Nearly 50 Kāinga Ora builds are now underway in Nelson, including a long-awaited 16-home development on Nile St.
The sites stretch from Nelson City to Stoke, with the majority of the 49 homes forecast for completion in early-to-mid 2026, according to the social housing provider.
Ground has finally broken at 107 Nile St, the former Masonic Lodge site, with completion expected in May 2026. The development comprises six two-bedroom homes and 10 three-bedroom homes. It was first announced in 2023 but was paused in mid-2024.
Work has also started on a four-home development at 199-201 Kawai St, next to Nelson South Kindergarten, which is expected to be completed by February 2026. This will also be a mixture of single and double storey houses, with three being two-bedroom and one being three-bedroom.
A 10-home development at 118-122 Tipahi St is also underway. This will be a mixture of two-level and single-storey, standalone and duplex style houses – six two-bedroom, three three-bedroom and one four-bedroom. This is also expected to be completed in May next year.
Construction has also started on three homes in Golden Elm Rise in Toi Toi. Johnson Residential Ltd is currently building three new five-bedroom homes here and Kāinga Ora has agreed to purchase the homes once they are completed early next year. The standalone homes will be two-level, spread across three separate addresses.
In Stoke, construction is always progressing on two, two-bedroom homes at 280 Seaview Rd, with completion slated for this November, as well as eight two-bedroom homes at 8-14 Orchard St, which are due for completion in March 2026. Six two-bedroom homes at 5 and 7 Kauri St are also under construction, according to Kāinga Ora.
Nelson MP Rachel Boyack says the builds will provide secure housing at a time when public housing waitlists and homelessness is growing in Nelson.
“As the local MP, I am proud that Labour funded these Kāinga Ora homes that will provide secure housing for Nelson people who desperately need warm, dry and affordable homes. Unfortunately, National have cancelled some of Kainga Ora’s other building projects in Nelson and haven’t funded any new homes for Nelson.”
