Auckland’s long-awaited City Rail Link will now not arrive for passengers until the second half of 2026, the Government and Auckland Council have confirmed.
The $5.5 billion project, the largest transport infrastructure development in New Zealand’s history, consists of twin 3.45km tunnels linking renovated stations at Waitematā (Britomart) and Maungawhau (Mount Eden), plus two new underground stations at Te Waihorotiu in midtown and Karangahape Rd.
The City Rail Link was expected to double the network’s capacity, slash travel times and redraw the supercity’s rail lines.
In a joint statement today, Transport Minister Chris Bishop, Minister for Auckland Simeon Brown, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson said the project was on track to open in 2026 but that “important work” still needed to happen to ensure a “safe, reliable service” upon opening.
Officials take the first passenger trip on Auckland’s City Rail Link after numerous budget blowouts and delays. (Source: 1News)
Bishop said the finish line for the City Rail Link was getting closer.
“Opening an underground rail line is complex. There is a thorough programme of tests to make sure the CRL is safe, and that the new train timetable is reliable from day one.”
Minister for Auckland Simeon Brown said the project would “transform the way Aucklanders move around their city”, unlocking the CBD’s potential and supporting thousands more daily commuters.
“CRL is going to bring thousands more people into the city every day – supporting businesses, growing the economy, and ensuring Auckland is a world-class city.”
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said it was “by far” the most complex project undertaken in New Zealand and took time to get things right.
“Every part of the station buildings and each piece of technology in them need to work as planned. This is crucial to deliver a good experience for passengers and for safety in the event of emergencies.”
But officials remain tight-lipped about when the new underground stations will open next year. (Source: 1News)
Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson said the city centre was “getting its sparkle back” as streets reopened and new businesses moved in.
“With CRL and other projects finishing, Auckland is becoming greener, more vibrant and better connected,” she said.
City Rail Link Ltd expects to finish construction and testing by June 2026, after which Auckland Transport and KiwiRail will complete preparations to open later in the year. That included finalising timetables, training new drivers and staff, and updating ticketing and digital displays across the network.
Meanwhile, the Rail Network Rebuild, renewing track foundations and drainage, was in its final stretch, with a major four-week closure planned after Christmas to complete critical upgrades.
