A total of $14 million will be invested in the Chatham Islands through the NLTP during 2018–21.
Of $3.2 million set aside for improving local roads, almost $1 million will be spent to replace the single-lane Waikato Bridge that provides access to Chatham Islands Airport. This is a key lifeline route for the island, used by ambulances for emergency flights to New Zealand and for high-value seafood exports for air freight. The ageing timber structure has a weight restriction and will be replaced by a new twin-box culvert, improving the resilience of the route.
A further $10.5 million will be invested over 2018–21 to operate and maintain existing
roads on the Chatham Islands.
