Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Aucklanders are worried a new harbour crossing will cost too much and take too long.
The government has promised two road tunnels from Central Auckland to Akoranga, on the North Shore. The plan also includes a 21km light rail tunnel to Albany.
Lisa, a Queen Street resident, said it sounded like a decent idea. But the $45 billion price tag gave her pause.
"The notion of it is a good idea," she said. "The amount of money being spent on it is a huge issue."
She said there were other areas that deserved the attention.
"Just fixing the road would be nice," she said. "Forty-five billion, it's a pretty big price tag."
After years of disruption caused by the City Rail Link, Lisa wasn't thrilled by the idea of another project on her doorstep.
"This one has been going on long enough," she said. "I live on Queen Street, and I can't even get to my house without going all the way round everywhere. It'll disrupt so much."
But a new harbour crossing was still worthwhile, she said.
"The infrastructure is pretty crappy here."
Ky, who had recently moved to Auckland, was similarly torn.
"How much of my tax money goes towards the tunnels?"
But the idea had merit, she said.
"It could be a good idea, because sometimes the Harbour Bridge gets closed down," she said. "I have mixed feelings on it."
Chris Hipkins, David Parker and Carmel Sepuloni at the announcement of the plan on 6 August. Photo: Lucy Xia / RNZ
One North Shore resident said he would welcome another option to get across the harbour, but with construction not due to start until 2029 he was not holding his breath.
"It's a great idea but it's going to take so blimmin' long it won't happen in my lifetime unfortunately," he said. "And I live on the other side."
He said more options would be great.
"The fact that the bridge closes down at a slight wind... it's just crazy."
With the government's track record, he said 2029 was actually a bit optimistic.
"Add another 10 onto that. 2039... that's why it's never going to happen in my lifetime. We're just no good at infrastructure, I mean look at the City Rail Link and how long that's taken."
Another resident echoed those concerns.
"I think it's ridiculous, but then that's the way things happen here," he said. "The time it takes to even get started is just ridiculously long, I mean if you're going to do it get on with it."
Mayor Wayne Brown criticised the plan. He told Morning Report the government was interfering with Auckland's business.
"Auckland Council was set up to give us a say, as a partner with the government," he said. "Right at the moment, what we want to do is fix the problems that exist now, rather than 'vote for me now' dreaming things for the future."
Brown said the government had lost touch with what Aucklanders actually wanted.
"The government have blown $350 million on consultants for projects we didn't actually ask for," he said. "The consultation for the Harbour Bridge crossing consisted of some guy showing up a month ago and telling us what they had been doing for the last few years. That's not consultation."
North Shore Councillor Chris Darby said his constituents wanted to use trains and bikes, not cars.
Chris Darby. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
"Rapid transit, light rail, walking and cycling, they're the missing modes, not roading," he said. "I think the government has not been bold enough to say those are the priorities."
He said there was a disconnect between Auckland Council and central government.
"There does need to be a massive change in relationship between Wellington and Auckland Council if we're to do these things collaboratively and listen to each other, learn from each other," he said. "We've got a long way to go in making sure that happens."
Voters will have their say on the plan in October's election.
