The Papakura to Pukekohe rail electrification project will extend Auckland's electric train network approximately 19 kilometres south from Papakura to Pukekohe. Currently the electric rail network terminates at Papakura, where commuters transfer to diesel trains to reach Pukekohe.
The project is made up of three elements:
- extending the overhead power system from Papakura to Pukekohe
- upgrading existing track, signals and level crossings across the existing 19 km line, and
- redeveloping Pukekohe Station to accomodate the electrification, including building new electric train stabling.
Key Dates
| Feb 2020 | EOIs Open |
| Mar 2020 | EOIs Close |
| Aug 2020 | Contract Award |
| 2021 | Construction Commencement |
| Jan 2025 | Expected Construction Completion |
Funding contributions
| NZ Government | |
|
The NZ Government committed NZ$371 million in funding in under the New Zealand Upgrade Programme in 2020. The updated project cost was confirmed to be NZ$419 million in March 2024. |
|
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | KiwiRail |
| Successful Tenderer: | eTRACS – a consortium comprising McConnell Dowell and John Holland |
PROJECT HISTORY
| 2012 | Auckland Transport's 2012 report into extending the electrification of Auckland rail network indicated the Benefit Cost Ratio of electrifying the line between Papakura and Pukekohe to be 0.9 at a cost of NZ$94.3 million. The report provides an indicative time frame of completion between 2021 to 2040. |
| 2017 | In the lead up to the 2017 NZ Election, the Government and opposition party both committed to the project. |
| Apr 2018 | The Auckland Transport Alignment Project (ATAP) report notes the project is a recommended transport investment priority in the 2018-2028 decade. |
| Jan 2020 | The New Zealand Government announced NZ$371 million in funding for the project as part of the $12 billion New Zealand Upgrade Program. |
| Jun 2020 | The New Zealand Government announced the project's resource consenting process will be fast-tracked as part of the COVID-19 Recovery Bill, which reduces consenting time to 45 to 70 working days. |
| Aug 2020 | The New Zealand Government, through KiwiRail, awarded the contract for the project to eTRACS – a consortium comprising McConnell Dowell and John Holland. |
| Dec 2020 | Enabling works construction commenced. |
| Mar 2021 | The 2021-31 investment package of the Auckland Transport Alignment Project (ATAP) included Papakura to Pukekohe Rail Electrification as a fully funded commitment. |
| Jul 2021 | Resource consents for the project’s main works have been approved by by an independent panel via the New Zealand Government's COVID-19 fast-track legislation ahead of main works commencing later in the year. |
| Jul 2022 | KiwiRail issued a Request for Tenders for the Pukekohe Station Works, as part of the Papakura to Pukekohe Electrification Program, closing on 19 August. |
| Mar 2024 | Kiwirail announced the expected completion date for the project had been delayed from December 2024 to January 2025. It also identified an increased project cost of NZ$419 million. |
| Aug 2024 | The installation and energisation of 19 kilometres of overhead electric lines was completed for the project, along with the redevelopment of Pukekohe Station. Testing along the line commenced ahead of expected opening in January 2025. |
Estimated Total Cost
(2024)
Sector
Rail
Procurement approach
Unconfirmed |
Location
New Zealand |
Resources
