Three international consortiums have been shortlisted for the next section of New Zealand’s Northern Expressway, a public-private project to connect the major towns in the North Auckland Peninsula, broadcaster RNZ reports.

The shortlisted teams are:

• Northway, made up of Acciona (Spain) and Global Sustainable Infrastructure (UK);
• Go>North, made up of Vinci Highways, Vinci Grands Projets and Vinci GeoInfrastructure (France), John Laing (UK) and HEB Construction (New Zealand);
• Together North, made up of Webuild (Italy), Gamuda Engineering (Malaysia), Plenary Origination, WBCA and Service Stream Holdings (Australia).

The phase being tendered now is a four-lane road running 26km from Warkworth to Te Hana.

As well as the road itself, the winning bidder will excavate a 850m twin-bore tunnel in the Dome Valley and build interchanges at Warkworth, Wellsford and Te Hana.

Chris Bishop, New Zealand’s transport minister, said the government has received “very strong” interest in the project.

“The shortlisted consortiums are all well positioned to deliver a high-quality motorway that will boost regional resilience, enhance road safety and travel reliability, and strengthen vital connections for freight, tourism and everyday drivers,” he said.

The competitors must now set out how they intend to finance, design, construct, manage and maintain this section of the expressway.

A preferred bidder will be chosen in early 2026 and construction will follow later that year.