Work begins on Warkworth to Te Hana motorway

Work begins on Warkworth to Te Hana motorway

Breaking ground on one of New Zealand's most important transport infrastructure projects – Warkworth to Te Hana – marks a significant step towards greater economic growth for Auckland, Northland and the upper North Island, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. Mr Bishop joined project partners, mana whenua and stakeholders today to turn the first sod on the Warkworth to Te Hana section of the Northland Expressway, kicking off construction on the first Road of National Significance in the wider Northland Corridor. "The Warkworth to Te Hana motorway will create a safer, more resilient and more reliable connection between Auckland and Northland, improving freight efficiency and making journeys easier for the thousands of people who use this corridor every day. "The motorway is expected to prevent 145 deaths and serious injuries over its lifetime, save motorists between seven and ten minutes per journey, and take around 1,000 heavy vehicles a day off the existing SH1 route through Wellsford and Te Hana." The motorway will connect directly to the 18-kilometre Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway, which opened in 2023, via a free-flow interchange at Woodcocks Road, providing an alternative to the existing State Highway 1 (SH1) route through the Dome Valley. The new route will begin west of Warkworth, pass east of Wellsford and Te Hana, and reconnect with SH1 near Waimanu Road. It will feature 15 bridges, two underpasses, numerous large culverts, 12 wetland stormwater treatment basins and twin tunnels through Kraack Hill above Dome Valley. "Northland's economic success depends on reliable transport links. This investment will help unlock growth opportunities, improve productivity and give businesses greater confidence that people and goods can move efficiently between Northland and Auckland," Mr Bishop says. "The project is expected to cost $3.65 billion in Net Present Value terms, covering NZTA management costs, design and construction, financing, maintenance and operations. It has a positive Benefit Cost Ratio of 1.6, including wider economic benefits, meaning the economic benefits are expected to outweigh the costs." Delivered through a Public Private Partnership, the project will be designed, built, financed, operated and maintained by the Northway consortium, alongside New Zealand partners including Downer New Zealand and AECOM. "The construction of this motorway will also provide a significant boost to the local economy, with around 60 per cent of physical works expenditure expected to flow through local supply chains. "The project will support around 400 site-based roles, growing to approximately 1,000 people during main construction. "Northway has also committed to supporting workforce development through internships, apprenticeships, graduate roles and school-to-work pathways, with a particular focus on opportunities for local communities, Māori and Pasifika." Initial work will focus on detailed design, site preparation and enabling works before major construction activity ramps up next year. The motorway is expected to open to traffic in 2033. "This project delivers on the Government's commitment to build the infrastructure New Zealand needs. Today's sod turning demonstrates progress on a motorway that will provide lasting benefits for generations to come," Mr Bishop says. Notes for editors: The Northway consortium comprises Acciona Concesiones SL, Aberdeen Investments, Global Sustainable Infrastructure GP IV Ltd and Acciona Construction New Zealand Ltd. The Project Agreement between the Crown and the Northway consortium was signed in July 2026.