The Marsden Point Rail Link (MRPL) Project comprises:
- construction of a new 19-kilometre single-track rail link connecting Northport at Marsden Point to the existing North Auckland Line (NAL) at Oakleigh, and
- upgrade and reopening of the NAL from Kauri to Ĺtiria.
The programme is planned to comprise:
- 19 kilometres of new rail track between Oakleigh and Marsden Point,
- a corridor width capable of future double tracking,
- five grade-separated road crossings,
- upgrades between Kauri and Otiria to enable 18-tonne axle loads, and
- a new road/rail transfer site at Otiria.
Key Dates
| Feb 2025 | EOIs Close |
| Dec 2025 | EOIs Open |
| Apr 2026 | RFP Open |
| May 2026 | RFP Close |
Funding contributions
|
KiwiRail has noted that delivery of the project is contingent on the availability of further funding commitments, identifying just $400 million in capital which ‘may’ be available. |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | KiwiRail |
| Shortlist: | ACCIONA, a joint venture between HEB Construction and Downer, and Martinus. |
| Procurement note: | Procurement is being undertaken across a three phase process:
|
PROJECT HISTORY
| Jul 2022 | Kiwirail submitted a Draft Detailed Business Case to the New Zealand Government, outlining the scope of the project and estimated capital investment cost of (NZD)$1 billion. |
| Jul 2025 | An updated Detailed Business Case was submitted to the New Zealand Government. Updated project costs have not been made public. |
| Sep 2025 | KiwiRail opened Requests for Information for the Marsden Point Rail Link Programme project. |
| Dec 2025 | KiwiRail opened the Expression of Interest process for the Marsden Point Rail Link Programme project. |
| Jun 2026 | KiwiRail has shortlisted three bidders to deliver the NZ$1 billion (A$825 million) Marsden Point Rail Link Programme. The shortlisted proponents are ACCIONA, a joint venture between HEB Construction and Downer, and Martinus. Shortlisted bidders will progress to Phase Two of a potential three-phase procurement process, comprising a six-week Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) design sprint process, with up to two bidders expected to progress to a third procurement phase. |
Sector
Rail
Procurement approach
Traditional Procurement |
Unconfirmed |
Location
New Zealand |
Resources
