Henderson Station

A third platform and additional tracks are being built at Henderson Station which will enable more frequent and reliable train services as part of the City Rail Link (CRL) programme. Works are set to start in October 2024, taking place mostly during weekends and holiday periods when there are scheduled rail network closures. The work will continue to early 2026.

On this page

CRL and Henderson Station project background | What's being modified at Henderson Station | Upgrading the lifts and escalators.

City Rail Link and Henderson Station project background

The City Rail Link (CRL) Henderson Station third platform project is part of an extensive rail network upgrade programme.

CRL and the network upgrades will be a game changer for how Aucklanders get around with a better-connected public transport network, and faster, more frequent, and reliable train services.

Major upgrades of the track infrastructure at Henderson Station area and modifications to the station are part of the work that will help deliver the transformation CRL will bring to how Aucklanders travel around the city.

  • Some of these benefits include:
  • Up to 16 trains per hour through the central city, every four to five minutes at peak times
  • An additional 50 per cent capacity to the current rail network
  • Double the number of people within 30 minutes of Auckland city centre
  • Easier connections between more parts of Auckland
  • New underground stations at Te Waihorotiu and Karanga-a-Hape

What’s being modified at Henderson Station

Major upgrades to track and rail infrastructure to support higher frequencies:

  • A new third platform to enable more frequent and reliable services
  • A new emergency exit bridge at the southern end of the station
  • Upgrades to the track layout, overhead lines and signalling equipment
  • Track drainage improvements
  • Third platform allows some trains to be turned around at end of service (operational improvement) and keeps two through-tracks available for trains travelling to and from Swanson
  • A new staff facility building
  • The station lifts and escalators are being replaced

Upgrading the lifts and escalators

Henderson Station platforms are accessed through a pedestrian overpass serviced by three lifts and four escalators.
The lifts are critical for differently abled passengers to access the station.

AT will be replacing both pairs of escalators (four in total) and all the lifts (three in total) at the station as they have reached the end of usable life.

Benefits for customers

The modifications will allow more frequent and reliable train services.

Supports new connections by train to more places with the new additional platform.

Renewed lifts and escalators provide greater reliability for customers.

Construction information

Construction on the third platform and additional tracks will take place from October 2024 to early 2026, mostly during weekends and holiday periods when there are rail closures to deliver work across the network.

The set-up phase will start during Labour Weekend in October 2024: this includes site establishment, utility and cable ducting installation and relocation.

During the Christmas and New Year rail network shutdown: this includes removal of tracks, piling and lifts and escalator work.

Additional construction activity will take place during other weekends in 2025 including Easter, King’s Birthday and Matariki weekends. This will include installing track turnouts, other major track work, overhead line work and signalling work.

Further continuous work will be required between late October 2025 and early 2026. AT and KiwiRail are continuing to develop plans and working through potential impacts on train customers.

Bus replacement services will be in place whenever train services are suspended for rail upgrade work.

Construction works to replace the lifts and escalators will start from mid-November 2024, with completion in June 2025. The replacements have been sequenced in a way that will minimise disruption felt by passengers, with alternate transport available for those who require it, while the new lifts are under construction.

Information for businesses and residents

Throughout the construction, AT and KR will:

  • Ensure the construction site, and surrounding area, remains tidy, safe, accessible, and easy to navigate.
  • Maintain a dialogue with affected businesses, residents and property owners on the progress and impacts of the construction and respond quickly to community feedback.
  • Work with local businesses to stage the work so that it considers other work that is currently underway or work that is due to be started during the construction period.
  • Minimise, as much as possible, any disruption to normal services, such as rubbish removal and loading and servicing.