Auckland is experiencing an unprecedented construction boom.
The city is preparing for an influx of people over the next 10 years, with the existing population set to increase from 1.65 million residents in 2018, to over 2 million by 2031.
From the centre of the city, as far as the eye can see in all directions, the skyline is changing with new developments, buildings, apartments, houses and offices being built. It’s not just the construction sector that is seeing remarkable growth. Infrastructure projects are in progress all over Tāmaki Makaurau to ensure that New Zealand’s largest city will be able to cope with the impending demand. Improvements to public transport and amenities continue at a pace, and one of the biggest challenges Auckland faces is finding enough skilled professionals to make the programmes set to transform Auckland a reality.
South Auckland’s industrious evolution
While the city waterfront is expanding and changing in preparation for the America’s Cup in 2021, there are several other regeneration projects underway across the city; south Auckland is one area that is experiencing rapid transformation.
With a young population and a growing Māori and Polynesian community, the heart of south Auckland is made up of the suburbs Manukau City, Otara, Papatoetoe, Mangere and Manurewa. This industrial heartland is the location of workshops, factories, warehouses and the Port of Onehunga, all of which provide employment to many people.
More than an industrial hub, south Auckland is home to Auckland Airport, busy with international and domestic flights; the country’s largest theme park, Rainbow’s End; one of New Zealand’s oldest shopping malls, Westfield Manukau City; and the spectacular Auckland Botanic Gardens.
Huge investment has been made in two significant construction and infrastructure projects – the regeneration programme in Manukau and the Auckland Airport upgrade.
Manukau’s transformation
Located 30 minutes from Auckland city centre is Manukau. 6,000 people live in the suburb with a strong population growth of 20,000 predicted over the next 20 years. An ambitious programme of transformation is being led by Council run organisation, Panuku Development Auckland.
The project is set to be completed by 2040 and will include: affordable housing, revitalised neighbourhoods, a hub of learning, innovation and community enterprises, and a new junior school for residents. All these initiatives will lead to more job opportunities, largely through the creation of new commercial developments.
As the transformation progresses, transport connections will be upgraded, including a new rapid bus route between Botany and the airport, via central Manukau.
Auckland Airport is taking off
Another regeneration project in the south that is gathering momentum is the Auckland Airport upgrade. In 2014, Auckland Airport announced its 30-year vision to build the airport of the future. The organisation is investing more than $1 million every working day in aeronautical infrastructure to accommodate 40 million passengers and 260,000 flights by 2040.
The airport continues to operate, with 55,000 passengers passing through every day, while hundreds of workers are rebuilding it. The aim is to create a world-class airport of the future, which will be the gateway between Auckland and the rest of the world.
Get the low down
If you want to find out more about the regeneration of Auckland’s south, then visit Manukau’s Transformation or you can keep up-to-date with progress at Auckland Airport.
Join the team
Better yet, if you would like to be part of the construction or infrastructure projects currently being rolled out in south Auckland, check out our job board.
Are you ready to join team Auckland?
If you’re a talented construction or infrastructure professional and you’re thinking about relocating to a new country, take a look at the vacancies currently available in Auckland.