The eastern gateway to the city centre, Te Tōangaroa East City (Tāone I Te Rāwhiti) is a global model for indigenous-led urban development. Guided by a visionary masterplan, this mixed-use neighbourhood is exploring how commercial, cultural social and environmental goals can be woven together.

Managed by landowner Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, the local iwi (indigenous people) of central Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Te Tōangaroa lies at the eastern edge of the city centre, bordered by Quay Street, The Strand and Beach Road. While much of the city’s recent development has focused on the western edge, this precinct is emerging as Auckland’s next significant regeneration zone, as the city grows east.

The precinct comprises office buildings, hotels, apartments, townhouses, a supermarket, service stations and food outlets. It is also home to Spark Arena – a multipurpose venue with capacity for more than 13,000 people, hosting music events, exhibitions and conventions. The old Auckland Railway Station, a Category 1 historic place, was repurposed in the 2000s for private accommodation and retains a strong character that the precinct can build on. The KiwiRail Northern Explorer Auckland to Wellington train still operates from the site.

The area is a short walk from Britomart and the Downtown Ferry Terminal and has easy access to the state highway network. With the City Rail Link opening in 2026, the area will soon be boosted by greater access into the city centre.

“It’s a precinct that’s easy to get to and easy to move through – walkable, connected to public transport, and designed to prioritise people over cars,” says Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa Chief Executive, Grant Kemble. “It’s a place where we are developing a real sense of identity and culture – a reflection of te ao Māori (the Māori world) woven through design, storytelling and experience.

“And it’s future-focused, aiming for carbon zero, sustainable outcomes that care for the whenua (land) and those who use it. There’s room to grow, with partners who want to build something meaningful.”

A single landowner brings vision, scale and stability

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is working with long-term partners to develop a high-quality, mixed-use precinct. This includes a joint venture with Precinct Properties in partnership with global private investor PAG, which in 2023 acquired two A-grade buildings totalling 22,000m2.

“There’s a unique opportunity here,” says Kemble. “Over 3.8 hectares of developable land is available for private redevelopment. As a single landowner, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei brings cohesion, scale and certainty to development, offering partners a rare opportunity to invest with long-term clarity and alignment that is uncommon in fragmented city blocks.

“Te Tōangaroa offers a human-scaled, walkable environment that we are enhancing alongside Auckland Council. Streetscape and laneway upgrades, as well as a focus on creating a lot more green space, will soften the urban landscape, making it a very attractive place for work and leisure. This programme of work will see millions of dollars invested in the public realm over the coming years and connect the area more strongly to Beach Road and Britomart.”

Cultural identity is being woven through the area in the form of curated public art, laneway murals, indigenous materials, and new place-naming to elevate the identity of tangata whenua (people of the land). Additionally, installations such as Tūhono and community-led activations will draw people in through the year. For Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, this placemaking is part of manaakitanga – a deeper expression of hosting and care that links economic activity with belonging.

The vision is a precinct that is active from dawn to dusk: a place to live, work, eat, connect and celebrate. A place where values and design go hand in hand. “We want buildings to be full, tenancies to thrive, the laneways to be alive with art and activity,” says Kemble. “And we want people to know where they are. This is Te Tōangaroa – a tangata whenua-led development.”

An established precinct, including healthcare

Home to tenants across engineering, financial services and health – as well as a large population of apartments and townhouse residents – Te Tōangaroa is an established mixed-use city neighbourhood.

Current occupiers include Spark Arena, AECOM, Babbage, Medcall, Certus Solutions, Staircase Financial Management, Russell Property Group, Latitude Financial Services, hotels Nesuto and Adina, and Ports of Auckland (POAL). Australian co-working company WOTSO is launching a flagship flexible workspace to support the city’s growing demand for flexible, modern office space. “It’s the kind of investment we like,” says Kemble. “They’re committed to being part of the community and supporting how the precinct evolves.”

Located just two kilometres from Auckland Hospital and Starship Children’s Hospital, and featuring a flat contour and easy road access, the area has attracted a healthcare cluster servicing city residents and beyond. The Quay Park Health Building has Auckland Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Group, DNA Diagnostics, IGENZ, City Dental Quay Park, Pharmacy at Quay Park, The Doctors QuayMed, and Quay Park Surgical. There are further dentistry and private healthcare businesses in nearby buildings.

Meet one of the locals: WOTSO FlexSpace

Flexible workspace provider WOTSO is opening a new site on the ground floor of 8 Mahuhu Crescent, drawn by the area’s strong sense of community and cultural direction. “We were approached with a clear vision, to create a precinct that brings people together through food, art, culture and business,” says WOTSO Regional Manager New Zealand Janine Russell. “It’s not just about the building, it’s about the neighbourhood around it.”

The company has 33 locations across Australia and New Zealand, including in Takapuna, Belmont and soon Whangārei. Members regularly move between sites, and Te Tōangaroa location adds a centrally located option with strong transport links and walkable amenities. “There’s a mature urban fabric here – with gyms, healthcare, supermarkets, cafés and public transport all close by,” says Russell. “It’s a complete bubble.”

The company appreciates the values-led approach with intergenerational goals of landlord Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. “It’s wonderful to have a landlord act like a partner. They really wanted to find the right tenant to go into this space. We feel honoured that we can be a part of it, and appreciate how they are working with us to get the best outcomes.”

Explore opportunities at Te Tōangaroa

As Auckland’s city centre expands, Te Tōangaroa is shaping up as a key area of commercial and cultural regeneration. With excellent connectivity, a diverse tenant mix, and a landowner committed to long-term, values-led growth, this is a precinct with an integrated and a compelling future. Join us in shaping this leading Asia-Pacific city. Contact the investment team or download the Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland city centre prospectus.