The Hawke's Bay Expressway project is a widening of the existing State Highway 2 near Napier, 250 kilometres North-East of Wellington.
The proposed project includes:
- Widening 6.5 km of SH2 from two to four lanes
- Delivering two new overpasses
- Construction of a grade-seperated interchange at the Links Road/Pākōwhai Road intersection
Key Dates
| Nov 2025 | Expected Construction Commencement |
| 2029 | Expected Construction Completion |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi |
| Successful Tenderer: | Section 1 - Downer NZ |
| Procurement note: | The project is being procured across multiple works packages. |
| Related contracts: |
PROJECT HISTORY
| Jun 2024 | The project was identified as a Road of National Significance in the Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024. |
| Oct 2024 | Early works commenced on the project. |
| Dec 2024 | The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi approved funding for detailed design of Stage 1 of the project. |
| Mar 2025 | WSP were awarded the detailed design contract for the first section of the Hawkes Bay Expressway. |
| Aug 2025 | The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi endorsed the business case for the Hawke's Bay Expressway, and approved $600 million in funding for the project. |
| Oct 2025 | The contract for Section 1, comprising upgrades the existing expressway to four lanes between the Taradale Road roundabout and Links/ Pakowhai Road roundabout, was awarded to Downer NZ. |
| Nov 2025 | Main works construction commenced on the project. |
Estimated Total Cost
(2025)
Sector
Road
Procurement approach
Unconfirmed |
Location
New Zealand |
Resources
