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Homai Station reopens with blind and low vision in mind

Published: February 18, 2025

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Last month Homai Station reopened with a safer way to access the station following the closure of two pedestrian level crossings.

Homai train station aerial view
Figure 1 – Aerial view of the Homai station with BLENNZ campus in the background.

Auckland Transport met with Saul, Principal from BLENNZ to hear how engagement helped shaped an end product that has the blind and low vision communities needs in mind.

Video

Saul Taylor explains the design process undertaken with Auckland Transport. Video: Auckland Transport

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Transcript

Duration: 1:17

Kia ora, Good morning Saul Taylor, Principal of BLENNZ Blind and Low Vision Education Network New Zealand, and we're here at our home campus in Manurewa, Southland. 

The state school has been here since the year 2000, and these new buildings have been here since 2011, circa 2014. So we're just 10 years old now with these buildings. 

Auckland Transport approached us around the Homai train station and the removal of the access to the level crossing. That was encouraging from our point of view because the footpath had fallen into a slight state of disrepair over recent years. 

So the thought of getting renewed footpaths was exciting in terms of our students being able to have safer access along those paths. 

Would like to thank Auckland Transport for the level of engagement that we've had throughout this process. They've regularly connected with us. 

I've certainly felt, as a principal, very listened to in terms of our students’ needs and been very receptive to any suggestions that we've had around accessibility, adaptations, and things that are going to enhance the Homai train station. 

It's really pleasing to know that now the Homai train station has been completed with the new REM, it's going to serve our students and our school community for many, many years to come.

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