44 Bowen Street
Private Bag 6995
Wellington 6141
New Zealand
T 64 4 894 5400
F 64 4 894 6100
www.nzta.govt.nz
6 August 2024
Brendon Barnes
[FYI request #27605 email]
REF: OIA-15875
Dear Brendon
Request made under the Official Information Act 1982
Thank you for your email
of 13 July 2024 requesting information regarding State Highway 2 (SH2)
Waihī to Ōmokoroa safety improvements under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act). I will
address each part of your request in turn below.
Did NZTA consider the additional time for emergency vehicles to reach sites when
finalising their design and installation of wire median barriers on State Highway 2
(WBOP)?
Yes, multiple rounds of engagement/consultation have been undertaken throughout the course of the
project between 2014 and 2023, which included technical workshops with emergency services. NZ
Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is also actively seeking their feedback relating to the
temporary traffic management while installation works are taking place. A full summary of engagement
that has taken place for the project is publicly available at
: nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh2-waihi-to-tauranga-
corridor/sh2-waihi-to-omokoroa/engagement/
In June 2024, NZTA received written confirmation from Hato Hone St John that the barriers will not
significantly impact response times. Emergency services respond from both directions of SH2 and
dispatch decisions are made based on the quickest response time. Dispatch software can account for
the presence of barriers, consider the number of roundabouts along the route, and ensure the most
efficient routes are selected for the emergency vehicles.
A key part of the design is the space between the guardrail at the edge of the road and the median
barrier, which measures 6.25 metres. This allows sufficient room for other road users to move as far to
the side of the road as safely possible, while allowing emergency services to pass. This design also
accommodates agricultural vehicles, large trucks, and slow vehicles.
If so, can the outputs of this analysis (cost / benefit) please be shared with the public.
NZTA has not conducted a specific cost-benefit analysis on how design and installation of wire median
barriers will influence emergency vehicles. I am therefore refusing this part of your request under
section 18(g)(i) of the Act as the information requested is not held by NZTA and there is no reason to
believe it is held by another government agency or department.
There have already been noticeable benefits, as confirmed by Hato Hone St John, that there has been
a considerable decrease in attendance to vehicle collisions along this stretch of corridor since the
median barriers are installed.
If you would like to discuss this reply with NZTA, please contact the Ministerial Services team by email
to [NZTA request email].
Yours sincerely
Peter Wiles
National Manager Infrastructure Delivery
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