Fundraiser for Magenta Creative Space
Faced with a $30,000 fundraising shortfall this year, Magenta Creative Space has closed out a fundraising campaign in spectacular style. Saturday night’s fundraising fashion show was presented by Magenta artists with support from local fashion designer Robyn Reynolds. Through upcycling, Magenta artists reshaped garments to fit their bodies as they are - celebrating change, self-expression and mental health awareness. For 25 years, Magenta Creative Space has been Nelson’s only free, walk-in, artist-led creative space, supporting people navigating mental health, disabled artists, rangatahi, seniors experiencing social isolation and other underserved creatives to sustain a creative practice, exhibit their work publicly, and find belonging in a welcoming creative community. The fundraising campaign remains live until 6 October with donations able to be made here.
Great Global Greyhound Walk
Nelson Greyhound Owners group is participating in a Great Global Greyhound Walk this Sunday. The Great Global Greyhound Walk is a worldwide celebration of greyhounds, lurchers and other sighthounds, bringing together thousands of dogs and their owners for one special day each year. Held in towns, cities and countryside across the globe, these walks help raise awareness of sighthounds as gentle, loving pets and promote greyhound adoption and rehoming. About 30 dogs and their owners in mythical dress-ups will first meet at the Trafalgar Centre at about 10.30am with the intention of walking up to the Church Steps at 11am.
Play space underway at Saxton
Site preparation is underway for a new $1.46 million regional play space at Saxton Field, providing a mix of energetic play areas and quieter spaces. The Champion Green project behind Garin College is being created for people of all ages and abilities to play, explore and enjoy the outdoors together. It grew from the 10-year plans of both Tasman District and Nelson councils, with funding from the Richmond Reserve Financial Contributions covering just over 60 per cent of the cost. The remainder is being divided equally by the two councils. The council’s Newsline says funding will get the planned work underway and additional funding applications will hopefully take the project to the next level, including more play equipment and accessible water play.
Drone operator sought
Police are seeking to identify the operator of a drone following the serious incident earlier this month in Tāhunanui that left two people deceased. Police responded to the firearms incident on Parkers Rd, around 12pm on Friday 4 September. “Officers first on the scene noticed a drone flying overhead,” says Detective Jonny Evans. “We would like to speak with the operator of the drone and review any footage they may have as it could assist in our investigation.” If this was you, or you have any information that could help us identify this person, please contact 105 either online or over the phone and reference file number 260907/8353.
Daylight savings begins
Daylight saving starts this weekend, meaning clocks move forward by one hour at 2am on Sunday, 27 September. New Zealanders should put their clocks forward before going to bed on Saturday night, effectively losing an hour of sleep but gaining longer evening daylight. The annual change signals the arrival of spring and encourages more time outdoors after work and school. Daylight saving will remain in place until early April.
Cycleway feedback reviewed
Nelson City Council is reviewing feedback on the proposed east-west cycleway after consulting residents, businesses, schools, NELSUST, Families for Safe Cycling and Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology. The council says many people want a similar outcome but have different views on how to achieve it. Councillors have requested further design details on all proposed routes, with that information to be presented at a workshop in late October. Further engagement with local schools is planned as work continues on pick-up and drop-off zone designs. A council decision on the recommended route to progress to detailed design is expected in early 2027.
Dog ban in place on Boulder Bank
Dogs are now prohibited from parts of the Boulder Bank as shorebird nesting season gets under way. The seasonal restriction applies to the western 4km of the Boulder Bank from 15 August until the end of February, protecting red-billed gulls, white-fronted terns, banded dotterels and variable oystercatchers while they nest and raise chicks. A year-round dog prohibition also remains in place at the corner of Nelson Haven where Boulder Bank Drive and the Boulder Bank Scenic Reserve meet. Dog walkers can still use the eastern end of the Boulder Bank outside the restricted zones and should keep dogs on a lead where required. The reminder comes in a joint message from the Department of Conservation and Nelson City Council.
Bell Island opens the gates
One of the region’s most important pieces of infrastructure is opening to the public for a rare behind-the-scenes tour. The Bell Island wastewater treatment plant will welcome visitors on Saturday, 3 October, offering a chance to see how wastewater from across the region is treated. The plant has the capacity to treat sewage equivalent to that generated by a domestic population of about 133,000 people. Registration is required here.
Indian Food Festival
Saxton Oval Pavilion will play host to the Indian Food Festival on Sunday for a smorgasbord of the country’s regional delicacies. Hosted by Experience India, the free Indian Food Festival from 11am to 4pm is a celebration of India’s resplendent flavours and culture and even Afghani and Pakistani food stalls are applying their own Indian twist to their menu. Food aside, there will also be live demonstrations, music, games and raffles.
Learn to kayak
From 7 October - 1 November, the Nelson Kayak Club is running a river kayaking beginners’ course, for people with minimal or no kayaking experience. Participants will learn the basic skills of paddling a river kayak, safety on the river and how to use kayaking equipment. There will also be a sea kayak beginners’ course beginning in November. Go here for more information and to enrol.
Free native plants up for grabs
Nelson residents can pick up a free native plant and explore one of the region’s wildlife havens during the school holidays. Nelson Nature and The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary are giving away native plants at the sanctuary on Saturday, 3 October and Sunday, 4 October, from 10am to 2pm. The giveaway aims to encourage more habitat for native wildlife across Nelson. Plants are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with one plant per household. All plants must be planted within Nelson. The event coincides with free entry for children under 15 at The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary during the school holidays. Visitors can also take part in family activities, including a tree identification challenge, a weed-spotting quiz and bird-themed games.
