PRODUCED BY INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNERSHIPS AUSTRALIA
Project

SH1 Cambridge to Piarere

PROJECT STATUS
Under Procurement
SH1 Cambridge to Piarere

The SH1 Cambridge to Piarere project is a proposed 16-kilometre expressway improvement, being delivered across two separate packages. This includes an extension to the existing expressway and delivery of a new dual carriageway highway, with scope details of each package set out below.

  • Online Section: a 6.4-kilometre extension to the existing four-lane Waikato Expressway, a new interchange and two overpass bridges, and
  • Offline Section: a new 9.2-kilometre, dual-carriageway expressway between the Online Section interface at the Karāpiro Road interchange and SH1/29 roundabout.

Funding contributions

The 2026 New Zealand Budget allocated NZ$1.8 billion in contingency for the SH1 Cambridge to Piarere project.

Procurement

Procuring Agency: New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
Estimated Total Cost
(2026)
Sector
Road
Procurement approach
Unconfirmed |
Location
New Zealand |
Resources
Project pages
NZTA
Major Contract

SH1 Cambridge to Piarere - Online Section

PROJECT STATUS
Under Procurement
SH1 Cambridge to Piarere - Online Section

The SH1 Cambridge to Piarere project is a proposed 16-kilometre expressway improvement, being delivered across two separate packages.

The Online Section scope of works comprises:

  • a 6.4-kilometre extension to the existing four-lane Waikato Expressway
  • local road and service road extensions
  • a grade separated interchange at Karāpiro
  • two overpass bridges
  • stormwater soakage areas
  • a shared path, and
  • landscaping works.

Key Dates

Jun 2026 Stage One RFT Open
Jun 2026 Stage One RFT Close
Jun 2026 Stage Two RFT Open
Sep 2026 Stage Two RFT Close
Nov 2026 Expected Preferred Bidder Announced
Dec 2026 Expected Contract Award

Procurement

Procuring Agency: New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

PROJECT HISTORY

Jun 2026 The NZTA commenced procurement for the SH1 Cambridge to Piarere – Online Section by opening a Request for Tenders process, closing 24 June. The RFT documents set out the procurement timeline for the Online Section, and confirmed the full project scope for the Online and Offline Sections.
Jul 2026 The NZTA announced that shortlisted bidders have been invited to tender for the project. Shortlisted bidders have not been announced.
Sector
Road
Procurement approach
Unconfirmed |
Location
New Zealand |
Resources
Media releases
2026/07/21 - Shortlist
Tender notices
2026/06/05 - Stage One RFT: Online Section
Project pages
NZTA
Major Contract

SH1 Cambridge to Piarere - Offline Section

PROJECT STATUS
Under Procurement
SH1 Cambridge to Piarere - Offline Section

The SH1 Cambridge to Piarere project is a proposed 16-kilometre expressway improvement, being delivered across two separate packages.

The Offline Section scope of works comprises:

  • a new 9.2-kilometre, four-lane expressway between the Online Section interface at the Karāpiro Road interchange and SH1/29 roundabout
  • major earthworks
  • pavement for the new expressway alignment
  • three ecological bridges over roads and natural features
  • stormwater diversion and discharge structures
  • provision for tolling infrastructure
  • noise walls, and
  • landscaping works.

Key Dates

Jul 2026 ROIs Open
Aug 2026 ROIs Close
Aug 2026 RFT Open
Dec 2026 RFT Close

Procurement

Procuring Agency: New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

PROJECT HISTORY

Jul 2026 The NZTA called for Registrations of Interest to deliver the Offline Section, closing 7 August.
Sector
Road
Procurement approach
Design and Construct (D&C) |
Location
New Zealand |
Resources
Tender notices
Registration of Interest
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