Te Waihorotiu railway station

Te Waihorotiu
Auckland Transport Urban rail
The Wellesley Street entrance under construction
General information
Other names	Aotea
Location	Albert Street, Auckland CBD
Coordinates	36°50′58.81″S174°45′48.56″E / 36.8496694°S 174.7634889°E / -36.8496694; 174.7634889
Owned by	Auckland Transport
Operated by	Auckland One Rail
Line(s)	City Rail Link
Platforms	Island platform (P1 & P2)
Tracks	Mainline (2)
Construction
Structure type	Underground
Depth	15 m (49 ft)
Parking	No (planned)
Bicycle facilities	Yes (planned)
Accessible	Yes (Lifts)
Other information
Station code	AOT [1]
Fare zone	City
Website	City Rail Link
History
Opened	2026 (planned)
Electrified	25 kV AC (2025)
Route map Legend North Auckland Line to Whangārei Maungawhau Karanga-a-Hape Te Waihorotiu Britomart Grafton North Island Main Trunk to Wellington Parnell North Auckland Line to Whangārei Newmarket North Auckland Line to Westfield Junction This diagram: view talk edit
Location

Te Waihorotiu railway station, also known as Aotea railway station, is an underground station of the Auckland railway network located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is situated on the North Island Main Trunk ^[2] and will be served by the East-West and South-City lines when it opens in 2026 as part of the City Rail Link project. ^[3]

It is expected to become New Zealand’s busiest train station and will serve areas such as: Auckland’s art quarter (including Aotea Centre, Auckland Town Hall, and Civic Theatre); Auckland’s learning quarter (including AUT and University of Auckland); entertainment areas such as SkyCity; and shopping areas on Queen Street. ^[4] It is accessed from Victoria Street West and Wellesley Street.

History

Early plans

Early plans for Te Waihorotiu station (formerly referred to as Aotea station) emerged in 2010 when KiwiRail and ARTA selected a preferred route with three stations: "Aotea" (beneath Albert Street), "K Road" (beneath Pitt Street and adjacent to Karangahape Road) and "Newton" (beneath upper Symonds Street), at an estimated cost range of $1 billion to $1.5 billion. ^[5] The Newton station was later dropped, in favour of a redeveloped Mount Eden station. ^[6]

Construction

In September 2019, early works for Te Waihorotiu station began. These early works included relocating underground utility services to enable construction of the station. ^[7] In June 2020, station piling began. Piling refers to inserting vertical concrete columns into the ground. This allows the support structure for the perimeter walls to be formed. ^[8] In July 2020, main construction of the station finally began. The commencement of construction was marked by then-minister of transport, Phil Twyford and then-mayor of Auckland, Phil Goff. ^[9] Throughout 2021, excavation of the station began. This included the excavation of the station building site and Mayoral Drive, the station concourse level, and the already completed tunnel section at Wyndham Street. ^[10] In December 2021, the breakthrough milestone was achieved, with the tunnels from Britomart now being exposed. ^[11] Another breakthrough milestone was achieved in the same month with the tunnel boring machine Dame Whina Cooper (named after Māori rights activist Whina Cooper) breaking through the station construction site for the first time. ^[12]

In July 2022, the station roof was completed, along with the concrete roof of the Wellesley Street building. ^[13] In August 2022, the excavation of the concourse level was completed. ^[14] In September 2022, the Dame Whina Cooper tunnel boring machine broke through the station construction site for the second time. Meaning the station was now connected to the other end of the City Rail Link, heading towards Karanga-a-Hape railway station. ^[15] In November 2022, all three entrances were now connected to the station. ^[16]

In March 2023, the tunnels at Te Waihorotiu were now completely connected to the tunnels originating from Waitematā (Britomart). ^[17] Throughout 2023, numerous construction milestones were achieved. These included: the completion of the station box, connection of the three entrances, completion of the platform and concourse, installation of train tracks, installation and testing of lifts and escalators, and the energising of the station. ^[18] In February 2024, the installation of train tracks on both sides of the station platform were fully complete. ^[19] In early 2025, AT HOP ticketing gates were installed at the station entrances. ^[20] In February 2025, the first CRL test train passed through the station. Also in February 2025, wayfinding signs and ticket machines were also put in place throughout the station. ^[21] Throughout 2025, the station was largely complete with finishing touches such as lighting, wayfinding, and streetscaping works taking place. ^[22]

Station name

In May 2022, the station was gifted the name "Te Wai Horotiu" by the CRL Mana Whenua Forum. ^{[23] [24] [25]}

Together with Auckland Transport, City Rail Link Ltd submitted these suggested names to the New Zealand Geographic Board (NZGB) for recognition. ^[26] In August 2022, the Board returned the following verdict for the station: that the suggestion of "Te Wai Horotiu" be accepted and altered to "Te Waihorotiu" in keeping with national and te reo Māori orthographic standards. The names were then sent for public consultation. ^[27]

In March 2023, the NZGB announced the decisions made by then-minister for land information, Damien O'Connor. As per the Board's recommendations, the name "Te Waihorotiu" became the official name for the railway station. ^[28]

Wellesley Street bus improvements

With the opening of Te Waihorotiu station, Wellesley Street is set to become a major bus interchange. Due to this, Wellesley Street is being improved and upgraded. These improvements include the addition of new bus shelters, street furniture, and street lights. It also included widening footpaths to allow for ease of movement and increased foot traffic. Construction is set to be completed in late 2025. ^[29]

The Symphony Centre

Throughout 2024 and 2025, plans were announced for a new 21-storey mixed-use building to be built on top of the Wellesley Street entrance. This mixed-use building will be called The Symphony Centre. The Symphony Centre is set for completion in 2028. ^[30] This mixed-use development will include residential, commercial, retail, and hospitality areas. ^[31]

Station design and layout

The station incorporates Māori culture and mythology into the overall design. On the Wellesley Street entrance building, a glass façade represents the "sky element" of the building. The sky element pays tribute to Ranginui, the Sky Father. Inside the station building, above the ticketing area, hundreds of rods are connected to the ceiling. This represents the "threshold" element of the building and pays tribute to Horotiu, the guardian of the Waihorotiu Stream. The glazed canopy, located on the outside of the building, represents "te whaiao" or "the daylight or glimmer of dawn". This canopy serves as a reminder of Tāne pushing apart his parents. The concrete panels on the exterior of the station represents the "earth element" and pays tribute to Papatūānuku, the Earth Mother. ^[32]

Inside the station, seven skylights represent the Matariki constellation. The entire station is in the shape of a waka and the four cross-beams inside the station represent the binding together of people to the land. At the platform level, motifs designed by mana whenua artist Graham Tipene represent the Horotiu stream and the movement of water. ^[32]

Te Waihorotiu station is located 15 metres underground under Albert Street. The station has a total of three entrances, with two on Victoria Street West and one on Wellesley Street. The Wellesley Street entrance is the main station building which contains a customer service centre. The Wellesley Street entrance also contains lifts, escalators, and stairs to the concourse level. Along with these, the Wellesley Street building also contains back-of-house systems such as electrical, communication, fire safety, heating, and ventilation. ^[32] The Wellesley Street entrance also includes bathrooms and changing facilities. ^[33] The western entrance on Victoria Street West contains escalators and a lift to the concourse level. The eastern entrance on Victoria Street West provides direct access to the concourse level. On the concourse level, lifts and escalators provide access to the platforms. ^[32]

The station has an island platform layout with two platforms. Platform 1 is the northbound platform heading towards Waitematā (Britomart) and Platform 2 is the southbound platform heading towards Karanga-a-Hape. ^[20] The platforms are future-proofed for the possibility that platform screen doors are installed in the future. ^[17]

Services

Te Waihorotiu station will be served by South-City Line trains originating from and heading towards Pukekohe and East-West Line trains heading to Swanson and Manukau. ^[3]

Construction gallery

• 
  Te Waihorotiu railway station trench seen from Albert Street
• 
  Te Waihorotiu railway station trench seen from Wellesley Street

See also

• List of Auckland railway stations
• Public transport in Auckland

References

1. "Te Waihorotiu tunnel photo". Facebook. City Rail Link. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
2. "Maungawhau Station Newsletter - August 2025". City Rail Link. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
3. "Network and timetable changes for the City Rail Link (CRL)". Auckland Transport. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
4. "Te Waihorotiu Station". Auckland Transport. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
5. Dearnaley, Mathew (11 March 2010). "Experts pinpoint best tunnel route". The New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
6. "Cost down, benefits up from City Rail Link design change" (Press Release). Scoop.co.nz. Auckland Transport. 1 August 2014. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
7. "Aotea-newsletter-Dec 2019". City Rail Link. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
8. "Aotea newsletter - June 2020". City Rail Link. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
9. "Aotea-newsletter - July 2020". City Rail Link. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
10. "Aotea-newsletter - July 2021". City Rail Link. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
11. "Aotea-newsletter - 10 December 2021". City Rail Link. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
12. "Aotea-newsletter - 22 December 2021". City Rail Link. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
13. "Te Waihorotiu (Aotea)-newsletter July 2022". City Rail Link. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
14. "Te Waihorotiu (Aotea)-newsletter - Aug 2022". City Rail Link. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
15. "Te Waihorotiu (Aotea)-newsletter - September 2022". City Rail Link. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
16. "Te Waihorotiu (Aotea)-newsletter - November 2022". City Rail Link. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
17. "Te Waihorotiu newsletter - March 2023". City Rail Link. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
18. "Te Waihorotiu Station newsletter December 2023". City Rail Link. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
19. "Te Waihorotiu Station newsletter February 2024". City Rail Link. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
20. "Te Waihorotiu Station newsletter January 2025". City Rail Link. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
21. "Te Waihorotiu Station newsletter February 2025". City Rail Link. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
22. "Karanga-a-Hape & Te Waihorotiu update June 2025". City Rail Link. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
23. "Te reo Māori Station Names Revealed". City Rail Link. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
24. Mayron, Sapeer (6 May 2022). "City Rail Link proposes four te reo Māori names for Auckland train stations". Stuff . Archived from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
25. "Revealed: Four te reo Māori names proposed for City Rail Link stations". The New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
26. "The ins and outs of Station Naming". City Rail Link. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
27. "Station names open for public consultation". City Rail Link. 31 August 2022. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
28. "New names for Auckland railway stations". Land Information New Zealand. 16 March 2023. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
29. "Wellesley Street Bus Improvements". Auckland Transport. Auckland Transport. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
30. "Aotea Over Station Development - The Symphony Centre". Progress AKL. Auckland Council. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
31. "The Symphony Centre - a cultural, economic and social catalyst for midtown". OurAuckland. Auckland Council. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
32. "Te Waihorotiu Station". City Rail Link. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
33. "Karanga-a-Hape & Te Waihorotiu Update - July 2025". City Rail Link. Retrieved 28 September 2025.