Travel choice
He whiringa ā-haere
Transport users in the region have access to affordable transport choices that are attractive, viable and encourage multi-modal travel and a reduction in light vehicle kilometres travelled.
What we want from you
Land transport affects everyone in the Horizons Region, so we want to hear what our communities think about our strategic direction and investment areas for the next 10 years of the plan.
We want you to:
- Read through the information on this page - check out the 'Learn more' tab to read about the objectives and investment priorities, and then have a look at the 'Project map' tab for a summary of the proposed projects and see where they sit in the region.
- Make your submission - once you've read through the information, head over to the 'Make a submission' tab to have your say.
Remember to make your submission before 5pm, 15 March 2024. As this is a public submission, you'll also have the chance to speak to your submission at our hearings in April if you choose.
Make your submission
Read through everything? When you're ready, head to the 'Make a submission' tab to have your say.
What's different in the mid-term review?
This mid-term review reflects changes in government priorities and regional needs for land transport. The review has resulted in:
- a refresh of the strategic direction
- more focus placed on improving and maintaining the transport system to support a connected, accessible and resilient network that reduces carbon emissions
- a new overarching investment priority which seeks to ensure that resilience and climate change improvements are factored into all projects put forward for funding under this Plan
Read on to see these changes reflected in the 'Objectives' and 'Investment priorities' sections below.
Learn more
What is the Regional Land Transport Plan?
The Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) is our blueprint for the regional transport network, and is a key part to securing funding to support and improve all things land transport.
It sets out the strategic direction for land transport across the Horizons Region. The plan states the regional priorities for the duration of the plan and outlines the proposed land transport activities that seek to contribute to these priorities and achieve our aspirations for land transport in the region.
This mid-term review has been developed with our regional partners with agreement on what the objectives and investment priorities should be, along with which activities we want to pursue and in what order of priority.
Based on the RLTP, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi will decide which activities it will include in the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).
Development and review of an RLTP is a requirement under the Land Transport Management Act 2003. Regional transport committees are required to develop a regional land transport plan, in consultation with their community and stakeholders, every six years, and complete a mid-term review in the third year of the plan. The last 6-yearly update to the plan was made in 2021, making 2024 the 3-year mark for a mid-term review.
Objectives
Achieving the vision in this Regional Land Transport Plan will require more than just investment in certain transport activities. The objectives support the vision by outlining what we seek to achieve to give effect to the vision.
The 5 objectives are:
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Connectivity and efficiency
Kia tūhono, kia māia hoki
The regional transport network connects central New Zealand and is efficient, reliable and resilient.
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Safety
Kia haumaru
The transport network is safe for all users.
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Climate change and resilience
Āhurangi hurihuri me te manahau
The transport system is resilient, minimises climate change through reduction in emissions, and reduces adverse effects from transport on the environment.
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Network quality and integration
Kia kounga te whatunga, kia whakatinana hoki
The transport network is well-maintained and integrates with current and planned land use to a level which supports a well-functioning and fit-for-purpose.
Investment priorities
These priorities are designed to guide investment in the transport network, and inform the projects which are outlined in the 'Project map' tab. The overarching priority seeks to ensure that resilience and climate change improvements are factored into all projects put forward for funding under this plan.
Overarching priority
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Resilience and climate change
With support from the 3 transport investment priorities below, the:
- Resilience of the region's transport network will be improved, and;
- The transport system will respond to climate change through adaptation and reductions in transport related emissions
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1. Connectivity and access
Maintain and improve the transport network to provide better connectivity and access, efficient movement of people and freight, reverse network degradation, and create a resilient transport system.
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2. Better travel options
Improve transport options for people and freight to encourage higher use of public and active transport, and sustainable freight modes.
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3. Safety
Improve the transport network and user education to create a safe transport system for all users.
A road sign in the Horizons Region
Project map
Projects in the draft RLTP
Check out the map below to see where the above 25 priority projects sit within the region.
Orange dots are projects that funding has not yet been allocated for, and which are seeking funding through
the RLTP mid-term review.
Green dots are projects which already have funding allocated, but which are still being completed.
All of the projects are also listed below, with links to project web pages where applicable.
The 'funding' column refers to whether the project has funding already allocated through the previous iterations of the RLTP but the project is yet to be completed, or funding is not yet allocated (the project is seeking funding through the 2024 mid-term review).
You may want to keep this table or the map above handy to refer back to when completing your submission.
Table key:
PNCC - Palmerston North City Council
NZTA - NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
Ruapehu DC - Ruapehu District Council
Tararua DC - Tararua District Council
Rangitīkei DC - Rangitīkei District Council
GWRC - Greater Wellington Regional Council
HRC - Horizons Regional Council
| Organisation | Project | Funding |
| All territorial authorities and NZTA | Maintenance, operation and renewals programme Ongoing packages of work to maintain, operate and renew the existing transport network across the region. | Not allocated |
| NZTA | SH1 Utiku slip resilience improvements Investigation and implementation of a permanent solution. | Not allocated |
| NZTA and PNCC | Palmerston North Integrated Transport Initiative (PNITI) package Includes upgrades for KiwiRail Freight Hub, Streets for People, cycleway upgrades, freight ring road, and Kelvin Grove Road and Stoney Creek Road upgrades. | Not allocated |
| NZTA | Ōtaki to North of Levin revocation of existing SH corridor Upgrades and making roads fit-for-purpose (more urban form, walking and cycling). | Not allocated |
| NZTA | Manawatū River Bridge SH3 Ashhurst cycleway Construction of a cycleway across the Manawatū River to connect to Te Ahu a Turanga, Manawatū-Tararua Highway. | Not allocated |
| NZTA | Accessing Central NZ/SH3 Roberts Line intersection improvements Including signalisation, improved active mode facilities, raised safety platform & improved stormwater treatment. | Not allocated |
| NZTA | SH3 revocation of old gorge road Improvements on the old road, revoking parts to Palmerston North City Council and transferring remainder to LINZ | Not allocated |
| Ruapehu DC | Mountains to Sea cycleway extension Te Hangaruru - Pokaka to National Park (not NLTF funded - central government funded). | Not allocated |
| PNCC | Shared pathways network Developing the shared pathway network, including the Palmerston North to Feilding connection, to support increased active travel. | Not allocated |
| NZTA | SH3 Whanganui to Bulls (Tranche 2) Installation of median barriers as part of the safety improvements programme package. | Not allocated |
| NZTA | SH2 Kakariki Rd and Woodville Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre Construction of a commercial vehicle safety centre. | Not allocated |
| NZTA | SH3 Sanson to Palmerston North Installation of median barriers as part of the safety improvements programme package. | Not allocated |
| PNCC | Te Utanganui/North East Industrial Zone Transport Improvements business case A key logistical hub, locating air, road and rail freight close together. | Not allocated |
| NZTA | SH1 Levin to Foxton (Tranche 2) Installation of median barriers as part of the safety improvements programme package. | Not allocated |
| Ruapehu DC | Matahiwi Suspension Bridge replacement Replacement of the existing bridge due to approaching end of life. | Not allocated |
| PNCC | Cliff Rd upgrade - Te Motu O Poutoa Improvements to safety and access. | Not allocated |
| PNCC | Palmerston North City Centre Transit Hub redevelopment Upgrade the existing Main Street bus terminal to address capacity constraints and improve safety. | Not allocated |
| NZTA | SH54 Feilding to SH3 Installation of median barriers as part of the safety improvements package. | Not allocated |
| NZTA | Te Ahu a Turanga, Manawatū-Tararua Highway Construction of the new alternative State Highway 3 route between Ashhurst and Woodville to replace the now closed State Highway 3 gorge corridor. | Allocated |
| NZTA | Ōtaki to North of Levin Highway Investigation into, and implementation of a four lane expressway between the terminus of Peka Peka to Ōtaki project and north of Levin. | Allocated |
| NZTA | Ōtaki to North of Levin - SH1/SH57 northern section Safety improvements to the State Highway 1 and State Highway 57 corridor as part of the Ōtaki to North of Levin expressway project | Allocated |
| NZTA, HRC, GWRC, and central government | Lower North Island Rail Integrated Mobility (Capital Connection) Upgrades to existing rail services with new trains and service frequency increases to the Capital Connection services between Palmerston North and Wellington. | Allocated |
| KiwiRail | Regional Freight Hub A high-tech inter-modal freight hub to integrate road and rail freight in the lower North Island. | Allocated |
| Rangitīkei DC | Marton Rail Hub A key logistical rail hub for the forestry industry. | Allocated |
| Tararua DC | Huarahi Tūhono - Weber to Wimbledon (Route 52) Upgrades to sections 44 & 63 of Route 52 between Weber, Tararua District, and the boundary of Central Hawke’s Bay. | Allocated |
Make a submission
FAQs
This draft Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) has been developed by the Regional Transport Committee with support from officers from Horizons, territorial authorities and Waka Kotahi.
The purpose of a Regional Land Transport Plan is to set the regional aspirations and high level strategic direction for investment in land transport. It includes a long term (30 year) vision for transport, objectives, policies and transport investment priorities as well as targets and monitoring to determine progress towards meeting the vision and objectives.
The Regional Transport Committee is a Committee of Horizons Regional Council. Members include representatives from the Regional Council, each of the region’s seven territorial authorities and Waka Kotahi. Advisory members include representatives from the NZ Police, KiwiRail, heavy vehicle road users, general road users (AA) and active transport.
The Regional Transport Committee is responsible for preparing and reviewing the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP).
This diagram shows how the RLTP fits in with other plans and legislation:
RLTPs are statutory documents, and under the Land Transport Management Act, 2003 a Regional Transport Committee must prepare and adopt a RLTP.
Under the Act, RLTPs must be prepared every six years with a mid-term review undertaken in year three of the plan. These review and update cycles ensure the RLTP remains current and responsive to changes in transport needs, funding availability and government direction.
The six yearly update of the RLTP was completed in 2021. Since then a new government has formed with the focus for transport investment signalled to change to align with the government’s priorities.
In undertaking the mid-term review of RLTP, the Regional Transport Committee has endeavoured to ensure what is proposed will serve the Horizons Region and the communities that live here. However, we need to test this with our communities and stakeholders to make sure we are on the right track.
We are eager to hear what the community and stakeholders think about our suggested direction and investment for land transport over the next 3-6 years.
All submissions must be received by Horizons Regional Council by 5:00 pm Monday 11 March 2024.
Head to the 'Make a submission' tab to make your submission online.
Alternatively hardcopy submission forms are available at Horizons Regional Council offices in Palmerston North, Woodville or Whanganui, and at the following libraries around the region:
- Ruapehu: Taumarunui, Raetihi and Ohakune libraries
- Rangitīkei: Taihape, Marton and Bulls (Te Matapihi) libraries
- Manawatū: Feilding
- Whanganui Library
- Palmerston North Central Library
- Horowhenua: Levin, Shannon and Foxton (Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom) libraries
- Tararua: Woodville and Dannevirke libraries
Hardcopy submissions can be handed in at Horizons Palmerston North, Woodville or Whanganui offices or posted to:
Horizons Regional Council
Private Bag 11025
Manawatū Mail Centre
Palmerston North 4410
Yes. If you wish to speak to your submission, then please let us know when you submit. When you make your submission, you'll be able to select which date you prefer, and whether you'll be attending in person or online (via Zoom).
If you decide not to attend the hearing of submissions, your submission will still be given full consideration.
More information about where hearings will be held (and online details) will be confirmed at a later stage.
You will receive acknowledgement, that your submission has been received. If you indicated that you wish to speak at the hearings, we will make contact to confirm the day and time for you to present your submission to the hearing.
Irrespective of whether you wish to speak or not, a copy of your submission will be made available to the hearing panel prior to hearings commencing.
Hearings will take place on Thursday 4th and Friday 5th April 2024 at Horizons Regional Council’s Palmerston North office. An online option will be available for those unable to speak in person.
The time of hearings is yet to be confirmed. This page will be updated when the timings have been confirmed.
Members of the Regional Transport Committee will hear and deliberate on submissions. Rachel Keedwell (Chair of the Regional Transport Committee) will be the Chair of the hearing panel.
All submissions will be considered in detail and the hearing panel will consider any changes to the draft plan. Following this a decision will be made by the Regional Transport Committee and Regional Council in May. The final decision will be communicated to submitters in writing in June, following Council adoption. Copies of the final plan will likely be available on the Horizons Regional Council website from mid-late June 2024.
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