Jacinda Ardern cool on four-lane highway to Northland proposals

Funding has not been committed to four lane the highway between Warkworth and Whangarei. Photo / John Stone

The four-lane highway between Warkworth and Whangarei proposed by the previous government is under threat.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern yesterday poured cold water on nine of National's highway projects, which National proposed during the election campaign.

National MPs around the country, including Whangarei's Dr Shane Reti and Northland's Matt King, have started petitions for the highways in their regions.

Ms Ardern told Newstalk ZB that neglected regional roads were more worthy of funding.

"What National have [done is] put up petitions on these roads... [They] actually don't exist, they are proposals, there was no money set aside for them, no plans around what they would look like. They're proposals they put forward during the election.

"We'd be much better off investing in some of those neglected regional roads, and in urban areas some alternatives to roading as well," Ms Ardern said.

She said Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter would meet with local mayors to discuss which regional roads would be prioritised.

Regional Transport Committee chairman John Bain said Northland did need more money for rural roads, and in particular the unsealed roads. However, he wants Government to also continue with the four-lane highway, for Northland's economic benefit.

"We're really happy for that to happen but not at cost of our main economic route."

Mr Bain said an economic highway into Northland, particularly around the Twin Coast area, would bring tourists, and in turn the economy would benefit. He said from this, an opportunity arose for employment both for those in part-time jobs and those unemployed.

He said the four-lane highway has advantages for transporting freight and better and safer tourism.

Whangarei MP Shane Reti said the petition was to get the Government to commit to completing the Warkworth to Whangarei four-lane highway.

He said the project was announced by the National Government, but funding had not been allocated.

Mr Reti said Northland needed an efficient highway to get people and products to and from Auckland. It would have safety and freight benefits.

"All of the key stakeholders identified it as the most important economic driver. That was what framed the Tai Tokerau Northland Economic Action Plan."

He said if the project was wiped, the proposal to four-lane the highway from Whangarei to the Ruakaka roundabout would also be lost.