31968 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport

31968 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport: What evidence has the New Zealand Transport Agency used to determine that “major improvements are not economically justified” for the Waihenga bridge and when was that evidence last examined in detail?

Hon Chris Bishop: I am advised by NZTA that it used the Bridge Management Plan (BMP) as the governing document for the Waihenga Bridge. The latest BMP is from April 2021. Included in the BMP is a 2011 Project Feasibility Report (PFR). The PFR for Waihenga bridge is what NZTA used to determine that major improvements are not economically justified. This was last reviewed in 2018, and the BCR numbers were updated. The PFR provided a Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) of 0.5 for underpinning (structural reinforcement of the foundations) and 1.1 for replacement of the bridge. Additionally, following significant repairs undertaken from 2018-2020, the bridge has a predicted remaining lifespan of 20-40 years. NZTA regularly monitors structures. There is no planned timeframe for an updated PFR. An updated PFR will be undertaken if there is significant change to the asset condition, risk profile, remaining life, level of service requirements or funding/programme context.