Projects | Drury Rail Stations, Auckland, New Zealand

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In Aotearoa New Zealand, work is underway on a major new growth area south of Auckland at Drury. Over the next 30 years, an additional 130,000 people are expected to live in future communities in Takaanini, Opaheke, Drury, Paerātā and Pukekohe. The southern growth area will be transformed into a vibrant residential and business hub with 40,000 new homes and 38,000 new jobs.

To ensure this fast-growing part of Auckland has access to better travel choices that help people get to where they’re going safely, KiwiRail are delivering three new rail stations at Drury Central (a brownfield site), Ngākōroa and Paerātā (both greenfield sites). The Drury Central and Paerātā stations opened in August 2026 and Ngākōroa is due to open in 2027.

Stations at Drury Central, Ngākōroa, and Paerātā will improve travel access, reduce emissions and support Auckland’s growing southern communities.

The new stations are part of a $2.4 billion suite of projects to improve the resilience and efficiency of rail in Auckland and prepare the network for the increased frequency of trains now that City Rail Link is open.

Aurecon is the lead designer for the new stations. Each station includes a bus interchange, park and ride facilities and will allow for connecting walking and cycle paths.

In this video, Aurecon's engineers talk about how their innovative modular station design approach allows for future growth, the benefits of ecological works through the establishment of wetlands, and the challenges of delivering in a live, operational rail network.

Location

Tāmaki Makaurau
Auckland, New Zealand

Client

KiwiRail (with Auckland Transport the operator)

Aurecon's Role

Aurecon provides geotechnical investigations, civil and structural design, active modes design, geometric design, architectural and urban design, mechanical and electrical design, consenting and engineering approvals, and construction phase support.

Expertise

Integrated Design, Building Design, Bridges & Civil Structures, Rail & Mass Transit, Roads & Transport Networks, Digital Engineering & Advisory, Environment & Planning, Ground & Underground Engineering

Status

Ongoing

Bringing these modern new stations to life

Aurecon is delivering the design for three new rail stations, including the station buildings, park and ride, bridges, roading and road connections.

Aurecon's scope of work includes utilities and geotechnical investigations, civil and structural design, active modes design, geometric design, architectural and urban design, mechanical and electrical design, consenting and engineering approvals.

Aurecon has deep knowledge of the local area from our role in the wider Drury Precinct development and delivering the design for New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s State Highway 1 Papakura to Drury project.

Aerial view of Drury Station: The civil works were a major component of the project, including carparks, stormwater, roading and access bridges.

Modular design improves efficiency and supports future flexibility

Aurecon has brought innovation with a modular station design that enables efficiency in construction and supports future proofing. While each station has a unique layout, they share common elements such as bridges, stairs, entrances and vertical transport.

The development of the new stations and their associated facilities will be staged over time to meet the growing passenger demand feeding each station. The first stage provides two tracks and two platforms, with provision to double this in the future as patronage grows over the next 10 years.

Modifications can be made to easily increase the number of bridges, add additional ticketing facilities and escalators, and accommodate longer 9-car carriages. Importantly, the modular design means these future modifications can be made with minimal disruption to rail operations.

Entrance to Paerātā Station, Auckland, New Zealand.

Human-centred design for passenger experience

Our team redesigned the layout for the Paerātā Station to deliver an enhanced passenger experience and improve accessibility. The reference design required three complicated level changes when passengers arrived at the station by bus and sought to travel into the city by train.

Passengers would arrive at the bus terminal, travel down a 5 m flight of stairs to the station platform, climb a second flight of stairs to reach bridge level to cross the tracks and then go down another level to access the platform. Our team raised the platform up, providing direct access to the platform and requiring only a single level change for passengers, greatly improving accessibility.

Entrance to Paerātā Station, Auckland, New Zealand.

Increasing transport choice and availability

How does public transport create opportunities that offer people more choices in how they live, work, and travel?

Delivering sustainable outcomes

Drury Rail Stations are an excellent example of an integrated transport and housing development. Delivering the rail infrastructure first embeds public transport as a choice from day one, reduces congestion and carbon emissions and shapes how the area will develop over time.

Aurecon worked with architects Grimshaw and mana whenua to develop a narrative for the three stations that speaks to the cultural significance of the site, and mana whenua has gifted names for each of the three stations which restore the original Māori place names – Maketuu (Drury Central), Ngaakooroa (Drury West), and Paeraataa (Paerātā). A special feature of the project is the stormwater and associated ecological works, with wetlands providing natural water filtration while enhancing the ecology of the area.

Stations at Drury Central, Ngākōroa, and Paerātā will improve travel access, reduce emissions and support Auckland’s growing southern communities.

Bringing these modern new stations to life

Modular design improves efficiency and supports future flexibility

Human-centred design for passenger experience

How does public transport create opportunities that offer people more choices in how they live, work, and travel?

Delivering sustainable outcomes

TAGS

We would love to work with you to bring your ideas to life, so get in touch and we'll get back to you.

Stations at Drury Central, Ngākōroa, and Paerātā will improve travel access, reduce emissions and support Auckland’s growing southern communities.

Bringing these modern new stations to life

Modular design improves efficiency and supports future flexibility

Human-centred design for passenger experience

How does public transport create opportunities that offer people more choices in how they live, work, and travel?

Delivering sustainable outcomes

TAGS

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We would love to work with you to bring your ideas to life, so get in touch and we'll get back to you.