Latest news with #Britomart
RNZ News
7 days ago
- RNZ News
Auckland Transport's new map gets name of major road wrong
Lambie 'Ave' as it appeared on an Auckland Transport map, alongside a Google Maps image of Lambie Drive. Photo: Auckland Transport / Google Maps Auckland Transport is moving to fix a mistake after getting the name of one of its major roads wrong in its big reveal of its route map for the City Rail Link (CRL). The agency invited media this week to show off the new Trains and Rapid Buses map it said showed "people can connect more easily with friends and loved ones". Chief executive Dean Kimpton held a large version of the map up for media at Waitematā (Britomart) Station. Auckland Council's Transport, Resilience and Infrastructure Committee chairperson and KiwiRail were in tow. There was an even larger version laid out on the floor as a visual feature. Auckland Transport also uploaded the new route map onto its website and sent the map to media. But there was a problem lurking on the bus route between Auckland Airport and Manukau. T The new map showed 'Lambie Avenue' instead of Lambie Drive - a major road in Manukau with its own motorway offramps. Dean Kimpton unveils the new CRL transport map at Britomart, August 2025. Photo: Finn Blackwell / RNZ After enquiries from RNZ, Auckland Transport confirmed it was aware of the mistake and was updating the map to show the right name. The new map replaces existing train routes with the Onehunga-West line, the East-West line and the South-City line. Work began on the $5.5b CRL in 2017 and it had an initial expected cost of between $2 billion and $3b. The City Rail Link was nearing completion, but officials at the map reveal said they were not ready to say exactly when it would open. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
04-08-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Auckland City Rail Link maps go up at Britomart
Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel A glimpse of a new era in Auckland Transport was unveiled on Monday. At Britomart Station, an updated map gives commuters a preview of the new stations and rail lines it will use when the long-awaited City Rail Link (CRL) opens. The over-budget and over-time CRL is nearing completion, but officials are not ready yet to say exactly when it will open. Auckland's Onehunga, Eastern, Western and Southern lines are being replaced by the Onehunga-West line, the East-West line and the South-City line, new routes detailed in the new map. It is hoped the re-configured network will make it easier for Aucklanders to get around town, as more trains run from more stations - like ones near Karangahape Road and in Mt Eden - more frequently, and link with express buses. Work began on the $5.5 billion CRL in 2017. It was due to be completed last year, and its initial cost was expected to be between $2b and $3b . Auckland Transport chief executive Dean Kimpton said capacity on the network had been boosted. "Currently at peak into the city, we have about 12,000 people per hour," Kimpton said. "The capacity we're creating though the new CRL, day one, will be up to 19,000. Quite the number of people will depend on demand, but we have that capacity ready and available to go." Dean Kimpton unveils the new CRL transport map at Britomart, August 2025. Photo: Finn Blackwell / RNZ Parts of Auckland's rail network had been temporarily closed this year for upgrades ahead of the CRL opening, causing significant disruption. Kimpton said the work was necessary. "We have got very specific planned disruption between our CRL-go-live, and that's designed to bring the network up to a standard to support the frequency that CRL anticipates, and that's the rail network rebuild programme." KiwiRail programme director Bobby Fischer said the short-term pain for commuters was part of a bigger picture. "We're going through a significant period of investment in the network that is all in the lead up to CRL opening, once the CRL is open that level of disruption will reduce significantly." She said KiwiRail has run more than 1600 test trains on the network since February. Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel "There's a lot of system testing that's going on, from the signalling system right through to the station system - so the emergency systems testing, ventilation system etcetera, to make sure that when we open everything operates seamlessly as it's meant to," Fischer said. Auckland Councillor Andy Baker said the CRL build had been big for the city. "Politicians we're always pretty keen to find something to grizzle about," he said. "But I think there is, underneath it all, a level of excitement and acceptance that this is what it is." As for an exact date for next year's opening, Kimpton said that was still up in the air. "There's still a lot to be done, and we don't want to promise a date until we're ready to promise a date, but you can be sure when we know, you'll know." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Techday NZ
23-07-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Skittles Cloudz launch dazzles Auckland commuters with colour
MARS has launched a new product, Skittles Cloudz, in New Zealand, accompanied by a digital campaign on the MetService website and a transformation at Britomart Station in Auckland. The new product introduces a "soft-format twist" on the established Skittles brand, offering consumers a chewy variant described as texturally distinct from the original sweets. MARS has promoted Skittles Cloudz with a multi-channel approach targeting commuters and online audiences during winter. Winter campaign As part of the campaign, Britomart Station, the busiest train hub in Auckland, underwent a visual makeover. This activation provided free samples to commuters and incorporated a "colour therapy experience" intended to counteract the effects of winter on mood. The visual elements drew inspiration from both colour and taste therapy, aiming to lift the spirits of Auckland rail users during the season's shortest days. The initiative also included a unique digital element: for a limited period, the MetService website displayed Skittles-themed weather updates. These updates presented typically straightforward weather information in a colourful, interactive format intended to stand out against the usual winter gloom. The campaign was designed to coincide with high rates of weather-checking during the colder months. According to MARS, this combination of visibility at physical locations and digital platforms is part of a broader strategy to reach consumers in both their daily commutes and online routines. Product launch details Skittles remains a popular choice among New Zealand consumers, with Kiwis purchasing more than one million bags of the original product last year. The launch of Skittles Cloudz marks the first new textural variant of the brand introduced in New Zealand since Skittles entered the market in 2003. The new product maintains the signature fruity flavours associated with Skittles while introducing a soft, bouncy texture. "Kiwis aren't just looking for new flavours, they want new textures too. The new product reflects growing demand for new sensory experiences in confectionery. It offers a soft, bouncy chew that's completely different to the original, but still delivers those familiar fruity notes that Skittles fans love." Shane Hammond from MARS highlighted the company's approach, stating, "Our takeover of Britomart Station was about more than just product, it's about creating a moment of brightness in people's everyday routine; connecting them with moments of everyday happiness." Consumer engagement The Britomart activation allowed Auckland commuters to be among the first in New Zealand to sample the new Skittles Cloudz. The digital takeover of MetService presented colourful weather updates which MARS described as designed to bring "an unexpected moment of cheer" for those checking forecasts during the winter months. Hammond emphasised the campaign's focus on well-being and small, positive sensory experiences: "We know that even small sensory experiences can make a difference to how people feel, especially during the darker months. If we can help bring a bit of joy and colour to someone's commute, then we've achieved something worthwhile." He continued, "At its core, this is a reminder that well-being doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes a burst of colour, a familiar taste or a light-hearted moment can help lift someone's day, and that's a powerful thing during winter." MARS' campaign integrates physical and digital engagement, reflecting shifts in consumer expectations regarding brand interactions and the use of online platforms beyond conventional retail environments. The activation also demonstrates the use of behavioural insights, such as seasonal mood and weather-checking habits, in designing marketing campaigns that seek to create "micro-moments of joy" throughout consumers' daily routines. Follow us on: Share on:
1News
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- 1News
Lorde holds surprise Auckland performance
Following her chaotically joyful pop-up in Washington Square Park in New York and surprise crashing of a Sydney nightclub on Tuesday, rumours were swirling on Wednesday — would Lorde cross the ditch to anoint the Auckland fans who had controversially been left out of the initial Ultrasound tour dates? Around 1pm on Wednesday when Lorde shared a not-so-cryptic Story to Instagram suggesting an appearance in Auckland, 'Lorde Reddit' and 'Lorde Twitter' were frenzied with speculation around possible locations. Lorde's summer playground Cheltenham Beach, nightlife hub K Rd and Britomart were on the shortlist. Soon after, fans who were signed up to Lorde's text newsletter - an intimate communication channel she initiated for the Virgin album roll-out - received a text: "Auckland I wanna play you something.. Meet me in the city tonight? Message me if you're keen". Watch video from the performance on TVNZ+ Around 3:30PM, fans started to convene in Britomart to await further instruction. A few chosen ones received a follow up text: "Okkkk see you and a +1 tonight *X-ray emoji* Meet me at 8:00. Send me your names and bring id. Location to follow in a bit x x x x". ADVERTISEMENT Multiple texts were sent with different times to arrive at the location, with the first starting at 8pm. Those who didn't receive a text were quick to dismiss them as fake, in disbelief that some could miss out on the event. It was rumoured there were only 40 invites sent. Around 7:20PM the location was sent to those who were invited - the YMCA on the corner of Pitt St and Vincent St. Fans eagerly wait for entry into the mysterious event. (Source: I was lucky enough to claim a friend's plus one and headed up the hill to meet a small line forming outside the YMCA. Within half an hour the line grew to a large crowd of "invite receivers", "plus ones" and "no invites and no plus ones". As it settled in that some would be missing out on whatever was about to happen, the invites became extremely coveted. Girls began silent auctions for tickets, writing "$100", "$150" on their phones in big text and holding it up to their foreheads - hoping to catch the eye of someone who was willing to trade in their once in a lifetime experience for cash. "Big fan" Mitch, who was waiting in line early on, said his friend Sam was "very generous" for giving him his plus one. Kat, who was in the first 8:00pm group to witness the mysterious event, said that her plus one Caitlin would be naming her firstborn after her. ADVERTISEMENT Maddy and Anika, two fans who didn't receive an invite, stood in line hopeful that they were able to get in - "We'll find a way! You only live once." They had already been to Albert Park and Britomart to find Lorde before the location was revealed. At 8pm, the first group were ushered in with strict security. Around half an hour later, they were escorted out the side door of the YMCA, appearing bewildered and elated. Some of the crew from the event came out into the YMCA lobby to debrief - one of those was Terrence O'Connor - a photographer, creative director and digital strategist who is a friend and collaborator of some the world's biggest stars right now - Charli XCX, HAIM, and Benito "Benny Drama" Skinner. It was clear that this was not going to be an off the cuff appearance by Lorde, but one that, like Washington Square Park, has been meticulously crafted by industry masterminds for maximum virality and content extraction. Then it was time for my group. We were escorted into the building, handing over our phones and any recording devices. We were led down a stairwell into a pitch black toilet cubicle. There were a couple of small cameras mounted on the walls. We chattered for a bit, wondering what was about to happen and adjusting our bodies to the small, dark space until one of the toilet doors swung open and Lorde stepped out into the darkness - "hi" she said, in her unmistakable cool register. "I knew Lorde was gonna come out of the toilet!" one of the group laughed. Fans screamed and clapped, and Lorde found her place in the centre of the crowd in the bathroom cubicle. She thanked us for coming and expressed how special it was that she was about to share some of her new album with us. She pulled a lighter out of her pocket and sparked it, throwing shadows on her face and indicating to those behind the scenes to hit play on her single 'What Was That'. She sang and danced to the music amongst the crowd. The speaker was hidden behind one of the toilet doors and the sub-bass rattled the room. One of her team crouched above one of the toilet cubicles filming on his iPhone. Speaking inbetween songs in intimate moments, she acknowledged the importance of performing to the hometown fans, the ones who have been there since Pure Heroine 12 years ago. "We drink the same water, we swim at the same beaches." It felt like an apology for the fumbled tour announcement, and a promise. ADVERTISEMENT Fans lucky enough to attend left with a paper-towel with album artwork and the tracklist (the first instance fans have had to view the complete album). (Source: She pulled out a lighting case from one of the toilet cubicles and stood on it to create an impromptu stage. She played three more songs, all triggered by the spark of her lighter - still the only light in the room. She played her upcoming single, Man Of The Year, another unreleased single titled Current Affairs, Ribs and a fourth single from Virgin, Broken Glass. Deeper into the performance the toilet cubicle transformed into a tiny toilet nightclub with subtle use of laser and haze. By the end of the set, the walls were wet with sweat. After 20 minutes, she left the room to prep for the next group to come through. On exit from the toilet we were given a paper-towel from the bathroom dispenser with album artwork and the tracklist (the first instance fans have had to view the complete album). Each paper towel is numbered out of 96 and signed by Lorde. She revealed during one of the quiet moments that the Royals music video was partly filmed in that bathroom. Many fans will have been left disappointed by not experiencing it, but for those who did pass through, Wednesday's event felt like Lorde's love letter to Auckland. While our proximity to the world means we won't always get the biggest thing, sometimes we get something that is smaller, modest and intangibly special instead. By Sigrid Yiakmis of Watch video from the performance on TVNZ+
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
'We drink the same water': Lorde listening party a love letter to Auckland
By Sigrid Yiakmis , Social Media Journalist Lorde performed a surprise, exclusive gig in the YMCA bathroom. Photo: Instagram / Screenshot Following her chaotically-joyful pop-up in Washington Square Park in New York and surprise crashing of a Sydney nightclub on Tuesday, rumours were swirling on Wednesday - would Lorde cross the ditch to anoint the Auckland fans who had controversially been left out of the initial Ultrasound tour dates? The image and WhatsApp link that Lorde posted to her Instagram stories on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Screengrab Around 1pm on Wednesday when Lorde shared a not-so-cryptic Story to Instagram suggesting an appearance in Auckland, 'Lorde Reddit' and 'Lorde Twitter' were frenzied with speculation around possible locations. Lorde's summer playground Cheltenham Beach, nightlife hub K Rd and Britomart were on the shortlist. Soon after, fans who were signed up to Lorde's text newsletter - an intimate communication channel she initiated for the Virgin album roll-out - received a text: "Auckland I wanna play you something.. Meet me in the city tonight? Message me if you're keen". Around 3:30PM, fans started to convene in Britomart to await further instruction. A few chosen ones received a follow up text: "Okkkk see you and a +1 tonight *X-ray emoji* Meet me at 8:00. Send me your names and bring id. Location to follow in a bit x x x x". Multiple texts were sent with different times to arrive at the location, with the first starting at 8pm. Those who didn't receive a text were quick to dismiss them as fake, in disbelief that some could miss out on the event. It was rumoured there were only 40 invites sent. Around 7:20PM the location was sent to those who were invited - the YMCA on the corner of Pitt St and Vincent St. Fans eagerly wait for entry into the mysterious event. Photo: RNZ / Sigrid Yiakmis I was lucky enough to claim a friend's plus 1 and headed up the hill to meet a small line forming outside the YMCA. Within half an hour the line grew to a large crowd of "invite receivers", "plus ones" and "no invites and no plus ones". As it settled in that some would be missing out on whatever was about to happen, the invites became extremely coveted. Girls began silent auctions for tickets, writing "$100", "$150" on their phones in big text and holding it up to their foreheads - hoping to catch the eye of someone who was willing to trade in their once in a lifetime experience for cash. "Big fan" Mitch, who was waiting in line early on, said his friend Sam was "very generous" for giving him his plus one. Kat, who was in the first 8:00pm group to witness the mysterious event, said that her plus one Caitlin would be naming her firstborn after her. Caitlin and Kat were in the first group to witness the mysterious event at 8:00pm. Photo: RNZ / Sigrid Yiakmis Maddy and Anika, two fans who didn't receive an invite, stood in line hopeful that they were able to get in - "We'll find a way! You only live once." They had already been to Albert Park and Britomart to find Lorde before the location was revealed. At 8pm, the first group were ushered in with strict security. Around half an hour later, they were escorted out the side door of the YMCA, appearing bewildered and elated. Some of the crew from the event came out into the YMCA lobby to debrief - one of those was Terrence O'Connor - a photographer, creative director and digital strategist who is a friend and collaborator of some the world's biggest stars right now - Charli XCX, HAIM, and Benito "Benny Drama" Skinner. It was clear that this was not going to be an off the cuff appearance by Lorde, but one that, like Washington Square Park, has been meticulously crafted by industry masterminds for maximum virality and content extraction. A message sent to Lorde fans in a WhatsApp group on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Screengrab Then it was time for my group. We were escorted into the building, handing over our phones and any recording devices. We were led down a stairwell into a pitch black toilet cubicle. There were a couple of small cameras mounted on the walls. We chattered for a bit, wondering what was about to happen and adjusting our bodies to the small, dark space until one of the toilet doors swung open and Lorde stepped out into the darkness - "hi" she said, in her unmistakable cool register. "I knew Lorde was gonna come out of the toilet!" one of the group laughed. Fans screamed and clapped, and Lorde found her place in the centre of the crowd in the bathroom cubicle. She thanked us for coming and expressed how special it was that she was about to share some of her new album with us. She pulled a lighter out of her pocket and sparked it, throwing shadows on her face and indicating to those behind the scenes to hit play on her single 'What Was That'. She sang and danced to the music amongst the crowd. The speaker was hidden behind one of the toilet doors and the sub-bass rattled the room. One of her team crouched above one of the toilet cubicles filming on his iPhone. Speaking inbetween songs in intimate moments, she acknowledged the importance of performing to the hometown fans, the ones who have been there since Pure Heroine 12 years ago. "We drink the same water, we swim at the same beaches." It felt like an apology for the fumbled tour announcement, and a promise. Fans lucky enough to attend left with a paper-towel with album artwork and the tracklist (the first instance fans have had to view the complete album). Photo: Sigrid Yiakmis She pulled out a lighting case from one of the toilet cubicles and stood on it to create an impromptu stage. She played three more songs, all triggered by the spark of her lighter - still the only light in the room. She played her upcoming single, 'Man Of The Year', another unreleased single titled 'Current Affairs', 'Ribs' and a fourth single from Virgin, 'Broken Glass'. Deeper into the performance the toilet cubicle transformed into a tiny toilet nightclub with subtle use of laser and haze. By the end of the set, the walls were wet with sweat. After 20 minutes she left the room to prep for the next group to come through. On exit from the toilet we were given a paper-towel from the bathroom dispenser with album artwork and the tracklist (the first instance fans have had to view the complete album). Each paper-towel is numbered out of 96 and signed by Lorde. She revealed during one of the quiet moments that the 'Royals' music video was partly filmed in that bathroom. Many fans will have been left disappointed by not experiencing it, but for those who did pass through, Wednesday's event felt like Lorde's love letter to Auckland. While our proximity to the world means we won't always get the biggest thing, sometimes we get something that is smaller, modest and intangibly special instead. Lorde is nominated for Single Of The Year for Charli XCX's 'girl, so confusing featuring Lorde' at this year's Aotearoa Music Awards. The awards are streaming live from 6pm this Thursday on
