Maungawhau Station Community Liaison Group (CLG) Minutes
Meeting Maungawhau Station CLG
Date Wednesday 17 September 2025
Time 5:30pm – 6:15pm
Location City Rail Link (CRL) Visitor Centre at Te Manawa, 1 New North Road, Eden Terrace
Presenters Link Alliance: Helga Sonier, Opeti Prescott, Sylvester de Almeida
CRLL: Rachel Blundell
Auckland Council: Martin Udale
Auckland Transport: Shaun Sutton
Also in attendance: Barry Potter – Auckland Council, James Wickham – Auckland Transport, Simon Lough – CRLL, Rebecca Hendl-Smith – Link Alliance.
CLG Members 12 CLG members attended in person: Kelvin Lau, Martin & Christine van Zonneveld, Clara Puglia +1, Brian MacCormack, Alex Bonham, Brent Kennedy, Steve Wilson, Yumie Nagahashi, Masina Maher, Damaris Kingdon
CLG MEETING MINUTES
CLG MEETING MINUTES
1. Welcome and overview: Helga Sonier –Community Manager
2. Community update: Helga Sonier – Community Manager
Highlighted special recent events, including VIPs on a train
Thank you to those involved in the special CLG hosted for Auckland Council and Auckland Transport in August
Outlined the shifting focus for Link Alliance as on-site construction draws to a close
Noted the Uptown relationship transition to Auckland Council & Auckland Transport
The next meeting will be the annual Christmas celebration on 17 December at 5.30pm
Outlined completed elements across the urban realm and within the station precinct/ frontage
o Public amenities installed, rubbish bins, seating, ticketing and signage
o Roading and wider urban realm works around the station is complete, aside from remaining ‘snags’ (fix up jobs) to be finished
Described the current demolition plan for the Shaddock/Mt Eden Road adjacent technical yard
o remove structural elements
o concrete break current solid pad
o remove concrete rubble and surface
o level and fence to prepare for ultimate sale to future developer
4. Fit-out and facilities update: Sylvester de Almeida – Fit-out Representative
Station fit-out over the last quarter has included installation of giant roller doors, interiors and retail/commercial spaces, with functional testing taking place on completed facilities, including ticketing, water fountains and bathrooms
Both platforms are essentially complete but still fenced off from rail for safety during the testing and commissioning phase
SGCC – station control room is largely complete and how housing the Link Alliance security and train testing teams
Moving through the testing and commissioning phase, we will be addressing snags (fixes) to resolve before the final handover.
CLG MEETING MINUTES
5. Testing & commissioning update: Rachel Blundell - Head of Communications & Engagement
Shared update from the wider partners involved in the project – AT & KiwiRail, as outlined in CLG presentation.
6a. Long-term development approach: Martin Udale, Auckland Council
The sites are planned to be marketed as a single precinct. This approach is intended to provide greater flexibility and improve market interest. Revised marketing plans will reflect this approach and consolidate blocks– A, C, & D
Foundation outcomes will be used to guide the quality of the development and outcomes from the development. They have been established and have been published on the council website https://www.audo.co.nz/projects/maungawhau-station-precinct/. There is a review of these to make modifications to better reflect the current market needs.
Working with iwi and looking to have a more collaborative partnership approach with them across the wider precinct.
We have had some early market engagement but are aiming to engage more formally with the market by Q2 2026. This will be on the basis of the information available at that time. The constraint on the market engagement will be around the level of available information such as land titles and associated constraints which are expected from CRLL in Q3 2026. The site is complex with tunnels, easements and other underground infrastructure that will ultimately influence and constrain the above-ground development.
Indicated Council’s intention to look at continuing a relationship with this CLG group in some form.
6b. Interim activation planning: Shaun Sutton – Auckland Transport
Thanked those who participated in the special CLG held in August
Preparations ahead of opening the stations to public were underway, including looking at interim activation initiatives to bring the area around the station to life, before long-term development is underway
Written update of outcomes from special CLG and other engagement is being prepared and will be shared with the community by the end of the year at a drop-in session and via email.
AT will also invite CLG members to sign-up for regular updates in the next station newsletter, to ensure continued community engagement for this project ahead of the public opening date.
Questions and Answers:
CLG MEETING MINUTES
1. Why can’t Fenton Street Bridge open for use before the CRL does?
AT - Fenton Street Bridge is part of the station and linked with operational mechanics (security), lifts and so forth, so it won’t be opened until the station is opened. AT is in the early stages of planning to open Ruru Lane as a pedestrian walkway from Mt Eden Road up Ruru Street to New North Road as soon as possible after handover from CRLL.
2. How do people register their interest in the two retail spaces –specifically the café?
AT – the retail sites are currently going through a tender and procurement process. AT to provide tender information direct to UBA for any interested parties.
3. Will the existing volcanic viewshafts constrain the height of future development because of plan change 78?
Auckland Council – this will be available for public consultation between 3 November and 19 December, followed by public hearings.
4. Why are there still traffic lights at Ngahura Street / New North Road, when they would be better utilized at Ruru Street/New North Road?
AT - this is under discussion, and we have asked the Albert-Eden Local Board if a pedestrian crossing can be installed at Ruru, and if so, would a signal be possible?
Any work to do this is some way off and will require funding. The area will be monitored in the meantime and as development progresses.
5. What plans are there for placemaking activities on Nikau St? Will there be investment in this to help draw patronage to Uptown?
AT - it will be one of the interim activation strategies and AT are aware of a proposal to install potentially more permanent improvements.
6. Is the OMG garden part of the development blocks and if so, can the space continue as a garden while development plans are still in progress?
Auckland Council – no strong objections to this.
7. I hear there is artwork and/or murals planned for the Nikau Street area?
UBA - we are leading plans to install public art on the walls of several of the buildings along Nikau, to help draw people to the area and into
CLG MEETING MINUTES
the hospitality businesses nearby – this is to be funded by the UBA and the landlords along Nikau.
8. Any updates on the previously discussed fare stage discrepancies?
AT - yes this is being looked at, but not ready to be presented. We will bring a further update to a future meeting.
To close, Rachel Blundell shared that Simon Lough, Design Delivery Manager will be leaving the project after 12 years, thanking Simon for his great service to the CRL and to the Maungawhau CLG.
The meeting closed at 6.15pm
The September CLG presentation is available on the CRL website with all the other Maungawhau CLG presentations and minutes.
The next CLG meeting date is a celebration on 17 December 2025.
