Essentials
- City
- Abel Tasman (Marahau & Kaiteriteri), Tasman District, New Zealand
- Population
- Approximately 1,000 seasonal residents (Marahau/Kaiteriteri), 55,000 in the wider Tasman District
- Internet Speed
- Fiber available in Marahau/Kaiteriteri (80-100 Mbps), Starlink is common in remote lodges
- Currency & Banking
- 1 NZD ≈ 0.61 USD. 1 USD ≈ 1.63 NZD
- Tap Water
- Drinkable (Highly regulated and safe)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I sockets (three-pin)
- SIM Card
- Spark, One NZ (formerly Vodafone), Skinny (best value)
- Banking for Expats
- ANZ, BNZ, ASB, and Wise (widely accepted for digital nomads)
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Holiday Homes NZ, and Bookabach (prices range from $150–$400 NZD/night)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, EFTPOS and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Abel Tasman Lodge ($220 NZD/night), Marahau Beach Camp cabins
- Budget Accommodation
- The Barn Backpackers ($40 NZD dorm, $110 NZD private), Adventure Inn Marahau
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Kaiteriteri (for the main beach and water taxi hub)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Marahau (quieter, better village vibe, gateway to the park track)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Workshop (In Nelson, 1-hour drive - $35 NZD day pass; local cafes are the only option in the park area)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Hooked on Marahau (Good Wi-Fi and views of the Tasman Bay)
- Networking Events
- Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce events (Requires commute to Nelson city center)
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats in Nelson/Tasman Facebook Group; Friday night drinks at The Park Cafe Marahau
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber is limited; use Nelson City Taxis ($120 NZD from Nelson Airport)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Kaiteriteri Kayaks & Mountain Bikes ($45 NZD/half day for MTB)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Anchor Bay (Accessible via water taxi or a 3-hour hike)
- Top Regional Airline
- Air New Zealand (Flights from Nelson Airport NSN)
- Top International Airline
- Air New Zealand, Qantas, Singapore Airlines (via Auckland or Christchurch)
- Highway Access
- State Highway 60 (Takaka Hill Road) connects to the region
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- InterCity Bus Stop (Marahau/Kaiteriteri), No passenger trains available
- Public Transport Passes
- Bee Card (Used for local NBus routes in Nelson/Richmond area)
- Regional Travel
- Abel Tasman AquaTaxi or Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle (prices from $40–$90 NZD per leg)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Nelson Hospital (Tipahi Street, Nelson - approx 1 hour away)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Kimi Ora Eco Resort (Kaiteriteri - offer day spa and yoga packages from $25 NZD)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Motueka Recreation Centre (Old Wharf Rd - 20 mins drive, $15 NZD casual)
- Laundry Services
- Marahau Beach Camp self-service laundry ($4 NZD per wash)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None (Too remote); local pickup is standard
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Green-lipped Mussels and Scallops (sourced from Golden Bay)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- The Park Cafe (Marahau - offers plant-based burgers and bowls)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Gone Burger (Kaiteriteri - famous for real fruit ice cream)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- New World Motueka (20-minute drive from Marahau)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mighty Ape NZ, Trademe.co.nz, Amazon.com.au
- Grocery Delivery
- Woolworths NZ (Delivery available to Marahau/Kaiteriteri on select days)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Kaiteriteri Beach Lodge (Social hub for seasonal workers and travelers)
- Local Brewery
- Hop Federation (Located in Riwaka, just outside the park entrance)
- Wine Bars
- Neudorf Vineyards (In Upper Moutere, famous for Chardonnay - 35 mins away)
- Street Food Stalls
- Motueka Sunday Market (Fresh local produce and food trucks)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Simply Indian (Motueka), TOAD Hall (Richmond - local/fusion)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Split Apple Rock (Te Toka Tapu)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Motueka District Museum (High St, Motueka)
- Historical Sites
- Ngarua Caves (Takaka Hill), site of ancient Moa bones
- Religious Sites
- St Peter's Church (Richmond/Motueka surrounding areas)
- Annual Events
- Kaiteriteri Gold Half Marathon (March); Motueka A&P Show (December)
- Cultural Districts
- Te Ramaroa Light Festival (Nearby Nelson city)
- Theater Venues
- The Playhouse Cafe and Theatre (Mapua - 40 mins away)
- Local Markets
- Motueka Sunday Market (State Highway 60)
- Music Scene
- The Mussel Inn (Onekaka, Golden Bay - legendary music venue 1.5 hours away)
- Street Art
- Nelson City Mural Trail (60 mins drive)
- Cooking Classes
- The Gentle Chef (Plant-based classes in Nelson)
- Art Galleries
- Höglund Art Glass Studio (Richmond area)
- Historic Buildings
- Broadgreen Historic House (Nelson - 1 hour away)
- Local Heritage
- Māori history of the Ngāti Rārua and Te Āti Awa iwi
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Abel Tasman Coastal Track (60km Great Walk)
- National Parks Nearby
- Kahurangi National Park; Nelson Lakes National Park
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Great Taste Trail (Cycle path connecting Kaiteriteri to Nelson)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Pitt Head Lookout (accessible via Te Pukatea Bay)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Adele Island (Sanctuary for Tui, Bellbirds, and Saddlebacks)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Prohibited in the National Park; allowed only in designated fire pits at registered campgrounds
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- NZ Post (Located inside Motueka New World)
- Tech Repair Services
- IT@Hand Motueka (High St)
- Table Tennis Spots
- The Barn Backpackers Social Hall
- Language Classes
- Nelson English Centre (Nelson City)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Motueka Public Library (7 Pah Street - free Wi-Fi and quiet desks)
- Community Centers
- Marahau Community Hall
- Gaming Lounges
- None (Outdoor activity focused region)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- SkyCity Queenstown (No casinos in the Tasman region)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $12,000 NZD per m² in Kaiteriteri (e.g., 40 m² = $480,000 NZD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $8,500 NZD per m² in Motueka (e.g., 40 m² = $340,000 NZD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $11,000 NZD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $660,000 NZD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $7,500 NZD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $450,000 NZD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $10,000 NZD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $800,000 NZD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $7,000 NZD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $560,000 NZD)
- Corporate Tax
- 28%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 33% (less credits)
- Tax System
- Residency-based (Worldwide income for residents)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 39% (for income over $180,000 NZD)
- VAT
- 15% GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, complex rules apply to foreign holdings
- Property Tax
- Rates vary by Council (Tasman District Council - based on land value)
- Property Transaction Tax
- No Stamp Duty, but Bright-line Test acts as a short-term capital gains tax
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 4-year tax exemption on foreign income for new migrants (Transitional Residency)