News in brief

Staff Reporter

The Azamara Pursuit cruise ship arrived in Nelson on Monday morning. Photo: Kate Russell.

Cruise ship visits Nelson

The Azamara Pursuit cruise ship arrived in Nelson on Monday morning and departed on Tuesday night. The vessel was Port Nelson’s first overnight cruise ship for the season with 662 passengers and 397 crew. During their time in Nelson, passengers enjoyed a tour of the Classic Car Museum, a yacht trip around the harbour, a cycle trip along the coastal trail, a quad bike adventure at Cable Bay, a Taste of Nelson Viticulture tour and a visit to Awaroa Lodge and Abel Tasman National Park. Cruise ships are vital to Nelson’s visitor industry with the tourism sector contributing $259 million towards GDP in the region in 2023. This represented 4 per cent of our economic output for the year, while nationally, the tourism sector contributed 3.5 per cent.

Fruit and veg box programme ends

The Hapori Fruit and veg box programme is not continuing in 2025 due to a lack of funding. The Nelson Environment Centre, which has provided the $15 boxes at various hubs around the region since 2021, say they have had to make the “tough decision” to end the programme. “We wish to thank our partners, hubs and customers for making the Hapori Fruit and Veg Box a worthwhile programme.” The Victory Community Centre supplied more than 8300 boxes to local community members during its time, and there were also hubs at Helping Families in Richmond, Stoke School, Nelson Cathedral, Nightingale Library, and St Paul’s in Brightwater.

Pipes in the Park returns

The Celtic sounds of pipes and drums will fill the Fairfield House Meadow on 2 February as the City of Nelson Highland Pipe Band returns with Pipes in the Park. From 5.30pm, Celtic music and dance will fill the air, including the full pipe band, soloists and dancers. Performers include Jacquie Walters and the Kahurangi Irish Dancers, while in keeping with the pipes, haggis and shortbread will be among the traditional food available.

Nelson and Tasman’s most stolen cars

The most stolen car in Nelson in 2024 was the Mazda Demio, according to AMI’s new insurance data. In Tasman, it was the Ford Ranger. The data - sourced from the largest general insurance dataset in the country - reported almost 12,000 vehicle theft claims nationwide last year, including claims relating to attempted vehicle theft. AMI executive general manager claims, Wayne Tippet, says that stolen vehicle claims have begun to decrease for the first time in four years, with claims related to ram raids down by 50 per cent compared to 2023. Nelson ranked 13th in the claims frequency list, while Tasman came in 14th.

Brass plaque stolen

The brass plaque marking the Centre of NZ monument on the top of Nelson‘s Botanical Hill has been stolen. A Nelson City Council spokesperson says they are “disappointed” and if anyone has any information to please contact them on 03 546 0200 or alternatively, contact the police.

Police seek crash witnesses

Nelson Police investigating a crash on the Coastal Highway earlier this month would like to speak to witnesses. At around 3,10pm on Tuesday, 7 January, emergency services responded to a two-vehicle crash near the O’Conner Creek Bridge by the turnoff to Rabbit Island. One person was seriously injured in the crash and died in hospital on 10 January. Police have spoken to a number of witnesses already but would still like to hear from anyone who witnessed the crash, or saw a silver Toyota hatchback travelling towards Richmond on or around the Coastal Highway between 2.50pm and 3.10pm on 7 January. If you have any information, call 105 using the reference number 250113/2691. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Music in the Mountain

Hundreds of motorhomes and caravans from around New Zealand are congregating in Tapawera this weekend for the annual Music in the Mountain rally. From 30 January to 3 February, Tapawera Area School will be filled with music for the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association event. Last year, more than 800 vehicles and 2,000 people descended on the village and similar numbers are expected this year.

Motueka River Bridge crash

Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Lyndhurst Dr at the Motueka River Bridge at around 1.30pm on Monday. The road was closed for a short time while a tow truck removed one of the vehicles from the bridge. There were no serious injuries.

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