Over the past decade, Downtown Tāmaki Makaurau, from Wynyard Quarter along Quay Street to Te Komititanga and Britomart, has been steadily reshaped into a place where events, art, food and everyday city life meet te Waitematā, the Waitematā Harbour.
That transformation continues in line with the City Centre Masterplan with Council and Auckland Transport preparing the next phase of improvements to make getting to, through and around Downtown easier and more enjoyable for everyone.
Downtown West: opening up the city’s heart
The area between Commercial Bay and the Viaduct, along the historic foreshore, will evolve into a vibrant city-centre precinct that connects the city and the sea and the Viaduct to Downtown.
The redevelopment of the Downtown Car Park will turn a former through-route into a vibrant, connected destination with new homes, retail and workplaces for thousands of people.
Coupled with a range of improvements to enable better bus movement, the works will be done by Precinct Properties, in partnership with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Auckland Council and Auckland Transport to reduce disruption and to make it easier to get to and from the city centre, and more enjoyable when you get there.
Proposed changes include:
- Removing the Lower Hobson Street Flyover to open the skyline, improve walking and cycling links, create space for better public transport and make it easier for local trips by private vehicles.
- Making Sturdee Street two-way, which will make it easier for cars to get around.
- A new public space at the base of the historic seawall on Fanshawe St, which will be developed over time, tested and then refined with feedback from mana whenua, local businesses and the community.
Building on what’s working
Following the opening of City Rail Link, Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and Precinct Properties will work in partnership to bring transport, public spaces and private investment together so the whole area works as one connected place, that meets the high standards of development across the whole waterfront.
Downtown bus improvements: simpler, faster, easier
As part of AT’s City Centre Bus Plan, routes will be reorganised into a single, frequent east–west route with dedicated bus lanes, clearer stops along Customs Street and purpose-built facilities that support reliable services and driver welfare.
Expect quicker trips, easier transfers and fewer buses circulating on smaller streets. Utilities upgrades will be scheduled first to minimise rework later.
Downtown Car Park redevelopment
The car park will remain in use until demolition begins; hand-over and construction timing will be confirmed and communicated ahead of any changes. The completed precinct is expected to bring thousands more people into the city centre each day, supporting a more lively, walkable downtown.
Funding at a glance
The Downtown Development Programme has $33 million budgeted in the 2024–2027 Regional Land Transport Plan, fully funded by Auckland Council, with $135 million identified across the 10-year plan to support delivery of high-quality streets and places on the central waterfront.
What’s next
Auckland Council and AT have selected a team to plan and sequence an efficient and integrated package of projects. Looking at the network as a whole helps deliver better design, fewer disruptions and a stronger foundation for future investment.