The Congestion Question
Investigating whether congestion pricing should be introduced in Auckland.
The Congestion Question
What you need to know
The Hamilton-Auckland Corridor connects two of New Zealand’s fastest growing cities. The parallel road and rail alignments, as well as the Waikato River, make it New Zealand’s most significant transport corridor.
From December 2018 to July 2020, we developed an interim indicative business case on the potential for rapid rail to help deliver the Governments aspirations for growth and economic development in the Corridor. This responded to a recommendation of the Shared Spatial Intent (known as Hei Awarua ki te Oranga) for the settlements between Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Papakura. The Shared Spatial Intent was produced in February 2019 by the Future Proof Partnership, recommending that that fast rail services between Hamilton and Auckland be considered to help integrate and strengthen the two economies.
The Minister has released the findings of the business case and Cabinet has agreed that we initiate a process to develop the next stages of the project.
The work to date
03
Jul 2020–Present
Further work on rapid rail initiated
Cabinet agreed on 29 July 2020 that we initiate a process to develop the next stages of the project.
The next stage of work will include:
- understanding the extent of the costs and benefits,
- aligning rapid rail with other proposals and work happening in the Corridor,
- stakeholder engagement, and
- developing a framework for the funding and implementation of future investment in rapid rail.
Cabinet also included a mandate to initiate an investigation of a separate indicative business case for extending rapid rail to Tauranga, and how that would fit with the proposal.
The Ministry of Transport provided some advice to the Minister of Transport in May 2021 outlining the options for taking forward a programme of work. The Minister agreed to the Ministry of Transport:
- proceeding with the proposed work required to complete an indicative-level business case
- investigating a possible extension of Hamilton to Auckland rapid rail to Tauranga (focusing within the Waikato region) where this is important for informing the Hamilton to Auckland business case work or does not require additional resource.
We will continue to work with Treaty partners and other agencies such as the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Treasury, KiwiRail and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to progress this work.
02
Dec 2018–Jul 2020
Hamilton-Auckland Intercity Connectivity Business Case developed and released
From December 2018 to July 2020, we worked closely with central and local government, and the Future Proof Partnership to develop the business case.
01
Nov 2018
Hamilton to Auckland rapid rail indicative business case initiated
Cabinet agreed to initiate a business case process on the potential for rapid rail between Hamilton and Auckland, and asked for this process to consider a full range of options for rapid transit.