The Nelson urban area has the second fastest growth rate in the country behind Auckland, and will be bigger than Dunedin within two decades, Nelson MP Nick Smith says.
The region's population and economic growth were signs regional New Zealand was not failing, Dr Smith told the Rotary Club in Nelson on Wednesday night.
However, key challenges ahead included better fresh water management, home ownership opportunities and transport infrastructure.
He said the proposed Waimea Community Dam south of Richmond was critical to the region's future export production, and he proposed Nelson's port company pay a special dividend towards the cost of it.
