This corridor crosses the Ruahine Ranges immediately north of the Manawatū Gorge and south of Saddle Road.
The new 11.5km long road will include roundabout connections with State Highway 57 south of Ashhurst and with State Highway 3 west of Woodville. The road will have two lanes in each direction over the majority of the route, separated by a median strip. There will be a new bridge crossing the Manawatū River, a number of structures crossing unnamed streams, and property access underpasses.
Palmerston North City Council, Manawatū District Council and Tararua District Council invited submissions under Section 169(1) of the Resource Management Act 1991 in November and December 2018.
NZ Transport Agency decision

NZTA has identified a preferred option for a new State Highway 3 route to connect the Manawatū, Tararua District, Hawke’s Bay and northern Wairarapa, to replace the closed SH3 Manawatū Gorge route.
Below you will find all the relevant documents leading up to the decision above.
Territorial Authorities Recommendation Report to the NZ Transport Agency
Notice of requirement
Notice of requirement documents are available on the NZTA website.
Section 92 response from NZTA to information requested as part of the notice of requirement.
- Section 92 response: 15 Jan 3.8MB pdf
Minutes and directions from the hearing panel
- Minute issued by hearings panel: 28 Jan 344KB pdf
- Minute issued by hearings panel: 18 Feb 128KB pdf
- Third minute of hearings panel: 27 Feb 292KB pdf
- Fourth minute of hearings panel: 8 March 480KB pdf
- Fifth minute of hearings panel: 15 March 410KB pdf
- Sixth minute of hearings panel: 19 March 150KB pdf
- Seventh minute of hearings panel: 19 March 122KB pdf
- Eighth minute of hearings panel: 30 April 121KB pdf
- Ninth minute of hearings panel and appendix A preliminary conditions 1MB pdf
- 10th minute of hearings panel: 22 May 71KB pdf
Section 42A technical evidence
- Construction and earthworks: Gregor Mclean 516KB pdf
- Ecology: James Lambie 481KB pdf
- Landscape, natural character and visual amenity: John Hudson 5.5MB pdf
- Noise: Nigel Lloyd 1015KB pdf
- Planning evidence and appendices part 1: Phil & Anita Copplestone 12.7MB pdf
- Planning evidence and appendices part 2: Phil & Anita Copplestone 12.7MB pdf
- Social impact assessment: Kirsty Austin 531KB pdf
- Tourism and recreation: Jeff Baker 2.6MB pdf
- Traffic and transport: Harriet Fraser 2.4MB pdf
- Water quality, aquatic habitat and natural character: Logan Brown 321KB pdf
Hearing panel questions and responses
- Additional comments by Harriet Fraser (Traffic) and Kirsty Austin (Social Impacts ) re panel questions to NZTA 118KB pdf
- Panel requested documents - PNCC Senior Planner - Jeff Baker (Part 1) 13MB pdf
- Panel requested documents - PNCC Senior Planner - Jeff Baker (Part 2) 12.4MB pdf
- Section 42A answers to Panel questions 14 March 19 564KB pdf
- Conditions to accompany Territorial Authorities responses to Panel questions 14 March 19 748KB pdf
- Landscape - responses to Panel questions - John Hudson 14 March 19 473KB pdf
New Zealand Transport Agency evidence
- 1. Evidence of Sarah Downs: Portfolio Manager System Design Developing Regions 3.9MB pdf
- 2. Evidence of Andrew Whaley: Project Design 1.6MB pdf
- 3. Evidence of Scott Wickman: Alternatives 2.1MB pdf
- 4. Evidence of Lonnie Dalzell: Project Management 14.6MB pdf
- 5. Evidence of Jonathan Kennett: Walking and Cycling 606KB pdf
- 6. Evidence of David Dunlop: Transport 856KB pdf
- 7. Evidence of Amelia Linzey: Social Impact Assessment 1.1MB pdf
- 8. Evidence of Dr Stephen Chiles: Noise and Vibration 546KB pdf
- 9. Evidence of Chris Bentley: Cultural and Environmental Design Framework 14MB pdf
- 10. Evidence of Boyden Evans: Landscape, Natural Character and Visual Effects 807KB pdf
- 11. Evidence of Dr Adam Forbes: Terrestrial Ecology 2.5MB pdf
- 12. Evidence of Andrew Blayney: Terrestrial Fauna 655KB pdf
- 13. Evidence of Kieran Miller: Freshwater Ecology 555KB pdf
- 14. Evidence of Dr Rodney Clough: Historic Heritage and Archaeology 578KB pdf
- 15. Evidence of David Horne: Effects on AgResearch Ballantrae Site 5.1MB pdf
- 16. Evidence of Jeffrey Morton: Effects on AgResearch Ballantrae Site 1.1MB pdf
- 17. Evidence of Ainsley McLeod: Planning and Conditions 2MB pdf
- Rangitāne: Evidence of Manahi Paewai 4.5MB pdf
- Rangitāne: Evidence of Chris Whaiapu 626KB pdf
- Rangitāne: Evidence of Jonathan Procter 648KB pdf
- Rangitāne: Evidence of Siobhan Lynch-Karaitiana 493KB pdf
- Memo of Counsel on behalf of the NZ Transport Agency: 8 March 19 152KB pdf
- Memo of Counsel on behalf of the NZ Transport Agency: Witness identification: 11 March 19 239KB pdf
- Memo of Counsel on behalf of NZTA: 14 March 2019 114KB pdf
- Ngati Kahungunu Ngati Raukawa evidence: Gregory Carlyon 359KB pdf
- Ngati Kahungunu Ngati Raukawa evidence: James Kendrick 159KB pdf
- Ngati Kahungunu Ngati Raukawa evidence: Jessica Kereama 221KB pdf
- Ngati Kahungunu Ngati Raukawa evidence: Justin Tamihana 114KB pdf
- Ngati Kahungunu Ngati Raukawa evidence: Morry Black 244KB pdf
- Opening legal submissions: 20 March 19 507KB pdf
- Memo of Counsel on behalf of NZ Transport Agency & Attachments 1 to 3: 20 March 19 9.2MB pdf
- Case 1 - NZ Transport Agency v Architectural Centre Inc [2015] NZHC 1991 816KB pdf
- Case 2 - Queenstown Airport Corp Ltd v Queenstown Lakes District Council [2013] NZHC 2347 899KB pdf
- Case 3 - Handley v South Taranaki District Council [2018] NZEnvC 107 4.9MB pdf
Submitter evidence
AgResearch
Meridian Energy Ltd
Department of Conservation
- DOC Memo of Counsel for Department of Conservation - Sarah Ongley - 15-3-19 374KB pdf
- Evidence DOC - Kelvin Lloyd - Ecology - 15-3-19 230KB pdf
- Evidence DOC - Michael Briggs Planning evidence and Appendix 1 Statutory Documents - 15-3-19 497KB pdf
- Evidence DOC - Nick Goldwater Ecology - 15-3-19 209KB pdf
- Evidence DOC - Timothy Martin - Ecology - 15-3-19 354KB pdf
Palmerston North City Council
Pre-hearing meetings report
Hearing documents
Joint witness statements
- Joint Witness Statement - Planning and Conditions - 21 March 19 4.4MB pdf
- Joint Witness Statement - Transport and Social - 21 March 19 211KB pdf
- Joint Witness Statement: Freshwater Ecology and Natural Character: 19 March 2019 187KB pdf
- Joint Witness Statement - Acoustics - Nigel Lloyd - Dr Stephen Chiles - 13-2-19 208KB pdf
- Joint Witness Statement - Ecology - Dr A Forbes - Dr T Martin - 19 March 19 50KB pdf
- Joint Witness Statement - Landscape, Natural Character - Visual Effects - Cultural and Environmental Design - B Evans C Bentley A McLeod J Hudson P Percy -15-3-19 8.7MB pdf
- Joint Witness Statement - Terrestrial Ecology - A Forbes, A Blayney, J Lambie 18.3.19 724KB pdf
- Joint Witness Statement - Effects on AgResearch Ballantrae site 22-3-19 921KB pdf
Items tabled at the hearing
NZ Transport Agency
NZTA indicative route fly-through.
- Ecologist - Dr A Forbes presentation - 25-3-19 1.4MB pdf
- Road Safety Audit - S Thornton - Manawatū Concept - 25-3-19 2.4MB pdf
- Updated Proposed Designation Conditions - 25-3-19 456KB pdf
- Addendum & Attachment Terrestrial Ecology - A Forbes 25-3-19 859KB pdf
- Addendum Cultural & Environmental Design Framework - Chris Bentley 25-3-19 279KB pdf
- Addendum Freshwater Ecology - Kieran Miller 25-3-19 301KB pdf
- Addendum Noise & Vibration - Stephen Chiles 25-3-19 360KB pdf
- Addendum Project Design - Andrew Whaley 25-3-19 354KB pdf
- Addendum Social Impact - Amelia Linzey 25-3-19 193KB pdf
- Addendum System Design - Sarah Downs 25-3-19 199KB pdf
- Addendum Terrestrial Fauna - Andrew Blayney 25-3-19 374KB pdf
- Addendum Transport & attachment revised travel times - David Dunlop 25-3-19 413KB pdf
- Addendum Effects on Ballantrae Trial Site - Jeff Morton 26-3-19 382KB pdf
- Addendum Planning & Conditions - Ainsley McLeod 26-3-19 410KB pdf
- Hydrology & Vegetation Stream 7 plan - Boyden Evans 594KB pdf
- Speaking notes - Kieran Miller - Freshwater Ecology 27-3-19 108KB pdf
- NZTA A O'Connor - 58893675 Designation Conditions - table of Conditions to be Amended 28-3-19 398KB pdf
- NZTA Designation Conditions - Mid Hearing Version 3-4-19 737KB pdf
- NZTA Project Design - Second Addendum of Andrew Whaley 3-4-19 1.5MB pdf
- NZTA Project Design - Second Addendum of Andrew Whaley - Figures 3-4-19 1.8MB pdf
- NZTA updated versions of parts of Plan Set D notated - Dr Forbes 3-4-19 11.5MB pdf
- Speaking notes - Siobhan Lynch-Karaitiana - Rangitāne o Manawatū 69KB pdf
- Evidence & Maps - Ngati Kahungunu Ngati Raukawa - James Kendrick 2-4-19 9.6MB pdf
Meridian Energy Ltd
- Opening legal submissions Meridian Energy Ltd - 25-3-19 8.4MB pdf
- Summary of evidence Meridian Energy - Christopher Simon Jones 27-3-19 102KB pdf
- Summary of evidence Meridian Energy- T Keyte 27-3-19 468KB pdf
- Summary of evidence Meridian Energy - L Daysh 28-3-19 103KB pdf
- Summary of evidence Meridian Energy - P Botha 27-3-19 291KB pdf
- Meridian Energy - Memo & briefs - response to hearing questions P Botha & evidence response T Keyte 2-4-19 859KB pdf
Horizons Regional Council
Palmerston North City Council
- PNCC legal submissions M G Conway - K E Viskovic 28-3-19 515KB pdf
- PNCC Addendum evidence Planning - David Murphy 1-4-19 293KB pdf
- PNCC Addendum evidence Transport - Mark Read 1-4-19 534KB pdf
- PNCC Addendum evidence Economics - Shane Vuletich 1-4-19 668KB pdf
- PNCC - Statement of Mayor Grant Smith 2-4-19 1.1MB pdf
- PNCC Joint addendum - Planning - David Murphy and Transport - Mark Read 3-4-19 419KB pdf
AgResearch
- Addendum to Evidence Ballantrae - AgResearch - Alec McKay 3-4-19 1.9MB pdf
- AgResearch Summary evidence Brent Clothier 3-4-19 162KB pdf
- AgResearch Summary of evidence Harold Henderson 3-4-19 116KB pdf
- AgResearch Summary evidence Jeremy Neild 3-4-19 130KB pdf
- AgResearch statement Ron Pellow 3-4-19 194KB pdf
- AgResearch Commissioner request for information - Ballantrae - Alec Makay 5-4-19 453KB pdf
- AgResearch - Table 1 List of field assessments for long-term systems trial - Alec Mackay 5-4-19 554KB pdf
- AgResearch - Further information requested by Panel 2.3MB pdf
- AgResearch Ballantrae Aerials 413KB pdf
- AgResearch powerpoint 3-4-19 2.5MB pdf
Director-General of Conservation
- D-G of Conservation Legal Submissions - Sarah Ongley 4-3-19 260KB pdf
- D-G of Conservation addendum evidence ecology Nick Goldwater 4-3-19 91KB pdf
- D-G of Conservation addendum evidence ecology Timothy Martin 4-3-19 117KB pdf
- D-G of Conservation addendum evidence ecology Kelvin Lloyd 4-3-19 96KB pdf
- D-G of Conservation addendum evidence Planning Michael Briggs 4-3-19 100KB pdf
S42A Reporting Team
- Addendum of Gregor McLean - Earthworks 4-3-19 94KB pdf
- Addendum of Harriet Fraser - Transport 4-3-19 165KB pdf
- Addendum of Jeff Baker - Recreation 4-3-19 440KB pdf
- Addendum of John Hudson - Landscape and Natural Character 4-3-19 487KB pdf
- Addendum of Kirsty Austin - Social Impacts Assessment 4-3-19 116KB pdf
- Addendum of Nigel Lloyd - Noise 4-3-19 117KB pdf
- Addendum PNCC Tararua and Manawatu District Councils - Ecology - James Lambie 5-4-19 163KB pdf
- Addendum PNCC Tararua and Manawatū District Councils - Planning - Phil Percy 5-4-19 269KB pdf
- Palmerston North City, Tararua and Manawatū District Councils - Condition set for panel - Nick Jessen 5-4-19 1.5MB pdf
- Legal submissions on behalf of the joint Councils - 3-4-19 803KB pdf
Various presenters
- Evidence Build the Path - B Barrett & R Kidwell - 27-3-19 358KB pdf
- Geopark amendments to submission 360 Source to Sea - Keith Joblin 2-4-19 350KB pdf
- Addendum Evidence - effects on Ballantrae Trial - Cory Matthew 3-4-19 105KB pdf
- Transpower hearing statement - Daniel Hamilton 5-4-19 558KB pdf
- Central Economic Development Agency notes to presentation 177KB pdf
- Central Economic Development Agency Presentation 1.7MB pdf
- Equestrian powerpoint 6.6MB pdf
- Fertiliser Association - Greg Sneath 585KB pdf
- Jim Jefferies speaking notes 115KB pdf
- Manawatu Mountain Bike Club presentation 20.5MB pdf
- Nicholas Shoebridge 60KB pdf
- QEII National Trust 9.7MB pdf
- Source to Sea 2.6MB pdf
New Zealand Transport Agency Reply
- NZ Transport Agency Reply - 18-4-19 1MB pdf
- NZ Transport Agency Appendix A - Conditions proposed by the Transport Agency 18-4-19 1.7MB pdf
- NZ Transport Agency - Attachment 1 updated Cultural and Environmental Design Framework 18-4-19 10.6MB pdf
- NZ Transport Agency Attachment 2 Summary of geotechnical advice re earthworks on Ballantrae station 18-4-19 1.3MB pdf
- NZ Transport Agency Attachment 3 Addendum evidence of David Horne 18-4-19 391KB pdf
- NZ Transport Agency - Attachment 4 AgResearch's submission on the One Plan 18-4-19 1.1MB pdf
- NZ Transport Agency Attachment 5 Passages of the Detailed Business Case & supporting documents referred to in reply submissions - 18-4-19 852KB pdf
Comments on Draft Conditions
- Dept of Conservation - comments on preliminary conditions 9th minute of hearings panel 16.5.19 555KB pdf
- Meridian Energy - comments on preliminary conditions 9th minute of hearings panel 16.5.19 590KB pdf
- NZTA comments on preliminary conditions 9th minute of the hearings panel 16.5.19 910KB pdf
- The joint councils - reporting officers comments on draft conditions 9th minute of the hearings panel 16.5.19 585KB pdf
- Joint memorandum reporting officers and NZTA in respect of Section 104D 21.5.19 86KB pdf
Hearing recordings
We're recording all sessions so you can download the audio files and listen on your computer or device.
Monday 25 March
- Part 1: 10am to 1pm 27.5MB mp3
- Part 2: 10am to 1pm 27.5MB mp3
- Part 3: 10am to 1pm 30.3MB mp3
- Part 1: 2pm to 5pm 27.5MB mp3
- Part 2: 2pm to 5pm 27.5MB mp3
- Part 3: 2pm to 5pm 27.5MB mp3
- Part 4: 2pm to 5pm 5.6MB mp3
Tuesday 26 March
- 9am to 10.30am 36.8MB mp3
- 10.45am to 1.15pm part 1 27.5MB mp3
- 10.45am to 1.15pm part 2 27.5MB mp3
- 10.45am to 1.15pm part 3 12.2MB mp3
- 2.16pm to 3.08pm 24.2MB mp3
- 3.10pm to 3.49pm 12.6MB mp3
- 3.50pm to 4.30pm 18.1MB mp3
Wednesday 27 March
- 9am to 9.50am 21.9MB mp3
- 9.50am to 11am 26.2MB mp3
- 12.30pm to 1.25pm 24MB mp3
- 1.29pm to 1.50pm 16.8MB mp3
- 1.50pm to 2.45pm 19.2MB mp3
- 2.45pm to 3.15pm 5.7MB mp3
Thursday 28 March
- 9am to 9.46am 21.5MB mp3
- 9.46am to 10.20am 14.1MB mp3
- 11am to 11.45am 20MB mp3
- 11.46am to 12.40pm 27MB mp3
Friday 29 March
- 9am to 9.15am 6.7MB mp3
- 9.50am to 10.15am 9.4MB mp3
- 10.20am to 11.50am 8.9MB mp3
- 11.50am to 12.15pm 8.9MB mp3
- 1.55pm to 2.55pm 28.5MB mp3
- 3pm to 5pm 34MB mp3
Monday 1 April
- 10am to 11.15am 34MB mp3
Tuesday 2 April
- 9am to 10am 29.7MB mp3
- 10.05am to 10.20am 7.7MB mp3
- 10.45am to 12.15pm 37.1MB mp3
- 12.15pm to 12.40pm 12.3MB mp3
- 2pm to 2.40pm 18.4MB mp3
Wednesday 3 April
- 9am to 9.40am 17.2MB mp3
- 10am to 11am 24.9MB mp3
- 11am to 12.20pm 39.3MB mp3
Thursday 4 April
- 9am to 10.25am 38.6MB mp3
- 10.45am to 11.33am 22.4MB mp3
- 11.33am to 12.46pm 35.1MB mp3
- 3.57pm to 4pm 1.5MB mp3
- 4.10 to 5.26pm 35.3MB mp3
- 5.26pm to 5.50pm 9.5MB mp3
Friday 5 April
- 9am to 10.20am 36.8MB mp3
- 10.45am to 11.32am 23.4MB mp3
- 1.30pm to 2.15pm 20.3MB mp3