Nelson is NZ's Sunshine Capital for 2009

Posted by Sourced from Nelson Evening Mail on 12 February 2010 | 0 Comments

Tags: NZ sunshine capital 2009

Nelsonians have good reason to celebrate – the region is the country's sunshine capital for 2009. Nelson clocked up 2544.8 sunshine hours for the year, 18 hours ahead of Tauranga's 2526.8 hours. Nelson beats last year's winner, arch-rival Blenheim, which this year had 2444.3 hours.

Nelson Tasman Tourism international marketing manager Astrid Fisher said Nelson's win was great news.
"It means we were able to provide visitors to Nelson with more sunny weather than any other region in New Zealand, contributing to a better holiday experience. It also means that we can confidently continue to claim the most sunshine hours in New Zealand when marketing the region."
To make the very most of its newly legitimised claim to being the sunniest region of New Zealand, Nelson Tasman Tourism has produced a logo to proclaim themselves as such!

Nelson Mayor Kerry Marshall was also thrilled.
"We've re-entered our rightful place as the sunniest place in New Zealand. There's never been any doubt, but occasionally we share it around the odd other centre around the country," he said today.
"People always talk about 'sunny Nelson'. We're the solar city, and this just endorses the fact that it's the best place."

Pipfruit New Zealand chairman Ian Palmer, from Upper Moutere, said it showed that Nelson was a good place to live and a great place to grow fruit. Nelson and Bay of Plenty kiwifruit growers had a bit of rivalry, so Nelson growers were pleased to be ahead of Tauranga.