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Above: Maramataka - the Māori lunar calendar, represented at the Beresford Square entrance to Karanga-a-Hape Station.
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Kia ora
This month, Karanga-a-Hape Station steps back into the spotlight with another stunning reveal - the striking new artwork at the Beresford Square entrance. Above ground, the transformation continues with the removal of the massive noise shed at the bottom of Mercury Lane.
Meanwhile, Te Waihorotiu Station continues to impress, inside and out. Nearly 1000m² of newly paved and landscaped footpaths have reopened to the public over the past two months, giving the area a fresh new feel and improved accessibility.
If you have any questions or concerns about our works at Karanga-a-Hape or Te Waihorotiu Stations, please don’t hesitate to contact us via email at karangahape@linkalliance.co.nz or aotea@linkalliance.co.nz. You can also call us on 0800 CRL TALK (275 8255).
Ngā mihi,
The Karanga-a-Hape and Te Waihorotiu Station teams.
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Works update - Beresford Square
With the scaffolding now down at the Beresford Square entrance, an incredible collaborative design work led by Reuben Kirkwood (Ngāi Tai) is on show – depicting rays of sunlight and the phases of the moon.
While the centrepiece sun depiction is yet to be installed, the striking installation features flowing metal rods suspended between semi-circular downstands, representing the Maramataka – the traditional Māori lunar calendar.
The moon’s phases are captured in carved, circular discs made from ancient swamp kauri, adding a powerful sense of time and place. Positioned above the concourse, the rods curve and cross in graceful arcs, symbolising the passage of time and the changing seasons.
The images below provide a close-up view of the artwork, showcasing fine details like the natural rings in the swamp kauri wood and the distinctive chisel marks left by the carver.
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Just like the render: The almost identical images below show the concourse level, located two levels beneath Beresford Square. Remarkably, the images are three years apart - with the render (top) created in 2022 and the 2025 photograph taken earlier this week - highlighting the exceptional accuracy of our designers, and delivery team.
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Another view of concourse level, this time looking in the opposite direction (west) to the images above.
The shallow trench running through the centre is where the ticket gates will be installed. Wiring has already been laid, and the gate housings are scheduled for installation in the coming weeks. Beneath the escalator - where you can see our crew working - is the future site of the ticketing office.
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Works update - Mercury Lane
One of the most unique structures on the CRL project is coming down.
Erected in mid-2020, the large noise shed at the bottom of Mercury Lane was a game changer – enabling 24/7 excavation in an inner-city neighbourhood with minimal disruption. At 46 metres long, 39 metres wide and 16 metres high, the shed housed spoil storage, ventilation systems, a water treatment plant and more, all wrapped in specially engineered soundproof cladding.
Now that major excavation and construction work is complete, the shed has done its job and is being deconstructed, signalling that the project has entered its final stages.
In a great sustainability outcome, the structure has been sold to a steel fabrication company in the far north and will soon get a new lease of life.
And here’s a bonus: folk travelling north on the Southern Motorway will now get an excellent view of the Mercury Lane entrance building and its beautiful sky-element façade.
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Above: The first picture, from July 2020, shows the noise shed being built over the temporary access shaft, which served as the sole entry and exit point for spoil, machinery, and personnel during mining operations. The second image shows the shed in all its quiet glory. The final image shows deconstruction – with the 50-tonne gantry crane being removed and the Mercury Lane entrance standing proudly in the background.
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Shell yeah! In the foyer to the Mercury Lane entrance the framing for the pupurangi (kauri snail) shells is taking shape, offering a glimpse of what’s to come. These sculptural forms pay homage to the kauri forest that once graced the Karangahape ridgeline. The anodised aluminium shells are set to be installed by early August.
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The images above and below are from platform level, 27-metres beneath Mercury Lane, near the Cross Street intersection. The floor has been cleared in preparation for the laying of terrazzo pavers in the coming weeks.
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Other highlights at the Mercury Lane entrance include ongoing work on the roof, construction of an emergency egress path to the north of the building, and installation of hearing loops on the first two underground levels and platform level. Hearing loops transmit sound directly to hearing aids, reducing background noise and improving clarity.
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Te Waihorotiu Station update
Now in the final months of construction, Te Waihorotiu Station is being finished floor by floor, starting at the top. Level 3 is now complete and cleaned, full of gleaming equipment that forms part of the heating, ventilation and cooling system for the station. This month we’re excited to share a sneak preview of the spaces you will encounter when you arrive at Te Waihorotiu Station.
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Above: The shimmering golden rods representing harakeke that once filled Waihorotiu valley will greet people as they ascend the escalator to the Wellesley Street entrance
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Above: The expansive concourse awaits permanent lighting fixtures and thousands of train passengers
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Above: Wayfinding signage, gate lines and ticket machines are in place, patiently waiting to be put to good use
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Te Waihorotiu Station update: Streetscapes
Over the past two months, nearly 1000m2 of newly paved and landscaped footpaths around Te Waihorotiu Station have reopened for public use. Cycle racks are installed at Victoria Street West, ready to support interconnected journeys, and footpaths are almost ready to support the busiest public transport hub in Aotearoa.
The upgrade of the Albert Street slip lane got underway in mid-May. By the end of July, the northern section of the slip lane will have smart basalt paving to complement the historic bluestone wall that sits alongside it.
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