City Rail Link

The City Rail Link (CRL) is New Zealand’s largest ever transport infrastructure project. It will enable more train services across Auckland, more frequent trains and shorter journey times.

KiwiRail is working closely with CRL Ltd and Auckland Transport to ensure the successful delivery of this complex project, which is scheduled to open in the second half of 2026.

As the rail network owner, KiwiRail is working to ensure the new railway is fit for purpose. We are providing technical support to the CRL project and delivering critical rail infrastructure upgrades across every line in the Auckland metro network.

KiwiRail's role and contributions to City Rail Link  

  • Ongoing maintenance of CRL rail infrastructure, including tunnels, signals and train radio systems. These FAQs outline how scheduled maintenance will be carried out once the CRL opens
  • Integrating older rail assets with CRL and testing the rail system as a whole to ensure it’s safe, reliable and for fit for purpose
  • Completed Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which brings together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail together in one location to improve train services across the city
  • The completed electrification of 19km of extended overhead power lines between Papakura to Pukekohe, upgrades of Pukekohe Station and associated tracks. Passengers can now travel direct from Pukekohe to central city
  • Significant upgrades to track infrastructure at key junctions such as Waitematā, Maungawhau, Otahuhu, The Strand and Newmarket, including the building of a new South-West connection (see image at the bottom of this page)
  • New third rails at Wiri to Quay Park (complete) and Henderson (underway) for greater volumes of freight and passenger trains. This includes Henderson and Middlemore station upgrades and track reconfiguration around Quay Park, which allows freight better access to Ports of Auckland and new junctions at Westfield and Wiri. 
  • Building two additional Auckland power feeds to boost electricity capacity and resilience and allow for future growth of the wider network. The new Western Power Feed is completed. A second power feed is to be commissioned on the Southern Line
  • Constructing three new train stations in Drury, South Auckland. Drury Railway Station and Paerātā Railway Station, each with large park and rides, will be operational later this year. Ngākōroa Railway Station will follow in 2028.

Take a look at a video of the first train making its first trip through the CRL tunnels.

In addition, KiwiRail has completed the five-year Rail Network Rebuild programme to replace old foundations, improve drainage and install new track structures. The rebuild future-proofs the wider Auckland rail network for decades to come, improving resilience and reliability and readying the tracks for the City Rail Link’s ongoing operation. 

Watch this great Stuff explainer on the work remaining to open CRL:
Why is Auckland’s City Rail Link taking so long to open?

This above diagram shows the new South-West connection KiwiRail has built at Newmarket junction.

For more information on the CRL, visit the City Rail Link website.