The Nelson Future Access (NFA) Project is the investigation of a future-proofed transport system considering the needs of all users travelling within Nelson.

The NFA project is led by Waka Kotahi (New Zealand Transport Agency) with Nelson City Council (NCC) as a key Project Partner.


Read the latest media release (26 October 2021) here.

The agenda item for the 28 October 2021 Council meeting can be read here.

The report from the latest round of engagement can be found here.


The Nelson Future Access (NFA) Project is the investigation of a future-proofed transport system considering the needs of all users travelling within Nelson. The NFA project is led by Waka Kotahi (New Zealand Transport Agency) with Council as a key project partner.

Nelson is the commercial and social centre to the Te Tāuihu - Top of the South region, with the Port, Airport, Regional Hospital and commercial heart all in the centre of Nelson. Strong residential growth coupled with the region’s economy being driven by primary produce and marine research, education and industry is making Nelson an even more important economic centre for New Zealand.

Nelson City is forecast to experience a high level of residential growth with 12,000 new houses in the next 30 years. Freight is also forecast to grow by 53% over the next 15 years. In the absence of significant changes to the transport system, access, safety, travel times and the reliability of the transport system will deteriorate.

To help manage this growth safely whilst reducing carbon emissions and efficiently managing freight movements to and from the Port there is a need to plan for the whole transport system. Having this plan will help maintain access and improve the livability of residential areas, the waterfront and the city centre. This plan will also need to consider the behavioral change required to manage this growth.

Visit the Waka Kotahi website for more information on this project, including FAQ's.