Project introduction

The Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway is now open. The new route provides a safer, more resilient and reliable route. It is a key strategic transport corridor for Aotearoa, connecting Tamaki Makaurau to Te Tai Tokerau.

About this project

The Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway will extend the Northern Motorway (SH1) from Johnstones Hill Tunnels to just north of Warkworth. Ara Tūhono means a connecting pathway and the name was gifted by our project treaty partners, Hōkai Nuku.

The motorway separates local traffic from traffic transiting through the area. It will vastly improve the safety, connectivity, and resilience of the network between Tamaki Makaurau and Te Tai Tokerau, and open up access to popular destinations between the two regions.

It will boost the economic potential of the Te Tai Tokerau region through:

  • easier freight movements
  • better access to major markets south of the region and to export ports at Auckland and Tauranga
  • improved journey times improved.

It is the second motorway in Aotearoa New Zealand to be constructed on behalf of the New Zealand Government under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) contract. The Government’s PPP contract is with Northern Express Group (NX2).

Public Private Partnership

Northern Express Group(external link)

Drone flyover – March 2023

Drone footage of the Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway project area.

Our partners on this project