- Government will undertake a Detailed Business Case (DBC) on options for an additional Waitemata Harbour Crossing (WHC), including looking at funding and financing and delivery
- Project will now be Crown-led with a Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) reporting directly to Ministers
- Cabinet has agreed to commission a further study into Meola Reef, if the Council is interested. The Council will be invited to contribute.
- Government will also consider a Market-led proposal for an innovative construction methodology to upgrade the existing bridge.
The Coalition Government has made decisions on next steps for the Waitematā Harbour Crossing project, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Minister Simon Watts have announced.
"The existing Auckland Harbour Bridge was completed in 1959 and forms part of the busiest corridor of the State Highway network in New Zealand, carrying 170,000 vehicles daily. It underpins almost $1 billion in annual economic activity, with this activity projected to increase to $3.9 billion by 2051," Mr Bishop says.
"But the corridor is currently limited by the performance of the bridge. Weight restrictions already constrain freight and buses, and the lack of dedicated public transport (PT) lanes prevents us making the best use of the Northern Busway, which today carries 40% of all people crossing the bridge.
"These limitations are only going to become more acute. Major renewals are needed in the coming decades, with extended lane closures. Without an additional crossing in place, the total economic cost of that disruption is estimated at around $4.8 billion.
"That is not an acceptable outcome. We need Auckland - New Zealand's economic engine room - connected, productive, and set up for growth and prosperity. The case for a new crossing is strong, and we are committed to delivering it.
"The WHC project will likely be the largest and most expensive infrastructure project ever undertaken in New Zealand. It is imperative that we get it right because New Zealand's fiscal position, economic performance, and reputation as a modern, functional, first-world country depends on it.
"Getting this project right means figuring out what we are going to build based on what we've found in the ground and under the harbour, not just what works on paper. It means being up front about what we can afford, how we will pay for it, how we will deliver it, and how it will fit into the wider Auckland network. It also means talking to Aucklanders and the Opposition before the Government endorses a preferred option - not after.
"In October 2024, we set out the Government's expectations for the project and requested the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) undertake detailed analysis of the highest performing bridge and tunnel options for the WHC project.
"Since then, NZTA has significantly advanced the WHC project, including value engineering to reduce costs and due diligence on construction requirements for the first time such as geotechnical investigations. It was fantastic to see a barge in the harbour performing seabed and ground condition testing - up until then, only desktop studies have been done.
"In May 2026, NZTA completed an Investment Case, and on 15 May 2026 the NZTA Board endorsed a preferred option - a tunnel.
