A rich heritage, a willingness to embrace the future and a real sense of its own identity makes Tasman District a great place to visit and live.Several thriving industries are based here and it has become a tourist magnet with hundreds of kilometres of beautiful coastline and three world-renowned national parks.Vibrant artistic and business communities are thriving here in one of the most beautiful places on earth. In Tasman District it really is the lifestyle that counts.
Tasman District is a large area. It covers 9,786 square kilometres and is bounded to the west by the Matiri Ranges, Tasman Mountains and the Tasman Sea. To the north Tasman and Golden Bays form its seaward edge, and the eastern boundary reaches the Spencer Mountains and the St Arnaud and Richmond Ranges. The Victoria Ranges form Tasman's southern boundary and the district's highest point is Mt Owen, at 1,875 metres.
The landscape is diverse. From large mountainous areas to valleys and plains, sliced by such major rivers as the Buller, Motueka, Aorere and Takaka. There's lush bush and bird life, golden beaches, the unique 40 kilometre sands of Farewell Spit, and boundless fishing in our bays and rivers. These assets make the district irresistible to tourists and precious to those who live here.
Tasman is home to three national parks. Abel Tasman (New Zealand's smallest at 22,541 hectares), Nelson Lakes (101,753 hectares) and Kahurangi (452,000 hectares).
Lifestyle and recreation
Climate and lifestyle are the major factors for people choosing to live, work and retire here. Most work in agriculture, forestry or fishing industries, but Tasman also has many artists and craftspeople who work from their country galleries. The district boasts one of the highest counts of working artists of any region in NZ. The pleasant year round climate and easy access to skiing, swimming, tramping and boating pleasures attract many to the region. It is also a popular place to retire, with most older folk choosing to live in the more populated areas of Richmond, Waimea, Motueka and Golden Bay.
Community spirit plays a big part in our style of living, and a very high proportion of local people are involved in voluntary work.
The Nelson/Tasman FOUND DIRECTORY lists over 1800 organisations which provide support, sport, hobbies, health and social services throughout the region. Whether you're keen on flying or felting, spoon collecting or squash, the contacts are in the Directory.
If you love the great outdoors, the Tasman District provides plenty of action from caving, tramping or mountaineering to sailing, hunting, horse trekking and fishing. The Found Directory will help you zero in on all these activities and it's available from any of the Tasman District Council Offices or Information Centres and at local libraries. Click here to go the Found Directory page.
For information on the ASB Aquatic Centre in Richmond click on this website link: http://www.clmnz.co.nz/asb/
Economic opportunities
While fruit growing, farming, fishing and forestry continue to be the lifeblood of the District, Tasman is developing other opportunities. It has a growing viticulture sector and is New Zealand's main hop growing area. With such natural resources as stunning rivers, mountains, beaches and native bush, tourism is providing a major boost to many traditional agricultural areas.
For information on business opportunities in the District, the Nelson Tasman Business Trust offers free, confidential help to start up and existing businesses. Services include business information, referrals, and networking opportunities. Check out the website: www.ntbt.co.nz.
Richmond Unlimited represents all the businesses in Richmond. Check out the website: www.richmondunlimited.co.nz for business news, economic information and identified business opportunities in Richmond.
Our Town Motueka promotes economic growth in the Motueka region. Contact Jacqui on (03) 5284488 for information on business opportunities in Motueka.
Health Care
Although Nelson Hospital is the main health care centre serving the whole region, Tasman District has its own community hospitals and health care facilities.
Motueka and Takaka hospitals provide maternity and geriatric care while Murchison's Community Hospital provides emergency, general and geriatric services.
Community Health Centres in Wakefield, Mapua and Golden Bay are equipped to deal with emergencies. There is also a rescue helicopter which services the District.
The District is also famous for its wide range of alternative health care providers and products.
Education
There are four District secondary schools - two in Richmond
Waimea College and
Garin College
one in Golden Bay
Golden Bay High School
and one in Motueka
Motueka High School
There are also three area schools
located in Tapawera (no website available), Murchison and Collingwood.
Murchison Area School
http://collingwood.theloop.school.nz
There is one intermediate school in the District - in Richmond
Waimea Intermediate School
plus a number of primary schools, kindergartens, and child care centres.
The Richmond Campus of the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology offers a variety of courses.
Check out the NMIT website
Clubs and recreation
The Nelson/Tasman FOUND DIRECTORY lists over 1500 organisations that provide support, sport, hobbies, health and social services throughout the region. Whether you're keen on flying or felting, spoon collecting or squash, the contacts are in the Directory.
If you love the great outdoors, the Tasman District provides plenty of action from caving, tramping or mountaineering to sailing, hunting, horse trekking and fishing. FOUND will help you zero in on all these activities and it's available from any of the Tasman District Council Offices or Information Centres and at local libraries. Click here to go to the Directory.
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