The project had an extensive planning history, with the earliest consultation in 2000,[2] though the proposal for a route roughly in the area dates from much earlier.

For those travelling from North to South (or vice versa) the route enables users to bypass the city centre and reduces reliance on SH1 and the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

It also provides a direct motorway link from the central city through to Auckland Airport, a route which has in the past relied on the use of local roads.

This was a partnership between the NZ Transport Agency, Fletcher Construction, McConnell Dowell, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Beca Infrastructure, Tonkin+Taylor, and Obayashi Corporation.

[6] The TBM arrived in Auckland on 22 July 2013,[7] a launch ceremony was held on 31 October 2013, and excavation work began on 8 November 2013.

[11] Alice completed the return journey on 19 October 2015[12] and was dismantled in early 2016 before being transported in sections to the Port of Auckland for shipment back to the German manufacturer.

[19] A delay was announced in March 2017, with the date pushed out by "two-three months"[20] after faults were found in the deluge system and software.

[23] Auckland artist Graham Tipene created an artwork named Te Haerenga Hou (meaning New Journey) for the entranceway to the tunnel.