Your midtown neighbourhood
Midtown neighbourhood
Midtown community update - August 2025
View the latest newsletter here.
Midtown’s transformation continues to build momentum with Watercare’s tunnel boring machine progressing beneath Queen Street, construction on the Wellesley Street Bus Improvements shifting to a new phase and Te Hā Noa's bi-directional cycleway opening soon on Victoria Street.
Te Hā Noa cycleway opens this month
With widened footpaths, mature trees, native planting, seating and lighting, Te Hā Noa is already transforming how people move through and enjoy midtown.
Two sections of Te Hā Noa, our new green link along Victoria Street, have already opened. This month, a new section of a two-way cycleway opens on Victoria Street West, connecting Victoria Park and Queen Street.
This is an important link in the cycling network, providing a safer, separated cycling connection between the Victoria Street West cycleway, Nelson Street cycleway and the Waihorotiu Path.
Watercare's tunnelling powers ahead
Piling is complete at Victoria Street East, with shaft excavation starting soon. At Mayoral Drive, the tunnel boring machine (TBM) has been assembled and pipe installation has begun.
The TBM is expected to reach Wellesley Street East around mid-September. At Greys Avenue, the processing facility that supports tunnelling is now fully operational.
Wellesley Street bus upgrades shift south
Construction has now moved to the southern side of Wellesley Street West, between Queen Street and Bledisloe Lane. You might see fencing changes outside The Civic to allow for pavement tie-ins. On the northern side, some localised finishing works continue. Installation of furniture, like bus shelters, will start later this year.
Precinct reconnections underway around City Rail Link streets
Final touches are underway outside the Wellesley Centre, with paving complete and the final section of asphalt being laid this week.
Work on the Mayoral Drive section between Wellesley Street West and Myers Road is progressing well, and the northern slip lane near Albert Street will be complete by mid-August.
Further up Albert Street, upgrades continue outside the Huawei Centre and Crowne Plaza, expected to be completed by early September.
Bringing people to midtown
After a vibrant July celebrating Matariki, midtown is keeping the momentum going this August with activations that bring fashion, community and play into the heart of the city.
These activations, with the support of the city centre targeted rate, make sure midtown stays a great place to visit during construction.
Check out what's on in August below.
Jump(er) on a Bike
Thursday 21 August | 5.30–7.15pm
Pull on your warmest, boldest, most fabulous jumper and join the ride down the new cycleway.
There’ll be prizes for best jumper, best bike-jumper combo and more – plus Bike Auckland’s free valet bike parking.
We’ll roll past the judges, then gather for music, crochet workshops, a makers market and hot drinks at the Midtown Street Party.
All ages welcome. Rain or shine, we’ll be there. Meet at the bike racks by Te Waihorotiu Station (corner of Victoria and Federal Streets). Find out more.
KNIT | On now until 31 August | The Strand Arcade
A celebration of yarn-based fashion in all its forms – from knitting and crochet to macrame and weaving. Explore handmade garments and vintage inspiration, and get involved with workshops, crafting circles and repair sessions led by local yarn artists. Find out more.
Midtown Street Party | Thursday 21 August, 5–8pm | The Strand Arcade
Get snug and stylish for a night of music, fashion and creativity. Enjoy live DJs, browse handmade goods at the makers market, and take part in cosy crochet and yarning workshops. Find out more.
Our commitments to you
We recognise that the work to regenerate midtown isn't without some disruption, and we're working to reduce the impact on you as much as we can. These are some of the things we're doing to address the key frustrations that businesses, residents and property owners have expressed to us:
Coordinate work
- Across the Auckland Council group we’re committed to coordinating works where possible to reduce the overall disruption and get projects finished sooner.
Keep you informed
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We know you need good information in order to plan for disruption. To stay up to date with the latest construction information and what is happening in your midtown neighbourhood, subscribe here.
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You can also contact us with any questions or concerns at midtown@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz - we have a dedicated council representative on-street daily, checking in and sharing updates. They are your key point of contact for all information and any issues.
- You can view our latest newsletters here:
Minimise disruption
- Site works will generally be undertaken during daylight hours, Monday to Friday.
- We’ll do what we can to minimise noise and dust by using tools such as noise mats, cutting booths, and carefully choosing where things are positioned. Noisy works will mostly be during the day to minimise disruption to nearby residents and timed to be considerate of the needs of nearby residents and businesses where possible.
- At times it may be necessary to work at night, and we'll give you as much notice as possible. We'll do our best to minimise disruption to people sleeping nearby.
- Waste management and collection points will be maintained.
Make sure you can still do what you do
- We’ll maintain access to your building and business throughout construction, and we’ll talk to your body corporate/property managers about managing impacts.
- We’ll have good traffic management in place, including temporary loading bays to support loading and servicing in impacted areas.
- We know construction disruption can be really tough for small businesses, so we're offering the Midtown Small Business Support Programme, which includes a free business connector service and microgrants to eligible businesses.
Encourage people to keep coming to the area
- Safe pedestrian access to buildings will be maintained at all times, so your customers or visitors can get to you. We’ll need to re-route people from time to time but we will use clear signage to help people get around.
- We’ll use a mixture of fencing and hoardings to keep people safe, while providing light and visibility to businesses in the area.
- We’re working with property managers to add interest to empty storefronts until new tenants are in place. If you’re interested in being part of our vacant stores programme, please contact Heart of the City.
- We’re also working with Heart of the City on initiatives to improve safety in the city centre.
- We are hosting events and activities to attract more people to the midtown area. You can read more about these events here. If you’d like to participate in future events, contact us at midtown@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz – we welcome expressions of interest from all ground/first floor businesses in the midtown area. We can help with ideas for activities, offers or promotions if needed.