Henderson Station upgrade

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 have now been fully replaced. This started in November 2024 as both the lifts and escalators had reached the end of their life. The new lifts and escalators will be more reliable and robust.

Changes to train frequency and services

Trains will run at reduced frequency and, in some areas, on a single track along the Western Line from Tuesday 28 October to Friday 26 December 2025.

Running trains on a single track will impact both train passengers and others travelling around West Auckland. People will need to pay particular attention at level crossings to watch for trains that can come from either direction.

Use the Journey Planner and train line status page to plan your journey around the changes:

Train line status Journey Planner

Waitematā to New Lynn

Morning peak (to city): Trains every 10 minutes, stopping at all stations.
Morning peak (to west): Trains every 10 minutes, some of these will be express trains.
Evening peak (to west): Trains every 10 minutes, stopping at all stations.
Evening peak (to city): Trains every 10 minutes, some of these will be express trains.
Inter-peak (9:30am – 2:30pm): Unchanged. Trains every 20 minutes in both directions.
Evenings (from 8pm): Unchanged. Trains every 30 minutes.
Express trains: Only stop only at Waitematā, Parnell, Newmarket, Grafton, and New Lynn.

New Lynn to Henderson

Daytime: Trains every 20 minutes in both directions.
Evenings (from 8pm): Unchanged. Trains every 30 minutes.

Henderson to Swanson

Daytime: Trains every 60 minutes.
Evenings (from 8pm): Unchanged. Trains every 30 minutes.
Rail Replacement Buses: Operating to supplement reduced trains. Combined train and bus frequency of 20 minutes during daytime.

Rail replacement buses and mobility support

The RBW (Rail Bus West) will operate between Henderson and Swanson.

For more information on bus replacements, go to Bus replacements.

Mobility support

Customers with large mobility devices can book a free mobility taxi. Call our Contact Centre on 09 366 6400.

For more information on accessible travel, go to Bus accessibility information.

Weekends

For some weekends during the upgrades, trains will not be operating between New Lynn and Swanson stations.

In these instances, buses will replace trains to help passengers get to where they need to go.

For more information on bus replacements, go to Bus replacements.

Timeline and construction information

The train infrastructure 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 (2024) and new year (2025) period, the rail network was shut down. At Henderson we started track removal and piling works.

Construction is taking place during weekends and holidays in 2025.

From Tuesday 28 October to Friday 26 December 2025, work will continue uninterrupted at Henderson. During this time, trains will only run on one of the 2 rail lines at Henderson. This is called ‘single line running'.

This allows upgrades to continue on one section of the station, while trains continue to serve passengers on a single line.

More information

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 will help make Western Line journeys faster when the CRL and the upgraded rail network open in 2026.

When CRL opens, trains will run every 8 minutes during the peak. Passengers travelling from Henderson will be able to reach the new Te Waihorotiu Station (by the Aotea Centre) in just 35 minutes.

To make these changes, Henderson Station will get a big upgrade. A new platform and extra tracks will give trains more space to stop, turn around, and let people on and off.

When CRL is built:

trains will run every 4 to 5 minutes at peak through the central city (up to 16 trains per hour)
trains will run every 8 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.