Regional economic context

• The region has 3 key production and processing focusses – forestry, horticulture, and the ocean economy, all of which have expanded strongly over the past decade. Other key employment industries in Nelson Tasman included health care and social assistance, construction, retail, professional services, accommodation and food services, and education.   
• Te Tauihu’s 8 iwi have net assets approaching $1 billion and a track record of collaboration. There are at least 288 Māori-owned businesses and a further 939 self-employed Māori across the Te Tauihu rohe (encompassing Nelson Tasman and neighbouring Marlborough). The region’s Māori population share has risen and is younger than the rest of the population.  
• Nelson Tasman’s key employment hubs are the 3 main urban areas of Nelson, Richmond, and Motueka. These main urban areas had 79% of the region’s employment in 2022. Jobs growth over the past decade has been particularly rapid in Richmond (4.5% pa) and Motueka (3.1% pa), while employment rose more slowly in Nelson City (0.5% pa). Job numbers in other (mainly rural) areas grew by 2.8% pa over the same period.  
• Nelson Tasman’s population increased from 96,800 in 2012 to 113,200 in 2022. International migration drove 67% of recent population growth over the past 3 years, with domestic migration accounting for 24% of growth. The population has spread out, with 62% of growth outside of Nelson City over the past decade.  

Source: NRDA report/Benje Patterson, February 2023

Nelson Tasman at a glance 

Economy

Labour market

Source: Infometrics 2022

< Advice to the Tertiary Education Commission | Workforce demand profile >