Cars will be banned in Auckland central next year in trials aiming to make the city more pedestrian-friendly.
Today the Auckland Council voted unanimously in favour of the trials, which Mayor Phil Goff said would be based on a plan presented to the council in March. Mr Goff told councillors on Tuesday that the number of people who work in the central city means pedestrian numbers are growing and going car-free was "a lovely vision and an absolute necessity". The strategy came from the council's own Auckland Design Office (ADO), but many councillors were concerned it lacked a timeframe. Ludo Campbell-Reid, manager of the ADO, said the strategy was complicated and a schedule had not yet been drawn up. Councillor Chris Darby proposed that a schedule for the trials be presented to council in March, and suggested the trials also be carried out across the city in centres such as Otahuhu and Albany. Mr Campbell-Reid reiterated that the strategy was not a war on cars, but "about giving people real choices". Transport-focused blog Greater Auckland has campaigned for car-free CBD streets in order to reduce emissions, improve the health of residents, and provide more space for pedestrians, cyclists and transit. In 2017, they said that while some vehicles would always be necessary in the city, steps could be taken to make central city streets more pedestrian and bike friendly. Mr Goff said the trials were necessary for the growing number of pedestrians in Auckland. "There is nothing more powerful than a vision with necessity driving it."
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Witnesses sought in relation to mass disorder on K-Road Auckland
Police are appealing to the public for any footage they may have of the mass disorder that occurred on Karangahape Road in Auckland in the early hours of Sunday 28 December.
Emergency services were called to the disorder around 3.41am where it is estimated around over 50 people were present.
A Police investigation is underway after there were three serious assaults on and around Karangahape Road during the mass disorder.
A portal has been set up to allow the public to upload any footage they have of the disorder and the serious assaults.
The portal is https://dahr.nc3.govt.nz/
Police have arrested one person but are asking for help to identify and locate others involved.
• Around 4:15am there was a serious assault outside the Crown Bar on Queen Street.
A 33-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4647.
• Around 4:30am there was another serious assault on a Cobden Steet just off Karangahape Road.
A 27-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4462.
• Around 5am there was third serious assault at the Mobil Service Station on the corner or Karangahape Road and Ponsonby Road.
A 46-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
A 21-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He has been bailed to appear in court again on 16 January 2026.
The Police file number is 251228/4774.
Police would like to speak to anyone who has witnessed or filmed the assaults.
Witnesses can call Police directly on 105.
Please quote one of the above file numbers.
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