Port of Auckland has announced Te Waharoa, the city’s new international cruise terminal, set to open in early 2027 on Quay Street in downtown Auckland.
The terminal forms part of a wider NZ$ 200 million investment by Port of Auckland in the city’s cruise precinct, which also includes the development of a new big ship wharf at Bledisloe North.
Designed to process up to 1,500 people per hour, Te Waharoa will serve as a dedicated international gateway for the more than 300,000 cruise passengers who currently pass through the port annually.
The facility is intended to attract additional ship calls, improve visitor movement efficiency and deliver a high-quality first impression of Auckland as passengers arrive in the heart of the city.
The terminal has been developed in collaboration with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, architect RCG and design agency Guardians. Ngarimu Blair, Deputy Chair of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust, described the terminal as an opportunity to shape how the world arrives in Auckland, framing the welcome of visitors as a responsibility the iwi has carried for generations within their rohe.
The development reflects a commitment to ensuring the terminal is informed by tangata whenua identity and the stories of place.
Port of Auckland CEO Roger Gray described the investment as essential infrastructure for Auckland’s long-term prosperity, supporting the city’s growth and global connectivity.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown welcomed the terminal as consistent with his priority of activating the downtown waterfront, transforming industrial port areas into vibrant and accessible public spaces for both residents and visitors.
Tourism represents New Zealand’s second largest export sector, contributing approximately 7.7% of GDP, with the cruise industry alone generating more than NZ$ 600 million per year in economic value for Auckland.
