We reflect on another year of renewal and vibrancy in the city centre.
Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson welcomes the opportunity at the end of the year to look back and appreciate the visible progress on so many fronts, evident throughout Auckland.
“2025 has been another busy year of renewal in the city centre and wider region. We all know renewal can be disruptive and sometimes an inconvenience, but once completed we can all enjoy the benefits.
“These are 10 examples of that progress. I know Aucklanders and visitors will continue to enjoy these and many more in the years ahead. I’m looking forward to making the most of our wonderful city centre in 2026!” says Councillor Simpson.
Photo credit: Jay Farnworth Auckland Council
1. A trio of spectacles
2025 was a year of spell-binding arts presentations in our public spaces. Delighting crowds, octopus-styled artwork Te Wheke a Muturangi by acclaimed artist Lisa Reihana was seen floating on our waters for the first time in May. The same month, people flooded into historic Strand Arcade to hear the voices of angels in Opera in the Strand. And from July, Whai a captivating light-based artwork by Janine Williams was suspended and intertwined across the Gantry at Silo Park.
2. CRL a catalyst for the region
2025 saw City Rail Link Ltd deliver some major milestones - among them, the first successful test train journey through the CRL tunnel in February, which opened the driver testing and training programme. Within the stations, stunning architectural features were unveiled including the shells of pupurangi, kauri snails, in Mercury Lane; the maramataka, Māori lunar calendar, at Beresford Square; a carved kaitiaki guardian at Wellesley Street; and 53 unique red glass triangles embedded into the basalt waterwall at Maungawhau Station.
Auckland Council’s Principal Transport Advisor George Weeks reflects on how CRL will improve transport connections Auckland-wide, when it opens in the second half of 2026. In a Q&A, Weeks illustrates how Auckland Council’s 50% stake in this major infrastructure project will deliver a significant return across the region, and he describes the practical things that make cities efficient, easy to get around and pleasant to spend time in.
3. Midtown momentum builds
Midtown is getting its mojo back. Te Hā Noa, midtown’s emerging green link, has taken big steps forward this year. Native planting, mature trees, widened footpaths and new seating are in place along Victoria Street from Elliott Street to Queen Street and High Street to Albert Park. The new two-way cycleway along Victoria Street West now connects Victoria Park and the Nelson Street cycleway to Queen Street. The buses are back along Albert Street, Pitt St and Vincent St; construction of the new Wellesley Street bus interchange is progressing well; and wastewater and streetscape upgrades are on schedule for completion before CRL opens in the second half of 2026.
4. Matariki light trail
Celebrating Matariki - a time of reflection and connection, the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter - a two-kilometre reflective light trail traced a path from the original spring in Myers Park, along the re-imagined banks of Te Waihorotiu stream, among symbolic portrayals of birds and plants which once thrived in the Queen Street valley, to the original foreshore of Tāmaki Makaurau. Guided by light, art and sounds created by Māori artists, this modern form of Matariki splendour enhanced Aucklanders’ Matariki experience this year.
5. ‘Take 10’ offers safe haven
Aiming to keep rangatahi and others safe on their nights-out, Auckland Council supported the launch of a new pilot initiative called Take 10. Welcoming spaces in various locations across the city centre were offered on Friday and Saturday nights from 10pm to 3am in the winter months - July to September. This and other safety initiatives were enabled by the city centre targeted rate.
Photo credit: Jay Farnworth Auckland Council.
6. Waka Moana anchors history
Set along the Daldy Street Linear Park in Wynyard Quarter, new public artwork Waka Moana reminds us of courageous Māori voyagers who sailed across Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean) centuries ago, before landing on the shores of Tāmaki Makaurau. Part of a wider vision to form a continuous network of green spaces across Auckland’s city centre and waterfront, Waka Moana by artist Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Manu) features nine six-metre waka-shaped sculptures forming a striking pathway.
Photo credit: David St George
7. 65,000 celebrate Diwali
Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali signifies the triumph of light over darkness and the renewal of life. A week-long celebration, culminating in the two-day festival of this time-honoured tradition, was presented by Auckland Council Events supported by the city centre targeted rate. More than 65,000 people attended the festival in Aotea Centre, Queen Street and the surrounding Arts Quarter.
8. World-first wonderland
A star in the festive calendar in 2025, five-metre-tall columns are delivering a parade of interactive colour and neon light along Queen Street. Each column lights up a different form of festive wonder creating a virtual advent calendar experience never seen before in this historic street. Pedestrian counts are positive, with the Christmas Market in Te Komititanga attracting around 10,000 people. These and other festive activations were proudly supported by Auckland Council Events and the city centre targeted rate. Watch the joy on children’s faces.
Photo credit: Matt Hart Auckland Council.
9. Downtown countdown
A new circular structure, appearing to hover above the ground, now sits in front of Waitematā Station’s striking eastern entrance. Once construction is fully complete in February 2026, the glass atrium will open into a new square, Waitematā Station plaza, with the Skylid a central feature. Designed in partnership with mana whenua, the artwork carries a sand-blasted design by celebrated artist Graham Tipene who calls his latest mahi toi a map. “It's a map of the historical waterways coming together,” he says.
10. Springboard for startups
Driving the region’s commitment to innovation and building a runway to help early-stage businesses achieve success, Auckland Startup Week energised Wynyard Quarter in October. Organised by the Economic Development Office within Auckland Council, the week’s 32 events at 10 city centre venues brought together more than 4000 investors, industry experts, and startup founders at all stages of business development. Watch a highlights video below.
Karanga Plaza, Wynyard Quarter.
Experience a refreshed city centre this summer. With re-configured streets, award-winning public art and Wynyard Quarter’s one-year-old harbour pool, you’ll find new energy and artistry all around.
Newly planted trees are bringing birds, providing shade and absorbing carbon, while the growing visibility of Māori values and histories in art and design continues to enlighten the cityscape.
Make a day of it and discover what’s new since you were here last. Some places have been cherished for a hundred summers. Others are new this summer.
We wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas and New Year.
