New bus driver facility

Auckland Transport has opened a new facility at Pukekohe Station to provide bus drivers with a comfortable space to rest and revitalise during their shifts.

The facility, which opened on December 12, features a welcoming break room, a deck surrounded by native landscaping, and striking artwork that reflects the cultural identity of the area.

Mana whenua artist Paora Puru (Ngaati Te Ata Waiohua) collaborated with Auckland Transport (AT) to embed Māori cultural values into the design. Complementing this, artists Mike Tupaea and Holly Mafaufau created Te Nui o Pukekohekohe, a visual tribute to the richness and vitality of Pukekohe – its whenua (land), its people, and its enduring legacy as a place of abundance and prosperity.

The artwork acknowledges the seen and unseen forces that sustain the land, uplift its communities, and nurture their collective wellbeing.

Funded by the NZTA Drivers Fund, the facility is part of a programme of works aimed at improving conditions for bus drivers in Auckland. AT said it offers a safe and welcoming space for drivers to eat, rest, and store their belongings.

A standout feature of the facility is its glass canopy, relocated from its previous position above the station’s toilets to a more fitting location above the break room deck. The canopy design celebrates vitality and abundance, and visually represents a cloak of care and protection, aligning with mana whenua’s original intent for the glazing to sit above a space of gathering and respect.

“Bus drivers are the heartbeat of our communities. They create vital links that keep life moving – from getting children safely to school, to ensuring workers reach their jobs,” an AT spokesperson said.