A 7.3km stretch of road that tells the story of Auckland - and why its future matters to every resident and business owner.
Dominion Road isn't just a transport corridor - it's the beating heart of Auckland's cultural diversity, home to 37 thriving businesses that participated in "Dumplings on Dominion" alone, and a destination that draws 50,000 weekly bus passengers who sustain our local economy. Yet Auckland Transport's decision to extend bus lane hours - stretching city-bound operations from 7 am to 10 am and south-bound from 4 pm to 7 pm - threatens to transform this vibrant community asset into a sterile transit highway.
As your representatives on the Auckland Council, we need to ask: Is saving three minutes on a bus journey worth destroying what makes Dominion Road special?
From its origins in the 1840s as John Walters' dusty farm track to its 1907 renaming celebrating New Zealand's Dominion status, Dominion Road has always been more than infrastructure - it's been about community. The electric trams of the early 1900s didn't just move people; they built neighbourhoods, sparked commerce, and created the foundations of modern Auckland.
Today's Dominion Road continues that legacy. Between Valley Road and Kensington Avenue, you'll find Eden Noodles Cafe's spicy delights, Viet Kitchen's authentic flavours, Shefco Cedar Bakery's Lebanese specialties, and Korean havens like Soju Soju. The Dominion Bar and Tasca thrive on after-work diners. Golden Steamboat and Laifu Restaurant keep sidewalks buzzing with life.
But here's what Auckland Transport doesn't understand: extending bus lanes an extra hour from 3pm directly attacks the dinner trade that keeps these businesses alive.
Auckland Transport claims these changes are "minor tweaks" that will save up to three minutes during peak periods. Let's be clear about what they're really proposing:
For business owners like those along Dominion Road, this isn't about three minutes - it's about survival.
Cities worldwide have learned this lesson the hard way: when you prioritise vehicles (even buses) over people, you create what urban planners call "transit deserts" - dead zones between destinations where no one wants to linger, shop, or dine.
We've seen this pattern before:
Is this the future we want for Dominion Road?
This isn't just about nostalgia or resistance to change. It's about understanding what makes Auckland liveable:
We don't have to choose between efficient transport and vibrant communities. Here's what real leadership looks like:
Auckland Transport's consultation in May 2025 focused on "traffic metrics" while ignoring cultural impact, business viability, and community character. That's not good enough.
Here's what you can do:
Dominion Road stands at a crossroads. One path leads to a future where it becomes just another traffic corridor - efficient perhaps, but soulless. The other preserves and enhances what makes it special: the festivals, the flavours, the families who've built their dreams here.
Auckland Transport's own data shows that similar extensions elsewhere haven't solved congestion. What they have done is damage the very communities that make Auckland worth living in.
The question isn't whether we need good public transport - we do. The question is whether we're willing to sacrifice the character, culture, and community of Dominion Road for a marginal time saving that could be achieved through more innovative solutions.
As The Mutton Birds sang about our famous road, this is part of Auckland's soul. Let's make sure it stays that way.
This message is authorised by Communities & Residents Ward Councillor candidates Christine Fletcher and Mark Pervan, who pledge to protect Dominion Road's unique character while delivering practical transport solutions that work for everyone - businesses, residents, and commuters alike.
Together, we can ensure Dominion Road remains a destination, not just a thoroughfare.
