Tauriko West

Project update

20 October 2025

Tēnā koe and welcome to the SH29/SH29A Tauriko West Road of National Significance (RoNS) project update.

In this edition, you can read about:

• the route protection phase of the SH29/SH29A Tauriko West RoNS project
• what’s ahead for the Ōmanawa Bridge replacement project
• progress on the Tauriko Enabling Works, with 2 construction milestones coming up
• upcoming maintenance work on SH29.

Tauriko West community information day

On Saturday 8 November 2025, between 11am and 2pm, we'll be hosting a Tauriko West community information day at Tauriko School.

This will be an opportunity for the wider community to come along and find out more about the route protection phase of the Tauriko West project, the SH29 Tauriko Enabling Works already underway, the SH29 Ōmanawa Bridge replacement, and other developments in the area.

Map of the new SH29 route and SH29A upgrades

Tauriko West Road of National Significance

We've awarded the contract to protect the route and seek consents for the new Tauriko West SH29 highway and upgrades to State Highway 29A (SH29A) in Tauranga, a Road of National Significance (RoNS). This project is a key step to support economic growth, productivity and housing development, improving safety, and providing a more resilient roading network.

The work will enhance travel between Ōmanawa Road and the Port of Tauranga. The new SH29 will feature 4 lanes between the Redwood Lane interchange and the new Takitimu North Link Interchange, which is currently under construction. SH29A will also be widened to 4 lanes between the Takitimu Drive Toll Road roundabout and the new Barkes Corner Interchange.

To progress the next stage, we've engaged BBO to support with the designation and consenting work needed to build the state highway. This includes identifying the land required, gaining statutory approvals (such as designation, resource consents, archaeological authorities and wildlife permits), undertaking technical and environmental assessments, relocating utilities and working with landowners.

To inform our designation and consents applications, and the planning and design of the SH29/SH29A Tauriko West upgrades, a range of assessments and site investigations ahead of lodgement will be undertaken. These include testing the soil and ground strength, surveying vegetation, streams and checking out wildlife. Work is underway to confirm the type of technical assessments and field surveys required, with investigations are expected to start in October 2025.

We plan to apply for the necessary approvals under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 around mid-2026. We expect to finish the route protection phase in 2028/29.

Find out more

SH29 Ōmanawa Bridge looking from Tauranga towards Hamilton. Artist impression.

Ōmanawa Bridge construction to get underway

People travelling along SH29 will shortly see the first steps to build the new Ōmanawa Bridge getting underway.

The new bridge, the first phase in the SH29/SH29A Tauriko West RoNS project, will be built alongside the existing one, on an alignment that fits with the future design for Tauriko West.

In early September we awarded the construction contract to HEB Construction Limited, and the team is now making a start on preparing the site for the work ahead.

Trees have been cleared and work is about to start on building access roads across the site to the where the new bridge will be built and by November main construction will be underway. 

The new bridge will be higher to allow for flooding and stronger to cater for heavy trucks travelling to and from the Port of Tauranga. There will also be some minor changes made to the SH29/Ōmanawa Road intersection to make it safer.

Construction will be largely off-line during the initial stages of the project, with only minimal impacts for people using SH29. Drivers in the area can expect minor layout changes to the state highway and temporary speed restrictions near the existing bridge and on Ōmanawa Road so site access and off-line works can be managed safely.

The main access to the worksite will be from Ōmanawa Road, near the junction, which will be clearly signposted.

The Tauriko West RoNS project will improve the safety, resilience, and freight efficiency of SH29, a key route in the Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga triangle.

Find out more

SH29/Redwood Lane roundabout

Tauriko Enabling Works

After 18 months of construction, the team has completed the majority of infrastructure upgrades in the Redwood Lane section of the Tauriko Enabling Works.

This includes upgraded underground services, environmental protections, the new SH29/Redwood Lane roundabout and pedestrian and cyclist underpass.

We are now preparing to open the fourth and final leg of the roundabout, the Kaweroa Drive connection.

This marks a major milestone in the project, with the extension of Kaweroa Drive providing a new connection to the Tauriko Business Estate.

Final line marking and finishing works will take place in October and November, with the new connection expected to be open in late November/early December.

The primary function of this connection is to support industrial and commercial traffic accessing businesses in the estate and to distribute traffic more evenly between SH29 and SH36.

All work in this section is on track to be completed by the end of the year, including the final road surface layer and line marking. This will see the roundabout open in its completed layout, with 2 lanes in each direction on SH29, and the Kaweroa Drive connection in action.

Meanwhile in the Tauriko Village section we’ve recently marked one year of construction. Crews got to work in Tauriko Village and along Cambridge Road in mid-September 2024 - fast forward to now and the progress is evident. The area has been transformed and the groundwork laid for future development, with a new intersection, road, and car park for the Tauriko School and Playcentre.

Find out more

Summer maintenance programme

SH29, from Tauriko to the summit of the Kaimai Range and over to Piarere, is a key corridor NZTA is focused on strengthening this summer maintenance season, so it remains safe, reliable and meets the needs of all road users.

Between now and May 2026, there are 5 sites on the Bay of Plenty side of the Kaimai Range where the road will be rebuilt and resurfaced.

The first site got underway in late September and involves a significant road rebuild of around 1.5 kilometres of SH29 near Valley View Road. Temporary traffic management will be in place on SH29, near Valley View Road until early 2026 while the various phases of rebuild are completed.

Find out more

Once the work is finished, drivers can look forward to a safer, smoother drive along this stretch of SH29. 

Sign up to receive maintenance email updates here.

SH29 flyover connecting Tauriko and Tauranga CBD taking shape

Summer construction programme: Takitimu North Link Stage 1

Summer construction season is underway as the Takitimu North Link Stage 1 team enters its fifth year of progress.

Major works continue across key areas including SH2 Fifteenth Ave, SH29, and Minden Road in Te Puna.

At SH2 / Fifteenth Ave, construction of a 120-metre retaining wall and bridge connection to SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road is progressing, with columns complete and crossheads underway. One lane near Edgcumbe Road will remain closed until mid-2026.

At SH29, the flyover connecting Tauriko and Tauranga CBD is taking shape, with barriers installed and the southbound lane asphalted. The 363-metre bridge, new roundabout, and slip lane are expected to be completed by early 2027.

In the Minden / Te Puna area, the main structure of one of three bridges over Minden Gully is complete, enabling haul routes that keep construction traffic off SH2. Upgrades to Minden Road are in progress, and design refinements continue near Loop Road to connect Stage 1 and Stage 2.

Earthworks are wrapping up this summer, with 3 million cubic metres of material moved. Focus is shifting to drainage and pavement, with increased truck-and-trailer activity delivering aggregates.

The Oturu Culvert near Te Rangi tua nehe Minden is nearly complete and will manage stormwater from Oturu Stream tributaries.

At Smith’s Farm, bridge beams are in place and deck pouring is next, providing future access to housing. Drainage installation is also advancing, with over 50% of the 11km goal targeted this season.

Takitimu North Link is a Road of National Significance connecting Tauranga and Te Puna.

Sign up to the project newsletter for regular updates.

More information

Read more and sign up for updates about the project at:

Website - paetukutuku nzta.govt.nz/tauriko-west

Email - īmēra bopprojects@nzta.govt.nz