Nelson is situated in the northwestern corner of New Zealand’s South Island, in a region known for its year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches and nearby mountains that shelter the city and contribute to its Mediterranean-like climate.

National parks and communities of working artists combine with the area’s micro-breweries and boutique wineries to create a unique appeal. When you add the region’s fresh produce and plentiful seafood served up at historical waterfront eateries, the appeal of the area to visitors is evident.

The city was named in honour of British Admiral Lord Nelson, famed for the part he played at the Battle of Trafalgar. Today it’s home to a population that’s as relaxed in its approach to life as it is enthusiastic about outdoor adventure. Shopping and art also feature prominently. The annual Montana New Zealand Wearable Art Awards, for example, combines the two: this is an event at which art is taken off gallery walls and worn by locals.

Nelson boasts a range of accommodation that will suit most budgets and preferences. The city and surrounding area plenty of excellent lodging choices. Artsy, interesting and sunny, the city and its surrounds offer the opportunity to enjoy an environment that’s alive with a fascinating mix of cultures and plenty of things to do.

The Maori first settled in Nelson approximately 1,100 years ago, and evidence of this early settlement has been found in the Nelson-Marlborough region. The earliest tribes identified here include the Ngati Apa, Ngati Kuia, Ngati Tumatakokiri and Rangitane.

It wasn’t until the 1820s that tribes from the North Island invaded this area. Te Rauparaha and the Ngati Toa ran off most of the local population and formed their own settlements. Not long after this invasion from the north, the New Zealand Company, headquartered in London, planned for the settlement of Nelson by British colonisers.

It was their intent to purchase a large area of land cheaply from the Maori, which they then intended to divide among artisans and labourers that they would send to the area as the workforce necessary to establish a British presence. The numbers of immigrants they were able to attract didn’t meet expectations, but in spite of this colonisation moved forward.

Captain Arthur Wakefield commanded the three ships that departed London. On arrival, he found that the colony’s governor wouldn’t permit them to conduct further negotiations for land with the Maori. He did finally give them permission to settle in the Tasman Bay, however.

The actual site selected by the company is the land where the city of Nelson stands today, as it was the best natural harbour in the area. Land for farming was a problem, however, as the site is situated at the edge of the mountains.

To supplement the land around Nelson for farming operations, the company purchased a somewhat undefined area from the Maori that included Motueka, Riwaka, Waimea and Whakapuaka. This enabled the company to develop their settlement, although the undefined nature of the land boundaries led to a great deal of conflict.

In the early 1840s, four additional ships of immigrants arrived. By this time the town had been roughly planned out with the first wooden houses already constructed. The company continued to send ships and workers from London with the numbers of potential settlers reaching more than 3,000 individuals. The reality, however, was that less than 90 of the 1,000 men had sufficient capital to purchase land.

A number of Lutheran Protestants, along with a smaller number of Bavarian Catholics, joined the early settlers to make a new home in Nelson, seeking prosperity that had eluded them in Germany. After a brief period of optimism, the lack of capital and arable land became a reality, driving the newly-settled area into economic depression.

For a number of years, there was no further organised immigration and labourers were forced to accept the reduction of their wages by more than one-third. By 1846, approximately one-fourth of the new immigrants had left the area.

The need to find additional farming land became urgent, even with the decrease in population. Wide, fertile plains situated to the southeast of Nelson drew the attention of the company. In fact, they tried to claim that they had already purchased the Wairau Valley from the Maori. The Maori disputed this, and insisted they would resist any attempts to settle on the land.

The Nelson settlers attempted to lay claim to the land regardless, and this action led to the Wairau Affray, and the death of 22 immigrant settlers. The new government exonerated the Maori, determining that the Nelson settlers didn’t in fact have a legitimate claim to settle in the Wairau Valley.

Today the cultural identity of the region is shaped by a unique mix of Maori, British and continental European influences, as well as influences of more recent arrivals from other parts of the world. The character of this coastal region continues to evolve. Visitors are attracted to Nelson for its culture and sunshine, making it an enticing spot for a holiday.

The currents of the South Pacific cause warm, tropical ocean waters to flow in a westerly direction along the equator. The currents then turn in a southerly direction, producing the semi-tropical climate that Nelson and much of New Zealand experiences. This tempering of the environment keeps the winter temperatures from dropping too low, particularly in the low-lying coastal areas, and prevents summer temperatures from rising to uncomfortable levels.

The winter months in the southern hemisphere are November through April, as the seasons are ‘reversed’ south of the equator. Both autumn and spring are usually quite mild. January and February are typically the warmest months with July normally the coldest. Even in winter the area enjoys many clear and sunny days, making it possible for visitors to enjoy activities outdoors throughout the year. Snow rarely falls near the coast or in low-lying areas, but is experienced in the mountains during July and August, when skiing is possible.

Maximum temperatures in the Nelson area are 22°C in the summer, 17°C in the spring, 18°C in the autumn and 13°C in winter. The lowest temperatures in winter seldom fall below 3°C.