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Auckland Council The Auckland Plan

Ka pēhea te āhua o Manukau ā tōna wā?

What will Manukau look like in the future

Manukau is the largest and most established of Auckland's nodes outside of the city centre. Its civic, retail, education and cultural facilities provide for the wider population of the south.

Close proximity to key distribution and transport links, including the southern and north-eastern motorways, the inland Port at Wiri and the Auckland International Airport, underpin a strong employment base and local economy.

Manukau and the surrounding business area produce about 14 per cent of Auckland's gross domestic product (Gross domestic product is for the combined local board areas of Māngere- Ōtāhuhu, Ōtara-Papatoetoe and Manurewa. It is measured in 2010 prices.'). (Infometrics, 2016)

Manukau is currently undergoing major transformation that fosters and builds on the existing pride, values and culture of its people. The momentum of change and development in this area will drive demand for a more diverse range of services and activities.

The Manukau area

Similar to other nodes such as Albany, Manukau centre was planned in the 1960s. It was designed as a major administrative and commercial centre that would service southern Auckland, at a time when the area was predominantly rural.

From the outset Manukau received significant public and private investment, which allowed it to develop over time into a large centre. It played an important role of servicing a fast growing population in the southern part of Auckland.

Several government functions and service agencies were shifted into purpose-built office buildings well before the wider area developed. The Manukau mall followed in 1976 and Rainbow's End theme park opened in 1982.

The last decade has seen Manukau mature in its role as the commercial, cultural and educational node for southern Auckland.

Recent developments in the centre include:

  • public space improvements
  • the building of residential apartments
  • expansion of the shopping centre
  • completion of a multi-purpose events centre.

In April 2012 a fully integrated rail station and university campus development was completed and Manukau was connected to the Auckland rail network.

The Manukau bus interchange, immediately adjacent to the Manukau train station, is a critical component of both Manukau's development and of the Auckland transport network.  Being close to public transport makes it easier for people to live and work in the area.

 

Future development of Manukau

Significant growth is expected in Manukau over the next 30 years. The residential population is expected to increase from around 6000  households at present to over 10,500 and the number of jobs is expected to increase by over 22,500 to around 56,000.

Manukau is also an investment focus for Panuku Development Auckland (an Auckland council-controlled organisation). This includes urban renewal in and around Manukau centre.

The investment currently being made in Manukau centre, and the momentum of business and employment growth in the wider area, will see Manukau strengthen its role as the node of southern Auckland.