The fast-track approval for NZ Transport Agency’s SH1 Cambridge to Piarere extension has been welcomed by Waipā District Council, as a major step forward for travellers, road safety and the local economy.
The 16km, four-lane expressway will extend from the southern end of the Cambridge section of the Waikato Expressway to the new SH1/SH29 roundabout at Piarere. More than 20,000 vehicles travel this section of highway every day, and each crash has the potential to disrupt traffic flow for several hours. Between 2018 and 2023, this stretch saw 29 serious crashes, resulting in nine people killed and 33 seriously injured.
Chief executive Steph O’Sullivan said the project will save lives, reduce serious injuries, and make travel on SH1 between Cambridge and Piarere much safer for everyone. “It also supports our strong economy by improving journey times, freight efficiency, and opportunities for local businesses,” O’Sullivan said.
Construction is scheduled to start late 2026, with the project expected to take around seven years to complete.
The approval was issued by an expert panel appointed by the Environmental Protection Authority under the Resource Management Act. The panel concluded that the project’s safety, transport and economic benefits outweigh the adverse effects, and that environmental impacts will be appropriately managed.
O’Sullivan said the project would also bring about a number of wider benefits for the Waipā District.
“During construction, it will generate jobs and spend in the local economy, and once complete, it will help our producers get export-grade products to market faster. We are part of the critical Golden Triangle of the upper North Island and improving key transport linkages is critical for our connectivity”.
The project aligns with Waipā District Council’s Ahu Ake – Waipā Community Spatial Plan, which highlights the importance of strategic roading networks for community wellbeing, growth, and investment.
“Fast-track approval is a significant step forward,” O’Sullivan said. “It shows a shared commitment to safer roads, stronger communities, and a more productive Waikato. The Cambridge to Piarere expressway is an investment in both lives and livelihoods.”
A copy of the decision is available on the EPA website here.
