Appleby is the country district around the lower Waimea River about five kilometres outside Richmond. The area was first settled in the early 1840s and many of the early arrivals are still strongly represented by their descendants. More...
Belgrove
The last settlement before heading over Spooner’s Range is Belgrove. This country district came into its own when the railway arrived in 1895. The old windmill that was used to pump water to fill the steam engine still stands behind the site of the old railway station. More...
Brightwater
Brightwater has always been a popular residential centre in Tasman District since in first came to life in the 1840s. More...
Collingwood
Collingwood is nestled on the peninsula jutting into the Ruataniwha Inlet with the Aorere River on one side and Golden Bay on the other. More...
Dovedale
The picturesque Dovedale Valley was surveyed in 1863. Such was the interest in this sub-alpine area inland from the Moutere that all the sections offered were sold in one day. The prices paid were high for the times at 10-20 shillings per acre. More...
Glenhope
The extension of the railway from Tadmor to Glenhope in 1912 brought life to this country district located 41 kilometres from Murchsion. More...
Golden Downs
The Golden Downs area was to have been settled by soldiers returning from World War I. But the settlement blocks assigned in the area were not suitable for farming and most of the men gave up their government gift in despair. More...
Gowanbridge
Located at the confluence of the Gowan and Buller Rivers, this tiny speck on the map was once a bustling community known far and wide for its well-stocked general store. More...
Kaiteriteri
The golden sand of Kaiteriteri has become synonymous with summer sun, sea and camping. This iconic seaside paradise has been attracting holidaymakers from all over the country since the 1920s. More...
Mangarakau
Travelling down the northern side of the West Coast, you suddenly come upon a scatter of houses, and you are in Mangarakau. A century ago there were sawmills and a coalmine but these are long gone and with it, most of the former residents. More...
Mapua
Mapua started life as the fruit basket of Tasman District. Apples in particular were the backbone crop of the township throughout the last century and are still widely grown in the area today. More...
Motueka
Motueka is the second largest town in Tasman District and is the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park, Kaiteriteri Beach, and Golden Bay. It is also a hub for horticulture and at times during the year the town hosts hundreds of seasonal workers harvesting the variety of fruit crops and hops that flourish in the area. More...
Murchison
Murchison is the District's southern-most township and is a central base for the many outdoor activities in the area including historic gold trails, rafting and kayaking, tramping, hunting and fishing. More...
Ngatimoti
The Salisbury brothers were the first settlers in Ngatimoti, arriving in 1855. Soon after more farmers came to the area to run sheep and cattle (beef and diary) and grow crops such as hops and apples. More...
Onekaka
The rural district of Onekaka is around 20 kilometres from Takaka on the Collingwood Road. Rolling green farmland stretches down to the coast, which is glimpsed from the road as you wind over the hills on this picturesque drive. More...
Pakawau
Travelling north from Collingwood across the Aorere River, the last store selling general goods is at Pakawau, some fifteen minutes on. The little settlement is strung along the road, with the old school, now a restaurant, on the left and nearly everything else on the right. More...
Pokororo
Pokororo is best known for its annual summer arts and crafts fair, held in early January, although it was also in the news as the ‘Green Capital’ of New Zealand following the 1999 elections. This rural district was the place where the Green Party scored its highest party vote in percentage terms (41%), but Onekaka in Golden Bay eclipsed it in 2002. More...
Riwaka
On the Western side of the Tasman fruit-growing region is the historical country district of Riwaka. This fertile area lies below the Takaka Hill, adjacent to Kaiteriteri and Marahau beaches. More...
St Arnaud
St Arnaud is in the heart of Tasman District's winter playground and is the gateway to the Nelson Lakes National Park. More...
Takaka
Takaka is where Golden Bay gets down to business. The small township is always bustling with activity; especially during summer when many visitors come to enjoy its special charms. More...
Tapawera
Tapawera is a friendly rural centre in Tasman District. This small but busy community is based on the dairying, hops, and berry farms that surround it. More...
Totaranui
Totaranui is the northern end of the Abel Tasman National Park coastal track, about an hour’s drive from Takaka on an unsealed road or two hours by boat from Marahau at the other end of the track. More...
Richmond
Richmond is the largest urban settlement in Tasman District. It is also one of the fastest growing with people attracted by the surrounding natural beauty and vibrant bustling feel of the town. Population is currently around 11,000. More...
Upper Moutere
The village of Upper Moutere is a thriving community that also services the surrounding areas of Neudorf, Dovedale, Ngatimoti, Mahana and Orinoco. More...
Wakefield
At the southern end of the Waimea Plains, Wakefield has secured its place in the history and heart of Tasman District. This rural centre has a strong sense of individuality and a community that is passionate about preserving its historical architecture. Two of these icons are the Anglican Church at the top of the main street and grand former Post Office building that dates back to the late 1800s. More...
For information on specific towns and areas in the Tasman District click on the map or check out the links at the bottom of this page.
