Manukau Bus Interchange

A significantly transformative two-staged project to establish a bus interchange in Manukau City Centre, accommodating both local and intercity services. The development features additional complementary facilities, including retail along Putney Way. The master-planning process involved a diverse range of stakeholders, including mana whenua and Council, to ensure alignment with community aspirations. Some key benefits from the project includes enhanced connectivity between bus and rail networks, consolidation of all bus services, and direct integration with the Manukau Train Station. It also has become a strategic catalyst for invigorating development on the western side of the Town Centre.

Manukau Bus Station - View from Putney Way including streetscape upgrades

Project overview

Manukau Bus Interchange Panel 1

Location: 12 Putney Way, Manukau City Centre
Project Type: Public Transport Interchange
Date of Completion: Second Quarter 2018
Applicant: Auckland Transport
Project Team: BECA
Panel Members: John Hunt (Chair), Rewi Thompson, Christina van Bohemen, David Irwin, and Vivian Naylor (Panel Advisor)
Date of Panel: 30th October 2014

Manukau Bus Interchange Panel 2

Applicant: Auckland Transport
Project Team: BECA
Panel Members: John Hunt (Chair), Rewi Thompson, Christina van Bohemen, David Irwin, and Vivian Naylor (Panel Advisor)
Date of Panel: 20th November 2014

The AUDP influence on the project

The Panel’s influence was crucial in ensuring the interchange aligns with community aspirations and Te Aranga Principles, while also addressing technical and regulatory challenges.

AUDP recommendations provided expert guidance on:

Enhanced pedestrian safety, movement, accessibility and amenity.
The celebration of cultural identity through design while recognising the prirority of the practical requirements of the bus interchange.
Lifting the architectural quality to create a vibrant, connected public space unique to Manukau.
Future-proofing the site for long-term growth and development.

The design process with AUDP

Te Hoahoa Hukihuki Tōmua Early Design Scheme

The Urban Design Panel played a critical role in shaping the interchange’s evolution, participating from early design stages through to refinement. Their input was instrumental in addressing challenges around pedestrian safety, accessibility, cultural expression, and integration with the urban fabric. The final design was altered significantly during the design progressions.

An architectural drawing of the bus interchange

Te Aranga Design informing Urban Response

The Manukau Bus Interchange thoughtfully incorporates Te Aranga Māori Design Principles, with cultural narratives successfully embedded in its architecture which is built form celebration of sense of place in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Key features include:

Sawtooth Roof Design: Inspired by the cultural significance of tukutuku manu (kite flying) and the rivalry between Tamapahore and Tamapahure, this jagged roof design establishes a distinct and meaningful identity.
Woven-pattern Ply Ceilings: Echoing traditional weaving, the internal spaces foster a sense of connection to the whenua (land) and local history.
Full-height Glazing: Along Putney Way, the glass façade creates openness and transparency, offering visual permeability and a welcoming atmosphere.

The collaboration with mana whenua through workshops ensured the design honours Manukau’s unique identity, blending cultural richness with modern functionality.

Looking at a māori cwood arving mounted on a wall in a public space in the station. Colours are woven into the wings of the carving.

Te Huringa o te Hoahoa Design Evolution

The Panel’s early input focused on improving pedestrian safety, accessibility, and public realm quality. Key challenges identified included level changes along Putney Way, unclear entry points, and the lack of visual permeability. Through iterative design stages, the Panel’s recommendations resulted in significant improvements:

Pedestrian Accessibility: Universal design principles ensured seamless, safe connections between the bus interchange, train station, and surrounding public spaces.
Legibility and Transparency: Clear entry points, unobstructed sightlines, and glass façades created a safer, more inviting environment.
Activation of Putney Way: Retail/Food and Beverage spaces and strong street edges transformed this corridor into a lively, navigable urban spine connecting Manukau Square to Hayman Park.

Te Anga mō ngā Whakamahinga Anamata Future-proofed Layout

The interchange’s layout was designed with future growth in mind, reserving parcels of land for residential and commercial developments. By balancing bulk and massing with the surrounding urban context, the interchange sets the stage for positive development while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic.

The one-way bus circulation system improves operational efficiency and pedestrian safety, while the Davies Avenue and Putney Way corner plaza establishes a pedestrian-scaled public realm.

Te Pūtake o te Hoahoa Final Design

The completed interchange stands as a generous, visually permeable space, enriched with natural light and thoughtful cultural storytelling.

Key elements include:

A central concourse with clear pedestrian access and ample internal daylight provision within the facility.

An expressive sawtooth roof, marking the interchange as a transport and cultural landmark.

Retail and public spaces and art along Putney Way, all working to activate the streetscape and working to foster a sense of community identity.

This project exemplifies how design rooted in collaboration and cultural respect can enhance connectivity, safety, and identity for generations to come.

Inside the bust station looking up at the wood panelled ceiling, and blue and yellow Auckland transport livery on the bus gates.

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