Wellesley Street bus improvements

There will be some night works on Wellesley Street West in November and December.

Geotechnical investigations will begin in the Wellesley Street and Federal Street block on Sunday night the 2nd of November (see map and table).

The work will happen between 8pm to 6am on Sunday to Thursday nights. The work is being staged along Wellesley Street West between Albert Street and Victoria Park.

There will be traffic management, lane closures and detours in place during the night when the works are underway. Lanes will be reinstated and detours removed by 6am each day.

Minimising disruption

We know construction can be disruptive. We're working hard to reduce the impact by:

• coordinating with other council and utility projects
• futureproofing infrastructure to avoid repeat work
• supporting affected residents and businesses.

Visit our Midtown Neighbourhood page for more information.

With thousands of people expected to use Te Waihorotiu Station daily, Wellesley Street needs to be safe, efficient, and welcoming—whether you're walking, catching public transport, or spending time in the area.

The City Centre Masterplan 2020 identifies Wellesley Street as a key east-west bus route. It connects the Learning Quarter, key city centre destinations, and Victoria Quarter, making it a vital part of Auckland’s transport network.

These improvements will:

• improve public transport connections, speed and reliability
• make it easier to access the Queen Street Valley, Aotea Arts Precinct, and Learning Quarter
• support economic growth and keep the city centre connected and accessible. 

About the City Centre Masterplan

The City Centre Masterplan (CCMP) is Auckland Council’s unifying strategy, a 20-year vision that sets the direction for all city centre and waterfront projects. Its purpose is to ensure that our city is shaped into a better-connected, greener, and more people-focused city we can be proud of.

A key concept of the CCMP is Access for Everyone (A4E). This new way of using our streets will allow pedestrians, cyclists, and buses to move freely while preserving access for vehicle trips needed to support the city centre, such as deliveries, construction, and emergency services. It will open up new public spaces, create pedestrian-friendly links, and improve deliveries to businesses and residents.

Some features of the newly improved Wellesley Street area include:

Bus improvements for safety, access and reliability

• High-quality bus shelters with lighting, digital displays and CCTV, improving safety and access for everyone.
• Bus stops at key destinations, including Te Waihorotiu Station, the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC), Victoria Park and in future the universities. 
• Bus priority lanes along the full (2.2kms) from Victoria Park to Princes Street improving bus journey time and reliability.
• Victoria Park turnaround and Beaumont Street layover (proposed) to support more seamless bus operations.

Attractive and safer streets

• Wider footpaths, smoother surfaces, and fewer obstructions.
• Raised safety platforms at side street crossings.
• Street greening and planting in later stages.

Traffic Circulation changes

• Limited general through traffic on Wellesley Street between Albert and Queen Streets to support bus movements, pedestrians and business operations.
• Bus only section of Wellesley Street between Elliot and Queen Streets to accommodate over 120 buses an hour during peak times.
• Prioristised local access for vehicles on Wellesley Street between Albert and Elliot Streets, allowing access to the Elliot Street shared space. Vehicles delivering goods to businesses, and those accessing off-street carparks, loading zones, or dedicated pick-up and drop-off areas for Total Mobility will still be able to drive through Wellesley Street to the Elliot Street shared space.

Road upgrades

• Roads reconstructed along Wellesley Street. While this will look great, more importantly, it future proofs our roads to support our bus fleet and minimise noise and vibration for residents and businesses.
• Where needed, some underground utilities will be upgraded or replaced while we do this work, to minimise disruption and rework in the future. 

We’re proud to partner with mana whenua on this project.

Artists Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Haua, Ngāti Manu) and Ted Ngatakai (Ngāti Tamaoho) are leading the design of cultural elements, including artistic bus shelters and pavement features.

Stage one

Engagement on the design and integration of Stage one (the public space surrounding the station) was sought in October and November 2021. Download the report (PDF, 1.5MB).

Stage two

Community engagement is planned for late 2025 to inform design.  

We will also be engaging directly with residents, businesses and property owners along the route, elected members and advisory groups, and key stakeholder groups such as business and resident associations, disability groups, and public transport users.