O Mahurangi project update

29 January 2026

Welcome to 2026

Our teams returned to work on 5 January so it’s a great time to share some of the progress made so far as we continue building the new highway connecting Whangaparāoa with State Highway 1.

A special thank you to the local community for your patience and understanding as we construct this much needed new transport link for the region.

Earthworks team clearing the land for new roading

There’s a lot of progress happening on the construction of the new highway that the public can’t easily see.

Our earthworks team, who cut, fill, and build the retaining structures that shape the new highway, are making excellent progress. More than 1,000,000 cubic metres of soil has already been moved to form the new highway.

If you’re curious about how this work happens and want to meet some of the engineers responsible for this critical stage of the project, this video takes you behind the scenes and explains the process in more detail.

What’s happening in February

State Highway 1 (SH1) and Ara Wēiti Road
Construction on the new SH1 connection continues. In February we will carry out a variety of work including installing a base for future signage over SH1, and we’ll remove the temporary barriers and install permanent concrete barriers. This will require northbound lanes on SH1 to be closed for night works for approximately three weeks, and traffic travelling north between Oteha Valley Road and Silverdale will be diverted. 

Construction continues on the new bridge over East Coast Road. This includes concrete pours for the structural supports at both ends of the bridge and installing pre cast panels. In mid-February, traffic on East Coast Road will be reduced to one lane for about one week during daytime hours.

Earthworks are progressing, and our teams will start the base layers of the road for the new motorway offramp and widening of Ara Wēiti Road. Installation of new stormwater pipes along Ara Wēiti Road is also starting.

Stillwater
To build a retaining wall and install drainage, part of Duck Creek Road will operate under traffic light controlled single lane access.

Earthworks continue west of the river, and at the Wēiti River Bridge the arrival and assembly of the form travellers, used to construct the road section of the bridge, will begin.

Work on the bridge piers also continues, and we’re starting construction on the Pier 2 diaphragm, and concrete pours for the Pier 3 diaphragm.

Whangaparāoa
We’ll be working some nights that will require parts of Whangaparāoa Road to be reduced to one lane to allow for a wastewater pipe installation and asphalt works.

Construction is also beginning on a 104metre long concrete retaining wall, which will support the future road and embankment.

Residents will continue to see progress on the base layers of the new highway and the installation of underground services in the area visible from Whangaparāoa Road.

More information

For more information on the O Mahurangi project, contact us at omahurangi@nzta.govt.nz or by calling 0800 7365 465.

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/penlink.