Transport Minister and Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown says the Government has confirmed a programme of upgrades to Auckland’s rail network that will complete the Rail Network Rebuild ahead of the City Rail Link (CRL) opening.
It’s estimated to add up to 96 days of full network closure between this Christmas period and the end of January, 2026.
“The last National Government started the City Rail Link to transform public transport in Auckland,” Brown says.
“This project will double Auckland’s rail capacity with new stations in the CBD and more frequent, faster, and more reliable trains across the city.
“This is a key part of the Government’s plan to reduce travel times across Auckland and give Aucklanders more travel choices so we can reduce congestion and increase productivity in our biggest city.”
Brown says to ensure the success of the CRL, the Rail Network Rebuild needs to be completed ahead of its opening to ensure Aucklanders can benefit from increased train services and improved reliability.
“The Government is fully funding the more than $200m needed to complete the Rail Network Rebuild and ensure the benefits of CRL can be achieved on day one.
“This unfortunately means further disruption for rail users in Auckland with a large programme of upgrades required over the coming year.
“KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail have worked together to agree a timeline to deliver these works that ensures they can be completed ahead of the City Rail Link opening.
“These works will have a significant impact on passengers and freight in Auckland with KiwiRail undertaking a large programme of rail upgrades across the network over the next year.
“This is estimated to add up to 96 days of full network closure between this Christmas period and the end of January 2026.
“These closures will be disruptive but will enable Aucklanders to realise the substantial benefits of City Rail Link the day it opens, with faster and more frequent services, and means the Rail Network Rebuild will be completed prior to the City Rail Link opening, not afterwards which would be the alternative.”
Acting Auckland mayor Desley Simpson says completing the upgrade works ahead of the City Rail Link opening is critical to Aucklanders getting the maximum value out of City Rail Link from opening day.
“The City Rail Link is poised to fundamentally transform public transport in Auckland.
“For CRL to open and be effective from day one in 2026, disruption to train schedules is an unavoidable necessity.
“A full network upgrade, from rebuilding aging foundations to integrating the new stations into the network is needed to get the most benefits form this significant investment.
“KiwiRail and Auckland Transport have worked together to make that disruption as minimal as possible, prioritising weekday peak services, so that so that as many people as possible can rely on their weekday routines.
“However, this means that there will be rail closures during major holidays, weekends, and late evenings.
“‘It’s the expectation of council, and I am sure Aucklanders, that both Auckland Transport and KiwiRail engage frequently and give ample notice of any changes to services, explain the scale of what’s happening, why disruptions are necessary, and how people can get to their destinations using alternative public transport routes.”
