Kāinga Ora homes back on track

A 16-home Kāinga Ora project in Nelson City is back on track after being put on hold for several months, with completion expected by the middle of next year.

The proposed development at 107 Nile St was paused last winter due to the public housing provider reassessing its asset management strategy.

The development was first announced in late 2022 with the site sitting empty since a fire destroyed the former Masonic Lodge in 2019.

Kāinga Ora’s regional director Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast, Julia Campbell, says they are now re-looking at design options for the homes on the site.

“Like any developer, our plans can change as we progress through planning and consenting processes. However, we expect the Nile St homes to be completed by June 2026.”

Several other housing developments in Nelson South and Stoke are also gaining traction again after being “under assessment”.

“In most cases, the proposed number of homes in these developments, and the number of bedrooms in the homes, remains the same as was previously planned. However, there are some instances where the overall size of the homes has changed.”

A three-home development at 12-14 Campbell St is progressing, with design options currently being finalised. Plans for four new homes at 199-201 Kawai St are also progressing, along with 10 homes at 118-122  Tipahi St.

Eight two-bedroom homes at 230-234 Waimea Rd could also be delivered by June 2026 with building consent lodged last month.

In Stoke, six new homes are being planned for 5-7 Kauri St, with resource and building consent lodged in December 2024. At 17 Marsden Rd, design options are being finalised for a development.

“The proposed redevelopment at 355 Nayland Rd and 7-15 Homer St has also been through the assessment process and met the criteria to progress further, so we are now looking at design options for these sites,” Julia adds.

Still on hold is the development on Examiner St, the old Renwick Flats site, with no further news on the scope or development of this site.

“The proposed redevelopment of Examiner St is still under assessment as we plan our build programme for the coming years.”