Motorists would have to wait several years beyond the proposed 2028 construction start to drive Auckland’s Mill Road project, National’s Chris Bishop says.
Motorists would have to wait several years beyond the proposed 2028 construction start to drive Auckland’s Mill Road project, National’s Chris Bishop says.
Speaking after Sunday’s announcement alongside party leader Christopher Luxon, Bishop said the road would open “a few years after” work began. He did not give a firm completion date.
National has pledged $1.75 billion for the first stage between Manukau and Alfriston if re-elected, with construction intended to begin in late 2028. A further $100 million would support route protection for later stages towards Drury.
Bishop confident about construction pricing
Asked whether costs could rise beyond expectations, Bishop said he did not expect a blowout.
He argued that NZTA was obtaining competitive pricing and credited the fast-track consenting system with giving contractors greater certainty about when projects could begin.
Bishop also said more proportionate consent conditions would help control costs, arguing that expensive consenting processes contributed to escalating project budgets.
His comments express confidence in the proposed approach, rather than a guarantee of the final construction cost.
Planning work still underway
Bishop acknowledged that Mill Road had been repeatedly advanced and scaled back over several years.
He said construction had not proceeded during the current parliamentary term because the project lacked the necessary consents and was not ready to build. He also criticised Labour’s 2020 funding allocation as insufficient.
NZTA says the first stage is currently in pre-implementation, following approval of its investment case in April 2025. Design, consenting and other preparatory work are continuing ahead of construction funding becoming available.
Wider corridor would connect Manukau and Drury
The complete Mill Road corridor is planned to extend 21.5 kilometres from Manukau to south of Drury, passing through Alfriston, Takaanini and Papakura.
However, the first-stage construction pledge does not provide a completion timetable for the entire route.
Asked about funding the wider Roads of National Significance programme, Bishop said projects would be financed and built progressively.
He described the programme as a long-term pipeline, saying the roads were never intended to begin construction simultaneously.
For commuters, Sunday’s announcement establishes a proposed starting point. When the first section would open remains approximate, while delivery of the wider corridor would depend on subsequent funding and planning decisions.
Sources: RNZ, 1News and NZTA project information. And Picture Curtesy: RNZ
