The City Rail Link (CRL) is New Zealand’s largest transport infrastructure project ever, opening 13 September 2026.
Twin 3.45km rail tunnels up to 42m underground between Waitematā Station and Maungawhau Stations
Two new underground stations -Te Waihorotiu in midtown and Karanga-a-Hape with entrances at Mercury Lane and Beresford Square
Waitematā Station redeveloped into a two-way through station
Maungawhau Station redeveloped to include the new CRL connection and a modern station building
Wider rail network improvements including The Strand, Ōtāhuhu Henderson and Newmarket
Provision for longer nine-car electric trains
More people friendly spaces around the city.
At the end of June 2026, City Rail Link Limited achieved practical completion of the CRL Project and handed the completed infrastructure – stations and tunnels over to Auckland Transport and KiwiRail as the owners and operators.
This City Rail Link Ltd website documents the project- as do the CRL social media pages we ran. They are Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
For the latest updates, Auckland Transport has dedicated CRL pages - go here and you can also follow them on their social channels- Facebook and Instagram
AT has a Journey Planner feature that allows you to switch between today's network and the CRL-enabled network.
Auckland's City Rail Link (CRL) will open to passengers on 13 September, with Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown confirming the long-awaited opening date.
"This is one of the most significant transport investments in New Zealand's history, and in just a few weeks Aucklanders will finally be able to use it,” Mr Bishop says.
“The CRL will fundamentally change the way Auckland's rail network operates, with faster journeys, more frequent services, and better connections across the city.
"Reaching this milestone has taken years of work from thousands of people, including engineers, construction crews, mana whenua, KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, City Rail Link Ltd and many others. Thank you to everyone who helped make this day possible."
The 3.45km twin-tunnel underground railway and new stations at Te Waihorotiu, Karanga-a-Hape and Maungawhau will transform Auckland’s rail network by reducing travel times, increasing train frequencies, improving cross-city connections and unlocking new opportunities for growth in the city centre.
“People have been asking me for years, when the CRL was going to open. Now we can give them an answer,” Mayor Brown says.
“The good news for Aucklanders and business owners is today’s announcement provides certainty. They can now plan for when our new rail network will open in a few weeks’ time with quicker journeys and better access to the city and work.”
Minister of Transport: All Aboard: City Rail Link Opens on 13 September- Media release
The History of the City Rail Link Project
CRL Ltd has produced videos detailing the history of the CRL project.
Episode 2- Breaking Through
Episode 3- Built by Giants
Episode 4- The Stations That Change Everything
Episode 5- It’s Bigger Than You Think
