High Street Improvements Project
What's happening now
-
Planned
Designing High Street's future with the community -
In Progress
-
Completed
Project Map
Share this page
About the project
High Street, one of the busiest laneways in our city centre, is brimming with potential. With neighbouring O’Connell Street, Jean Batten Place, Freyberg Place and Ellen Melville Centre enjoying relatively recent upgrades, and with Victoria Street undergoing significant transformation, it’s now time for Aucklanders to help determine how they want to use High Street in the future and for the next generation.
In 2020 we made some temporary improvements to High Street through a pilot project. Key changes included using boardwalks to widen the footpath, increasing greenery along the street, trialling waste management solutions and improving loading and servicing functionality.
The High Street improvements project will result in an updated plan for High Street’s future.
Click here to sign-up for updates.
Have your say on High Street's future
Over the next year, we want to hear from the High Street community about your ambitions, hopes, and priorities for the street through various engagement opportunities.
Hearing from residents, businesses, shoppers, visitors, and people travelling through will help shape High Street’s look for the next 30 years, ensuring it remains a vibrant place for businesses, shopping, relaxation, and daily commutes.
We don’t have a particular design in mind. We’re eager to explore a variety of development options and design ideas, that could range from operational changes, minor improvements to street upgrades.
How you can get involved
Throughout September and October, we’re gathering feedback from the High Street community. Whether you’re a resident, business owner, shopper or visitor – we want to hear from you!
-
Complete a short online survey (open until 16 October) by clicking here.
-
Visit our team at an event or on High Street (dates are listed below)
- Share a love note to tell us what you love about High Street
Upcoming events and activities
Join us at any of these exciting events in September and October.
They’re great opportunities to engage with the project and have fun along the way!
| Date | Event |
|
From 8 Sept
|
Our team will be on High Street to chat with the public, local businesses and residents |
|
Fri, 20 Sept |
Celebrate Parking Day with us on High Street (10.00am - 2.00pm) |
| Thurs, 26 Sept |
Visit Last Thursday Market for some treats at Ellen Melville Centre (4.00pm - 7.30pm) |
| Mon, 7 Oct |
Heritage Festival kicks off, check out displays at Ellen Melville Centre |
| Thurs, 10 Oct |
Visit us on High Street near Freyberg Square as part of Late Night Art, during Art Week (2pm to late) |
| Sun, 13 Oct | Say hello at the ReUse Market at the Victoria Street Car Park (10.00am - 2.00pm) |
More events will be announced soon – stay updated by signing up here for updates.
You can also chat to the team at highst@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Initial engagement
During July and August 2024, we connected with local businesses, residents, and the wider community to gather insights. Here's a snapshot of who we spoke to:
- 81 businesses were interviewed or filled out our online survey
- 44 people completed the public survey via the Have Your Say page
- 33 residents were interviewed or filled out the online survey
- 158 people participated in total, with a focus on the local community.
Click here to view what we heard was important in planning for High Street’s future.
Engagement timeline
You can stay updated about engagement opportunities by signing up here.
Why are we doing this?
Guided by our City Centre Masterplan (CCMP), Auckland Council is investing in transformational projects to ensure that we have a thriving city centre well into the future. Determining how High Street will look and feel in the future is one of these important transformational projects.
What's involved
We’ll also work with our mana whenua partners and seek feedback from the Waitematā Local Board, technical specialists and other stakeholders before making a recommendation to Auckland Council’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee (councillors). It will be the committee’s role to make the final decision on the preferred way forward for High Street.
Delivered by
This project is being delivered by Auckland Council and is funded by the city centre targeted rate which is paid by city centre commercial and residential property owners and is used to help fund the development and revitalisation of the city centre. The programme of works funded by the rate aims to enhance the city centre as a place to work, live, visit and do business.