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Major rail upgrades to bring more frequent and reliable services mean no trains will be running from Friday 30 May to Monday 2 June, say Auckland Transport and KiwiRail.
The work is happening across the Auckland rail network to get ready for the opening of the City Rail Link (CRL) in 2026.
This four-day closure is part of KiwiRail's ongoing Rail Network Rebuild programme. AT and CRL Limited also have work underway this weekend while trains aren’t running.
No trains will operate during this period, including on Friday 30 May, a standard weekday. To support passengers, AT will operate frequent all-stop rail replacement bus services (RBE, RBW, RBS, and RBO) across all lines.
And there's more on the way
There will be two further rail closures during June and July to enable KiwiRail and CRL Limited to upgrade Auckland’s rail infrastructure and facilities, including disruptive work that needs to happen when trains aren’t running, and some stations are closed.
A full rail closure is planned for the extended Matariki weekend – from Friday 20 to Monday 23 June.
There is also a partial rail closure scheduled for the winter school holidays, from Saturday 28 June to Sunday 13 July. During these school holidays:
There will be no trains running south of Puhinui Station and reduced frequencies on all other lines except the Onehunga Line.
The Western Line will be a single line running, which allows construction work on one set of tracks at a time, while trains continue running on a second set, between Henderson and Swanson.
KiwiRail will use this time to build a third platform and additional tracks at Henderson Station.
As a reminder, especially during single line running - your safety is a priority to us. Before crossing train tracks, follow all safety signage and do not cross when the lights are on.
This work will enable more frequent trains for Western Line passengers when CRL opens in 2026.
This proposal is for a privately funded bespoke 12,500-15,000 capacity multi-purpose sports stadium for all of Auckland with high-performance facilities and fields, 8 indoor basketball courts, football, padel for community use, and commercial activity including hospitality options and a health centre.
Option 2 - Western Springs Bowl
This proposal is for a permanent music/festival venue, a 5,000-8,000 seat boutique stadium and community sport facility from a mix of private investment and ratepayer funding. Facilities also include a soundstage, clubrooms, corporate hospitality venue, and gym.
Option 3 - Neither option: either Keep things as they are or explore other ideas.
After a successful four-day revival of The Southerner rail route, Great Journeys New Zealand is adding another round of dates so more guests can relive the nostalgic journey.
Originally operating from December 1, 1970 to February 10, 2002, The Southerner was a premier passenger express train that once connected Christchurch and Invercargill via Dunedin, travelling along the Main South Line.
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Executive general manager of passenger Tracey Goodall said they were excited by the strong interest in ‘The Southerner Returns’.
“These one-off tourism experiences pay homage to the original passenger train that once connected Christchurch and Invercargill via Dunedin, travelling along the iconic Main South Line.
“The Southerner was renowned for offering a comfortable and scenic journey, making Invercargill the southernmost passenger station in the world. Its legacy as one of New Zealand's most beloved train services endures, and now it is returning to offer a new generation the chance to experience part of this historic route once again.”
Southerner at Rolleston Station. Image credit Darren Davis
Scott and Mike Hosking about City Centre planning changes
PC78 Height Modelling. Special Height Area in green, General Height Area in purple
New student accommodation announced
Precinct plan to build a new student accommodation building on Stanley St, a continuation of the city centre starting to expand into Grafton Gully.
As the city continues to expand in this direction two things immediately spring to mind.
It increases the need to deliver the City Centre Masterplan including the Grafton Gully Boulevard to make Grafton Gully better for all users
The need for the Albert Park Tunnels to provide better and easier connections from Grafton Gully to the universities and the middle of the city centre.
This June, Aucklanders are invited to roll up their sleeves and dig in by planting a free native seedling in their backyard, and be part of a region-wide movement to increase Auckland’s ngahere (forest) canopy, bringing birdsong back to our neighbourhoods, along with numerous other benefits.
Auckland Council’s Plant More Natives seedlings campaign is partnering with community nurseries across Tāmaki Makaurau to give away thousands of native seedlings throughout the month of June.
The goal?
To help achieve Auckland’s Ngahere Strategy of increasing the regions tree canopy cover from 18 to 30 per cent by enabling Aucklanders to plant a native in their own backyard.
Paris to make more streets car free
Bloomberg reports
Paris voters opted in a referendum Sunday to close 500 more city streets to cars, making way for pedestrians, bikers and greenery. The plan, which will also remove 10% of Paris’ current parking spots, will expand on a green push by Mayor Anne Hidalgo that has already seen 300 streets planted and cleared of cars since 2020.
Coming a year before the end of Hidalgo’s second and final term, the initiative will continue to change the face and character of a city that has already taken major steps away from car dominance towards an emphasis on public transit and active travel. The aim is to pedestrianize five to eight streets per neighborhood, with locals being consulted this spring to determine which streets would be most suitable, and an average budget of €500,000 ($540,000 USD) per street.
The initiative, approved by 66% of voters, has been celebrated by Paris City Hall. Paris’ Commissioner for Green Spaces and Greening Christophe Najdovski said the strong approval margin suggests Parisians are saying clearly that they want “more pedestrian streets, fewer cars, more nature in the city.”
An example of what pedestrianized streets look like in Paris.Photographer: Rachel Boßmeyer/picture alliance via Getty Images
