Natural heritage

Nelson was founded on the supply of sparkling clear water from the Upper Brook valley stream.

Early settlers had to look further inland than the flax swamps and tidal estuaries of the coast. From the beginning of the 1860s they constructed a series of dams and weirs on the Brook stream.

The story of the Brook Valley water supply can still be seen, not only in the remains of these old dams, weirs and pipelines but also in the magnificent stream that still flows, sparkling clear.

That stream, enclosed in, and protected by, its steep-sided valleys of pristine forest must be one of the few remaining, easily accessible, clean water streams in our region.

Protected now within the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary fence, this is a true taonga - a remnant of a rapidly disappearing resource.

In the not-too- distant future, tourists will want to visit such a special place to see and feel deep crystal-clear pools and clear, clean running water.

All Nelsonians should be proud to actively support this Sanctuary project to protect our natural heritage - the river, the native forest and the bird and animal life which belong in them.