State Highway 1 (SH1) Cambridge to Piarere is a 16km long 4-lane expressway extending from the southern end of the Waikato Expressway and connecting to the new SH1/SH29 roundabout at Piarere.
Cambridge to Piarere is a nationally strategic transport corridor for Aotearoa, connecting Auckland region to the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, and linking to the central and southern North Island.
The new expressway will improve journeys by reducing congestion, improving safety, improving travel time reliability and boosting the region’s economic growth. It will provide a more resilient roading network for this critical corridor.
While the final design hasn’t been finalised, it is proposed that the expressway will include a new interchange at Karapiro Road In addition to the interchange there are 4 other bridges – 3 over existing gullies and 1 overbridge providing access to a realigned local road at Tunakawa Road.
Subject to funding, planning approvals and other permits, property acquisition and final design, we expect the first phase of construction to start in late 2026 and construction is expected to take approximately 6-7 years.
The case for the Cambridge to Piarere expressway was first identified in 2013 and work began on a programme business case, which was endorsed in 2015.
In 2021, the NZTA Board supported a recommendation to build a 16km 4-lane expressway between the end of the Cambridge section of the Waikato Expressway and the intersection of SH1 and SH29 at Piarere.
Cambridge to Piarere - detailed business case [PDF, 14 MB]
CloseThe indicative alignment for the proposed expressway broadly follows the existing SH1, from the end of the Waikato Expressway to Karapiro Road. Near Karapiro Road, the alignment deviates onto a new offline corridor that sits approximately 1km north of the existing SH1 and ends at the SH1/SH29 intersection.
The key components currently being proposed – note this is the indicative scope, to be finalised and subject to change:
The Cambridge to Piarere expressway (C2P) project has been confirmed as a Road of National Significance and a priority for delivery as part of the Indicative National Land Transport Plan 2024-27.
The indicative timeline for next stages of the project are:
* Subject to a range of supporting activities, including funding, consents, permits, archaeological authorities and designations, and completing property acquisition.
CloseNZTA has applied for referral under the Natural and Built Environment Act 2023 (NBEA).(external link) The NBEA provides a fast-track consenting process for some infrastructure projects, including roading, and is quicker than the standard Resource Management Act (RMA) process
The NBEA is an existing fast-track consenting pathway that is intended to be replaced by the new fast track pathway under the proposed Fast-track Approvals Bill.(external link) While we’re seeking potential listing the Fast-track Approvals Bill, we’re applying to use the NBEA which allows us to progress now.
Our referral application is joint with Transpower as we may need to relocate services, including some overhead powerlines. NZTA is working with Transpower to understand the full scope of this work.
Step one – apply to the EPA for referral
Step two – expert panel considers consent application
At this stage we’re unable to confirm how long the process will take. We’ll provide regular updates to our stakeholders and on this web page as we have further information.
More information:
EPA NBEA consenting process(external link)
Ministry for the Environment new Fast-track Approvals Bill(external link)
CloseFinal design and planning is still underway, and the final costs and funding sources for the project haven’t been finalised at this stage.
CloseNZTA, on behalf of Ngāti Koroki Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā, acknowledges that the original name for Piarere was Piiereere.
Piiereere means fissure or a crack in the earth’s surface.
In the past it was at the location of the SH1/29 roundabout that the course of the Waikato river changed.
In 2021 and 2022 we engaged with the community about various projects underway between Cambridge and Piarere. This included the safety improvements currently underway, the expressway and options for walking and cycling.
Cambridge to Piarere engagement summary report [PDF, 12 MB]
We are still working through design of the expressway. Until the design is finalised, no walking and cycling elements can be confirmed.
The expressway will provide a much safer route between the end of the Waikato Expressway and SH29. Until the expressway is built, it’s important that the existing State Highway 1 is as safe as possible.
A programme of safety works is underway.
Other information
If you have any questions or comments, please email us at C2P@nzta.govt.nz (Please note this email address is only monitored during business hours).
You can also write to us at:
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
PO Box 973
Waikato Mail Centre
Hamilton 3240
New Zealand
Get the latest state highway travel information check the Journey Planner website:
Journey Planner(external link)
Report issues impacting travel call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49).
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