Homai railway station

Homai
Looking south at Homai station in 2014
General information
LocationHomai
Coordinates37°00′48″S 174°52′29″E / 37.0134°S 174.8748°E / -37.0134; 174.8748
SystemAuckland Transport Urban rail
Owned byKiwiRail (track and platforms)
Auckland Transport (buildings)
Operated byAuckland One Rail
LineSouthern Line
PlatformsIsland platform (P1 & P2)
TracksMainline (2)
Construction
Platform levels1
ParkingYes
Bicycle facilitiesYes
AccessibleYes
Other information
Station codeHOM[1]
Fare zoneSouthern Manukau
History
Opened15 August 1924[2]
Rebuilt2006
ElectrifiedApril 2014[3]
Passengers
20111,707 passengers/weekday[4]
Services
Preceding station Auckland Transport
(Auckland One Rail)
Following station
Puhinui
towards Waitematā
Southern Line Manurewa
towards Pukekohe
Location

Homai railway station is on the Southern Line of the Auckland railway network in New Zealand. It has an island platform layout. A bus stop and a park and ride facility are located adjacent to the station.

History

The North Island Main Trunk line through South Auckland was opened on 20 May 1875, as part of the Auckland and Mercer Railway, built by Brogden & Co,[5] who extended it from Penrose.[6]

However, Homai Station didn't open until 15 August 1924,[2] after local farmers John Dreadon, Alexander and Masters lobbied Prime Minister William Massey.[7] In line with other stations opened in Auckland suburbs at the time, it was partly financed by local developers.[8] In the case of Homai, John Dreadon donated £500 and land for the station and the bridge, which replaced a level crossing.[9] Three other landowners also contributed. As a result, it was decided to name the station using the Māori word for 'gift', homai,[10] rather than Browns Rd, as it was initially referred to.[11]

Duplication of the tracks between Papatoetoe and Papakura, through Homai, started in 1929 as an employment relief scheme[12] and was completed on 29 March 1931.[13]

Daily boardings were measured as 338 in 2003. This figure had jumped to 936 by 2010.[14]

The station was upgraded in 2006 with a modern shelter, platform lighting and a much longer platform installed.

As part of the 2007 New Zealand budget it was announced that the station would be electrified. By January 2014 wires had been installed. In July 2015 electric trains began operating all passenger services.

As part of the Level Crossing Removal Programme, the level crossings that previously provided access to the station were removed. The level crossings were replaced with new pathways from the carpark and Mcvilly Road and an accessible ramp from Browns Road. The station was blessed by mana whenua, Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua and re-opened to passengers in January 2025.[15]

Services

Auckland One Rail, on behalf of Auckland Transport, operates suburban services to Britomart and Pukekohe via Homai. The typical weekday off-peak timetable is:[16]

  • 3 tph to Britomart, via Penrose and Newmarket
  • 3 tph to Pukekohe

Homai station is served by bus route 365 while bus route 361 also passes close by.[17]

See also

References

  1. ^ "CRL Day 1 TEST". SCRIBD. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  2. ^ a b Scoble, Juliet (2010). "Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations" (PDF). Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  3. ^ "Auckland Electrifcation Map" (PDF). KiwiRail. 18 May 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  4. ^ Auckland Transport Board Meeting (20 November 2012) Agenda Item 10(i) "Rail Electrification Extension" Archived 14 December 2012 at the Wayback Machine p. 16
  5. ^ "OPENING OF THE Auckland and Mercer Railway FOR TRAFFIC. AUCKLAND STAR". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 20 May 1875. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  6. ^ "DISTRICTS OPENED BY THE RAILWAY—APPEARANCE OF THE COUNTRY. AUCKLAND STAR". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 20 May 1875. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  7. ^ Wichman, Gwen (2001). Soaring Bird: a History of Manurewa to 1965. Manurewa: Manurewa Historical Society. p. 58-59. ISBN 0-473-07114-2. Wikidata Q117421984.
  8. ^ "Three New Stations". Auckland Star. 4 May 1925. p. 8. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  9. ^ "Manurewa street names". www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  10. ^ "Local And General News". The New Zealand Herald. 30 August 1922. p. 6. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  11. ^ Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand
  12. ^ "work started on the duplication of the Papatoetoe to Papakura railway line. AUCKLAND STAR". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 11 October 1929. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  13. ^ "TWIN TRACKS. PAPATOETOE TO PAPAKURA. DUPLICATED LINE COMPLETED". Auckland Star. 30 March 1931.
  14. ^ "Surveyed Boardings per Station 2003 to 2010". Auckland Transport. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  15. ^ "Homai Station level crossing removal". Auckland Transport. Archived from the original on 10 December 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  16. ^ "Southern Line" (PDF). Auckland Transport. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  17. ^ "Southern Guide" (PDF). Retrieved 17 November 2024.