Nelson’s landscape was once dominated by a rich and diverse native forest ecosystem. Extensive podocarp and mixed beech-podocarp forests covered the region, featuring species such as tōtara, mataī, rimu, miro, and kahikatea, alongside various types of beech—hard, red, black, silver, and mountain. Other native trees, including southern rātā, Hall’s tōtara, and mountain cedar, contributed to this dense and varied forest.

In the upper mineral belt, where conditions were harsh, plant life adapted to the nutrient-poor soils. Tussock grasses, stunted shrubs, and specialised mineral belt plant species thrived in this challenging environment.

Sheltered coastal gullies provided the ideal conditions for broadleaved forests to flourish, with species such as tāwa, tītoki, pūriri, nīkau, hīnau, and tree ferns. Meanwhile, coastal slopes supported hardy species like ngaio, akeake, and akiraho, which could withstand salt-laden winds.

Nelson’s valleys once contained freshwater wetlands and fertile lowland swamps, offering a habitat for kahikatea, harakeke (New Zealand flax), cabbage trees, and tussock sedges. Along riverbanks, black beech, kōwhai, flax, and toetoe played an essential role in stabilising the landscape, while estuarine areas supported estuary tussock and saltmarsh ribbonwood, creating a transition zone between land and sea.

This diverse range of ecosystems sustained a thriving community of native insects, invertebrates, birds, and mammals, contributing to the region’s ecological richness. However, as with much of New Zealand, centuries of human activity have significantly altered Nelson’s natural environment. Deforestation, land conversion, and urban development have reduced these once-extensive habitats to small, isolated remnants, now surrounded by farmland, exotic forestry, and urban areas. Protecting and restoring these remaining native ecosystems is vital for preserving the region’s unique biodiversity.