New Zealand Shortlists Bidders for Warkworth to Te Hana Expressway

New Zealand Shortlists Bidders for Warkworth to Te Hana Expressway

New Zealand’s transport ambitions are shifting up a gear. Waka Kotahi – the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) – has named the three consortia now in the running to deliver a transformative slice of the Northland Expressway. This critical project, stretching from Warkworth to Te Hana, represents the first stage of a broader programme to streamline access to Northland, connect communities, and support regional growth.

The Warkworth to Te Hana section spans approximately 26 kilometres and will serve as a vital extension to the newly completed Pūhoi to Warkworth Expressway. Designed as a four-lane corridor, the project will cut through rugged topography and sensitive landscapes, including the construction of a striking 850-metre twin-bore tunnel through Dome Valley.

The Three Heavyweight Contenders

Competition is heating up with three international consortiums making the shortlist. All bring formidable experience in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects:

• Northway: A partnership between Spain’s Acciona Concesiones S.L., abrdn Global Sustainable Infrastructure GP IV Ltd, and Acciona Construction New Zealand Ltd. Acciona brings proven tunnel construction expertise from projects across Europe and Australia.

• Go>North: A French-led team comprised of VINCI Highways S.A.S., John Laing Limited, VINCI Construction Grands Projets S.A.S., VINCI Construction GeoInfrastructure S.A.S., and local partner HEB Construction Limited. VINCI’s global footprint in highways and urban infrastructure brings heavyweight credentials to the table.

• Together North: An Australian-Asian joint venture including Plenary Origination Pty Ltd, Webuild S.p.A (formerly Salini Impregilo), WBCA Pty Ltd, Gamuda Engineering Pty Limited, and Service Stream Holdings Pty Limited. The inclusion of Gamuda hints at cutting-edge tunnelling and geotechnical prowess.

All three consortia reflect a high level of international investment and technical expertise, underscoring the significance of the project. Each group now enters the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage, where their detailed technical, commercial and sustainability plans will be evaluated.

Engineering Through Dome Valley

A standout feature of the indicative design is the twin-bore tunnel in Dome Valley. This 850-metre subterranean segment will be a centrepiece of the engineering endeavour, designed to protect the native ecology while maintaining top-tier safety and resilience standards.

Dome Valley has long been considered a dangerous stretch of SH1. A tunnel solution has been strongly welcomed by road safety advocates, ecologists, and freight operators alike. It represents a clever compromise between engineering feasibility and environmental responsibility.

Connecting Communities and Commerce

The expressway will include three interchanges: at Warkworth, Wellsford, and Te Hana. These are strategically placed to alleviate local congestion and improve traffic flow between Auckland and Northland.

• Warkworth: A growing satellite town with swelling commuter traffic, this interchange is expected to play a key role in regional urban development.

• Wellsford: Known for its logistics and farming economy, better access here means smoother freight movement.

• Te Hana: As the northern terminus of this section, this hub will interface with the next stage of the Northland corridor.

Each of these nodes is being carefully designed to futureproof the network, with space allocated for multi-modal integration, smart road infrastructure, and environmental buffer zones.

Timelines and Transition

NZTA anticipates selecting a Preferred Bidder in early 2026. If all goes to plan, the contract will be awarded by mid-2026, and detailed design alongside early-stage construction could commence by the end of the same year. The delivery model for this section is expected to follow a Public Private Partnership (PPP), aligning project finance risk with delivery capability.

While construction gears up in the south, planning for the second segment is already gaining momentum. In April 2025, NZTA revealed the emerging preferred alignment for the Te Hana to Port Marsden Highway section, which promises to unlock even greater accessibility into the far north.

Economic and Regional Impacts

This expressway is more than a road; it’s a corridor of opportunity. The improved connectivity is expected to:

• Reduce travel times between Auckland and Northland by up to 30 minutes
• Increase freight efficiency, particularly for the agricultural and aquaculture sectors
• Improve road safety by bypassing high-risk zones
• Enable housing development along the corridor
• Strengthen regional tourism and economic ties

“This is about shaping a better-connected, safer, and more resilient transport network for future generations,” said an NZTA spokesperson. “It’s an investment in the wellbeing of both people and place.”

Environmental and Cultural Considerations

Given the sensitive natural environment and cultural heritage of the region, the project has prioritised engagement with iwi and local communities. Environmental assessments and public feedback have already influenced route selection and tunnel design.

The use of tunnel boring rather than cut-and-fill methods in Dome Valley is a nod to environmental stewardship. Measures such as wildlife crossings, native vegetation restoration, and sedimentation control will be embedded into the build.

Māori partnerships are also central to the delivery. Waka Kotahi is working with iwi to integrate cultural narratives, protect wāhi tapu sites, and ensure enduring benefit-sharing agreements are established.

A Vision for Smart Infrastructure

With New Zealand committing to climate-resilient infrastructure, smart systems will be baked into the new expressway from the outset. Expect intelligent transport systems (ITS) for managing traffic flow, weather monitoring, and emergency response. Digital twin technology is likely to be used throughout the design and construction process, offering real-time modelling and predictive maintenance capabilities.

Smart roads aren’t just about data. They’re about people arriving safely and on time, and freight reaching its destination without bottlenecks. This project is poised to be a blueprint for future highway development across the country.

A Roadmap to the Future

As New Zealand invests in its national infrastructure backbone, projects like the Warkworth to Te Hana Expressway will shape more than just the landscape. They lay the foundation for more balanced growth, safer communities, and a cleaner, connected future.

“We’re not just building roads. We’re building resilience, opportunity, and a legacy for generations to come,” added the NZTA representative.