Ground broken, partnerships formed
A new highway between Manawatu¯ and Hawke’s Bay is under way, as motorists count down to its expected completion in 2024
A much-anticipated new highway between Manawatu¯ and Hawke’s Bay is under construction.
Children planted the first physical works of Te Ahu a Turanga, the new highway between Woodville and Ashhurst, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern yesterday.
Rangitane o Manawatu, Ngati Kahungunu ki Tamaki nui-a-rua, Rangitane o Tamaki nui a Rua, Ngati Kauwhata and Te Runanga o Raukawa formed a governance group that helped to design and make decisions about the highway.
Te Ahu a Turanga will replace the mothballed road through the Manawatu¯ Gorge, with four lanes, 1.5-metre wide shoulders, a central median barrier and a separate path for walkers and cyclists.
Ardern said the project would bring hundreds of millions of dollars worth of jobs to the region and would bolster the local economy.
She said the environment offset, with tree planting, pest control and enhancing the forest area, made the project different.
‘‘This is a huge and significant milestone.’’
Rangitane o Manawatu representative Danielle Harris said it was the first time iwi had been involved at a governance level for such a project.
Harris hoped it would be the model for other projects.
‘‘In four years’ time the nation will see the benefit of what a government, iwi and council partnership looks like.
‘‘We pride ourselves on being innovative and transformative, and this is a key example of that.’’
Nga¯ti Kahungunu ki Tamaki nuia-rua chairman Hayden Hape said there were a few teething problems but the arrangement was working well.
He said the new highway would be the third passageway between Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay, with the first being the river, then the Manawatu¯ Gorge.
Hape said a lot of people died during the creation of the gorge road, and it was important workers were educated and knew of their responsibility to make a safe pathway.
He hoped the project would attract people to Woodville.
‘‘We are hoping it will be like the new Carterton, where people come for a latte and a stroll and view some local artists.’’
Rangitane o Tamaki nui a Rua chairwoman and iwi representative on the project alliance board Mavis Mullins said Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency should be congratulated for involving iwi.
‘‘The Ruahine Range is our sacred mountain. When you are redesigning, gouging and beating it, that is a difficult concept to come to terms with.
‘‘It is exciting and special. And the other thing I really enjoy is they say this project is about leaving a legacy. It has got to be functional, beautiful, safe and a reflection of the community.’’
Nga¯ti Kauwhata chairman Dennis Emery said iwi had been involved from the start, which was wanted and needed.
‘‘When the gorge closed in 2017 the impact on the whole community was horrendous, and as iwi leaders we saw that and saw this as an opportunity to have a say and be involved in all parts and all the way through.’’
Te Runanga o Raukawa chief executive Lindsay Poutama said it was important iwi were involved in the partnership.
‘‘I applaud [the Transport Agency] to have the courage, and iwi for coming together for the benefit of us all.’’
‘‘We are hoping it will be like the newcarterton, where people come for a latte and a stroll and viewsome local artists.’’
Nga¯ti Kahungunu ki Ta¯maki nui-a-rua chairman Hayden Hape