15 Oct 2026
1 week ago
182 views
Auckland’s Hunua Quarry expansion has received Fast-track approval, allowing Winstone Aggregates to increase production capacity to 5.4 million tonnes annually by deepening the Symonds Hill Pit and addressing regional aggregate shortages. This approval, the 37th through the Fast-track process, aims to reduce reliance on imported aggregate, lower construction costs, and mitigate environmental and traffic impacts through specific conditions. The expansion, alongside similar projects at Drury and Kings quarries, supports Auckland’s housing and infrastructure needs while promoting economic and environmental benefits.
03 Oct 2026
3 weeks ago
270 views
Land has been secured on Karaka Road in Drury for a future hospital facility to address South Auckland’s rapidly growing healthcare needs, with the 13-hectare site offering excellent transport links and proximity to Fisher & Paykel Healthcare’s R&D precinct. The $45.3 million purchase aims to provide space for modern, accessible health infrastructure that supports quality services and fosters innovation in the region. The Government, through NIFCO and Health New Zealand, will plan and potentially develop a major hospital, ensuring long-term investment and flexibility to meet future healthcare demands.
29 Sep 2026
3 weeks ago
227 views
Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced that southbound traffic on State Highway 1 between Papakura and Drury has shifted to a new motorway alignment and bridge, marking a major milestone in the project aimed at improving safety, resilience, and journey reliability. The project includes constructing five new bridges, widening the motorway, and future-proofing infrastructure against climate change, with completion expected by 2030 to provide three lanes each way, enhanced walking and cycling paths, and improved interchange facilities. These upgrades will support growth in South Auckland, strengthen freight and commuter connections, and incorporate features like wide shoulders for future bus services and comprehensive stormwater treatment.
11 Sep 2026
1 month ago
387 views
The official opening of Auckland's City Rail Link marks a major milestone supported by a $2.4 billion government investment aimed at transforming the city's rail network into a modern metropolitan system with improved infrastructure and increased train frequency. Despite progress, concerns remain about station naming conventions and the need for further expansions, including additional main lines and new connections to alleviate congestion and boost the national economy. The speech honors the dedicated workers who built the tunnel, emphasizing the project's lasting value for future generations and the government's ongoing commitment to rail development.
11 Sep 2026
1 month ago
365 views
Auckland’s City Rail Link (CRL) has officially opened after a decade of construction, enabling trains to run through the city center for the first time and creating a faster, more connected rail network. This major infrastructure project, described as New Zealand’s biggest and most challenging transport initiative, aims to improve travel options, support urban growth, and enhance accessibility for commuters across the city. Officials emphasize the transformative impact of CRL alongside other transport upgrades, encouraging Aucklanders to utilize the new services for a more efficient and convenient public transport experience.
21 Aug 2026
2 months ago
661 views
The government is investing $23 million to build 20 new specialist classrooms across nine schools, contributing to a total $317 million spent on specialist education infrastructure, including 142 new classrooms, three new specialist schools, and redevelopments of six existing schools. This initiative aims to support students with high and complex learning needs by providing tailored learning environments and ensuring families have educational choices. The new classrooms include both base special school classrooms and satellite classrooms located within mainstream schools to enhance accessibility and inclusion.
01 Aug 2026
2 months ago
690 views
The new Drury and Paerātā railway stations have officially opened, offering frequent weekday peak services and supporting growth in southern Auckland with modern facilities including parking and bus connections. The government has invested over $2.4 billion in Auckland’s rail network, completing major upgrades like electrification to Pukekohe, the Third Main Line, and preparing for the City Rail Link opening. These developments aim to provide efficient transport infrastructure ahead of projected population growth, enabling housing, business expansion, and improved productivity in the region.
21 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1113 views
The Ashbourne project in Waikato, approved through the Fast-track process, will deliver 518 new homes, a neighborhood center, open spaces with walking and cycling paths, two solar farms, and necessary water infrastructure. The project, submitted by Matamata Development Limited in February 2025, addresses housing demand in the rapidly growing Waikato region but excludes a retirement village and some residential areas on highly productive land due to environmental concerns. This approval marks the 19th Fast-track project, part of a broader initiative facilitating timely infrastructure and housing developments across New Zealand.
02 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1388 views
New Zealand’s largest wind farm, the Southland Windfarm developed by Contact Energy, has received fast-track approval, enabling it to generate up to 380 MW and power 150,000 households while creating significant local jobs and economic benefits. The project, spanning 58 km² in eastern Southland, overcomes previous consent challenges through a streamlined Fast-track process designed to expedite critical infrastructure development and support national energy goals. This initiative aligns with the government’s vision for reliable, affordable energy, helping to reduce prices, enhance supply security, and stimulate regional investment and growth.
27 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1321 views
Health New Zealand is seeking proposals from landowners in Drury to secure a large site for a new hospital to address the growing health needs of South Auckland and north Waikato. The chosen location aims to support a major health precinct with modern facilities, leveraging Drury's proximity to key transport links for better accessibility. This initiative is part of a broader plan to strengthen health infrastructure and ensure future services can meet the demands of rapidly expanding communities.
19 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1452 views
Construction has begun on the Waihoehoe Road Upgrade, a key project aimed at enhancing transport connections and supporting long-term growth in Auckland’s rapidly expanding South Auckland area. The upgrade will widen a 400-metre section of Waihoehoe Road, add new lanes and signalised intersections, and improve access to the new Drury train station and nearby housing developments, forming part of a major east-west arterial route. Scheduled for completion by mid-2028 at a cost of $136 to $148 million, the project integrates roads and rail to support future public transport, safety, and community connectivity.
11 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1400 views
The Sunfield Masterplanned Community in Auckland, approved through the Fast-track system, will deliver approximately 3,854 new homes, a town centre, healthcare services, retirement villages, and extensive green spaces, generating up to $3.2 billion for the economy and creating thousands of jobs. The approval process took 10 months, with concerns about infrastructure capacity addressed through development design and consent conditions ensuring growth funds its own infrastructure needs. This project marks the seventh housing development approved via Fast-track, highlighting the system’s effectiveness in accelerating major projects to support housing supply, jobs, and growth in Auckland.
07 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1332 views
One year after New Zealand's Fast-track approvals system launched, it has accelerated infrastructure project approvals from years to months, reducing costs and enabling timely economic growth and job creation. The system streamlines multiple approval processes into one efficient pathway while maintaining environmental safeguards, with nine projects approved and dozens more progressing, expected to deliver thousands of homes, jobs, and significant economic contributions. The Coalition Government highlights Fast-track's success in overcoming criticism, positioning New Zealand as a global leader in efficient, rigorous infrastructure development.
31 Dec 2025
9 months ago
1624 views
The New Year 2026 Honours list recognizes Māori leaders for their significant contributions to Māori advancement, education, language revitalization, business, governance, conservation, and community wellbeing across Aotearoa New Zealand. Notable honorees include Rod Drury for services to technology and philanthropy, Leith Comer and Professor Thomas Roa for Māori leadership and language education, and others who have strengthened Māori identity, inclusion, and environmental stewardship. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka emphasizes that these awards reflect the vital role of Māori leadership in fostering a strong, inclusive, and resilient New Zealand.
19 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1989 views
Construction has begun on the Ngākōroa Train Station and interim upgrade of the SH22/Jezmond Road intersection as part of the SH22 Drury Upgrade project to improve transport options and support South Auckland's growing population. The project includes widening a 2km section of SH22, adding a fourth leg to the intersection, and building new railway stations funded by a $2.3 billion government investment, with Ngākōroa Station expected to open in 2027. Full construction of the SH22 upgrade, costing between $168 million and $197 million, will start in 2027 after land acquisition and funding approval.