High Street is one of the busiest laneways in the city centre. It’s a place people come to shop, dine, commute and meet friends. It also connects into a growing network of upgraded laneways like O’Connell Street, Jean Batten Place and Freyberg Place.

In 2020, we made some improvements to make the street more welcoming and easier to get around. These updates helped shape how people use High Street today.

Now, as we plan for more people to live, work and visit the city centre, we’re building on that foundation to plan for High Street’s future.

Funded by the city centre targeted rate, this project is part of a wider transformation happening across midtown and supports the City Centre Masterplan vision of a vibrant, connected and people-focussed city centre.

This is our chance to give High Street the care it deserves and reinforce its role in a growing, changing city centre.

Tāmaki Makaurau is transforming.

The opening of the City Rail Link Te Waihorotiu Station is just around the corner. It's set to become the busiest train station in the country, bringing thousands of people into midtown each day.

Additionally, projects like Te Hā Noa on Victoria Street and improvements to Wellesley and Albert Streets are reshaping how people move, gather and spend time in the city.

High Street plays a key role in this transformation. It’s more than just a connection – it’s a destination, full of local character, history and energy.

As our city grows, this is our opportunity to ensure High Street grows with it – supporting how people live, work and connect now and into the future – while retaining the things people love about it today.

We’re working in partnership with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Te Ākitai Waiohua and Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua.

They have provided a matawhānui (broad vision) and four uara (values) for the project that have informed the ideation process and continue to guide the project’s approach.

Matawhānui (broad vision)

Te pai me te whai rawa

Enabling wellbeing and prosperity for High Street as part of the city centre

Recognise the uniqueness of High Street by drawing together its many pasts and futures to create a place for life and community to prosper at the heart of our city.

Uara (values)

Tirotiro ki Mua - meeting the future

Recognise the challenges facing us and respond in ways by which we demonstrate our accountability to future generations through innovative, flexible and resilient solutions.

Tiaki Waitematā Kupenga Rau - Elevate the mana and mauri of our collective taonga, Waitematā Kupenga Rau

Prioritise the wellbeing of the Waitematā harbour.

Te Kānohi Kītea - enduring presence of tangata whenua

Ensure the mana, tikanga and mauri of tangata whenua is authentic and is present.

He Wāhi mō te katoa - a place open and inviting for all

Create high quality and humane spaces for all to dwell, spell and experience, which encourage: the ‘soft echo of shared humanity’ to be present a ‘supported’ democratic space available for our diverse communities to gather, celebrate and enjoy.

Retains current feel

• High Street would largely keep its current layout and feel.

Targeted upgrades to refresh the street

• Road would be resurfaced to repair wear and tear and help extend its life.
• Existing footpath would largely remain in place, with repairs made to areas that need it.
• Targeted improvements would build on what’s already there – including seating, planting or public art where space allows.

Better walking experience

• Timber boardwalk would be replaced with a durable, paved footpath.
• Pedestrian crossings would be rebuilt.
• Planters would be repositioned to create more space for people.

More space when people need it

• From 11am–2pm on weekdays, vehicles wouldn’t be allowed on High Street, making more room for people and outdoor use, for things like pop-up dining or events.
• Emergency service vehicles and vehicles exiting the Victoria Street carpark would still be able to access the street between 11am-2pm.
• Outside 11am-2pm on weekdays, deliveries and vehicle access would continue as normal.

• Loading zones would remain in their current locations, operating:
  • 6am-11am and 2pm-10pm on weekdays
  • 6am-10pm on weekends
• Between the pedestrian priority hours of 11am-2pm on weekdays, loading and servicing would occur elsewhere.
• Emergency service vehicles and vehicles exiting the Victoria Street carpark would still be able to access the street between 11am-2pm.
• On-street paid parking would be retained overnight, between 10pm-6am.
• The two existing mobility parking spaces would be retained.

• Construction is estimated to take up to 6 months.
  
• Work would be done in stages, moving along the street section by section.
• We’d explore low-impact methods to manage disruption, building on top of what’s already there.
  
• You would experience some noise and see temporary fencing around work areas that move along the street as work progresses.
  
• Access to businesses and for walking, deliveries and driving would remain open, though there may be temporary changes.
  
• We’d continue to coordinate with utility providers to reduce impacts.

• We estimate that this idea would cost between $5-$7 million to deliver.
• Any budget not needed would go back into the city centre targeted rate fund – to be invested into other improvements across the city centre.

Retains current feel, providing more space for people

• Northern and southern ends would keep their current layout and feel.
• Central block would be upgraded to a kerbless people-focused space, drawing people in and improving connections to the wider district.
• Road would be resurfaced to repair wear and tear and help extend its life.

Better walking experience

• Timber boardwalk would be replaced with a durable, paved footpath outside of central block.
• Existing footpath would largely remain in place, with repairs made to areas that need it.
• Pedestrian crossings would be rebuilt.
• Planters would be repositioned to create more space for people.

More space when people need it

• From 11am–2pm on weekdays, vehicles wouldn’t be allowed on High Street, making more room for people and outdoor use - for things like pop-up dining or events – especially in the central block.
• Emergency service vehicles and vehicles exiting the Victoria Street carpark would still be able to access the street between 11am-2pm.
• Outside 11am-2pm on weekdays, deliveries and vehicle access would continue as normal.

Reflects unique identity

• In the central block, we’d explore additional opportunities for design, planting and storytelling elements to reflect High Street’s identity and celebrate its uniqueness.

More welcoming

• Improved lighting and larger improvements in the central block would help make the area feel more welcoming and safer, especially at night.
• Outside of the central block, targeted improvements would build on what’s already there – including seating, planting or public art where space allows.

• Loading zones would remain in their current locations, (south of Freyberg Place, north of Vulcan Lane), operating:
  • 6am-11am and 2pm-10pm on weekdays
  • 6am-10pm on weekends
• Loading and servicing would be available in the central shared space area between 6am-11am.
• Between the pedestrian priority hours of 11am-2pm on weekdays, loading and servicing would occur elsewhere.
• Emergency service vehicles and vehicles exiting the Victoria Street carpark would still be able to access the street between 11am-2pm.
• On-street paid parking would be retained overnight, south of Freyberg Place and north of Vulcan Lane, between 10pm-6am.
• New loading zones would be introduced on Chancery Street and Shortland Street.
• Three mobility parking spaces would be provided, including:
  • The two existing spaces
  • One new space, north of Vulcan Lane

• We estimate that this idea would cost between $11-$13 million to deliver.
• Any budget not needed would go back into the city centre targeted rate fund – to be invested into other improvements across the city centre.

A street that’s made for people

• With more space to walk, sit and spend time, the street would feel more inviting, reinforce High Street as a destination, increase vibrancy and encourage people to stay longer.

Better walking experience

• The entire street would be a continuous, level surface that reduces trip hazards and supports universal access - making it easier for people walking and using wheelchairs, prams, walkers, or mobility aids.

Safer and more welcoming

• Improved lighting across the whole street would help make it feel more welcoming and safer, especially at night.

More space when people need it

• From 11am–2pm on weekdays, vehicles wouldn’t be allowed on High Street, making more room for people and outdoor use, for things like pop-up dining or events.
• Emergency service vehicles and vehicles exiting the Victoria Street carpark would still be able to access the street between 11am-2pm
• Outside 11am-2pm on weekdays, deliveries and vehicle access would continue as normal.

Green and cared for

• Additional planting and garden areas would provide a greener High Street and help treat stormwater.

Reflects unique identity

• Throughout the whole street, we’d explore additional opportunities for design, planting and storytelling elements to reflect High Street’s identity and celebrate its uniqueness.

Stronger connections

• Improved paving, signage and a design that responds to visual cues from Freyberg Place and nearby laneways – would help people find their way, discover what's nearby and want to return.

• Loading zones would be provided at three locations at all times except for between 11am-2pm on weekdays:
  • north of the Victoria Street carpark exit
  • north of Durham Street East
  • north of Vulcan Lane
• Loading and servicing would be available in the shared space area between 6am-11am.
  • Between the pedestrian priority hours of 11am-2pm on weekdays - it would occur elsewhere.
• New loading zones would be introduced on Chancery Street and Shortland Street.
• Emergency service vehicles and vehicles exiting the Victoria Street carpark would still be able to access the street between 11am-2pm.
• On-street paid parking would not be available.
• Three mobility parking spaces would be provided:
  • One space north of Durham Street East
  • One space south of Freyberg Place
  • One space north of Vulcan Lane

• Construction is estimated to take between 18-24 months.
• Work would be done in stages, with the first parts of High Street reopening after 12 months.
• Work would involve excavation to upgrade utilities, improve drainage, and install new paving, lighting and planting.
• Intensive periods of construction would take place, including noise, dust and activity throughout different parts of the street over time.
• A temporary vehicle route through Freyberg Place would help maintain vehicle access.
• Access to businesses and for walking, deliveries and driving would remain open, though there may be temporary changes.
• We’d continue to coordinate with utility providers to reduce impacts.

• We estimate that this idea would cost between $22-$24 million to deliver.
• Any budget not needed would go back into the city centre targeted rate fund – to be invested into other improvements across the city centre.