# Nelson Province

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For another use, see [Nelson Province (Australia)](/source/Nelson_Province_(Australia)).

Provinces of New Zealand

Nelson Province Provinces of New Zealand Nelson Province as constituted in 1853 Seal Motto: Palmam qui meruit ferat (Latin) Let him, who has earned it, bear the palm Interactive map of Nelson Province Coordinates: 41°16′15″S 173°17′2″E / 41.27083°S 173.28389°E / -41.27083; 173.28389 Country New Zealand Provinces of New Zealand Nelson Province Founded 1853 Abolished 1876 Named after Horatio Nelson Seat Nelson Demonym Nelsonian Time zone UTC+12 (NZST) • Summer (DST) UTC+13 (NZDT)

**Nelson Province** was constituted in 1853 under the [New Zealand Constitution Act 1852](/source/New_Zealand_Constitution_Act_1852), and originally covered the entire upper [South Island](/source/South_Island), including all of present-day [Buller](/source/Buller_District), [Kaikoura](/source/Kaikoura_District), [Marlborough](/source/Marlborough_District), and [Tasman](/source/Tasman_District) districts, along with [Nelson](/source/Nelson%2C_New_Zealand) City, [Grey District](/source/Grey_District) north of the [Grey River](/source/Grey_River_(New_Zealand)), and the [Hurunui District](/source/Hurunui_District) north of the [Hurunui River](/source/Hurunui_River). It was reduced in size by [Marlborough Province](/source/Marlborough_Province) splitting off in November 1859. It was [abolished in 1876](/source/Provinces_of_New_Zealand#Abolition_of_Provinces_Act_1876), along with all the [provinces of New Zealand](/source/Provinces_of_New_Zealand).

## Area

Map showing Nelson Province after [Marlborough Province](/source/Marlborough_Province) split off in 1859

Nelson Province initially covered the entire upper South Island. [Marlborough Province](/source/Marlborough_Province) split off from Nelson Province on 1 November 1859 because the majority of the income of the provincial council came from land sales in the Marlborough region, but the funds were mostly used in the Nelson region. Land sales in Nelson and Marlborough netted the Nelson Provincial Council £33,000 and £160,000, respectively. Of that, £200 was expended benefiting the Marlborough region.[1] There was considerable conflict between [Superintendent](/source/Superintendent_(New_Zealand)) [John Perry Robinson](/source/John_Perry_Robinson)'s policies of supporting smaller landholders, and the objectives of the large pastoral runholders in the [Wairau Valley](/source/Wairau_Valley). The New Provinces Act 1858 allowed for parts of a province to break away if the area was large enough, and enough voters supported such a move. The petition was signed by almost all settlers in the Wairau; only six withholding their support for a split. Marlborough Province was gazetted on 4 October 1859.[2]

## History

Nelson Provincial Council buildings

The Nelson Provincial Council was established with fifteen members, and the province was divided into [electoral districts](/source/Electoral_district) for the election of the [Superintendent](/source/Superintendent_(New_Zealand)) and members of the council. The seven districts were: Town of Nelson, five members; Suburban Districts, one member; Waimea East District, two members; Waimea West District, one member; Waimea South District, two members; Motueka and Massacre Bay District, two members; Wairau District, two members.[3]

Three candidates, [Edward Stafford](/source/Edward_Stafford_(politician)), [Francis Jollie](/source/Francis_Jollie) and [John Waring Saxton](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Waring_Saxton&action=edit&redlink=1), ran for election as Nelson's first superintendent on 1 August 1853. Stafford won, with vote counts being: Stafford (251), Saxton (206), Jollie (130). Stafford is remembered for his free, secular and compulsory education system that became the model for New Zealand, with this 'Nelson system' introduced to all state primary schools in 1877.

[Nelson](/source/Nelson%2C_New_Zealand) was the designated seat of government and Superintendent [John Perry Robinson](/source/John_Perry_Robinson) laid the foundation stone for the Provincial Government buildings in Nelson on 26 August 1859.[4] The building was in Albion Square in Bridge Street. It was designed by visiting architect [Maxwell Bury](/source/Maxwell_Bury) and modeled on [Aston Hall](/source/Aston_Hall) near [Birmingham](/source/Birmingham), although the Government buildings were built in timber, whereas Aston Hall was in stone. When the buildings were demolished in 1969, amidst much controversy, they were run down and had stood empty for some years. The Nelson District Court building now stands on the site.[5]

During the [First Taranaki War](/source/First_Taranaki_War) in 1860 nearly 1,200 Taranaki settlers, including women and children, were relocated to Nelson. The Nelson Provincial Council funded the building of cottages known as the "Taranaki Buildings" to house them. Upon the cessation of hostilities the war refugees were offered free passage back to Taranaki. The majority took up the offer, but some chose to remain in Nelson.

From 1853 to 1873, the area that would later become [Grey County](/source/Grey_County%2C_New_Zealand) was partly in Nelson Province and partly in [Canterbury Province](/source/Canterbury_Province). The boundary between the provinces had been set as a straight line from the head of the [Hurunui River](/source/Hurunui_River) to [Lake Brunner](/source/Lake_Brunner) at a time when the area was virtually uninhabited. The [West Coast gold rush](/source/West_Coast_gold_rush) of the 1860s straddled that boundary, with a population boom also straddling the boundary.[6] In 1866, there had been a proposal for the portion in Canterbury Province, including the urban area of Greymouth and the rural area south, to be [annexed](/source/Annexed) and solely administered by Nelson Province.[7] The Canterbury portion was transferred to a newly created [Westland Province](/source/Westland_Province) in 1873 and the other portion remained in Nelson Province until the abolition of the provinces in 1876.[6]

### Abolition

Nelson Province was abolished under the [Abolition of Provinces Act 1875](/source/Provinces_of_New_Zealand#Abolition_of_Provinces_Act_1875), with its former area then being administered by a number of newly constituted [boroughs](/source/Boroughs) and [counties](/source/Counties_of_New_Zealand), effective 1 January 1877.

Borough / County Established Disestablished Area[8] Headquarters Notes Amuri County 1876 1989 11,000 km2 Culverden Merged into Hurunui District Buller County 1876 1989 15,000 km2 Westport Merged into Buller District Cheviot County 1876 1989 847.28 km2 Cheviot Merged into Hurunui District Collingwood County 1876 1956 In 1903, the New Zealand Government voted to reduce the original Collingwood County to its western Aorere area, with the eastern area being constituted as Takaka County, effective April 1904.[9] The two counties were re-amalgamated in 1956 to form Golden Bay County,[10] which merged into Tasman District in 1989. Grey County 1876 1989 4,091 km2 Greymouth Merged, along with Greymouth Borough, to form Grey District Inangahua County 1876 1989 2,440.8 km2 Reefton Merged into Buller District Motueka Borough 1900[11] 1989 47.9 km2 Motueka Merged into Tasman District Murchison County 1 April 1909[12] 1989 Murchison Merged into Tasman District Richmond Borough 1891[13] 1989 10.52 km2 Richmond Merged into Tasman District Takaka County 1904[9][14] 1956 Takaka Created from eastern portion of original area of Collingwood County in 1904.[9] Re-amalgamated with Collingwood County to form Golden Bay County,[10] which merged into Tasman District in 1989. Waimea County 1876 1989 7,547 km2 Richmond Merged into Tasman District Westport Borough 1873[13] 1989 3.44 km2 Westport Merged into Buller District

## Demographics

In 1851 the statistics of the area that was to become the Nelson Province was 4,587 and by 1869 it had a population of 22,501.[15]

## Anniversary day

New Zealand law provides for a [provincial anniversary day](/source/Provincial_anniversary_days).

Provincial district includes Actual day Observance day Nelson Nelson, Tasman, Buller and parts of North Canterbury 1 February Monday nearest to the actual day

## Superintendents

Model of the Nelson Provincial Government building on display in the [Nelson Provincial Museum](/source/Nelson_Provincial_Museum) (building existed 1859–1969)

Nelson Province had four [superintendents](/source/Superintendent_(New_Zealand)):[16]

No. from to Superintendent 1 1 August 1853 Sep 1856 Edward Stafford 2 12 December 1856 28 January 1865 John Perry Robinson 3 Mar 1865 4 February 1867 Alfred Saunders 4 Apr 1867 1 January 1877 Oswald Curtis

## Elected members

Name From To Electorate Acton Adams 1873 1876 Nelson John Barnicoat 1853 1861 William Cautley 1853 1854 Waimea Oswald Curtis 1857 1867 Nathaniel Edwards 1868 1869 Nelson Nathaniel Edwards 1875 1876 Nelson George Horne 1868 1869 Grey Joseph Ivess 21 January 1873 31 October 1876 Inangahua Carl Friederich Christian Kelling 1862 1869 Moutere Carl Friederich Christian Kelling 1869 1873 Waimea West Fedor Kelling 1857 1876 Waimea East David Luckie 1869 1873 James Mackay 1857 1861 Nelson Charles Parker 1853 1857 Motueka and Massacre Bay Albert Pitt 1867 1876 Nelson Richard Reeves 28 April 1876 31 October 1876 Grey James Crowe Richmond John Perry Robinson 1853 1865 Motueka and Massacre Bay William Robinson 5 October 1857 2 April 1859 Amuri Andrew Rutherford 1869 1871 Amuri Alfred Saunders 1855 1865 Waimea East John Sharp Waimea East John Sharp Amuri Edward Stafford 1 August 1853 September 1856 Samuel Stephens 19 June 1854 26 June 1855 Town of Nelson William Travers 1853 1854 Town of Nelson Thomas Henry Wigley

## Legislation

- [Nelson Education Act 1856](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nelson_Education_Act_1856&action=edit&redlink=1)[17]

- [Nelson Improvement Act 1856](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nelson_Improvement_Act_1856&action=edit&redlink=1)[18]

- [Nelson Institution Act 1859](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nelson_Institution_Act_1859&action=edit&redlink=1)[19]

- [Nelson Waterworks Act 1863](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nelson_Waterworks_Act_1863&action=edit&redlink=1)[20]

- [Nelson Waterworks Act Amendment Act 1875](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nelson_Waterworks_Act_Amendment_Act_1875&action=edit&redlink=1)[21]

## Subordinate boards

- [Nelson Central Board of Education](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nelson_Central_Board_of_Education&action=edit&redlink=1)[22]

- [Nelson Board of Works](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nelson_Board_of_Works&action=edit&redlink=1)[23]

## See also

- [Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council](/source/Nelson-Marlborough_Regional_Council)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NZETC_Marlborough_1-0)** "Superintendents of Marlborough". [*The Cyclopedia of New Zealand: Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts*](https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc05Cycl-t1-body1-d2-d2.html). Christchurch: Cyclopedia Company. 1906. Retrieved 21 May 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Marlborough_separation_2-0)** ["The separation of Nelson and Marlborough"](https://www.theprow.org.nz/events/the-separation-of-nelson-and-marlborough/). *The Prow*. Retrieved 21 March 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** The Jubilee History of Nelson by L. Broad.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1892_Nelson_history_4-0)** Broad, Lowther (1892). [*The Jubilee History of Nelson: From 1842 to 1892*](https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-LowJubi-t1-body1-d8.html). Nelson: Bond, Finney, and Co. pp. 121–22. Retrieved 18 September 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Explanatory panel next to a model of the Government buildings in the Nelson Colonial Museum.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Westland_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Westland_6-1) McCaskill, Murray (1966). ["Westland Province and Provincial District"](https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/westland-province-and-provincial-district). In [McLintock, A. H.](/source/Alexander_Hare_McLintock) (ed.). *[An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand](/source/An_Encyclopaedia_of_New_Zealand)*. Retrieved 19 March 2025 – via Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Proposal to Join the Grey District to Nelson Province"](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TC18660403.2.30). *Grey River Argus*. 21 March 1866. Retrieved 5 November 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Unless otherwise noted, area is per 1986 boundaries

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-TakakaCreated_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-TakakaCreated_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-TakakaCreated_9-2) ["Collingwood County Bill 1903 (143–1) (Local)"](http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_bill/ccb19031431279/ccb19031431279.html). *[New Zealand Parliament](/source/New_Zealand_Parliament)*. 1903. Retrieved 5 November 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GoldenBayCreated_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GoldenBayCreated_10-1) ["Collingwood County Council"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081016215440/http://www.nram.govt.nz/record.php?id=12658&parent=nramindexbyvolume&volume=Y). *National Register of Archives and Manuscripts*. [Archives New Zealand](/source/Archives_New_Zealand). 4 August 2006. Archived from [the original](http://www.nram.govt.nz/record.php?id=12658&parent=nramindexbyvolume&volume=Y) on 16 October 2008. Retrieved 5 November 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Davis, Brian Newton (1966). ["Motueka"](https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/motueka). In [McLintock, A. H.](/source/Alexander_Hare_McLintock) (ed.). *[An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand](/source/An_Encyclopaedia_of_New_Zealand)*. Retrieved 19 March 2025 – via Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Murchison County Act 1908 (Local) (8 EDW VII 1908 No 31)"](http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/mca19088ev1908n31355/).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-fraser_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-fraser_13-1) Fraser, Bryce; McLauchlan, Gordon (1986). *The New Zealand Book of Events*. Auckland: [Methuen Publishing](/source/Methuen_Publishing). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0474001239](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0474001239). Note that dates given in this book appear to be the date of the first municipal corporation (city, borough or town district)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [*The Cyclopedia of New Zealand: Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts*](http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc05Cycl-t1-body1-d1-d2-d42.html). Christchurch: Cyclopedia Company. 1906. Retrieved 5 November 2018 – via [Victoria University of Wellington](/source/Victoria_University_of_Wellington).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-bowman_15-0)** Bowman, Ian (2005). "New Zealand Historic Places Trust, Nelson branch". *William Beatson, a Colonial Architect*. p. 35. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-9582625-4-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-9582625-4-3).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Rulers.org_16-0)** ["Provinces 1848–77"](http://rulers.org/newzprov.html). Rulers.org. Retrieved 16 September 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle — 29 March 1856 — EDUCATION ACT. \[March 26, 1856.\]"](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=NENZC18560329.2.17). Retrieved 17 January 2015 – via Papers Past.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle — 26 April 1856 — NELSON IMPROVEMENT ACT"](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=NENZC18560426.2.11). Retrieved 17 January 2015 – via Papers Past.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle — 23 July 1859 — NELSON INSTITUTE ACT"](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=NENZC18590723.2.16&cl=&srpos=0&e=-------10--1----0Mappin+brothers--). Retrieved 17 January 2015 – via Papers Past.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Nelson Waterworks Act 1863"](http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/provincial/1863/0001/latest/DLM124358.html). Legislation.govt.nz. Retrieved 17 January 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Nelson Waterworks Act Amendment Act 1875 (N)"](http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/provincial/1875/0003/latest/DLM127631.html). Legislation.govt.nz. Retrieved 17 January 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Education in Nelson 1842–2002"](http://www.theprow.org.nz/society/education-in-nelson/#.Uy1aJ6iSzQQ). Theprow.org.nz. Retrieved 17 January 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Nelson Board of Works"](http://thecommunityarchive.org.nz/node/71745/description). Retrieved 27 February 2015.

## External links

- [Nelson Province and Provincial District](https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/nelson-province-and-provincial-district)

- [The Seal of Nelson Province](https://teara.govt.nz/en/object/35073/the-seal-of-nelson-province)

- [Nelson and Marlborough Provinces Map](https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/maps/id/110)

- [Nelson Provincial Ordinances](https://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/nsn_ord/)

v t e Provinces of New Zealand 1841–1846 New Ulster New Munster New Leinster 1846–1853 New Ulster New Munster 1853–1876 Auckland Canterbury Hawke's Bay Marlborough Nelson Otago Southland Taranaki Wellington Westland County Westland

v t e Tasman District, New Zealand Seat: Richmond Populated places Golden Bay / Mohua Aorere Bainham Clifton Collingwood East Tākaka Ferntown Ligar Bay Motupipi Onekaka Pākawau Parapara Patons Rock Pōhara Port Pūponga Pūponga Rockville Seaford Tākaka Tarakohe Tata Beach Upper Tākaka Waikato Waitapu Motueka Brooklyn Kaiteriteri Lower Moutere Mārahau Motueka Riwaka Moutere-Waimea Brightwater Bronte Dovedale Mahana Māpua Ngātīmoti Ruby Bay Tasman Upper Moutere Wakefield Woodstock Richmond Aniseed Valley Appleby Hope Richmond Lakes-Murchison Murchison Rotoroa Saint Arnaud Tapawera Tophouse Geographic features Buller River Dun Mountain–Maitai terrane Hope Saddle Lee River Mārahau River Maungakura / Red Hill Newton River Ngārua Caves Roding River Sams Creek Tākaka River Waimea Plains Waimea River Golden Bay / Mohua Appos Creek Archway Islands Cape Farewell Cobb Reservoir Druggans Dam Dry River Farewell Spit Harwoods Hole Lake Killarney Lightband Gully North-west Nelson Forest Park Rawhiti Cave Slateford Tākaka Hill Tata Islands Te Waikoropupū Springs Wainui Bay Whanganui Inlet Wharariki Beach Abel Tasman National Park Armchair Island Awapoto River Awaroa River Ballon Rock Falls River Fisherman Island Motuareronui / Adele Island Simonet Creek Torrent Bay Tata Islands Tinline Bay Tonga Island Torrent River Tōtaranui Wainui River Falls Tasman Bay Bell Island Best Island Moturoa / Rabbit Island Tokangawhā / Split Apple Rock Waimea Inlet Kahurangi National Park Brown River Bulmer Cavern Ellis Basin cave system Kahurangi Point Lake Matiri Mount Arthur Mount Burnett Mount Owen Nettlebed Cave Wharepapa / Arthur Range Nelson Lakes National Park Braeburn Range Lake Rotoiti Lake Rotoroa Maniniaro / Angelus Peak Mount Franklin Pourangahau / Mount Robert Rotomairewhenua / Blue Lake Rotopōhueroa / Lake Constance Sabine Valley Saint Arnaud Range Spenser Mountains Facilities and attractions Abel Tasman National Park Coast Track Inland Track Monument Appleby railway station Brightwater railway station Cobb Power Station Ferntown Bridge Gowanbridge railway station Heaphy Track Hope railway station Karamea Aerodrome Kawatiri railway station Langford Store Memorial Park Milnthorpe Model Motueka Aerodrome Moutere Inn Mussel Inn Nelson Lakes National Park Onekaka Ironworks Onekaka Power Station Onekaka Wharf and tramline Proposals for a road through North-west Nelson Pupu Hydro Power Scheme Richmond railway station RNZAF Dip Flat Rutherford memorial Stafford Place St Michael's Church Stoke railway station Tākaka Aerodrome Tākaka Pioneers' Memorial Takaka Tramway Great Taste Trail Tonga Island Marine Reserve Tophouse Tour de Vineyards Wai-iti Dark Sky Park Wangapeka Track Westhaven (Te Tai Tapu) Marine Reserve Wharariki Ecosanctuary Administration Historic Nelson Province (1853–1876) Collingwood County (1877–1956) Waimea County (1877–1989) Richmond Borough (1891–1989 · mayor) Motueka Borough (1900–1989) Takaka County (1904–1956) Murchison County (1909–1965) Golden Bay County (1956–1989) Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council (1989–1992) Current Council Mayor Organisations Golden Bay Air Golden Bay-Motueka Rugby Union New Zealand Energy Richmond Athletic FC Talley's Group Schools Collingwood Area School Golden Bay High School Motueka High School Waimea College Waimea Intermediate

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Nelson Province](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Province) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Province?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.