Last 50 Years Of Nelson Council Go Down In History

Monday, 30 June 2025, 8:41 pm
Article: Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter

Nelson City Council’s history has been turned into a trilogy with the launch of a new volume documenting its last 50 years.

For its 50th and 100th anniversaries, the council had commissioned histories of the preceding 50 years.

In 2023, the council agreed to write a third to mark its sesquicentenary – or 150th anniversary.

That latest instalment, Welcome to Whakatū Nelson City Council 1974–2024, was launched on Thursday afternoon at the Elma Turner Library.

Written by local historian Dr Paul Christoffel, the book covers everything from the council’s acceptance of Melrose House as a gift in 1975 to the public consultation on its controversial housing intensification in 2024.

It was Christoffel’s first foray into documenting the history of local government and he said it was “bloody hard work”.

“When I came into this, I thought, ‘oh, it’s only 50 years, that won’t be such a big deal’. But what I gradually discovered was the enormous amount of stuff that councils do, it’s just quite phenomenal.”

It took him about 18 months to write – “quite a short space of time” in terms of history books – and he said “an awful lot” had to be left out.

One such piece of information that wasn’t featured in the book, but had captured Christoffel’s attention, was one radio segment featuring then-council officer Pat Dougherty, who would, years later, become the council’s chief executive.

Dougherty had gone on the radio to defend the council’s plans to build Tantragee Water Treatment Plant from callers opposed to the plan when he heard a familiar voice.

“He said: ‘is that you, Peter?’” Christoffel said.

“He recognized his voice, even though he didn’t say who he was, and it was the former mayor, Peter Malone!”

Though once controversial at the time, the construction of the water treatment plant is one such achievement lauded within the history book and was a key highlight for Mayor Nick Smith.

“The most striking feature for me on this issue is just how much our city has progressed over the last 50 years,” Smith said.

He reflected on how, in 1974, the city’s water was rationed and regarded as some of the worst in the country.

However, with the construction of the Maitai Dam and the water treatment plant, Nelson’s water was now “some of the best and most secure in the country”, Smith said.

“[The book] is actually an important reflection on the people, the projects, and the progress that our city has made.”

However, he added that the book had nearly not happened, with it being deemed “hardly a priority” following the August 2022 storm event.

Had it not been for the advocacy of the Nelson Historical Society and the City of Nelson Civic Trust, Smith wouldn’t have renewed the idea which was eventually unanimously supported by the council.

Councillor Mel Courtney, who also sat on the council during its centenary celebrations 50 years ago, thought it was important to chronicle the past.

“Documenting council’s rich history gives us a sense of who we are, where we came from, and where we’re going,” he said.

About $175,000, including $20,000 from the City of Nelson Civic Trust, went towards the council’s anniversary commemorations, with most of the funds contributing to the book.

Welcome to Whakatū Nelson City Council 1974–2024 is available for issue at Nelson’s public libraries or to purchase from local independent bookstore Page & Blackmore, and will be made available as an ebook.

“It inspires the next generation to make good decisions, to further build the city's unique character, and make sure that Nelson is the best little city, in the best little country, in the world,” Smith said.

Local Democracy Reporting is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

© Scoop Media

Local Democracy Reporting

Content from the Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) service is published by Scoop as a registered New Zealand Media Outlet LDR Partner.