NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) will be seeking public feedback on the proposal to toll Warkworth to Te Hana, the first Road of National Significance (RoNS) to be delivered as part of the Northland Corridor project.

Warkworth to Te Hana will connect to the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway and is the second stage of the Ara Tūhono project, which opened in 2023.

The new 26 kilometre, four-lane route will start at the northern end of the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway and continue north to rejoin State Highway 1 near Waimanu Road in Te Hana. It will provide a safer and more resilient route to improve accessibility for Northland and boost the national economy as a strategic connector.

From 16 March, consultation material will include details on the potential toll rates for light and heavy vehicles for Warkworth to Te Hana as well as expected travel time savings for drivers and freight vehicles, explains NZTA’s National Manager System Design, Jess Andrew.

“After the public has had an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposal, all of the submissions and feedback collected will be summarised, providing insights into the level of community support for the proposed tolling scheme in North Auckland,” Ms Andrew says.

The proposal is for two tolling points (or gantries), one to the north and one to the south of Wellsford at the future Wayby Valley interchange. The proposed toll price for travelling the full length (those who pass through both toll points) is $4.50 for light vehicles and $9.00 for heavy vehicles.

“This first section of the Northland Corridor will be delivered as a Public Private Partnership (PPP). Any tolling revenue will contribute to the annual amount we need to pay the PPP following the opening of the motorway. It will free up money in the National Land Transport Fund to invest in other important transport infrastructure projects,” Ms Andrew says.

Public consultation on the proposed tolling scheme will begin on Monday 16 March and run through to Wednesday 15 April 2026.

“NZTA assessments have shown that tolling is feasible, and the Minister of Transport has agreed that development of the tolling scheme should progress to the public consultation stage.”

The Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024 (GPS) introduces a new expectation for NZTA to consider tolling to support the construction and maintenance of all new roads, including the Roads of National Significance.

Revenue from tolling must be used for costs associated with the new road from which it is collected.

“The National Land Transport Fund is under increasing pressure to fund transport improvements and increasing road maintenance costs across the country. Tolling provides an opportunity for an additional source of revenue to supports major infrastructure projects, bringing efficiency, safety and resiliency benefits to the transport network,” Ms Andrew says.

Fine out more information at: Ara Tūhono – Warkworth to Te Hana | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

Share feedback on the tolling proposal at: nzta.govt.nz/w2thtolling (from Monday 16 March)

Notes:

• What’s next? Following public consultation, the NZTA Board considers the results of the consultation alongside the technical analysis and may then recommend tolling to the Minister of Transport.
• All submissions and feedback collected via the public consultation will be summarised to the Minister. This will provide insights into the level of community support for the tolling proposal.
• The final decision on whether or not to toll each road rests with Cabinet on the recommendation of the Minister of Transport.
• The first Northland Corridor RoNS Warkworth to Te Hana is currently in procurement as a Public Private Partnership (PPP). NZTA will be moving 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 end of July 2026. 
• The successful PPP consortia is expected to start detailed design and early construction works by the end of 2026.

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