Communications and Engagement

Communications & Engagement

Walk the Tunnels

In November 2019, Aucklanders were given a rare peek behind the hoardings to witness first-hand the progress on the project. They were able to walk 400 metres through the first section of the tunnels adjoining Britomart Station. Extensive planning ensured the event was safe and successful in collaboration with Auckland Transport, Transdev, contractors and emergency services.

Around 10,000 people attended, with no health and safety issues or disruption to the train network.

People are at the heart of City Rail Link. Whether it be the people who work on the project, our neighbours who are impacted as we deliver the project or the many people who will benefit significantly when it’s in place.

The strategy for communications and engagement during 2020 has focussed on more than just the spades and concrete on our construction sites. A primary objective has been to engage and inform people at many different levels - to bring people on the project’s journey, show them 5+ social media CRL awareness up 8%

Kiwis name the TBM

The New Zealand public was able to have a say on the project’s identity when the project launched a nationwide search for the name of a ‘ground-breaking’ New Zealand woman for the C3 tunnel boring machine (TBM). This was in keeping with the tradition that underground machinery is named after a woman in acknowledgement of Saint Barbara, the patron saint of miners and underground workers. the benefits it will deliver, promote progress, listen even when agreement cannot be reached, and to be a good and active neighbour. CRL Ltd continued to achieve this during the Covid-19 pandemic by adopting innovative ways to reach people during the different alert levels. 21 35+ site tours CRL Ltd and Link Alliance engaged in an indepth process with New Zealanders to find an inspirational name for the TBM. After putting the call out, over 3,000 New Zealanders submitted a name. A panel then narrowed the submissions down to Dame Whina Cooper, Dr Margaret Bradford, Antarctic Scientist, and New Zealand's first transgender member of parliament, Mayor Georgina Beyer. In May it was announced that New Zealanders had chosen the name Dame Whina Cooper – a fearless campaigner for social justice and Māori land rights. This decision received widespread acclaim both here and overseas. CRL Ltd welcome the choice of a woman who inspired, was brave, compassionate and fearless as its name for the mechanical star of the project. CRL Ltd and its construction partners continue to work with neighbours to build a positive relationship, be upfront about construction impacts, find ways to mitigate these where possible and provide early notice so that people

Core Communication Channels

posts per week 58 media releases

stakeholder 25+ presentations Mana Whenua hui

18

can prepare for what’s to come.

events

12 community

106 videos

newsletters

2working days to acknowledge enquiries 21 Community Liason

D a m e W h i n a C o o p e r P h o t o g r a p h e d b y J o h n S t o n e

Group meetings

Events

CRL Ltd shared the project through a number of events, including site tours and community presentations. Some of our most popular events showcased both CRL’s engineering feats and historic elements.

During the Auckland Heritage Festival, CRL Ltd hosted historic walking tours along Albert Street. CRL Ltd also hosted a showcase event at the Shakespeare Hotel displaying the many historical artefacts unearthed during construction works.

This summer a number of walking tours around the C1 site were provided with members of the public allowed behind the projects hoardings to see construction works first hand.

Development Response

CRL Ltd’s development response programme helps its neighbours maintain 'business as usual' as much as possible. This included wayfinding to help people find their way to businesses and creating events to bring people into construction areas.

The project also promoted businesses through external communication channels, set up local businesses as suppliers and made the areas around businesses as clean and inviting as possible. Some highlights from 2020 included the open air art gallery on Wolfe Street, the lighting installation in Beresford Square, the Love Albert Street photography campaign and the C6 ‘thank you’ event in Mt Eden.

Business Hardship Programme

In December 2019, CRL Ltd launched a Business Hardship Programme to provide financial relief for small retail businesses impacted by delays to C2 construction. This programme recognised that some businesses on Albert Street (between Victoria and Customs Streets) have experienced a greater length of disruption than originally planned. The programme is based on rent assessments that look at the impact of construction delays on rent being paid.

In March 2020, CRL Ltd moved quickly to establish an interim scheme to ensure businesses could still apply for funds while valuers were unable to complete assessments due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

Disruption campaigns

CRL Ltd works closely with Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and KiwiRail to ensure that the public remains well informed on the project’s impacts to travel and that steps are put in place to mitigate disruptions. The Wellesley Street and Mt Eden Station closure campaigns have been collaboratively developed to ensure that there was widespread understanding well in advance of the closures taking place. The Wellesley Street closure was implemented successfully in March and the Mt Eden Station closed in July 2020.

Community Liaison Groups

The project’s four Community Liaison Groups (CLGs) are targeted forums with representatives from around project sites. The CLGs meet frequently to learn about upcoming works, review management plans, raise issues and concerns and work together to find ways to resolve these. Representatives on CLGs include residents, businesses, business associations and locally elected representatives.

Kids draw the CRL

While Covid-19 lockdown was in place and we were all staying home to keep New Zealanders safe, CRL Ltd decided it was the perfect time to get creative. It put a call out to tamariki across New Zealand to make artworks about where they imagine going on a train once the CRL is built. Their masterpieces will be printed onto tiles and installed within Aotea Station. So far, almost 7,000 incredible artworks have been received with room on the station's walls for thousands more.