Founders Heritage Park

Founders Heritage Park is a heritage attraction and multi-space event venue at 87 Atawhai Drive, The Wood, on the outskirts of Nelson city. It is a replica historic village representing Nelson's early days, circa 1880–1930, and features heritage displays, a working railway line, a café and resident artisans. The site covers 5 hectares of character streets and gardens, with ample off-road parking including space suitable for coaches. It is managed as part of the Nelson City Council venues portfolio.

History

Founders was set up largely by community effort through Founders Inc. from 1977 and opened to the public in 1986. The buildings are a mix of donated original structures and historic replicas built with help from local companies, and most of the historic collections were donated by Nelson residents. Ownership and management transferred to Nelson City Council in 1995. A short heritage railway line on the site is operated by the Nelson Railway Society.

Spaces and capacities

The park offers five distinct spaces. Published capacities are:

| Venue | Standing | Theatre | Classroom | Boardroom | Dinner | Concert | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Energy Centre | | 280 | | | 300 | 500 | | The Granary | | 290 | 60 | | 150 | 290 | | St Peter's Church | 70 | 70 | | | | | | Jaycee Room | 70 | 70 | 36 | 30 | 50 | |

• The Energy Centre accommodates larger weddings and functions as well as meetings, seminars and workshops.
• The Granary Hall is described by the venue as well suited to weddings, balls, conference dinners and similar occasions.
• St Peter's Church is a historic church building used for ceremonies, functions and meetings.
• The Jaycee Room is the most intimate space, adaptable for smaller events, celebrations and meetings, and the only listed space with a boardroom configuration.

Listed site facilities include a bar, chairs and tables, kitchen, on-site catering, projector and screen, toilets and WiFi. Catering is available through the on-site café and bar, and the Founders team can recommend suppliers for lighting, sound equipment, staging, theming, entertainment and food trucks. All facilities are smoke-free.

Regular programme

The park hosts weekly farmers markets, regular craft and beer festivals, antique and retro shows, and a range of annual community events, alongside its role as a heritage attraction.

Suitability for meetings and events

Founders works for organisers who want a distinctive, self-contained site rather than a conventional conference centre. The combination of the Energy Centre and Granary supports conference dinners, awards evenings and larger seminars, while the Jaycee Room covers board meetings and small workshops — and the surrounding village and gardens give incentive groups and delegate partners something to do on site. Hire pricing is set through Nelson City Council's published fees and charges, with separate rates for non-commercial community bookings, private social functions and commercial or wedding hire. It is a practical option to shortlist alongside other Nelson venues when a heritage character setting is part of the brief.