Property Investment

5 min read16 Apr 2025

Major infrastructure coming to Auckland

What’s going on in Auckland? Discover 5 major infrastructure projects reshaping the city—and what they mean for smart property investors.

Author: Scott Collings

Scott is the Property Development Liaison Manager at Opes Partners. He manages the onboarding and reviewing of developments all over New Zealand. Scott has a background in construction, he progressed from qualified builder to roles in project, construction, and development management.

Reviewed by: Derry Brown

Financial Adviser in industry since 2007. Investor in Auckland & Christchurch. Previous COO of Global Brand

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Investors often ask: “What’s going on in Auckland? Where are the next big infrastructure investments?”

That’s because new infrastructure (like motorways or railways) can make suburbs more attractive.

If you can invest before new infrastructure is built … perhaps you can get a price boost or a new rush of tenants.

It’s my job to know just what exactly is going on in Auckland, so I spend a lot of time talking to colleagues, developers and planners.

Basically, I want to know where our government is spending money next. That way I can find properties close to that new infrastructure.

Recently, billions of dollars have been spent on huge projects that will shape how Aucklanders live.

Some of these projects are already easy to spot. Others are still underground (literally).

In this article, I’ll take you through 5 major developments happening in Auckland right now.

#1 – City Rail Link (CRL) – Rail Tunnel & Station

The City Rail Link (CRL) is the biggest transport project in New Zealand’s history. It’s estimated to cost a whopping $5.5 billion.

It’s a 3.5km underground rail tunnel connecting Britomart to Mt Eden. We’ll also get two new stations at Aotea Square and Karangahape Road.

City Rail Link new stations — The City Rail Link (CRL) us a 3.5km underground rail tunnel connecting Britomart to Mt Eden.

Think of it like a mini version of the London Underground. Underground rail is common in big international cities ... now Auckland’s finally getting its own.

They started building it in 2019, and it’s almost finished. The trains should start running in late 2025.

Once it’s open, the CRL will double the number of trains that can run on Auckland’s rail network. That means people can get into the CBD much faster.

There’s already a lot of development happening near these new stations. That’s because better transport = more people = more value.

The new CRL will have a big impact on areas like Mount Roskill and Avondale.

That’s not because they’ll get a CRL station themselves, but because there are upgrades happening to the Western Line and Mt Eden Station, which will make commuting much easier.

It makes these suburbs more attractive for home buyers and renters, especially if you are priced out of the inner suburbs.

Speaking of these suburbs, keep an eye on the Avondale–Southdown link. KiwiRail owns a lot of land down State Highway 20, which is a designated railway corridor. A railway there has been in the pipeline for more than 70 years.

Will it ever happen? Who knows? But KiwiRail is ploughing ahead with it and it made the fast-track list. Once that funding starts to come in, properties in the area (including Mount Roskill) could grow in value.

More from Opes:

#2 – Continued growth at NorthWest (Westgate)

Westgate, in northwest Auckland, is now one of the city’s biggest commercial areas.

It received a big boost in 2022 when Costco opened its first NZ store there.

Global retail giants don’t spend $100 million to open a store here if they don’t think it’s worth it. So, it’s a smart idea to follow the money.

Since then, NorthWest Town Centre has kept growing with more shops, office buildings and services.

This is all part of Auckland’s westward expansion.

This should increase housing demand nearby as more people work and shop locally. So this should make suburbs like Massey, Whenuapai and Hobsonville more popular.

#3 – Central Interceptor – Wastewater Tunnel

The Central Interceptor is a huge new wastewater tunnel (sewerage).

It runs 14.7km underground from Grey Lynn to Mangere and goes as deep as 110 metres below the city.

Construction started in 2019 and is about 72% finished. The tunnel should be finished by late 2026.

The Central Interceptor will make it possible for older Auckland suburbs to have more homes.

After all it’s really simple: you can’t build more houses if the sewer pipes can’t cope.

So, this project will likely unlock more growth in Mt Albert, Grey Lynn and Point Chevalier. Expect to see more building in these suburbs. It will also reduce sewage overflows during heavy rain. This helps clean up local streams and beaches, making them nicer to live near.

Central interceptor map — The Central Interceptor wastewater tunnel runs 14.7km underground from Grey Lynn to Mangere.

#4 – Auckland Airport Expansion – Terminals and Airfield Upgrades

Auckland Airport is halfway through a massive $10 billion upgrade.

A new terminal (for domestic and international flights) is already being built. It should be finished in 2028.

There are also upgrades to airfields, new gates, and a possible second runway in the future.

Airport upgrades don’t just make travel easier. The airport is a major hub for jobs, retail and services. This has a knock-on effect for nearby suburbs like Mangere and Papatoetoe.

These areas are likely to see even more growth as new businesses move in and transport improves.

Industrial properties near the airport are also performing well. This should further fuel jobs in the area.

#5 – Unitec ‘Carrington’ Development (Mt Albert) – Housing Redevelopment

The old Unitec campus in Mt Albert is being transformed into a brand-new community.

It will be a bit like Hobsonville Point — but closer to the city.

The land was bought in 2022. Local iwi have worked with Kāinga Ora to build up to 4,000 homes. This should happen over the next 10 or so years.

There will also be new parks, schools and transport links.

For investors, this is one to watch.

This should have an impact on suburbs like Point Chevalier and Mt Albert.

Bonus #6 – Other upgrades to arts, sports and leisure areas

There are also big improvements happening in the city’s cultural and public spaces:

#1 - St James Theatre (Queen Street) – 1928 heritage building is finally being restored after years of closure. It’s expected to bring life back to Aotea Square just in time for the new CRL station.

#2 - Te Wānanga Plaza (Ferry Basin) – The Auckland ferry terminal will be upgraded. This could mean more ferries heading to Devonport, Waiheke Island.

Auckland’s long-time goal is to be “the world’s most liveable city” and that’s what projects like these aim to achieve. For property investors, it supports long-term property values.

What should investors be doing right now?

The suburbs benefiting the most are in south and west Auckland. As well as central(ish) areas like Mount Albert, Avondale and Mount Roskill.

Yes, a lot of these projects aren’t yet finished. But remember that once these projects are finished, house prices tend to rise to factor this in.

So, you generally want to buy a property in these areas before the ribbon is cut on these projects.

The biggest gains usually come just after a project is announced or when the opportunity is less obvious.

So if you’re thinking long-term, keep your eye on:

Where infrastructure is going in (before it’s done)
Where it unlocks new housing or commercial zones
Where it improves transport or jobs — especially outside the city centre

Because that’s where Auckland’s next wave of growth could happen.

Scott Collings

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Major infrastructure coming to Auckland

#1 – City Rail Link (CRL) – Rail Tunnel & Station

#2 – Continued growth at NorthWest (Westgate)

#3 – Central Interceptor – Wastewater Tunnel

#4 – Auckland Airport Expansion – Terminals and Airfield Upgrades

#5 – Unitec ‘Carrington’ Development (Mt Albert) – Housing Redevelopment

Bonus #6 – Other upgrades to arts, sports and leisure areas