Meet your new City Rail Link stations

The CRL is a 3.45km twin-tunnel underground rail link up to 42 metres below the city centre that brings you new train station connections:

Maungawhau Station: A redeveloped station at Eden Terrace / Mt Eden where the CRL connects with the North Auckland (Western Line)

Karanga-a-Hape Station: A new station just off Karangahape Road - with entrances at both Mercury Lane and Beresford Square

Te Waihorotiu Station: A new mid-town station with entrances at Wellesley and Victoria Streets

Waitematā Station (Britomart): The station at the bottom of Queen Street is being transformed into a two-way through station that better connects the city’s rail network

The station designs

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Waitematā Station (Britomart)

Te Waihorotiu Station

Karanga-a-Hape Station

Maungawhau Station

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Naming the stations - our announcement

On 06 May 2022, City Rail Link Ltd in partnership with Auckland Transport publicly announced details of the proposed te reo Māori names for City Rail Link (CRL) stations at an event held at the Te Waihorotiu Station site and attended by local dignitaries.

Our design approach

Whatungarongaro te tangata, toitū te whenua (as man disappears from sight, the land remains)

Our design approach reflects our ongoing partnership with mana whenua.

City Rail Link is a world first for integrating mana whenua values, working collaboratively with eight mana whenua iwi to reflect and respond to cultural narrative.

Both the names and the designs are a unique expression of a cultural narrative for both the people and the city that hasn’t been seen anywhere else in the world, evocative of both people and place. They are quintessentially Aotearoa.

Design elements at the stations use a pattern language which aligns with the gifted te reo names, allowing the art, culture and other elements to converge. In some areas, the art manifests to reflect the cultural identity of the geographical location.

The holistic design process for the stations, in collaboration with mana whenua, allows for cultural expression in their design. Bringing together earth and underground elements and reflecting the culture of Tāmaki Makaurau we can create spaces that can only come from ‘here’, unique to New Zealand’s journey and history. The collective philosophy for the station designs is the Māori creation myth of Ranginui (the sky father) and Papatūānuku (the earth mother).

Mana whenua narrative woven throughout the station in the form of integrated art/design will showcase our unique culture, contributing towards a positive user experience and create memorable experiences for Aucklanders and visitors alike.

The final designs of the stations also showcase the urban design around the buildings, extending the passenger’s experience into the surrounding streets. Significant engagement work, including gathering feedback from the last set of station designs, has been carried out and acted upon, to enable seamless, accessible travel to and from the stations.

Collaborating with mana whenua

City Rail Link Ltd (CRL Ltd) has a longstanding partnership with our Mana Whenua Forum which began in the early stages of the project in 2012. Part of the purpose of this partnership is to ensure Māoritanga is intrinsically woven through the essence of CRL at every stage.

In 2017, the Mana Whenua Forum gifted us with four names for our stations. These names are steeped in history, represent important elements of iwi tradition and heritage and reflect significant geographical features around the stations. 

“Whatungarongaro te tangata toitū te whenua - as man disappears from sight, the land remains. This demonstrates the holistic values of te ao Māori, and the utmost respect of Papatūānuku, the mother of the earth. People will come and go but the land will remain.”

This whakapapa is a chance to share and celebrate the rich history of Tāmaki Makaurau with the wider community. It’s about reinstating the traditional names of the area – looking back to a time before concrete and skyscrapers - when people lived off the land.

The gifted station names Maungawhau, Karanga-a-Hape, Te Waihorotiu and Waitematā reflect the mythology, atua, people and aspects of early life indigenous to the landscapes.

Videos: Explaining the gifted station name

Station stories

As we begin the journey of naming our four City Rail Link (CRL) stations, we are honoured to have been gifted these ngā ingoa tuku iho (traditional names) by our Mana Whenua Forum along with invaluable mātauranga Māori throughout the CRL project. 

These new names reflect the rich cultural narrative of the areas that these stations will serve – which will be mirrored in the designs of the stations themselves.

Maungawhau

The gifted name Maungawhau literally translates to mountain (maunga) of cork tree (whau). The whau tree was used for fishing floats and medicinal purposes.

The station’s entrance wall is patterned precast concrete from floor to ceiling with basalt inserts. The giant wall design references the atua (deity) Mataoho, the creator of the basalt volcanic field in Tāmaki Makaurau. The 53 lava-coloured, cast glass triangles are organised to represent a map of these volcanic cones. The large main triangle is created from Maungawhau basalt and has water flowing over the surface of this section of the wall. This references Maungawhau, the basalt caverns, caves and water springs below ground.

It pays respect to Parawhenuamea (atua of freshwater) and how freshwater needs kōhatu (rock) to flow. This narrative will continue with the designs on the paved area. 

Karanga-a-Hape Station

The name ‘Karanga-a-Hape’ is a grammatical correction of the current Karangahape. 

Named for the great calling of Hape, who was left behind by his people when he was denied passage across the ocean in his waka (canoe). After performing a karakia he was gifted a kaitiaki (guardian) - a stingray - and together they crossed the water to arrive in Aotearoa ahead of the Tainui waka that left before them.

Three of the CRL stations are designed around the creation story with Ranginui (the sky father) and Papatūānuku (the earth mother), Karanga-a-Hape Station’s design also references their son, Tāne Mahuta, God of the forest, who pushed his parents apart to create light (day).

Allusions to the kauri tree are shown through the large pupurangi shells on the entrance ceiling (these snails live on the tree's leaves). 

Te Waihorotiu Station

This name has been gifted in recognition of the Waihorotiu stream and wetland system that flowed in close proximity to the station, past the Horotiu pā down to the Waitematā, providing fresh water for iwi living nearby.

At the Wellesley Street entrance the hanging rods ceiling design reflects a sense of human craft. Their undulating pattern reflects the water as well as the kaitiaki of the area, moving and connecting people in place as they flow through the station.

Te Waihorotiu will become New Zealand’s busiest station and the te reo Māori name reflects that link between the past and present where the original water source provided a service to local people for cooking, cleaning, bathing and growing food, just as now it will provide the service of transport. 

Waitematā Station (Britomart)

The name Waitematā was gifted to reflect the closeness of the harbour next to the station, which is built on reclaimed land.
This large body of water is named after its resemblance to matā (obsidian), for its flat, glassy waters. This is also where the Waihorotiu stream and the Waitematā converge: a mingling of waters and people.

In the second interpretation, the harbour’s name reflects a visit from a Te Arawa ancestor who placed an obsidian stone as a mauri (talisman) in the northern part of the harbour. 

Waitematā is different from our other three CRL stations because the majority of our work has been completed there and it is currently operating as ‘Britomart Station’. 

From a design perspective, it has also been approached differently because it is centred around the Chief Post Office (CPO). It was essential to preserve a building of such significant heritage.

The CPO is Britomart’s flagship building, and its regal exterior provides elegant Edwardian-age presence in the heart of the city. Intermingled with this, the station hosts design elements that speak to Māori cultural narratives and the history of the area before the navy ship HMS Britomart (for which the area is named) docked in 1840. 

Just outside the CPO, Auckland’s newest premier civic space – Te Komititanga (meaning to mix or to merge) was designed by mana whenua artists and weavers, referencing the moving waters of the Waitematā.

The naming process

New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa names railway stations and invited the public to make a submission on proposals for the names of the City Rail Link stations. These proposals were open for public submissions until 9 November 2022.

The decision was announced on 16 March 2023. Read their decision

FAQ: The new names

Why are the stations being re-named?

City Rail Link Ltd (CRL Ltd) has developed a longstanding partnership with the Mana Whenua Forum (MWF) which began in the early stages of the project in 2012. Part of the purpose of this partnership is to ensure traditional cultural Māori values are intrinsically woven through the very essence of the project at every stage.

In 2017, the Forum gifted CRL Ltd with four names for the CRL stations. These names are steeped in history and represent important elements of iwi tradition and heritage and reflect significant geographical features around the stations.

Two of the stations, Aotea and Karangahape, had interim ‘construction’ names. The other two stations, Mt Eden and Britomart, had pre-existing names but these are not officially recognised. The gifted te reo names reflect the rich cultural narrative and history of their locations.

What are the new names?

• Maungawhau Railway Station (for Mt Eden, an existing station)

• Karanga-a-Hape Railway Station (for Karangahape, a new station)

• Te Waihorotiu Railway Station (for Aotea, a new station)

• Waitematā Railway Station (for Britomart, an existing station)

Why te reo names and why now?

CRL is taking shape, our final designs are here and as the project progresses, we want to move forward with te reo Māori place names to acknowledge the cultural heritage of the station’s geographical locations. As we finalise the station designs, we also want to attribute the official public facing names that the stations will adopt and will become part of Auckland’s rich tapestry.

Some of the stations (Aotea and Karangahape) already have te reo names. Why are you giving them different te reo names?

Aotea and Karangahape were only ever provisionally used as placeholder names by project teams to assist with project planning until this formal naming process could take place. Aotea, because it’s adjacent to the Aotea Centre - which was incidentally named Motu Aotea (the Māori name for Great Barrier Island). Karangahape was thus named because it’s near Karangahape Road. Aotea will be renamed ‘Te Waihorotiu’ after the stream that still flows below Queen Street - the area’s most significant geographic feature and an important symbol of mana for iwi and hapū. Karangahape will be renamed to reflect the grammatical correction of the word ‘Karanga-a-Hape’ – meaning “the call of Hape”.

Two stations (Mt Eden and Britomart) already have European names. Why are you changing these names?

The proposed names for Mt Eden and Britomart Stations reflect their true natural names – as gifted by Mana Whenua. Mangawhau reflects the correct te reo Māori word for the most significant geographic feature that is close to the station, the dormant volcano Maungawhau/Mt Eden. Britomart will be renamed to acknowledge that fact that the station currently sits within land that has been reclaimed from Waitematā harbour – known for its obsidian-like (matā = obsidian) waters.

Why are you officially naming Britomart when its already a live station? How is the name roll out and station design different from the other stations?

Naming: Britomart Station is the only CRL station currently in public use. This station would only take on its new name once CRL is complete. This is to decrease the costs associated with changing a live stations’ name (such as network-wide wayfinding, signage and timetable collateral).

Auckland Transport (AT) is in the process of redesigning its customer information for train services once CRL opens. As part of this work the new station names are being used in the design.

Design: Waitematā Station (Britomart) is different from the other three CRL stations because the majority of our work has been completed there and it is currently fully operating as ‘Britomart Station’. From a design perspective, it has also been approached differently because it is centred around the Chief Post Office (CPO). It was essential to preserve a building of such significant heritage.

Constructing tunnels under the CPO involved one of the most complex engineering challenges seen in New Zealand – transferring the CPO’s weight on to temporary foundations to keep the historic building protected during construction.

The heritage-listed CPO is Britomart’s flagship building, and its regal exterior provides elegant Edwardian-age presence in the heart of the city. Intermingled with this, the station hosts design elements that speak to Māori cultural narratives and the history of the area before the HMS Britomart (for which the area is named) docked in 1840.

Just outside the CPO, Auckland’s newest premier civic space – Te Komititanga (meaning to mix or to merge) was designed by Mana Whenua artists and weavers, referencing the moving waters of the Waitematā.

Who chose the names?

The names were gifted by CRL’s Mana Whenua Forum. This group consists of eight Auckland iwi: Te Ākitai Waiohua, Te Kawerau a Maki, Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Paoa, Ngāi Tai ki Tamaki, Ngāti Tamaoho, Ngāti Te Ata and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. To find out more about this partnership please click here.

How are the station names and designs linked?

Design elements at the stations use a pattern language which aligns with the gifted te reo Māori names, allowing the art, culture and other elements to converge. In some areas, the art manifests to reflect the cultural identity of the geographical location.

The holistic design process for the stations, in collaboration with mana whenua, allows for cultural expression in their design. Bringing together earth and underground elements and reflecting the culture of Tāmaki Makaurau we can create spaces that can only come from ‘here’, unique to New Zealand’s journey and history. The collective philosophy for the station designs is the Māori creation myth of Ranginui (the sky father) and Papatūānuku (the earth mother).

Will the related place names around the stations be changed to reflect the names?

There is no intention that the gifted station names will have a significant impact on the surrounding areas. The names of suburbs are also gazetted by the Geographic Board and would need to go through a similar process, conducted by Auckland Council, but there is no intention to do this.

How have the designs changed since the first set of renders were released?

These last set of renders reflect some changes that have come about as the project evolves. This will be the last set of renders to be produced before the stations are completed and these final designs also showcase the urban design around the buildings, extending the passenger’s experience into the surrounding streets. Significant engagement work, including gathering feedback from the last set of station designs, has been carried out and acted upon, to enable seamless, accessible travel to and from the stations.

How much does the naming process cost?

There is no cost associated with the submission.

Who was consulted before the public announcement?

Once the names were gifted by mana whenua, internal consultation was conducted with Auckland Transport (AT), which will operate and maintain the stations, and KiwiRail (the owner of rail infrastructure) to ensure the names could be ‘operationalised’ – meaning they can be used in the signalling and IT systems required to operate on the national train network.

Both CRL Ltd and AT Boards also endorsed the names.

Following this, Auckland Council members and Local Board elected members were informed as part of the process before the submission to the New Zealand Geographic Board (NZGB).

Other key stakeholders including nearby businesses and residents were provided with information regarding the submission to the NZGB.

Why is Auckland Transport involved in the station naming process?

Once CRL construction is complete, the two new stations and two redeveloped stations will become (or will be returned as) Auckland Transport (AT) assets. As the owner of these assets, but also as Auckland’s transport authority, it is important that AT is involved from the beginning.

Many technical aspects such as computer systems onboard the trains that will operate in the City Rail Link and customer information needed to be considered during the internal consultation.

As part of the New Zealand Geographic Board requirements, the owner of the location must also be considered in the application.

What happens next?

Like all changes to the transport network, once these station names are gazetted Auckland Transport (AT) updates its systems, including customer wayfinding and network operations. This will happen in two parts: Firstly, when the names are gazetted to ensure documents are up to date. However, the majority of the changes will be once the stations are completed, handed to AT and become part of the public transport network for customers to enjoy

What’s behind AT’s move towards incorporating te reo Māori across its transport network?

Te reo Māori in public spaces is essential for a thriving Māori identity in Tāmaki Makaurau. Since 2016, there has been a concerted effort by Auckland Transport (AT) to make the transport network bilingual. This began with bilingual announcements on trains, and has continued to include passenger wayfinding and bus services. In the last few years we’ve seen the presence of te reo Māori in our public spaces increase substantially - not just in Tāmaki Makaurau but across Aotearoa. New Zealanders are getting excited about the revitalisation of te reo Māori and AT is excited to be part of that journey. These new station names are part of AT’s commitment to ensuring te reo Māori is seen, heard, spoken and learned across our network.

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