Quay Street, Auckland

The Quay Street-Customs Street statistical area covers 1.22 km² (0.47 sq mi)^[1] and had an estimated population of 2,090 as of June 2025,^[2] with a population density of 1,713 people per km².

Quay Street-Customs Street had a population of 1,962 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 312 people (−13.7%) since the 2018 census, and a decrease of 294 people (−13.0%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,098 males, 858 females and 9 people of other genders in 1,065 dwellings.^[5] 8.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 34.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 132 people (6.7%) aged under 15 years, 564 (28.7%) aged 15 to 29, 1,080 (55.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 186 (9.5%) aged 65 or older.^[4]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 40.5% European (Pākehā); 8.3% Māori; 5.8% Pasifika; 48.3% Asian; 6.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.5% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 94.0%, Māori language by 2.0%, Samoan by 0.8%, and other languages by 42.0%. No language could be spoken by 1.4% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 65.0, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 28.1% Christian, 6.9% Hindu, 4.4% Islam, 0.6% Māori religious beliefs, 2.9% Buddhist, 0.9% New Age, 0.2% Jewish, and 1.8% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 49.2%, and 5.4% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 819 (44.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 612 (33.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 402 (22.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $47,100, compared with $41,500 nationally. 297 people (16.2%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,089 (59.5%) people were employed full-time, 180 (9.8%) were part-time, and 93 (5.1%) were unemployed.^[4]

The street was proposed in 1878^[6] on reclaimed land^[7] and was in existence by the end of 1879.^[8] It was extended to the east to Campbell's Point (Judges Bay) in 1916.^[9]

Double railway tracks were in use down Quay Street connecting the Auckland Railway Station to the wharves until most were removed in 1985, and the final piece in 1989.^[10]

• Harbour Historic Area, north side of Quay Street, 1904-1924, wharves and associated buildings.^[11]
  • Launchman's Building, Quay Street West, 1930s, now New Zealand Maritime Museum.^[12]
  • First World War Memorial Beacon, Princes Wharf, 1915, earliest built monument for World War I in New Zealand.^[13]
  • Princes Wharf, 1929, cruise ship terminal and Hilton Hotel.
  • Wharf Pavilions, 1915, relocated 1923, two buildings, currently a booking office for Fullers360.^[14]
  • Ferry Building, 99 Quay Street, 1912, focus for Waitematā Harbour ferry traffic.^[15]
  • Queens Wharf, 1907-1913, significant part of Auckland's economy.^[16]
    • Queens Wharf Gates, north side of Quay Street on Queens Wharf, iconic red gates and fence.^[17]
• Quay Street Historic Area, south side of Quay Street East, 1874-1907, industrial buildings, offices and warehouses.^[18]
  • Wharf Police building, 102 Quay Street, 1903, Chelsea Sugar Refining Company headquarters 1903-1960.^[19]
  • Union Fish Company building, 116-118 Quay Street, 1906, car importing and engineering workshop 1906-1970s.^[20]
  • Northern Steamship Company building, 122-124 Quay Street, 1898, Northern Steamship Company offices 1898-1974.^[21]
• Auckland Harbour Board Workshops, 204 Quay Street, 1944-1989, site spread between Lower Hobson St, Customs Street and Quay Street, repair of boats, cranes and other equipment.^[22]
• Port of Auckland, container and trade port on the north side of Quay Street.
• Auckland City Arena, south side, 2007, sports and entertainment centre.