The New Zealand Government has unveiled the emerging preferred corridor for the next stages of the Northland Expressway, setting the path for a new four-lane route between Te Hana and Whangārei.

The Northland Expressway is divided into three main sections:​

1. Warkworth to Te Hana: A 26 km four-lane road connected to the new Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway. This section is currently in procurement, with construction anticipated to begin in late 2026 and completion expected around 2034. ​

2. Te Hana to Port Marsden Highway (Section 2): The preferred corridor includes a new route east of State Highway 1 (SH1) between Te Hana and the Brynderwyn Hills, near SH1 at the Brynderwyn Hills, and west of SH1 between the Brynderwyn Hills and Port Marsden Highway. The Brynderwyn Hills section presents engineering challenges due to steep terrain and complex geology; however, a near east alignment close to SH1 has been identified as more direct and geologically manageable. ​

3. Port Marsden Highway to Whangārei (Section 3): This section comprises a new road near SH1 between Port Marsden Highway and SH15 Loop Road, along with a widened SH1 corridor approaching urban Whangārei.

The Northland Corridor will be a vital link between Northland and Auckland, unlocking economic growth and productivity, and allowing people and freight to move efficiently, quickly and safely across the region. It will bring the resilience Northland needs to thrive after years of significant road closures due to severe weather events.