Since the fast-track process came into play in 2024, Auckland has seen several projects moving through the Government's infrastructure approvals regime.
The fast-track process is a pathway to speed up housing and development by streamlining sign-offs and securing consents faster. Projects can be listed outright or apply to be referred, and a panel then assesses each one and decides whether it gets fast-tracked.
More than 45 Auckland projects are now undergoing the process, whether listed, referred, approved or already underway. Here are the bigger names that have made it through.
Bledisloe North Wharf and Fergusson North Berth
This was the first major infrastructure consent granted under the fast-track process, and it covers new and extended wharf facilities at the Ports of Auckland. Building works include a reinforced concrete-piled wharf at the Bledisloe Terminal, an extension to the Fergusson North Berth, a cruise ship passenger terminal, and other upgrades.
This is welcome news for the community, as a new cruise terminal has been on the table for more than a decade. Cruise ships currently berth at Princes Wharf and Queens Wharf, and neither is big enough for the latest generation of ships. It’s noted that Auckland Council was exploring the idea for one on Queens Wharf back in 2012.
Construction began in September 2025 and is on track to finish in early 2027.
Delmore housing development
Property developer Vineway Limited is another developer to have won approval for a 1200-home subdivision in Ōrewa in August 2026. This was its second attempt at the fast-track process, after a different panel turned down an earlier application over concerns about water infrastructure and roading connections.
Vineway pulled the application, reworked it, and a new panel found the original shortfalls had been "sufficiently cured". Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown disapproved of the decision, saying it made a "mockery" of the fast-track law.
The approved masterplan covers up to 1208 dwellings, a commercial superlot, two neighbourhood parks and protected ecological open space.
Drury metropolitan centre
Drury is one of the fastest-growing parts of Auckland and can now look forward to a town centre after Kiwi Property Holdings had its plans fast-tracked.
The metropolitan centre will span 53 hectares and includes land for future housing plus a mixed-use hub for commercial space and community activities. Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop said the development should put more than $1.45 billion into Auckland's economy over the next 11 years and support around 3420 full-time direct jobs in construction and related work.
Drury is projected to accommodate 22,000 new houses over the next 30 years.
Downtown Carpark redevelopment
The Downtown Carpark site in central Auckland also received a fast-track approval earlier in August. This is a multi-billion-dollar redevelopment in which the existing seven-storey building will be demolished and replaced with a mixed-use development.
Precinct Properties NZ Ltd and its iwi partner, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, are set to construct two high-rise towers along with business and civic space. This includes a 55-storey commercial office tower, a 45-storey building holding apartments and a hotel.
The project will also see the construction of Te Urunga Hau (The Urban Room), a 3450 square-metre public civic space with a pedestrian lane network linking Customs St West and Lower Hobson St. Construction is expected to start in early 2027 and finish in 2031.
Still working through the process
There are also several other high-profile projects going through the fast-track process.
Applications for statutory approvals have been submitted for the wider Northwest Busway. The project has already received provisional approval, with a final decision due in September. This busway construction would run along the Northwestern Motorway and other parts of SH16, connecting the city centre to Bingham Creek.
The Devonport Lanes development is another notable project that was referred to the fast-track regime in August and includes the construction of multi-storey residential apartments.
Eden Park 2.1 project is currently listed for fast-track referral. It would add a hotel and student hostel, redevelop the north and south stands, and put a retractable roof over the ground.
Key Takeaway
This is good news for the construction activity, as projects are moving forward. With the fast-track regime well underway, there's more building ahead for Auckland.
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