Urban Development News from the media | 3 November 2026 | Work begins on Warkworth to Te Hana motorway

Work begins on Warkworth to Te Hana motorway

Breaking ground on one of New Zealand's most important transport infrastructure projects – Warkworth to Te Hana – marks a significant step towards greater economic growth for Auckland, Northland and the upper North Island, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.

Mr Bishop joined project partners, mana whenua and stakeholders today to turn the first sod on the Warkworth to Te Hana section of the Northland Expressway, kicking off construction on the first Road of National Significance in the wider Northland Corridor.

"The Warkworth to Te Hana motorway will create a safer, more resilient and more reliable connection between Auckland and Northland, improving freight efficiency and making journeys easier for the thousands of people who use this corridor every day.

"The motorway is expected to prevent 145 deaths and serious injuries over its lifetime, save motorists between seven and ten minutes per journey, and take around 1,000 heavy vehicles a day off the existing SH1 route through Wellsford and Te Hana."

The motorway will connect directly to the 18-kilometre Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway, which opened in 2023, via a free-flow interchange at Woodcocks Road, providing an alternative to the existing State Highway 1 (SH1) route through the Dome Valley.

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/work-begins-warkworth-te-hana-motorway

Mainlander train to shift from monthly excursions to regular South Island timetable

A commuter rail pilot will be funded for Christchurch, Rail Minister Winston Peters and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones announced today.

The 12-month trial will see Mainland Rail return passenger rail services to Christchurch and establish more frequent trains from Christchurch-Dunedin-Invercargill, funded by a $3.4 million loan from the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF).

“New Zealand’s railways began in Christchurch in 1863, and it is time we put them back to use again for passenger rail, not just freight and tourism,” Peters said.

The trains will run morning and evening commuter services on the main lines from Rangiora in the north and Rolleston in the south into central Christchurch starting in mid-2027.

The Rolleston trip is expected to take less than 20 minutes by rail instead of 50 minutes by road, taking commuter traffic off already busy roads.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/mainlander-train-to-shift-from-monthly-excursions-to-regular-south-island-timetable/F6KRHC2JL5GLPFUI7LTXQ4OKTA/

Getting ready to open up more of Auckland’s waterfront

This summer, Auckland Council is giving the public access to more of Auckland's waterfront for the first time in a generation.

While much work has already been done to steadily transform the wider waterfront into a welcoming space for Aucklanders and visitors to gather and connect, the Central Wharves have until now been largely inaccessible; but that’s about to change.

Work is underway to prepare Quay Street Promenade – the area along Quay Street between Queens and Captain Cook wharves – to open to the public this December. The space will be brought to life through temporary activities, designed to entice people to visit the area while helping to inform long-term planning for the wharves.

https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2026/10/getting-ready-to-open-up-more-of-auckland-s-waterfront/

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