Auckland Urban Development Office

📚 Te Hono is Avondale's new library, community hub and upgraded town square. We're keeping you updated on development - things are really getting off the ground with the building expected to open in mid-2027!

You’ll start to see more happening above street level over the coming winter months. The construction team is getting ready to put the roof on the new buildings at 1971–1987 Great North Road, Avondale. If you pass the construction site, you might notice the work will become much more visible from the street.

➡️ Northern building progress — the team has waterproofed the building, put up the structural steel, added the fire protection coating, built the lift shaft, and started framing the walls.

➡️ Southern building basement — most of the basement structure is now complete.

➡️ Slip lane works: work continues on the new slip lane, which will provide vehicle access and parking directly off Great North Road. This includes civil works and installing utilities.

Keep your eyes peeled! And if you’re on a double decker bus passing by, you might just get the best view of the progress.

🦞 Kooura (freshwater crayfish) have returned to Wai‑Akatea / Raataa Vine Stream Reserve. This marks a huge milestone for the regeneration of the Manukau Te Puhinui stream.

Just a year ago this stretch of stream showed little life. Now kooura, kaakahi (freshwater mussels) and iinanga (whitebait species) are back. Their return shows what’s possible when ecological restoration and urban renewal work hand‑in‑hand.

This is regeneration in action, led through Te Aka Raataa under Auckland Council’s Transform Manukau programme, and supported by Mana Whenua, contractors, and local communities.

For the project team, this is a signal of regeneration working as it should.

Read the full story on our website to find out more about this exciting discovery: https://www.audo.co.nz/news/kooura-in-puhinui-stream/

It’s so great to see good progress on the final section of Northcote’s new greenway, Te Ara Awataha. 🌿

We’re restoring Awataha Stream - bringing it up to the surface from underground pipes to better manage stormwater and create a thriving green space. 🌱🐦

Our contractor, Glasgow Contractors, has so far:
➡️ Removed over 300 truckloads of material. 🚛 🚛
➡️Relocated 6 pohutukawa on site - the largest one weighed 15 tonnes!
➡️Repurposed timber from a removed tōtara tree to create features and habitat for wildlife.

Next up:
➡️ New footpaths, viewing areas, and more than 5,000 new plants. 🌿

Due for completion in August 2026, it’s going to look awesome.

👉 https://bit.ly/4affzh4

Northcote Development Kaipātiki Local Board Birkenhead and Northcote Community (NZ) Northcote Library - Te Whare Mātauranga o Te Onewa Northcote Together Northcote Town Centre Northcote Residents Group

Wellesley Street is looking fresh ✨

With Watercare works at the Wellesley Street / Queen Street intersection now complete and hoardings removed, the street has been fully reinstated, following closely behind the recent completion of the Wellesley Street bus improvements (Stage 1).

These mark major milestones for Midtown, with Wellesley Street set to become a key transport corridor when CRL opens in the second half of this year. With Te Waihorotiu Station on the Wellesley Street / Mayoral Drive corner, this area will support key connections between bus and train, making it easier to move to and from the city centre.

Keen to see more milestones shaping Midtown? Check out the latest updates https://bit.ly/3Q0uTHE🔗

Auckland Transport Watercare

✨Reminder for those in Auckland this King's Birthday weekend to join us for a special night!

Celebrate the reopening of Manu-kau Noa Iho Hayman Park under the full moon with a free, family‑friendly night to mark the occasion.

Expect live performances, hands‑on activities, light installations and free kai when you complete an activity card (while it lasts).

🔗 Link in bio to learn more

Auckland Council is proud to support New Zealand’s premium international photographic festival, the Auckland Festival of Photography 2026.

Held across the city, this year’s programme includes a mix of emerging and established artists with exhibitions on display throughout the city including around the Waterfront.

Check out the full programme: https://www.photographyfestival.org.nz/

On the doorstep of the new Karanga-a-Hape Station, three large-scale light murals now illuminate Cross Street — and form part of Auckland’s new street art walking tour. Read more below...

Auckland Council

New walking tour sees concrete walls turn into open-air galleries From Pacific migration to ‘80s nostalgia, the walls of Tāmaki Makaurau speak.