Takapuna is a suburb situated on the North Shore of Auckland, New Zealand, approximately 10 minutes from Auckland’s central business district (CBD).
It boasts a relaxed beach atmosphere, stunning beach views, and a vibrant hospitality scene with a wide range of restaurants, shops, and bars.
According to Stuff, three major apartment projects with a total value of NZ$800 million will be built in the suburb. Along with other smaller developments, Takapuna is poised to become the fastest-growing suburb in Auckland and is expected to emerge as a significant metropolitan area in New Zealand’s largest city. Anticipating this growth, a city councillor notes that it highlights the need for a rail link from the area to Auckland’s CBD.
Auckland councillor Richard Hills emphasizes that for many decades, Takapuna has been designated as a metropolitan centre and an area of high growth, similar to Auckland’s other suburbs, such as Albany, Henderson, and Manukau. This designation was established under the Unitary Plan and the Auckland Plan, which means that the suburb can expect ongoing growth in housing and business.
However, this growth puts increasing pressure on the existing infrastructure, particularly transportation systems that connect the suburbs to the CBD and the rest of the region. The previous government proposed tunnel links under the Waitemata Harbour, including light rail or rapid transit options to connect the CBD and the North Shore.
While there are good bus routes that utilize the Auckland Harbour Bridge, the anticipated increase in housing, businesses, and population will further strain the existing transport routes. Currently, the Auckland Harbour Bridge serves as the primary connection between the CBD and the North Shore area.
To ensure growth in the next decade, the government needs to plan for additional alternative transportation routes. Failing to do so could exacerbate the bottlenecks on the highways adjacent to the bridge, as well as on the bridge itself.
I Love Takapuna, the local business association, has released data showing that Takapuna’s economy grew by 3.8% in 2024, surpassing Auckland City’s growth of 2.1% and the national average of 1.4%.
This growth is driven by Takapuna’s concentration of high-value service industries, which comprise 57% of local businesses, compared to Auckland’s average of 32.4%. Additionally, jobs in Takapuna increased by nearly 4% in 2024, exceeding Auckland’s growth rate of 2.8%.
Spending in the hospitality sector rose by 4% compared to the previous year, indicating the success of the more than 130 hospitality venues, which are expected to continue growing.
Like other growing cities and suburbs around the world, Takapuna is facing increasing challenges in ensuring that the necessary infrastructure can support this expansion and development.
Infrastructure quality affects both the economy and the overall quality of life. For instance, road congestion in Auckland costs the city up to 0.9% of its GDP and leads to stress and lost time for commuters.
To accommodate future demand growth, planning proactively for transportation infrastructure is crucial, especially since an estimated 4.8 million people are expected to live in New Zealand’s five largest cities by 2050.
This planning involves developing rapid transit networks, promoting flexible land use, and designing street grids that effectively distribute traffic rather than concentrating it on a few major roads.
Takapuna must carefully plan and invest in its infrastructure to support this boom. Without foresight and strategic planning, issues such as traffic congestion and problems with essential services, including water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure, as well as other critical services, are likely to arise.
The New Zealand Infrastructure Commission has outlined strategies for addressing the growth challenges faced by the country’s cities. For over a century, approximately 64% of New Zealanders have resided in urban areas, and this trend is expected to persist.
The Commission emphasizes the need to address growth-related challenges to unlock the cities’ full potential. Effective solutions can reduce energy consumption, raise wages, boost productivity, and enhance residents’ health and well-being.
Developing world-class infrastructure is essential for city competitiveness, promoting inclusivity, improving access and mobility, and supporting affordable housing to strengthen New Zealand’s global standing.
Sources:
Long, D. (2025, February 22). Auckland’s Takapuna hits boom time, but can infrastructure keep up with growth? Stuff. Retrieved from https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360589449/aucklands-takapuna-hits-boom-time-can-infrastructure-keep-growth
Takapuna shows strong economic growth in 2024. (n.d.). I Love Takapuna. Retrieved from https://www.ilovetakapuna.co.nz/whats-hot/takapuna-outpaces-auckland-with-strong-economic-growth-in-2024/
Discover the Strategy. (2024). New Zealand Infrastructure Commission Te Waihanga. Retrieved from https://tewaihanga.govt.nz/the-strategy/6-a-thriving-new-zealand-what-we-need-to-do/6-3-building-attractive-and-inclusive-cities
PHOTO CREDIT: Bethany Waugh
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