Te Waihorotiu Station tour

Hosted by The Link Alliance, members of the RCP team took a trip underground to view progress on Te Waihorotiu Station, currently under construction on the future site of The Symphony Centre.

The station is a testament to modern design and functionality, extending 15 metres underground and stretching 300 metres in length, with entrances on both Victoria and Wellesley Streets.

Te Waihorotiu Station will have an initial capacity of 27,000 patrons per hour, increasing to 54,000 in time to become New Zealand's busiest station.

RCP team members visiting the site were intrigued to witness the construction progress, including witnessing the skylights that channel sunlight into the underground platform.

The design narrative of the station is inspired by the Māori creation myth of Ranginui, the sky father, and Papatūānuku, the earth mother.

These two were locked together in a tight embrace until their son Tāne separated them, ushering light into the world.

Reflecting this story, Te Waihorotiu Station's design connects to the earth with the use of Waitematā sandstone and reaches to the heavens via seven skylights that symbolise the Matariki stars. This narrative also flows into The Symphony Centre, which will built directly above the station, in both architectural design and naming. Learn more here. 

It will serve as an essential travel hub for over 40,000 Central Auckland residents and more than 130,000 workers who commute to the city.

The name Te Waihorotiu was bestowed by the Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa (New Zealand Geographic Board) in collaboration with local iwi, honouring the Waihorotiu stream and wetland system, which flowed past the Horotiu pā to the Waitematā, providing fresh water for neighbouring iwi.

Once complete, Te Waihorotiu Station will emerge as a pivotal component of Auckland Transport’s infrastructure.

With the City Rail Link's opening in 2026, up to 27,000 passengers per hour will traverse the network during peak times, a number expected to double once network-wide enhancements, including station upgrades for nine-car trains, are implemented.

As part of the broader initiative to revitalise the Aotea Arts Quarter, The Symphony Centre is being designed to complement Te Waihorotiu Station, fostering a unique transport-oriented development that aligns with international standards.

Its strategic position and planned connectivity improvements will breathe new life into the Aotea Arts Quarter, granting travellers convenient access to the Aotea Centre, Auckland Town Hall, and nearby theatres and art galleries.

Visiting the station were Jack Bourke, Taylor Whelan, William Tomlinson, Matt Murphy, Dean Turner ably shown around by Link Alliance tour leaders Nicole Borland and Shaun Sutton.