New Multi-Storey Car Park Planned for Nelson Hospital to Improve Access and Support Redevelopment

Parking congestion at Nelson Hospital has been a major concern for patients, families, and hospital staff for several years, particularly as healthcare demand and hospital activity continue to grow.

Patients, visitors, and healthcare workers at Nelson Hospital are set to benefit from improved parking access and upgraded transport infrastructure as the next phase of a major multi-storey car park project officially moves forward.

Health Minister Simeon Brown announced that planning for the new parking facility has reached another key milestone following the completion of an assessment confirming the preferred location and layout for the development.

The project forms part of the broader Nelson Hospital Redevelopment programme, which aims to modernise healthcare infrastructure across the region and improve patient services for communities in Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough.

Long-Standing Parking Pressure at Nelson Hospital

Parking congestion at Nelson Hospital has been a major concern for patients, families, and hospital staff for several years, particularly as healthcare demand and hospital activity continue to grow.

Minister Brown said improving access to healthcare facilities is an important part of delivering a stronger and more efficient health system.

"We know parking at Nelson Hospital has been under pressure for some time, and improving access is an important part of delivering better healthcare infrastructure for the region," he said.

The new multi-level car park will be built off Tipahi Street near the hospital's main entrance, providing centralised access to key hospital services and future redevelopment areas.

More Than 270 Parking Spaces Planned

According to Health New Zealand, the proposed structure will contain approximately 270 parking spaces across three to four levels and cover an area of around 10,000 square metres.

The development will increase overall parking capacity at Nelson Hospital by more than 100 additional spaces, helping address ongoing demand from patients, visitors, and hospital employees.

Officials say the new layout is expected to significantly improve traffic flow throughout the hospital campus while making parking more efficient and accessible.

The facility is also expected to feature two separate entry and exit points designed to reduce congestion and maintain smoother vehicle movement during peak periods.

Minister Brown said the project will improve how people move around the hospital precinct and make it easier for patients and staff to access healthcare services.

"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 said.

Tender Process and Construction Timeline

Health New Zealand has now officially released a Request for Tender (RFT) for the design and construction of the car park.

The Government expects a construction contract to be awarded by August, with physical building work anticipated to begin during the first half of 2027.

Construction is expected to take between 12 and 18 months to complete once work begins.

The Tipahi Street location was selected after assessments determined it offered the best long-term access to the new inpatient facilities and aligned well with future redevelopment plans across the wider hospital campus.

Wider Nelson Hospital Redevelopment Underway

The car park project is only one part of a much larger redevelopment programme currently underway at Nelson Hospital.

Construction has already started on a rapid-build temporary 28-bed inpatient unit, which will allow hospital services to continue operating while further redevelopment and seismic strengthening works take place.

At the same time, procurement processes are underway for a main contractor to deliver early works on a new permanent 128-bed inpatient unit, with major construction expected to begin later this year.

The Government says the redevelopment will provide a more modern, resilient, and fit-for-purpose hospital capable of meeting the region's growing healthcare demands over coming decades.

Government Focused on Healthcare Infrastructure

Minister Brown said improving practical infrastructure such as parking is an essential part of strengthening the healthcare system and improving patient experiences.

"We are focused on fixing the basics and building the future of our healthcare system, and making it easier for people to park at their local hospital is an important part of that," he said.

He acknowledged that parking challenges at Nelson Hospital have caused frustration within the community for many years and said the new development represents another important step toward improving healthcare access across the top of the South Island.

The Government believes the combination of upgraded hospital facilities, expanded inpatient capacity, and improved parking infrastructure will significantly enhance healthcare delivery for the wider Nelson-Tasman-Marlborough region in the years ahead.