Federal Street upgrade

About the project

Federal Street (between Mayoral Drive and Victoria Street) has been transformed from a narrow car-filled roadway to a tree-lined, pedestrian-scale, community-focused shared space, and is part of the wider regeneration programme happening in midtown.

This upgrade is part of the City Centre Masterplan's proposed laneway circuit, providing a quality walking route through the city centre, enabled by revamped laneways such as Elliot, O'Connell, and Galway Streets, Vulcan and Fort Lane and a series of public squares and gathering spaces from Aotea Square to the waterfront. 

Auckland’s laneway circuit follows the example of many cities around the world where renewed laneways have injected life, created connection and become the sort out spots in cities. The pace is slower in laneways due to limited vehicle access and the prioritization of people, enabling more trees and seating which encourage people to linger longer. 

Further Information

The transformation of Federal Street also responds to the vision for a green city centre outlined in the City Centre Masterplan (CCMP). That vision describes ‘a network of new and enhanced living green corridors, open spaces, walls, roofs and urban farms that are accessible throughout the city centre.

The section of Federal Street between Mayoral Drive and Wellesley Street, was completed in mid 2022 and includes inviting spaces to sit and relax, enhanced lighting to support the inclusive feeling of the area, and nine rain gardens filtering stormwater before it reaches the waterways. The pōhutukawa of St-Matthew-in-the-City now stand beside 13 native trees - pūriri, tānekaha, rewarewa and white maire - some more than six metres tall, that were also planted as part of this project.  

This Auckland Council-led project features a design narrative, developed in partnership with mana whenua, referencing ideas of compassion, community, home and wellbeing. Those ideas are reflected through warmer paving materials, seating and shelter along the new street.

Delivered by

Auckland Council.

This project was fully funded by the City Centre Targeted Rate (CCTR) which is an additional rate that is paid by all commercial and residential property owners in the city centre. This rate helps to build a strong city centre, which is essential for the prosperity and well-being of the entire Auckland region.