The Christchurch project was similar in cost, benefits and traffic volumes to the toll-funded Takitimu North Link (TNL), he said.
“The TNL was also to be fully funded by the Government, also via fuel taxes and road user charges, before a retrospective decision was made to toll-fund it instead.
“Tauranga continues to pay more new tolls for roads so that other cities can get their roads built toll-free.”
Tauranga City councillor Rick Curach. Photo / Alisha Evans
Tauranga has two of the country’s three toll roads – Takitimu Drive and the Eastern Link. The TNL is also set to be tolled once it opens in 2028.
Other new highways, including Penlink and Ōtaki to the north of Levin, are also to be tolled.
The Christchurch highway and bypass may still be tolled to help maintain it.
On December 13, the Government announced it would scrap a proposal to toll the Manawatū-Tararua highway after locals protested, Curach said.
“What really gets up my nose is that the Government’s decision to toll Tauranga’s motorway was announced the very same day it announced the scrapping of the proposal to toll the Manawatū to Tararua highway project, after protests by the local community.
“Consultation around Tauranga’s TNL project also resulted in a high level of opposition.
“Only 12% of submitters unconditionally supported the proposed bill.”
NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) received 2317 responses from the public and stakeholders during consultation.
Feedback showed 15% supported the proposed bill but suggested changes, and 71% thought the costs should be met in other ways.
Curach said a report presented at a September workshop showed tolling’s significant impact on TNL traffic volumes.
“Most traffic will continue to take the old road, as both routes are of similar distance and commuters.
“Why spend nearly a billion dollars on a road that most choose not to use?”
The TNL project has an estimated cost of $655m for Stage One between Tauranga and Te Puna, and between $900m and $1.2 billion for Stage Two covering Te Puna to Ōmokoroa.
Once the new motorway opens, NZTA would transfer ownership of the existing state highway to council for ratepayers to maintain and renew – a cost central government currently paid, he said.
“The maintenance cost will become significant as the [existing] road would continue to wear at an accelerated rate and would become another burden on our community, adding nearly 1% extra to ratepayers’ bill”.
Curach said those communities would not enjoy the benefit of quieter roads and instead face continued high traffic volumes of about 20,000 vehicles a day using the Te Puna–Bethlehem route.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop rejected Curach’s suggestion Tauranga was being treated differently from other regions.
He said Penlink in Auckland and Ōtaki to north of Levin would also be tolled, while tolling had been consulted on for the Belfast to Pegasus and Woodend project and Warkworth to Te Hana.
Bishop said the Government supported greater use of tolling to help deliver important roading projects.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop. Photo / Mark Mitchell
“Tauranga is one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing regions and needs significant transport investment.
“The reality is that some of these projects would not have been delivered as quickly without tolling.”
An NZTA spokesperson said the agency assessed all new state highways and significant upgrades for tolling suitability, in line with the Government Policy Statement on land transport.
The spokesperson said each road was assessed on merit.
This included whether there was a suitable free alternative route, the potential for traffic diversion, the benefits and costs of tolling, financial viability and public consultation.
“Tolling has helped bring forward important transport infrastructure in Tauranga that otherwise would not have been delivered when it was.
“It allows people who use and benefit from a new road to contribute towards its construction, operation and maintenance, while freeing up funding for investment elsewhere in the transport system.”
They said the Government confirmed in December 2024 that Takitimu North Link would be tolled.
In December 2025, the NZTA board considered a tolling recommendation for the Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass and provided its recommendation to the Transport Minister.
Bishop said consultation had occurred on tolling the Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass and the Government was considering its next steps.
NZTA had provided advice to the Government and a decision would be announced once Cabinet had considered it.
“We say the road is fully funded because it is, or will be, once Budget 2027 provides the construction funding.”
He said any potential tolling would not be needed to fund construction of the road but would help with the costs of the ongoing maintenance.
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Ayla Yeoman is a Local Democracy Reporting journalist based in Tauranga. She holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in communications, politics and international relations from the University of Auckland, and has been a journalist since 2023.