Our Nelson Issue 168
26 April 2023

Take part in the 2023–24 Annual Plan
“This year’s plan has been particularly tough with tens of millions in extra costs for repairs from the August 2022 weather event, the highest inflation rate in 30 years and soaring interest costs. This proposed Annual Plan prioritises fixing storm damage, improving core infrastructure and increasing resilience to climate change. It seeks to carefully balance the need to constrain increases in rates with maintaining services so Nelson remains a great little city to live, work and do business.” – Nelson Mayor Nick Smith.
Our Approach to Rates 
This is not an austerity budget, 
Council is still:
Investing in our infrastructure
Building back better from the weather event
Maintaining our core services
Planning future projects for an improved economy 
A rate increase in line with inflation at 7.2%
Spreading recovery funding and the depreciation from 2022 revaluation over several years
Trimming $4.1m from operational budgets
Funding to community groups and facilities has been held at 2022/23 levels

Reduction in spending on the new library
The Elma Turner Library has served the community 
well but is nearing the end of its optimal life. Council was planning to build a new library with an overall budget of $46.3 million. We are now proposing to look at options for a new community hub, including a library, on a site which would overcome cost and location concerns with the previous plan.
Cost: Instead of the $17.8m set aside in 2023/24 for the new library, a budget of $200,000 is proposed for engagement, site investigation, and developing strategies for external funding.

Maitahi-Bayview Development
The Council has made a decision to rezone land in the Maitai Valley for urban purposes through Plan Change 28. That decision is now under appeal at the Environment Court, but we still need to carry out early design work for utilities and transport connections to service the proposed development. 
Tell us what you think: Do you agree we should allocate funding of $606,000 in 2023/24 to undertake pre-planning work on the utility and transport connections to the proposed Maitahi Bayview Development subdivision (Maitai Valley), to inform consultation on the Long Term Plan 2024   –   34? 
This will only be spent if the appeal is unsuccessful.

Recovery from the August 2022 severe weather event
We want to make Nelson’s infrastructure more resilient to future weather events. We propose spreading the work over six years, so it can be completed to a high standard, and paying for it over 10 years.
Cost: Estimated cost of recovery is $57.1 million, with an estimated 40% likely to be covered by insurance and central government. Estimated cost of recovery work in 2023/24 is $11.5 million.
Water Supply – Te Ratonga Wai
$525,000 improve resilience at Water Treatment Plant
Wastewater – Te Para Wai
$240,000 wastewater improvements
Stormwater – Te Wai Āwhā
$930,000 stormwater upgrade Days Track Catchment 3 
$1.9m stormwater upgrades (including Devenish Place and Cleveland Terrace)
Flood Protection – Te Ārai Waipuke
$2.8m flood protection
Visit nelson.govt.nz to make a submission on our 2023/24 Annual Plan. Consultation closes on 30 April 2023.

Infrastructure upgrade to unlock city centre living
Three waters infrastructure upgrades in the city centre and the Bridge Street Linear Active Transport Corridor will be accelerated using $36m of funding from central government’s Infrastructure Acceleration Fund.
This could support development of approximately 1000 new homes in Nelson’s city centre.
“Nelson has a lack of appropriate, affordable housing. This significantly impacts community wellbeing and our economy because local businesses struggle to attract staff as they can’t find somewhere to live.” says Nelson Mayor Nick Smith.
Cost: Council is proposing to bring forward $3 million to 2023/24 for initial design and engagement. $1.9m of this cost will be funded from central government in future years.

Five affordable homes supported by Council’s Housing Reserve
A new housing development in Tāhunanui, funded in part by Nelson City Council's Housing Reserve, was officially opened earlier this month.
In April 2022, Nelson City Council granted $850,000 to Nelson Tasman Housing Trust (NTHT) to develop five affordable homes on Muritai Street. 
This grant was matched by a private philanthropic donor, with further donations contributed by Nelson Pine industries and the community. 
Now, one year later, all five of the warm, dry, energy-efficient homes have been built, ready to be occupied by tenants.
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith, Councillor James Hodgson, NTHT representatives, and others gathered to celebrate, and Mayor Nick, NTHT trustee and former Deputy Mayor Judene Edgar, and NTHT Tenancy Manager Tanya Rich planted a tree to mark the ocassion. 
At the unveiling of the new housing, Mayor Nick said the homes are an awesome achievement by the Nelson Tasman Housing Trust.
“Affordable housing remains one of Nelson’s most difficult challenges but we should be enormously proud of the Nelson Tasman Housing Trust team who I have worked with as a local MP, Minister of Housing and now Mayor. I rate them as the best community housing provider in the country. Getting these five new quality homes in Muritai Street for a project cost of just $2.4 million ($480k/home) including land reinforces how good they are.”
What is Nelson City Council's Housing Reserve?
Council's Housing Reserve was established in November 2020 following Council's sale of 142 community housing units to Kāinga Ora. 
In October 2021, it was announced that $2 million of the Reserve would open for applications to allow for a rapid response to the urgent need for housing. 
Since then, grants totalling $3.85 million have been allocated over the past year to both the Nelson Tasman Housing Trust and Habitat for Humanity Nelson.
This leaves $8.15 million in the reserve which will now be made available to support and enable community housing providers and iwi trusts with a presence in Nelson to deliver an enduring supply of social and affordable housing in the city.

Trafalgar Centre turns 50
Nelson hosted a huge party for the official opening of the Trafalgar Centre 50 years ago. It was such a grand occasion that the celebrations lasted a full week.
Those festivities had something for everyone – from a Vice-Regal Ball, attended by Governor-General Sir Denis Blundell, to an evening of music, drama and ballet, a multi-sports night, a “young generation” extravaganza of modern music and a family stage show. 
At the opening ceremony on 17 February 1973, Sir Denis unveiled a commemorative plaque before a fly past by members of the Nelson Aero Club. After Sir Denis toured the centre, the City of Nelson Highland Pipe Band played as members of the public got to inspect their new facility.  
Since its grand opening, the Trafalgar Centre has hosted a multitude of great Nelson events, from trade shows to performances by international artists and many nail-biting basketball games involving the Nelson Giants. 
A celebration to mark 50 years of the Trafalgar Centre was held this month in the half-time break of the first NBS Nelson Giants game of the 2023 NZ National Basketball League season.
Reap the benefits of composting – nature's way of recycling
Composting is an easy and environmentally friendly way to manage your food waste, save money and make your garden more productive. 
To celebrate International Compost Awareness Week, from 7-13 May, Rethink Waste Whakaarohia is offering a range of free workshops, events and activities. Whether you’re just getting started, or need a little help troubleshooting, there’s something to guide you on your composting journey, plus some great giveaways and prizes to be won.
You can also put the Rethink Waste Whakaarohia $20 compost subsidy voucher towards the cost of a compost bin, worm farm or bokashi set (available through approved retailers – conditions apply).
International Compost Week – free events
Tim's Garden presents Coffee and Compost 101 - mini drop-in sessions
Saturday 13 May at 9am, 10am & 11am at Tim’s Garden
Free coffee (BYO coffee cup), goody bag and prize draw
Compost 'How to' Hub at the Saturday Market
Saturday 6 May, 8am-1pm at the Nelson Markets
Troubleshoot your compost questions - great giveaways for dropping in!
Compost Club - Compost Education Workshop
Saturday 6 May, 9-11am at Waimarama Community Gardens
Free morning tea and chance to win a compost bin
Mitre 10 Mega Compost Display
 7-13 May, inside Mitre 10 Mega Garden Centre 
Drop in anytime and enter the prize draw
To learn more or sign up to these events visit: nelson.govt.nz/compost

Removal of Douglas Fir trees – an apology and an explanation
We recently removed a group of Douglas Fir trees along Beatson Road as part of a larger project to add lights to the popular Railway Reserve shared pathway. 
Many of you expressed concern that these trees were removed, and we appreciate that they have been a longstanding feature of the Nelson landscape and their removal may have come as a shock. We understand your frustration and apologise that this work happened without prior notice. 
We, too, appreciate the value of trees, and removing them is not something we ever do without thought or good reason. 
In fact, we prefer planting trees to removing them. We’ve planted nearly 300,000 trees across the Nelson region over the last three years through Project Mahitahi and our Sustainable Land Management programme, and our Parks and Reserves team will be planting 65,000 plants and trees this upcoming planting season alone.  
However, there are sometimes situations where trees do need to be removed. This might be because a tree is diseased or dangerous, or that its size and position is affecting infrastructure that people rely on. 
In this instance, the Douglas Fir trees were situated in a small area in the middle of the shared pathway. As the trees grew, their roots expanded until they were pushing up against the pathway, creating a bumpy, uneven surface that was difficult for some people to travel along safely. 
The Railway Reserve is used by hundreds of people every day—from recreational cyclists, runners and walkers to commuters, schoolchildren, dogwalkers and people using mobility scooters. These users all have different needs and abilities. 
Removing these trees enables us to straighten and renew the pathway so that it is safe for all users, without incurring additional cost to the ratepayer. 
Alongside this safety hazard, the location of these trees was also in conflict with plans to add lights to this section of the Railway Reserve, a feature the community has been requesting for years. 
In August 2020, we received a petition from nearly 600 Nelsonians requesting an urgent business case to explore lighting the Railway Reserve. Petitioners argued it was unsafe to travel along the pathway during the darker winter months. 
We sought feedback on whether to fund this project during consultation for Council’s Long Term Plan 2021/31. The project was approved, and funding was allocated. 
Work is now underway to install LED lights along this first section of the Railway Reserve. 
These lights meet the NZTA standards for light spill and glare and adhere to the International Dark Sky Association’s Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting, providing sufficient lighting for path users while minimising light spill onto nearby properties. 
Once the work to install the lights is complete, the area will be replanted with a variety of plants and trees.  
We initially planned to plant only natives here, but following further consultation with staff and contractors, we’ve decided to plant a variety of 
both native and non-native deciduous trees that 
will blend with the existing ones already found in 
the area. 
New trees will be situated so they can offer shade to pathway users without their roots damaging the renewed path.

Consultation approved for new traffic and parking bylaw
Nelson City Council approved a month-long consultation period for a replacement of the Traffic and Parking Bylaw at a Council meeting on 13 April.
The current Traffic and Parking Bylaw runs out in October, and a new bylaw is required to ensure Council can continue to manage vehicular activities on streets, reserves and in car parks.
The new bylaw largely retains provisions from the current Parking and Vehicle Control Bylaw, but we are seeking feedback from the public on some amendments and additions that either clarify the rules or reflect the changing nature of the way people interact with their streets.
Group Manager Infrastructure Alec Louverdis says the traffic and parking bylaw is an important tool used by Council to regulate activities within our city.
“At the heart of the bylaw, and the amendments we are considering, is the need to ensure we have a mechanism in place that allows Council to make changes to our roads and parking spaces in a way that is fair to everyone in our community. The intention is not to stop people from being able to park near their homes, or in the city centre, but to ensure that the way we manage parking keeps parking turnover high, reduces nuisance and anti-social behaviour, and doesn’t add to the road and services maintenance we need to carry out each year.”
Full details of the new Traffic and Parking Bylaw will be available at nelson.govt.nz from 2 May, when the consultation opens to the public.
Highlighted changes:
Clarification of parking zones to stop reparking within 30 minutes
In time restricted parking areas that are not covered by a parking meter, it is currently too easy for drivers to park for the allotted time and then move to a different car park close by. This practice has a negative effect on parking turnover, which can see retailers suffer as a result as customers struggle to find a park.
By creating a parking zone within which reparking is only possible after 30 minutes, we can improve enforcement for maximum time limits. It was felt that 30 minutes struck a balance between keeping spaces available and allowing people to return in a reasonable amount of time.
It’s in everyone’s interest for maximum parking times to be enforced as this is what ensures there is always capacity to park throughout Nelson.
Parking on berms
The current default position in the city is that it is permissible to park on the berm unless signage says otherwise. We are seeking feedback on reversing this default so it is not permissible unless a sign says otherwise. This would bring Nelson in line with many other places in New Zealand.
Although we don’t get a huge number of complaints about parking on berms, parking on the berm can create quite a few different problems. When people park on the berm on this street, especially in winter, it can end up leaving berms uneven, muddy and messy.
The practice can also damage the kerb when vehicles drive over them (especially heavier vehicles), and over time this can contribute to cracked and rutted footpaths that allow water to damage underlying layers. In addition, there are also utilities underneath our berms and we tend to see things like broken service lids, particularly plastic water meter boxes.
Parking motorhomes and heavy vehicles on streets long-term
People storing vehicles that either cannot move or are rarely moved on a public street severely restricts available parking for residents and can reduce safety as larger vehicles can obstruct sightlines. When people complain to us about this, at the moment, Council does not have any provision in the current bylaw to address the issue and this change to the bylaw will allow better management of vehicles that have become a nuisance. The street is not a long-term storage place for vehicles.
Once the period of consultation is over and a new bylaw is adopted it should be stressed that Council will initially take an educational approach with any new rules.
“We want to make sure people are aware of all the rules especially around berms and motorhomes before they are enforced,” says Group Manager Louverdis. “Parking enforcement officers will be talking to the public where rules have been broken to find amicable solutions. Parking rules are not about generating revenue but ensuring that our public roads are managed efficiently for all users. Anything we do change after the bylaw is passed will be consulted on in a case-by-case basis.”

Mayor's Message
We celebrated 50 years of the Trafalgar Centre this month. There was a brief cake cutting and celebration, fittingly held during half-time at the first game of our legendary Giants’ 2023 season. The Trafalgar Centre has been the home of the Giants, the longest-surviving NZ National Basketball League team, for so long that the history of the two are synonymous. The Centre hosts about 70 different events a year, but the Giants have been the longest and most frequent user.
Construction of the Trafalgar Centre in the early 1970s was a key milestone in our city’s development. The effort involved over more than a decade to plan, fundraise and build this facility is worth recounting. It was originally intended for Trafalgar Park but the location was switched to Rutherford Park in 1969. The project jumped in cost from $300,000 to $400,000. A storm in 1970, even more devastating than our severe weather event in August, delayed construction as the recovery work took precedence.
The official opening in early 1973 involved a week of celebrations. We had the then Governor-General, Sir Denis Blundell, welcomed with Navy personnel from the HMNZS Canterbury. There was a flyover by the Nelson Aero Club and a formal ball. The official ceremony involved then Mayor Roy McLennan, Town Clerk Ash Levestam and Trafalgar Centre Chair Brian Mills. Brian gave a decade of his life to advocating for this project, referring to the centre as “a new heart for Nelson”. It was lovely to have the late Brian’s wife, Margaret Mills, present at the 50th.
In 2013, the Trafalgar Centre was controversially closed due to concerns over its seismic strength. Approval was given for $16.6 million of strengthening and redevelopment work and it was fully reopened in early 2017. The centre has been underutilised over the past three years of disruptions from Covid. Council’s focus is on growing its usage and promoting more events.
Nelson is blessed with many facilities built up over generations through a combination of community spirit, fundraising and ratepayer support. Our Theatre Royal, Suter Art Gallery, Nelson Centre of Musical Arts, Trafalgar Centre and Saxton Stadium are just some of the facilities that make Nelson a great place to live. The effort and funds that have gone into each is extraordinary and we are indebted to the people who helped create them. We best honour their contribution by ensuring we put these facilities to as much use as possible.

Front and back country cull to start in May
Nelson City Council, Ngāti Koata and Tasman Pine Forests Ltd (TPFL) have contracted a team of professional hunters, Trap and Trigger Ltd, to carry out a cull of wild goats, pigs and deer across front and back country reserves this autumn.  
Starting from May 15 and lasting until June 4, the hunting operation will take place in Atmore Reserve, Tantragee Reserve, Brook Conservation Reserve, Eureka Park, Fringed Hill, Codgers, Marsden Valley Reserve, Maitai Water Reserve, Roding Water Reserve and Ngāti Koata whenua on Fringed Hill and Codgers. 
With some exceptions, these reserves and areas will need to be closed to the public for this period.  
Front country reserves (Atmore, Tantragee, Brook, Eureka and Marsden Valley) and Ngāti Koata whenua will be open to all users during the weekends, from midnight Fridays till midnight Sundays.  
Back country reserves (Maitai and Roding) will be closed for the entire period. However, the Coppermine Trail will be open on the weekends.   
Warning signs and/or barriers will be in place at entry points for each reserve. 
Group Manager Community Services Andrew White says Council is responsible for control of animals that have an impact on our environment, tracks and reserves. 
“Last year’s front country cull successfully reduced the numbers of pigs, deer and goats to a point that this year’s cull will be completed in three weeks rather than four. 
“The back country cull has been carried out for the last four years, which helps the forest to regenerate, this is usually carried out in September but was postponed due to the August rain event recovery. 
“However, Council has received many reports of groups of deer and pigs near tracks and households, which indicate that the numbers have increased to a level where a cull is required.”  
Meat will be retrieved from the hunt in conjunction with Ngāti Koata as it was last year. Hunters from the iwi will work alongside Trap and Trigger Ltd to retrieve carcasses that are easily accessible.

Councillor's Comment
Word is out on what Nelsonians have long known – Tāhunanui Beach is world class. 
This slice of paradise in the heart of Nelson was eighth in the South Pacific category for TripAdvisor’s 2023 edition of its annual best beaches awards. It’s the second year in a row Tāhunanui Beach has made top-10 list in the South Pacific category. Kaiteriteri Beach also had a top-10 placing in 2022.
These rankings are based on ratings and reviews on the TripAdvisor website so it’s the people who have dug their toes into the warm sand of Tāhunanui Beach or taken a dip in the usually gentle waves who have rated it so highly. 
But some of the facilities at Tāhunanui don’t match the world-class status of the beach. In fact, sporting clubs such as football, rugby and touch that use Tāhunanui are growing out of their facilities. The Nelson Surf Life Saving Club, whose equipment is stored across different sites including shipping containers on the edge of the Tāhunanui sports field, would thrive if it was part of a proper facility based at the beach. This would give the club the ability to grow and be more accessible.
Nelson City Council proposes allocating $100,000 in its Annual Plan 2023/24 for a feasibility study into a new community facility to house the surf club and, possibly, other sporting groups. All good ideas require good community input so please share your views on this proposal. Consultation closes on Sunday, 30 April, on this matter and any other item in the Annual Plan 2023/24 Consultation Document.
Please give us your feedback on how we can make the most of our word-class Tāhunanui Beach and the Tāhunanui Recreation Reserve for the community.
Councillor Campbell Rollo

Businesses open as usual near St Vincent Street 
Work in St Vincent Street to upgrade the stormwater network will move into its second stage in mid-May, once the first stage of re-laying electrical cables has been completed.  
This second stage will require the full closure of St Vincent Street at the St Vincent Street/Hastings Street intersection to allow the safe completion of physical works.  
This will change access arrangements for the Spotlight store, and customers should follow on-street signage to make their way to the store entrance on Hastings Street via Washington Road. The route is outlined in the map below. Access to and from the Warehouse and Countdown retail stores will be restricted to turning right into and left out of their St Vincent Street entry.    
All businesses in the area remain open during the seven-month construction period.
Collingwood Street sewer renewal rescheduled
Work to replace earthenware (clay) sewer pipes along Manuka Street and Collingwood Street, which are over 100 years old, will start a couple of weeks later than advertised to ensure parents with children at local schools are aware of the traffic management that will be in place. 
The work to replace these pipes was scheduled to begin in the week of 17 April 2023 and has been delayed until 1 May 2023. The project will run for around 12 weeks (weather dependent). 
Once the work is underway, it will require the closure of the intersection from Bronte Street (West) into Collingwood Street (see map). The northbound (downhill) lane of Collingwood Street will also need to be closed, from Nile Street to Brougham Street. 
Detours will be in place for vehicles and rubbish/recycling collection. Pedestrian access will be available. 
Staff are working with St Joseph’s School, Nelson Central and Nelson College for Girls to provide safe access for students when they return to school.

Community ClimateAction needs you 
This Climate Action column was supplied by the Nelson Tasman Climate Forum, as part of an ongoing series on climate change.
Are you concerned about climate change, want to do something meaningful about it, but don't know what or how? The Nelson Tasman Climate Forum uses collective people power, harnessing the strength of all our contributors to achieve our purpose of weaving our people and communities together around urgent strategic action on climate change. 
The Forum is open to anyone interested in climate change and has many ways for people to get involved. The Forum provides a home for those in our community that are able to donate their time and energy to help influence positive change. We would love for you to join us. 
The Forum is hosting the Climate Action Hui on Saturday 29 April, 9.30am – 12.30pm, at Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows in Stoke. At the hui, we will introduce and seek feedback on the Take the Jump – Tangohia Te Peke campaign which suggests seven ‘shifts’ or lifestyle changes for you and your whānau that will make a real difference to our region’s carbon output. At the hui, we will also be developing events for Climate Action Week, which takes place May 26 – June 3. 
Register for Saturday’s hui if you’d like to take part in the local Take the Jump campaign or participate in Climate Action Week at nelsontasmanclimateforum.nz/event/speed-meet-take-the-jump-a-community-planning-workshop
If you can’t make the hui but would like to talk to us about getting involved, please email info@ntcf.nz. Stay tuned for more details on the Take the Jump campaign in next month’s edition of Our Nelson. 
Joanna Santa Barbara, Chair, Nelson Tasman Climate Forum
Working together to enable recreational access in Nelson
Discussions between Ngāti Koata and Nelson City Council about securing access to land with a high recreation value continue in a positive vein.  
Around 80% of Nelson’s trails are on, or accessed through, land owned by Ngāti Koata. Council and Ngāti Koata have been working closely over the past few years to establish a long-term solution for recreation access onto Koata whenua. 
In addition to popular walking and running tracks, this includes mountain biking areas in Codgers and Sharlands. Access to these areas through an interim agreement currently requires either an online registration or membership of the Nelson Mountain Bike Club (NMTBC).  
Acting Nelson Mayor Rohan O’Neill-Stevens says Council resolved a strategic position statement in September 2022 that confirmed Council’s commitment to enable and enhance recreational access on this land and signaled a desire to enter into a mutually advantageous long-term agreement which would be a priority matter for the Long Term Plan 2024-34. 
“Ngāti Koata has provided considerable value to our community by managing recreation on this land for years, ensuring that walkers and cyclists can enjoy recreating on Ngāti Koata whenua. But this is a financial burden for Ngāti Koata and there is a strong argument for Council to secure access in the long term, providing certainty that these areas are considered important community assets and a draw for tourists around the world.” 
Chief Executive of Koata Ltd Hemi Toia says there is considerable opportunity for Nelson City Council, on behalf of the community, to manage these trails as a world-leading tourism destination. 
“If you stand at the Maitai Recreation Hub at the Waahi Taakaro Golf Course and take a look around you will notice that you are surrounded by some of the best mountain biking trails in New Zealand. You really get a good sense of what could be achieved if access to this land could be permanently secured for recreational purposes.” 
Recent discussions have involved stakeholders such as the Nelson Mountain Bike Club (NMTBC) and the Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA). 
Chief Executive of the NRDA Fiona Wilson says the land is a draw for tourists visiting the area. 
“Mountain biking and excellent mountain biking trails are well recognised as a core part of the appeal of Nelson Tasman for many residents and visitors. Our region is famous for its diversity, accessibility and high international standard of trails. Conservatively, we know that mountain biking generates over $17 million of new and retained spending in the region each year and supports over 200 jobs (2018 figures), with strong growth potential. It has been estimated that in ten years, this will exceed $43 million and that employment will have doubled. Single major mountain biking events alone can generate in the order of $3.4 million additional spend into the region. This is not just about spend from visitors and events – this is important recreation access for our residents, and part of the quality of our region as a place to live and work.” 
NMTBC Chair Matt Ball says the move could mean trails were open more consistently.  
“We know a substantial number of our members, who bring a whole host of talents to the region, moved to Nelson specifically for the riding. NMTBC is pleased to be a part of this great opportunity for our community to secure long-term access to these critical pieces of trail infrastructure. We are excited for this to move forward and to be working with both Council and Ngāti Koata to continue making Nelson a top place to ride in NZ." 
Dialogue will continue with Ngāti Koata this year as staff move into the next steps to secure long-term access to the land. 
“We’ll be seeking value for the community,” says Acting Mayor Rohan. “This land has significant recreational value, and we will work with Ngāti Koata to ensure a fair outcome.”
Moth plant: the original super spreader 
For those new to Pest Patrol, welcome to our monthly column dedicated to lesser-known biosecurity threats. 
It’s where we profile weeds and other nasties that we would like you to keep on the lookout for – pests that have yet to become fully established in our region that we want to nip in the bud before they spread and become large-scale problems.
This month we are focusing on moth plant (Araujia hortorum). Moth plant is a problem vine weed that is banned from sale, distribution and propagation in New Zealand. It has already been found at several locations in Nelson and Tasman and is at risk of becoming established here.
The thing that makes the moth plant so weedy is its ability to spread. It’s fast-growing and can rapidly smother and replace native vegetation. 
Distinctive, large green seed pods form in autumn and winter making it easy to recognise – the only other vine with large green pods like this is the choko vine. 
Moth plant pods release multitudes of wind-dispersed seeds, spreading the problem through neighbourhoods and into the bush – just one pod contains thousands of small black seeds on white fluff. Adapted to survive in many conditions, the seeds can germinate almost anywhere and are viable for many years after they have been released. It readily invades shrubland, forest margins and coastal areas and is also a problem in urban reserves and gardens where it establishes along fences and in hedges, spreading quickly.
Another method of identification is milky sap that will ooze from any broken stem or pod – careful, as the sap is poisonous to humans and pets and likely to cause skin irritation, so avoid direct contact.
If you think you have seen this plant, please report sightings to biosecurity@ncc.govt.nz or 03 546 0200, and a biosecurity officer will be able to assist with control.

Burn Bright, Good Wood this winter
Make the most of your valuable woodpile and operate your wood burner efficiently by following some simple tips.
Get dry wood in early and store it well. Split your wood – smaller pieces dry faster. Stack firewood loosely enough so that air can circulate around it. Firewood needs to have less than 25% moisture content to burn efficiently.
Have your flue cleaned by a professional chimney sweep before winter. Tip: book your flue cleaning AND check your house insurance policy at the same time – your policy may have a recommended flue cleaning frequency.
When lighting your woodburner use plenty of newspaper and kindling to get the fire going; don’t overfill the firebox with logs – add less wood more frequently and keep a good blaze going.
Pop outside to check for smoke after the fire’s been going for 15 minutes – if it’s still smoking you are wasting valuable fuel. The aim is to burn smoke free. For more handy tips and info go to nelson.govt.nz/burn-bright.
Meetings
The following meetings of the 
Nelson City Council have been scheduled. 
Joint Shareholders Committee - Tasman District Council Chamber, 189 Queen Street, Richmond
1:30pm	27 April
Saxton Field Committee - Boardroom, Sports House, 142 Saxton Road East, Saxton Field Complex
1:30pm	2 May
Council
9am	4 May
Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit
9:30am	5 May
Joint Nelson Tasman Regional Transport Committee - Tasman District Council Chamber, 189 Queen Street, Richmond
1pm	5 May
Council - to hear submissions to draft Annual Plan 2023/24 (if required)
9am each day	11 and 12 May
Hearing Panel
1pm	18 May
Nelson Tasman Regional Landfill Business Unit
10:30am	19 May
Chief Executive Employment Committee - Mayor's Office, Floor 2B, Civic House, 110 Trafalgar Street, Nelson
2pm	19 May
Council - to deliberate on submissions to draft Annual Plan 2023/24
9am each day	25 and 26 May

Conewatch: Ongoing
Project name	Likely 
end date	Location	Benefit	
Saxton Creek Upgrade Stage 4 	End of October 2023 	Main Road Stoke 	Flood mitigation 	
Washington Valley Infrastructure Upgrade – Stage 1 (Hastings Street) 	April 2023  	Hasting Street 	Improve stormwater network and reduce flooding risk 	
Awatea Place Wastewater Pump Station 	August 2023 	Awatea Place & Parkers Road 	Improve wastewater network capacity and protect environment from overflows 	
Wastney Terrace Stormwater Upgrade 	May 2023 	Atawhai Crescent (Corder Pond) via private property to Wastney Terrace and up to Sunnybank Rise 	Improve stormwater network capacity and reduce flooding risk 	

Long-awaited commemoration takes place 
The Nelson-Miyazu Sister City Association last month held a long-awaited Kimono as Canvas event, originally planned to take place in 2021 as part of the Association’s 45th anniversary commemorations, but unable to go ahead due to COVID-19. 
Clare Williams, a long-time former resident of Japan, led a presentation on kimonos and showed her kimono collection at Green Gables Rest Home and Village. 
Miyazu is a traditional production area of a textile called Tango chirimen, a silk crepe fabric used in the creation of kimono. 
The Nelson-Miyazu Sister City Association promotes cultural exchange between Nelson and Miyazu residents, including student exchange programs and visits from choir groups.

What’s on... at a Council venue near you
Saxton Stadium
Table Tennis Nelson Junior Coaching – Mondays and Thursdays 3:30 – 5pm
Trafalgar Centre
Don McLean – Tuesday 2 May, 7pm  
Nelson Giants vs Taranaki Airs – Saturday 6 May, 5pm
Showquest – Friday 12 May, 7pm  
Founders Heritage Park
Hours: 10 – 4:30pm Daily
Trafalgar Street Hall
May Madness Morris Dancing Workshop Part 1 – Saturday 6 May, 10am – 12:30pm  
Isel House and Park
Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 10am – 3pm
Saturday: 12pm – 4pm
Sunday, Monday and Public Holidays: Closed
Brunch in the Park – every Saturday until 23 September, 9am – 1pm
Nelson Public Libraries:
Elma Turner Library – Open as the Pop-up Library 
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:30am – 6pm
Wednesday: 10am – 6pm
Saturday: 10am – 4pm
Sunday: 1pm – 4pm
Techy Time – every Tuesday, 4pm – 5pm
Rising Scientess – every Wednesday, 4pm – 5pm
Small Times – every Wednesday during term time, 10:30am
Library Knitters – every Thursday, 10am – 12pm
Tuku 23: Heritage Walk Map Pickup – Saturday 1 – Sunday 30 April
Community Corner: Employable – Thursday 27 April, 10am – 12pm
Community Corner: Telehealth – Friday 28 April, 10am – 12pm
Book Sale: Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 April, During opening hours
Live Music Series: Bossa Via – Sunday 30 April, 2pm
NZ Music Month: Off Your Rockers – Thursday 4 May, 12:30pm
NZ Music Month: Flightless Birds – Saturday 6 May, 12:30pm
Living Well and Dying Well – Sunday 7 May, 2pm
Pop-up Pukapuka – Wednesday 10 May, 5:45pm – 6:30pm
Taonga pūoro with Bob Bickerton Koebis Nunns and Ta Ata Batt – Friday 12 May, 12:30pm
Chris Stuart: Crime writer and humanitarian worker – Saturday 13 May, 11am
NZ Music Month: Brazilian Social Club – Saturday 13 May, 12:30pm
NZ Music Month: Sine Nomine – Saturday 20 May, 12:30pm
Sunday Craft Club: Drawing Fantasy Faces – Sunday 21 May, 1pm
Nightingale Library Memorial 
Hours: Monday – Friday: 12pm – 4pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 1pm – 4pm
Stoke Library
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Wednesday: 10am – 5:30pm
Saturday: 10am – 1pm
Sunday: Closed
Small Times – every Friday during term time, 10:30am
Crafty Creators – every Friday, 4pm – 5pm
Knitting Sale – Wednesday 26 April, 10am – 1pm
Museums and Galleries:
Broadgreen House and Samuels Rose Gardens
Hours: 10.30am – 4.30pm daily
Langbein Time – Daily 10:30am - 4:30pm
Bags of Fun – Saturday 8 April – Monday 1 May, 10:30am – 4:30pm
The Suter Art Gallery & Theatre
Hours: 9:30am – 4:30pm Daily
Exhibition: Deep Material Energy – Wednesday 22 March – Sunday 14 May, 9:30am – 4:30pm
Exhibition: Gary Baseman: Memento Moa – Wednesday 22 March – Sunday 11 June, 9:30am – 4:30pm
Exhibition: The Floral Chair Project, Lisa DeVries – Monday 17 April – Sunday 7 May, 9:30am – 4:30pm
Exhibition: Night Life – Saturday 22 April – Sunday 8 October, 9:30am – 4:30pm
Refinery ArtSpace 
Hours: Monday – Friday from 10am – 5pm, Saturday from 10am – 2pm
Exhibition: Changing Threads Contemporary Textile Fibre Art Awards – Saturday 13 May – Saturday 10 June, During opening hours
Nelson Provincial Museum 
Hours: Weekdays from 10am – 5pm, Weekends & Public Holidays from 10am – 4:30pm