NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi will be seeking public feedback in September on separate proposals to toll three new state highways in the North Island. 

Public consultation on proposed tolling schemes for the Takitimu North Link, Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway, and Ōtaki to north of Levin will begin on Monday, September 9, and run through to Monday, October 7. 

In a statement, NZTA says assessments have shown that tolling is feasible for each of these roads, and the Minister of Transport agrees that development of the tolling schemes for each road should progress to the public consultation stage.   

“Consultation material will include details on the potential toll rates for light and heavy vehicles for each of the new roads as well as expected travel time savings for drivers and freight vehicles,” says NZTA transport services group general manager Brett Gliddon. 

“After the public has had an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposals, all of the submissions and feedback collected will be summarised, providing insights into the level of community support for the proposed tolling schemes in each region."

Brett says the NZTA Board will consider the results of the consultation, and the Board may then recommend tolling to the Minister of Transport.

"The final decision on whether or not to toll each road rests with Cabinet on the recommendation of the Minister of Transport." 

He says the National Land Transport Fund is under increasing pressure to fund transport improvements and increasing road maintenance costs across the country.

"Tolling provides an opportunity for an additional source of revenue to supports major infrastructure projects, bringing efficiency, safety and resiliency benefits to the transport network.

"The NZTA assesses all new state highways and significant upgrades to existing state highways for tolling suitability. 

"Revenue from tolling can provide another funding option for building, maintenance and operations of road infrastructure, reducing reliance on the NLTF and protecting existing funding for other investment in the transport system."

Brett says the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024 introduces a new expectation for the NZTA to consider tolling to support the construction and maintenance of all new roads, including the Roads of National Significance.

"The Government has been clear through the GPS that they will support all recommendations by the NZTA to toll roads.

“Tolling will play a key role in the delivery of the Roads of National Significance and Roads of Regional Significance programmes, as part of a wider package of transport revenue and investment tools. 

"Revenue from tolling must be used for costs associated with the new road from which it is collected. Revenue can be used for activities associated with the planning, design, construction, operations, or maintenance of the road, and may include repayment of loans for building the road.”

The Takitimu North Link is being delivered in two stages:

Stage 1 is a new 6.8km 4-lane divided highway which will connect Tauranga and Te Puna and is scheduled to open 2028.

Stage 2 extends the expressway a further 7km to Ōmokoroa.

The project objectives of Takitimu North Link are to improve safety, efficiency and travel time reliability, and support sub-regional growth and development in the Western Bay of Plenty.

Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway

Construction on the Te Ahu a Turanga Manawatū Tararua Highway, which will replace the old Manawatū Gorge Road, commenced in early 2021.

It is a new a 11.5km, 100km/h, four-lane divided highway built over the Ruahine Range, to provide a safe, resilient, and efficient route between Woodville and Ashhurst. The highway is due to be completed in mid-2025.

Ōtaki to north of Levin

Ōtaki to north of Levin is a new 24km 4 lane divided highway which is being built to create a safer and more reliable SH1 from Ōtaki to north of Levin. Construction on Ō2NL will commence late 2025 and be completed 2029.