About the Rail Network Rebuild

Key information

KiwiRail are upgrading assets across Auckland’s rail network. They need to rebuild the network’s aging foundations and complete essential maintenance work. The work will be done as a mix of full and partial closures.

When the Rail Network Rebuild is complete and the City Rail Link (opens in a new tab) opens, Auckland will have a more modern and reliable rail network. This will bring you more frequent services and faster journeys on all-electric trains.

A significant amount of work has been completed. The rebuild is entering its final stages.

Rebuilt sections of the Southern and Eastern lines are now faster and more reliable. They are now the best performing services on the Auckland rail network.

The electrification of the Pukekohe to Papakura line was completed in February 2025. Customers can now travel to the city centre (CBD) on the Southern Line without transferring at Papakura Station.

Stage 5 of the rebuild will focus on priority areas of the Southern Line between Otahuhu and Papakura, including a 1.2km stretch along both sides of Hospital Road, south of Middlemore Hospital. Later in 2025, our partners will also be working on sections between Newmarket and Waitemata (Britomart) and on the Western Line between Newmarket and Avondale, and between Henderson and Swanson.

Why we need to close the lines

For teams to work safely and get work done more quickly, we need to close rail lines. This work is intensive. KiwiRail lifts the rails and sleepers, replaces the foundations, improves drainage, and then puts the rails and sleepers back down.

KiwiRail and Auckland Transport (AT) are working together to plan the work and limit the impact on customers. We are delivering a huge scale of work before City Rail Link opens.

Stages of the Rail Network Rebuild

KiwiRail has completed the first 3 stages on the RNR.

This work has been on the inner core of the rail network:

• the Southern Line from Penrose to Newmarket
• the Eastern Line from a rail junction just south of Sylvia Park Station
• the Western Line from Newmarket to New Lynn
• Electrifying the tracks between Papakura and Pukekohe.

Stage 5 – the final stage

The final stage of the Rail Network Rebuild is underway. To minimise disruption, planned rail closures will be prioritised over holiday periods when the public transport network is quieter.

Remaining stages

Find out more about work on the Auckland rail network in 2025.

We know you've dealt with a lot of rail closures lately

We understand it can be difficult and stressful changing the way you get around Auckland.

We’ll be there to help you get where you need to be, and we’ll be providing a range of alternative services throughout all stages of KiwiRail's Rail Network Rebuild.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while KiwiRail carry out these important works.