Auckland’s $328m Third Main Rail Line Opens, Boosting Freight and Passenger Services

The Government has officially opened Auckland’s long-awaited Third Main Line, a $328 million rail project that is being hailed as a transformative step for both freight and passenger transport in New Zealand’s largest city.

Rail Minister Winston Peters and Transport Minister Chris Bishop marked the occasion with an opening ceremony in South Auckland this morning, followed by a passenger train trip down the newly constructed 6.5-kilometre stretch from Wiri to Middlemore Station.

A Critical Investment in Auckland’s Transport Future

First funded in 2020, the Third Main was designed to address a longstanding bottleneck in Auckland’s busiest rail corridor. Until now, freight trains and passenger services often competed for track space, creating congestion and delays.

Minister Peters emphasised that the investment was essential to prevent Auckland’s growing passenger rail demand from hindering freight operations.

“We funded this $328 million project to ensure a busier passenger network does not derail our economy by blocking rail freight. Auckland is our largest city and most important domestic market—efficient freight links here benefit communities from Northland to Southland,” Peters said.

Rail already carries 17% of Auckland’s freight task, moving about 4 million tonnes last year, which equates to 2.7 tonnes per Auckland resident. Peters noted that the line creates further opportunities to grow volumes, cut congestion, and reduce heavy truck movements on already crowded roads.

Unlocking More Frequent Passenger Services

Transport Minister Chris Bishop described the Third Main as a breakthrough for Auckland’s public transport system.

“Major cities around the world operate train services every few minutes. The Third Main means Auckland can now move towards reliable peak services every 5–8 minutes across the city,” Bishop said.

Such frequency, he argued, would improve productivity, give Aucklanders more transport choices, and support sustainable urban growth.

Crucially, the new track will also add resilience. It offers an alternative route for trains during disruptions, ensuring that both freight and commuter services can keep moving even when incidents or maintenance work affect parts of the network.

Part of a Wider Rail Upgrade Programme

The Third Main Line is one of several major transport projects underway in Auckland. Other significant investments include:

• Papakura to Pukekohe electrification, extending cleaner, electric train services further south.

• Ongoing rail upgrades and renewals across the city, backed through Budget 2025.

• The City Rail Link (CRL), a $5 billion project expected to revolutionise rail travel in central Auckland.

Together, these initiatives are intended to modernise the city’s rail system, making it faster, more reliable, and better able to meet the needs of both commuters and freight operators.

Project Scope and Delivery

The Third Main project covers more than just laying new track. It includes:

• A 6.5km third rail line between Wiri and Westfield junctions, passing through Puhinui and Middlemore.

• Track upgrades at Quay Park to improve freight access to and from the Port of Auckland.

• Upgrades at Wiri and Westfield Junctions for greater operational flexibility.

• The redevelopment of Middlemore Station, featuring a new third platform to accommodate additional passenger services.

• Installation of 50 new turnouts (track switches) allowing trains to move between lines more efficiently.

The Government acknowledged KiwiRail for its work delivering the project, calling it a vital achievement that strengthens the city’s transport backbone.

A Game Changer for Auckland

With the opening of the Third Main, Aucklanders can expect more frequent, reliable, and resilient passenger services, while the freight sector gains the capacity to expand without being compromised by commuter trains.

The project is not only about moving people more efficiently but also about keeping New Zealand’s supply chains flowing smoothly. As Peters and Bishop highlighted, the benefits of this investment extend beyond Auckland—impacting regional economies and helping to shape a more sustainable national transport network.