Where are we now?
The Pukekohe Business Case was approved by the Auckland Transport and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Boards in September 2023.
We lodged the nine Notices of Requirement with Auckland Council in October 2023.
Auckland Council publicly notified the Notices of Requirement in October 2023 and submissions closed in November 2023.
Public hearings took place in March 2024 where the requiring authorities (Auckland Transport and NZTA) and all submitters had an opportunity to present and be heard.
Where are we heading?
We expect that Auckland Council will make its recommendation on the Notices of Requirement before the end of the 2024.
The requiring authorities will then make the final decision 30 working days after receiving the recommendation. This decision will be notified within 15 days to submitters, directly affected landowners/occupiers and immediate surrounding properties to the designation.
There will be an opportunity for any submitter to appeal the requiring authority’s decision. Appeals are lodged with the Environment Court.
Pukekohe, Paerata and south Drury Timeline
About Pukekohe, Paerata and south Drury
By 2050 more than 65,000 people are expected to be living in Pukekohe, Paerata, and south Drury with around 12,500 new homes and 5000 new jobs expected as a result of this population increase. Areas of land across the Pukekohe, Paerata and south Drury have been zoned future urban to support planned business and residential growth.
Te Tupu Ngātahi Supporting Growth is working to protect land for modern, integrated, safe, and sustainable transport networks that will better connect future communities with options for walking, cycling, using public transport, and driving.
This work integrates with the Auckland Council Pukekohe-Paerata Structure Plan and Drury-Opaheke Structure plan and community aspirations that transport networks support the mix and location of housing, employment, retail, commercial, and communities in the area.
The timing for construction of the new transport network will vary and is dependent on the release of surrounding land for development and funding.
During public consultation, we heard that you opposed the proposed North East Arterial option, specifically, the section proposed to upgrade Grace James Road.
As a result of ongoing assessment and the feedback we received during consultation, we have made changes to the proposed North East Arterial alignment. The proposed alignment is now:
- Sitting away from the Future Urban Zone. This is similar to a route identified in the Pukekohe-Paerata Structure Plan 2019.
- A more easterly alignment in the southern section at the intersection of Pukekohe East Road.
Investigating various routes/alignments that could make up the proposed transport network is part of the process leading to lodging Notices of Requirement. Changes to initial proposals and options can occur as a result of additional investigations, further assessment, and public engagement.
The North East Arterial alignment was revised for a number of reasons including:
- Our additional work shows that it directly connects the proposed Paerata and western arterials.
- Community and stakeholder feedback during consultation.
- Further assessment indicates that the revised alignment will be more direct and will be used more by general traffic, including freight.
- For the southern section of the revised alignment (which now has a more easterly route), there are reduced impacts on ecologically significant areas compared to other options. It integrates better with future urban development on the eastern side (closer to Runciman Road).
In summary, the value of the North East Arterial route to the overall transport network for Pukekohe-Paerata and south Drury increases with these changes.
