Waka Kotahi – New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has shortlisted three consortia for the Warkworth to Te Hana section of the Northland Expressway in New Zealand.

This first stage includes a 26 km four-lane expressway from Warkworth to Te Hana, which connects to the new Pūhoi to Warkworth expressway. The indicative design for Warkworth to Te Hana includes an 850 m-long twin-bore tunnel in the Dome Valley and three interchanges located at Warkworth, Wellsford, and Te Hana. The three shortlisted consortia are:

1. Northway made up of Acciona Concesiones S.L., abrdn Global Sustainable Infrastructure GP IV Ltd and Acciona Construction New Zealand Ltd
2. Go>North made up of VINCI Highways S.A.S., John Laing Limited, VINCI Construction Grands Projets S.A.S., VINCI Construction GeoInfrastructure S.A.S. and HEB Construction Limited
3. Together North made up of Plenary Origination Pty Ltd, Webuild S.p.A, WBCA Pty Ltd, Gamuda Engineering Pty Limited and Service Stream Holdings Pty Limited

A Preferred Bidder is anticipated to be selected in early 2026, with the contract award expected by mid-2026, pending successful negotiations. The winning consortium is projected to begin detailed design and initial construction activities by late 2026. Meanwhile, NZTA continues to advance the planning and design of the remaining corridor sections. The emerging preferred alignment for the second section, from Te Hana to Port Marsden Highway, was revealed in April 2025.