The busiest train station in the country and the biggest rooftop bar in Auckland are coming to the city centre. There’s a whole lot more planned, and in the meantime, some gorgeous public art to be discovered. They’re all part of a wider transformation programme aimed at creating a city centre that will be enjoyed by Aucklanders and visitors for generations.
Te Waihorotiu Station Takes Shape
Te Waihorotiu Station is seeing lots of progress being made as the project moves forward! Recently, they have unveiled before and after images of the platform space inside the new midtown station, showing how it has taken shape. Tests will soon be underway to allow the CRL to open in 2026.
The station’s stunning design features seven overhead skylights punctured into Albert St, representing the seven stars of Matariki. The view from the platform features more cultural elements of Tāmaki Makaurau engraved into black panels, and a huge x-shaped cross beam suspended over a set of escalators. The CRL promises to offer faster journeys across Auckland, with commuters able to travel from central city to Mt Eden, via Karangahape Rd, in about six minutes. To keep up to date with all the progress being made, see their Facebook Page here.
Images via Instagram @CityRailLink
New Greenery in Victoria Street
11 native trees have been crane-lifted into tree pits on Victoria Street - including pōhutukawa, pūriri, taraire, and tītoki - alongside over 900 plants! This marks a milestone in the evolution of Te Hā Noa. The maturing trees have been grown and nurtured in Auckland nurseries for more than a decade.
Visitors can sit on natural stone terraces, inspired by the volcanic geology of the area, under native trees, and take advantage of this new space.
Te Ara Tukutuku's Transformation
Since 2011, Aucklanders have experienced the transformation of their inner-city waterfront - opening it up from former port-related uses to become a world-class destination that excites the senses and celebrates our sea-loving cultures and maritime history.
The next stage of the long-term change will create a celebrated area at the space you might know as Wynyard Point, or the northern end of Wynyard Quarter. Over the next ten to fifteen years, this area will be transformed into one of the most beautiful open spaces and waterfront destinations in Tāmaki Makaurau. Designed to be a space for everyone, the project coordinators have been collecting feedback from the public about what amenities they would like to see incorporated into the plans. Innovative in its design, the concept shifts away from regular public spaces as we know it, incorporating unique features, including.
Nature immersion: Explore a coastal ngahere and visit a plant nursery, learn in outdoor classrooms, follow an urban stream to the ocean and see climate resilience in action.
Marine interaction: Engage with marine life through habitat education, see marine clean-up and habitat from the shore and dip your feet in the shallow waters of Te Waitematā.
Cultural connection: Learn about traditional activities and Te Ao Māori (Māori world view), hear Mana Whenua stories, attend ceremony and enjoy live waiata performances.
Cultural immersion: Get hands-on with waka, participate in and observe waka launches and engage with indigenous knowledge and regenerative practices.
Community events: Engage in or watch community and Mana Whenua-led events in the plaza spaces and experience something new.
Scenic lookouts: Take in the 360-degree views from the headland, enjoy lookouts around the coast for city and harbour views and observe the working waterfront including waka ramp and marine restoration.
The Te Ara Tukutuku vision is to enjoy, explore, connect with community, engage in nature, and interact with whenua (land) and wai (water) environments.
Karanga Plaza Tidal Steps
Summer 2024/2025 will see a new swimming spot open up for the city centre, with plans to open the Karanga Plaza Tidal Steps, in the Viaduct Basin by the end of this calendar year!
Works began in August 2024 at the popular swimming spot with an Eke Panuku water’s edge health and safety review taking place as part of the Mayor’s vision to open up the waterfront. Improvements to the area are being implemented around recreation and safety including a free harbour pool and bespoke jumping platform which creates a multi-purpose swimming area, and pontoons enclosing the harbour pool, to protect and contain swimmers and provide a visual and physical barrier for boats operating in the viaduct channel.
Operating as a pilot project for real-time testing, this project’s results will inform a longer-term plan for a more permanent saltwater lap pool on the waterfront. This location is on the Swim Safe Website and water quality is regularly monitored and tested and the facilities will be free to use and open during daylight hours.
Improvements we will see in the area include a larger area for swimmers enclosed by floating pontoons, approximately four 33m long swimming lanes, with lane ropes and ladders for access, a dedicated jumping platform with balustrades and a grab rail, changing sheds, and a shower (toilets are provided) in Karanga Plaza and a broad range of safety improvements across the area by December 2024.
Eat, Play, Swim: Enjoying the Wynyard Quarter
Wynyard Quarter, once an industrial and marine area, has undergone an impressive transformation. The marine industry still proudly calls this home, but there’s now fantastic restaurants, cafes, playgrounds, a theatre and even a basketball court. And there’s plenty more planned!
From swimming in restored bays to new waterfront dining experiences, there will be even more new ways to enjoy the area within the next decade or so. Ten hectares of industrial land is planned to be transformed into Te Ara Tukutuku a new public park Here, people will be able to walk through a forest, enjoy a rejuvenated coastline and more.
We know Aucklanders love their waterside dining and we’re about to get a whole lot more with the planned Cracker Bay development. Featuring a mix of casual and fine dining eateries, it will be the perfect spot to watch the sun go down over the Waitematā Harbour. If you’re looking to head to the area, the Wynard Quarter Bridge is undergoing maintenance at the moment but will be back up and running in December 2024. In the meantime, there is a free ferry running between the wharves adjacent to the Maritime Museum and the Viaduct Events Centre or you can take a stroll around the Viaduct Basin.
(Top left and bottom: Cracker Bay, top right: Te Ara Tukutuku)
Britomart’s evolution continues to unfold
Galway Street is the most recently completed space. It’s got an intimate yet bustling vibe, helped along by it being home of local institutions Perch and Daily Bread, as well as the city centre’s first Four Square in a beautifully refurbished heritage building no less. Across the road, the large temporary shed that was behind the Chief Post Office (CPO) has been removed and the space is now being transformed. By mid-2025, you'll be able to head there and have an al fresco coffee or lunch under the native trees or large seating area at Waitematā Station (Britomart) Plaza. An upgrade to Tyler Street is happening at the same time as well.
(Top left: Perch, top right: Daily Bread Britomart, bottom: Waitemata Plaza, render)
Rooftop Bars, luxury hotels, and New Zealand firsts: take your staycation in the city centre up a notch
Commercial Bay keeps getting better, with the newest luxury hotel in New Zealand – the InterContinental Auckland in the Deloitte Centre (formerly One Queen Street). Featuring incredible views of the cityscape or harbour and its restaurant Advieh’s contemporary Turkish food, it’s a definite contender for your next staycation. If you need further convincing, Queens Rooftop and Wineshop has just opened atop Commercial Bay offering incredible views of the waterfront and Hauraki Gulf! And a basement restaurant is coming later in the year.
In fact, we love a rooftop bar in the city centre, so it’s exciting that the biggest open-air rooftop bar in Auckland is planned for 280 Queen Street, atop the first Radisson RED Hotel in Australasia. Shoppers at Smith & Caughey’s, or theatregoers at The Civic will be able to pop across the road and soak in the sprawling views of the Aotea Arts Quarter.
There’s another New Zealand first hotel opening early 2025 – a Hotel Indigo at 51 Albert Street. Another great staycation spot, foodies will be spoiled for choice, with a contemporary pan-Asian restaurant tipped to open in the building, joining The Grove in St. Patricks Square.
(Top left: render of Hotel Indigo, top right: InterContinental, bottom: Advieh)
New art across the city centre
We’ve got public art in spades across the heart of the city and now there’s more to experience. There’s a stunning new portrait of Israel Adesanya in the works on Victoria Street West, by internationally recognised New Zealand artist Owen Dippie, with the support of Heart of the City. Artist Margarita Vovna has recently finished a gorgeous Japanese-inspired mural on 25 Victoria Street West.
Over in Myers Park, Waimahara has been integrated into the landscape of the Mayoral Drive underpass. Created by Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Manu) in collaboration with others, it’s a truly unique piece of art designed to change with the weather and visitor interaction. It uses light and sound to honour Te Waihorotiu, the ancient river that flows underneath this inner-city valley.
Federal Street (south) is now the home of Lost and Found by Joe Sheehan. Eight large boulders from all around New Zealand have been intricately hand-carved with everyday objects including sneakers, sunglasses and a baseball cap to encourage a sense of community and togetherness.
(Top left and right: Lost and Found by Joe Sheehan, bottom: Japanese-inspired mural by Margarita Vovna)
Easy breezy access: getting in and around the city centre will be a whole lot easier
If you’ve visited the city centre recently, you will have seen a lot of construction happening around the Midtown area – but what’s it all about? In a couple of years, you’ll be able to get a train to the Aotea Arts Quarter, better bus connections, brand new public spaces, and best of all, new retail and hospitality spots.
(Top left: Victoria Street ramp entrance, top right and bottom: Waihorotiu Station)
Let’s break it down:
It’s expected that in 2026, people will be able to hop on the City Rail Link and breeze into Waihorotiu Station (tipped to become the busiest station in the country) at the heart of the Aotea Arts Quarter. It will be even easier to head to one of our much-loved venues including The Civic, Auckland Town Hall and Q Theatre. It’s also a stone’s throw from heaps of dining options,like the recently opened Gorilla Kitchen or icons Elliott Stables and Tony’s Steakhouse.
Waihorotiu Station will also be the home of the Symphony Centre by 2028. This mixed use development will include new retail offerings and next door will be the revamped Bledisloe House. Between them will be The Lanes. From coffee on the way to work to capping off a night at SkyCity there will be plenty of reasons to pop in. We love the energy laneways bring to the city centre, so we’re excited for this one!
Wellesley Street is also undergoing a makeover and by the end of next year, this will be an even better place to catch the bus thanks to the Wellesley Street Bus improvements.
By late 2025, Aucklanders and visitors alike should be able to enjoy Te Hā Noa. For those on foot, the new and improved Victoria Street will offer lots of spots for people to sit and relax after shopping on Queen Street or stopping in at one of Victoria Street’s eateries like Meet Balls or Café Midnight Express.
We can’t wait!
