18196 (2026). Hon Kieran McAnulty to the Minister of Transport

18196 (2026). Hon Kieran McAnulty to the Minister of Transport: What elements of the Northland public-private partnership have been revised or descoped, if any, and what was the rationale provided for those changes?

Hon Chris Bishop: I am advised that NZTA is running a highly competitive tender process with outcomes-based specifications that the successful tenderer will be required to deliver – they must design, construct and maintain and operate for 25 years a safe, resilient, and available road. I am advised by NZTA that an evolution of the consent design was provided to consortia at the Requests for Proposals (RFP) stage. RFP respondents are encouraged to optimise this design across all aspects of their delivery of the asset to increase the Crown’s value-for-money. For example, NZTA would expect to see smarter construction methodology, optimised earthworks and road geometry design, while maintaining the core Roads of National Significance standards – a 4-lane, grade separated motorway. I am also advised that detailed design begins in August 2026 following award of the contract to the Preferred Respondent.