Thank you to the individuals, groups, organisations and councils who have had their say, and to the community members who organised meetings and the hikoi against the tolling proposal for Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū- Tararua Highway project.

We have campaigned hard for a Toll Free Tararua knowing how the replacement road impacts all aspects of our lives. We have endured the detour roads because we shared the vision of a safe and resilient replacement highway. We shared the same vision as those who work to build Te Ahu a Turanga and we have watched their hard work and progress from our doorstep. This toll proposal is not their idea or fault, they want everyone to be able to use and see this incredible road, the complex engineering, planting, mahi toi and they want to deliver the safe and resilient highway that was designed and promised. We do not blame the people working on the road.

The Tararua District Council does not support the toll or a toll of any amount and know the proposed toll of $4.30 for a light vehicle and $8.60 for a heavy vehicle is prohibitive for many people in our district. The negative impacts on our community far outweigh any potential benefits for the national transport network.

The consultation process was flawed. Essential information was not provided at the outset and was released under the Official Information Act partway through consultation and in the final days of consultation. This is unacceptable and places all submissions already made at a disadvantage. Council also worked until the last minute on our submission to make the deadline, due to the extremely late release of a tolling modelling report.

The tolling assessment makes no specific mention of the Tararua District community. Our submission highlights the many negative impacts a toll would have on our community, from barriers to healthcare, impacts on businesses, young people, and our community’s most vulnerable.

It appears the figures in the tolling assessment have been overly inflated to get over the 10,000 to be able to consider a toll. We also challenge the modelling used in the tolling assessment.

This is not a new road. It is a replacement road for SH3 irreparably damaged and permanently closed in 2017. The Saddle Road and Pahiatua Track are not feasible or safe alternatives. We have formally requested the maintenance costs NZTA are currently spending on both these roads, as high volumes of traffic are expected to continue to use these roads if the highway is tolled. Council is taking the firm stance of not taking back the Saddle Road, Pahiatua Track and Ballance Valley Road once the highway opens if it is tolled, due to the unaffordable maintenance costs for ratepayers.

The law that allows roads to be tolled requires the Minister of Transport to be satisfied with the level of community support in the relevant region or regions. It's clear our community does not support the proposal, and neither do any of the councils in our region who have joined us in submitting against. We strongly advocate that this toll is not recommended.

The next step for NZTA is to summarise our submissions and we have requested this information be shared with us.

We continue to work in the background and have requested further information under the Official Information Act. We have written to Simon Bridges as Chair of the NZTA Board to request the opportunity to address the Board with iwi and the region’s mayors, to highlight what this connection means to us all.

It is important we keep pressure on as there is a real sense of determination from the Government to apply a blanket approach to tolling. The case for exempting Te Ahu a Turanga is strong.

Our submission can be found here: Council submits against Te Ahu a Tūranga – Manawatū Tararua Highway toll | Tararua District Council (tararuadc.govt.nz)