5567 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport

5567 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport: Between 2017 and 2023, what decisions were taken by Ministers and/or NZTA regarding the Ōtaki to north of Levin project (including any pauses, scope changes, cost revisions, reprioritisation, or re-approvals), and on what dates?

Hon Chris Bishop: I am advised that between 2017 and 2023, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) undertook a number of decisions progressing the Ōtaki to north of Levin (Ō2NL) project. - September 2018, a re-evaluation of the project was carried out in response to GPS 2018. - November 2018, NZTA Board endorsed Indicative Business Case and confirmed the preferred corridor for a new off-line SH1 alignment - October 2019, NZTA announced it would commence development of the Detailed Business Case and lodge notices of requirement for a designation for the new route - January 2020, the Government announced the NZ Upgrade Programme including funding for the Ō2NL project - June 2021, the Government announced an increase in the investment in NZUP - August 2022, NZTA Board endorsed the Detailed Business Case for submission to Joint Ministers. The Board also approved recommending the project or tolling and initiating public consultation - November 2022, NZTA lodged Notices of Requirement and resource consent applications and sough direct referral to the Environment Court