Will's Word: Auckland City is getting its mojo back

I took a stroll down Queen Street over the weekend, and I couldn't help but think Auckland Central is starting to get its mojo back.

And I reckon a huge part of that is what's about to open underneath our feet.The City Rail Link is just weeks away from opening.

Karanga-a-Hape Station is seriously impressive. On Saturday, thousands of people turned up to see it. There were DJs, performances, food, people everywhere. And I thought, hell yeah.

This is what Auckland’s been waiting for. It's seriously going to change the way people move around this city.

On another note, the endless roadworks that’ve plagued the CBD feel like they are starting to disappear.

Two shops that've sat largely empty outside my apartment have finally opened and were buzzing over the weekend.

And a pal of mine has just opened a barbershop directly outside the CRL station opposite the Sky Tower.

He’s fizzing about it, because he knows what having people pouring out of that station could mean for his business.

For the longest time we’ve been talking about what’s wrong with Auckland Central, I’m guilty of this myself and I don’t want to diminish the problems it still faces.

Homelessness is still a massive issue. There are still empty shops. There are still parts of the CBD that need serious attention.

But the vibe is changing.

The City Rail Link has taken a decade and billions of dollars to build.

But in a few weeks, we're finally going to get to use it.

And frankly, it's exciting to see.