Henderson Station upgrade

We're building a third platform and additional tracks at Henderson Station. This will enable more frequent and reliable train services as part of City Rail Link (CRL).

Construction started in October 2024 and will continue to early 2026.

Works will mostly take place on weekends and holiday periods during scheduled rail network closures.

Henderson Station changes

We're upgrading train infrastructure to increase the frequency and reliability of services.

We're building a new:

• third platform
• emergency exit bridge at the southern end of the station
• staff facility building.

The new third platform will allow us to turn some trains around at the end of service. We'll keep 2 through-tracks available for trains travelling to and from Swanson. It will also enable new train connections to more places.

We're also improving:

• track layout
• overhead lines
• signalling equipment
• track drainage
• station lifts and escalators.

Lifts and escalators replacement

Henderson Station’s lifts and escalators are being replaced from mid-November 2024 to August 2025. While this is happening, you'll be directed to use the stairs if possible.

3 lifts and 2 pairs of escalators are being replaced. They provide access the platforms through an overpass  above the station.

Accessibility during the lifts and escalator replacement

Latest update

Trains will be replaced by buses until 27 April 2025. If you need access through the overpass, the lift on Railside Avenue has been replaced and is open. The lift on the Te Ara Puheke (Council Chambers) side is out of service. You can use an alternative lift if you cannot use the stairs. Call the station control centre on 09 558 0800 for assistance with the alternative lift.

From 28 April 2025

Trains will be running again, but the platform lift will be out of service and there will be no lift access to the platform after this date. There will be a dedicated Henderson Station mobility taxi to transfer passengers who need the lift, to and from Sturges Road Station. 

You can check if the taxi is waiting in the allocated space near the station (on Te Ara Puheke Road at Henderson Station or in the mobility parking bay in the Park & Ride off Swanson Road at Sturges Road Station). If it's not there, call the taxi operator on 0800 025 999. They'll tell you where the taxi is and how long your wait might be.

Why we're replacing the lifts

The lifts are critical for customers with accessibility needs or pushchairs. The escalators and lifts at the station have reached the end of their life.

The lifts and escalators will be much more reliable when after the replacement.

Timeline and construction information

The set-up phase started during Labour Weekend in October 2024. The site was established, and utility and cable ducting installed and relocated.

During the Christmas and new year period, the rail network will shut down. We'll then start track removal and piling works.

We started replacing Henderson Station’s lifts and escalators from mid-November 2024 and will finish in August 2025. We'll minimise disruption for you while we replace the lifts and escalators. When the new lifts are under construction, you'll be directed to use the stairs if possible. Wayfinding will be in place to help guide you to and from the platforms.

More construction will take place during weekends and holidays in 2025. This includes:

• Easter
• King’s Birthday
• Matariki
• school holidays.

During this time, we'll be installing:

• track turnouts
• other major track work
• overhead lines
• signalling infrastructure.

Work will continue uninterrupted through late October 2025 and early 2026.

AT and KiwiRail are working through potential impacts on train customers. Buses will replace trains whenever upgrade works disrupt services.

Information for businesses and residents

Throughout construction, AT and KiwiRail will:

• give station users notice of any disruptions and information on how to navigate the station during construction
• keep the construction site and surrounding area tidy, safe, accessible and easy to navigate
• inform affected businesses, residents and property owners about the progress and impacts of the construction
• respond to community feedback quickly
• minimise disruption to normal services, such as rubbish removal and loading and servicing.

We'll work with local businesses to stage the work so that it considers other projects that are:

• currently underway
• due to be started during the construction period.

Project background

The Henderson Station third platform project is part of a complete rail network upgrade programme.

CRL and the network upgrades will give Aucklanders a better-connected public transport network. Train services will be faster, more frequent and more reliable.

Henderson Station's major upgrades are a part of this transformation. There will also be new underground stations at Te Waihorotiu and Karanga-a-Hape.

When CRL is built:

• up to 16 trains per hour will travel through the central city, every 4 to 5 minutes at peak times
• trains will run every eight minutes at peak on the Western Line
• journeys from Henderson to the new Te Waihorotiu Station in the central city will be 35 minutes (saving 24 minutes on the current journey)
• an additional 50% capacity will be added to the current rail network
• twice as many people will be within 30 minutes of Auckland city centre
• there will be easier connections between more parts of Auckland.