Waikōwhai Intersection Improvements
Project Update - August 2026
Auckland Transport is working together with Kāinga Ora to ensure the Waikōwhai intersections can safely and efficiently accommodate more people in the future. The Waikōwhai neighbourhood is expected to experience growth over the next 10 years, with around 500 additional homes anticipated to be constructed.
Thank you to everyone who shared feedback on our previous intersection options late last year:
- Dominion Road/Richardson Road roundabout – Option 1, Option 2 and Option 3
- Richardson Road/Hillsborough Road intersection - See option here
Your feedback helped shape the preferred option we are now proposing for each intersection. You can read a summary of the previous stakeholder and community feedback here.
We also recognise that recent Auckland Transport roadworks and Watercare upgrades have been disruptive for some people in the community. We're committed to listening and working with the community to help minimise disruption as this project moves forward.
You can read all previous information about our initial community engagement here
Richardson Road/Dominion Road roundabout
As growth occurs in Waikōwhai and the roundabout gets busier, our aim is to:
- Improve how well the roundabout works, so public transport and general traffic can move reliably and safely.
- Make it safer and easier for people to walk and cycle.
- Enhance accessibility and facilities for bus users.
How feedback has shaped the design
One of the key messages we heard was the importance of convenient parking for people visiting the Dominion Road (North) shops. We've taken this feedback into account as we developed the preferred options, balancing safety, parking, traffic flow and access for both current and future users of the intersections.
The table below summarises what we heard from the community and how this feedback helped shape the preferred option.
It wasn’t as simple as selecting a single option, so our preferred option brings together the strongest parts of the previous Options 1 and 2, improving safety and traffic flow as Waikōwhai grows and minimising the impact on parking in front of the Dominion Road (North) shops.
We are now only removing two parking spaces directly outside the shops.
Preferred Design Option
Improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow while minimising parking loss for local businesses.
The design has been refined to keep most of the parking directly in front of the Dominion Road (North) shops.
Only two parking spaces outside the shops will be removed for the new crossing. Take a look at the technical drawings here.
Benefits of the Preferred Option for Future Growth
- New and safe crossing point across Dominion Road (North) between the shops and bus stops with a new staggered (two-stage) pedestrian crossing.
- Reduced afternoon queuing on Richardson Road (East) through roundabout metering, helping to balance traffic flow and manage queues. Roundabout metering will be trialled before it is introduced.
- Improved pedestrian safety by relocating the Richardson Road (East) zebra crossing further from the roundabout, while also creating space for vehicles to wait and removing potential conflicts between vehicles reversing from the angled parking spaces and those using the roundabout.
- More reliable bus journeys with a new weekday bus lane on Richardson Road (East) operating in the evening peak period.
Parking
We know that convenient parking is important for people visiting the Dominion Road shops. While the preferred option would only remove two parking spaces directly outside the shops, and eight overall, we have looked for ways to make parking work better for visitors and local businesses. We are proposing:
- Shorter parking time limits for five currently unrestricted parking spaces on Richardson Road to support turnover for local businesses and visitors.
- Changing some spaces in the rear car park to 60 minutes (P60) to help create more parking turnover throughout the day.
- Converting some 30-minute (P30) parking spaces to 15-minute parking (P15) spaces outside the shops for quick visits.
- Improving lighting in the rear car park to make it feel safer and more welcoming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: The preferred design now only removes 2 parking spaces outside the Dominion Road shops, compared to 4 or 5 in the previous designs. How have you managed to save 3 spaces?
A: We've been able to keep more parking spaces than originally planned by making a few small changes to the layout. This includes adjusting the parking angle, slightly narrowing some spaces, and relocating a small number of parks.
Q: You have reduced the short two lane approach to the roundabout on Dominion Road outside the shops to one traffic lane? Will this cause queuing?
A: This has been tested through traffic modelling and is expected to operate without significant congestion. We’ll also test it as part of the roundabout metering trial to confirm how it works.
Q: Why was a staggered (two-stage) signalised pedestrian crossing chosen instead of a straight across (one-stage) pedestrian crossing?
A. The signals can stop traffic in one direction at a time, so traffic can keep moving in the other direction; helping the traffic to flow better near the roundabout. Pedestrians will likely have shorter wait times compared to stopping all traffic at once and shorter crossing distances. The staggered crossing balances safety for people crossing with keeping the traffic flowing on Dominion Road.
Q: Removing two parking spaces directly outside the shops on Dominion Road is an improvement on the previous design. However, why can’t you move the proposed pedestrian crossing further north so it avoids removing any parking outside the shops?
A: Moving the crossing further north was considered. However, to locate the crossing away from the shops we would have to place it beyond the rear car park exit and clear of driveways and bus stops, on both sides of Dominion Road. While this could keep the parking spaces, it would make the crossing less convenient and less likely to be used. In this location the crossing would also affect traffic as it would need to be a single stage crossing with a long crossing cycle due to the width of the road. The proposed location seeks to balance safe and convenient pedestrian access while maintaining as much parking as possible for local businesses
Q: How long would the construction take?
A: The proposed works are relatively straightforward, with no major excavation or utility service upgrades or road works anticipated. Construction is expected to take only a few weeks at each intersection and we’ll also plan to undertake the works during quieter holiday periods where we can. Activities such as line marking will be undertaken at night where possible. While some short-term temporary lane closures may be required, no road closures are currently anticipated. We’re committed to listening and working with the community to help minimise disruption.
Roundabout Metering
| Q: What is roundabout metering and how will it help? | Roundabout metering will help balance traffic flows between Dominion Road and Richardson Road, making it easier for vehicles on Richardson Road to enter the roundabout during busy afternoon and evening periods. You may have seen it in operation on motorway on-ramps. Traffic on Dominion Road will be briefly stopped at times to create gaps, allowing vehicles from Richardson Road to enter the roundabout more easily. This is expected to reduce queues and improve travel times for people using Richardson Road. |
| Q :We thought the metering trial was planned to happen first. If the metering trial doesn't work what will this mean for the design? | We had planned to trial the metering signal first, but nearby roadworks and Watercare works took longer than expected, and we wanted to avoid school holidays. We expect to run the trial in the next few months as these works are scheduled to be completed. If the trial does not reduce queues on Richardson Road, roundabout metering will not be progressed. Even without roundabout metering, when the signalised pedestrian crossing is activated, traffic on Dominion Road will briefly stop. This will create gaps in traffic that’ll help drivers enter the roundabout from Richardson Road. |
| Q: Why is the roundabout metering now using the pedestrian crossing signals instead of having separate signals further back by the carpark exit? | A: Over the past year, trials and research in Auckland have shown that roundabout metering can work well when combined with pedestrian crossing signals. Including a metering function within the pedestrian signals allows both traffic regulation and safe pedestrian crossing. |
Richardson Road/Hillsborough Road intersection
As growth occurs in Waikowhai and the intersection gets busier we want to:
- Improve how well the intersection works, so public transport and general traffic can move reliably and safely.
- Make it safer and easier for people to walk and cycle
How feedback has shaped the design
One of the key messages we heard was concern that introducing new traffic lights at the intersection will create delays to through traffic. As a result, the signals will be designed so they activate only when needed, either when queues build up on Hillsborough Road or when someone uses the Richardson Road pedestrian crossing. Further, pedestrian crossing on Hillsborough Road is no longer included in the design.
The table below summarises what we heard from the community late last year on the one design option, and how this feedback helped refine the design.
Preferred Design Option
Improve safety and bus reliability while minimising impact on traffic flow
The traffic signals on Hillsborough Road will only be activated only when needed, either when queues build up on Hillsborough Road or when someone uses the Richardson Road pedestrian crossing.
The design has been refined to remove the pedestrian crossing on Hillsborough Road. People can continue to cross safely at the signalised pedestrian crossing located around 200 metres to the north at the Hillsborough Road/Goodall Street intersection.
Take a look at the technical drawings here
Benefits of the Preferred Option for Future Growth
- Easier and safer for buses and general traffic to turn right into Richardson Road from Hillsborough Road (when there are queues on Hillsborough Road) .
- Improved visibility and safer turning movements at the Alex Boyd Link entrance, by realigning the left turn and improving sightlines for vehicles turning right onto Hillsborough Road.
- Safe pedestrian access across Richardson Road, with a new staggered signalised crossing - this is only activated by waiting pedestrians.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will this design slow my journey heading south on Hillsborough Road?
No. We heard concerns about perceived potential delays, so the signals will be designed so that only activate when needed either when queues build up on Hillsborough Road or when someone uses the Richardson Road pedestrian crossing. The pedestrian crossing on Hillsborough Road is no longer part of the design. Vehicles travelling south on Hillsborough Road will continue straight through the intersection and will not be stopped by the new signals during normal signal operation.
Q: Will the design slow my journey heading north (towards the motorway) on Hillsborough Road?
A: There may be a small delay. The new traffic signals will stop northbound traffic to allow buses and other vehicles to turn right safely into Richardson Road (when there is queuing on Hillsborough Road) or when the Richardson Road crossing is used. This helps improve safety and access at the intersection.
Q: Why are you proposing a staggered pedestrian crossing over Richardson Road?
A: It is required as part of the design to help pedestrians know when it safe to cross and when it is not. A staggered crossing means traffic can be stopped in one direction at a time, so traffic can keep moving in the other direction; helping the traffic to flow better around the intersection.
Have your say
We would like to know what you think about the preferred designs. Your feedback will help us understand whether the design will work well for the existing and growing Waikōwhai community. We are also keen to hear your ideas, concerns and local insights, that will help us shape the final design.
After consultation closes on Friday 4th September 2026, we’ll review all feedback received, share a summary of what we heard, and explain how the community feedback helped shape the final design.
Next Steps
We know the local area has experienced significant disruption from infrastructure and road works over the past few years. There is still a considerable amount of work to do before construction could begin, including further investigations, detailed design, and securing funding and planning approvals.
While construction timing has not yet been confirmed it is not expected until 2027/2028. We’re committed to listening and working with the community to help minimise disruption as this project moves forward.
