Major Drury development fast-tracked

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has announced fast-track approval for Kiwi Property Holdings’ 53-hectare Drury Metropolitan Centre project in South Auckland, a major urban development expected to deliver significant economic and employment benefits.

The project, approved by an “expert panel”, will include new residential areas and a mixed-use hub featuring around 10,000 square metres of commercial space, 56,000 square metres of retail, and 2,000 square metres for community facilities.

Bishop said the development will inject an estimated $1.45 billion into Auckland’s economy over the next 11 years and create about 3,420 full-time construction and service jobs. He described it as a key part of the government’s infrastructure investment in the rapidly expanding Drury area, which also includes new train stations at Drury, Ngākoroa, and Paerātā, rail electrification to Pukekohe, and major upgrades to SH1, Waihoehoe Road, and SH22.

“The government welcomes this investment into this important part of the Golden Triangle’s future prosperity,” Bishop said. He added that the Drury project is the fifth development to gain fast-track approval this year, following projects in Auckland, Nelson, and Tekapo.

Bishop said the process is helping to address infrastructure shortfalls, increase housing supply, and drive job creation. The Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill, which had its first reading this week, aims to further streamline the system and speed up future development approvals.