In 2023, I published the following post on the plans for the development of land that was formerly part of the Carrington UNITEC Campus. Two years on, as the first residents are about to move in, what has progressed? What do we know about the next stages of development?
What we can expect in the Carrington (UNITEC) Development
Enabling works at the Carrington Development, previously the UNITEC Mount Albert Campus, are ramping up. Since the Crown purchased the land in 2019, there has been little coverage in the media around the development. This article covers all publicly available information on what has been consented so far to provide insight into what we can expect to see developed over the coming decade.
The first two buildings were officially opened on Thursday, 18 September, by the Mayor of Auckland, Wayne Brown and the Minister of Housing Chris Bishop. The first building, Toi, is a Build-to-Sell development with 65 units ranging from studios through to three-bedroom homes. It also has a ground-floor communal lounge which opens onto a play space. The retail space has been tenanted by Avondale cafe and icon Ol’mate.
The second building, in the reddish-brown brick, is called Whetū. It has 77 apartments, includes 27 studios, 2 one-bed, 18 two-bed and 18 three-bed apartments, which will be operated as Build-to-Rent for the foreseeable future, due to slow sales. These buildings progressed thanks to Government’s Residential Development Underwrite, which provided backing for 56 of the units1.
Enabling infrastructure
The majority of the enabling trunk infrastructure has now been completed and is open to public use. This has seen the existing road network upgraded to current standards with upgraded lane widths, crossings, drainage, footpaths and cycleways.
The future of the former Carrington Hospital building remains uncertain. It falls within the Ockham-Marutūāhu part of the development, but they have not announced anything to date. However, an upgrade to the ‘Northern Open Space’ appears to be underway, which was indicated in the consent plans for the enabling works. This should include an upgraded open grassed area, new playground as well as new pathways, seating and planting.
Additional land was purchased in 2021 and 2022, totaling 7.6 hectares, and was not included in the original masterplan design. In recent months, some enabling works have started on these parcels. This includes the construction of a new road to open up ‘B Blocks’ for development which connects into the UNITEC Mt Albert Campus.
Works are also underway to upgrade the formerly quasi-public spaces with new pathways that will support better connections through the site and passive recreation for residents, students and others.
Carrington Road is the main arterial that serves the area and sits along the eastern frontage of the site. Auckland Transport are currently seeking resource consent for an upgrade which will widen the road to add bus or transit lanes and protected cyclelanes, connecting through to the Mt Albert and Point Chevalier Town Centres. At Mt Albert, residents will be able to transfer to a train that will take them through the City Rail Link. This is supported by Central Government through $112m of funding from the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund. Construction is expected to start in 20262
What we know about future development stages
Ockham-Marutuahu have released a staging plan indicating the order of the next three stages of development, along with future stages within the streetblock that include additional park space. Notably this plan does not include already consented apartment and supermarket development on corner of Carrington Rd and Te Ara Kokō Wai (previously Farm Road)3.
Stage 2 will see Building 7 (see plans below) progress. This will deliver permanent, centralised carpark built . Centralising the parking enables vehicle movements to be concentrated into areas designed for this. Laneways between buildings will have vehicle access controlled via bollards (see below).
Timing for housing development in the Ngāti Whātua section of the site remains unclear. Enabling works are nearing completion though. While Waiohua Tamaki have one development of 509 homes consented through the Covid-era fast track4. However, this is now being held up due to a court order, as it would replace a community garden5.
Summary
It was 2018 when the Government announced it was purchasing most of the UNITEC Campus for housing was first announced6. While it has taken several years for it to get going, what has progressed to date feels promising. I still believe it can eventually become one of the most dynamic and liveable parts of the city thanks to it being planned as a walkable, mixed-use neighbourhood, centre on sustainable transport access and upgraded public spaces. However, timing of development remains uncertain with a slow economy, Build-to-Sell will remain slow. As more sections are completed, the vision for the site will become more apparent and interest may accelerate, as we saw with Hobsonville Point. However, Build-to-Rent may also have to play a greater role in the short-to-medium term. Watch this space!
Sam Sanchdeva (2025). Newsroom. The property developers who win from Govt’s big housing underwrites. https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/05/16/the-property-developers-who-win-from-govts-multi-million-dollar-housing-underwrites/
Carrington Road Improvements. Auckland Transport. https://at.govt.nz/projects-initiatives/city-centre-projects-and-initiatives/carrington-road-improvements
Ockham have an integrated development of 381 apartments, a 1500m2 supermarket plus other retail and commercial spaces consented. https://x.com/urbanistfromwhk/status/1595146499402657792
Sam Smith. Stuff. Auckland community garden wins legal battle to pause housing development | Stuff. https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360718200/auckland-community-garden-wins-legal-battle-pause-housing-development
Phil Twyford (2018). Beehive. Unitec deal marks major KiwiBuild milestone. beehive.govt.nz/release/unitec-deal-marks-major-kiwibuild-milestone
Thank you ..
I cycle past this area on my way to work . Am always interested in the progress made and think the 2 apartment blocks look fantastic .. the open space being created in front of the Carrington Hospital is really good to see. 👍
Let's hope the project keeps going .
I only hope that the community gardens stay as is ..🤞