The Remuera train station – one of the most significant remaining suburban railway buildings in New Zealand – is getting key restoration funding after a long delay.
The Albert-Eden Local Board provided a community grant for restoration work at the station (which borders the Albert-Eden and Ōrākei local boards) in 2019, but these funds were not used and the project stalled. However, the work is now going ahead, with Auckland Transport carrying out the important mahi.
Albert-Eden Local Board Chair Margi Watson says it’s pleasing the restoration is underway.
“It’s great we can finally get on with the restoration needed for this historic station that sits alongside the Albert-Eden and Orakei Local Boards. It’s a beautiful station that requires care and upkeep, it’s massively pleasing Auckland Transport will be carrying out this work.”
Ōrākei Local Board Chair Sarah Powrie says:
“Remuera Railway Station is one of the two oldest remaining island stations in New Zealand; we are delighted to see the signal box and exterior being restored. Our community, led by Remuera Heritage, have a keen interest in this remarkable station, and hope to see the full restoration of the station, including the interior, over time.”
Key upgrades for Remuera train station
The upgrades consist of strengthening and weatherproofing the exterior of the signal box and station building, as well as the removal, refurbishment, and reinstatement of all the timber-framed windows.
The station building will undergo a full exterior refurbishment. The broken glass inside from past vandalism will also be removed. The interiors of the buildings are not being restored.
A slice of history in Tamaki Mākaurau
The station is one of the most significant remaining suburban railway buildings in New Zealand and is almost in in original condition.
It was opened in 1873, and initially started as a stop on the Auckland-Onehunga railway. The design is an island station, with the signal box one of only two in New Zealand that’s original.