Fast-Track Approval Granted for Takitimu North Link Stage 2 in Bay of Plenty

A major transport upgrade for the Western Bay of Plenty has received Fast-track approval, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says.

NZTA lodged its application in August 2025 to build about 7.7 kilometres of new highway in the Bay of Plenty.

Approval has taken just five months following the commencement of the expert panel, says Mr Bishop.

The Government is committed to building a long-term pipeline of transport infrastructure investments to redress New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit and build jobs and growth for Kiwis.

The Takitimu North Link – Stage 2 Road of National Significance will be a four lane, median-divided highway between Te Puna and Ōmokoroa, improving safety and reliability on one of the region’s busiest routes.

Takitimu North Link Stage 1 is now four years into construction, with major structures largely complete. All bridge construction is scheduled to finish in 2026, and the project is expected to be fully completed in 2028.

The new road will provide a safer and more reliable trip between Te Puna and Ōmokoroa, supporting regional growth and productivity. It will improve travel times for all transport modes and enhanced reliability and safety for commuters.

NZTA estimates the project could deliver around $610 million in economic output for the Bay of Plenty region and provide more than 4,800 jobs over the development period.

It’s part of the Government’s work to ensure New Zealand has a credible pipeline of high value infrastructure projects extending into the future, and that they’re ready to go as funding becomes available.

This is the 14th project approved through the Fast-track process and the first roading project.

Notes to editors: For more information about the project: Takitimu North Link – Stage 2 Fast-track by the numbers: 14 projects approved by expert panels.

20 projects with expert panels appointed.

149 projects are listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act, meaning they can apply for Fast-track approval.

46 projects currently progressing through the Fast-track process.

34 projects have been referred to Fast-track by the Minister for Infrastructure.

On average, it has taken 128 working days for decisions on substantive applications from when officials determine an application is complete and in-scope.

Fast-track projects approved by expert panels: Arataki [Housing/Land] Homestead Bay [Housing/Land] Sunfield [Housing/Land] Bledisloe North Wharf and Fergusson North Berth Extension [Infrastructure] Drury Metropolitan Centre – Consolidated Stages 1 and 2 [Housing/Land] Drury Quarry Expansion – Sutton Block [Mining/Quarrying] Green Steel [Infrastructure] Kings Quarry Expansion – Stages 2 and 3 [Mining/Quarrying] Maitahi Village [Housing/Land] Milldale – Stages 4C and 10 to 13 [Housing/Land] Rangitoopuni [Housing/Land] Tekapo Power Scheme – Applications for Replacement Resource Consents [Renewable energy] Takitimu North Link – Stage 2 [Infrastructure] Waihi North [Mining/Quarrying] Expert panels have been appointed for: Ashbourne Ayrburn Screen Hub Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project Delmore Haldon Solar Farm Hananui Aquaculture Project Kaimai Hydro-Electric Power Scheme Lake Pūkaki Hydro Storage and Dam Resilience Works Mahinerangi Wind Farm Pound Road Industrial Development Ryans Road Industrial Development Southland Wind Farm Project State Highway 1 North Canterbury - Woodend Bypass Project (Belfast to Pegasus) Stella Passage Development (Port of Tauranga) The Downtown Carpark Site Development The Point Mission Bay The Point Solar Farm Waitaha Hydro Waitākere District Court – New Courthouse Project Wellington International Airport Southern Seawall Renewal