NZ InfraWatch
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Basin Reserve Transport Improvements
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi · Wellington
A roading upgrade around the Basin Reserve, the long-standing bottleneck between the Mt Victoria and Terrace tunnels. Property acquisition on a willing-seller basis began in late 2025. Not separately costed: see the Wellington Transport Package entry, which carries the $2.9b to $3.8b envelope for the whole programme.
Data current as at 16 Sept 2026, when the pipeline was last checked against its source.
Key facts
- Region
- Wellington
- Part of
- Wellington Transport Package (SH1 Improvements)
- Sector
- Transport
- Status
- Planning
- Estimated value
- Value TBC
- Indicative completion
- TBC
- Funding status
- Part Funded
- Lead organisation
- NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
- Election risk
- Medium
Election risk assessment
One of three components of the $3.8B SH1 Wellington Improvements package (see 'Wellington Transport Package'); Labour and the Greens have said they would reinstate a mass-transit-focused programme instead of the roading-led replacement for LGWM.
Government priority alignment
MEDIUM: Part of the roads-focused replacement for the cancelled, PT-heavy LGWM; aligns with the current transport policy statement, though scope remains contested.
Recent changes
- 2026-W37Major New project added: Basin Reserve Transport Improvements (Planning, value TBC).
Chronology
- 2024NZTA Board endorses the preferred option (Oct), including a Basin Reserve upgrade alongside the two tunnel duplications
- 2025Investment case endorsed (Aug); property acquisition on a willing seller/willing buyer basis begins (late 2025), targeted for completion by end of 2028
- 2026Fast-track consent application lodged (Aug 2026)
Source
Transportation improvements around the Basin Reserve (NZTA) ↗