Tapawera is a small town in New Zealand's South Island. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is located 30 kilometres southwest of Nelson by the banks of the Motueka River. History Early settlement Settlement of Nelson began about 1100 years ago by Māori The Motueka River lies in the north of the South Island of New Zealand. Its population is currently 2100.
The geographic centre of New Zealand is located close to Tapawera, in the nearby Spooner Hills.