Waka Kotahi Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery Jo Wilton says not only will the improvements save lives, they are already creating job and training opportunities for locals.

“The project has so far resulted in full-time employment for 15 local people with civil construction company Splice Construction through the government-wide Broader Outcomes initiative,” says Ms Wilton.

“Waka Kotahi is committed to partnering with our suppliers, industry, communities, iwi and other government agencies to ensure meaningful and long-term positive outcomes for Aotearoa.”

The broader outcomes are in addition to the core scope of the project or contract and can include social, environmental, cultural or economic benefits. This means that Waka Kotahi considers the additional benefits we can generate to achieve greater value across communities, the environment and economy.

With continued collaboration with Splice, local iwi leaders and the community, Waka Kotahi anticipates further opportunities for local people to upskill and gain long-term employment.

“This is a wonderful outcome for the people working on the project, their whānau and the Ōpōtiki community, and we look forward continuing to work together to build on this,” says Ms Wilton.

Splice Construction Director Graeme Rush wanted to establish a partnership with local iwi after winning the tender.

“The Splice ethos is to hire and develop locals to support the communities we work in,” says Mr Rush.

“To achieve this, we consult with and value the guidance of local leaders.

“We really want to offer opportunities to upskill people so they can develop a career that takes them as far as they want to go,” he says.

“This is just the start of what we hope to achieve. We are humbled by both the support and positive feedback we’ve received from the community and extremely proud of the work being done.”   

Te Whānau-a-Apanui iwi representative Maxie Kemara advertised the employment, specific industry training and vehicle licensing training opportunities on community social media, with support provided by local organisation Te Kaha Group Limited.

“The response was very strong, with more applicants than positions available,” says Mr Kemara.

“However, with Splice Construction set to work on further projects in the region, along with continued collaboration between Waka Kotahi, construction groups, iwi and the community, we anticipate lots more openings for local people to upskill and gain long-term employment.”

This project is being delivered as part of the speed and infrastructure programme, a key part of Road to Zero, which sets a target of reducing the amount of people killed or seriously injured on New Zealand’s roads by 40 per cent by 2030.

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey this summer. Keep up to date with:

• Traffic updates: nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAWaikatoBoP
• Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiWaiBP
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

“The closure is needed to carry out on-going survey monitoring of the structure following the flood-related settlement last week,” says Pete Connors, System Manager Waka Kotahi. 

“We will need to repeat this monitoring and two-hour closure again next week, on Wednesday, 16 June, 11 pm to 1 am. There may be one other night needed also, and we will advise early next week if it is confirmed.” 

“We know these short notice closures are not ideal, and we have chosen a two hour slot with very low traffic numbers, but we need to restore this bridge to full strength as soon as possible so the monitoring and closure is essential.” 

Repair options are currently being assessed, says Mr Connors. “We will keep the community and road users updated on this, once details are firmer.” 

Background

SH1 Ashburton River/ Hakatere Bridge is open 24/7 but restricted to light vehicles only overnight, between 7pm and 7am while Waka Kotahi continues to monitor the movement of the bridge. 

• Heavy vehicles are using a local detour at night, 7 pm to 7 am. 

Detour route for heavy traffic in Ashburton District here:

https://www.ashburtondc.govt.nz/news/notices-and-advisories/30-may-2021-weather-event-updates?fbclid=IwAR0XTyL3hqJmFNCf_7LjFEnlM3fwmQAwXmwRMuBmW0iEHo7J9xcTFRGF1Vo 

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAsouthisland
• Twitter Canterbury/West Coast: twitter.com/WakaKotahiCWC
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

UPDATE Wednesday 9 June, 5.20pm

Contractors have discovered the issue that created the small tomo is more complicated than first thought. Work will continue on Thursday to further repair the site in order to prevent the tomo reappearing. Final surfacing is expected to be complete on Friday morning, with the lane reopening to traffic around Friday midday.

The tomo, which measures approximately 2m long by 0.5m wide, began forming by the road shoulder over the weekend.

The repair will take about two days, to allow for investigations to discover what caused the tomo to appear and what needs to be done for an effective long-term repair.

People can expect minor delays and should allow extra time for their journeys.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency thanks motorists for their patience.

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey this summer. Keep up to date with:

• Traffic updates: nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAWaikatoBoP
• Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiWaiBP
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

Tree removal works on Sunday 13 June, west of the SH2/Francis Road intersection

Work to remove dead trees posing a safety risk will be undertaken between 6am and 1pm. The works are planned for the weekend to minimise the impacts on traffic, however, delays are expected.

Northbound traffic can bypass the tree felling work via Youngson Road, Old Highway and Esdaile Road. This route is not suitable for heavy vehicles. There is no alternative route available for southbound traffic.

Stop/Go traffic management will be in place with a 30km/h temporary speed limit. Our contractors will be actively working to minimise delays as much as possible.

Tree maintenance on Tuesday 15, Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 June, north of the SH2/Sharp Road intersection

Maintenance work on an existing shelterbelt will be undertaken between 8.30am and 3.30pm each day.

Lane shifts will be in place with a 50km/h temporary speed limit. For safety reasons, short duration road closures will be required at several points throughout the work.

Please take extra care, reduce your speed and follow directions of traffic management staff and signage.

In the event of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances, work may be postponed. Visit the interactive Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website for the latest information on roadworks, traffic, road closures and detours to help plan your trip.

Journey Planner

Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience.

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey this summer. Keep up to date with:

• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAWaikatoBoP
• Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiWaiBP
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

The road will be closed to westbound traffic for four days from 9am to 2.30pm between Monday 14 and Thursday 17 June, with the detour route via the Pahiatua Track.

“Contractors will be completing line-marking, road sweeping and other maintenance work. This work couldn’t be fully completed during the last set of closures due to adverse weather conditions,” Manawatu-Whanganui System Manager Ross I’Anson says.

“This westbound closure helps provide a safer environment for workers and means this important work can be completed with fewer delays. While the Pahiatua Track will be available as a detour, we’re advising motorists to plan ahead and leave more time for their journey.”

Further night-time closures are planned for July to improve the section of road near the Woodville passing lanes. Details on the exact dates will be shared once confirmed.

These works are dependent on weather and may be cancelled or postponed at late notice. Updates will be posted on the Waka Kotahi Facebook page.

Waka Kotahi Facebook page

Waka Kotahi thanks everyone for their patience and understanding while this work is carried out to make journeys over the Saddle Road smoother and safer.

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/nztacni
• Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiCNI
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

“It’s been great to see so many people turning out to our pop-up information sessions to tell us about safety concerns they have in their communities. While those face- to-face opportunities are now finished, there’s still time for people to have their say byemail hidden; JavaScript is required us or visiting our website,” says Steve Mutton, Waka Kotahi Director Regional Relations Northland and Auckland. 

Engagement will officially close at 11pm on June 14, before Waka Kotahi begins collating all the community feedback to help determine how safety could be improved for the region.

This may include any speed limit changes to improve safety, which will then be formally consulted on.  

When Waka Kotahi began engaging with the community about safer speeds at the beginning of May there had been 14 deaths on Northland roads so far this year, that number now stands at 16. 

“It’s saddening to hear that two more people have died on the roads in Northland in the last month. It serves as a reminder of why it’s so important to identify roads where safer speed limits could make a big difference in keeping people from being killed or seriously injured,” says Steve Mutton. 

“We know we need to take action on several fronts, from speed limits to encouraging safer choices about how people use our roads and improving the safety of roads and vehicles. It’s not a matter of choosing one over the other, but how they all are part of a system to help keep people safe.” 

Even when speed isn’t the direct cause of a crash, it is the single biggest factor that determines whether a person is killed, seriously injured or walks away from a crash unharmed. 

This year, nine state highways in Northland and two state highways in Auckland are being reviewed. But no-one knows those roads like those who drive or live along them, which is why Waka Kotahi is seeking valuable and practical local input.

 “We’d like people to tell us about places that are hard to get to or from, how safe they feel crossing the highway or letting their children walk or cycle to school in certain areas, and if there are any other sites or information that we need to be especially aware of,” says Mr Mutton. 

Waka Kotahi is committed to Vision Zero, which aspires to a New Zealand where no-one is killed or seriously injured on our roads. We’re working to deliver a safe system which acknowledges that everyone can make mistakes on our roads, and that these mistakes should not cost us our lives. 

Formal consultation about any proposed speed limit changes will be the next part of the process, after engagement feedback is considered. 

You can find out more and share your views by:

• Visiting our website nzta.govt.nz/projects/northland-auckland-speed-reviews/
• Emailing us on email hidden; JavaScript is required
• Speaking to the team at one of our pop-up events

State highways being reviewed:

• SH1 Pukenui to Kaitaia
• SH10 Pakaraka to Taipa
• SH11 Kawakawa to Paihia
• SH1 Kawakawa to Whangarei 
• SH15 between SH1 (north of Kaikohe) and Otaika
• SH12 Omapere to Kaikohe
• SH14 Dargaville to Whangarei
• SH12 Brynderwyn to Omapere
• SH1 Whangarei to Auckland boundary
• SH1 Auckland boundary to Warkworth
• SH16 Wellsford to Waimauku

About Vision Zero

Road to Zero, New Zealand’s road safety strategy, sets out the goal of reducing deaths and serious injuries on our roads by 40 percent over the next decade. This sets an initial target of reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on New Zealand roads by 40% (compared to 2018 levels) by 2030, as a first step towards a long-term goal of no deaths or serious injuries.

Reaching that initial target would mean reducing annual road deaths to less than 230 and serious injuries to less than 1,700 by 2030. Last year 318 people were killed and more than 2,500 were seriously injured on New Zealand roads.

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

• COVID-19 services update: nzta.govt.nz/COVID19
• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook Auckland: facebook.com/nztaakl
• Facebook Northland: facebook.com/nztanorthland
• Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiAkNth
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)