State Highway 29 (SH29) from Tauriko to the summit of the Kaimai Range is a key corridor NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is focused on strengthening this summer so that it remains safe and reliable and meets the needs of everyone who uses it. 

As the weather warms up, crews are preparing to get underway with the summer maintenance programme on SH29. 

Between now and May 2026, there are 5 sites on the Bay of Plenty side of the Kaimai Range where the road will be rebuilt and resurfaced. 

The first site will get underway this week and involve a significant road rebuild of around 1.5 kilometres of SH29 near Valley View Road. 

From Sunday 28 September, temporary traffic management will be in place on SH29, near Valley View Road. This will remain in place until early 2026 while the various phases of rebuild are completed. 

The work will be carried out in stages, with lane shifts and lane closures changing throughout the project and the passing lane near Valley View Road closed for the duration of these works.  

People are urged to follow the temporary signs and watch for layout changes when travelling through the area. 

The first stage will focus on rebuilding the road in the top half of the section (pictured in the map attached) from Sunday 28 September until the end of November. 

During this stage crews will work Monday to Friday, with traffic management in place by 7am and contraflow (traffic maintained in both directions) in action between 8am and 5pm, and overnight Sunday to Thursday, from 7pm to 6am. During the overnight shifts contraflow will be removed and traffic reduced to one lane and under stop/go. No work will occur on the weekend, and 2 lanes will be open. 

To ensure the safety of both the community and our crews, a reduced speed limit of 30km/h will apply during work hours and 50km/h outside work hours. 

From December, work will get underway to rebuild the bottom half of the section, along with drainage works. Similar temporary traffic management is expected during this time but will be confirmed closer to the works starting. 

Crews will take a break over the Christmas period, before returning to work in January and completing the rebuild by April 2026.

NZTA appreciates that due to the nature and length of these works, there will be some delays. We apologise for the inconvenience and are working to minimise disruption where possible. 

Once the work is finished, drivers can look forward to a safer, smoother drive along this stretch of SH29. 

People are encouraged to keep an eye on the NZTA Journey Planner for updated travel conditions.

Journey Planner(external link)

Tauriko Enabling Works remain ongoing between Belk and Cambridge Roads. You can also sign up to receive emails about upcoming maintenance on Bay of Plenty highways.

Subscribe for updates on Bay of Plenty state highway maintenance(external link)