Making a splash at the Ngātīmoti Fair
With temperatures climbing over Labour Weekend, Ngātīmoti School’s Flint Seligman found a unique way to cool off. The 13-year-old was welcoming good accuracy at the sponge throw fundraiser at Sunday’s Ngātīmoti Fair, which attracted a bumper crowd. Flint was among the thousands who turned out for the annual event, with woodchopping, an animal zone, live entertainment and dozens of stalls keeping visitors entertained throughout the day.
Kāinga Ora plans Motueka and Richmond homes
Kāinga Ora has lodged resource consent and building consent applications with Tasman District Council for two new developments in the region. The first is for a proposed three-home development at 7 Coleman St in Richmond on a 720sq m site. The proposal includes three standalone, single-level homes, each with one bedroom. If approved, construction is expected to be completed by July 2027. The second is for two new homes at 306A High St, Motueka. The proposed development would see two single-level, duplex-style homes built on a 972sq m site. Both homes would have two bedrooms. If approved, the development is expected to be completed by August 2027.
Firewood fundraiser returns
Residents can stock up for next winter while supporting two local charities when Firewood Saturday returns to Rabbit Island on 31 October. The annual fundraiser will share proceeds between the Fifeshire Foundation and Nelson Tasman Hospice. Firewood will cost $100 per trailer load, with about two cubic metres of mostly pine wood available. The wood has been cut into rounds but is unsplit, meaning buyers will need to split and season it over summer before it is ready to burn next winter. Thanks to support from Stand Forestry, Steve Thompson Ltd and Downer, 200 trailer loads will be available. Tickets are limited and are available from the Tasman District Council services centres at in Richmond and Motueka.
Tasman grants in high demand
Tasman District Council’s latest Community Grants round has attracted record demand, with 171 applications seeking a combined $547,872.50, about $100,000 more than last year and nearly double the available funding. Sport and recreation facilities attracted the largest funding requests, while youth and children generated the most interest, with 37 applications. Successful recipients include Bike Hub Nelson, the Nelson Tasman Pacific Festival 2026, the Southern Cancer Society Trust’s Tasman patient accommodation, Keep Richmond Beautiful, Collingwood Memorial Library and Richmond-Waimea RSA. A full list of successful applicants is available at tasman.govt.nz/community-grants
Regional rent rises minimally
Trademe Property’s latest Rental Price Index shows national rents holding steady as tenant competition picks up. The national median weekly rent settled at $620 in September, flat on the same time last year. Following nine consecutive months of annual decline between September 2025 and May 2026, the market has now gone four straight months without an annual fall, hovering consistently between $610 and $625 for over a year. However 10 of 14 regions recorded annual rent increases in September, with Nelson Tasman up 1.7 per cent on the same time last year. Supply tightened in September, with new rental listings down close to 5 per cent year-on-year and total rental inventory on Trademe Property down 7 per cent. Meanwhile, tenant interest has surged with searches and listing views up between 6 and 12 per cent.
Playspace ready to open
Nelson’s new inner-city playspace is set to open on Saturday, 28 November. Inspired by the story of Kupe and Te Wheke-a-Muturangi, it features giant octopus tentacles, a double-hulled waka, a high ropes climbing tower, spiral slide, flying fox, swings, climbing nets and accessible play equipment. The fully fenced play area also includes shaded seating, picnic tables, accessible pathways, and new toilet and changing facilities. The project is being delivered through a partnership between iwi and Nelson City Council as part of the iwi-backed Kōpū initiative, which emerged from the city’s arts and creativity strategy, He Tātai Whetū, while Kūmānu is leading the build.
Statues return home
Four treasured Catholic statues have been welcomed home to Nelson’s Catholic community after more than 40 years in the care of Founders Heritage Park. Saint Joseph with the Child Jesus, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, the Sacred Heart of Jesus and an Adoring Angel were returned at a special ceremony at St Joseph’s School last week. The angel will now be reunited with its matching statue. The statues arrived at Founders in the 1980s, after the former Catholic convent and college on Manuka St closed in 1982 and was dismantled the following year. Following a request from members of the local Catholic community, Nelson City Council’s hertiage park team spent several months identifying the statues and arranging their safe return.
Locky Docks roll into Richmond
Cyclists in Richmond can now lock up and charge their bikes at the region’s first Locky Docks. The two stations, outside Richmond Library and at Sundial Square on Queen St, offer secure bike parking and free charging for e-bikes and other devices. Funded through digital advertising, the stations are free to use. Tasman District Council says the project supports active transport and complements the district’s cycleway network. They worked with Big Street Bikers to coordinate approvals and installation, with the stations positioned to avoid obstructing footpaths. More Locky Docks are planned, including a site on High St in Motueka and possible locations along the Great Taste Trail.
