Fast-track Approval for $1.45B Drury Metropolitan Centre Development in Auckland

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed the Fast-track approval of a major metropolitan development project in Auckland.Kiwi Property Holdings lodged an application in April 2025 for the 53-hectare Drury Metropolitan Centre development in South Auckland, which has now been approved by an expert panel.The Drury Metropolitan Centre project includes developing land for future residential use and a mixed-use centre, including approximately 10,000 m² of commercial space, 56,000 m² of retail, and 2,000 m² for community activities.The development is projected to inject over $1.45 billion into Auckland’s economy over the next 11 years and is expected to deliver around 3,420 full-time direct employment roles in construction and related services, Mr Bishop says.This is great news for jobs and growth in this fast-growing part of Auckland. The government is investing heavily into Drury and the surrounding area through new train stations at Drury, Ngākoroa, Paerātā, and electrification of the rail line to Pukekohe.

Major roading projects in the area include the Papakura to Drury project, including additional lanes on SH1, wide shoulders for future bus services, and extensive interchange improvements at Drury. We are also delivering upgrades to Waihoehoe Road and the SH22 Drury Corridor to enable better access to the new train stations and support long-term growth and housing in the area.

The government welcomes this investment into this important part of the Golden Triangle’s future prosperity.

The Drury Metropolitan Centre is the fifth project to receive Fast Track approval this year, following the Maitahi Village development in Nelson, the Milldale Development in Auckland, the Port of Auckland expansion and the reconsenting of the Tekapo A and B hydro scheme announced earlier this week.

Fast track is delivering – it’s helping address our infrastructure deficit, it’s boosting housing supply, and it will create jobs and growth into the future.

The Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill, which has its first reading in Parliament yesterday, will further speed up projects going through the approvals system and improve the efficiency of the Act.

For more information about the project: Drury Metropolitan Centre – Consolidated Stages 1 and 2 Notes to editor: Kiwi Property Holdings No. 2 Limited lodged a substantive application for the project on 4 April 2025.

The panel was appointed by associate panel convener and commenced on 30 July 2025.

The draft decision was issued by the panel on 21 October 2025.

Panels make the decisions to approve or refuse consents and whether to impose conditions.

Pukekohe rail electrification was completed and opened for passengers in February 2025.

Drury and Paerātā stations are expected to be operational in 2026, Ngākōroa station in 2027.

The Papakura to Drury project is being delivered in stages. Stage 1A began in April 2021 and was completed in August 2024. Stage 1B began in November 2024 and is expected to be completed in 2030. More information here: https://nzta.govt.nz/projects/south-auckland-projects/sh1-papakura-to-bombay The SH22 Drury and Waihoehoe Road upgrades are due to begin this year.

Fast-track projects to date: The Fast-track Approvals Act contains a list of 149 projects which, from 7 February, have been able to apply for consideration by an expert panel.

Projects not listed in the Act can also apply for referral into the Fast-track process.

Project approved by expert panels: Bledisloe North Wharf and Fergusson North Berth Extension [Infrastructure] Maitahi Village [Housing] Milldale – Stages 4C and 10 to 13 [Housing] Tekapo Power Scheme – Applications for Replacement Resource Consents [Renewable energy] Drury Metropolitan Centre – Consolidated Stage 1 and Stage 2 [Housing] Expert panels have been appointed for: Sunfield Masterplanned Community Waihi North Kings Quarry Expansion - Stage 2 Drury Quarry Expansion - Sutton Block Taranaki VTM Project Ryans Road Industrial Development Rangitoopuni Homestead Bay Stella Passage Development Pound Road Industrial Development Green Steel Arataki project Ashbourne Takitimu North Link – Stage 2 Ayrburn Screen Hub Southland Wind Farm Waitaha Hydro Projects currently being assessed prior to panel appointment Haldon Solar Waitākere District Court – New Courthouse Project Kaimai Hydro-Electic Power Scheme The Point Solar Farm 20 projects have now been referred into the Fast-track process by the Minister for Infrastructure