Help shape the proposed Manawatū Regional Freight Ring Road

Published on 19 November 2025

Residents, businesses, and the wider community are invited to help shape the future of the proposed Manawatū Regional Freight Ring Road at a series of public engagement events this December.

The ring road aims to improve how freight and heavy vehicles move around Palmerston North, reduce congestion and road deterioration in the city. It will also improve safety by keeping more heavy vehicles off residential streets, while strengthening connections between key industrial areas, freight hubs, and state highways to support regional economic growth.

At this stage, the project is in the indicative business case phase, which will identify a preferred route for the new road. The first step is seeking community feedback on a long list of potential route options. These will be narrowed down to a shortlist, and eventually a preferred route will be confirmed.

Strategic and Planning General Manager David Murphy says the business case considers five sections — Ashhurst, Bunnythorpe, Kairanga, Longburn, and Linton — each with several potential routes.

“People living on one of the many route options for each section will be receiving a letter over the next week inviting them to our community expos, but the wider community is also invited to come along to provide input and feedback at too. These expo sessions are your opportunity to see what’s being considered, speak with the project team, and share your views before we narrow the options to a shortlist. Your feedback will directly shape which routes move forward to the next stage of the project. If you live in or around these areas, we encourage you to come along to learn more. The maps will also be available on our website for people to see.”

The engagement events will be expo-style drop-in sessions, where people can view maps and route options, talk to project staff, and leave feedback. There’s no formal presentation, and attendees can visit at any time during the session. Maps for all areas will be available at every venue, so residents can learn more about why these are options, provide feedback on any section of the proposed route at whichever event suits them best. They will also be online on our website from Monday 24th November, so people can see ahead of the sessions.

Community expo sessions:

• Ashhurst: Monday 1 December, 2–7pm – Village Valley Centre
• Linton: Wednesday 3 December, 2–7pm – Linton Community Centre
• Bunnythorpe: Thursday 4 December, 2–7pm – Bunnythorpe Community Centre
• Longburn: Saturday 6 December, 10am–2pm – Longburn Community Centre

While the engagement sessions are the best opportunity for people to hear detailed information, speak directly with the project team, and ask technical questions, we recognise that not everyone will be able to attend. Some people who attend may also wish to share further thoughts after having more time to reflect. For those reasons, we will also provide an option for general feedback on our website. This form will open on Monday 1 December and close 5pm Sunday 14 December. This informal feedback will be summarised and included in the final engagement report for the business case.

A separate workshop will be held with representatives from the freight and logistics sectors, heavy vehicle operators, and industrial and business groups. Invites will be sent directly, but anyone representing freight or a major business and who is interested can register by emailing transport@pncc.govt.nz.

Mayor Grant Smith says it’s exciting to see the initial business case progressing for such an important regional infrastructure project.

“With Manawatū Tararua Highway Te Ahu a Turanga now complete and work on the Ōtaki to North Levin Highway underway, the proposed freight ring road is the next major regional project that could unlock Government investment in regional transport. This is about supporting growth, improving safety, and ensuring our transport network meets the region’s needs well in the future. It’s essential our community gets involved now to help determine the most suitable route for our future ring road.”

The business case is being developed in partnership with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Horizons Regional Council, and Manawatū District Council. It is part of the Palmerston North Integrated Transport Initiative, commissioned by NZ Transport Agency.

Learn more about the Ring Road