38039 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport

38039 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport: What factors explain any differences in cost per kilometre between the Ōtaki to north of Levin highway and previous Wellington Northern Corridor projects?

Hon Chris Bishop: I am advised by NZTA that the difference between the Peka Peka to Ōtaki (PP2Ō) expressway (completed in 2023), and the Ō2NL highway mainly stem from the Ō2NL project’s greater length and complexity, more challenging terrain, seismic standards and increased ground improvement costs. Overall, Ō2NL is a significantly larger and more technically demanding project that must address these challenges and increased community and environmental expectations