This month marks one year since the Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway opened, enhancing connections between Auckland and Northland.

The Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway, New Zealand’s second roading Public Private Partnership (PPP), has significantly improved travel in the upper North Island.

The Northern Express Group (NX2), responsible for financing, designing, and constructing the motorway, will maintain it for the next 24 years.

Over the past year, the motorway has facilitated nearly 20,000 daily journeys, reducing travel times, improving access, and enhancing safety, with zero deaths or serious injuries reported.

Mark McKenzie, Portfolio Manager at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, highlighted the motorway’s impact, stating, “It has proven to provide a resilient gateway to Northland as well as improved safety for all those who use the wider network.”

The motorway has eased congestion on the old SH1 and provided a reliable alternative route during severe weather events.

On 1 July 2024, the old SH1 will be transferred to Auckland Transport as Pohuehue Road.