With warmer weather on the way, road users will notice more construction crews hard at work across the Bay of Plenty regions as the 2025/2026 construction season is underway. 

From rebuilding sections of state highway to laying fresh asphalt and carrying out our regular programme of summer maintenance, the focus this summer is on keeping roads safe, efficient and reliable.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) System Manager for the Bay of Plenty Sandra King says this season’s programme is about more than just repairs.

“It’s about strengthening the network, so it remains safe, reliable and ready to meet the needs of all road users. 

“The key corridors that we’ll be targeting this season are State Highway (SH) 29 from Tauriko to the Kaimai Summit, SH2 between Bethlehem and Bayfair and extending eastwards to Ōtamarākau, as well as SH5, SH30, SH30A and SH33 in the Rotorua area.”

People will notice more crews and work sites from now through to the end of March 2026.

“We’re doing as much work as possible between now and mid-December to reduce the impact on people's journeys during the busy holiday season” says Ms King. “To achieve this we’re also heavily reliant on the weather and other factors co-operating.” 

This year's maintenance programme aims to renew around 45 single lane kilometres in the Bay of Plenty, to give drivers safer, smoother journeys, and to keep our state highways in good condition. 

“We appreciate road users slowing down through our worksites, helping keep our crews safe as they work long hours, day and night, throughout summer, while others are out enjoying their road trips.

“Slowing down through work sites helps keep everyone safe. Road conditions may be unfamiliar or changing, so it’s important to stay alert and reduce your speed. Slow down. Be alert. Be safe.”