Te Matau-a-Māui – Hawke’s Bay 2022 update

Safer, more reliable and resilient access for remote communities, farming, forestry, and tourism is important for economic growth and prosperity in Hawke’s Bay.

Investment in the region’s land transport system has focused on making access and safety improvements to the network, to help get goods to market, as well as maintaining growth in tourism.

Safety is a significant focus for our investment in Hawke’s Bay. We are making improvements to critical network links for everyone travelling within and through the region. During the 2021-24 NLTP, we will invest in making 132kms of state highways safer. This will be achieved through infrastructure improvements and speed management to reduce deaths and serious injuries.

A Programme Business Case for SH5 between Napier and Taupō is getting underway in the second half of 2022. Its purpose is to set out a long-term vision for SH5 and to inform future improvements to address safety and resilience along this corridor. In addition to this, we are assessing the feasibility of a programme of safety improvements on the SH5,between the Hawke’s Bay regional boundary and SH2.

Investment through the Provincial Growth Fund and regional package of the NZ Upgrade Programme (NZUP) is targeted at improving inter-regional freight routes in Hawke’s Bay and upgrading roads and bridges to improve safety.

Currently, Waka Kotahi is collaborating with its local council partners and engaging with key stakeholders such as NZ Police and AA on a Hawke’s Bay Programme Business Case. This will highlight what the major challenges are in the region and what parts of the network need further study, investigation and investment.

In urban areas, our investment looks to encourage a shift from a reliance on private vehicle use to public transport and walking and cycling. Co-investment with our partners will also provide safer and improved access to schools, employment and goods and services that have great social and economic benefits. This will help create an urban environment where people want to live, work, study and play.

In the last 12 months

In the last 12 months we have completed the following projects.

• Widening of Tahaenui bridge, the last single-lane bridge between Gisborne and Wairoa – funded through the NZ Upgrade Programme regional package.
• The Waipukurau to Waipawa cycle path which opened in March 2022. It provides a safe, scenic route for walkers, runners, cyclists, and those on mobility scooters, encouraging more active connections between Waipukurau and Waipawa.
• The Raupunga Bluff project (north of Napier) to increase the resilience of this corridor. A 600-metre section of SH2 at Raupunga alongside the railway line has been relocated away from the Mokaha River as it was undermining the Raupunga Bluff. The work included a safety barrier at the top of the cliff and a 1.5m-high by 80m-long retaining wall to mitigate any future damage to the rail track platform.
• Launched MyWay in June 2022, an on-demand public transport service trial, in Hastings.
• SH2 Kennedy Road to Taradale cycle path, as part of the SH2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway safety improvements, taking cyclists, commuting between Meeanee and Taradale, along a safer route.
• Two speed reviews in Hawke’s Bay and implemented safe and appropriate speeds on SH51 from Marine Parade to Waipatu and on SH5 from Napier through to Taupō.
• $14.34m on state highway maintenance, renewing 119.3kms of the highway – chipseal being applied to 113kms and 5.2kms being rebuilt.
• We made steady progress on the $32.5m SH2/SH35 passing opportunities project, with three slow vehicle bays built at Matahorua, Kotemaori and Wharerata.

Underway or about to start

• The SH2 College Road to Silverstream project, which is expected to be completed at the end of 2022, will increase regional development, safety, resilience, and accessibility. It includes 1.7kms of road realignment and new passing opportunities.
• We’re progressing the design and consenting for a 4km realignment and a new bridge across the Waikare Gorge on SH2 at Putorino (north of Napier) to build route resilience. This stretch of highway has been repeatedly closed by slips and rockfall during heavy rain events, without an efficient detour route.
• We’re making steady progress on the $32.5m SH2/SH35 passing opportunities project, with two additional slow vehicle lanes being built at Waikoau Hill and Mohaka.. The project is included in the Tairāwhiti Roading Package and has received funding from the PGF.
• Changes are being made on SH50 to the Prebensen Drive, Taradale, and Hyderabad Road roundabouts to improve safety. A new shared path will make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to travel from Ahuriri and connect to the Hawke’s Bay cycle path network. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
• We’re working with Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and territorial authorities to complete a regional Programme Business Case for improving public transport.
• The SH51 Napier to Clive project is progressing to the detailed design stage. We’re investigating a range of safety interventions extending from the Ellison St/Marine Parade intersection to Waitangi Road. This is part of the Speed and Infrastructure Programme (SIP).
• We’re extending the Tall Oil Pitch trial on two Waka Kotahi managed sections of SH38 between Frasertown and Aniwaniwa including corridor safety improvement and short term resilience work, to improve the journey to Waikaremoana. Tall Oil Pitch is a by-product of the wood-pulping process. The project will be delivered in partnership with Tūhoe.

Funding overview

Overview map

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