About the project
The Civic Administration Building (CAB) in Te Ngākau Civic Square has irreparable earthquake damage. It needs to be demolished to make way for the redevelopment of the CAB and Municipal Office Building (MOB) site.
Demolition work will begin in late March 2024, with the main demolition from July to December. The demolition is expected to be complete by February 2025.
The redevelopment of the CAB and MOB site is a key part of restoring the heart of our capital city – Te Ngākau Civic Square. The future of the this site will be brought to life in the Te Ngākau Precinct Development Plan – a draft for this plan is due in June.
Timeline
- 26 March 2024: Hoardings go up around the building.
- 1 April 2024: CAB soft strip begins. A soft strip is furniture, fixtures and so on from inside the building being removed in preparation for demolition.
- Late May / early June 2024: Hoardings extended to close off Victoria Street entrance into Te Ngākau Civic Square.
- June - September 2024: Wakefield Street fully closed to traffic for four months, with pedestrian access on the south side.
- July 2024: Main CAB demolition begins. 8–16 weeks of crane work during July and August, pedestrian access remains.
- September 2024: North-west bound lane of Wakefield Street open to private vehicles.
- December 2024: CAB main demolition expected to complete.
- February 2025: CAB site demolition entirely complete.
Pedestrian and road access
During the demolition there will be changes to the pedestrian and road access around the area. Construction sites will be surrounded by hoardings (temporary safety walls).
Construction zone and access map (1.41MB PDF)
March 2024
Buildings under construction and surrounded by hoarding:
- Wellington Town Hall
- Te Matapihi Central Library
Access to Te Ngākau Civic Square open at:
- Harris Street entrance
- City to Sea bridge entrance
- Victoria Street entrance
April 2024
Demolition of CAB building begins, hoarding goes up around demolition site.
Buildings under construction:
- Wellington Town Hall
- Te Matapihi Central Library
- CAB
Access to Te Ngākau Civic Square open at:
- Harris Street entrance
- City to Sea bridge entrance
- Victoria Street entrance
June 2024 to December 2024
Demolition of CAB continues, hoarding extends out on to Wakefield Street, closing the street to vehicles between the Town Hall and the corner of Wakefield and Victoria Street.
- Pedestrians can still use Wakefield Street
- Trees on southern side of CAB building removed
- Victoria Street access to Te Ngākau closed
Buildings under construction:
- Wellington Town Hall
- Te Matapihi Central Library
- CAB
Access to Te Ngākau Civic Square open at:
- Harris Street entrance
- City to Sea bridge entrance
September to mid-December 2024
The north-west bound lane of Wakefield Street (going towards Victoria Street) opens.
December 2024
Wakefield Street completely open between Municipal Office Building and Victoria Street.
February 2025
Demolition expected to be complete, CAB site is made safe and becomes an empty site. Hoarding removed.
Buildings under construction:
- Wellington Town Hall
- Te Matapihi Central Library
Access to Te Ngākau Civic Square open at:
- Harris Street entrance
- City to Sea bridge entrance
- Victoria Street entrance
Contact us
If you have questions or concerns, email: TeNgakau@wcc.govt.nz