NELSON Nelson has so much going for it as a city and community it begs the question why the town has not grown to a greater degree. Two reasons; one being land and price and the second is the competition from lifestyle towns like Blenheim, Motueka, Tataka and Richmond have soaked up the growth demand. Nelson is magnificent. Being the ‘capitol’ of Tasman has meant this city has it all. Services including a busy airport, shipping and coastal industries, the wine industry, a great safe beach and a massive and growing tourist sector. Local and O’seas. Nelson regularly hold the number one sunshine hours per year for New Zealand, and only follows Gisborne and Whakatane for the warmest average temps on occasions. Nelson is a captured market. Nelsonians do business at home and this reflects in a strong economy. Nelson is also a strong catchment for the Tasman, Buller and Golden Bay regions. Nelson’s early beginnings occurred when three colony ships sailed into the ‘Nelson Haven’ during the first week of November 1841. Soon after when the four first immigrant ships arrived three months later they found the town already laid out with streets, some wooden houses, tents and rough sheds. These ships were the Fifeshire, the Mary-Ann, the Lord Auckland and the Lloyds. Nelson received its name in honour of the Admiral Horatio Nelson who defeated both the French and Spanish fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Many of the roads and public areas around the city are named after people and ships associated with that battle and Trafalgar Street is the main shopping axis of the city. Today the War Memorial in Anzac Park gives testimony to a community that does things right. The Museum is located in the heart of the city; bringing the opportunity for visitors and citizens to easily visit. The Anglican Cathedral is a tourist draw card and dominates the city skyline, and the main denominations have good profile. The Nelson hotels have a strong maritime background and are evident by the architecture. When visiting allow a week enjoy both Nelson and the weather.