Cost guide · Updated July 2026

Concrete driveway cost in NZ

A concrete driveway is priced per square metre, and the groundwork underneath moves the number more than the finish on top. Published 2026 guides put a plain broom-finished driveway at roughly $120 to $160 per square metre supplied and laid, with coloured and exposed-aggregate finishes commonly $150 to $250.

Written by The Contractor Hub.

Indicative ranges

Plain broom finish, supplied & laid	$120 to $160 / m²
Coloured / exposed aggregate	$150 to $250 / m²
New vehicle crossing (if required)	add several thousand

Indicative only, compiled July 2026 from the published New Zealand guides listed below. Treat these as a sanity check, then get written quotes.

What moves the price

The groundwork (excavation, base course and drainage) is usually the biggest cost, not the concrete or the finish.
A decorative finish, a sloping or soft site, and a new kerb crossing all push the figure up.
Reinforcing, thickness and expansion joints matter for a driveway that carries vehicles, so a good layer specs them for the load.

Common questions

Why do driveway quotes vary so much?

Mostly the groundwork and the finish. Compare quotes on the base prep, reinforcing and thickness, not just the per-metre rate, because that's where a driveway lasts or cracks.

Do I need council approval for a new crossing?

A new or widened vehicle crossing onto the road usually needs council approval and is an added cost. Your concrete layer can guide the process.

Sources

Find concrete layers near you

Get quotes from concrete layers on TCH.

Post the job, free Browse concrete layers