Highway project hits key milestone

The O¯ taki to North of Levin new highway project has reached a key milestone this week, bringing a safer and more resilient State Highway 1 route one step closer.

This major project for the Horowhenua is part of the Government’s transformational NZ Upgrade Programme.

Following ministers’ approval, the project team lodged the resource consent applications for the new highway and shared use path with Horizons and Greater Wellington regional councils, and Horowhenua and Ka¯piti Coast district councils. If approved, these reflect the key environmental approvals for the project to be built.

Director of regional relationships Linda Stewart says this is a significant milestone for the project.

“This step provides more certainty for our landowners and community about where the new transport corridor will be and how it considers the environmental setting. This project is critical to significantly improve safety and resilience for those travelling throughout the Horowhenua District and lower North Island.”

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is developing the project together with our partners — Muau¯ poko Tribal Authority and local hapu¯ of Nga¯ti Raukawa — in an innovative way to ensure we tread lightly on the whenua and create a positive, enduring legacy for the community, she says.

Tim Tukapua, chair of Muau¯poko Tribal Authority, said, “This moment signals the culmination of considerable mahi, tautoko and debate by many over recent years. We acknowledge that mahi as well as the inarguable need for improved safety, resilience and future-proofing of the road and roadsides in the corridor from O¯ taki to Taitoko and wider into the Rohe.

“Alongside that is the imperative to protect, preserve and prioritise cultural, ecological, social, and environmental values and taonga. In partnership with Waka Kotahi and Nga Hapu¯ o Nga¯ti Raukawa we are committed to contributing the 700-year (plus) Muau¯ poko perspective to inform and add value for our people and our community at every step,” Tukapua said.

Representatives from Nga¯ti Raukawa say the project provides a unique pathway for the eight Raukawa marae and 10 hapu¯ and iwi to work in partnership with Muau¯poko Tribal Authority and Waka Kotahi and share the opportunities and challenges that the new highway will present.

The documents will soon be on the Waka Kotahi website at www.nzta.govt.nz/o2nlconsent-applications

Picture from Left

Frustration about the NZTA process led to residents holding a protest march about the expressway from Otaki to North of Levin down Oxford Street one Friday in 2019, attracting many property owners affected by the proposed plans.