NZTA is working to protect the route for Takitimu North Link Stage 2 - a proposed new 7.7km 4-lane state highway between Te Puna (near Loop Road) and Ōmokoroa, tying into the existing State Highway 2 (SH2) south of the Waipapa Stream bridge.
About the proposed design
The Stage 2 (Te Puna to Ōmokoroa) project is an extension of Stage 1 between Tauranga and Te Puna. It will include:
- a new 7.7km 4-lane highway with median and side barriers
- overbridge for local traffic at Plummers Point Road/Barrett Road
- overbridge for local traffic at Snodgrass Road/Te Puna Quarry Road
- grade separated interchange at SH2 / Ōmokoroa Road
- 4 million cubic metres of earthworks
- ecological restoration areas
- connection to the Takitimu North Link Stage 1 (currently in construction)
- existing SH2 highway retained as a local road.
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View the draft proposed alignment plan for Takitimu North Link Stage 2: Overview plan sheet 1 and 2 [PDF, 8.9 MB] We welcome any comment or feedback on the project and encourage you to share this information with people who may be interested. Please send feedback or requests for more information by emailing bopprojects@nzta.govt.nz. Takitimu North Link Stage 2 information booklet – July 2023 [PDF, 8.2 MB] During July and August 2023 we carried out public engagement on the draft design. |
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Benefits of the Takitimu North Link project
- Support economic growth
- Improve resilience
- Reduced travel time
- Improve reliability
- Improve safety
Next steps
In March 2024 Takitimu North Link Stage 2 was identified in the Government Policy Statement on land transport (GPS 2024) as a Road of National Significance.
Since then, we have completed a review of the project to align with the GPS 2024. In September/October 2024 public consultation was carried out on the tolling proposal to fund the Stage 1 maintenance costs and to support the construction and maintenance of Stage 2. Tolling was confirmed for the project in December 2024.
In August 2025 NZTA lodged applications for statutory approvals for the project under the Fast-track Approvals Act (FTAA), giving partners, landowners, and the community certainty of the route. The consent application documents are available on the Fast-track website:
fasttrack.govt.nz(external link)
In addition, the process to acquire land for the project is underway. Indicative timeframes are below:
Late 2024 - Active property acquisition begins
Mid 2025 - Designation and resource consents lodged
2025/26 - Detailed design, consenting and property acquisition continues
Funding for construction will be considered following further work in consenting and detailed design, which is currently in progress.
* The timeframes outlined are subject to completion of designation, consenting, property negotiations, and funding.
