New Zealand's newest town

New Zealand’s to get a new town at Drury, 37 kilometres south of Auckland. The Government’s announced it’s investing $2.4 billion in roads and rail to unlock growth in the area, and support the new town, as well as further development at Paerata, Pukekohe and Karaka.

“This is a break from the ad hoc way we have previously planned our towns and suburbs,” Minister of Transport and Urban Development Phil Twyford, says. “Instead of transport infrastructure having the catch up with housing development, we are investing in the roads and rail from the outset. For the first time, we’re putting the horse before the cart.

Artist’s impression supplied by Kiwi Property.

“Drury will be a well-planned community with all the jobs, facilities, retail and public spaces people want. Families who want to move there will be able to do so without needing to have a car as there will already be two train stations, and connecting walkways and cycleways.

The announcement is a major boost for Kiwi Property which owns 51 hectares of land in Drury, which over the next 20 years it plans to convert into a “world-class” town centre.

It’s applied for a plan change allowing Drury to go from rural environment to an urban area and hopes to begin development in 2022.

Minister Twyford predicts Drury town will ultimately be bigger than Napier.

It’s estimated Drury’s population will grow by 60,000 people over the next 30 years . Artist’s impression supplied by Kiwi Property.

“Developers are not only poised to start building homes around these transport connections, they are in discussions with the Green Building Council’s to adopt their Green Star community standards which require outstanding and sustainable amenities for residents, workers and visitors.

“It would be the first time the Green Star community standards have been used in New Zealand and would make Drury an exemplar of urban development.

Discussions are already underway between government departments on providing schools, social and health services and other amenities.

“Drury is located in the economic geographic centre of Golden Triangle of Auckland, Tauranga and Hamilton. We know Auckland will expand south and that’s why we are future proofing against congestion by building essential transport infrastructure first.

“We are laying the foundations for Drury to be a thriving future town,”  Twyford said.