Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust (the Trust) has welcomed the government’s announcement of progress on the Northland Expressway, which will continue on from the successful Ara Tūhono - Pūhoi to Warkworth development.

Terrence “Mook” Hohneck, Chair of the Trust and Chair of Hōkai Nuku says the Northland Expressway, which will extend all the way to Whangārei, will provide a more resilient roading network between Tāmaki and Te Tai Tokerau.

“We shouldn’t have to worry about whether the North will be isolated from the rest of the country after a storm, but that is our reality. This development will provide more resilience during extreme weather events” says Mr Hohneck.

The indicative design for Ara Tūhono - Warkworth to Te Hana is a 26km four-lane highway which includes an 850m tunnel in Tohitohi ō Reipae (the Dome valley), and three interchanges at Puhinui Warkworth, Whakapirau Wellsford and Te Hana. These improvements will address the well known safety and resilience challenges in the Dome valley, a critical freight and passenger route.

“This isn’t just a new section of road - it is about unlocking the economic potential of Te Tai Tokerau by addressing the well known safety and resilience challenges in the Dome valley, moving people and freight more quickly, efficiently and safely across the region” says Mr Hohneck.

Mr Hohneck says that local transport projects have shown how collaboration with mana whenua benefits the economic, environmental and cultural success of a project.

“Having already successfully led local transport infrastructure projects, including the first stage of Ara Tūhono - Puhoi to Warkworth through Hōkai Nuku and Ō Mahurangi Penlink, Ngāti Manuhiri is ready to support the next stage of local infrastructure upgrades.

“We’re looking forward to seeing these projects progress and look forward to engaging with Waka Kotahi and the government to support economic growth and resilience in our rohe.”

Note:

Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust is the post settlement governance entity (PSGE) responsible for representing the Ngāti Manuhiri hapū and iwi members, giving effect to the Ngāti Manuhiri Claims Settlement Act 2012. Established in 2011, the Trust is committed to ensuring a prosperous future for Ngāti Manuhiri whānau.

Hōkai Nuku is an iwi collective established in 2010 to collaborate with the New Zealand Transport Agency on the Ara Tūhono - Puhoi to Te Hana Road of National Significance.

Connecting to Ara Tūhono - Pūhoi to Warkworth in the south, the Northland Corridor is made up of 3 sections: Warkworth to Te Hana, Te Hana to Port Marsden Highway, and Port Marsden Highway to Whangārei.

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