Chief Economist at Auckland Council, Gary Blick, shares his insights on the City Rail Link (CRL) – a major infrastructure investment expected to deliver economic benefits to the Auckland region and a return on the council’s 50% stake in the project.
In this Q&A he talks about the role of Maungawhau Station in the region’s upgraded transit network and its potential for future residential and commercial development.
He also explores how the City Rail Link, alongside draft changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan, can improve housing affordability, enhance access to jobs and services, and boost productivity.
This is part of an occasional Q&A series with urban and economic development leads on Auckland’s growth.
Our Q&A with Gary Blick:
Where do Aucklanders prefer to live?
Aucklanders’ preferences vary but, in general, people trade off what they want against what they can afford. If we look at land values as an expression of demand, that demand tends to be stronger in locations near services, jobs and transport – places like Maungawhau.
We've learned from the Unitary Plan, since 2016, that enabling more density creates development opportunities and expands housing choice – in both type and location. This gives more people the option to live closer to things they prefer, like good transport links.
How will CRL promote greater productivity?
When the City Rail Link opens, there will be more frequent train services, plus new routes that better connect Auckland. This upgraded rapid transit system, together with the Unitary Plan, will allow land to be used more productively.
Allowing more height makes room for more homes, so more people can live closer to rapid transit and the jobs it connects them to. With better access and shorter travel times, public transport becomes a more attractive option.
That improved connectivity between people and jobs drives urban productivity. It also allows for better use of our existing infrastructure, reducing the need for costly network expansions.
This is what productivity looks like in an urban context: getting more out of our land, infrastructure and people. Higher productivity leads to higher incomes and better living standards. And a more productive Auckland is not only more competitive in attracting people, skills, and investment. Ultimately, it’s a more liveable place for everyone.
How will CRL combine with the Unitary Plan to improve housing affordability?
For most homes, the land is the most expensive part. Allowing more homes on a site means each uses less land and that lowers the average land cost per dwelling. That’s one way the Unitary Plan opens up opportunities for more housing at a wider range of price points.
The City Rail Link makes locations more accessible, desirable and feasible by improving rapid transit. Together, they unlock the potential for more homes in key locations. This helps housing supply respond to demand and more housing should, over time, help moderate price growth.
At Maungawhau, the City Rail Link delivery has created a development opportunity. Land that was, until recently, being used for tunnelling and site works will soon be left ready for development. It is a large area, with excellent transport connections. In the years ahead, it will be redeveloped to accommodate many new homes and commercial spaces too.
How does the CRL / Unitary Plan effect help to provide housing choices?
Housing choice means having options across types, locations and price points. The Unitary Plan enables denser forms that use less land per dwelling, enabling more homes in many locations – and that supports affordability too.
But additional homes need infrastructure. That’s where the City Rail Link comes in, by making key locations more accessible by rapid transit. This supports higher-density housing and access to jobs and services.
Maungawhau Station is a good example. Land values show it’s a desirable location. The City Rail Link investment improves its connection to the city centre, which is an employment hub. Over time, that will encourage more housing and local services for people living in the area.
View the CRL Network map [651KB] for more information.
Maungawhau Station in context
- The East West Line is one of the biggest changes to the rail network when CRL opens:
- It will mean a single train between Swanson and Manukau, via the City Rail Link and eastern stations – connecting the city centre and many destinations along the route.
- Trains will continue right along this line. It will be possible to get from Maungawhau to Panmure or to New Lynn on one train. Getting to a flight will be possible on a single train to Puhinui plus a short trip on the AirportLink bus.
- It will be just ten minutes from Maungawhau to Waitematā (Britomart), saving time getting to the office or venues in the Viaduct.
- Maungawhau Station, and future development sites nearby, will enable growth well-integrated with public transport. These development areas are well connected to the station and major bus routes, enabling and supporting a more dynamic urban environment.
Proposed changes to the Unitary Plan in context
With draft changes to the Unitary Plan currently being considered, there is an opportunity to make better use of land and infrastructure, supporting long-term productivity. They include stronger rules to protect people and property from flooding and other natural hazards, while also meeting government requirements for more housing capacity across the city.
The draft changes focus more homes in safe, well-connected locations – close to shops, everyday services and around train stations to be transformed by the City Rail Link. This means more people can live and work nearby, with shorter commutes, less congestion, and better value from the infrastructure Aucklanders have already invested in.
For more on the art of Maungawhau Station read OurAuckland, and for more on the City Rail Link visit their website.
