Nelson Street Laneway Upgrade

About the project

We’re progressing the Nelson Street Laneway upgrade to make it a more accessible space and a better street environment. The laneway will be safer, greener, better lit and a more pleasant place for people to move around, especially when walking.

Why are we doing this work?

The refreshed City Centre Masterplan strongly promotes the opportunity to transform important city centre streets, including Nelson Street, into more liveable and more accessible green avenues. Nelson Street is home to a very high number of residents and businesses in our city centre.

In 2019 and 2020, we spoke with local residents and businesses about the Nelson Street Laneway. We heard that it wasn’t seen as a very a nice place for people walking or on bikes, and was unloved and not well maintained. We want the Nelson Street Laneway to be a nicer place for people to enjoy, while also making it easier for everyone using it to get around, so we used this feedback to help shape an initial concept design for the laneway.

We want future improvements to make the laneway:

·      A more welcoming place for local residents, businesses and the community.

·      Safer for people walking, cycling or using scooters.

·      A more attractive space with planting and lighting.

·      A laneway that the neighbourhood is proud of.

What's involved in this stage of the project?

Following community and stakeholder engagement, we have now developed a final preliminary design. You can view the updated preliminary design here.

We are continuing to work with our project partners, mana whenua and the Waitematā Local Board.  

We have been undertaking on site physical investigations that may require adjustments to inform the final design. We expect the final design will be available in late 2024.

We’ll share updates with you as the design is developed and as we know more about the timing and activities of the construction phase of the project. 

We are planning for construction to start in the first half of 2025.

View the preliminary design here

  Read the engagement report here

Find out what we did with your feedback here

Partnering with mana whenua

While we are at the early stage of cultural design work that will celebrate the area’s special cultural heritage, we are ensuring cultural values are integrated into the project’s design by working with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Te Ākitau Waiohua.

We are working together to identify opportunities for the integration of mahi toi (art) elements in the streetscape.

Delivered by

The Nelson Street Laneway Upgrade is made possible by funding from the City Centre Targeted Rate and is being delivered by Auckland Council.

More information

Thank you for your interest in the Nelson Street Laneway Upgrade.

If you would like to know more about our work, you can contact us by email at:

nelsonstreetimprovements@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz