- Hon Chris Bishop
- Hon Shane Jones
A redevelopment of Auckland's Downtown Carpark into two skyscrapers, three podium buildings, and a new laneway network has been granted Fast-track approval.
This is the 28th project to be approved through the Fast-track process.
Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited lodged its application in January 2026, with approval taking around five months since the appointment of an independent expert panel.
"This project will see the demolition of the 7-storey Downtown Carpark at the western end of Auckland's waterfront, followed by development of the site into an integrated mixed-use precinct," says Mr Bishop.
"The rebuild will include a premium 55 level commercial office tower, a 162m mixed-use residential tower, a hotel, retail, food and beverage spaces, publicly accessible civic spaces, and an expansive laneway network."
"The panel found the towers' design and spacing would limit visual impacts on the Auckland skyline. Some issues identified during the process included impacts from traffic during construction, as well as from hotel pick-up and drop-off arrangements. These matters will be addressed through a range of consent conditions, including traffic management plans and the ongoing monitoring of them."
"The redevelopment will have significant benefits for other businesses close by including tourism, retail, hospitality, and others," says Mr Jones.
"The partnership Precinct Properties has with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei reflects a shared commitment to a project that delivers for Auckland. They recognise it creates economic and employment opportunity among other things in the city centre."
Notes to editor
More information about the project: The Downtown Carpark Redevelopment - Te Pūmanawa o Tāmaki
Fast-track by the numbers:
- 28 projects approved by expert panels.
- 18 projects with expert panels appointed.
- 60 projects are currently progressing through the Fast-track process. 30 active substantive and 30 referral applications.
- 65 projects have been referred to Fast-track by the Minister for Infrastructure.
- 149 projects are listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act, meaning they can apply for Fast-track approval.
- On average, it has taken 118 working days for decisions on substantive applications from when officials determine an application is complete and in-scope.
Fast-track projects approved by expert panels:
- Arataki [Housing/Land]
- Ashbourne [Housing/Land]
- Ayrburn Screen Hub [Infrastructure]
- Green Steel [Infrastructure]
- Homestead Bay [Housing/Land]
- Bledisloe North Wharf and Fergusson North Berth Extension [Infrastructure]
- Downtown Carpark Site Development [Housing/Land]
- Drury Metropolitan Centre - Consolidated Stages 1 and 2 [Housing/Land]
- Drury Quarry Expansion - Sutton Block [Mining/Quarrying]
- Kings Quarry Expansion - Stages 2 and 3 [Mining/Quarrying]
- Kaimai Hydro-Electric Power Scheme [Renewable energy]
- Lake Pūkaki Hydro Storage and Dam Resilience Works [Renewable energy]
- Māhinerangi Wind Farm [Renewable energy]
- Maitahi Village [Housing/Land]
- Milldale - Stages 4C and 10 to 13 [Housing/Land]
- The Point Mission Bay [Housing/Land]
- Pound Road [Housing/Land]
- Rangitoopuni [Housing/Land]
- Ryans Road [Housing/Land]
- Southland Wind Farm Project [Renewable energy]
- State Highway 1 North Canterbury - Woodend Bypass Project (Belfast to Pegasus) [Infrastructure]
- Sunfield [Housing/Land]
- Tekapo Power Scheme - Applications for Replacement Resource Consents [Renewable energy]
- Takitimu North Link - Stage 2 [Infrastructure]
- Waihi North [Mining/Quarrying]
- Waitaha Hydro [Renewable energy]
- Waitākere District Court - New Courthouse Project [Infrastructure]
- Wellington International Airport Southern Seawall Renewal [Infrastructure]
Expert panels have been appointed for:
- 188 Beaumont Street
- Alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills
- Auckland Prison Capacity Increase
- Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project
- Bream Bay Sand Extraction Project
- Central and Southern Block Mining Project
- Delmore
- Foxton Solar Farm
- Haldon Solar Farm
- Hananui Aquaculture Project
- Hunua Quarry Development
- Mt Iron Junction
- Mt Welcome, Pukerua Bay, Porirua
- Northwest Rapid Transit
- Southern Link Inland Port
- Stella Passage Development
- The Point Solar Farm
- Waikanae North Development
