Waitematā Station Plaza

About the project

We’re reinstating the plaza behind Waitematā Station (Britomart).

Once complete, the plaza will serve as an entrance and exit to the station, while also offering a relaxed place for people to gather and connect, with easy access to the heart of the city centre.

Why are we doing this work?

This is the next piece in creating a high-quality network of public spaces, encompassing the Britomart precinct, Takutai Square, Waitematā Station, Te Komititanga, and Commercial Bay.

The reinstated plaza is part of the wider regeneration of the Britomart Precinct that’s transformed the area over the last 15+ years.

Why are we doing this work?

This is the next piece in creating a high-quality network of public spaces, encompassing the Britomart precinct, Takutai Square, Waitematā Station, Te Komititanga, and Commercial Bay.

The reinstated plaza is part of the wider regeneration of the Britomart Precinct that has transformed the area over the last 15+ years.

What's involved?

Auckland Council began construction of the Waitematā plaza in July 2024. Work is expected to take around 18 months.  

Work on the station plaza will be done in conjunction with the upgrade of Tyler Street, similar to the design of Galway Street, which was completed in February 2023. Find out more about the Tyler Street upgrade.

Partnering with mana whenua

Since 2013, the CRL project has been working with mana whenua and the CRL Mana Whenua Forum have contributed significant mātauranga Māori which has benefited the project in a number of ways. As part of this partnership, CRL agreed core narratives with mana whenua, which have driven the key design aspects of the four stations and their immediate urban realm precincts.

Designed in conjunction with nearby Te Komititanga, the core elements agreed with mana whenua that have driven the station plaza design include: 

• the Waitematā harbour, and mingling of salt and fresh water with Te Waihorotiu, with the resulting abundance of life and this abundance supporting many people
• the ability to be greeted by tangata whenua at the ātea given the many types of waka arriving by sea (as well as trains and buses)
• ​ ​the pavement’s variable pattern depicting the look of the Waitematā sandy foreshore as though seen by people gathering kai when harvesting shellfish in ankle/knee deep clear water 
• ​the lid design to the central seating element supports this meeting of people, abundance and life-giving affirmation that the location on/in the Waitematā provides.  

Design features

The plaza design was developed with mana whenua and finalised following community engagement in 2017 and 2018. The design reflects the history of the Waitematā foreshore, both past and present.

Eight native trees will be planted around the edge of the plaza. There will also be a large central seating area and station ‘lid’ designed in partnership with mana whenua which will support the meeting of people.

The plaza is designed to be for people, with no vehicle access. Along with the trees, seats and bicycle racks, bollards will be installed around the plaza edge to prevent unauthorised vehicle access.

Dates

The reinstatement of the plaza is scheduled to be complete in early 2026.

Further information

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For questions about the plaza design and working with mana whenua, contact City Rail Link Ltd at info@cityraillink.govt.nz or 0800 CRL TALK (275 8255).

For questions about construction of the plaza or Tyler Street, contact the Auckland Council project team at citycentre@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz .

Delivered by

The station plaza was designed by City Rail Link Limited. 

Auckland Council is leading the construction work to reinstate the plaza.