground tanks to be replaced. The petrol station will close on 4 September and reopen on 4 December. The closure will also involve electrical rewiring.
Public service workers to strike
Almost 10,000 public service workers are set to strike during collective agreement bargaining, including staff at the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ministry for Ethnic Communities (MEC), Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), and Ministry of Social Development (MSD). “These public servants are facing pay offers well below inflation while working amid the devastating consequences of the Government’s public service cuts,” says Duane Leo, PSA national secretary. Workers will strike from 1pm on 9 September.
Council warns on ageing boats
Tasman District Council is urging boat owners to maintain ageing vessels and dispose of them responsibly before they become a hazard. The Tasman Harbourmaster Office says it is seeing increasing numbers of ageing and neglected vessels along the coastline. Poorly maintained boats can sink, break free from moorings, create navigation hazards and cause environmental pollution. Boat owners are encouraged to regularly inspect their vessels and ensure they have the appropriate authorisations, including any required mooring licence or coastal permit. A spokesperson says removing a sunken or abandoned vessel can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Broadgreen House opens restored glasshouse
Broadgreen House will celebrate the opening of its restored glasshouse with a free Father’s Day community event this Sunday. The event runs from 12pm to 3pm and includes guided garden tours with Heritage Roses Nelson, historic house tours, face painting, treasure hunts and garden games. Visitors can also enjoy live music from harp and clarinet ensembles and Nelson’s brass band, while Scouts host a High Tea fundraiser.
