Port of Auckland 30-Year Master Plan
CLIENT | Port of Auckland Limited
TYPE | Masterplanning, Urban desgin
SECTOR | Cites + Places, transport, Industrial, commercial
STATUS | design development
Location | auckland, Nz
A port Master Plan anchored by future-focused design principles.
The Ports of Auckland sits at the meeting point of land and sea, a place where trade and people have converged for centuries. Located on the Waitematā Harbour, this site has long served as a critical trading route for Māori, embedding cultural and historical significance into Auckland’s identity. Today, it stands as New Zealand’s primary freight hub, connecting the North Island to the world.
In 2016, we joined Ports of Auckland Ltd (POAL) on their ambitious 30-year Master Plan, a blueprint for smarter, more sustainable shipping. As project leaders, we crafted designs for several key developments, including a new administration building, an automated straddle carrier workshop, and a multilevel car handling facility. These projects not only improve operational efficiency but also strengthen the relationship between the port and the city it supports.
The POAL Car Handling Facility, the first completed stage, uses a compact vertical design to save space and reduce environmental impact. Its living southern wall—the world’s largest soil-based vertical garden—celebrates art and nature, softening the industrial landscape. Read more
Designed in close collaboration with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Plus’s design for the POAL Maintenance Facility building reconnects land and sea with a kupenga-inspired façade, a welcoming tree-lined bridge, and spaces that honour cultural values and foster connection.
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Overall, our vision for the POAL 30-year Master Plan balances heritage with progress. From future-focused robotics hubs to a green park overlay, this Master Plan honours Auckland’s waterfront legacy while shaping its future.