11/09/2026
CRL is finally here. But we must remember the journey.
Today is a significant day for Auckland. After years of waiting, the City Rail Link is finally opening, with full operations beginning this weekend.
I genuinely hope the CRL brings new life, customers and opportunity to Auckland’s CBD and to the businesses that have held on through some incredibly difficult years.
But for those of us on Albert Street, this moment also brings a lot of emotion.
What was expected to be a project of a few years became nearly a decade of disruption, uncertainty and sacrifice. Years of closures, excavation, noise, dust, restricted access and dramatically reduced foot traffic took a huge toll.
For my family and the Shakespeare, the journey was incredibly difficult. We survived by the thinnest of threads, but we never gave up.
Today, I would also like to pay heartfelt tribute to the businesses on Albert Street that sadly did not make it to see this day, including Mai Thai,, Da Vinci Restaurant, Grasshopper and many others. Some had been serving the CBD for 30-40 years or more and were an important part of the fabric of our city centre. Behind every closure were business owners, employees and families whose lives were profoundly affected.
Throughout those difficult years, I also fought hard for fairness and justice for the affected businesses, raising their concerns and advocating for meaningful support. It was a long and difficult journey, but I felt someone had to speak up for businesses and families who were struggling to survive.
That is the human cost we must not forget.
Today, let’s celebrate what Auckland has built. But let’s also remember those who carried the cost while it was being built.
The construction chapter has finally ended. For many businesses, the recovery chapter is only beginning.
