Northland Regional Council has welcomed news the Government will invest $187 million into parts of the Northland road corridor – including work on an alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills.
On Monday, Transport Minister, Chris Bishop announced the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) board had endorsed the work as part of the next steps in Central Government’s Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme.
Council Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan Gibbard says the Northland funding will allow for work to progress design, consenting, and route protection for the Te Hana to Port Marsden Highway (‘Route 2’) and Port Marsden Highway to Whangārei (‘Route 3’).
“Crucially, the funding will also include priority given for an alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills (‘Route 2b’),” said Mr Gibbard.
He said that during the recently-ended previous term of council, the Northland Regional Transport Committee (RTC) – chaired by regional councillor, Joe Carr and including members of all four Northland councils – had been a strong advocate and supporter of work to progress the corridor, including confirmation of the alternative to the present SH1 Brynderwyns Hill alignment.
“This infrastructure will play a critical role in the future prosperity and resilience of the north,” Mr Gibbard said.
“Work along this corridor will support Northland’s economic growth and productivity, provide a safer and more resilient roading network and reduce congestion.”
Minister Bishop said the investment case shows strong benefits with travel times reduced by up to 38 mins between Te Hana and Whangarei, deaths and serious injuries reduced by 66%, travel time delay reduced by 64%, and resilience risk reduced by 82% on average.
The investment case recommends moving to route protection in a staged approach for the full corridor between Te Hana and Whangārei and endorses the preferred route.
“Focusing on the Alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills will also provide a long-term solution and enhance the overall efficiency of the corridor,” said Mr Gibbard.
NZTA has advised its next steps will be to begin individual conversations with affected landowners, beginning with those in the Alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills section.
The agency aims to lodge consents and designations for the Alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills by mid-2026 and the designation for the remainder of the corridor is expected to be lodged by late-2026.
Meanwhile, as part of Monday’s announcement, Minister Bishop says Procurement on Warkworth to Te Hana is also progressing, with a preferred bidder expected to be confirmed in early 2026. Subject to successful contract negotiations, the contract is expected to be awarded in mid-2026. Detailed design and early construction works are expected to start in late 2026.
