Auckland is growing fast, and the south is the region’s fastest growing area with more than an additional 120,000 people expected to make it their home during the next 30 years.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, KiwiRail and Auckland Transport in partnership with Mana Whenua 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.

The NZUP projects are part of a long-term plan to provide growing communities across the country with better travel choices that help people get where they’re going safely.

South Auckland projects map

Map of South Auckland projects

Benefits

  • Reduce congestion and contribute to decarbonising transport in Auckland.
  • Support housing growth by ensuring growing communities are well linked to public transport networks, including commuter rail, to better manage congestion and emissions.
  • Improve resilience and reliability of public transport.
  • Increase walking and biking travel choices.
  • Address existing safety issues.
  • Add 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).

SH1 Papakura to Drury

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, interchange improvements at both Papakura and Drury, and improved safety, environmental and amenity features. At Drury, the improvements will also enable the rail electrification project by lifting the interchange to provide sufficient clearance underneath for electrification.

SH1 Papakura to Drury

South Auckland package

The Government has approved pre-implementation funding for the SH22 Drury upgrade project and Waihoehoe Road upgrade project. These projects will support access to the new Drury Railway Station, Ngākōroa Railway Station, and planned housing developments. Construction is subject to the Government’s funding approval through a combined business case for Drury and Manukau to Takaanini safety and public transport improvements.

Waka Kotahi is working on a rescoped business case after the government decided in June 2021 not to proceed with the construction of the full, four-lane Mill Road corridor upgrade at this time. Instead, it asked Waka Kotahi to rescope the project to deliver upgrades to the existing Mill Road / Redoubt Road corridor (Manukau to Takaanini) and investment in the Drury road network. The focus being on improving safety, supporting public transport and active mode connections, and decarbonisation. The business case is due to be presented for ministers’ approval in late 2023.

Waihoehoe Road upgrade project

SH22 Drury upgrade project

Mill Road project

KiwiRail projects in South Auckland

A significant investment in rail is being undertaken in South Auckland, with electrification between Papakura and Pukekohe, the Wiri to Quay Park third main rail line, and three new stations between Papakura and Pukekohe.

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

Adding a new third main rail line will remove a bottleneck in the Auckland rail network to allow more South Auckland commuter services and to support freight growth.

KiwiRail – Third main rail line(external link)

KiwiRail – Bringing electric trains to Pukekohe(external link)

KiwiRail – Southern stations(external link)

We are working with KiwiRail to coordinate and deliver the construction of Paerātā Railway Station and SH22 Paerātā Roundabout as part of the Drury Rail Stations project while minimising disruption to the road network.

Construction of the roundabout is due to begin mid-2024 and is expected to take a year to build.

The new single lane roundabout on SH22 will ensure safe traffic flow in and out of Paerātā Station, SH22, and new housing developments.

SH22 Paerātā roundabout works map [PDF, 7.3 MB]