Auckland Airport’s $2.2 billion terminal redevelopment—the most significant investment in its 50-year history—is taking shape before Aucklanders’ eyes. It comes as Hawkins, one of New Zealand’s largest construction firms, confirmed that cross-laminated timber is being installed in the terminal’s subfloor using an “innovative” rail system, designed to streamline construction in a live environment.
“The team has kept things moving while maintaining full operation of the airport’s international terminal,” Hawkins said in a statement yesterday. “We’ve navigated everything from temporary waterproofing and high-voltage service separation to staged sewer pump integration and bespoke roof cowls designed for this site. Now that we are halfway through 2025, we’re focused on the integration of new mechanical and power services to the international terminal, replacing one of the existing power centres known as PC11.”
Late last year, Wood Central revealed that Hawkins had been appointed head contractor for the NZ$800 million domestic jet terminal building. At the time, Carrie Hurihanganui, CEO of Auckland Airport, said the new terminal will take years to construct and include a new headhouse and a 240-metre-long gate pier.
In total, Hawkins will install more than 600 steel piles, each driven 35 metres into the ground, to support over 6,000 tonnes of steel, concrete, and timber. Whilst the cross-laminated timber installation reflects Auckland Airport’s commitment to low-carbon materials and sustainable aviation, “Building in a live operating airport environment is no small task,” Hurihanganui added. “While we’re focused on minimising the impact on travellers as much as possible, we know change is disruptive, and we thank travellers for their patience as the build progresses.”
Designed with a simple and robust exterior made of tray-profile steel, the terminal’s interior draws inspiration from the surrounding Manukau Harbour, volcanic stone fields, and nearby maunga. Timber accents and a cost-effective mix of durable carpeted and rubber flooring create a relaxed, intuitive experience for travellers. A river-like circulation path guides passengers through the terminal, reducing congestion and improving flow. “Choosing wood for the subfloor instead of concrete reflects a preference for low-carbon materials and supports sustainable aviation,” said Scott Tasker, Auckland Airport’s Chief Customer Officer, who confirmed that the new terminal is scheduled to open in 2028–2029.
The terminal will also feature all-electric heating and cooling systems, real-time baggage tracking via an Individual Carrier System (ICS), and co-located check-in for both domestic and international passengers. Travellers will benefit from a short five-minute indoor walk between gates, eliminating the need for the current outdoor “green line” walk or inter-terminal bus service. When complete, the terminal will accommodate 20,000 passengers daily, delivering a 44% increase in processing capacity and 26% more airline seat capacity.
Airport Fast Facts
- $2.2 billion for new domestic terminal overall
- The new terminal will service jet aircraft – the larger aircraft that fly between Auckland and other main centres.
- 12 jet aircraft gates create 26% more seat capacity, with a further 10% seat capacity available with dedicated domestic bus lounges
- Transfer between domestic jet and international flights within the terminal
- Check-in kiosks and automatic bag drop, which can be upgraded to biometric technology in the future, speed up the check-in process.
- In line with IATA best practice: queue wait times of 4 minutes or less for self-check-in and dropping a bag, less than 7.5 minutes for security, adequate seating at boarding gates, timely baggage arrival with <15 minutes from first bag to last bag on belt
- Device charging points in 50% of seats in pre-departure dwell
- Two baggage reclaims with 180m of belt space – a 70% increase on the current domestic terminal
- Dedicated faith spaces plus a low sensory room are provided for travellers
- The integrated terminal is to be completed in 2028/2029.
