Luxon challenges NZTA boss to build $1.8b Waikato expressway in 18 months
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has challenged the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to build a planned Waikato expressway in 18 months instead of five years.
Luxon visited the site of a planned new interchange on the 16km, four-lane Cambridge to Piarere Expressway on Monday. The road is designated as a Road of National Significance and is projected to take five years to build at a cost of $1.8 billion, RNZ reported.
Speaking at the site, Luxon described the road as a "bog standard" road while questioning its cost and timeframe. He said challenging officials was his job and described his discussion with NZTA chief executive Brett Gliddon as a "coaching conversation".
Luxon said Gliddon was doing an exceptional job and that NZTA had improved its value for money over the past three years. Transport Minister Chris Bishop stood alongside Luxon during the press conference.
Gliddon said environmental constraints were a challenge and necessary earthworks dictated the project's timeframe. He said the five-year timeframe was a "high level" projection and contractors had been challenged to bring it down.
Asked about the 18-month target, Gliddon told RNZ it would be "a bit ambitious" but he would do his best. He said Luxon's comments were "not unfair" and that NZTA ultimately wants to deliver infrastructure faster.
Luxon said New Zealand was in the top 10 percent of countries for infrastructure spending.
The NZTA board had earlier approved $675 million for consenting, design, route protection, site investigations and early works on the route. Through Budget 2026, the government confirmed a $3.358 billion investment in transport initiatives, according to the Ministry of Transport.
