Auckland's centre is 'work in progress', say residents

Some Auckland residents are calling the city centre a “work in progress” as it shifts from a business district to a more residential neighbourhood.

City resident and registered nurse Izabella Leach says living in the city centre is very convenient.

"In some ways I think it is set up in a way where people can live comfortably e.g. public transport close by, shops are walking distance etc.

“Areas like Commercial Bay and Britomart are the best, it is useful having a large transport hub nearby, and it’s great how they’re creating more stations.”

However, she says the city also has its challenges, including loud construction noise on weekends and early closures of shops.

Auckland Council’s city centre priority location director Simon Oddie says that the city is in a “transitional period.”

He says there's focus on improvement for infrastructure in places like Wynyard Quarter, and that upgrades are an “intentional way to move forward.”

“City centres are more than just for business, they are where people come to work, but they are also where people come to visit and learn and play,” he says.

Results from the most recent census found an increase in the city centre’s population, with more than 30,000 residents recorded.

Oddie says the council plan for “quality growth” to stay mindful of density and liveability.

“I think this is a New Zealand psyche thing, right? It's that perception that you need to have a backyard, and a section for your kids to play in out the back.

“The thing with the city centre is that the whole city is your backyard and you have access to so many different amenities that you don't have access to in the suburbs,” he says.

Oddie says a continued outlay in transport, green spaces and safety will create a more habitable environment, with the possibility of even having a school right in the city's centre.

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Our journalists sometimes use AI tools which are checked by humans for accuracy.

AI was used to transcribe audio from the interview.