Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has welcomed 4 new High Court rulings, the latest of at least 20 court rulings in favour of Te Ara o Te Ata – Mt Messenger Bypass project.
Today’s High Court decisions rejected an appeal by landowners and confirmed the Environment Court’s May 2024 ruling, which supported the Crown’s compulsory acquisition of the final piece of land required for the project’s northern section. The land, located in the 6km bypass alignment, is essential to move the project forward.
The Bypass is a new two-lane 6km route between Uruti and Ahititi that avoids the existing steep, narrow and winding route over Mt Messenger on State Highway 3 in North Taranaki. It will provide much needed interregional economic, resilience, safety and environmental benefits, including for local communities, businesses, freight and all SH3 road users.
NZTA’s Regional Manager of Infrastructure Delivery, Rob Partridge, says the ruling marks a significant milestone, following years of legal challenges.
“While it is always our preference to acquire land through agreement, this has not been possible, despite extensive efforts including numerous offers made to the landowners,” says Mr Partridge.
Since 2017, there have been many attempts to acquire the land by agreement, and the landowners have been presented with 20 offers including options for new housing elsewhere across their 683-hectare landholdings.
“The delays in securing this land have come at a considerable cost. NZTA plans to update the overall project cost later this year, factoring in the impacts of these delays, as well as inflation and rising construction costs.
As of June 2025, the NZTA Board had approved funding of $365.1 million for the project.
Construction is progressing well, with the southern-most 1km section at road level.
Excavation for the 235 metre tunnel and work on the project’s main bridge are underway, with the tunnel expected to be completed in early 2026 and the 125 metre bridge in late 2026.
The process now
NZTA will now request the Crown takes the necessary steps to become the legal owner of this 11-hectare parcel of land, subject to any further legal challenge against this process occurring, so that the Mt Messenger Alliance can begin works on the northern section as soon as possible.
The work is then expected to take 4 full construction seasons, from October to April, to complete.
