Kia ora and welcome to this update on the Tauriko for Tomorrow project.
News is coming thick and fast on the Tauriko for Tomorrow project. In this edition you can read about the NZTA Board’s decision on the investment case for the Tauriko West Road of National Significance project. Also included: progress on the geotechnical investigations at Ōmanawa Bridge, an update on the SH29 Tauriko Enabling Works with two construction milestones next week, planning news with the Tauriko West plan change now operative and an update on stormwater consenting; and a heads-up about upcoming upgrades to nearby Taurikura Drive.
Significant SH29/SH29A Tauriko West milestone reached
In our recent update we shared NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has been working on refining the scope of the SH29/SH29A Tauriko West upgrades through the investment case process to ensure they’re aligned to the Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024 (GPS 2024) priorities of economic growth and productivity, particularly the movement of freight.
A significant project milestone has been reached with the NZTA Board endorsing the Investment Case for this Road of National Significance (RoNS), and approving funding for the route protection phase for the project.
During this phase, NZTA is designating and consenting the project, undertaking specimen design, completing geotechnical investigations, relocating utilities and progressing conversations with landowners.
This phase gives landowners and the community certainty of the route and ensures NZTA is best placed to move forward when funding for design and construction becomes available. It also protects the route from being built out in the upcoming development of the area.
The Tauriko West project will be completed in 4 phases:
- Ōmanawa Bridge replacement (SH29) – The replacement of the Ōmanawa Bridge, realignment of the connections on SH29 around the bridge and minor improvements to the Ōmanawa Road Intersection (indicative timeframe: 2023/24 to 2027).
- Route protection for SH29 and SH29A – Designating, consenting and progressing property acquisition so we’re ready to proceed with the detailed design and construction when funding is made available. This also protects the route from being built out in the upcoming development of the area (indicative timeframe: 2024/25 to 2028/29).
- SH29 offline – Constructing a new 4-lane SH29 from north of Ōmanawa Bridge to connect to Takitimu North Link Interchange including Takitimu Drive Toll Road, and revocation of the existing SH29 (design and construction indicative timeframe, subject to funding 2028/29 – 2034/35).
- Widening existing SH29A – From Takitimu Drive Toll Road to Barkes Corner and a new interchange at Barkes Corner (design and construction indicative timeframe, subject to funding 2031/32 – 2038/39).
Next steps for the project
A request for tender will go to the market for designation, consenting and specimen design services in May 2025. NZTA expect to award the tender in July 2025 and the route protection phase to be completed in 2028/29.
At the same time, work is progressing to replace the Ōmanawa Bridge which is part of the SH29/SH29A Tauriko West project. The project is in the consenting and detailed design phase and NZTA expects construction to start late 2025, pending designation and consenting approvals. You’ll find more information below and here.
Sign up for SH29/SH29A Tauriko West updates
For SH29/SH29A Tauriko West project updates, please sign up at nzta.govt.nz/tauriko-west.
Ōmanawa Bridge replacement geotechnical investigations completed
Design of the new bridge just got one step closer, as geotechnical engineers completed investigating the site to inform the detailed design for the new Ōmanawa Bridge and road alignment, which are part of the Tauriko West Road of National Significance. Understanding the ground conditions is a critical part of making sure a project goes smoothly and reducing risk throughout the construction phase.
We’ll start investigating and documenting some of the archaeological sites which have been identified through our initial site assessments. The area where the new bridge will be built is known to be historically significant, and this project has been granted archaeological authority from Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.
An archaeologist and kaitiaki (cultural monitors) play a crucial role in identifying locations of interest and potential discoveries that may hold cultural or archaeological significance. Before any main ground-breaking construction works can start, our archaeologist will conduct a thorough site investigation with the help of ground-penetrating radar in some areas. Once potential findings are excavated, they’ll be photographed and surveyed. This information will be included in the final technical report to Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, a legal condition of the archaeological authority for this project.
Together with the archaeologist, a kaitiaki from one of our local hapū Ngai Tamarāwaho, Ngāti Kahu and Ngāti Hangarau, will be onsite. Kaitiaki play a vital role in collaborating with the team, identifying changes in soil structure and evidence of archaeology, such as midden pits, food storage pits and Māori artifacts.
While we’re continuing to progress the detailed design, we’re seeking statutory approvals for the works. Pending designation and consenting approvals, the goal is to confirm the programme and move into the construction phase late 2025.
For SH29 Ōmanawa Bridge replacement updates, please sign up.
New intersection and school carpark to open in Tauriko Village
The team is gearing up for some exciting milestones, with 2 new Tauriko West intersections set to be in use by May.
A new intersection in Tauriko Village, near where the former service station was, and a new, safer Tauriko School and Playcentre carpark will open with a temporary layout on Monday 5 May.
The new intersection will not only provide access to the carpark but in the future will link to the planned community in Tauriko West, being developed to help accommodate Tauranga’s growing population.
This intersection will eventually feature additional lanes and be signalised with traffic lights, though initially opening as a give way intersection without lights while the team works on the surrounding infrastructure. This includes constructing retaining and noise walls; stormwater, wastewater, and power upgrades; and widening SH29 to allow for additional lanes and a shared path through Tauriko Village.
Redwood Lane roundabout opening soon
People will be travelling through the new roundabout at the intersection of SH29 and Redwood Lane from Wednesday 7 May. Traffic will be switched across to the temporary layout overnight on Tuesday 6 May, with SH29 shifted slightly to the west of the current lanes to approach the new roundabout.
When it opens, it will have 1 lane in each direction while work continues on widening SH29 on the eastern side, along with extending the pedestrian and cycle underpass beneath the road and completing the Kaweroa Drive extension of the roundabout. The Kaweroa Drive extension will eventually be accessed via the leg directly opposite Redwood Lane. Once completed, the roundabout will have 2 lanes travelling in each direction and provide access to the future Tauriko West community and to Tauriko Business Estate.
Upcoming changes to road layout in Tauriko Village
As part of the SH29 Tauriko Enabling Works upgrades, we’re widening SH29 to make way for new lanes and a shared path. This work gets underway in early May and the new road layout and traffic management will be in place for approximately 1 year. While traffic lanes will be maintained in both directions, along with the flush median in the centre of the road, SH29 north- and southbound traffic will be shifted to the southern side of SH29. Access to businesses and residential properties will be maintained.
This new road layout will enable us to work on the northern (Tauriko School) side of SH29 and once the northern side of the highway has been widened, the team will move on to the southern (Boerewors and Gull) side of SH29. At project completion, SH29 will be 4-laned through Tauriko Village, making the road wider and safer for road users and the communities that live and work there.
Tauriko West community planning
Tauriko West plan change now operative
Variation 1 to Plan Change 33, which rezones much of Tauriko West as a residential zone, was made operative on 17 March 2025. This comes after Tauranga City Council adopted recommendations from an Independent Hearing Panel in early March, and after several years of planning for a much-needed new community in Tauranga. This represents a significant step in the Tauriko for Tomorrow project and in establishing a new community for Tauranga and the western Bay of Plenty. The changes have been integrated into the Tauranga City Plan and will guide the future development of up to 4000 homes at Tauriko West.
Find out more about the planning
Stormwater management – progress on consenting
Council’s application for a Comprehensive Stormwater Consent (CSC) for Tauriko West is stepping through the process. The CSC, to be approved by Bay of Plenty Regional Council, aims to ensure that stormwater runoff from the future urban area does not impact negatively on the Wairoa River. It sets the requirements and provides the tools for the area’s developers to deliver stormwater management and treatment systems.
The hearing for the CSC was held in February and a decision from the Independent Hearing Panel on behalf of the Regional Council is expected in the coming month. An appeals process will follow.
Preparing Taurikura Drive for the future
Tauranga City Council is preparing to upgrade Taurikura Drive between SH36 and Whiore Avenue to support the growth of the Tauriko area. In addition to the new homes expected at Tauriko West from 2027, the Tauriko Business Estate and the Tauranga Crossing shopping centre are both continuing to expand. To ensure Taurikura Drive can cater for higher traffic volumes and ease anticipated congestion, Council will be reconfiguring the roading outside Tauranga Crossing to include more lanes, and adding new intersections.
A new signalised intersection will replace the existing roundabout at the main entrance of Tauranga Crossing, to support larger volumes of traffic and improve access to the shopping centre. A second signalised intersection will be added between the main Tauranga Crossing entrance and the SH36 roundabout. A new pedestrian crossing will be constructed closer to Pak‘nSave, replacing the existing pedestrian crossing near the Tauranga Crossing main entrance. Council is working closely with Tauranga Crossing Limited and BP to design the new roading layout so it integrates with the internal layout of the shopping centre and of the service station.
The design of the upgrade also integrates with future improvements along Whiore Avenue as part of the Tauriko Enabling Works, which will provide a direct connection to SH29/Cambridge Road and the future community at Tauriko West for buses, walking and cycling.
Work is expected to begin in Autumn 2025 and will take around 12 months to complete. Access to Tauranga Crossing and BP will remain open during the works period, as well as access through to other businesses in the Tauriko Business Estate. But as traffic disruptions are inevitable, please consider alternative routes such as SH36 and Paraone Koikoi Drive, if you are travelling from the Takitimu roundabout through to the Tauriko Business Estate.
Find out more about the project and sign up for construction updates on Tauranga City Council’s website.