More than $15 million will be invested into upgrading cycleways, footpaths and bus stops around Hawke's Bay, as part of the Transport Choices package 2022-24, Transport Minister Michael Wood announced on Sunday. 

Wood said the $350 million Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Transport Choices package will provide 46 councils across the country with a wider range of efficient, cost-effective and sustainable transport options.

"The Government is upgrading New Zealand's transport infrastructure system to make it safer, greener and more efficient for now and future generations to come," Wood said in a statement. 

Additional bus stops, bus prioritisation lanes, new cycleways, improvements to transport infrastructure around schools and improved walking access for neighbourhoods will be funded by the package. 

Waka Kotahi Manager Urban Mobility, Kathryn King, says the Transport Choices programme is supporting councils to give people more options in the way they travel.

“The aim is to open up streets so everyone can get where they need to go in ways that are good for their health and the planet.”

"I’m pleased to say we received an outstanding response from councils around the country, embracing the opportunity to provide greater transport choices for their communities." 

She says funding specified projects that would deliver strategic cycling/micro-mobility networks; create walkable neighbourhoods; support healthy school travel; or make public transport easier to use.

“The aim is to open up streets so everyone can get where they need to go in ways that are good for their health and the planet.”

A Hastings District Council programme to encourage healthier, low emissions transport to school has received a boost, with about $6.4 million in additional funding to progress the Heretaunga Arakura (Hastings Pathways to School) programme.

The programme aims to get more students walking, biking and scooting to school in order to encourage healthy, active habits, cut the volume of emissions created by school runs, and reduce congestion at the school gate.

It will see Council working to improve the safety of school zones across Hastings through a combination of urban design, traffic calming and lower speeds, while also equipping students with the skills and confidence to walk or ride to school.

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst is thrilled with the news.

“We’re delighted. While the final figure is subject to us scoping the project with Waka Kotahi, this is a significant announcement that will enable us to make the journey to school safer for many more Heretaunga children.”

“Through a trial at four schools in 2020, we’ve seen the impact that a programme like Heretaunga Arakura can have – safer speeds around our schools, students empowered to choose active transport, and fewer safety worries for parents, teachers and principals.”

“We know that having fewer cars on the school run not only creates a calmer, cleaner and healthier environment at the school gate, but it has a direct impact on emissions and will make a meaningful contribution to our climate goals.”

“The potential for this programme is immense, and we’re looking forward to rolling it out to more schools across Hastings.”

Leela-May Katene-Ranginui of Hastings Central School showing changes made at the school during the 2020 trial. Photo/Supplied.

The Heretaunga Arakura programme will complement Council’s work in Mahora and Camberley, where the Walkable Neighbourhood project is creating an environment conducive to walking as safe, healthy, and desirable way to travel. This project also received a boost from the Transport Choices programme, with approximately $3.1 million in funding announced.

The expanded Heretaunga Arakura programme will begin in earnest next year, with the project team contacting schools across Heretaunga in the New Year. Schools will be prioritised on a number of different criteria.

Tukituki MP Anna Lorck says it shows local advocacy working at its best.

“What’s critical now is that the council works closely with our schools and Waka Kotahi work together because it’s good planning, innovative ideas and collaboration that will help get the most out of this new transport choices funding." 

Napier City Council will receive just under $2.7 million for two proposed projects; a cycle lane conversion programme, and the Western Gateway – Tennyson Street CBD connection.

Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise says the projects represent another step towards safer, healthier alternatives to using vehicles to get around the city.

“Increasing opportunities to travel easily, efficiently and safely by bike can have such positive outcomes for the community and Napier in general. 

Designs for both projects will be further refined over the coming months.

Cycle lane improvements will be made to sections of Lee Road, and Kennedy Road for the section adjacent to Anderson Park.

The Western Gateway project will create a dedicated, separated cycle lane from the Tennyson Street and Wellesley Road intersection through to Milton Road. It is likely to include cyclist-only signals, cycle lane barriers and at least one roundabout.

This project complements the safer commuter connections that Council is trying to achieve through its Carlyle Street transportation project, funded by Waka Kotahi’s Streets for People programme.

All projects are due to be completed by 2024. Transport Choices funding is currently indicative until Waka Kotahi works with Councils to explore how projects can be progressed in line with Transport Choices timeframes. Funding allocations may be adjusted after this consultation. Transport Choices is included within the government’s Climate Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

Members of the Otāne community met on Sunday afternoon with Central Hawke's Bay Deputy Mayor Kelly Annand, Cllr Kate Taylor, Cllr Pip Burne and Council staff to hear the good news about long-hoped-for Otāne and Pōrangahau footpaths - hopes now much closer to being realised. Photo/Supplied. 

In Central Hawke’s Bay, the $4M of funding will go towards nearly four kilometres of footpaths and safe crossings in the centre of Otāne, and 250m of footpaths along the main road to the local school in Pōrangahau.

This announcement follows $1.5M of funding for the Waka Kotahi for Streets for People programme for safety enhancements along the main street of Waipawa.

“In a small district like ours, funding constraints mean that footpaths are often characterised as ‘nice-to-have’ rather than a necessity," Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor Alex Walker says. "But this new funding is truly transformational for people living in Otāne and Pōrangahau, who have been asking for these improvements for many years.

“They want to be safe, active, and connected, with good access to public services like schools and parks for both young and old. Availability of transport choices is just as important in small towns as it is in the cities as we try to move to being a more climate-resilient society.”

The construction phase of the Transport Choices programme, once finalised with Waka Kotahi and communities, will take place through 2023. 

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