You’ve hit our sweet spot

When it comes to growing the tastiest apples, you couldn’t find a better location. Nelson Tasman is famous around the world as being a sweet spot for growing apples. Our unique micro-climate features record-busting numbers of sunny days and cool crisp winters - conditions where the very best apples flourish. If you’re visiting, you’ll see a landscape full of apple trees - this region has been growing apples for generations and our towns have grown up around our orchards.

Surrounded by mountains and the sea, Nelson’s geography creates a unique micro-climate to grow apples. Our coastal location ensures mild winters and moderate summers and mountain ranges protect the plains from extreme weather events. 

Sunshine hours are the critical to fruit flavour. Nelson is in the top three centres annually for the highest sunshine hours recorded in New Zealand. The average number of sun hours exceeds 2,400 per year, the average summer temperature 24 degrees and the average rainfall 980mm. It’s a perfect combination for apple growing, and explains why we’ve grown apples here for over 100 years.

Nelson Tasman is place to visit where all the best bits of New Zealand are distilled into a single destination. There are three national parks all within two hours drive from Nelson city - from the golden beaches of the Abel Tasman National Park, to the vast Kahurangi, to the pristine alpine forests of Nelson Lakes National Park.

Nelson Tasman has always been highly sought after. Desired by iwi for its natural resources, European explorers spotted its potential too and, over time, they were followed by the artisans, creatives and entrepreneurs who embody the spirit of Nelson Tasman today.

The Nelson Tasman region is a hub for a diverse range of business. Port Nelson, the region’s gateway to the world, is Australasia’s largest seafood port. Our horticultural industry focuses on stone fruit, berries, wine and of course, apples - all distributed globally from the Port.

Beyond primary produce the region has become famous for it’s aquaculture science and research community, including the internationally recognised Cawthron institute, and it’s craft beer, food and beverage, and creative industries.