Since my arrival in New Zealand, the city of Nelson has been on the periphery of my plans. In talking with both Kiwis and travellers, the general opinion of the place was positive, but no one ever seemed able to give me a specific reason to go there. Now that I've been there myself, I can see that it is difficult to describe Nelson in a few words. But I'll try anyway.
One irrefutable fact about Nelson is that it is one of the sunniest places in New Zealand. In a country known for being able to produce four seasons in one day, anywhere with consistently good weather is a rarity. I've heard that last year Nelson's sunny day count came second in the country to that of Whakatane, on the North Island, but Nelson has a reputation beyond what statistics can prove.
Describing the character of any city is a challenge, but this one is particularly tricky. It is the center of a large agricultural region, and so draws in a horde of working holidaymakers during harvests. Abel Tasman National Park is not far away, so the city also draws in its share of outdoors enthusiasts. But the city itself has a vibrant center with an alternative streak, more befitting an American college town than of the center of one of New Zealand's most productive agricultural areas. And yet Nelson does not have a major university, although it does have one of the two main campuses of the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology. More than anywhere else I've been in New Zealand, Nelson manages to balance elements of several city types without exclusively being any of them.
My visit was brief, but I did manage to see the geographical center of the country. Being previously aware that Nelson has a sizable Italian population, I also kept my eyes open for a decent pizza joint. What do you know, I found one.
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| Stefano's Margherita. Delicious and reasonably priced. |
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| In one of Nelson's many parks. |
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| Looking south from the center of New Zealand. |
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| Looking west over the city. |
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| The center. |
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