First Look at the City Rail Link

30 July 2026

City Centre
News
Urban regeneration
Sustainability
Development

Aucklanders can now see how the City Rail Link (CRL) will transform travel across the region.

Auckland Transport is announcing a series of public "First Look" events at the three new underground stations.

The CRL is much more than a transport project. By creating new stations at Maungawhau, Karanga-a-Hape and Te Waihorotiu, it will reshape how people move around Auckland while supporting urban regeneration and growth around key city-centre neighbourhoods.

The new stations are already helping revive their surrounding precincts.

Upgraded streets, public spaces, walking and cycling links are creating more attractive, people-focused neighbourhoods and supporting higher-density development around rapid transit.

Te Waihorotiu station will become the city's busiest rail hub, strengthening connections across the city centre, while Karanga-a-Hape and Maungawhau will provide improved access to growing residential, shopping, hospitality, entertainment and commercial areas.

When the CRL opens, Auckland's rail network will operate with three new train lines and more frequent services.

Direct connections between destinations that previously required transfers will make it easier for people to access jobs, education, entertainment and city-centre amenities.

To help Aucklanders prepare for the new network, Auckland Transport, City Rail Link Limited and KiwiRail are opening the stations to the public through a series of free "First Look" events:

8 August: Maungawhau
15 August: Karanga-a-Hape
22 August: Te Waihorotiu

Visitors will be able to explore the stations, learn about the future rail network and experience the upgraded neighbourhoods surrounding each precinct.

For Auckland's urban development sector, the CRL represents a once-in-a-generation investment that will improve connectivity, unlock growth opportunities and help create a more accessible and productive city.

Aucklanders can pre-register their interest in attending a 'First Look', with tickets becoming available one week before each event. Click here to register: pages.iticket.co.nz/crlfirstlooks