Waitematā
The name Waitematā Station reflects its closeness to Waitematā Harbour.
Waitematā is translated as waters (wai) of obsidian glass rock (matā), or glassy waters.
In an ancient story, an ancestor from Te Arawa iwi placed matā into the harbour as a mauri (spiritual charm).
E whakaatu ana te ingoa o Te Teihana o Waitematā i tōna tata ki te whanga o Te Waitematā.
Ko tētahi whakamārama o Waitematā, arā, ko ngā wai pīataata pēnei i te matā.
E ai ki tētahi kōrero tawhito, ka waiho e tētahi tūpuna nō Te Arawa he matā ki roto i te whanga hei mauri.
Waitematā Station is one of the 4 City Rail Link stations, but its design differs from the others.
Rather than being newly built, the station sits within the Chief Post Office (CPO) building. The CPO was constructed between 1909 and 1912 on land that was reclaimed from the harbour.
The building is a Category 1 Historic Place, listed with Heritage New Zealand. It is a well‑preserved example of Edwardian architecture that has been carefully updated for modern transport use.
From Britomart to Waitematā
Waitematā Station was previously known as Britomart Station. The station was renamed Waitematā Station in 2023 as part of the City Rail Link project.
While the station name has changed, the surrounding area continues to be known as the Britomart Precinct.
Together, the historic CPO building, new public spaces and mahi toi (artwork) reflect the many layers of change at the edge of the harbour.
Public spaces surrounding the station
Outside Waitematā Station’s main entrance is Te Komititanga, a large public plaza. The name Te Komititanga means to mix, or to merge, reflecting the important role of the station as a meeting point.
At the rear of the station, a glasshouse atrium entrance was added to the CPO in 2003.
Just outside this atrium is another public space, Waitematā Station Plaza, which is where the distinctive Waitī Waitā artwork can be seen.
Waitī Waitā reflects the meeting of two waterways, the Waihorotiu Stream and the Waitematā Harbour.