Waitematā Station (Britomart) Works Newsletter

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16 December 2022

Waitematā Station (Britomart) Newsletter

Kia ora and season's greetings neighbours,

It’s been a big year of activity for Waitematā Station (Britomart) above and below ground, working towards preparing the station for when the City Rail Link opens.

We appreciate your ongoing patience with these works throughout the year and wish you and your whānau a Meri Kirihimete (Merry Christmas) and happy New Year.

This month's newsletter features:

Meet team Martinus
Works around the station
Tamariki in the Tunnels
Britomart Place works
Christmas rail network shutdown
Christmas magic at Te Komititanga

Meet team Martinus

At Waitematā Station (Britomart) many teams are working under one roof to transform it from a dead-end stop into a through station, including rail specialists - Martinus Rail.

We caught up with the team to find out more about the works they are completing at the eastern end of the station. Have a look out for all the familiar faces!

Works around the station

The team inspects the overhead line installation

The team inside the tunnel are on track to completing required activity on time and with a smile. In the new year, the team will move to Maungawhau/Mount Eden Station, and begin laying the tracks back to Waitematā Station (Britomart) via Karanga-a-Hape Station (Karangahape) and Te Waihorotiu Station (Aotea).

Back of house rooms behind the east end of the station

There are pros and cons of constructing back of house rooms. The main challenge is that the space is narrow and confined. Nonetheless the team is doing a great job of completing the rooms on or ahead of schedule at both ends of the station.

70 metres of artistic goodness along the station platform

Inside the station it now looks a little different too. The artwork of Miriama Grace-Smith (Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Toarangatira and Ngāti Porou) is now features inside the station at the platform level. Miriama’s art can be seen around the Britomart precinct. The art speaks to kaitiakitanga (guardianship and protection) and the role of tangata whenua to protect the land.

Click image to enlarge.

From 26 December 2022 to 15 January 2023 Link Alliance will be working day and night in Waitematā Station (Britomart) during the Christmas rail network shutdown.

There will be scabbling and demolition works with a small excavator that will be brought into the station via the glass temporary building above. This work is to break up the concrete before the concourse at the west end is poured and is raised to accommodate future 9 carriage CRL trains.

There will be a concrete pour on 29 December with no expected noise to be heard at street level after this date.

All work will be proactively monitored by Auckland Council and the Link Alliance Environmental Advisor for the station.
At night the team will endeavour to enter and exit the station with little-to-no noise heard.

If there are any questions or more information is needed, please email britomart@linkalliance.co.nz

Tamariki in the Tunnels

Check out our young future users in the tunnels!

Recently, we ran a competition with MOTAT (Museum of Transport and Technology) asking intermediate-aged kids, ‘where would you build Auckland’s next railway and why?’.

The five winners got to be among the first people ever to walk the entire length of the CRL tunnels. It was also the first time we’ve invited kids on site.

The tour started at Maungawhau/Mount Eden and finished at Waitematā Station (Britomart)

Britomart Place works

Surface Works

Waterproofing complete with protection layer being applied

Following the installation of precast slabs earlier in the month, progress has continued on the corner of Scene Lane, at Britomart Place.

Martinus have now completed the topping slab and sand waterproofing encasement. This has allowed the back-fill of the bulk material to be installed, up to the surface to finish the base course level. Final finishes and reinstatement will commence shortly.

Backfill up to sub-base level complete

Tunnel works - South wall construction

Jacking slot block being removed from the old south wall

The new south wall is now structurally complete, including the last of the high-density grouting. Further preparation works have continued throughout the weeks and during the recent Block of Line (a period of time where no trains run), in readiness for the demolition of the old south wall over the Christmas period.

Upcoming works in Britomart Place:

Surface works

Installation of pipe lining to existing waste-water line – TMP (Traffic Management Plan) to be submitted
Commence work on re-establishment of Britomart Place and Scene Lane corner
Complete repaving around glass house box

Tunnel works

De-construction of south wall
Load transfer of old to new south wall
Form deflection chamber (symmetrical sloping edge) to new south wall
Commence upgrade of Platform 1

Christmas rail network shutdown

A reminder that KiwiRail’s annual rail network-wide holiday shutdown will take place this year from 26 December 2022 until 15 January 2023.

During this time teams will be working at multiple locations between Newmarket, Britomart and Quay Park (near Ports of Auckland) to upgrade and prepare the rail network for the opening of the CRL and to carry out track maintenance.

They’ll be working at:

Waitematā Station (Britomart) - works to prepare the station and tunnels for CRL
Quay Park (Spark Arena side) - equipment and materials delivery and removal for tunnel and track works
Quay Park (Judges Bay side) - track works to separate freight and passenger trains
Newmarket - track works to prepare for CRL

Crews will be working around the clock to get as much done as possible during this time. They aim to minimise disruption but there will be some noise and dust, and additional traffic movements in these areas.

Go to the AT website to plan your journey during this holiday season or visit the KiwiRail website to find out what work is planned year you.

Christmas magic at Te Komititanga

The magic of Christmas has begun with the installation of a bright and colourful pavilion in Te Komititanga. Music and free performances are ringing out across the square at lunchtimes and twilight during this month.

City Rail Link reinstated Te Komititanga as part of its C1 works, one of the project’s earliest contracts of works, after creating tunnels underneath the public square next to the Chief Post Office.

Bring the kids and see their eyes fill with wonder as roving stilt walkers defy gravity, jugglers send objects into orbit, Christmas elves arrive early from the North Pole, and tinsel-covered friendly monsters pique their curiosity.

Auckland Council and Heart of the City, along with their city centre partners, are proud to bring the magic of Christmas to the city centre from Friday 25 November to Christmas Eve, supported by the city centre targeted rate.

The schedule of free performances can be found at heartofthecity.co.nz/christmas and at onsite kiosks in Te Komititanga.

This schedule may be subject to weather.

Find out more
For information about Britomart and Quay Park Yard work click here.

How to contact the wider Waitematā Station (Britomart) team:
If you have any questions or concerns about our works, please email the Waitematā Station (Britomart) team at info@cityraillink.govt.nz or phone us on
0800 CRL TALK (275 8255) and press option 1 for Waitematā Station (Britomart) work.

Official use of gifted City Rail Link station names, including Waitematā Station (Britomart), is subject to a New Zealand Geographic Board decision. Visit www.cityraillink.co.nz/meet-your-stations to find out more about the naming process.

Ngā mihi nui
The Waitematā Station (Britomart) Team