Project Update - September 2021

Plan of the proposed roundabout at the intersection of SH1 and SH29

Resource consent applications for SH1/SH29 intersection lodged

Waka Kotahi has taken an important step towards making the SH1/SH29 intersection safer with consent applications and the notice for requirement for the project now lodged with the relevant councils.

We are asking Waikato Regional, Matamata-Piako and South Waikato District Councils to use the direct referral process, which means the applications would go to the Environment Court in the first instance.

The direct referral process is intended to streamline decision-making for notified consents and notices of requirement and will save time and costs for both applicants and submitters by avoiding the need for a two-stage hearing process. With the direct referral process, the Environment Court makes the decision on whether to grant the consents.

Waka Kotahi has discussed its intent to proceed with direct referral with mana whenua and key stakeholders, including the SH1/SH29 Consent Steering Group.

The next step is for the councils to decide on the direct referral process, notify the application and receive written submissions. Further details on the application and how you can make written submissions will be provided on the council websites, likely from mid-October, and we’ll keep you updated when this happens.

In the meantime, information on the Consent Application and the direct referral process is available on our website.

Meet Josiah Simmonds, "culturalpreneur"

A childhood chore has morphed into a career choice that is providing both challenge and fulfilment for WSP Hamilton water engineer, Josiah Simmonds. 

As part of the SH1/SH29 intersection project team, he is responsible for the stormwater design for the project.

Josiah, who is Ngāti Huri, is excited to be involved with the NZ Upgrade Project at Piarere and not just because of the interesting stormwater management design aspects.

“It also has personal significance. My awa is the Waikato River. I want to do everything I can do to make sure we are protecting it…it is our mauri, our lifeforce”.

Josiah also attributes his interest in water from childhood experiences. He spent eight years in Tajikistan where his parents were humanitarian aid workers, and where access to clean drinking water was one of the biggest issues.

Josiah’s stormwater design, developed with iwi partners, sits alongside ecology, archaeology and landscaping reports and concepts in the resource consent application.

Ngāti Hauā representative Norm Hill describes Josiah as a “culturalpreneur” – for his multi-disciplinary, big picture approach.

“The hope is that the story and the history of the area is woven into the solution,” says Josiah. “When the project is finished and we walk away, it is not only an upgraded intersection, it is safer for our community and will give credence to some of the history of the region.”

To read more of Josiah's story click here. 

About the New Zealand Upgrade Programme

Waka Kotahi and KiwiRail are delivering the New Zealand Upgrade Programme, the Government’s $8.7 billion transport investment in growing areas across the country. Communities can look forward to transport improvements that provide more travel choices, help people get where they’re going safely and grow our economy, while responding to the impacts of travel on the environment.

More information

For more information on the Cambridge to Piarere project, contact us at c2p@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/c2p