Te Kukūnga Waka (Carrington residential development)

About the development

The project is a large-scale urban development led by the three Tāmaki Makaurau rōpū of Marutūāhu, Ngāti Whātua and Waiohua-Tāmaki and their project partners.  It's being facilitated by the Crown via Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga - Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Collective Treaty redress arrangements provide the rōpū with the development opportunity. This includes leading the detailed master planning, consenting and delivery of the new homes. A Reference Masterplan and Strategic Framework has been published, which provides an overview of the project.

Reference Masterplan and Strategic Framework (PDF, 11 MB)

Map of land held by the Crown for housing at 1 – 139 Carrington Road

Timeframes

Plan change

Hearings for Private Plan Change 94, which seeks to update the Wairaka Precinct provisions (the overarching planning framework for the Carrington Residential Development project), were held in November 2024.

 PC 94 (Private): Wairaka Precinct (aucklandcouncil.govt.nz)(external link)(external link)

Work so far

The major infrastructure upgrades, including to roading, stormwater, wastewater and potable water, utilities and telecommunication networks are nearing completion as of March 2025, although infrastructure works will continue through 2026.

The new roads will largely follow the alignment of existing roading within the site, but with improved pedestrian and cycling routes.

The first stages of the housing development are due to be completed in late 2025.

Types and number of homes

The Rōpū will deliver at least 4,000 homes, at medium- to high-density. Homes are expected to be a mix of market, affordable homes, build-to-rent and social housing (with community housing providers). The homes will be a mix of terraced houses, walk-up units and apartments.

This level of yield and density is supported by the Auckland Unitary Plan because of the site’s location and access to transport and amenities.

The density proposed for the site will be supported by investment in public and open spaces including areas for recreation and play, improved connections between and through the site to Te Auaunga (Oakley) Creek, the revitalisation of the Wairaka Stream and the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings, such as the former Carrington Hospital.

A new primary school is also planned for the site.

See the Unitary Plan(external link)

Consenting

The size of the development means it’s expected to take around 15 years to complete, but the Government is considering options to speed this up, including listing the project in the Fast-track Approvals Act.

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 No 56, Public Act Contents (legislation.govt.nz)(external link)(external link)

The project has received a number of resource consents, including for infrastructure and residential development, as detailed at the links below.

Roading and transport upgrades

The Infrastructure Acceleration Fund is contributing $113 million towards an upgrade of Carrington Road to support the intensification anticipated at the project site. Updates on the Carrington Road works can be found on the Auckland Transport website.

Carrington Road Improvements (at.govt.nz)(external link)(external link)

The site already has access to good public transport and cycling networks and is within walking distance of both Mt Albert and Baldwin Avenue Train Stations, which benefit from the City Rail Link upgrades, as well as regular bus services and direct access to the North-Western Cycleway.

Connections between the site and the southern suburban neighbourhood will be managed so that drivers cannot cut through the site to avoid Carrington Road.

Carrington Hospital and historic buildings

Carrington Hospital is a Category 1 Historic Place and will be adapted for reuse. The Pumphouse at the centre of the site will also be adapted for reuse.

Other existing buildings on the site will be assessed on a case-by-case basis as master planning advances.

Environmental impact and quality

The site will have a network of high-quality open space, supported by extensive native plantings that expand the habitat of Te Auaunga/Oakley Creek. Stormwater management will be supported by a range of "green" infrastructure including swales, planted channels, and the Wairaka Stream daylighting.

Change to working title

Please note that Te Kukūnga Waka, which is the name gifted to the project by the Rōpū, has had previous working titles, including Carrington residential development. The working title has been updated but may still be present in some earlier content.