| Decision | Consent granted Section 12(1)(a) and Section 13(1)(b) Overseas Investment Act 2005 |
|---|---|
| Decision maker | Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand |
| Decision date | 24 July 2026 |
| Pathways | Sensitive land – Farm land benefit test and Significant Business Assets |
| Investment | Establishment of a business and the acquisition of a leasehold interest in approximately 1,250 hectares of sensitive land across multiple properties and assets for the purpose of the design, construction, commissioning, managing and operation of the Ara Tūhono - Warkworth to Te Hana portion (known as Section 1) of the state highway project known as Northland Corridor. |
| Cost of commencing business | $3.1 billion |
| Applicant | Northway No.2 Limited Partnership Netherlands 28% |
| Vendor | New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi New Zealand 100% |
| Background | The Applicant is being established as limited partnership between a Spanish infrastructure investment firm, Acciona Concesiones SL, and United Kingdom investment company Aberdeen Group plc. The Crown (acting by and through the Vendor) owns, or is in the process of acquiring, the approximately 1,250 hectares of sensitive land across multiple properties under the Public Works Act 1981 to enable construction of the road. The land will be leased to the Applicant for the construction of the road (expected to take approximately 7 years), and for the maintenance and operation of the road after it is opened to public traffic (a term of 25 years). The main benefits to New Zealand are likely to include:
This application was subject to a national interest assessment as the Applicant is a non-New Zealand government investor. The national interest test was met. Consent was granted as the Applicant has met the investor test criterion and the investment is likely to benefit New Zealand. |
| More information | Tara Wylie Simpson Grierson (Auckland) Private Bag 92518 Auckland 1141 |