Two ageing culverts, on State Highway 3 in north Taranaki will be replaced this summer, with significant work planned for mid-January.
These culvert replacements, Mangapepeke No. 1 and Mangapepeke No. 2 culverts, are among a raft of priority bridge projects being delivered across the country in the coming years. The replacement of ageing bridges and culverts with new modern structures like this ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users for years to come.
The work is expected to take around 5 months, starting with enabling works in late November. The most significant excavation is planned for January 2026, when the weather is warmer.
As a result, a stretch of State Highway 3 near Ahititi will be closing for 5 days in mid-January.
The road, between Okau Road in Ahititi and the Uruti Community Hall will fully close for 5 days, from 12.01am Friday 16 January to 11.59pm Tuesday 20 to allow for the work to take place.
The closure is needed, for the safety of all road users and workers, while crews carry out 24/7 work using large machinery, including excavators and a crane that will be positioned on the road.
The combination of deep open trenches, heavy machinery and space requirements means it is not safe or practical for road users to access the site while the culverts are replaced.
A full closure with day and night works allows crews to complete the deep excavation work as efficiently and safely as possible.
During the closure, crews will work 24/7 to fully replace the Mangapepeke No.1 culvert and install a temporary Bailey bridge at the Mangapepeke No.2 culvert site. This temporary single-lane bridge will allow traffic to keep moving while further construction works take place.
“The two culverts on SH3 near Ahititi are almost a kilometre apart. By the end of the closure period, people will see a fully replaced No. 1 culvert and bulk excavation completed with a single Bailey bridge temporarily installed at the No. 2 culvert,” says Project Manager Kendra Ludeke.
“We know just how crucial SH3 is for connecting Taranaki to Waikato. Almost 3,000 vehicles typically travel SH3 every day and one fifth of them are heavy vehicles- mainly freight.
“We do not take the decision to close lightly and we have explored ways to minimise the disruption of this work. We know the community will be impacted. The culverts need to be replaced while the weather is warmer and drier and we’re keeping clear of the Christmas and immediate new year break, while also making sure we’re staying clear of the school term,” says Ms Ludeke.
We expect temporary traffic management to be in place at Urenui and Piopio to help direct freight and general road users during the closure. Access for residents and holiday travel will be maintained by crews on site, however no vehicles will be able to pass through the culvert worksites during the 5-day closure.
“Unlike previous SH3 closures, we are not able to offer scheduled opening times during the 5-day road closure to let traffic through, due to the extent of the excavation work required – the hole left by one of the removed culverts is expected to be about 8-metres deep and the length of a netball court.
“We know the last fortnight has been disruptive for the local community, following the heavy rainfall. And we know this closure in January will add to the disruption – however it is necessary.”
The work is weather dependent and the contingency dates for this work are Friday 23 January – Tuesday 27 January 2026.
We are communicating the January closure dates well in advance so people can plan ahead.
Te Ara o Te Ata – Mt Messenger Bypass has reached a significant milestone this week with the successful breakthrough of the project’s 235-metre tunnel – a key feature of the future State Highway 3 route in North Taranaki.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Regional Manager of Infrastructure Delivery, Rob Partridge says the breakthrough of the tunnel’s top section is a proud moment for everyone involved in the project.
“It is a visible sign of the progress being made to deliver a safer and more efficient route for all road users, and to unlock long-term economic and environmental benefits for the region.
“The need for a more resilient and reliable route over Mt Messenger was underlined recently when heavy rain created an underslip that caused delays for road users for more than 3 months.
“This achievement marks a major step forward for the southern section of the Bypass, which will replace the steep, narrow and winding stretch of SH3 over Mt Messenger with a safer, more resilient, and reliable 6km two-lane highway.”
The Bypass is being delivered by the Mt Messenger Alliance in partnership with mana whenua Ngāti Tama.
The project is being delivered in two stages – the ‘southern’ and ‘northern’ sections. Since construction began on the southern section in 2022, more than 300,000 cubic metres of earthworks have been completed, with the southern-most 1km section now at road level.
With the 6.5m high upper section of the tunnel now completed, excavation of the tunnel’s 2.5m lower section will begin, with full tunnel excavation targeted for completion in late February 2026.
Work is also progressing on the project’s 125m bridge, with a 110 metre temporary staging bridge in place to support construction of the permanent structure. Construction of the bridge’s foundations are underway.
Completing the northern section of the project remains subject to ongoing legal challenges regarding the final parcel of land required. Funding and timeframes for the northern section will be confirmed once construction is able to start in this area.
“This tunnel breakthrough is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Mt Messenger Alliance team delivering the project,” says Mr Partridge.
“We’re excited to continue the momentum and deliver a safer, more resilient and reliable SH3 for Taranaki and beyond.”
A busy season of road resurfacing and drainage improvements for one of Wellington’s most critical transport links is set to kick off.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Regional Manager Lower North Island/Top of the South Mark Owen says drivers can expect to see roadworks underway on the Transmission Gully motorway from next week through until mid-February 2026.
“We have an extensive programme of works planned from Kenepuru right through to Mackays Crossing Interchange. Work crews will be at multiple sites in the upcoming months.
“Every year NZTA undertakes a large road renewal programme to maintain and improve state highways across the country. This year that includes a significant amount of resurfacing and drainage work on Transmission Gully.”
Mr Owen says the work will start on Tuesday 4 November and be ongoing through until mid-February next year, weather permitting.
“Drivers will need to plan ahead and factor in extra time for their journeys, as this work will require lane closures, road closures and speed restrictions to allow contractors to complete the work safely and as quickly as possible. When the motorway is closed there will be detours in place via State Highway 59 and State Highway 58. We will let the public know in advance when these works and closures are planned.”
Drainage works will begin next week, with northbound night closures on Tuesday 4 November and Wednesday 5 November between 9pm and 4.30am. All northbound traffic will need to detour via State Highway 59 between Linden through to SH58. Traffic management will be set up from 8pm, so drivers can expect delays from then.
Detour route for northbound closure between Linden and SH58.
NZTA contractors will be making drainage improvements and rebuilding approximately 6km of the 27km highway this summer. This work is needed to repair areas of the road that have been significantly impacted by water seeping into the pavement.
Additionally, there will be approximately 18km of routine chip-sealing maintenance work undertaken over the summer. Chip-sealing will help to waterproof the road surface ahead of the winter months in 2026.
Mr Owen says the resurfacing works being undertaken this summer will also help to prepare the motorway for a proposed speed limit increase to 110km/h. NZTA is currently analysing consultation feedback alongside technical information and plans to submit this to the Director of Land Transport soon.
Mr Owen says NZTA appreciates that work over summer can be disruptive and frustrating for drivers.
“We’re working hard to prepare the road for the future, and this work needs to be done over spring and summer as it requires warmer, drier weather.”
Mr Owen says with all the work planned, drivers should be ready for roadworks and the travel delays they will cause.
“Plan ahead, know where the roadworks are happening, how substantial they are, and how they will affect you. That way you can make informed choices, like timing your trip to avoid major works or allowing extra time for your journey.”
Mr Owen also urges drivers to respect road workers and the speed limits in place at road work sites.
“The speed limits are there for a reason – to keep workers and drivers safe.”
Construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of State Highway 1 (SH1) and Waitārere Beach Road in Horowhenua is now underway.
This roundabout will improve safety and traffic flow at this well-used intersection, which provides access to the growing Waitārere Beach community.
“As traffic volumes grow and the region continues to develop, this roundabout will help ensure people can travel safely and efficiently through the area,” says Rob Partridge, Regional Manager of Infrastructure Delivery.
Traffic impact
From now until mid March next year, the intersection will largely be open to two lanes of traffic with a temporary speed limit in place.
Those two lanes of traffic may shift from time to time depending on construction, so please be aware of possible new road layouts, drive safely and adhere to temporary traffic management.
Work will take place during the day, Monday to Friday, until early December. From December through to mid-March, there will be a mix of day and night works.
We will communicate any upcoming changes to traffic management.
No work will happen over the Christmas/New Year period.
The roundabout is expected to be complete by late 2026. We will provide regular updates as construction progresses.
The roundabout benefit
Roundabouts reduce the risk of serious crashes. They lower the number of potential conflict points between vehicles, and if a collision does occur, the impact is generally less severe than at traditional intersections.
This roundabout is one of several safety improvements being delivered along SH1 between Levin and Foxton, ahead of the completion of the new Ōtaki to north of Levin highway (Ō2NL). These upgrades will support a safe transition between the new and existing highway environments.
“We’re focused on delivering practical, cost-effective improvements that make a real difference,” says Mr Partridge.
Bus and ferry passengers in Greater Christchurch will soon be able to pay fares using credit or debit cards, phones or smart watches, with the National Ticketing Solution (NTS), known as Motu Move, starting in the region on Monday 10 November.
“We’re very pleased to confirm the start date for our first stage of rolling out Motu Move in Greater Christchurch. This follows a successful trial of the contactless payment system on the Route 29 bus from Christchurch Airport to the city,” says NTS Programme Director Roger Jones.
“Motu Move will bring new contactless ways to pay for public transport, making it easier for everyone to use public transport, including commuters, visitors to the city and casual users.”
With the launch of contactless payments on Metro bus and ferry services from 10 November, customers will be able to use their debit or credit card, phone or smart watch to pay for a standard adult non-concession fare, alongside existing Metrocard and cash payment options. This is the first stage of the Motu Move rollout in the region, with more customer features and ways to pay for public transport coming in 2026.
Concession holders should continue to pay as usual, until concession fares are added to Motu Move next year. Prepaid Motu Move cards will be available from mid-2026, replacing Metrocard.
“As we prepare for the full roll-out of Motu Move, we’ll be working closely with our customers to ensure those that need to choose a new way to pay are well supported and prepared,” says Giles Southwell, Environment Canterbury’s Director Corporate & Public Transport Services.
Motu Move is targeted to be operational throughout New Zealand by the end of 2027.
Defence Minister Judith Collins will today travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus).
“In times of increasing international tension, face-to-face talks are more important than ever,” Ms Collins says.
“I am looking forward to meeting with counterparts to discuss complex defence and security issues, sharing New Zealand’s perspective and deepening existing relationships.”
This year marks the 50th anniversary of New Zealand’s dialogue relations with ASEAN, as well as the 15th anniversary of the first ADMM-Plus meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam. The forum is an opportunity to engage on regional security issues and strengthen defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific with the goal of upholding peace, stability and prosperity.
In addition to attending ADMM-Plus, the Minister will hold a number of bilateral meetings with Defence counterparts.
“As a small trading nation, we rely on the international rules-based order, underpinned by collective security and open trading relations,” Ms Collins says.
“That is why we are investing in our national security and economic prosperity while pulling our weight on the world stage.”
Ms Collins will return to New Zealand on 3 November.
Note to editors:
ASEAN comprises 11 Southeast Asian countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam.
ASEAN Dialogue Partners are: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States.
Recent incidents include the iconic green and yellow signs being riddled with bullet holes, being driven into, and being ‘keyed” so that information can’t be read, or signs removed altogether.
Figures reveal that in the South Island alone, there are 902 DOC signs flagged in the works system for replacement or repair. That compares with a total of 1155 signs being replaced or repaired in the three-year period from July 2022 to now.
DOC Asset Inspector Charlie Barnett has seen it all. His job is to undertake condition assessments on bridges, huts, signs and other structures. He says he sees at least two or three badly damaged signs a month in his inspection rounds.
“It’s really frustrating to see the needless destruction of DOC signage and infrastructure. It is also a safety concern, as people could be walking the tracks while signs are being shot at with projectiles travelling far beyond the eye. The signs riddled with bullet holes are usually out in the back country, while closer to town it’s mainly graffiti or being knocked over or driven into,” he says.
Charlie Barnett says it’s a huge amount of work to carry in new materials to replace or fix signs and they are often in remote locations. His message is clear.
“Be the better person in nature. Save target practice for the range and leave the signs alone.”
DOC has 26,759 signs across Aotearoa and it’s a huge job maintaining and replacing them. The department spent $350,523 on signage in the 2024/2025 financial year. Next year’s budget has increased to $587,248.
DOC Strategic Asset Manager Kushla Tapper says it’s not just a vandalism issue – it’s about keeping the public safe.
“Some signs lose their reflective quality when vandalised and that means they can’t be seen in poor weather conditions or the dark. This can be the difference between safety and significant harm for travellers. These signs contain essential information.
“We want the public to know that the time and costs we spend on repairing and replacing signs, could be better spent on doing other work to protect biodiversity or maintaining huts and tracks. We have a finite budget and are always trying to prioritise our work. We could maintain more visitor assets if we didn’t have to keep reassigning funds to fixing vandalism of essential signage.”
Kushla Tapper says as we head into another busy summer season, it’s a timely reminder to those heading out ‘naturing’.
“Ultimately our message is please, leave the signs alone. We love that more people are enjoying the outdoors, but this is the opposite of what ‘naturing’ is supposed to be about. Naturing is about respecting and caring for the environment, and that includes our signs.”
Members of the public who see any damaged DOC signs are encouraged to record the location, take a photo if possible, and send the information to the local DOC office.
NATURE LOOKS DIFFERENT FROM HERE
Nature isn’t scenery. Nature is a society that we rely on for everything, every day. It’s behind our identity and our way of life.
The new Wakatu Quay building at nightPhoto: LDR/SUPPLIED
Kaikōura’s Wakatu Quay will open again in time for summer.
The site has been closed this year while work has been completed on the first building as part of the redevelopment of the historic wharf.
With the building due to be completed this week, Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said the site will be opened up for community use next month.
”There is still ongoing landscaping work, and we will probably wait until the spring (next year) for some of the planting.
”But it’s exciting to see the first building coming together.”
Mr Doughty said the council is discussions with a number of potential tenants, with the hope of opening the building up for a restaurant or hospitality type business.
”We are in no hurry,” Mayor Craig Mackle said.
”We’ve always had the view of ‘build and they will come’, so we are under no pressure.”
The council hopes this will be the first of several new buildings on the site.
The project is being funded by a $10.18m grant from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, with the council taking the lead on the project and loan funding any shortfall.
The grant was received from the Government in 2019 to redevelop the area after it suffered damage in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016.
Local company LMC Building and Construction Ltd was granted the tender for the first building in September.
Company manager Luke Chambers said the build is due to be completed this week, with the site handover set for 31 October.
Mr Chambers grew up in Kaikōura and spent many hours fishing off the Wakatu Quay wharf.
”It’s always been a popular place to be and on a nice day it’s pretty hard to beat.
”It’s been a fantastic project to be involved with and to be able to give a new lease on a pretty magic location is pretty special.”
The new building at Wakatu Quay is ready to be handed over to the Kaikōura District Council this week.Photo: LDR/SUPPLIED
Mr Chambers said project has provided employment to locals and he has brought in local contractors whenever possible.
”There was a large emphasis on that from the council to use locals, so it has been good to able to deliver on that.
”It has been an interesting project with a unique design and location, surrounded by ocean.
”It’s not everyday you come across something like that.”
He said the completed project will have ”a pedestrian feel to it”, with vehicle access to be restricted, and prominent street lighting installed.
The lighting complies with the council’s new dark sky lighting rules and was tested recently.
”It will be a nice place to come to at night. It’s very low key, but it creates a nice atmosphere.”
The building has been designed to reflect whatever light is available, so it blends in well in with sun rises, sunsets and on cloudy days, he said.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
The New Zealand Defence Force has deployed a liaison officer to Israel to help inform the Government on possible next steps on the Gaza peace deal, Defence Minister Judith Collins says.
“The liaison officer will work out of a United States-led centre focused on the next steps to implementing the peace plan in Gaza,” Ms Collins says.
“The Government agreed that the deployment should initially be for six weeks.”
United States Central Command opened the Civil Military Coordination Centre in Israel on 17 October. It will act as a coordination hub for support to Gaza, monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, and support the implementation of the 20 Point Peace Plan to end the war in Gaza.
“The deployment will improve New Zealand’s understanding of coordination efforts on the ground and enable us to better assess options for any potential future contributions to the centre or other initiatives in support of sustained peace in Gaza,” Ms Collins says.
“Any future deployment will be a decision for the Government.”
Welcome to spooky season, e hoa! This year, instead of the fiction you’d expect around Halloween, we’ve decided to bring you some real-life scares from the biosecurity world.
Sometimes, after all, reality is way scarier than the imagination…
Frightful Fish – Koi carp
When you think about the zombie hordes, you probably imagine people. Well, try fish.
A wall of flesh, seething ever onward, destroying all in its path and leaving devastation in its wake. No, it’s not Night of the Living Dead. It’s koi carp.
Maybe you think I’m being dramatic, so let’s get this straight; I’m definitely being dramatic. But also, look at this:
Is that dramatic enough? This is the aftermath of an operation to remove some of these invasive fish from our waterways. And that’s only a fraction of these invasive pests, which have now spread across the country.
Koi carp are an ornamental strain of the common carp (Cyprinus rubrofuscus) native to Eastern Asia. This species probably first arrived in New Zealand in the 1960s as a stowaway in a goldfish consignment.
Now I’m sure you’re thinking “Yeah that’s a lot of fish, but it’s still just fish right? They’re not that scary, you handsome devil.” Well, dear reader, you’re half right. But while a few thousand fish aren’t scary for many of us, they represent an existential threat to much of our freshwater ecosystem. Koi carp feed like fishy little Roombas; they stir up sediment and splash around in shallow water to get their food, filling the water with silt and literally choking our native (and yes, endangered) species.
That’s bad enough but for me, the real horror is that a huge part of their spread was intentional. Yup; a bunch of people thought coarse fishing was more important than preserving our country’s unique native biodiversity.
You can help fight this fishy foe by joining DOC’s Always Be Naturing movement…
The Blob from Beyond – Didymo
It’s big, it’s slimy, and it’s damn near impossible to get rid of. Yes, it’s didymo.
Honestly, I’m here to convince you that didymo is a nasty little nightmare. Looking at the picture, and the hundreds like it in the DOC vaults, this really shouldn’t be that hard.
Didymo is gross, guys. Like really gross.
Sometimes invasive species look nice or cute. Hedgehogs are cute little guys, despite all the damage they do to our native invertebrates, and even koi carp have their place (elsewhere) as ornamental fish. But no such luck with didymo, which looks as bad as it is for the environment.
Didymo is a triple threat invader. Not only are the massive algal blooms it forms dangerous to swimmers and waders, it also messes with the insects our native fish rely on for food. It can also clog water filters and hydroelectric generators, by gunking everything up with its slimy-looking… well, the scientific term probably is just gunk.
Didymo is found in many lakes and rivers. Frankly, that’s already too many places, and it’s already past the point of eradication being an option. Following the Check, Clean, Dry protocol before leaving a known didymo area is the way to keep it contained. And, actually, Check, Clean, Dry prevents the spread of all freshwater pests, not just didymo. So, you know, do that. If I can manage to do it, anyone can!
Creepy Clams – Corbicula
Ok, you think, he must be joking now. There’s no way a clam can be considered horrifying, unless it’s insanely huge or something. Well, think again; the Corbicula clams are one of the world’s most invasive species, and they’re an ecological nightmare.
The clams grow up to the size of a two dollar coin. Oooh, spoooooky, physical currency! They also breed constantly, and form carpets of shells up to two metres deep, and simply can’t be removed once they’ve taken hold, without destroying everything else in the water too.
Yeah. Now they’re scarier, right? $2 coins don’t do that, or else I’d be a millionaire and not writing edu-tainment blogs for DOC.
We’re actually quite lucky here in Aotearoa that the clams aren’t more of a problem. At least, not yet. Look at Ireland, where a 2011 report found a maximum of over 9000 clams per square metre. Not a typo, by the way. Nine. Thousand. That’s no longer an itty-bitty shellfish committee. That’s a… well it’s a township, I guess.
It’s certainly not something we want here, so Check Clean Dry, unless you want all our rivers choked with clams. Honestly, it’s only through community efforts and Check, Clean, Dry that these things aren’t everywhere already.
If you see any of these around, let DOC or MPI know. But don’t remove them yourself, as they can get mixed up with our natives; the last thing we want is some kind of clam witch hunt!
Clouds of Doom – Toxic Algae
Do… Do you really need me to explain why something called ‘toxic algae’ is nightmarish? It’s not called super-fun-happy algae for a reason.
OK, so this isn’t TECHNICALLY biosecurity, and DOC doesn’t manage it. But I decided to include it for humanitarian reasons, since it’s dangerous and pretty scary.
Also commonly called ‘harmful algal blooms’ (which, c’mon, isn’t nearly as catchy), these aren’t even really algae. It’s a form of cyanobacteria which, during warm, dry weather, explode in population, clouding rivers and other waterways with their blooms of babies. Except instead of nice fluffy clouds, these ones can kill you if you accidentally eat it. And, while you’re obviously not going to try and munch on some bacterial blooms, you’ve definitely swallowed water while swimming before, so think how easy it’d be to get a couple of grams of this into you.
Adults are able to handle this better, but children and especially dogs are really vulnerable, since they do like a thirsty drink after a swim. It can also cause skin irritation: ever see ‘Cabin Fever’? That’s a (barely) exaggerated version of this. You don’t want it.
Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA) have a great resource for water health, which you can find here. If you see soupy water or excessive slime on rocks, and it’s not showing as a risk, reach out to LAWA.
The Things from the Waterways– Aquatic Weeds
Look, I couldn’t pick just one. And I won’t apologise for that; I’m sorry, it’s just the way I am.
It’s pretty irritating when something is terrible for the environment but also has a very funny name. For example, hornwort is ranked New Zealand’s worst submerged weed, and smothers all other aquatic plant beds, including native and exotic. But it also sounds hilariously innocuous. Same with Elodia densa, or Brazilian pondweed, and everyone’s favourite curly waterweed, Lagarosiphon major.
Diver covered in invasive weed (Egeria densa). Photo: Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand
This could be any of us if these weeds continue to spread… Or if you’re diving to collect Elodia densa. I just think it’s a great picture.
But let’s take hornwort. Native to the USA but first found in Napier in 1961, this plant has now spread to much of the North Island. Once used in the aquarium trade for its fast-growing capabilities, that same strength is now why it’s an absolute mission to deal with. It also got its name from the little ‘horns’ it seems to have; oooh, spooooooky!
Hornwort close up Lake Tutaki Pouto Peninsula Northland. Photo Kerry Bodmin
The South Island is largely free of hornwort, except for Christchurch, where it was recently re-discovered. And we would like to keep it this way; we don’t want to see it spread further, and we’d even like to eradicate it where possible.
Lagarosiphon major at Roys Bay waterfront Photo: Earth Sciences New Zealand
Here’s some Lagarosiphon major. Look at it there, lurking. Smothering everything else. Bloody ominous, that is. Watch out for this floating around. If it gets stuck to any of your gear (especially propellors), get rid of it and Check, Clean, Dry to make sure it’s gone for good.
