Briefings, presentations and workshops are held with a range of key stakeholders and community interest groups. A key focus of these meetings is sharing project information and updates and encouraging stakeholders to share project information with their communities to help spread project awareness.

Community events are held strategically in corridor communities to raise awareness of the project and to gather feedback from the community. 

We use online, print, radio and outdoor advertising to raise awareness of community engagement opportunities. Regular updates are provided to subscribers via e-newsletter.

Digital engagement is used to connect with an Auckland-wide audience to increase awareness and knowledge of the project. It also allows people to engage with the project team and to provide feedback in the way that best suits them. Digital tools we've used include an interactive engagement portal with an integrated feedback survey.

Māngere community organisation ‘I AM Māngere’ has supported the delivery of our engagement programme, with a particular focus in the Māngere area. In partnership with I AM Māngere, the project team has delivered community events and a workshop forum.

Since 2021 we've held:

• 35 elected officials meetings
• 51 local board briefings
• 86 stakeholder briefings
• 38 community events
• 20 Neighbourhood Liaison Group meetings

Mana Whenua are Tiriti o Waitangi partners and sponsors of the ALR project. The Kaitiaki forum was established with Mana Whenua who have an interest in the ALR project area. Our aim is to ensure Mana Whenua can participate in the decision making processes of ALR.

Our sponsors play a key role in the project, providing guidance and resources to ensure the project’s success. Our sponsors are Hon. David Parker, Minister of Transport, Hon. Grant Robertson, Minister of Finance, Hon. Megan Woods, Minister of Housing, Wayne Brown, Mayor of Auckland, Chris Darby, Ward Councillor, Auckland Council, Paul Majurey, Karen Wilson, Ngarimu Blair.

Many other local and central government agencies also work in and impact on ALR communities and it’s important we work together to be coordinated and aligned. We hold a quarterly Partners Forum of senior leaders from other local and central government agencies to strengthen ongoing collaboration. The purpose of the forum is to discuss delivery, challenges and opportunities and foster transparency and best practice. Our partners include Waka Kotahi, Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, Kāinga Ora, Eke Panuku and KiwiRail.

We engage extensively with political stakeholders including MPs, councillors, local boards and key government agencies. This ongoing engagement provides the opportunity for knowledge sharing and advocacy, with a focus on stakeholders representing their respective communities' aspirations and needs.

We raise awareness and encourage participation by sharing information through a variety of channels including digital and print media. We also run regular engagement campaigns designed to inform and gather feedback from the community. Most recently we engaged on route options in Onehunga and Māngere.

Five Neighbourhood Liaison Groups have been established along the project corridor in the City Centre, Eden Valley/Central Isthmus, Mt Roskill, Onehunga and Māngere. Made up of community representatives, ranging from business and resident associations to local advocacy groups and community leaders, we meet every three months for facilitated engagement sessions.

We have connected with advocacy groups to get their specialist insights and feedback: Bike Auckland, Auckland Council’s Disability Advisory Panel, Be Lab, Blind Low Vision NZ, CCS Disability Action, Deaf Aotearoa, Generation Zero, Wynyard Quarter TMA, Women in Urbanism, Walk Auckland, Urban Room, Campaign for Better Transport, Public Transport Users Association, Environmental Defence Society, NZ Transport 2050, The Sustainability Society, Movement, Rail Enthusiasts Society, Committee for Auckland, Youth Advisory Panel, Tongan Youth Trust, Puketapapa Youth Foundation, UN Youth and the Public Transport Advocacy Group (PTAG).

Our team meets peak body groups to ensure an alignment across industries and knowledge sharing opportunities. Some of the peak bodies engaged so far in the project include Property Council New Zealand, Infrastructure New Zealand, EMA, AA, Civil Contractors, NZPI, Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Auckland Business Forum, NZ Pilots Association, Infrastructure Sustainability Council, UDINZ and Community Housing Aotearoa.

Environmental groups we have connected with so far include The Onehunga Enhancement Society, Friends of Maungawhau, Manukau Harbour Restoration Society and Onehunga Peoples Garden.

Our stakeholders include business associations along the entire route - Heart of the City, Māngere Town Centre, Māngere Bridge Business Association, Onehunga Business Association, Puketāpapa Business Voice, Dominion Rd Business Association, Parnell Business Association, Airport Connect, Karangahape Road Business Association, South Harbour Business Association, Otahuhu Mainstream & Commercial Association, Sandringham Business Association and Uptown Business Association.

Our team ensures we engage with residents’ associations and has members on our NLGs from the City Centre Residents Association, Eden Park Residents Association, Eden Park Neighbours Association, Favona Residents Association and Māngere Bridge Residents and Ratepayers Association.

Community organisations along our route we have connected with include I AM Māngere, ME Family, Roskill Chinese Group, Mangere East Community Centre, Connected, Onehunga and Mt Roskill Community Patrols, Onehunga, Albert-Eden CAB, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua Public Health , Nga Manga o Mangere Community Network, Sandringham Project in Community Empowerment (SPICE), Roskill Together, Time to Thrive to Stay Alive, Puketāpapa Active Transport, Grey Friars Church, Aroha Apartments, 275 Times, Māngere East Community Centre, Fonua Ola, and Māngere Arts Centre.

Some Auckland schools have reached out to discuss educational opportunities for students, and others we have contacted because they are near our route. Schools and educational providers we have connected with include AUT, Onehunga Kāhui Ako School Enviro Group, University of Auckland, Onehunga High School, Royal Oak Intermediate, Balmoral School, MIT (Otara and Manukau), Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Mangere, Te Wananga o Aotearoa and Selwyn College.

Our team meet with interested businesses to provide project information and hear feedback. This includes Eden Park, Auckland Airport, Britomart Group, Auckland Live and Auckland Stadiums who have a particular interest given their proximity to the proposed route.

Business, resident, youth, advocacy, community or environmental group along the ALR Corridor we haven’t connected with? We’d love to meet you. Please contact the team at info@lightrail.co.nz.