diff --git a/lib/resize.js b/lib/resize.js
index 34a7e74b..d77add63 100644
--- a/lib/resize.js
+++ b/lib/resize.js
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ const strategy = {
  * @private
  */
 const kernel = {
+  nearest: 'nearest',
   cubic: 'cubic',
   lanczos2: 'lanczos2',
   lanczos3: 'lanczos3'
@@ -62,6 +63,7 @@ const interpolator = {
  * By default, the resized image is centre cropped to the exact size specified.
  *
  * Possible reduction kernels are:
+ * - `nearest`: Use [nearest neighbour interpolation](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nearest-neighbor_interpolation).
  * - `cubic`: Use a [Catmull-Rom spline](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centripetal_Catmull%E2%80%93Rom_spline).
  * - `lanczos2`: Use a [Lanczos kernel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanczos_resampling#Lanczos_kernel) with `a=2`.
  * - `lanczos3`: Use a Lanczos kernel with `a=3` (the default).
diff --git a/src/pipeline.cc b/src/pipeline.cc
index e8034091..50a95fd2 100644
--- a/src/pipeline.cc
+++ b/src/pipeline.cc
@@ -392,7 +392,10 @@ class PipelineWorker : public Nan::AsyncWorker {
         if (yresidual < 1.0 || xresidual < 1.0) {
           VipsKernel kernel = static_cast<VipsKernel>(
             vips_enum_from_nick(nullptr, VIPS_TYPE_KERNEL, baton->kernel.data()));
-          if (kernel != VIPS_KERNEL_CUBIC && kernel != VIPS_KERNEL_LANCZOS2 && kernel != VIPS_KERNEL_LANCZOS3) {
+          if (
+            kernel != VIPS_KERNEL_NEAREST && kernel != VIPS_KERNEL_CUBIC && kernel != VIPS_KERNEL_LANCZOS2 &&
+            kernel != VIPS_KERNEL_LANCZOS3
+          ) {
             throw vips::VError("Unknown kernel");
           }
           if (yresidual < 1.0) {
diff --git a/test/unit/interpolation.js b/test/unit/interpolation.js
index 2db8aa43..ab964168 100644
--- a/test/unit/interpolation.js
+++ b/test/unit/interpolation.js
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ const fixtures = require('../fixtures');
 describe('Interpolators and kernels', function () {
   describe('Reducers', function () {
     [
+      sharp.kernel.nearest,
       sharp.kernel.cubic,
       sharp.kernel.lanczos2,
       sharp.kernel.lanczos3