In 2026, New Zealand’s largest transport infrastructure project, City Rail Link (CRL), will be complete. Auckland will have an underground rail system that will transform the way people travel.
Before we can enjoy this momentous occasion, we need to prepare our city centre for this important addition and the expected influx of people that will come with it.
Some of the most significant work is happening in midtown, surrounding CRL’s Te Waihorotiu Station, which is expected to be New Zealand’s busiest train station.
In 2026, alongside a new train station, midtown will also have:
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A dedicated bus interchange outside Te Waihorotiu Station, enabling better connections between bus and train.
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Wider streets with seating options and trees to seek shade under.
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Separated bike lanes.
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Stunning Māori artwork and design integrated into the new streets and spaces.
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An improved wastewater network to support more inner-city growth and jobs.
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More private developments, bringing more homes, shops, entertainment and workplaces to midtown.
Jenny Larking, Auckland Council Head of City Centre Programmes, describes the midtown that Aucklanders and visitors can expect and the work ahead to get midtown humming.
“It is hard to imagine what this new midtown will look and feel like, just as it was hard for us to imagine a Quay Street that wasn’t dotted with cones and fences a couple of years back. But look at Quay Street and our new waterfront now, they are world-class destinations, and midtown will be no different.
Quay Street mid-construction (photo credit Patrick Reynolds) and the finished street.
“Towards the end of this year, we will begin to see more construction fences coming down and spaces being opened back up for Aucklanders to enjoy.
“However, a number of focused construction areas will remain safely fenced off for a while longer on Victoria Street, Wellesley Street, and Mayoral Drive. Next month – that’s October - Watercare will also begin their upgrade of the wastewater network below Queen Street.”
“We recognise there’s a lot of work happening in midtown, but coordinating the projects means less disruption overall, and we avoid having to come back to do more work in completed spaces.”
“While construction will always be part of any modern city centre, we are getting a lot of the upgrades done now, so when CRL opens we can enjoy a regenerated midtown, free from significant public construction,” says Larking.
Map showing the projects in midtown.
Over the next 18 months the Auckland Council Group, Vector and City Rail Link Ltd will continue to work together to transform midtown, with exciting milestones to look forward to along the way:
October 2024
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Victoria Street will have 11 new native trees greening the fringes of the redesigned street, including: pōhutukawa, pūriri, taiaire and titoki, along with 900 new plants creating vibrant understories beneath the canopies. Find out more here.
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Watercare will begin their upgrade of the city centre wastewater network, under Queen St between Mayoral Drive and Victoria Street. This upgrade will unlock city centre growth to more homes and jobs and reduce the risk of overflows into the Waitematā. Read more about this work here.
End of 2024
- Victoria Street West between Elliott Street and Queen Street will open to the public, with widened footpaths and new places to sit.
Early 2025
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Victoria Street East between Kitchener Street and High Street will open to the public, with widened footpaths and new places to sit.
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The northern side of Wellesley Street West between Albert Street and Queen Street will be upgraded and open to the public.
Mid 2025
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Another critical cycle link on Victoria Street will be added, meaning people can safely cycle from the bottom of College Hill in Freemans Bay to Queen Street adding to the expanding cycling network in Auckland.
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A completely upgraded Albert Street from downtown to Mayoral Drive.
End of 2025
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Watercare finishes upgrading a critical part of the city centre’s wastewater network, under Queen Street.
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With the wastewater upgrades complete on Queen Street, Auckland Council will begin upgrading the last section of Te Hā Noa on Victoria Street East between Queen Street and High Street.
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Wellesley Street West will have four new bus shelters, wider footpaths, safer pedestrian crossings, and more places to sit, from Queen Street to Albert Street.
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Construction will be complete on Te Waihorotiu Station and the surrounding streetscape. Auckland Transport and City Rail Link will carry out the last of the required testing before they open the turnstiles on the new train system.
In 2026
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Our world-class underground rail system will be ready to welcome passengers for the first time.
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Te Waihorotiu Station will be open, welcoming people by train right into the heart of our city centre.
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Victoria Street will have an uninterrupted cycleway on Victoria Street, all the way from the bottom of College Hill to Albert Park.
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Victoria Street will be a tree-lined oasis with wide footpaths, relaxing lunch spots, and an entrance to Te Waihorotiu Station.
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Wellesley Street will be an important centre city transport interchange, providing people with a seamless connection between trains and buses.
Jenny Larking describes the work Auckland Council does to support midtown businesses and residents during construction.
“While there is a lot to look forward to, we do want to acknowledge that this level of construction is challenging for neighbouring businesses and residents, on top of a tough economic environment.
“We will continue to work with businesses and residents to ensure midtown feels safe, clean and welcoming throughout construction, and provide clear wayfinding and business signage for people to get around as easily as possible.
“We will also continue our programme of events and activations in midtown, to keep bringing people to the area during construction,” says Larking.
Find out more about the midtown programme by visiting ProgressAKL/midtown.
