With a focus on supporting economic growth, a safer and more resilient transport system and responding to the needs of a growing population by providing better travel options, $1.4 billion has been forecast to be invested in the Bay of Plenty in the 2021-24 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).

The role of transport varies across the Bay of Plenty with three distinct sub-regions that have different needs. They all require strong partnerships with local government, tangata whenua and key stakeholders to plan and deliver integrated outcomes.

Apart from tourism, the local economy is largely reliant on export industries, such as agriculture, horticulture and forestry. The Port of Tauranga is critical for New Zealand’s economic growth.

Tauranga/Western Bay of Plenty

Together with key partners, Waka Kotahi has committed to developing a refreshed, coordinated and aligned approach to key issues across the Western Bay of Plenty sub-region – finding answers for housing capacity, intensification, improving transport options and network capacity.

In the last 12 months

  • Construction of the Bay Link project reached an important milestone with partial opening of the SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange, enabling the next phase of work to progress. The Bayfair flyover is now taking shape with four spans in place; people walking and cycling can cross SH2/Maunganui Road safely via the new underpass.
  • Tauriko Network Connections enabling works pre-implementation got underway; and stakeholder and community engagement sought feedback on the long-term emerging preferred option (Option B - Offline) - refining the design for the Tauriko Network Connections Detailed Business Case is the next step.

Underway or about to start

  • Construction of the $150m SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa safety improvements Six of the 10 sections have now been completed, with further safety improvements starting in 2022 to install flexible median barriers and six roundabouts by 2026.
  • The next phase of work on the $262m SH2 Baypark to Bayfair Link which includes construction of the Truman Lane walkway, walking and cycling connections, the ramp approaching SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange from Pāpāmoa, and SH2 road under the interchange. At the Bayfair end of the project, work continues on the flyover.
  • Work has started on an Indicative Business Case for accessibility improvements on SH2 Hewletts Road, a nationally strategic corridor.
  • Tauranga City Council is working on the first phase of construction of the Pāpāmoa East Interchange over the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road.
  • Tauriko Network Connections enabling works construction is scheduled to start 2023.

Eastern Bay of Plenty

Tourism is essential to the Eastern Bay of Plenty, including to attractions around Whakatāne and further east towards and beyond Ōpōtiki. Areas such as Te Urewera, while already important tourism locations, are the focus of investigations to understand future opportunities. This work is progressing collaboratively with Ngāi Tūhoe, the Whakatāne and Wairoa district councils and Waka Kotahi.

In the last 12 months

  • As part of Road to Zero, we’re investing $26m in making SH2 between Wainui Road and Ōpōtiki Stage One, between the Wainui Road and Ōhiwa Beach Road, was completed early-2022.

Underway or about to start

  • Detailed design and consultation for safety improvements along SH30 between Awakeri and Whakatāne. The project includes flexible median safety barriers and roundabouts. In addition to the proposed infrastructure upgrades, safe and appropriate speeds were consulted on in early-2022 and await the outcome.
  • Detailed design work on the SH2 Wainui Road to Ōpōtiki safety improvements continues, focussing on high-risk intersections.

Rotorua

Rotorua’s eastern corridor is a key transport route, serving both inter-regional and local traffic. Waka Kotahi and Rotorua Lakes Council have looked at the best ways to future-proof the city’s transport network to improve safety, unlock growth and development opportunities, and boost wellbeing within the community.

In the last 12 months

  • Completion of the $17m investment in SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage One, part of our work with Rotorua Lakes Council to future-proof key transport corridors.
  • A feasibility study was completed for the SH30/SH33 Te Ngae junction intersection to determine what improvements would deliver the best safety outcomes at this high-risk location.
  • Completed road and roadside safety improvements on SH5 between Tārukenga and Ngongotahā, and an upgrade of the SH5/SH36 roundabout to improve efficiency.

Underway or about to start

  • Started construction on the first phase of the Crown Infrastructure Programme funded SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two. This $35m investment is addressing safety and connectivity with the Stage One improvements, while accommodating for future growth and providing better travel choices.
  • Work started on a $6.4m investment in safety improvements at the SH30/SH33 Te Ngae Junction. We’re making the busy intersection safer and creating a new right-turn bay for SH30 traffic turning into Rangiteaorere Road.
  • As part of Road to Zero, two speed reviews were completed and outcomes will be announced in 2022 on safer speed limits for SH5 and SH30 urban Rotorua and SH30 Tikitere to Whakatāne.
  • Safety improvements continue on the 34km stretch of SH33 between Te Ngae Junction and Paengaroa, including a shared path between Ōkere Falls and Mourea Bridge. Completion of this $34.5m investment is expected early-2023.

New Zealand Upgrade Programme

The New Zealand Upgrade Programme for Bay of Plenty is delivering improved safety and will support continued growth of the area.

  • Improving safety is at the heart of the Takitimu North Link project, which is a key strategic transport corridor for the region, providing greater travel choice with managed lanes, and a shared path for walking and cycling. The New Zealand Upgrade Programme has provided funding to build Stage One, the new 6.8km four-lane road connecting SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road through to SH2 west of Te Puna. Construction got underway in 2022 and work to build the first of eight bridges has started at Wairoa Road.
  • The SH5 Tarukenga to Ngongotahā safety improvements, including the SH36/SH5 roundabout, were funded by the regional package of New Zealand Upgrade Programme. Totalling $14m the project was completed mid-2022.

Funding overview

NLTP Investment in 2021/22 Forecast investment for 2021-24
Total $370 million $1.4 billion
Maintenance and operations $110 million $399 million
Public transport investment $27 million $110 million
Walking and cycling $11 million $53 million
Road to Zero (safety) $48 million $183 million
Network improvements $67 million $238 million

Overview map

Bay of Plenty map 2022

View larger map [PDF, 1.3 MB]