Work on the Northland Corridor is pausing over summer, with crews taking a break from Tuesday, December 23 to Monday, January 12 after a big year of geotechnical investigations that will help refine the route into the proposed designation.

The geotechnical team has drilled 360 boreholes so far this year, with 15,000 metres drilled in total.

The update says the team will move further north along the corridor next year as investigations continue.

On the Warkworth to Te Hana section, procurement for the project as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) is progressing.

NZTA says it will move into the negotiation stage after the evaluation of proposals is complete at the end of March 2026, with the contract expected to be awarded by the end of July 2026.

The successful PPP consortia is expected to start detailed design and early construction works by the end of next year.

During construction, the PPP contractor will be responsible for meeting noise and vibration conditions and managing impacts.

NZTA top tips for a safer summer road trip:

• Plan ahead – check our real-time Journey Planner before you leave for the latest information on road works, traffic, road closures and delays.
• Allow plenty of time and expect delays at peak travel periods
• Drive to the conditions – whether it’s the weather, the road, the traffic, or the time of day
• Take breaks – share the driving and stop regularly
• Avoid distractions and put the phone away
• Buckle up – every trip, every seat
• Be patient – you’re on holiday, there’s no need to sleigh the speed limit
• Check your vehicle before travelling – tyres, brakes, wipers, lights, cooling system and WOF. A quick check can keep you and your family safe, and also save you money with better fuel efficiency.

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