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Connect Rotorua |
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27 August 2025 |
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Welcome to our August 2025 edition of Connect Rotorua. This edition gives you an update on our latest work on State Highway 30 (SH30) Te Ngae Road, the results of the most recent speed review consultation and other activities on state highways in and around Rotorua. |
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New traffic lights – drive with carePeople are urged to take extra care travelling through the newly activated traffic signals at the intersection of SH30 Te Ngae Road and Wharenui Road as part of the SH30 Eastern Corridor project. While this phase of the project is nearly complete, fine tuning of the signal phasing, skid resistant surfacing and some additional road marking is yet to be completed. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Regional Infrastructure Delivery Manager Darryl Coalter is asking people to take care and be patient as they adjust to the new layout. “We ask people to be patient while this work is being carried out as it may take some time to fine tune the signals to improve traffic flow. “Busy sites with single lanes can create slow-moving queues as some vehicles accelerate slowly compared to others and gaps develop, he said. “The local operations centre is observing the flow and adjusting the signals to reduce the gaps and delays. “We’re also adding some additional line-marking over the next few weeks to improve traffic flow when exiting the busy supermarket and to prevent queuing across the exit,” he said. A temporary speed limit of 40km/h will remain in place until October, when warmer weather will allow for skid resistant surfacing to be applied, ensuring a quality and long-lasting finish. “Efficient operation of this intersection is important for both through and local traffic, and we appreciate people’s patience and co-operation during this transition” says Mr Coalter. Significant development, particularly new housing, is underway in eastern Rotorua and NZTA is planning for the effects of growth across the transport network, and SH30 Te Ngae Road in particular. SH30 carries between 12,500 (11.6% heavy) south of SH30/SH33 roundabout and 20,700 (7.2% heavy) vehicles near Puarenga Park each day. It’s one of 2 key routes between Rotorua and Tauranga and is the key heavy vehicle route for freight. The SH30 Eastern Corridor project will address safety and connectivity, while accommodating for future growth and providing better travel choices. This intersection upgrade is the final major part of Phase 1 of Stage 2. It aims to improve transport safety, efficiency, and connectivity in eastern Rotorua, especially to support new housing near Wharenui Road. Phases 2 and 3 are not yet scheduled or funded and will depend on future growth. |
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New tactile markers improve safety and accessibility at crossingsWe’ve added textured ground markers (called tactile paving) near the crossing buttons to help guide people - yellow markers for pedestrians and green markers for cyclists These markers help people find the right button to press for crossing. Cyclists have a shorter crossing time than pedestrians. Traffic signals help manage flow and reduce congestion, especially during busy times. They also enhance safety by controlling turning and crossing movements, making intersections safer for everyone. |
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New safety cameras coming to Rotorua’s SH5 – a step towards safer roadsIf you regularly drive along State Highway 5 (SH5) south of Rotorua, you’ll notice some changes aimed at making your journey safer. NZTA is installing a pair of average speed safety cameras near Tumunui, part of a broader effort to reduce serious crashes on high-risk roads across the Bay of Plenty. Crews have begun work on the stretch of SH5 between Rotorua and Waimangu. The cameras will be installed near 126 Thermal Explorer Highway and 2028 Thermal Explorer Highway, covering a section of road where nearly half of all drivers were found speeding in a recent survey. These aren’t your typical speed cameras. Instead of catching drivers at a single point, average speed cameras calculate how fast you’re going over a longer distance. It’s a fairer system that encourages consistent safe driving, not just slowing down when you see a camera.
Why Rotorua? The decision to install cameras here is based on clear evidence of the types of crashes that happen, the volume of traffic, and driver behaviour. The risk can be significantly reduced if more people drive to the speed limit. |
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Let’s keep our cycle lanes clear and safe! 🚲Just a quick reminder for everyone traveling along SH30 Te Ngae Road: this stretch of road is a regional state highway, and there’s no on-street parking from Rotokawa Road through Ōwhata. We’ve noticed a few vehicles parked in places that are meant to be kept clear, like cycle lanes, shared paths, and near fire hydrants. These areas are important for the safety of all road users, especially people on bikes. Plus, with increases to parking fines, it’s worth double-checking before you park! How to spot a cycle lane: Look for a continuous white line on the left side of the traffic lane. Some lanes also have green paint and/or bike symbols to make them easier to see. In wider areas, you might notice double white lines or physical separators to give cyclists extra space. Thanks for helping make our roads safer and more welcoming for everyone. Let’s share the space and keep Rotorua rolling smoothly! |
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Rotorua state highway speed review outcomesNZTA has confirmed speed limit changes for Rotorua’s urban state highway connectors following recent reviews. Under the Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024, 16 state highway sections were reviewed due to automatic reversals to higher speed limits. Strong community feedback supported keeping lower limits in many areas. Key Rotorua outcomes:
These changes reflect Rotorua’s evolving urban environment and aim to improve safety and consistency. They took effect from 1 July 2025. For full details, visit Urban connectors new speed reviews outcome. |
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Final days to have your say on second toll point proposalWhat do you think of the proposal to add a second toll point on the State Highway 2 (SH2) Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road? NZTA wants you to have your say. Public consultation closes 5pm Thursday 28 August 2025. We’re proposing to add another toll point between Domain Road Interchange and Pāpāmoa East Interchange. People travelling this distance would pay a lower toll price to reflect the shorter distance travelled. The proposed prices being consulted on are:
Vehicles travelling the full length of the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road, between Domain Road Interchange and Paengaroa Roundabout, and Paengaora Roundabout and Pāpāmoa East Interchange, would continue to pay current toll prices $2.30 for light vehicles and $5.60 for heavy vehicles. As a reminder, we use tolling revenue to pay the debt borrowed to build the road. We’ll summarise your feedback and share it with the Minister of Transport to provide insight into the level of community support for the tolling proposal. The Minister will then make a decision on the proposal. Submit your feedback on our website: nzta.govt.nz/teltolling Feedback closes at 5pm on 28 August 2025. |
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BOP maintenance page information and sign upNZTA maintains more than 740km of state highways across the Bay of Plenty and each summer we deliver a road renewal programme to keep the network safe, accessible, and supportive of economic growth. This season, NZTA is investing in a significant road rebuild programme across the Bay of Plenty, alongside many resealing and resurfacing sites throughout the region. This work is in addition to our regular summer maintenance, which ensures the network remains safe, reliable, and fit for purpose. Key corridors targeted this season include SH29 from Tauriko to the Kaimai Summit, SH2 through urban Tauranga between Bethlehem and Bayfair and extending eastwards to Ōtamarākau, as well as SH5, SH30, SH30A and SH33 in the Rotorua area, alongside many resealing and resurfacing sites throughout the region. We’re also changing how we tell you about upcoming roadworks, focusing more on using emails and our Waikato & Bay of Plenty Facebook page. Emails and social media are now the way most people prefer to hear about the maintenance we’re doing, and they’re more cost-effective and efficient – for example, we can easily tell you about late changes to works happening, such as when planned roadworks are affected by the weather.
Stay informed about upcoming state highway road works in your area: |
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Blockbuster 2nd season for SH1 Tīrau to Waiouru maintenance projectSH1 Tīrau to Waiouru Accelerated Maintenance Project is back for season 2 but unlike the bingeable Netflix series you hope will be extended into a third season, our second season will be final, but it’s a blockbuster. Spoiler alert: We will not be using full 24/7 road closures to complete work in season 2 but we will require some overnight closures on SH1 between Tokoroa and Ātiamuri, on the Desert Road and at Tīrau. The schedule for these and detours are still being finalised and we’ll update as soon as we have the details. While we aren’t using 24/7 closures, you should still expect disruption and some delays on SH1 near our work sites, particularly between Taupō and Tūrangi where we’re starting on Monday 1 September and have the most work to complete. Keep across the latest information by signing up to the T2W newsletter, which can be found at nzta.govt.nz/t2w. |
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SH5 improvements in brief
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More information |
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For more information on Connect Rotorua, contact us at ConnectRotorua@nzta.govt.nz Visit our website nzta.govt.nz/connect-rotorua |
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