|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
- By Kelvin Hieatt
I would like to begin by thanking everyone who provided feedback on our draft Papakura Local Board Plan 2026.
Across Auckland, more than 11,000 submissions were received on what matters most and what people would like to see in their areas.
Around 225 submissions came from residents and organisations across Drury, Papakura, Karaka, and Takanini. It was encouraging to see such strong interest, thoughtful ideas, and community engagement.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to be part of the conversation. Your feedback is helping shape the final plan.
The Papakura Local Board is now carefully reviewing what the community has told us. The feedback received will help board members better understand local priorities and identify areas that may need further focus or strengthening in the final local board plan. Council staff are currently analysing submissions, and local board members will consider these insights alongside other information and advice before making final decisions.
We want our community to see what we heard and understand what happens next. Over the coming months, consultation insights and feedback summaries will be published on our local board page: tinyurl.com/PapakuraLBP2026.
The final local board plan will be adopted at our business meeting on October 28. You can also stay informed by subscribing to the local board e-newsletter or following the Papakura Local Board on Facebook (facebook.com/PapakuraLB). Thank you again for helping ensure local voices are heard and reflected in our final plan.
On another important matter, after many years of construction, the City Rail Link (CRL) will officially open on September 13. This is an exciting milestone for Auckland and our communities in the south.
Earlier this month, the new Drury and Paerātā stations opened to the public, with a third station at Ngākōroa scheduled to open next year. Each station includes significant park-and-ride facilities, making it easier for residents to access rail services.
New and improved bus routes have also been introduced to better connect surrounding communities. From a Papakura perspective, we hope these new transport options will help reduce pressure on parking at Papakura Station and surrounding streets.
Significant progress has also been made through the level crossing removal programme in Takaanini, including the completion of new pedestrian bridges with stairs and lifts at both Te Mahia and Takaanini stations.
It was an honour to join mana whenua, Auckland Transport staff, council colleagues, contractors, and Takanini MP Rima Nakhle at the blessing ceremonies, followed by the official opening event attended by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Chris Bishop.
Te Mahia pedestrian bridge will be opened to the public on August 24, while the Takaanini Station bridge opens on September 12, just ahead of the CRL opening.
Make sure you check it out if you haven’t already
