The project will see the delivery of a 26-kilometre expressway from Warkworth to Te Hana in the North Island of NZ. The design also includes an 850-metre-long twin bore tunnel in the Dome Valley and three interchanges located at Warkworth, Wellsford and Te Hana.
Key Dates
| Mar 2025 | ROIs Open |
| Mar 2025 | ROIs Close |
| May 2025 | EOIs Close |
| Jun 2025 | Shortlisted Bidders Announced |
| Jun 2025 | RFP Open |
| Jul 2026 | Contract Award |
| 2026 | Expected Construction Commencement |
| 2034 | Expected Construction Completion |
Funding contributions
|
Cabinet agreed in August 2025 that NZTA would make a Crown Capital Contribution towards construction, financed by a $1.6 billion 10-year Crown loan provided to NZTA. NZTA will pay the contribution to the consortium during the latter stages of construction, from 1 July 2028. |
Financing
|
The project is being financed by the Northway Consortium. |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | New Zealand Transport Agency - Waka Kotahi |
| Shortlist: | The New Zealand Government shortlisted three consortia: Northway, comprising ACCIONA Concesiones, ACCIONA Construction, and Aberdeen Investments; Go>North, comprising John Laing, VINCI Highways, VINCI Construction Grands Projets, VINCI Construction GeoInfrastructure, and HEB Construction; Together North, comprising Plenary, Webuild, Gamuda Engineering, WBCA, and Service Stream. |
| Successful Tenderer: | The Northway Consortium, comprising ACCIONA Concesiones, Aberdeen, Global Sustainable Infrastructure, ACCIONA Construction New Zealand, Downer New Zealand and AECOM. |
PROJECT HISTORY
| 2023 | An estimated capital cost of between $2.9 billion and $3.8 billion was provided. This indicative cost estimate was provided to the Ministry of Transport in late 2023 by NZ Transport Agency to prepare for the 2024 Government Policy Statement on land transport. |
| Sep 2024 | Geotechnical work commenced on the project. |
| Mar 2025 | The NZ Government opened Registrations of Interest (ROI) for the Warkworth to Te Hana section of the 100-kilometre Northland Corridor. The NZ Government also confirmed that the project will be delivered as a Public Private Partnership (PPP). Following the ROI which closes 28 March, registered parties will be invited to submit a formal Expression of Interest, after which a Request for Proposal will be sent to three shortlisted bidders in mid-2025. |
| Jun 2025 | The NZ Government shortlisted three consortia to deliver the project. The shortlisted consortia are Northway, comprising ACCIONA Concesiones, ACCIONA Construction, and Aberdeen Investments; Go>North, comprising John Laing, VINCI Highways, VINCI Construction Grands Projets, VINCI Construction GeoInfrastructure, and HEB Construction; and Together North, comprising Plenary, Webuild, Gamuda Engineering, WBCA, and Service Stream. The Government also announced the remainder of the procurement and construction timeline, with the preferred bidder expected to be confirmed in early 2026, and a contract to be awarded in mid-2026. Construction is expected to commence in late-2026 and be complete in 2034. |
| Mar 2026 | The New Zealand Transport Agency commenced public consultation on a tolling proposal for the project. The proposed toll for travelling through both toll points is $4.50 for light vehicles and $9.00 for heavy vehicles. Warkworth to Te Hana is currently in procurement as a Public Private Partnership, with NZTA expected announce a preferred bidder early this year. Consultation closes 15 April. |
| Mar 2026 | The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi issued an Advanced Notice for Independent Reviewer Services for the project, closing 26 March. |
| Mar 2026 | The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi opened Registrations of Interest for Independent Reviewer Services for the project, closing 24 April. |
| May 2026 | The New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has issued Request for Tenders seeking site monitoring services for the Warkworth to Te Hana section of the Northland Corridor. The contract will be for an initial three-year term, will potential for an initial three-year extension and a further two-year extension. A contract is expected to be awarded in late June. |
| Jul 2026 | The New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) awarded a Public Private Partnership contract to the Northway Consortium. The consortium comprises ACCIONA Concesiones, Aberdeen, Global Sustainable Infrastructure, ACCIONA Construction New Zealand, Downer New Zealand and AECOM. The consortium will design, build, finance, maintain, and operate the 26-kilometre four-lane expressway. The Project Agreement is expected to expire in 2058. |
Estimated Total Cost
(2026)
Sector
Road
Procurement approach
Confirmed PPP |
Location
New Zealand |
Resources
Media releases
2025/03/10 - Procurement commences2024/08/2024 - Geotechnical commencement
2025/06/22 - Shortlist Announced
2026/07/30 - Contract Award
