$476 million will be invested on maintaining and upgrading Taranaki’s transport system during the 2021–24 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) to help support the region’s residential and economic growth.

Taranaki NLTP 2023 update

Graphic showing 476 million forecast investment

 

Latest news

Two cyclists stopping at a scenic lake and Mount Taranaki

Plan ahead for summer journeys to Taranaki on State Highway 3

The lead up to Christmas is a busy time for everyone, especially on State Highway 3, with road works taking place in a number of locations.

Plan ahead for summer journeys to Taranaki on State Highway 3

 

Construction work of precast concrete being placed by contractors

Stretch of SH3 at Waitara to close for Te Ara Tūtohu safety improvement work

Work is progressing at the site of Te Ara Tūtohu: Waitara to Bell Block safety improvements project and contractors are getting set to continue to the next stage.

Stretch of SH3 at Waitara to close for Te Ara Tūtohu safety improvement work

 

Person inspects riparian or riverside planting alongside Mimi River

Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass project plants a legacy

A stretch of north Taranaki streambank is being given a new lease of life by Te Ara o Te Ata – Mt Messenger Bypass.

Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass project plants a legacy

 

Tom the Kiwi incubating eggs at Te Ara o Te Ata: A cracking good yarn

Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass has created a 40-metre work exclusion zone around a nesting kiwi bird, as the project continues its focus on caring for native species near the project area.

Tom the Kiwi incubating eggs at Te Ara o Te Ata: A cracking good yarn

Major work underway

Taranaki map 2022

View larger map [PDF, 700 KB]

Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass

Work is now underway on Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass. This project aims to deliver a safer and more resilient route between Taranaki and the King Country. It will see a new 6km section built from Uruti to Ahititi, avoiding the existing highway’s steep, narrow and winding route over Mt Messenger.

This project also features a major pest control programme to increase populations of native species over 3,650 hectares of surrounding forest.

Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass

Te Ara Tūtohu: Waitara to Bell Block

SH3 between Bell Block and Waitara is a key route for freight, locals and visitors to the region but too many people are dying and being seriously injured in crashes on this stretch of highway. As part of Road to Zero, we’re making the road safer by building roundabouts at the four high-risk intersections along the route and installing median barriers, rumble strips and other safety improvements. Work to build a roundabout and underpass at the intersection of Princess Street and SH3 is now underway.

Te Ara Tūtohu: Waitara to Bell Block

SH3 New Plymouth to Hāwera

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is moving forward with safety improvement plans for SH3 between New Plymouth and Egmont Village. Work to build a roundabout at Mangorei Road, road widening and removal of passing lanes is expected to get underway this year.

We have recently consulted with the public on a possible intersection speed zone at Junction Road. If approved this will be installed this year.

Additionally, work is underway to assess the feasibility of installing safety improvements such as a median barrier between Egmont Village and Hāwera.

SH3 New Plymouth to Hāwera

SH43 Forgotten World Highway

We’re undertaking a programme of improvements on the Forgotten World Highway funded through Kānoa – Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit and the regional allocation of the NZ Upgrade Programme. The improvements aim to boost tourism to the Taranaki region, making the road safer for locals and increasing the resilience of the Central North Island’s transport network. Stage one of work to seal the unsealed section of road through the Tāngarākau Gorge is complete and work to seal the remaining 10km is underway.

Work to build a new bride over Kahouri Stream near Stratford started in May and new safety barriers have been installed along the route.   

SH43 Forgotten World Highway

Maintaining your roads

The 2023/2024 road maintenance season will see a number of sections of state highway rebuilt, as well as 78 lane kilometres resealed over the summer programme.

During the summer months, road users can expect to encounter a number of roadwork sites and sections of newly sealed road on their journey.

It is important that drivers follow the temporary traffic management in place and adhere to all speed restrictions in place for the safety of road users and roading crews alike.

Speeding over a freshly sealed road can damage the new seal, lifting and flicking stones from the road that can, in turn, damage nearby vehicles or your own.

To minimise the risk of damage to both vehicles and the new seal, it is crucial that road users adhere to all temporary speed restrictions in place. 

Road users can expect some disruption to travel across the region during the summer period. We appreciate your patience and understanding while we work to improve the condition of Taranaki state highways.

Before leaving for your destination check the Journey Planner for the most up to date information on the state highway network.

Maintenance update

Maintenance activity undertaken during 2022/23

  • Rehabilitation (completely rebuilding the road) – 4.7 lane km
  • Resurfacing (replacing asphalt) – 6.7 lane km
  • Resealing (adding new layer of chipseal) – 91.2 lane km
  • SCRIM resealing (improving skid resistance) – 2.6 lane km
  • Total state highway network renewed – 8.0%
  • Total state highway maintenance spend – $28.0m

Maintenance summary infographic for Taranaki 2022/23 [PDF, 778 KB]

Planned maintenance for 2023/24

  • Rehabilitations – 6.1 lane km
  • Resurfacing – 2.7 lane km
  • Resealing – 83.1 lane km
  • SCRIM – 8.3 lane km
  • Percentage of network to be renewed – 7.6%
  • Total state highway spend – $36.1m

Disclaimer: Figures shown also include maintenance for a portion of the Waitomo and Ruapehu District Highways, plus some non-maintenance expenditure.

Planned maintenance infographic for Taranaki 2023/24 [PDF, 923 KB]

You can see all the roadworks planned for state highways across the Taranaki region over the 2023/2024 summer programme on this interactive map, and on the maintenance and operations page.

To focus on all planned works in the Taranaki region select ‘Taranaki’ as the region and all treatment categories.

Interactive map(external link)

Taranaki ongoing maintenance