Southern Links is a network of state highway and urban arterial routes involving the construction of 27 kilometres of state highway, seven new bridges and five kilometres of urban arterial roads inside Hamilton’s Peacocke growth area. The project is expected to be delivered over four stages, with timing yet to be confirmed.
The project has been in planning stage since 2018. It was revitalised in 2024 when it was included in the draft land GPS 2024 as a 'Road of National Signifiance'.
Funding contributions
| NZ Government |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi |
PROJECT HISTORY
| 2018 | HCC considered the timing and funding of Southern Links, along with other infrastructure, as part of the 2018 review of HCC's 10 Year Plan. Major roadworks as part of the Southern Links project were not included in the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) and as such there is no timeline for construction at this stage. |
| Sep 2023 | Waka Kotahi completed a review into the form and function of the proposed state highway transport components of Southern Links to ensure the project accounts for changes that have occurred since the route was designated in 2014. The review concluded that the project should be delivered in stages based on each section's degree of urgency. The project remains unfunded. |
| Mar 2024 | Hamilton Southern Links was included as a Road of National Significance, flagged to receive funding, in the Government's 10 year draft land GPS. |
| Apr 2024 | NZTA released its State Highway Investment Proposal 2024–34, confirming expected project development, design and consenting would occur between 2024 and 2027, with construction expected to commence in 2027. |
| Oct 2025 | NZTA released the major project report and investment case summary for the project. The updated investment case outlines an updated scope of the project, now expected to include delivery of 27 kilometres of state highway and 5 kilometres of local road, five interchanges, seven overbridges, and multiple road upgrades. The investment case outlines an updated cost of $2.7 billion for the project, with main works expected to commence after 2029. |
| Dec 2025 | The investment case summary for the project was approved by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Board, enabling the project to progress to pre-implementation works. $100 million has been allocated for the completion of pre-implementation works. |
Draft Land Transport GPS 2024
Project Update June 2017
Hamilton City Council - Housing Infrastructure Fund
Hamilton Southern Links Form and Function Review
Investment Case Summary - October 2025
Major Project Report - November 2025