Mel Courtney

Fantastic News - for our Nelson region and the wider Top of the South!

You will be pleased to hear that NMIT (Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology) has regained its status as an independent polytechnic, marking a significant milestone for local education, industry, and community engagement.

Returning to its roots as an independent institution allows NMIT to be more agile and responsive to the specific needs of our region. With direct input from local iwi, councils, and business leaders, this transition will help better align education with regional economic strengths such as aquaculture, aviation, tourism, wine production, and primary industries.

Congratulations to everyone who worked tirelessly to make this happen—from Minister Penny Simmonds for championing regional education reform, to local leaders like Olivia Hall and her NMIT team.

Cutting red tape and empowering local decision-making represent significant progress in enhancing vocational training and career pathways for our young people—right here at home.

This is a true victory for the entire Top of the South and a testament to what teamwork and community spirit can accomplish.

Here’s to a bright and empowered future for NMIT and the generations of learners yet to come.

MONACO/MANUKAU - another of Nelson's gems by the water.

You will be interested to learn that Monaco (on the edge of Waimea Inlet) was once farmland and orchards before it was subdivided in 1924.

In 1844, an Englishman, Hugh Martin arrived in New Zealand with his family and became the first to purchase this beautiful piece of land.

For many years, Monaco, Stoke, and Enner Glynn were all part of Waimea County, only joining Nelson City in 1958.

These days, Monaco has a wonderfully relaxed, village-like feel. When the tide rolls in, boaties set sail, swimmers take a dip, and families gather for picnics in the reserve or by the water's edge.

The jetty is a favourite spot in the summer too, with kids fishing and families swimming together, soaking up the sunshine.

Thanks to our unique tidal estuary, Monaco is protected from the coastal erosion that affects other areas.

During the week, Monaco is a quiet corner of nature - a peaceful retreat.

But at the weekend, locals from Stoke, Richmond, and Nelson come here to enjoy a meal at the Honest Lawyer, the Brick, or to walk/cycle the quiet streets.

Monaco is truly a special place to unwind and soak in the best of coastal experiences, isn't it?

Exciting News - The sparkling new train at the littlies area of the Tahunanui Lions Playground is ready for opening day.

The protective fences and barriers will be down so you can have a close-up look and an imaginary ride on the new train.

Great Kākāpō News: 2026 Breeding Boom on the Horizon!

You will be excited to learn that kākāpō breeding in 2026 could be the biggest chick boom ever!

Thanks to record levels of rimu fruiting predicted across all three breeding islands, nearly all 87 breeding-age kākāpō females could nest next season. That’s a huge leap forward for this critically endangered taonga species!

Kākāpō only breed when rimu trees “mast” (produce loads of fruit), and this year’s data shows a record-high 50–60% of rimu trees are set to fruit

With a bumper breeding season ahead, it’s more important than ever to secure safe, predator-free habitats for the growing kākāpō population.

Rakiura/Stewart Island is a top contender (as another new home), but only if introduced predators can be removed.

Achieving a predator-free Rakiura/Stewart Island would be a game-changer—not just for kākāpō, but for many of Aotearoa’s threatened native species.

Let’s give these incredible birds a safer, brighter future!

GOOD NEWS - UPDATE -Tahunanui Beach Café Reopening.

You will be pleased to learn that the Tahunanui Beach Café will reopen on Monday, 21st July, under new ownership/management.

A huge thank you must go to the previous operators for many years of delicious food and warm hospitality.

The café sadly closed in May 2024, and since then, the Council has heard your call loud & clear, just how valued the café is.

Following considerable interest from potential operators, the current proprietor has assigned the remaining lease (which runs until June 30, 2026) to Sarita Tiwari.

Council has just signed off approval of the assignment, and wishes Sarita and her team every success as they take the reins of this much-loved venue.

Looking ahead, the Council will run a Registration of Interest (ROI) process later this year for the lease commencing from 1 July 2026.

Council's goal is to maximise the value and enjoyment of the beachfront asset for the whole community, while ensuring a fair return for ratepayers.

See you back at the beach café soon!

GOOD NEWS - UPDATE - Boosting green energy at Nelson Hospital.

You will be interested to know Nelson Hospital is utilising 30% of the gas from the combined NCC/TDC owned York Valley Landfill. The gas is piped to the Nelson Hospital and used as an energy source to fire the 2.0MWth boiler located at the hospital. The boiler produces over 60% of the hospital’s thermal energy demand for heating, steam and hot water.

To further improve our environment a new enclosed flare has been installed at the York Valley Landfill & is running well, having combusted 768,000 m3 of landfill gas since December last year.

The old York Valley flare has been moved to Eves Valley & been installed.

The Eves Valley flare is estimated to be combusting 175 m3 per hour of landfill gas.

Measurements of the gas removed from the Eves Valley landfill show a methane content of between 65% and 70% methane.

Based on the data available the Eves Valley flare is removing around 13,750 tonnes of CO2 equivalent from being discharged to the atmosphere - which is the equivalent to reducing car travel by 81 Million Km.

Cutting methane emissions is key to slowing global warming, isn't it?

JOB DONE - BOARDWALKS & STEPS REPAIRED.

Joss Cumming you will be pleased to know your concerns relating to the condition of the boardwalks and steps at Tahunanui Beach have been attended to by NCC contractor Nelmac.

A full condition assessment of all the boardwalks at the beach was undertaken and the offending boards have either been replaced or reattached and steps reinstated. Thank you for your patience and understanding in regard to this matter.

TAKING A WALK WITH NATURE - VISITOR NUMBERS UP 40%.

As more and more people come to appreciate the beauty and value of nature, the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary visitor numbers climb.

The Brook Sanctuary is the largest (700 hectare) fenced Sanctuary for endangered/vulnerable creatures & plants in the South Island.

The main loop track takes approximately 45 minutes to one hour to walk & is suitable for people of all ages & abilities & is fully accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

The atmosphere in the Sanctuary is one of pure serenity as you walk through lush native bush, listen to glorious birdsong and then when you are fully immerse in nature there is a sense of peace & tranquility that can only be good for one’s health/wellbeing.

JOB DONE - TRAFALGAR PLAZA IN LIGHTS.

JOB DONE - FOUNTAIN UPGRADE COMPLETE.

Don Poole you will be pleased to know the fountain in the Queens Garden pond has now been upgraded & is back working at it's best.

The upgrade will help aerate the water at the Suter Art Gallery end of the pond & improve the water quality in general.

Don, it's important you know the bottom of the pond is not sealed and it fulfills a critical storm-water retention function while adding an air of serenity to our beautiful Queens Garden.

Even the geese & their goslings are happy the fountain is working again.

JOB DONE - PATHWAY BETWEEN MAIN ROAD STOKE & NEALE AVENUE – HAS BEEN COMPLETED.

George Truman you will be pleased to know work on constructing a pathway along Poorman Valley Stream between Main Road Stoke & Neale Avenue has now been completed.

The gap you identified has been filled with a new 2.5 metre wide shared path. It runs along the true left bank of the stream from Main Road Stoke (by the Countdown carpark), past the Whareama Rest Home through to Neale Ave.

The pathway creates a connection between the recreation areas of Neale Reserve (& nearby sections of the Railway Reserve) & Isel Park & Greenmeadows Reserve.

It also provides an off-road connection, all the way from Marsden Valley & out to the Great Taste Trail on Whakatu Drive. Connecting/linking our community is important, isn't

GOOD NEWS - MAJOR UPGRADE - CHILDRENS PLAYGROUND - FOUNDERS HERITAGE PARK.

Amelia Crundwell & Lulu Armstrong I have great news for you. Council has commenced its planning for a major renewal/upgrade of the childrens playground at Founders Heritage Park. The project will be financed using some of the funds raised at the Founders Book Fair. NCC plans to refurbish the retro (more recent) items/equipment (roundabout & slide) but will be renewing the remaining play equipment. This will include accessible play equipment & consideration is also being given to other options for the surface of the playground, that should assist in alleviating the drainage issue. Council is starting work immediately on the sourcing/purchasing process & is aiming to get the project underway as soon as possible.

You will be interested to know that FHP playground is one of the most popular children playgrounds (among the 66) owned by NCC & is maintained with funds derived from Founders Heritage Park.

Playgrounds are so important for our children, aren't they?

NEWS - IT KEEPS GETTING BETTER.

You will be interested to know since the introduction into the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary last year of over 100 rare orange fronted parakeets (native kakariki karaka), the sanctuary now has one of the biggest populations in NZ.

Also 30 of the most threatened giant Powelliphanta hochstetteri snails have been released into the sanctuary.

These unique snails are among the largest in the world & this particular powelliphanta (snail) is endemic to Nelson & Marlborough regions.

The backbone of the Sanctuary are the volunteers who collectively put in over 20,000 hours of caring last year - don’t you love our volunteers?

LOOKING DOWN TRAFALGAR STREET.

How you’ve changed in 100 years.

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