WELLINGTON OFFICE
Level 5, The Majestic Centre
100 Willis Street
PO Box 5084
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T 64 4 894 5200
4 April 2019
F 64 4 894 3305
www.nzta.govt.nz
Andrew Hollis
[FYI request #9709 email]
Ref: OIA-4772
Dear Andrew
Request made under the Official Information Act 1982
Thank you for your email of 28 February 2019 requesting the fol owing information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
“Status of the Tauranga Northern Link Project and the allocated funds associated with
that project.
“Please provide detail on the Tauranga Northern Link project especially confirming the
$220million allocated to this project and where that money currently is.
“Ideally, please provide minutes of meetings and board meetings where this road has been
discussed over the past 2 years.
“Please include any minutes that include the Minister of Transport.”
Regarding the part of your request that asks for “detail” and “minutes of meetings and board
meetings”, we have interpreted this to be in relation to the status of the Tauranga Northern Link
project and the al ocated funds for the Tauranga Northern Link project (the topic of your request).
Status of the Tauranga Northern Link Project
A new vision for our transport network was set out in the Government Policy Statement (GPS) on land
transport. The Tauranga Northern Link Project (along with 11 other projects) therefore had to be re-
evaluated by the NZ Transport Agency to assess whether it aligned with the new GPS/new vision. The
re-evaluation was completed, and the outcome announced in October 2018. Available here:
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/media-releases/new-plans-to-improve-safety-drive-transport-choice-
and-plan-for-future-on-sh2-between-waihi-and-tauranga/. Further information on the re-evaluation
outcomes can be found on the project website at: www.nzta.govt.nz/tnl
The re-evaluation technical report for the State Highway 2 (SH2) Waihi to Tauranga corridor, including
Tauranga Northern Link, will be made available on the Transport Agency website in due course.
We are now considering funding and timing for the Tauranga Northern Link against funds available
nationally. We anticipate that we may be able to provide an update on the next steps for this project in
the coming months.
Tauranga Northern Link funding
Tauranga Northern Link was approved by the Transport Agency Board for pre-implementation and
implementation phases in March 2016. The funding approved by the Transport Agency Board was
$286 million. The difference between the $286 mil ion approved in March 2016 and the $270.3 mil ion
of approved funds held beyond the current National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) 2017-2028
period, is the cost incurred through works completed between 2016 and 2018 in the pre-
implementation phase. This phase included specimen design, consenting and property acquisition.
Because of the new GPS the Transport Agency Board has requested more work to be done before it
makes a decision on any future funding and timing for this project (and all re-evaluated projects).
Documents requested
The documents that fal within the scope of your request are listed in the attached Document Schedule
and are enclosed.
I have withheld certain information under section 9(2)(a) of the Act. This section allows us to withhold
information to protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of deceased natural persons.
I have withheld certain information under section 9(2)(g)(i) of the Act. This section allows us to
withhold information to the free and frank expression of opinions by or between or to Ministers of the
Crown or members of an organisation or officers and employees of any department or organisation in
the course of their duty.
I do not consider that it is in the public interest to make this information available.
Board meeting minutes and minutes of meetings with the Minister of Transport
The Transport Agency Board meeting minutes are available on the Transport Agency website at
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/about-us/about-the-nz-transport-agency/our-board/board-meeting-
minutes/
The 5 October 2018 Board meeting minutes have an item relating to the outcomes of the re-evaluation
of SH2 Waihi to Tauranga corridor, including Tauranga Northern Link. These minutes are available at
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/About-us-2/docs/board-meeting-minutes-2018/minutes-
20181005.pdf
Regarding the part of your request that relates to minutes of meetings that include the Minister of
Transport, I am refusing this part of your request under section 18 (e) of the Act because the
information requested does not exist.
Under section 28 of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review my decision to refuse
part of this request. The contact details for the Ombudsman can be located at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz
If you would like to discuss this reply with the Transport Agency, please contact Chris Gasson, Portfolio
Manager, System, Design and Delivery, by email to [email address] or by phone on 09 928
8708.
Yours sincerely
Kevin Reid
Senior Manager, System Design
OIA-4772 Document Schedule
Ref
Document
Date
Description
1.
180214 Tauranga Northern Link
14 February 2018
Monthly meeting minutes
Project Control Group meeting
minutes
2.
180828 Re-evaluation workshop
28 August 2018
Workshop notes
summary notes