Transforming Tāmaki Makaurau

The People and the Land are One

A new project in Auckland, New Zealand demonstrates how art, architecture and smart planning can revolutionize everyday infrastructure while reflecting the city’s Māori and Pacific identity.

/What it is

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s $4.4 billion City Rail Link is the largest infrastructure project Aotearoa New Zealand has ever undertaken. It is comprised of two 3.45km-long, twin underground rail tunnels which run up to 42m below the existing city with the potential to cater to 30 million users a year. Once completed, it will turn a oneway cul-de-sac rail system terminating at Britomart Station into a two way through system able to carry up to 54,000 people an hour at peak times.

/Beyond Infrastructure

The City Rail LInk (CRL) is also New Zealand’s largest public art project. A powerful expression of indigenous cultural identity, CRL will create an authentic and globally recognisable image of the city of Auckland for the future.

The architecture and integrated artwork weaves distinctive stories of place into the design of each station. Set within the natural world, these stories reflect the Te Ao Māori worldview that people and the land are one.

The project won the 2019 World Architecture Festival WAFX prize for Cultural Identity.

/Opening

2024

/Discipline

Architecture, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design