Timelapse video – February 2024
Head to our Video page for some great timelapse video showing work taking place near the future northern entrance to the project’s 235-metres tunnel.
Te Ara o Te Ata – Mt Messenger Bypass project videos
New project posters – December 2023
We have just updated our suite of project posters. Please check the Publications section for information on the wide range of activities that are part of this project – from tunnel construction to pest management and everything in between!
Check out the new posters in the publications section(external link)
Newsletter updates – November 2023
Check out our latest newsletter for updates on construction, riparian planting and caring for kiwi.
Check out recent copies in the News section(external link)
Busy through winter – July 2023
It might be winter but the project is still busy with great mahi taking place on many fronts. Please check our latest Te Ara o Te Ata newsletter for updates on construction, environmental and community engagement activities.
Project update - 30 June 2023(external link)
Newsletter updates – February 2023
Now we’re well into our first construction season we’re providing regular project updates through our enewsletter.
Check out recent copies in the News section(external link)
Construction and pest management underway – November 2022
The project is now into its first construction season with activity in a number of areas, not least the major pest management programme that will eventually cover 3,650 hectares of surrounding ngahere (forest). We’re also making good progress constructing the cableway that will transport machinery and workers into the heart of the new route alignment next year.
Care for kiwi and all native species is a major feature of Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass project.
Read our newsletter for more updates:
November 2022 project update newsletter(external link)
Consenting journey – March 2022
In 2018 Taranaki Regional Council and New Plymouth District Council jointly heard and granted the bypass consents and recommended that Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency confirm the road designation. Subsequent appeals involved hearings at the Environment Court and High Court.
A final Environment Court decision (issued on 1 April 2021) granted the project’s consents and confirmed the altered designation. A resulting High Court appeal hearing took place in October 2021 with a judgment in favour of the project released in late March 2022.
The 2018 independent hearing for the project's resource consents was held at the New Plymouth District Council.
31 March 2022 media release:
Construction of Mt Messenger Bypass moves closer with positive High Court decision
Ongoing ecological work – November 2021
Ecological work continues in preparation for construction to reduce the risk of harming native wildlife during construction and when the road is operational.
This involves gathering baseline data against which our construction activities can be measured and includes the following:
- Long-tailed bat monitoring to help ensure that the area selected as the pest management area included suitable habitat for bats.
- Periodic tracking of North Island brown kiwi to identify kiwi territories for relocation if required.
- Fish and macroinvertebrate baseline surveys in the Mimi and Mangapepeke streams were carried out to compare with monitoring during and after construction.
- Detailed vegetation surveys to identify habitat qualities.
Mike Lake, Freshwater ecologist measuring giant kokopu.
Settlement load test – May 2021
Investigations for the project continue, with a settlement load test underway at the foot of Mt Messenger’s southern side, near SH3.
This test is essential to help inform the final project design, particularly for the earthworks, embankments and retaining walls.
Work gets underway on the settlement load test south of Mt Messenger.
Ngāti Tama iwi vote in favour of bypass agreements – July 2020
A major milestone was reached in 2020 when Ngāti Tama iwi voted in favour of agreements with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, allowing land needed for the bypass to be exchanged.
We continue to work closely with Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Tama and value an ongoing partnership with mana whenua.
Read the media release(external link)
Ngāti Tama held information sessions about the major transaction in Waitara, Takapuwhahia and Manaia.
