Research commissioned by the Northern Infrastructure Forum shows that if the Cambridge to Piarere (C2P) and Warkworth to Wellsford (W2W) highway investments go ahead, they will contribute almost $1billion to New Zealand’s GDP annually.

The research, conducted by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER), outlines the economic impact of potential state highway investments. It will be presented to a roomful of central and local government and business leaders from around the North Island at an invitation-only event on February 28.

Hosted by the Waikato Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Infrastructure Forum will present the results of research it commissioned last year into the economic benefits to New Zealand of the Cambridge to Piarere and Warkworth to Wellsford Expressway developments. 

The Forum was established last year to provide a voice for the North on infrastructure issues and help drive a world-class infrastructure programme for New Zealand. 

NZIER’s research shows the C2P Expressway will increase New Zealand’s annual GDP by $487m and the W2W corridor will increase the country’s annual GDP by $497m.

Once in place, the projects are expected to deliver long-term improvements, including reduced travel time and delay, improving efficiency for freight industries; fewer travel disruptions; a viable alternative route to SH1 users, especially heavy vehicles; fewer crashes; and improved access to businesses and employment across the regional economies connected by the corridors.