- Site Blessing
- Hand Over
- First Train
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- Official Opening
- Festival Day
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- Bus Relocation
- Britomart Completed
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Site Blessing
More than 150 guests gathered for a Maori blessing of the Britomart train station at dawn on Friday 20 June 2003. The site and station platforms were blessed and a wish for “a safe journey and good fortune to all” was bestowed in the ceremony that was led by Ngati Whatua o Orakei Kaumatua Takutai Moana. Hand Over
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| Rex Hunter from Downer (centre) hands Britomart to Auckland City’s CEO Brian Taylor (right) |
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| Riding the train in Britomart, representatives of ARTNL, Auckland City and the Britomart project team |
After Downer Construction Ltd successful completion of the $204 million project, the Britomart Transport Centre was handed over to Auckland City Council. Britomart was handed over to Auckland Regional Transport Network Ltd (ARTNL) on the 4 July 2003. ARTNL managed the Britomart Transport Centre on behalf of the City until October 2010.
First Train
The first unofficial train arrived into the station in May 2003. This unscheduled train was used to test the new tracks, platform heights and signalling systems.
At 5.40am on 23 June 2003 the first train arrived on platform 5 of the Britomart Underground Railway Station. This historic moment signified the first scheduled train into Downtown Auckland in almost 73 years.
A large crowd gathered to watch history take place as the first train arrived. A lone piper marched down the platform to welcome the first train into the station. As passengers disembarked from the train they were greeted by a rousing haka and waiata performed by Maori warriors of Te Puru o Tamaki.
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| Passengers on the first train being welcomed into the Britomart station by Te Puru o Tamaki |
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| Te Puru o Tamaki performing a waiata (left) at the main entrance to the Transport Centre. Auckland City Mayor John Banks and Auckland Regional Chairperson Gwen Bull (right) watch the waiata |
The New Zealand Herald reported on 8th July 2003 “ Pride and awe were the predominant feelings yesterday among the commuters, politicians and officials who have been involved in the controversial Britomart project since it was envisaged by Auckland City Mayor Les Mills in 1995“ After 73 years, what’s 9 minutes?
One resident wrote to the Herald saying “The station is great and is exactly what the city needs“ Readers’ views, 11 July 2003.
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| Sir Edmund and Lady Hillary riding horse and carriage down Queen Street to the Britomart Transport Centre |
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| Hon. John Banks, unveiling the CPO plaque |
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| Guests gather for the unveiling of the plaques |
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| Official party seated at the front of the CPO |
Official Opening
The Official Opening of the Britomart Transport Centre was held on Friday 25 July 2003, at which Sir Edmund and Lady Hillary were the special guests of honour.
Over 400 invited guests attended the Official Opening. They included Central and Local Government officials and offices, the Britomart projects group, funding agencies and key stakeholders.
New plaques were unveiled at the front steps of the former CPO, they say:
Plaque one:
THIS SITE WAS INNER HARBOUR UNTIL RECLAIMED BETWEEN 1879 AND 1886 FOR THE CITY’S FIRST CENTRAL RAIL STATION. IN NOVEMBER 1909 CONSTRUCTION BEGAN ON THE CHIEF POST OFFICE, TO A DEISGN BY ARCHITECT CLAUDE PATON AND GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT JOHN CAMPBELL. THE BUILDING REMAINED OPEN AS A POST OFFICE AND THE FOCUS OF MANY COMMUNITY EVENTS FROM NOVEMBER 1912 UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1992
Plaque two:
THIS BUILDING WAS REOPENED FOR PUBLIC BUSINESS AS THE MAIN ENTRY TO THE BRITOMART TRANSPORT CENTRE BY
THE HON. JOHN BANKS, QSO
MAYOR OF AUCKLAND CITY
ON THE 25 TH JULY 2003
After the unveiling of the external plaques guests were seated inside the former CPO for speeches.
Auckland City Council Transport Committee Chairperson, Cr. Greg McKeown said,
“ Britomart belongs to Aucklanders and today this magnificent building becomes your front door to the station and to the region. We’re handing over the keys to you on St Christopher’s day – the patron saint of travellers – and that bodes well for us all.
On behalf of Auckland City I wish everyone a safe journey into the future .”
Minister of Transport Hon. Paul Swain said,
“ Congratulations to Auckland, the Britomart Project Team, architects and consultants and all those who have played a role in getting this project to where it is today. Also congratulations are due to the public of Auckland who had their say in the design of the project.
You can be proud of this world class facility and the contribution it will make to improving passenger transport in Auckland.
It is a milestone, a catalyst for future passenger transport improvements, part of a solution to Auckland’s traffic woes.
The opening of Britomart is the first time in 70 years that there will be such a direct rail connection between downtown Auckland and downtown Wellington - this may help Auckland and Wellington to work together even more closely in the future. ”
Auckland City Mayor John Banks said,
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| (left to right) Winning designers Mario Madayag and Greg Boyden cut the CPO chocolate cake with Mayor John Banks |
“This day marks the beginning of much greater things in public transport and world-class urban development.
Planning, designing and building the $204 million Britomart Transport Centre has been no easy task.
I salute all those involved in delivering this country’s first underground rail station on time and on budget. The City today owns Britomart debt free .”
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Festival Day
