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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
