South Auckland’s rapidly growing communities have reached a major transport milestone with the opening of the new Drury and Paerātā railway stations, giving thousands of residents direct access to Auckland’s rail network for the first time in more than 50 years.
The two stations officially open on Sunday 2 August, marking one of the most significant public transport investments in the region in decades and laying the groundwork for future connections through the City Rail Link (CRL).
The Government says the new stations will improve access to employment, education and essential services while supporting the rapid population growth expected across South Auckland and Franklin over the coming decades.
Drury and Paerātā are among the fastest-growing urban areas in the country, with major residential developments already underway and projections that an additional 130,000 people will call South Auckland home over the next 30 years. The stations have been designed to ensure transport infrastructure keeps pace with that growth rather than lagging behind it.
Built by KiwiRail with Government funding, both stations will be served by Auckland’s Southern Line, providing direct rail access to the city centre, Middlemore Hospital, Puhinui and Auckland Airport via the AirportLink connection.
The project is about more than simply adding two new stops to the rail network.
Each station includes 350 park-and-ride spaces, bicycle parking, motorcycle parking and dedicated pick-up and drop-off areas to encourage multiple ways of accessing public transport.
Auckland Transport has also introduced two new connecting bus services and altered several existing routes to integrate surrounding communities with the rail network.
New routes will connect Paerātā Rise, Ramarama, Waiuku, Glenbrook, Drury and surrounding communities directly with the stations, making public transport more accessible for residents across southern Franklin.
Importantly, passengers transferring between buses and trains within the specified time period will not pay an additional fare, further encouraging integrated public transport use.
The stations have also been designed with Auckland’s future rail network in mind.
Once the City Rail Link opens, Drury and Paerātā will become part of the South City Line, providing more frequent services and direct connections through the new underground stations at Karanga-a-Hape and Te Waihorotiu in central Auckland.
At peak times, trains are expected to operate every 10 minutes once the CRL is fully operational, significantly improving journey times and network capacity.
A third station at Ngākōroa is also planned to open in 2027, further expanding rail access across the growing Drury area.
The investment is expected to provide significant benefits for Māori communities living throughout South Auckland and Franklin.
Improved public transport can increase access to employment, tertiary education, healthcare and cultural events while reducing transport costs for whānau facing ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
With Māori making up a significant proportion of the population across South Auckland, improved transport connectivity is also expected to strengthen access to marae, community organisations and social services throughout the region.
Transport planners say the stations represent a shift towards delivering infrastructure before population growth places additional pressure on roads and public services.
For decades, many South Auckland residents have relied heavily on private vehicles due to limited public transport options.
The reopening of rail services to Drury and Paerātā provides an alternative that supporters say will reduce congestion on State Highway 1, lower transport emissions and give residents greater travel choice.
As Auckland continues expanding south, the new stations are expected to become increasingly important hubs linking fast-growing communities with the wider region.
For residents who have waited generations to once again see trains stopping in their communities, the opening marks the beginning of a new chapter in South Auckland’s transport future.
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