Scrub fire causes widespread delays and cancellations for Auckland trains

Author: NZ Herald ,
Publish Date: Sat, 18 Jul 2026, 9:45am

Auckland Transport said the incident was causing delays and cancellations on the Southern, Eastern, Western and Onehunga lines. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Train services across much of Auckland have been disrupted after a scrub fire broke out near the tracks leading into Waitematā Station early this morning.

Auckland Transport said the incident was causing delays and cancellations across the Southern, Eastern, Western and Onehunga lines.

Southern and Western line trains were terminating at Newmarket, while Eastern line services were diverted via the Southern Line from Otahuhu and also terminated at Newmarket.

Onehunga line trains were running only between Onehunga and Penrose.

Passengers were urged to check live departure boards and station displays before travelling. Scheduled bus services were accepting valid train tickets while the disruption remained in place.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson said crews were called to Fred Ambler Lookout shortly after 4am after reports of a scrub fire.

At the height of the response, four fire trucks and one aerial appliance were at the scene.

Firefighters spent about an hour bringing the blaze under control before remaining for several more hours to dampen down hot spots.

One fire truck was still at the scene at 9am.