New Zealand and Infrastructure Projects: From Auckland’s City Rail Link to the Northland Corridor

Not only spectacular mountain ranges that brush 4,000 meters in height and rugged coastlines dotted with a dense archipelago of islands—five of which are recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites—but also modern settlements, sustainable infrastructure, and people-friendly urban centers. In addition to protecting its pristine nature, New Zealand is investing in a network of major infrastructure projects to improve connectivity for its 5 million inhabitants and fuel the growth of its two main cities, Auckland and Wellington (the capital of New Zealand).

New Zealand is home to a dense network of roads and highway corridors that play a crucial role in connecting communities and promoting economic growth. These routes are now at the center of a modernization and expansion plan aimed at developing the transport network to ensure increasingly efficient movement of people and goods.

New Zealand’s road network includes several key highways and expressways that facilitate regional and national connectivity: a dense highway transportation system with three major arterial routes at its core.

The Auckland Northern Motorway (SH 1), Waikato Expressway (SH 1), and Kāpiti Expressway (SH 1) are currently the highways that handle the highest traffic volumes in the country and enable long-distance travel.

The Auckland Northern Motorway, for example, is a vital connection between Auckland and the northern regions, essential for both commuter and freight transport. The Waikato Expressway improves connectivity between Auckland and the Waikato region, reducing travel times. The Kāpiti Expressway is the strategic corridor serving the Wellington capital region.

However, these major road infrastructures are not enough to meet the needs of a growing New Zealand population or support the country’s economic and industrial expansion—trends that demand increasingly modern and efficient infrastructure.

That’s why the New Zealand government first identified the routes of national importance and then launched the design and construction of new road infrastructure, financed through various means such as public-private partnerships or toll systems.

One such project is the Takitimu North Link, a highway transportation system to be built in multiple phases. Phase 1 involves the construction—already underway—of a highway in the Bay of Plenty region on the North Island, connecting the city of Tauranga (the largest in the area) with Te Puia, located in the geothermal valley of Te Whakarewarewa and home to the Pohutu geyser, the largest active geyser in New Zealand. Phase 2 of the project involves extending the link to the small urban area of Ōmokoroa, about a 25-minute drive from Tauranga.

Other significant projects currently underway in New Zealand include the upgrade of State Highway 1 from Cambridge to Piarere; the Tauriko project, which includes improvements to safety at the intersections of State Highway 29 with Redwood Lane, Belk Road, and Cambridge Road; and finally, the construction of the Warkworth to Wellsford section of the Northland Expressway.

All these projects aim to improve travel times, increase safety, and support regional development.

Looking ahead, the New Zealand government has outlined a list of 17 roads designated as nationally significant and prioritized for the country’s development. These projects are specifically designed to meet current and future infrastructure and transport needs, ensuring a resilient and efficient network.

One of the most significant among these is Auckland’s City Rail Link (CRL), set to transform Auckland’s trains and public transport system. This major infrastructure project involves the construction of a 3.45-kilometer double-track underground rail link that connects the Britomart Transport Centre with Auckland’s rail network. The CRL will significantly increase the capacity and efficiency of the city’s public transport, eventually accommodating up to 54,000 passengers per hour during peak times.

Another key project is the Northland Corridor Program, considered a cornerstone of New Zealand’s transportation infrastructure strategy. This 100-kilometer, four-lane expressway will connect Auckland to the Northland region, providing better access for local businesses, freight transport, and customers.

The Northland Corridor falls under the broader Roads of National Significance (RoNS) program, announced in 2024 by the New Zealand government. Specifically, the program is designed to address critical issues of resilience and safety within the country’s road network.

Northland, for example, has one of the worst safety records in New Zealand, and the current State Highway 1, which crosses the Brynderwyn Hills, has been closed multiple times due to weather events and accidents.

The new Northland Corridor will ensure a safer and more efficient route, supporting economic growth and regional development.

Currently, construction of the corridor is divided into three sections. The first runs from the city of Warkworth (64 km north of Auckland) to the town of Te Hana, a small locality on State Highway 1 near Auckland’s northern border. The second section extends from Te Hana to the Port Marsden Highway. Finally, the third goes from Port Marsden to Whangārei, New Zealand’s northernmost city and the capital of the Northland region.

The first section has already been designed and approved, with construction scheduled to begin by the end of 2026. For this phase, the New Zealand government has signed a public-private partnership aimed at accelerating completion timelines and improving project management once completed.

New Zealand continues to invest in the development of its transport infrastructure from a systemic perspective and with the goal of addressing both current and future infrastructure needs.

The adoption of innovative financing methods for the country—such as public-private partnerships—and the involvement of global players like Webuild, a leader in road and tunnel construction, represent the path chosen by the government to ensure a resilient, efficient, and sustainable infrastructure and transport network for its citizens.

The road corridors prioritized by the government are more than just pathways for car traffic; they are vital arteries that connect communities, drive economic growth, and support the nation’s development.