Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, KiwiRail and Auckland Transport are delivering $2.7 billion of transport improvements in South Auckland to provide growing communities with more travel options that help people get where they want to go safely. As part of the New Zealand Upgrade Programme (NZUP), these projects aim to improve safety, walking, biking and public transport connections and support additional housing.

New Zealand Upgrade Programme

Auckland package projects

Auckland is growing fast, and the south is the region’s fastest growing area with more than an additional 100,000 people expected to make it their home during the next 30 years.

The NZUP projects are part of a long-term plan to provide a transport network that gives growing communities lots of options to move around safely and easily and supports carbon reduction.

The plan includes a significant investment in rail, with electrification between Papakura and Pukekohe, the Wiri to Quay Park third main rail line, two new stations in Drury and one in Paerata.

KiwiRail construction is progressing on the third main rail line and on Papakura to Pukekohe electrification. These two projects will be completed in 2024. The three new rail stations between Papakura and Pukekohe will be constructed by KiwiRail, with completion planned by late 2025.

KiwiRail – third main rail line(external link)

KiwiRail – bringing electric trains to Pukekohe(external link)

KiwiRail – Drury rail stations(external link)

Officials turning the sod to mark the start of the Papakura to Drury project.

For Waka Kotahi, construction is well underway on the SH1 Papakura to Drury project. This project will improve access along and across the motorway with an additional lane in each direction, wide shoulders for future bus services, a shared walking and bike path, and interchange improvements at both Papakura and Drury. At Drury, these improvements will enable the rail electrification project.

SH1 Papakura to Drury

To support new housing and access to train stations, the Government has approved pre-implementation funding for two proposed Drury local transport upgrades at SH22 Drury and on Waihoehoe Road to allow design work to progress. Construction of these projects is subject to the Government’s funding approval through a business case for Drury local transport upgrades and safety and public transport options for Mill Road.

Waihoehoe Road upgrade

SH22 Drury upgrade

Waka Kotahi is working on a rescoped business case for Mill Road after the Government decided in June 2021 not to proceed with the full Mill Road corridor upgrade. The aims of the rescoped business case are to improve safety, walking, biking and public transport connections and support additional housing. It will be presented for ministers’ approval in mid-2023.

Mill Road

Benefits

  • Reduces congestion and contributes to decarbonising transport in Auckland.
  • Supports housing growth by ensuring growing suburbs are well linked to public transport networks, including commuter rail, to better manage congestion and emissions.
  • Increases walking and biking travel choices.
  • Addresses existing safety issues.
  • Adds a new third main rail line to remove a bottleneck in the Auckland rail network to allow more South Auckland commuter services and to support freight growth.

Scope

  • Three new rail stations between Papakura and Pukekohe.
  • Papakura to Pukekohe rail electrification.
  • Third main rail line (Wiri to Quay Park).
  • SH1 Papakura to Drury improvements.
  • Mill Road northern section improvements.
  • Waihoehoe Road upgrade between the intersections of Waihoehoe Road/Great South Road and Waihoehoe Road/Kath Henry Lane (approx. 400m).
  • SH22 Drury upgrade between the intersections of SH22/Mercer Street and SH22/Jesmond Road (approx. 2km).

Next steps

  • Continue construction of SH1 Papakura to Drury, third main rail line and Papakura to Pukekohe rail electrification.
  • Construction starts in 2023 on three new rail stations.
  • Refine SH22 Drury upgrade and Waihoehoe Road upgrade indicative designs and engage with potentially affected landowners and the community.
  • Continue to work on the business case for the rescoped Mill Road and Drury transport improvements for ministers’ approval mid-2023.