Ōtaki to north of Levin update – November 2023

Waka Kotahi, Muaūpoko Tribal Authority, local hapū of Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga and council partner Horowhenua District Council are working together to create a positive legacy for the region while we build a new, safer and more reliable State Highway 1 from Ōtaki to north of Levin.

This month we want to share with you our latest project videos and provide an update on the new roundabout at the Tararua Road/ State Highway 57 intersection. Another milestone has been reached with the completion of the Ō2NL Environment Court Hearing, and we remind local businesses interested in working on the new highway and shared user path to complete our market sounding exercise survey. We also invite you to join the team at our next project office open days.

Our latest project videos are now available on our website

Hear from our team – latest videos

In our new videos, hear from project partners and the project design team about how we are working in partnership to deliver the new highway, ensuring we tread lightly with the whenua and work alongside the community.

 www.nzta.govt.nz/o2nl-proposed-new-highway/videos

Tararua Road/ State Highway 57 roundabout design

Ō2NL and HDC working together to build a new Tararua Road/ State Highway 57 roundabout

The Ōtaki to north of Levin project of Waka Kotahi, Muaūpoko Tribal Authority and Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga along with Horowhenua District Council are working in partnership to build a new roundabout at the Tararua Road/ State Highway 57 intersection.

A new roundabout at Tararua Road and SH57 will immediately improve safety at this busy intersection and will also provide a future connection to the new Ōtaki to north of Levin highway and the Tara-Ika growth area. Tararua Road will be a key connection from the new highway and Tara-ika to Levin. With vehicle volumes set to increase over the coming years we're working now to make this intersection safer for all those who will use it.

The new roundabout will encourage drivers to slow down at the intersection, making it safer for drivers to cross and turn right. The new roundabout will also improve pedestrian and cyclist safety by providing a pathway around the traffic lanes, and formal crossings.

We are currently working through both consenting and procurement for this project and construction is planned for early in 2024.

We will continue to keep you updated as we progress through these early processes.  If you have any questions about the new roundabout, we invite you to join us at this week’s project open day.

Ō2NL Environment Court Hearing

The Environment Court hearing was held in late October, with the Court hearing from interested parties, partners and technical specialists about the design of the new highway and shared user path.

If the Court confirm the notices of requirement and grant the resources consents, these will provide the key environmental approvals required to build the project. We will update you on Court’s decision in the new year.

The Ō2NL team presenting to local businesses about future opportunities on the project

Reminder about Ō2NL local market survey

In our October Project update we let you know how the Ō2NL project are working to provide opportunities for Iwi/ Māori and local businesses who want to be involved in the construction of the new highway and shared user path.

If you’re a local business and would like to support us to get an understanding of the current market, please complete our short survey by the end of Thursday 30 November 2023.

nzta.govt.nz/o2nl-survey

November and December Ō2NL project office open days

Please join us this week at our project office open day:

• Thursday 16 November from 12noon - 6pm
  171 Oxford Street, Levin

Our team will be available at to answer your questions about the new highway, walking and cycling path, the state highway safety improvements in your area, and the new roundabout we are building at the intersection of Tararua Road and State Highway 57.

Our last project office open day of the year will be held: 

• Wednesday 13 December from 1pm-5pm.

Our events give us a chance to meet with you in person and answer any questions you may have. If you'd like to chat with the team between events, you can email us at O2NL@nzta.govt.nz or phone 0508 625 4636.

More information

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/o2nl to find out about our work in the corridor or check out:

• www.nzta.govt.nz/o2nl-proposed-new-highway for information on the new highway, or
• www.nzta.govt.nz/o2nl-safe-speeds, to find out more about speed, or
• www.nzta.govt.nz/o2nl-safer-roads-and-roadsides to find out more about the work to make our existing roads and roadsides safer.

Our email newsletters will let you know when there is new information on our website.

Do you know people who want to know more? They can subscribe here.

For more information on the Ōtaki to north of Levin programme, contact us at O2NL@nzta.govt.nz or call 0508 625 4636.