NZTA “made several poor decisions” and left locals feeling ignored and disrespected after a controversial median barrier stopped them from turning into their road, a parliamentary select committee found.
By Ayla Yeoman of Local Democracy Reporting
The loss of the right turn off SH2 into Wright Rd, south of Katikati, prompted protests and a 658-signature petition calling for its reinstatement.
Parliament’s transport and infrastructure committee criticised NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi for how it handled the SH2 upgrades between Waihī and Tauranga.
Wright Rd is the only SH2 entry and exit for about 780 residents.
The wire median barrier stops southbound traffic from turning right into the road.
Wright Rd resident Rochelle Zajko petitioned NZTA to reinstate the southbound right-turn bay by moving the barrier back 160m.
Her petition also requested gaps in the barrier to allow right turns into Seeka Packhouse and Morton Estate Winery.
Letters from the Western Bay Mayor, a Bay of Plenty Regional councillor and some affected residents supported the petition.
In its final report on the petition, the committee said it was “disappointed with NZTA’s conduct” during its community engagement and how it considered the petition.
The report said NZTA’s engagement with Wright Rd residents and businesses left them feeling ignored and disrespected.
“Engagement should be proactive and in good faith. Even where negative effects on a community cannot be fully avoided, they should not be dismissed.”
The committee said significant disagreement remained between the community and NZTA over the data and methodology used, as well as how well the barrier installation had been communicated.
“We recognise engagement fatigue and genuine misunderstanding may have affected the residents’ awareness of the median barrier.”
However, it said NZTA was responsible for ensuring thorough consultation and adapting to community needs.
“We also consider that NZTA made several poor decisions.”
These included completing the median barrier work on the same evening as a community meeting NZTA had declined to attend, and being poorly prepared for the committee’s first hearing on the petition.
“We strongly encourage NZTA to consider, and implement, the lessons it can learn from this project.
“Our first hearing with NZTA stands out for the level of frustration and disappointment shared by all members of the committee.”
Between the first and second hearings, NZTA commissioned independent analysis specific to the intersection.
“The analysis did not support removing the median barrier.”
The final decision on the median barrier was for the NZTA board. It did not intend to revisit the decision.
The committee also expressed concern about reports of NZTA employees and contractors experiencing abuse.
“We recognise that NZTA needs to consider staff safety when considering public engagement.
“However, we hope it will find ways to engage with most community members, who are not being abusive and deserve to be heard.”
Zajko told Local Democracy Reporting the report identified what, in her view, were “serious failures” by NZTA.
She said community concerns about near misses, heavy vehicles negotiating the roundabouts, illegal U-turns, emergency access, increased travel distances and business effects had not been fully tested against independent engineering reports and evidence.
She said residents and affected businesses remained focused on meeting NZTA board members and arguing for restoring the right turn into Wright Rd.
NZTA told Local Democracy Reporting that it would carefully consider the committee’s findings.
“We recognise the outcome was not what some community members wanted.
“We acknowledge the committee’s concerns and will consider what lessons can be applied to future projects.”
NZTA said the design was retested through a Safe System Assessment by an independent consultant, Beca.
This considered the existing arrangement, options to reinstate the right-turn bay at both 80km/h and 100km/h and reported wrong-way movements.
“The assessment found the current arrangement provided the best safety outcome and did not identify evidence supporting removal or alteration of the median barrier.”
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.