Nelson Notables

Edited by Max Lash. Published by the Nelson Historical Society 1992.

In the 1990's, society member Max Lash convened a team to research and write potted histories of 295 people who helped to shape the region.  Published under the auspices of the Nelson Historical Society, Nelson Notables grew out of the national Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, of which Max was the local convenor.  Finding that many Nelsonians weren't going to make it into the national book, it was decided to put them all into a local book, which was published in 1992. 

Copies of Nelson Notables are available for sale through the society for $15 + P&P. Contact info@nelsonhistoricalsociety.co.nz

Nelson Historical Society, the first 50 years 1954-2004

By Dawn Smith. Published by the society in 2005 to mark its 50th anniversary.

A number of other local history books have also been published by or received support from the society, including:

F.G.Gibbs – His influence on the social history of Nelson 1890-1950

By Shonadh Mann M.A. Published by the society in 1977 as a thesis submitted for the Degree of Master of Arts in History.

Early Tide to Wakapuaka

By Phil (P.V.) and Natalie (N.L.) Wastney. Originally published by the society in 1977.

Pasta, Prayer & Promise – the story of Nelson’s Italian community 1860-2014 

By Karen Price and Karen Stade. Published in 2015 with the support of the society.