Shaping the future of the downtown wharves: Central Wharves Masterplan
2024 - 2028
- City Centre
- In Progress
We’re planning to open the central wharves in downtown Auckland for more public use.
Come along to DOWNTOWN DAYS - a series of free, family friendly engagement sessions on Queens Wharf - Saturday 12, Sunday 13 April, Thursday 17 April, and Saturday 3 May.
Developing a Central Wharves Masterplan
In 2024, Auckland Council endorsed the Port Precinct Framework Plan. This indicative plan considered options for the future of the whole port precinct, with more detail around the central wharves and the surrounding waterspace. They will work together to:
- provide improved public spaces and areas for events
- deliver a more suitable base for cruise ships
- separate cruise ship operations from ferry activites
- create a new promenade area along the waters edge.
Now is the opportunity to test these inital ideas. We will use feedback to help develop a master plan for next steps.
Building on our success
There has been a huge amount of mahi (work) on the waterfront and city centre over the past few years, and our planning will build on these successes:
- Te Komititanga, the public square at the harbour end of Queen Street
- Te Wānanga, the public space connecting the land and sea along Quay Street
- the downtown ferry basin redevelopment
- Wynyard Quarter mixed use development, open spaces and event locations
- Te Ara Tukutuku, which is regenerating the northern end of Wynyard Quarter to create a beautiful new waterfront destination.
“A world-class destination that excites the senses and celebrates our sea-loving Pacific culture and maritime history. It supports commercially successful and innovative businesses and is a place for all people, an area rich in character and activities that link people to the city and the sea.”
The waterfront vision
What you've told us already
Aucklanders want the following for the city centre waterfront:
- improved waterfront environment, water quality and marine biodiversity
- public access to and along the waterfront and out to Te Waitemata
- protection of the working waterfront character, including the existing marine and fishing industries
- improved accessibility and safety
- places and activities that showcase our unique heritage and culture.
With your help, plans for the central wharves will help deliver these outcomes.
Role central wharves
The Framework Plan laid out a potential role and function for each of the central wharves.
The spaces will work together to deliver a mix of recreation, public access, hospitality, commercial and maritime uses, including ferries and the cruise industry.
Click the magnifier to enlarge the below image.
Queens Wharf and promenade
Queens Wharf has served a range of used over time, both as a working wharf and a gathering point for Aucklanders. It is a public space, events space, transport hub, base for our ferry fleet and cruise ship facility.
In our busy city we know the that the tip of Queens Wharf provides an important place of respite next to the water. This mix of uses is not always complementary, which is one of the opportunities the masterplan aims to address.
The Framework Plan considered moving cruise ship berths off Queens and Princes wharves and relocating them to Captain Cook and Bledisloe wharves. We also need to consider a future without the Cloud, as this is a temporary building with a limited lifespan.
Queens Wharf is a place of welcome to many people. We need to consider how to better provide manaaki (hospitality) to Aucklanders and our visitors.
Next Steps
Help us develop a masterplan.
- What do you think of the potential role and function of each of the central wharves outlined in the Framework Plan?
- What would you like to see and experience in each of these spaces?
- What else should we consider as part of our planning?
Project milestones
We want to hear from you
April 2025
11 April - 11 May
Provide your feedback at 'Auckland Have Your Say'
Te Waitematā Harbour
The city centre coastline is dramatically different to what it once was. The area shaded in the map was once part of the Waitematā Harbour and in the realm of Tangaroa (God/Atua of the sea). All of the city centre waterfront is reclaimed land and working wharves.
Te Waitematā Harbour is our sparkling jewel, and we have a responsibility to make sure it is healthy for future generations.
Our work needs to help lift and restore the health and mauri of the land and Te Waitematā, so it can support people (tangata) and a thriving marine ecosystem.
Other news from City centre
- City Centre
- In Progress
Central Wharves Masterplan development
03/05/2023
- City Centre
- In Progress
The City Centre Action Plan
06/12/2023
- City Centre
- In Progress
Te Komititanga
01/01/2023