Locals hoping for early access to parts of Penlink will need to wait a bit longer.

A major slip at the project’s largest earthworks site has forced NZTA to delay early openings planned near Stillwater and Ara Wēiti.

Cracks first appeared back in December, and after months of geotechnical testing, it was confirmed that the land beneath the surface was weaker than expected.

Emergency works were declared in March to reduce the risk of further movement or damage to nearby property.

NZTA has now confirmed that instead of a staged opening, the entire corridor will open in one go—still currently on track for 2028.

“This will be disappointing for residents who hoped to access SH1 earlier,” says Regional Manager Stephen Collett. “But it also means the full benefits will be felt from day one.”

Meanwhile, work continues in other areas:

• Beams and decks are in place at key overbridges
• SH1 ramps are taking shape
• Major progress has been made at Duck Creek and the Wēiti River bridge
• Landscaping has started
• Over 600,000 cubic metres of earth has been shifted—equivalent to 250 Olympic pools

While the delay affects some Coasties’ timelines, the long-term outcome remains the same: a safer, more resilient connection from the Hibiscus Coast to central Auckland.

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