Henderson Station

KiwiRail has delivered a project to build a third platform and additional tracks at Henderson Station to enable more frequent and reliable train services as part of the City Rail Link (CRL) programme. The upgrades at this key junction pave the way for direct rail travel between West Auckland and South Auckland, and between West and East Auckland, when CRL opens in September 2026. 

On this page

CRL and Henderson Station project background | What was upgraded at Henderson Station | Upgrading the lifts and escalators.

City Rail Link and Henderson Station project background

The City Rail Link (CRL) Henderson Station third platform project is part of an extensive programme to upgrade and renew Auckland's rail network in preparation for CRL opening.

CRL and its associated network upgrades will be a game changer for how Aucklanders get around via a better-connected public transport network, with more frequent and reliable train services.

The now-completed major upgrades of the rail infrastructure in the Henderson Station area, and modifications to the station, are part of the work to deliver the transformation CRL will bring to how Aucklanders travel around the city. Some of these benefits include:

  • Up to 16 trains per hour through the central city
  • An additional 50 per cent capacity added to the current rail network
  • Double the number of people within 30 minutes' travel to Auckland's city centre
  • Easier connections between more parts of Auckland
  • New underground stations at Te Waihorotiu and Karanga-a-Hape. 

Henderson will play a pivotal role in the new Auckland rail network. After CRL opens, passengers will be able to travel from Henderson to the new Te Waihorotiu Station in midtown within 35 minutes - a 24-minute time saving compared to current public transport options. 

The CRL will also allow passengers to travel by train direct from Swanson and Henderson to South Auckland, via the new Onehunga-West Line, and from West Auckland to East Auckland via the new East West Line. 

What was upgraded at Henderson Station

Major upgrades to rail infrastructure to support a greater frequency of trains:

  • A new third platform to enable more frequent and reliable services
  • The third platform allows some trains to be turned around in Henderson at the end of service, while retaining two through-tracks for trains travelling to and from Swanson - allowing for a greater volume of trains
  • Upgrades to track layout, overhead lines and signalling equipment
  • A new emergency exit bridge at the southern end of the station
  • New sleepers and rail, and deep underground foundations for greater resilience
  • A new staff facility building
  • Auckland Transport replaced station lifts and escalators

Upgrading the lifts and escalators

Auckland Transport (AT) installed new lifts and escalators within Henderson Station, in work completed mid-2025. 

Benefits for customers

  • The upgrades to rail infrastructure at Henderson will allow more frequent and reliable train services.
  • They support new connections by train to more places with the new additional platform.
  • The new lifts and escalators will provide greater reliability for customers.