The Government will open registrations of interest for the first stage of the Northland Expressway at this week’s NZ Infrastructure Investment Summit –– a project described as “urgent” by the road freight sector.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop says connecting Northland to the Auckland region through a “resilient, safe and efficient new expressway will unlock economic growth, boost productivity and drive higher living standards for Northlanders and Aucklanders”.
The first stage of the expressway will be a 26km four-lane road from Warkworth to Te Hana, built to expressway standards and linked to the new Pūhoi to Warkworth expressway. The indicative design includes an 850m twin bore tunnel in the Dome Valley and interchanges at Warkworth, Wellsford, and Te Hana.
Bishop highlighted the success of the Waikato Expressway, delivered by the last National-led Government, as an example of the potential impact of the project.
The Waikato Expressway has been “a game changer for the Waikato region”, he says. “The Northland Expressway is a genuinely transformational opportunity to boost jobs and growth in an area rich with potential and link Northland to New Zealand’s biggest city.”
The expressway is seen as a key investment in the upper North Island, an area Bishop described as “the economic powerhouse of New Zealand.” The Northland, Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty regions collectively account for 53.7% of New Zealand’s population and 55.5% of GDP valued at $215 billion.
NZTA has already undertaken market engagement and reported strong international interest in the Warkworth to Te Hana project. The Cabinet has approved NZTA to move forward with procurement, and the project will be delivered as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
“Formal procurement will begin this week with the registration of interest process,” Bishop says. “Registered parties will be invited to submit a formal Expression of Interest (EOI). This will be followed by a Request for Proposal (RFP) in mid-2025 for up to three shortlisted bidders, with a preferred bidder expected to be announced in early 2026 and the PPP contract finalised by the middle of next year.”
Construction on the Warkworth to Te Hana section is expected to begin in late 2026, with a completion date anticipated around 2034. The Government also intends to use the Fast-track Approvals Act and Public Works Act changes to streamline the project.
“This investment will not only unlock Northland’s economic potential but also provide long-term opportunities for the infrastructure sector, helping to build a stronger, more resilient supply chain for New Zealand,” Bishop adds.
Construction ‘urgent’, says NRC
The formal opening of registrations of interest for the first stage of the Northland Expressway has been welcomed by National Road Carriers Association (NRC).
NRC chief executive Justin Tighe-Umbers says the project is important to enable road freight to serve Northland and grow the region’s economy.
“We need to urgently get construction underway so that Northland is served by a resilient expressway that bypasses the ever-fragile Brynderwyn Range.
“Public Private Partnerships, also known as PPPs, that are the focus of the upcoming NZ Infrastructure Investment Summit are an important tool for getting investment and ensuring a pipeline of work for contractors.”
Tighe-Umbers says PPPs make road building more affordable as contractors face lower risk.
“Combined with Public Works Act changes just announced to enable the Crown to acquire private land more quickly for some public projects listed in the fast-track legislations as well as for the Roads of National Significance it is great to see the Government is getting on with building much needed infrastructure.”
