Tairāwhiti communities encouraged to have say in future of state highway roading network

Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) is inviting locals throughout parts of Tairāwhiti to learn more about the post Cyclone Gabrielle recovery and rebuild.

TREC is an alliance set up to plan, design and manage the delivery of much of the recovery and rebuild work needed on the state highway and rail networks along the East Coast in partnership with local contractors and suppliers. We are also working closely with Iwi and council partners.

Since July when TREC was created, the focus has been on recovery work to restore access to parts of the State Highway network, such as fixing damaged sites along SH35 and around Mangahauini. This recovery work has been progressing well resulting in fast action for communities. Across Tairāwhiti more than 120 recovery sites have been completed from a total of 264. A further 25 are in construction and 78 in design. The recovery work will continue until the end of the year.

From next week, TREC is hosting a series of community drop-in sessions (details below) for local communities to get to know more about TREC’s ongoing recovery work, to meet the team and share local knowledge. We’ll be asking people for their views and feedback on potential long-term rebuild projects including Mangahauini Gorge on SH35.

At the same time, we’ll be providing a progress update on large projects such SH35 Hikuwai Bridges and talking about resilience sites being investigated along SH2.

These initial projects are a key focus because they’re all critically important parts of the network to keep freight moving and communities connected, especially in emergencies.

TREC Tairāwhiti spokesperson Richard Bayley says while the alliance is using the expertise of local contractors to carry out work, the input from local communities, iwi, hapū and other organisations is invaluable.

“We want to hear from the people who live and work in these communities and who drive the state highway network regularly.

“We are grateful to communities for all their support since Cyclone Gabrielle, crews for their hard work and road users for their understanding. We know it hasn’t been easy with so many worksites in operation and we do want to reiterate our thanks to people for their support while we restore access and rebuild a more resilient network,” says Mr Bayley.

TREC wants as many people as possible to have their say on the network, and in particular the current focus area of Mangahauini Gorge. People who can’t make any of the drop-in sessions are being invited to have their say via an online questionnaire, open from next Tuesday 19 March through to 16 April on the TREC webpage of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

NZ Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC)

There will be more opportunities to share your views on rebuild work and help shape the future of the East Coast state highway network.

Details of the community drop-in sessions, starting next Monday: