Three international consortia have been officially shortlisted for the Warkworth to Te Hana section of the Northland Expressway, following a competitive process overseen by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).
The four-lane, 26 km motorway segment, including an 850 m twin-bore tunnel through Dome Valley and interchanges at Warkworth, Wellsford, and Te Hana, is being procured under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Selection of the preferred bidder is expected in early 2026, with contract award and construction work to follow mid-2026.
Northland Expressway PPP - Project Background
The Northland Expressway forms a key component of the broader Ara Tūhono – Northland Corridor programme, a strategic infrastructure initiative aimed at delivering a safe, resilient, and efficient connection between Auckland and Whangārei. Recognised as a Road of National Significance, the Warkworth–Te Hana section is the most advanced segment in terms of land designation, environmental consenting, and property acquisition.
This 26-kilometre stretch is expected to deliver substantial regional benefits, including improved transport reliability, reduced travel times, and enhanced road safety—particularly critical during adverse weather events. It will also enable stronger economic ties between Auckland and Northland, supporting freight movement, tourism, and regional growth. In parallel, it provides the foundation for further corridor development through Te Hana to Port Marsden and onwards to Whangārei (more details on the video below).
According to NZTA Northland Corridor Programme Director Derek Robertson, early industry engagement through the Registration of Interest (ROI) process has been instrumental in shaping a Public-Private Partnership framework tailored for streamlined and coordinated project delivery.
Three Shortlisted PPP Consortia
NZTA’s evaluation process selected the following consortia to proceed to the Request for Proposals (RFP) phase, which will now cover financing, design, construction, management, and maintenance:
| Consortium | Members |
|---|---|
| Northway | – Acciona Concesiones S.L. – abrdn Global Sustainable Infrastructure GP IV Ltd – Acciona Construction New Zealand Ltd |
| Go > North | – VINCI Highways S.A.S. – John Laing Ltd – VINCI Construction Grands Projets S.A.S. – VINCI Construction GeoInfrastructure S.A.S. – HEB Construction Ltd |
| Together North | – Plenary Origination Pty Ltd – Webuild S.p.A. – WBCA Pty Ltd – Gamuda Engineering Pty Limited – Service Stream Holdings Pty Limited |
Chris Bishop, New Zealand’s Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, stated:
“The shortlisted consortia are all well positioned to deliver a high‑quality motorway that will boost regional resilience, enhance road safety and travel reliability and strengthen vital connections for freight, tourism and everyday drivers.”
Scope of Works and a PPP as the Delivery Model
The PPP contract will cover the detailed design, financing, procurement, construction, and long-term operation and maintenance of the Warkworth–Te Hana expressway. Key scope elements include:
Construction of a 26 km four-lane motorway
An 850 m twin-bore tunnel through Dome Valley
Three major interchanges at Warkworth, Wellsford, and Te Hana
Potential bundling of operations and maintenance responsibilities over the contract term
The preferred bidder is expected in early 2026, with commercial and financial close by mid-2026. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2026.
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