Central Suburbs

Toi Toi Nelson: Vibrant Suburb Near City Centre

Last updated October 2026

Toi Toi is a residential suburb in Nelson, New Zealand, located just southwest of the city centre. It combines convenient access to urban amenities with community-focused green spaces and ongoing infrastructure improvements.

Residents and visitors appreciate its mix of housing styles, local parks, and proximity to key services including Nelson Hospital. The area supports an active lifestyle through public reserves and recent safety upgrades at major intersections. Toi Toi reflects Nelson’s blend of suburban living and easy connectivity to the central business district.

Official Suburb Facts

The official Toi Toi boundary. Boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.
Population (2023 Census)
About 2,780, up 1% since 2018
Land area
1.49 km²
Location
2.3 km south-west of central Nelson
Council
Nelson City Council
Local details
Ward or local board
Central General Ward (Nelson City Council)
Getting there
Toi Toi Street and St Vincent Street; bus services to central Nelson
Nearby landmarks
Victory Square, Emano East Reserve, Murphy North Reserve, Nelson Hospital
Boundary, area and neighbours: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. Population: Stats NZ 2023 Census usually resident population, CC BY 4.0, summed from the statistical areas inside the boundary.

Who Lives in Toi Toi

About 2,780 residents in 950 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.

Homes
Owned or in a family trust
64%NZ 66%
Rented
36%NZ 34%
Standalone houses
82%NZ 79%
Townhouses, units and flats
18%NZ 21%
Damp (always or sometimes)
27%NZ 18%
Mould larger than A4
19%NZ 14%
Getting to work
Drive or get a lift
70%NZ 70%
Bus, train or ferry
1%NZ 5%
Walk or cycle
15%NZ 6%
Work from home
10%NZ 18%
People
Moved here in the last 5 years
56%NZ 53%
Disabled (aged 5 and over)
7%NZ 8%
Regular smokers (aged 15 and over)
8%NZ 8%
Rainbow/LGBTIQ+ (aged 15 and over)
7%NZ 5%
Ethnicity
European
65%NZ 68%
Māori
17%NZ 18%
Pacific Peoples
5%NZ 9%
Asian
25%NZ 17%
Middle Eastern, Latin American and African
1%NZ 2%
Other (including New Zealander)
2%NZ 1%
People can choose more than one ethnicity, so these add up to more than 100%.
Religion
No religion
55%NZ 52%
Christian
30%NZ 32%
Hindu
2%NZ 3%
Buddhist
2%NZ 1%
Other religions
3%NZ 3%
Source: Stats NZ 2023 Census, CC BY 4.0. Figures are summed from the census areas inside the official Toi Toi boundary. Percentages are of the people or homes that answered each question; a figure is left out when fewer than 100 answered.

About Toi Toi

Toi Toi lies immediately southwest of Nelson’s central business district, making it one of the closest suburbs to the city centre. Bounded by streets including Toi Toi Street and St Vincent Street, the suburb offers residents quick access to shops, services, and transport links while maintaining a quieter residential character.

Victory Square serves as the suburb’s main public park, bordered by Vanguard, Toi Toi, St Vincent, and Northesk streets. It provides space for sports, picnics, and community gatherings. Additional reserves such as Emano East Reserve and Murphy North Reserve offer further green spaces for walking and recreation.

The suburb features a range of housing from older bungalows to newer builds. Its location supports family living with nearby access to Nelson Hospital and educational facilities including Nelson College on Waimea Road and Nelson Intermediate School.

Nelson City Council maintains Toi Toi through projects listed on the Shape Nelson platform. These include street upgrades focused on stormwater, water infrastructure, and traffic safety.

Location and Access

Toi Toi connects directly to central Nelson via Toi Toi Street and St Vincent Street. Bus services provide public transport options to other parts of the city. The suburb’s position allows short travel times to the CBD for work, shopping, or leisure.

Infrastructure and Development

In 2024 Nelson City Council upgraded the roundabout at Toi Toi Street and St Vincent Street. The project installed four raised crossings to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists following a history of crashes at the intersection. A separate Toi Toi Street upgrade addresses stormwater, water supply, and traffic improvements.

These works form part of broader efforts to support residential growth while enhancing safety and connectivity. Updates and community consultation opportunities are available through the Shape Nelson website.

Near Toi Toi

Just outside Toi Toi, within 5 km of its centre, nearest first.

Places

Businesses

Where to Learn More

Shape Nelson: Official platform for local projects, consultations, and infrastructure updates in Toi Toi and across Nelson.

Nelson City Council: Council website with information on suburbs, parks, transport, and community services.

Wikipedia – Toi Toi: Overview of the suburb including parks and location details, citing local sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Toi Toi known for?
Toi Toi is a residential suburb southwest of Nelson city centre, known for Victory Square park, community reserves, and recent road safety upgrades.

Is Toi Toi close to Nelson Hospital?
Yes, the suburb’s location provides convenient access to Nelson Hospital and other central services.

Are there schools in or near Toi Toi?
No schools sit directly inside Toi Toi boundaries, but Nelson College and Nelson Intermediate School are nearby on Waimea Road.

What parks are available in Toi Toi?
Victory Square is the main park, with additional reserves including Emano East Reserve, Murphy North Reserve, St Lawrence Reserve, and Vosper Reserve.

Has the roundabout at Toi Toi Street been upgraded?
Yes, Nelson City Council completed safety improvements in 2024, adding four raised crossings for pedestrians and cyclists.

How do I find updates on local projects?
Visit the Shape Nelson website for details on street upgrades, stormwater work, and community consultation opportunities.

What housing styles are common in Toi Toi?
The suburb offers a mix of historic bungalows and modern homes, appealing to a range of residents.

Is public transport available?
Bus services connect Toi Toi to Nelson city centre and other suburbs via major roads including Toi Toi Street and St Vincent Street.

Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.

Explore Nelson only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Toi Toi is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.