Nelson - The City with the Oldest, Largest and Only

South Street

Oldest fully restored street in NZ

Since shifting to the Nelson region 18 months ago, I've noticed Nelson is a place that likes its claims more than any other city in New Zealand.
Everyone here seems to be able quote these claims - and frequently do.
When I have found a new one that I think is fairly obscure and unlikely to be widely known, I tell it to a local. "Oh yes," they say. "That's right."

So here is my current list of Nelson claims:

• World's Largest, Natural, Boulder Bank
• The Oldest, Wooden Theatre in Use in the Southern Hemisphere - the Theatre Royal
• Largest Fishing Port in the Southern Hemisphere
• Largest Camping Ground in the Southern Hemisphere - Tahunanui Motor Camp
• The Longest, Urban Beach in New Zealand - Tahunanui Beach
• The Largest, Purpose Built Modellers Pond in New Zealand
• The Oldest, Fully Restored Street in New Zealand - South Street
• The Oldest Secondary School in New Zealand - Nelson College
• Oldest Pub still Operating out of its Original Building in New Zealand - The Moutere Inn
• Home to the First Rugby Game in New Zealand
• Only Place in the World you can pay to control a Stunt Plane

Tahunanui Beach

Longest Urban Beach in NZ

Theatre Royal

Oldest Wooden Theatre in use in NZ

Further additions  - Thanks Spanky 

• Largest MDF Plant in the Southern Hemisphere
• Oldest Church in the South Island - St. John's Wakefield

And my personal favourite:

•  The Oldest Public Letterbox still in Daily Use in New Zealand

Any others just let me know.