Construction Begins on Ngākōroa Station and SH22 Upgrade in South Auckland

Transport Minister Winston Peters said the start of works signals the final piece of several large Government-funded rail initiatives launched over recent years.

The Government has officially broken ground on the Ngākōroa Train Station and the interim upgrade of the State Highway 22 (SH22)/Jesmond Road intersection, marking a major milestone in the SH22 Drury Upgrade project. The work supports one of Auckland’s fastest-growing areas and forms part of a multi-year investment in expanding the region’s rail and transport infrastructure.

Last of Auckland’s Major Government-Funded Rail Projects Now Underway

Transport Minister Winston Peters said the start of works signals the final piece of several large Government-funded rail initiatives launched over recent years.

“This is an important milestone as the last of a series of major Government funded rail projects in Auckland to get underway,” Peters said.

The Government has invested $2.3 billion in Auckland’s rail network since 2020, including new stations, electrification, track upgrades, and improvements to help separate freight and passenger movement.

Key achievements highlighted include:

• Drury and Paerātā stations now under construction and due to open in 2026

• Electrification extended to Pukekohe, enabling electric trains from early 2024

• The Third Main line in South Auckland improving freight/passenger separation

• Ongoing investment in rail infrastructure to reduce congestion and offer transport alternatives

Ngākōroa Station is expected to open in 2027, providing a new rail access point for the rapidly expanding Drury–Paerātā area.

SH22 Upgrade to Support Massive Future Population Growth

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop said the SH22 upgrade is essential to support the region’s significant forecast growth.

“The SH22 Drury upgrade will widen a 2km section of SH22… to provide better connections to and from Drury Interchange,” he said.

Over the next 30 years, South Auckland is expected to welcome an additional 130,000 residents, driven by major housing developments and urban expansion around Drury, Paerātā, and Karaka.

The upgrade will:

• Expand SH22 from two lanes to four between Jesmond Road and Mercer Street

• Provide safer, more reliable connections for commuters and freight

• Support multi-modal transport options linking to new rail stations

• Address long-standing safety issues on a heavily used route

“The role and function of the state highways in this part of Auckland is changing and evolving,” Bishop said. “We are ensuring transport infrastructure keeps pace with development.”

Interim Works Enable Station Construction Ahead of 2027 Opening

To support the new Ngākōroa Station, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is staging the SH22 project so that enabling works proceed even while land acquisition and funding timing for the full upgrade continue.

Interim works will:

• Add a fourth leg to the SH22/Jesmond Road intersection

• Improve access to the new station site

• Take approximately six months to complete

• Enable KiwiRail’s construction of Ngākōroa Station to stay on schedule

The full SH22 Drury upgrade is expected to begin in 2027, once all required land purchases are finalised and final funding is confirmed.

Transforming Transport for a Growing Region

The combined rail and highway improvements form a core part of Auckland’s long-term transport strategy, enabling reliable commuting options, supporting freight efficiency, and ensuring new communities have access to public transport from day one.

The Ngākōroa Station, paired with the SH22 upgrade, will be central to shaping South Auckland’s future as a connected, sustainable, and liveable growth hub.