The East West Link is a priority project for the long term growth of Auckland and the economic development of New Zealand.
March 2021
Two appeals against the BOI’s decision were heard in the High Court in 2020. On 5 March 2021, both appeals were dismissed and the BOI’s decision to award the Resource Management Act (RMA) approvals for East West Link was upheld.
Subject to further appeals, the existing designation (granted in January 2018) will remain in place until the re-evaluation outcomes (outlined in more detail below) and next steps are confirmed.
Once the outcomes are confirmed, Waka Kotahi will review the need to retain all or parts of the current designation and the scope of the consents granted. It is important to note that the transport challenges for the area remain and the re-evaluation aims to prioritise and address these challenges, working in collaboration with project partners.
Once there is a clearer path for the project, Waka Kotahi will work with key project stakeholders and the community to agree on next steps for the project.
March 2020
The East West Link is currently being reviewed to evaluate whether it aligns with the new priorities and strategic direction set out by the Government Policy Statement on land transport. This re-evaluation is part of the Transport Agency’s overall work to take a fresh look at transport investments across the country.
The complexity of the East West Link project and interrelationship with other regional works mean that the re-evaluation is still progressing. Once this work has been completed, the Transport Agency will engage with key stakeholders and the community to provide more information on the project.
View a larger overview map [JPG, 57 KB]
The project aims to:
As the engine room of New Zealand’s industrial and manufacturing economy, the Onehunga-Penrose area is a key piece in the country’s transport network. Many of the largest distribution and logistics facilities are based in the area because it is close to state highways, the rail network, the airport and the port. The area employs approximately 68,000 people and contributes $4.6 billion a year to Auckland’s economy.
However the current transport connections into and through the area are either incomplete or highly congested. This makes it slower and more expensive to move freight and these costs are passed on to customers. It also makes it harder to local residents and businesses to get around. With freight movements expected to double by 2035, it’s important to start building solutions now to address this. The project will provide the necessary infrastructure to unlock the restrictions to growth and support Auckland’s future prosperity.
Exhibit 3: Video showing SH20 underpass.
