The Government has completed its 2025-26 state highway renewal programme, delivering maintenance and resurfacing work across more than 1,800 lane kilometres of road.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop confirmed the programme's completion. The Government has set aside $2.07 billion for road and drainage upkeep and renewal within the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme. More than 250 lane kilometres were completely rebuilt, while the remainder received new seal or asphalt.
The work matched results from the previous summer despite weather events that affected roads in the upper North Island during early 2026. Forecasts had anticipated around 2,100 lane kilometres would undergo rebuilding or resealing during the summer maintenance period, which conventionally spans October through March though some works may fall outside this window based on treatment requirements and weather.
Road sections left unfinished because of weather or other constraints will be completed next summer, the final year of the current three-year transport programme. Funding was provided through the State Highway Pothole Prevention Fund.
"We are focused on ensuring government agencies are better at looking after the infrastructure assets we already have, to ensure New Zealanders get the most from their public infrastructure," Bishop said.