Connected
Communities

Connected Communities – future-focused and
locally led.

The New North Road Upgrade is a big move for Auckland, designed to lift social, economic, and environmental outcomes across local neighbourhoods and the wider city. It tackles the big stuff: making streets safer, supporting town centre growth, encouraging climate-friendly transport, and prepping the corridor for a growing city.

Why it matters

Our job was to help communities understand the value of the upgrade and get behind it. We made it real for locals, focusing on the benefits now and into the future, so people could see it wasn’t just another road project, but a step forward for how we live and move.

How we approached it

We took a people-first approach, grounded in five key strategies:

Community Voice Front and Centre:
We brought local feedback to life, showing how community input helped shape the project.

Genuine Partnership: We worked with local businesses, groups, and residents to build shared ownership of the journey.

Wider Perspective: We connected the dots, tying the upgrade to safer travel, better public transport, and climate action.

Two-Way Conversations: Rather than a one-off campaign, we kept dialogue open throughout, listening, responding, and adapting.

Clear, Honest Delivery: We were upfront about what’s changing and why, including where compromises were needed.

Showing the impact

The campaign shone a light on key wins:

Real Community Influence: Locals
could see how their input shaped design decisions.

Smart, Site-Specific Design: We showcased upgrades across the 11km stretch, like safer footpaths, new cycling lanes, and improved bus stops, each tailored to its area.

Balanced Choices: We explained the reasoning behind tough calls, making it easier for people to support the bigger picture.

The outcome

By focusing on people, place, and purpose, we helped build trust, spark support, and set the stage for a successful rollout, now and for the long haul.