Skip to main content

Haere rā Britomart, kia ora Waitematā Station Haere rā Britomart, kia ora Waitematā Station

Date: 22 September 2025

Auckland’s downtown train station is now known as ‘Waitematā Station’, following the final step in the name change to better connect to the local history of the surrounding area.

The City Rail Link Mana Whenua Forum gifted the station name in 2017 and supported a transition period of “Waitematā Station (Britomart)” before the Britomart section of the name was phased out.

“We are getting closer to the opening of this transformational project and it’s now time to make the switch to align with the three other CRL station names - Te Waihorotiu, Karanga-a-Hape and Maungawhau - which were also gifted to the people of Tāmaki Makaurau by mana whenua,” says Jane Small, Auckland Transport Group Manager Rail Infrastructure

“In this way, when the City Rail Link opens in 2026, people will have had time to become familiar with the new names for the stations.”

Britomart Station brought trains back to Auckland’s city centre in 2003. It was built on reclaimed land, and ‘Waitematā’ reflects the station’s proximity to the nearby harbour and its flat, glassy waters which resemble obsidian volcanic rock known as matā in te reo Māori.

The harbour’s name is also said to represent a visit from a Te Arawa ancestor who placed an obsidian stone as a mauri (talisman) in the northern part of the harbour.  

Ngarimu Blair of Ngāti Whātua said it’s a positive move to elevate the ancestral name Waitematā for this iconic station

“We have a dual heritage and the name Britomart lives on in the precinct. The HMS Britomart was the ship that undertook the first European survey of the Waitematā so this dovetails nicely,” says Blair.

Waitematā Station is a key transport hub for the waterfront and downtown. It links key bus routes, the Downtown Ferry terminal, and trains. Its redevelopment as part of the City Rail Link project sees the former Britomart Station dead-end turned into two-way through station with twin rail tunnels extending underground towards Albert Street.

“That enables us to re-shape Auckland’s transport network and offer customers more choice to get to where they are going, faster,” says Jane Small.

Auckland Transport has started the final transition of Waitematā Station (Britomart) to Waitematā Station, with changes to signage around the station commencing over the weekend.

“The station name has already been changed for our customers using the Auckland Transport app and Journey Planner tool. Whether you type in Waitematā or Britomart, it will automatically give you information for Waitematā Station.”

Wayfinding and customer information across the rest of the network will be gradually transitioned before City Rail Link opens in 2026, as Auckland Transport starts updating information to reflect the re-shaped rapid transit network including the new stations and services.

Notes to the editor:

  • All four City Rail Link stations were gifted ngā ingoa tuku iho (traditional names) by the CRL Mana Whenua Forum in 2017. The four names are:
    • Waitematā
    • Te Waihorotiu
    • Karanga-a-Hape
    • Maungawhau
  • The New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha O Aotearoa is responsible for naming all Railway Stations in New Zealand.
  • The NZGB carried out a public consultation process in 2022 before the official names were recommended and agreed to by the then Minister for Land Information, Damien O’Connor on March 16 2023 – you can read the Board’s decision here.
  • Mana whenua supported a transition period for Waitematā before Britomart would be permanently retired as the name for the station.
  • The name change for Waitematā Station applies specifically to the train station.
  • The surrounding area/precinct is commonly known as Britomart - though it has not been officially named by the NZGB. The name Britomart will remain in use for a number of bus stops in this area.
  • The Waitematā Station name transition has cost approximately $35,000 – including changes to platform signage, prominent ‘beacon’ and canopy sign outside the station, signs in the vicinity of the station, and updated onboard train stickers and maps.
  • These changes were scheduled to coincide with planned maintenance for signs and ‘wayfinding’ materials in the area to keep costs down.