Community Directory
Nelson has lots of cultural groups. If your group wants to be added or updated, please let us know. Please contact groups for genuine local community inquiries only.
Connect with the vibrant multicultural community right here in Nelson-Tasman. Our directory brings together cultural groups, associations, and organisations from around the region, making it easy to find communities that share your heritage, language, or cultural interests. Whether you're new to the area or looking to reconnect with your roots, you'll find welcoming groups ready to share their traditions, celebrations, and support.
These organisations play a vital role in keeping our region's diverse cultures thriving. Get in touch directly with any group that interests you – they'd love to hear from you.
Alliance Francaise Nelson
Bhutanese Community of Nelson
An incorporated, not-for-profit society led by Bhutanese people resettled in Nelson, New Zealand. The group represents Nepali-speaking Bhutanese who were displaced from Bhutan and now work to share information, stay connected, and support their community.
Contact: Bhoj Raj Subba (President)
Chinese affiliated groups
NZ China Friendship Society - NZCFS Nelson
The Nelson Branch was formed in 1991 and has over 80 members. Meetings are held on the last Friday of the month at the Hearing Association House, 354 Trafalgar Street, Nelson.
Branch President: Barbara Markland
erm@xtra.co.nz / 03 544 4712
Treasurer and Membership Secretary: Ian Lister
treasurer.ncfs@gmail.com/ 027 229 0020
NZ Chinese Association - Nelson and Marlborough Branch
Dutch Community
Fiji-Indian Community "Nelson Sanatan Ramayan Mandli"
Filipino Community
Contact: Christian Pesino of the Nelson-Tasman Filipino Community Inc (President) or contact Marie Lindaya (stay2positive@gmail.com)
Nelson Filipino cultural Dancers (Cristy Aydon - email: cristyaydon@gmail.com)
Hindu Community Priest
Pandit Bishnu Bhakta Adhikari, an ordained Hindu priest, conducts Hindu Pujas, religious rituals of marriage and death, family and community ceremonies, private and public recitals of Holy Hindu Scriptures, besides all other duties and priestly functions deemed necessary in Hindu Dharma practices.
Hispanic & Latin American affiliated groups
Cimarrón in Aotearoa New Zealand - Yerson Viveros
Colombian Community
Contact: Jaime Diaz (President)
Ronal Cortez (Vice President) +64 21 168 1913, Email: ronal1995cortes@gmail.com
Latin Dance Community
HOLA! Hey bienvenido to our community!
Join us and share the love for Latin dancing - Cuban rhythms, salsa, bachata, kizomba, merengue and more.
We run regular classes, workshops, events and parties.
Contact: Pablo Salas (Pabs)
+64 20 4158 3420 Email Website
Mexican / Mayan Contact
Contact: Jesus Ruiz Lopez
IndoNelson Community
We embrace multicultural community activities and we became an umbrella to Indonesian community living in Nelson, New Zealand. We welcome the newcomers and assist the best we can to help them integrate into New Zealand way of life. IndoNelson also opens its door to Indonesian diaspora, the community who loves and embraces Indonesian cultures.
President: Wayan Giovanno Adnyana.
Irish Community
Contact: Lianna Conner - Kahurangi Irish Dance Co.
Email: dance@kahurangi.dance
Japanese affiliated groups
Japanese Society of Nelson
Location: 63 Haycock Road, Hope, Richmond, Nelson
Contact: Yukiyasu Uda (President)
Japanz Kidz Educational Group
We meet weekly, with the purpose of teaching children with Japanese heritage, about the language and culture of Japan.
Contact: Yuki Eagashira
Kayoko +64 21 183 9829
Nelson Miyazu Sister City Association
Miyazu City is situated in the north of Kyoto Prefecture on the main island of Honshu. With a population of approximately 30,000, Miyazu shares many of Nelson's characteristics.
Contact: Lyndal McMeeking
Muslim affiliated groups
Nelson Islamic Cultural Society
As Nelsonians we have provided Muslim local and visitors of Nelson a place to pray and worship five times a day and every Friday at the back Hall of 320 Hardy Street, Nelson.
Contact: Dr Moyiad
Nelson Whakatu Muslim Association
The president is: Aiyaz Shah ( +64 21 056 4864)
The contact person is Secretary: Nissa Mowjood
Nelson Islamic Centre
435 Nayland Road, Stoke.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Nelson
Contact: Muhammad Amjad
Myanmar affiliated groups
Chin Community of Nelson
The Chin Community of Nelson represents a growing population of approximately 800 Chin people residing in the Nelson-Tasman region.
President: Lal Cinzah
Chin Glory Evangelical Church
Contact: John Van Lian
Kayan Society Nelson
New Zealand Zomi Innkuan (Nelson) Inc (Zomi community)
We are a community organization representing Zomi ethnic families originally from Chin State of Myanmar. It is a member organization of Zomi Innkuan New Zealand.
Nelson Malayalee Community
We are a South Indian settlement in Nelson, New Zealand, originally from the Indian state of Kerala. We speak Malayalam and we are known as Malayalee.
Nelson Sambassadors
A local group based in Samba and Brazilian rhythms – Dance & percussion class and performances
Contact: Leonara Soares
Palestinian Community
Contact: Saed Alazza
All are welcome to visit my Falafel food truck on Trafalgar St near NCC.
Pasifika Nelson Tasman Community
Our community consists of approximately 1,500 people, mostly living in and around the urban areas of Nelson and Richmond. Originally from the islands of the Pacific including: Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, the Cook Islands, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, the Solomons and Hawaii.
Out mission is to provide, support and strengthen the Nelson Tasman Pasifika Community to grow, achieve and prosper.
Sri Lankan Community
Thai affiliated groups
Thai Buddhist Temple
Contact: Venerable Somchai
377 Lower Queen St, Richmond Nelson
Thai Community
Contact person: Jasmine Yordsiri (email: worawanyordsiri@gmail.com)
Please contact Jasmine for Thai cooking classes.
Ukrainian community
Tautoko Ukraine Charitable Trust
Chairperson: Lyubov Lawrence (Email: lyubov.lawrence@gmail.com)
USA Nelson Club
The Nelson USA Club aims is to celebrate holidays specific to the United States that commemorate historical events or encourage a common national memory for children living in Nelson Bays region with American citizenship.
