Nelson Hospital patients, visitors, and staff will soon benefit from improved access and easier parking, with work progressing on the next stage of a new multi-storey car park.
It will be located off Tipahi St near the hospital’s main entrance, providing approximately 270 spaces across a three to four-storey structure spanning around 10,000 square metres.
This represents an increase of more than 100 additional spaces, helping to meet growing demand.
Health Minister Simeon Brown says the project addresses longstanding pressure on parking at Nelson Hospital and its confirmed location and layout was a “significant milestone” for the hospital’s redevelopment.
“The new car park will improve traffic flow, create a more efficient parking layout, and provide better connections across the hospital campus, making it easier for patients, families, and staff to get where they need to go,” he says.
“This progress is one of many important milestones this year as we deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose hospital for the community.”
Simeon says the Tipahi St location was selected as the preferred option due to its central proximity to both the hospital’s main entrance and the new inpatient unit, while also supporting future redevelopment across the campus.
The design is expected to include two entry and exit points to maintain efficient access during peak periods.
Simeon says the development also comes alongside other key infrastructure projects underway at the hospital.
“Construction is already underway on Nelson Hospital’s rapid-build temporary 28-bed inpatient unit, which will enable services to relocate while further redevelopment and seismic strengthening work takes place,” he says.
“In addition, procurement is underway for the main contractor to deliver early works on the new 128‑bed inpatient unit, with construction expected to begin later this year.”
Health New Zealand is today releasing a Request for Tender for the design and construction of the car park, with a contract expected to be awarded in August.
Construction is expected to begin in the first half of 2027 and is anticipated to take around 12 to 18 months to complete.
Funding for the new car park has been approved as part of the $73 million Phase 1 Enabling Works programme for the Nelson Hospital Redevelopment.
