The New Zealand government has officially cancelled a light rail transit (LRT) project in Auckland. Work was suspended after the coalition led by the National Party came to power in 2023. According to the Ministry of Transport, the cost could rise to €16.5 billion (NZ$29.2 billion). The proposed 24 km line would run from the city centre south to the airport, with a long tunnel section from Wynyard Quarter to Mt Roskill and then a surface route along the SH20 motorway. Long-term plans included an extension to serve the North Shore and north-west districts. The project promoter Auckland Light Rail has now been instructed to stop work on the project immediately and take the necessary steps to wind up the company. In order to maintain transport links in the city, the government now wants to focus on completing the City Rail Link and other projects to reduce congestion in Auckland.
