After years of changing plans, reviews and reversals, Kāinga Ora has once again shelved its proposed housing development on the corner of Examiner and Wellington streets.
The latest decision comes eight months after the government housing agency revived the project, saying it would go back to the drawing board to investigate a more affordable development after previously declaring it was no longer financially viable.
That review has now concluded, with Kāinga Ora arriving at the same outcome.
“We have reviewed the Examiner St site plans to see if there is a more cost-effective option for redevelopment. However, at this point in time, we are unable to progress them as it is not financially viable to deliver homes on this site,” says acting regional director Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast, Gabrielle Thorpe.
“While we have no immediate plans to build on the site, we are holding onto it as a potential option for future development and renewal of our housing stock.”
The project has had a turbulent history since Kāinga Ora purchased 4 Examiner St from Nelson City Council in 2021 and later purchased the neighbouring property at 57 Wellington St to expand the development.
The original proposal was for up to 36 social homes across two three-storey buildings, although earlier concepts included buildings of up to six storeys.
More than $3.1 million has already been spent on the project, including the purchase of both properties, demolition of the former council units, planning work and professional fees.
Last October, Kāinga Ora confirmed the development had been shelved as part of a nationwide review of more than 460 housing projects, saying the proposal no longer represented value for money.
Just weeks later, however, the agency reversed its decision and began to explore whether a smaller or different development could be delivered at a lower cost.
At the time, Kāinga Ora said it would consider different housing layouts, numbers of homes and bedroom configurations, before reporting back.
That process has now ended, with the agency again concluding the site cannot be economically developed.
