A safe, well-connected, and resilient land transport system that gets goods to market and supports economic growth in Northland is a major investment focus of the 2021–24 NLTP.

A major goal is creating a safe roading system that reduces harm to both people and the environment and doing so in such a way that, in tough financial times, provides better value for money invested.

This NLTP focuses on investing in developing a safer and more resilient land transport system that also supports regional growth in Northland and supports the journeys a resurgent tourism sector will bring.

Prioritised investments in Whangarei target better options for people who walk and cycle and take account of the functions of urban streets.

As well as the emphasis on improving the safety and resilience of Northland’s roading network to help drive economic growth, this NLTP strives to maintain key road connections and ensure the right levels of service for all transport users, regardless of mode.

We will be working with our transport partners to ensure the region’s roads are safer, more resilient, and well-maintained to provide the access local communities need, and that are critical to the farming, forestry and tourism sectors that are the foundations of the Northland economy.

During the 2021–24 NLTP period, $124 million was invested in road maintenance and renewals in Northland.

COVID and the economy

Transport has a major role to play in supporting the economic recovery of the tourism sector in Northland as the country moves into a different phase of the COVID pandemic.

Transport services improving access to employment and essential services for vulnerable communities contribute to the economic wellbeing of Northland. A focus of this NLTP is on maintaining safe and reliable road and rail freight connections to ensure economic recovery is supported.

Improving road safety outcomes with Māori

Waka Kotahi wants to achieve better road safety outcomes with Māori. To enable the change, we have started the Improving Road Safety with Māori project under Road to Zero Te Ara Ki te Ora. The He Pūrongo Whakahaumaru Huarahi Mō Ngā Iwi Māori | Māori road safety outcomes report has been produced to help people understand where we are starting from and the data limitations that currently exist.

The Improving Road Safety with Māori project team will work with Māori to hear more from them about the key challenges facing their people. We will do this initially in two regions, including Te Tai Tokerau, by taking a listen first approach before we partner to develop a way forward. The next steps in this journey may take time but we are committed to doing better for Māori, making sure people are getting home safe to their whānau, hapū, iwi and hapori community.

Key highlights

In the last 12 months

  • A new roundabout and pedestrian connections at the intersection of SH1 and SH11, in Kawakawa, has improved access and provided better connections for locals, visitors and regional freight.
  • Good progress was made on safety improvements on SH1 in the Dome Valley with the installation of median and flexible safety barriers, widening of the shoulder, installing right-turn bays and improving signage. Work continues.
  • Improvements to the resilience and efficiency of Kaeo Bridge got underway with a new two-lane bridge and roundabout on SH10.
  • State Highway 1 from Whangārei to Wellsford was made safer with new wider centrelines, flexible median and side safety barriers and rumble strips. Work continues.
  • Safety was improved on SH1 Loop Road with the completion of a single-lane roundabout at a previously unsafe and inefficient intersection. Phase two to follow.

Underway or about to start

  • The SH15 and SH1 to Port Marsden co-project with KiwiRail is approaching the end of its redesign and re-scoping phase.
  • Phase one of the SH1 Loop Road safety improvements project has been completed with a functioning single-lane roundabout at a previously unsafe and inefficient intersection. The second phase, adding a lane to the roundabout and a bridge for the extra lane, will begin in the construction season of Spring 2022.
  • Funding for early wins work on the SH1 Whangarei to Wellsford Central safety improvements project has been secured. Extensive community engagement with landowners and key stakeholders around Waipu has resulted in an alternative design for the four SH1 intersections near the township.
  • Investigations and landowners’ discussion for the SH1 Whangarei to Wellsford Southern safety improvements project have begun.
  • Preliminary work on SH1 Whangarei to Wellsford Northern is proceeding and the project is in the process of confirming funding.
  • The SH10 Kaeo Bridge safety improvements project is underway and will see a new two-lane bridge and roundabout at the intersection of SH10 and Whangaroa Road improve safety and traffic flow.

Funding Overview

NLTP Investment in 2021/22 Forecast investment for 2021-24
Total $188 million $658 million
Maintenance and operations $124 million $386 million
Public transport investment $3 million $15 million
Walking and cycling $6.5 million $38 million
Road to Zero (safety) $9.4 million $52 million
Network improvements $20 million $109 million

Overview map

NLTP regional maps - Northland 2022

View larger map [PDF, 766 KB]