The Big New Zealand Upgrade
We’ve announced a $12 billion Kiwi infrastructure programme: The Big New Zealand Upgrade.
This is the largest investment in New Zealand’s infrastructure by a government in a generation. It will help to future-proof our country for generations to come by delivering new and upgraded roads, rail, schools and hospitals across the country.
But this programme is not just about future-proofing New Zealand. By investing in our essential infrastructure, we’ll be getting New Zealand moving, creating job opportunities up and down the country and boosting our economy - both locally and nationally.
The previous Government made large fanfare announcing a number of unfunded roads, which they never started, while leaving the rest of our infrastructure chronically lacking in investment. We’re getting the job done: faster, better, and – most importantly – paid for.
We’re able to take this once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in these projects because our Government has managed the books responsibly and made balanced choices when it comes to our economy. It makes sense to build now, to benefit generations to come.
Here’s what this infrastructure investment means for you and your family.
Safer roads, faster journeys
We’ll be building new rail and roads and upgrading old ones to speed up travel times, ease congestion and make our roads safer. We’re also investing in our rail transport network so it can carry more freight and take trucks off the road, meaning safer travel for everyone.
Find out more about our transport upgrades
SH1 Whangārei to Port Marsden
A new four-lane corridor between Whangārei and Port Marsden, with a walking and cycling shared path.
Northern Pathway
A new shared cycling and walking path over the Harbour Bridge, and from Northcote to Takapuna.
Mill Road
A new four-lane route with walking and cycling paths from Manukau to Drury South.
South Auckland Rail Package
Electrifying 19km of track between Papakura and Pukekohe, and upgrading Pukekohe Station; New rail stations at Drury Central and Drury West.
Auckland’s Third Main Line
Enabling more frequent passenger trains, and helping to move more freight from Auckland Port.
Penlink
A new road from Whangaparaoa Peninsula to Auckland with a new shared cycle and walking path.
SH1 Papakura to Drury South
Upgrading SH1 by adding extra lanes, a cycling and walking path, and allowing for dedicated public transport services.
SH1/SH29 intersection upgrade
Relocating and replacing a dangerous T-intersection in Waikato with a roundabout.
Tauranga Northern Link
A new four-lane corridor with a separated cycling and walking path, and a new Wairoa River bridge.
Te Puna to Ōmokoroa
Upgrading SH2, replacing lanes and building new overbridges and a separated shared path.
Ō2NL
A new four-lane highway from Ōtaki to north of Levin.
Wellington Rail Package
Expanding and upgrading Wellington’s rail network in Wellington City, Levin and Wairarapa.
SH58
Safety improvements and two new roundabouts for the Greater Wellington region.
Melling Interchange
Upgrading the Melling interchange, building a new overbridge, relocating the railway station and expanding walking and cycling paths.
Canterbury Package
Upgrading Brougham St, SH75 Halswell Rd, SH1 Walnut Ave intersection, SH1 Tinwald Corridor, and improving access at Rolleston.
Queenstown Package
Upgrading the SH6/SH6A intersection, building a roundabout at Howards Drive, new bus lanes and a new bus hub around Queenstown, and an underpass at Ladies Miles for better cycling and walking.
Modern hospitals
We’ll be building new hospital wards and upgrading old ones to make sure you and your family get access to the best possible care, when and where you need it. Fixing our run-down hospitals has been a priority for our Government since day one, and we’ve made a lot of progress so far. Now, we’re investing even more to upgrade and modernise our health system to help more Kiwis get high-quality care.
Find out more about our health upgrades
Kaitaia Hospital
Upgrading the maternity ward, main hospital block and community mental health facility at Kaitaia Hospital.
Starship Hospital
Upgrading the paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Starship.
Kidz First refurbishment
Providing extra capacity to deliver neonatal care at Middlemore Hospital.
North Shore Hospital
Upgrading and expanding the central sterile services facility in the North Shore.
New acute mental health facilities
Building new acute mental health facilities in Tauranga, Whakatāne and Hutt Valley.
Tairāwhiti child and youth community health hub
A new hub for children and youth mental health services in Tairāwhiti.
Mental health facility upgrade
Modernising Taranaki’s mental health facility.
Palmerston North Hospital Surgical Services Unit
Expanding the Surgical Services Unit in Palmerston North Hospital – including new operating theatres.
Whanganui regional chemotherapy service
A new regional chemotherapy service in Whanganui DHB.
Waimarino Health Centre
Expanding the Waimarino Health Centre.
Hutt Valley Maternity upgrades
A new Maternity Assessment Unit and Special Care Baby Unit, and upgrade of maternity facilities in the Hutt Valley.
Upgrading Wellington Hospital
Upgrading Wellington’s neonatal monitoring system, and replacing copper pipes in the Hospital.
Mobile dental services
Replacing ageing mobile dental equipment in Wairarapa, Lakes and Hawke’s Bay DHBs.
Child and maternity refurbishment
Modernising child and maternity care facilities in South Canterbury.
Timaru Hospital
New boilers for Timaru Hospital.
Upgrades for schools
Last year, we announced the first stage of the upgrade — a cash injection of up to $400,000 for almost every state school. This means schools can catch up on essential maintenance, like roof replacements and classroom refurbishments, and will ensure our kids have great spaces to learn in. Work is already underway at schools around the country.
Use our interactive tool to find out how much your local school will get
Cleaner energy
We’re future-proofing New Zealand against climate change by replacing coal heaters in places like schools and hospitals with clean energy alternatives. This includes replacing school boilers in Southland, Otago and the central North Island, and replacing boilers at Ashburton Hospital, with more projects to be announced soon.
Regional Investment
We’re investing $300 million into regional projects from Northland to Southland, upgrading ports, roads and airports to create jobs, boost local economies, and get our regions moving.
This Big Regional Upgrade programme will work alongside all the other projects we’ve put in place over the last two years to make life easier for those living and working in the regions.
This investment in regional roads, ports, airports, schools, and hospitals is another way we’re backing our regions and tackling the long-term challenges facing New Zealand.
Read below for all the details on everything we’re doing as part of our new infrastructure package to future proof New Zealand.
Find out more about our regional upgrades
SH 1 and 11 Kawakawa
We’re building a new roundabout at the SH1/SH11 intersection to get Northland moving.
SH 11 and 10 Puketona
We’re upgrading the SH11 intersection at Puketona to make your journey safer.
Ōpōtiki Harbour
We’re upgrading Ōpōtiki Harbour, building sea walls and improving access for commercial vessels. This upgrade will create jobs and boost the local economy.
SH 5 Tarukenga to Ngongotaha
We’re upgrading SH5 and the SH5/SH36 roundabout to make your journey faster and safer.
Taupō Airport
We’re redeveloping the Taupō airport to support local tourism and boost the Taupō economy.
SH 2 College Rd to Silverstream
We’re upgrading SH2, adding a passing lane and making corners safer, so you can get home faster.
SH 2 Tahaenui Bridge
We’re upgrading the Tahaenui Bridge to two lanes, making the journey between Gisborne and Napier faster and safer.
SH 43
We’re upgrading SH 43 to unlock Taranaki’s economic potential. We’re building passing bays, adding safety improvements and upgrading a single-lane bridge on the Forgotten World Highway to make your journey smoother.
Mackenzie Basin
We’re widening roads, building new passing bays and rest areas, and adding safe stopping areas to highways throughout the Mackenzie Basin to make your journey safer.
Port upgrades
We’re upgrading West Coast ports to grow the local economy. We’re building floating pontoons at Westport and Greymouth, and repairing the Jacksons Bay wharf.
SH 67 Granity Seawall
We’re future-proofing the West Coast, building seawall protection between Granity and Ngakawau.
SH 6 Tatare Bridge
We’re making the Tatare Stream Bridge safer for drivers, cyclists and walkers, with major safety improvements and a new walking and cycling path.
SH single lane bridges
We’re upgrading five high-risk bridges across the West Coast to make journeys safer for drivers and cyclists. We’re adding guard rails on Taipo River, Mikonui River, Wanganui River, Moeraki River, and Gates of Haast bridges.
SH 1 Kakanui River/Oamaru
We’re upgrading SH1 along the Kakanui River floodplain to futureproof the route and make your journey safer.
SH 6/8b Cromwell
We’re building a new, two-lane roundabout at Cromwell to make your journey safer.
Milford Aerodrome
We’re upgrading the Milford Aerodrome to support Southland’s tourist industry. We’re making the aerodrome safer by resealing the runway and improving drainage.
Milford Fibre Link
We’re upgrading cellphone and internet coverage in Fiordland, building a new fibre optic cable between Te Anau and Milford Sound.
This upgrade will get Milford Sound connected and help keep our communications network resilient.
This Big New Zealand Upgrade is just one of the ways our Government is tackling the long-term challenges facing our country and builds on the progress we’ve already made over the past two years. It will take time to rebuild our infrastructure after nine years of neglect, but we’re getting on with it and this programme is another big step in the right direction for New Zealanders.
Head here for more information on the Big New Zealand Upgrade Programme.