NZ InfraWatch
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Queenstown Cable Car (Gondola)
Southern Infrastructure · Otago
A proposed aerial cable car network for Queenstown from Southern Infrastructure, a private consortium led by former Coronet Peak manager Ross Copland and Xero founder Rod Drury. Two lines: Airport to Town Centre via Queenstown Hill, Lake Johnson and the Frankton hub, and Frankton to Ladies Mile. It is pitched as offline mass transit carrying commuters above congested roads. Lodged on 5 November 2025 and referred into fast-track consenting on 2 April 2026. Not yet consented or funded.
Data current as at 13 Jun 2026, when the pipeline was last checked against its source.
Key facts
- Region
- Otago
- Sector
- Transport
- Status
- Planning
- Estimated value
- $400m
- Indicative completion
- 2028
- Funding status
- No Source
- Lead organisation
- Southern Infrastructure
- Election risk
- High
Election risk assessment
Privately proposed and in fast-track consenting, but unfunded: its case leans on drawing National Land Transport Fund support under National's 2026 policy to fund the scheme as public transport, a mechanism a change of government could withdraw. Route, cost and financing are not yet consented.
Government priority alignment
LOW: National's 2026 South Island plan backs the scheme, but as private mass transit it sits outside the GPS's core road-investment priorities.
Chronology
- 2025Southern Infrastructure lodges fast-track application (5 November)
- 2026Referred into the fast-track consenting process (2 April); ~$400m, targeted operation by ~2028 if it proceeds
Source
Fast-track Approvals: Queenstown Cable Car project ↗ · Otago Daily Times: $400m airport to CBD cable car route outlined ↗ · RNZ: cable car companies target resort town ↗