Reserve your overseas currency online - for a high street beating rate!

The best villa holidays from James Villas with our hand-picked villas and all the support you need in resort, we're the number one choice

Holiday home insurance with Staysure - the over 50's experts

Travel insurance from £2.99 - Columbus Direct for instant worldwide travel cover


New Zealand: The South Island

Overview

The regions/unitary districts of the South Island described below are arranged geographically, roughly north to south, rather than alphabetically.

Tasman

Tasman is a region at the northern tip of the South Island. Its northern corner includes the prominent, narrow peninsula, Farewell Spit, and the Kahurangi National Park. The south and east of the region are dominated by undulating countryside. Tasman has three national parks, which comprise almost 60 per cent of the total area. The population is around 45,000, only 1.1 per cent of New Zealand’s total, and most of Tasman’s urban population (around 11,000) lives in the Richmond area. Tasman has the country’s highest percentage of people of European background, nearly 97 per cent. Community spirit is important in the region and Tasman has a higher proportion of people involved in voluntary work than any other region.

The Tasman region’s major industries are agriculture (it’s New Zealand’s main hop growing area), fishing and forestry, and there’s a significant population of artists and craftspeople (more than in any other region of New Zealand). It’s also a popular place to retire and has a growing viticultural sector.

Nelson

The region of Nelson mostly comprises, and is dominated by, the city of Nelson. Geographically, the region is split into five areas: the alpine lakes and rivers around Nelson Lakes; the parks around Golden Bay; the coastline of the Abel Tasman National Park; the horticultural land of Mapua, Motueka and Moutere; and the urban centres of Nelson and Richmond. The economy is based on agriculture and natural resources.

Marlborough

Marlborough is a region in the north-east of the South Island. The southern section is mountainous, while the central area contains extensive plains, in the middle of which is the town of Blenheim. This area, which is where the majority of the region’s population lives, has a temperate climate and fertile soils, and it has become the centre of New Zealand’s highly successful wine production industry. The north coast of Marlborough is very attractive, as it’s made up of the ‘drowned’ valleys of the Marlborough Sounds. Agriculture and the exploitation of natural resources are the mainstays of the region’s economy.


More pages

Page 1: Overview
Page 2: West Coast

Find your perfect villa rental with Villas4You over 500 villas across 20 destinations

The best deals on car hire in the UK, USA, Europe and beyond Alamo has the car you need at the price you want!

Holiday home insurance with Staysure - the over 50's experts

Projected ROI in excess of 35% Central Auckland location with 7% priority returns before management fees are paid. Invest from £50,000


Browse our articles written by leading industry experts:

Overseas Property Buying Guides

UK Property Guides

Gardens and Interiors

Cosmetic Surgery Fact Sheets

Looking Good Guides

Money

Business

Community

Travel