travel auckland to pukekohe

Best things to see and do in Pukekohe

Pukekohe is known for its 'long-keeper' onion, which thrives in fertile volcanic soils. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Where is it? 50km south of Auckland's CBD. And just 20km to the east of Waiuku.

Origin of name: Maori for "hill of the kohekohe", a mahogany-like native tree.

Population: At 29,800, it's the country's 18th-largest urban area.

What's more: It's also New Zealand's fastest-growing secondary urban area — whatever that means.

Claim to fame: With its fertile volcanic soils, this is heaven for horticulturalists, and the Pukekohe "long-keeper" onion renowned all over the globe.

Town icon: The Possum Bourne statue; originally erected in a field outside Wanaka where an accident took Bourne's life, it was moved to the Pukekohe town centre in 2012.

Town slogan: City Smart, Country Heart.

Old news: To get to grips with the past, wander the historical society's heritage trail and read the plaques along the main street.

Famous locals: Bill Birch (former MP), Possum Bourne (rally driver), Andy Dalton (former All Black captain) and Simon Doull (cricketer turned broadcaster). All Black legend Jonah Lomu went to school just down the road, at Wesley College.

Best website: pukekohe.org.nz or franklincountry.com .

Source of pride: The Counties Manukau rugby team is a force to be reckoned with and, over the years, it's produced heaps of high-level players. The raceway is also a major magnet.

Big business: The economy is largely driven by agriculture, horticulture and motor sports.

Toot toot: It takes just 80 relaxing minutes to get to central Auckland by train, which makes this an ideal location to buy an affordable home.

Town fiestas: The Franklin Markets , running for more than 13 years are held every Saturday morning. Counties Cup Races and Christmas at the Races at Pukekohe Park are horsey highlights. The Multi Cultural Festival held each Waitangi Day is a groovy day. The Franklin A&P show is absolutely massive, as are the Super Cars. Plus there are lots of smaller things happening most weekends — from business awards, Santa parades, fashion shows, fun runs. Just down the road at Glenbrook Vintage Railway , Thomas the Tank Engine is a twice yearly visitor, with his next arrival planned for March.

Speed freaks: Each November, Pukekohe Raceway hosts The ITM 500 Auckland , one of the largest sporting events in the country.

Here for a short time: Visit the New Zealand Steel Gallery (at the Franklin Arts Centre), browse the boutique shopping and then settle into one of the many cafes.

Hoe down: The Stampede Country Music Festival is heading to town on March 4, featuring LeAnn Rimes, Scotty McCreery and the beloved Tami Neilson.

Kids love: Paintball, tenpin bowling and Spookers are all popular ways to spend a day. Or for more affordable pursuits, feed the friendly ducks at Ernie's Reserve and keep your eyes peeled for the new skate park going in soon, courtesy of the local board.

Best parks: Ernie's and Cape Hill are both charming reserves or super-size your playtime at Bledisloe Park, where there's netball, cricket, soccer and a pool.

Best walk: Trot up Cape Hill, there are three different tracks to the top and fantastic views when you get there. Or if you want to work up a sweat, visit neighbouring Hunua Ranges for hearty hiking and hunting.

Best view: Drive up Anzac Rd to the Pukekohe Hill Summit for views out to forever, as well as wonderful artworks by local iwi Ngati Tamaoho.

Best place to pull over: Historic Pukekohe East Presbyterian Church on Runciman Rd is like something from a storybook — if you want to get married here, you'll need to book well ahead.

Best swim: Franklin Sport, Swim and Fitness centre has a 25m heated pool as well as badminton, basketball and tennis. And in summer, the Jubilee Pools at Bledisloe Park are where you go to cool off.

Best museum: Pioneer Memorial Cottage , run by the Franklin Historical Society features an original homestead built in 1859, filled with artefacts and curiosities from Pukekohe's colourful past. Open the first and third Sunday of each month.

Nice arts: Franklin Arts Centre is where you'll find the New Zealand Steel Gallery, a beautifully curated space, featuring work by nationally and internationally renowned artists. The Artefact Gallery Shop is the commercial arm of the centre, where you can buy outstanding works of art.

Top shops: Pukekohe is heaven for shopping, from high-end fashion boutiques to big-box retail.

Cream of the coffee: With almost as many cafes as Ponsonby Rd - grab your flat white from Goodness Kitchen , Town Mouse or Kaos .

Baked: Albert's Bakery sells phenomenal artisan breads, croissants and pastries. Or for a pie, you can't go wrong with Counties Bakery.

Best mountain biking: The tracks at Puni are out of this world with 7km of single-track, a pump track and a jump track.

Tee off: The Pukekohe Gulf Club is a charming parklands golf course featuring three lakes, a river, beautiful native trees and a very pleasant cafe.

Tums of fun: You can learn to do Bellyesque dancing here.

Wildlife: Aside from all the superb native birds, Awaawaroa Alpacas are worth seeking out.

Beware! You only get 60 minutes of free parking in the centre of town. Staying longer? Take advantage of the free parking round the back of King St.

The verdict: Pukekohe, you sure know your onions.

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About the journey

The Northern Explorer train service is a scenic rail journey through the five unique geographical regions of the North Island - travelling between Auckland, New Zealand's largest city - home of the Sky Tower, through the central heartland of the North Island to Wellington - New Zealand's harbour capital and arts and culture centre.

Along the way, you will see fantastic views of New Zealand farmland, rugged bush landscapes before ascending up the world famous Raurimu Spiral to the volcanic plateau passing the majestic volcanoes of Mt Tongariro, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu - the home of the North Island skifields and descending through stunning river gorges to the farming landscapes and rocky sea scapes of the lower North Island - all from large panoramic windows and the open air viewing deck of the Northern Explorer train.

The Northern Explorer carriages have an advanced air bag suspension system for quieter and smoother travel, un-tinted, non-reflective, panoramic side and roof windows to capture the dramatic coastal and mountain views of the magnificent North Island. GPS triggered journey commentary in five languages at your seat via headphones, plus information displays and overhead HD video and are centrally heated/air conditioned for passenger comfort.

Scenic Plus Experience

Scenic Plus will be available on the Northern Explorer train from 25 September 2024. When you take your Scenic Plus seat, in the exclusive carriage, you'll enjoy an enhanced dining experience where both hot and cold dishes are freshly made in the custom built kitchen carriage. The locally inspired, seasonal dishes are served at your seat, while you sit back and enjoy the sensational scenery. The complimentary drinks menu is carefully selected to match the sumptuous lunch and afternoon tea. Enjoy New Zealand's world famous Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir wines or sit back with a cold beer or freshly made coffee and tea.  Scenic Plus dedicated hosts are on hand to answer questions, add local knowledge and ensure you have the best journey possible.

The Carriages

Each carriage has onboard washroom/toilet facilities, with '2 Seat-Aisle-2 Seat' seating either as reclining forward facing seats with head and foot rests or 'Table Group' (4 people around a table) seating allowing you to experience the amazing views of the magnificent North Island, through panoramic side and roof windows, while enjoying the company of other passengers.

The Northern Explorer train has a café carriage offering a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, snacks and light meals and a viewing carriage for sweeping views of the North Island.

For mobility-impaired passengers, there are spaces for wheel chairs and a disabled public toilet. Wheelchair hoists provide access to the café carriage from track level.

Disabilities

For hearing-impaired passengers - a hearing loop covers all of the café carriage saloon and serving area. The Northern Explorer train is a reserved seating 'One Class' non-smoking service.

Operating Days

Northbound Wednesday, Friday & Sunday

Southbound Monday, Thursday & Saturday

Operating days are confirmed to 30 June 2025.

Scheduled Track Maintenance

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Stops along the way include Papakura, Hamilton, Otorohanga (Waitomo), Taumarunui, National Park, Ohakune, Palmerston North and Paraparaumu.

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Ritchies Transport

Pukekohe station to papakura station via paerata rise, ritchies transport 394 bus route map - pukekohe station to papakura station via paerata rise.

Ritchies Transport 394 Bus Route Schedule and Stops (Updated)

The 394 bus (Pukekohe Station To Papakura Station Via Paerata Rise) has 16 stops departing from Pukekohe Station and ending at Papakura Station.

Choose any of the 394 bus stops below to find updated real-time schedules and to see their route map.

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Direction: Pukekohe Station To Papakura Station Via Paerata Rise (16 stops)

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Services on the 394 bus start at 05:25 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.

What time does the 394 bus stop working?

Services on the 394 bus stop at 00:30 on Friday.

What time does the 394 bus arrive?

When does the Pukekohe Station To Papakura Station Via Paerata Rise bus line come? Check Live Arrival Times for live arrival times and to see the full schedule for the Pukekohe Station To Papakura Station Via Paerata Rise bus line that is closest to your location.

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Click here to view the nearest 394 bus stop.

394 Bus Schedule

394 bus route operates everyday. Regular schedule hours: 05:25 - 04:55

Ritchies Transport Bus Service Alerts

See all updates on 394 (from Pukekohe Station), including real-time status info, bus delays, changes of routes, changes of stops locations, and any other service changes. Get a real-time map view of 394 (Pukekohe Station To Papakura Station Via Paerata Rise) and track the bus as it moves on the map. Download the app for all Ritchies Transport info now.

394 line bus fare

Ritchies Transport 394 (Pukekohe Station To Papakura Station Via Paerata Rise) prices may change based on several factors. For more information about Ritchies Transport tickets costs please check the Moovit app or Ritchies Transport’s official website.

394 (Ritchies Transport)

The first stop of the 394 bus route is Pukekohe Station and the last stop is Papakura Station. 394 (Pukekohe Station To Papakura Station Via Paerata Rise) is operational during everyday. Additional information: 394 has 16 stops and the total trip duration for this route is approximately 35 minutes.

On the go? See why over 1.5 million users trust Moovit as the best public transport app. Moovit gives you Ritchies Transport suggested routes, real-time bus tracker, live directions, line route maps in Auckland and Hamilton, and helps to find the closest 394 bus stops near you. No internet available? Download an offline PDF map and bus schedule for the 394 bus to take on your trip.

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Track line 394 (Pukekohe Station To Papakura Station Via Paerata Rise) on a live map in real time and follow its location as it moves between stations. Use Moovit as a line 394 bus tracker or a live Ritchies Transport bus tracker app and never miss your bus.

Use the app as a trip planner for Ritchies Transport or a trip planner for train, bus or ferry to plan your route around Auckland and Hamilton. The trip planner shows updated data for Ritchies Transport and any bus, including line 394, in Auckland and Hamilton

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• 394 - Papakura Station To Pukekohe Station Via Paerata Rise / Timetable

Ritchies Transport Lines in Auckland and Hamilton

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Electric trains to Pukekohe Electric trains to Pukekohe

Auckland’s metro rail network was electrified in 2015, allowing Auckland Transport to operate electric trains. Electrification is now being extended to Pukekohe.

Project status: under construction Project zone: South

On this page

Project summary, redeveloping pukekohe station, temporary changes to services.

In early 2020, KiwiRail received funding to extend electrification of the Auckland rail network from Papakura to Pukekohe . This formed part of the government’s New Zealand Upgrade Programme .

Once the project is complete, customers travelling from Pukekohe will no longer need to switch trains at Papakura . This will provide faster, quieter, cleaner journeys in modern electric trains while enabling more frequent trains to service Pukekohe .

The project involves:

• redeveloping Pukekohe Station
• extending the overhead power system from Papakura to Pukekohe
• upgrading the existing track, signals and level crossings.

Auckland Transport will resume passenger train services in early 2025, after KiwiRail complete work on this section of track, including electrification and KiwiRail’s Rail Network Rebuild .

Visit  KiwiRail’s project page for more details on site-specific work.

KiwiRail and Auckland Transport are working together to upgrade Pukekohe Station to support more frequent electric trains and increasing growth in Pukekohe . This will complement the redeveloped bus interchange built at Pukekohe Station in 2018.

The new station will include:

• a new platform layout that will initially be built to accommodate our current 6-car trains, with the option to extend them to 9-car trains in the future, providing more capacity
• modern passenger facilities such as new shelters, AT HOP machines and other accessibility improvements
• new overhead power masts and a track layout for trains to pass easily and safely through the station area
• new electric train stabling (where trains are stored when not in use).

Auckland Transport have made some changes to local services to support KiwiRail to complete works on the rail network between Papakura and Pukekohe .

Pukekohe Rail Shuttle

In November 2021, KiwiRail and Auckland Transport announced that the Pukekohe Rail Shuttle service that connects Papakura and Pukekohe would no longer run from mid-2022. This is to allow KiwiRail to complete significant construction works on this section of the rail network safely and on schedule.

Auckland Transport will replace the shuttle by extending Southern Line trains to Pukekohe after KiwiRail complete work on this section of track, including electrification and KiwiRail’s Rail Network Rebuild .

Train services to Pukekohe will resume in early 2025.

394 Bus Service

To get between Papakura Station and Pukekohe while KiwiRail complete the works, Auckland Transport will operate the 394 bus between Pukekohe , Paerata Rise and Papakura Station.

During the closure, the cost of the bus trip will be 1 cent. If you transfer to another bus or train within 30 minutes, the 394 bus is free.

Customers must use an AT HOP card on the 394 service.

Download a  map of the 394 bus service (PDF 1.94MB) .

Bus operating hours

The 394 bus is scheduled to replicate the affected train service as much as possible, running 7 days a week, including late-night departures on Fridays.

The 394 bus will run:

• every 15 to 20 minutes at peak commuting times on weekdays
• every 20 to 30 minutes at all other times.

Buses have been scheduled to allow for a comfortable transfer time to trains at Papakura Station and other local buses at Pukekohe .

To view timetables and travel options, visit  Journey Planner  or use the  AT Mobile app .

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42 Km - Distance from Auckland Airport to Pukekohe

Total driving distance travelled is 42 km, how far is pukekohe from auckland airport, faq about distance from auckland airport to pukekohe.

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Challenges remain in Pukekohe

13 September 2024

B eing elected as the president of the Pukekohe Vegetable Growers’ Association (PVGA) earlier in the year was an especially memorable occasion for Simon Wilcox. For attending the organisation’s Annual General Meeting were his grandfather, Alan, who turned 100 last September, and his father, Garth. Both are life members of the PVGA and have represented Pukekohe growers at a national level in the past.  

“It was pretty special,” he says.  

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without them, and they should be recognised for their service to the industry.”  

And while the older Wilcoxes generally don’t give him advice, “they’ll tell me if I’m on the wrong track”.  

Simon, who is in his mid-40s, was very much born into growing, as a third-generation grower. Alan grew vegetables with his brother Graham before he went dairy farming, then with his sons Garth and Rob (who died in 2013), trading as Wilcox Brothers. Simon went to Lincoln University to gain a Diploma in Horticultural Management, working in the third practical year for a Prebbleton grower as well as a packhouse in Hornby.  

“That really opened my eyes more to arable production,” he says.  

He returned home and joined his father, Garth, to form Pinnacle Growers. They cropped around 120 hectares at Bombay with balanced areas of new season potatoes, onions for both the domestic and export market, as well as crown pumpkin and butternut pumpkin.  

“We had quite a presence in the market due to branding with stickers of both pumpkins and butternuts,” he says.  

“Consumers really started recognising our Pinnacle brand.”  

But trialling small pumpkins called pumpkinos they struggled to establish this new product and any further work was halted. After a few more years they could clearly see that the scale of their business meant it wasn’t sustainable, so they made the hard decision to close it down.  

They had existing relationships with A S Wilcox, the company that handled their new season potatoes and export onions, and Simon found work there as potato crop supervisor in charge of field operations and technical issues.  

“I was coached by Monty Spencer and that developed my skill set,” he says.  

“The planning was a lot more detailed than I was used to, with a 52-week sales programme. And I was exposed to more technical elements of growing with for example, agronomists visiting from the United Kingdom.”  

He was heavily involved in the company’s adoption of precision agriculture in 2007 with its initial purchase of one autosteer tractor.  

“I was new to it, and it was a steep learning curve,” he says.  

“I worked under Bruce Budge who was the leader of the farming side of the operation.”  

A S Wilcox now has 15 of the tractors with autosteer, acquired as replacements have been needed.  

In 2011 Simon became production manager for Pukekohe, taking the lead in carrots, onions, potatoes and other rotational crops, overseeing 12 full-time workers, with numbers increasing almost to 30 in the summer harvesting period. With a number of nationalities represented he says the cultural mix left him with a better understanding of people.  

Five years later he became operations manager – growing, supporting the company in the areas of people, land, processes and equipment. Then in September last year he became general manager of operations, moving more into the post-harvest area, quality and food safety, assets, engineering and transport. Again it was a steep learning curve stepping up to manage 150 workers, understanding more about people and their behaviour as well as alignment to business goals and objectives.  

“There were challenges during Covid-19, but our people were amazing coming together to deliver fresh food to New Zealanders,” he says.  

“They really went above and beyond.”  

And that extended to some staff who, because of medical condition or age, were not required to be essential workers.  

“They were still fighting to come to work.”  

Those difficult days brought about some positive changes in company processes, particularly in the use of technology.   

“We found that with better communication we didn’t need so many face-to-face meetings,” Simon says.  

With crops grown over four different regions, four in the North Island and a packhouse in the South Island, he doesn’t need to travel so much as he once did to meet managers. But he still gets to the factory in Rakaia on a regular basis.   

“You can take the grower out of growing, but not the growing out of the grower,” he says.  

And he’s “immensely proud” of recent innovations such as the introduction of the Beta Bites snacking carrots, putting snack-sized vegetables firmly in front of children. Simon is married to Steph and they have two children, Hamish (10) and Emily (8), who happily choose these vegetable options rather than lollies when they’re offered.  

Simon joined the PVGA in 2002, seeing it as a great opportunity to meet other growers, understand their issues and to work with different people.  

“All my life I’d seen that through the involvement of my grandfather and father,” he says.  

“It’s more about giving than taking, and making growing a better industry. Most people view it that way and it’s a common theme for the Wilcox family.”  

Asked about the greatest change he’s seen during the time of his involvement he says that when he first joined, discussions often were to do with pricing and market conditions.  

“Now the conversations are all around the environmental and sustainability,” he says.  

“In those days we didn’t even know what that meant. But practices such as silt mitigation are second nature now.”  

Simon was a board member of LandWISE for ten years, and says its small annual conference never fails to get him thinking about all the potential ways there are to adopt a smarter growing operation. But over that time he says the legislative and regulatory changes around the right to farm have been at the forefront of PVGA discussions.  

“It’s been very challenging on-farm trying to see the future and how growing systems have to adapt.”   

But he’s adamant that growers have got to be proud of what they have achieved with little in the way of resources.  

“They’ve been exceptional, but it’s frustrating that we have to keep doing it. And future challenges haven’t gone away with the new coalition government.   

He believes a more enabling model is needed which drives investment, science and technology allowing the industry to grow in a more efficient way.  

“We need to be able to produce more from less, but without all the regulation.”  

While he says the government has shown it is intent on a direction to support the rural sector, there are grower concerns around timing and future changes.  

“It’s critical to form a relationship and understanding.”  

And for Pukekohe growers getting a framework for that to happen between the government, Auckland Council and Waikato Regional Council is key.  

“It’s a case of wait and see.”  

One win for the PVGA has been the removal of the Auckland regional fuel tax.  

“It wasn’t chump change,” he says.  

“It added to growers’ cost structures so there was a bit of a celebration at the on-farm level when that went.”  

But the PVGA is keeping a watching brief on signalled land use classification changes as well as the future of elite soils. Simon is quickly coming up to speed on the Integrated Catchment Management Plan (ICMP) where Pukekohe growers are represented by immediate past president Kirit Makan, and by Bharat Jivan and Brendan Balle.  

Then there are the wider issues of water, climate and access to markets where he believes a more holistic approach should be taken.  

“Sometimes the vegetable sector doesn’t get the recognition of the export opportunities there could be,” he says.  

And another area where opportunities abound is for youngsters looking at a career in horticulture. He pays tribute to Pukekohe High School’s head of horticulture, Dave Matthews, who spearheaded setting up a gateway programme which enabled two students to compete in the Young Vegetable Grower of the Year Competition this year.  

“There are vast and diverse opportunities in horticulture,” he says.  

“With energy and enthusiasm, you can do anything.”  

Article first published in NZGrower & Orchardist Fruit Growing September issue