The P\u0101p\u0101moa East Interchange will open this week before Good Friday. Photo \/ Ayla Yeoman<\/p>\n
Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford posted on Facebook, saying he had heard from hundreds of residents concerned about the new toll taking effect<\/a> in late 2026.<\/p>\n Rutherford and NZTA confirmed late last week there would be a second tolling point added between the Domain Rd and P\u0101p\u0101moa East interchanges.<\/p>\n Travelling this section will cost $1.10 for light vehicles and $2.80 for heavy vehicles.<\/p>\n Travelling the full length of the TEL (Domain Rd to Paengaroa), or between P\u0101p\u0101moa East and Paengaroa, would cost $2.30 for light vehicles and $5.60 for heavy vehicles.<\/p>\n Rutherford said if drivers exit at the P\u0101p\u0101moa East Interchange to shop at The Sands or visit friends and family, then re-join the TEL at the same spot, they would be charged two separate tolls once the new point was active. <\/p>\n \u201cFor example, $1.10 for the short northern section plus $2.30 for the southern section, totalling $3.40.<\/p>\n \u201cThat extra $1.10 simply for stopping to shop locally, visit family and friends, or whatever it may be, does feel unfair and goes against supporting new development and businesses in P\u0101p\u0101moa East,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Rutherford wrote to NZTA seeking its justification for treating an exit and re-join as two separate trips, and asking it to reconsider.<\/p>\n \u201cI have already heard from several affected businesses and residents who believe this is unfair,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n Matua-\u014ct\u016bmoetai ward councillor Glen Crowther also raised the \u201cunfairness\u201d of the extra charge for people stopping off at P\u0101p\u0101moa East.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy should they pay the full toll, $2.30 for cars, for that leg of the motorway, when they already pay a half toll, $1.10, for the other leg?<\/p>\n \u201cI can now only hope that NZTA will change the unfairness of their extra toll on people who stop off at P\u0101p\u0101moa East.\u201d<\/p>\n An NZTA spokesperson confirmed motorists who hop off and on the highway at P\u0101p\u0101moa will be charged two separate tolls. <\/p>\n \u201cThis is the same for someone who exits at Paengaroa and re-enters a short time later.\u201d<\/p>\n The second toll point ensured all TEL users contributed fairly, wherever they entered the toll road.<\/p>\n \u201cWithout the additional toll point, only users travelling from the Paengaroa side would continue to pay, while others could benefit from the same improved access and reduced travel times without contributing,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n A free alternative route was available for those making short trips and wanting to avoid paying two fees.<\/p>\n Opening ceremony<\/p>\n The site was blessed after a ribbon-cutting ceremony early on Monday morning.<\/p>\n Rutherford told Local Democracy Reporting at the event that he lived on Te Okuroa Dr, and had been using the new interchange\u2019s eastbound off-ramp since it opened early in August.<\/p>\n He said it had taken two to three minutes off his trip home and eased congestion at the Domain Rd TEL exit, which was often at a \u201cstandstill\u201d from 4pm onwards.<\/p>\n P\u0101p\u0101moa ward councillor Steve Morris said the interchange meant more time with his family before his daughter heads off to the United States for university.<\/p>\n Morris said he had lived in P\u0101p\u0101moa since he was nine months old, when there were 1900 residents. Now there were 38,000. <\/p>\n \u201cThe community has changed a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n Te Papa ward councillor Rod Taylor, who owns Luxe Cinemas P\u0101p\u0101moa in Golden Sands, said the interchange would make a big difference to travel times and benefit the local economy.<\/p>\n \u201cTime is money, as they say.\u201d<\/p>\n He said he looked forward to the opening of the Mitre 10 Mega<\/a> and the rest of the commercial area at The Sands in P\u0101p\u0101moa East<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cWatch this space, in another five years, you won\u2019t know the place.\u201d<\/p>\n Cultural artwork<\/p>\n Artists Jo\u2019el Komene, Dean Flavell and Noel McAllister worked together as a team called Te Toi Takap\u016b to create three design components for the interchange.<\/p>\n Komene said the project had been a good opportunity for iwi and Tauranga City Council to work together. <\/p>\n \u201cIt is quite significant for us as iwi to see ourselves in our place.\u201d<\/p>\n Pou, in the shape of two rau (feathers), stand 5m tall either side of the interchange entrance\/exit.<\/p>\n Named Rau Huia, Komene described the work as a \u201ccontemporary manifestation of the huia feather which was worn in the p\u016btiki or top knot \u2026 which was a symbol of chieftainship\u201d.<\/p>\n The tips can be lit with different colours at night. <\/p>\n The wooden carvings flanking each rau represent important ancestors from the four local iwi: T\u016bt\u0101nekai of Ng\u0101ti Whakaue, Takakopiri of Waitaha, Tatahau of Tapuika and Tamapahore of Ng\u0101 P\u014dtiki.<\/p>\n The bridge abutments have a p\u016bhoro design representing speed, agility and movement. The design was used on traditional waka that travelled the Kaituna River and tattooed on the thighs of warrior chiefs.<\/p>\n The bridge barriers have a t\u0101niko design, a pattern used in weaving and cloaks to express stories, ideas and values important to the four iwi. <\/p>\n The triangular design symbolises the mahinga kai (gardens), marae, p\u0101 sites, w\u0101hi tapu (sacred sites) and urup\u0101 (cemetery) in the area.<\/p>\n \u2013 LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.<\/p>\nBay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford at the P\u0101p\u0101moa East Interchange opening ceremony. Photo \/ Ayla Yeoman<\/p>\n
The decision on tolling was made despite consultation showing \u201clow levels\u201d of public support. Photo \/ Ayla Yeoman<\/p>\n
Construction of the interchange started in July 2022. It includes an overbridge across the TEL, on and off-ramps, and connections to The Sands Avenue and Te Okuroa Drive. Photo \/ Ayla Yeoman<\/p>\n
Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford and Tauranga Mayor Mah\u00e9 Drysdale at the opening ceremony of the P\u0101p\u0101moa East Interchange. Photo \/ Ayla Yeoman<\/p>\n
P\u0101p\u0101moa ward councillor Steve Morris at the opening ceremony of the P\u0101p\u0101moa East Interchange. Photo \/ Ayla Yeoman<\/p>\n
Jo’el Komene in front of the bridge barriers that have a t\u0101niko design, a pattern often seen on korowai bands worn by chiefs. Photo \/ Ayla Yeoman<\/p>\n
One of the rau on the P\u0101p\u0101moa East Interchange representing chieftainship, mana and stature. Photo \/ Ayla Yeoman<\/p>\n