The Mt Messenger Alliance, inclusive of Tonkin + Taylor, is tasked with the delivery of the Te Ara o Te Ata / Mount Messenger Bypass project involving a new 6 km section of highway, two bridges, and a 235 m tunnel on State Highway 3.
Located in the Taranaki region of New Zealand, the project runs through the lands of Ngāti Tama, project partner with the New Zealand Transport Agency, Waka Kotahi.
Improved road safety and resilience, core aspects of the project’s design, are expected to enhance journey time and reliability and alter living and mobility patterns. This new route between Uruti and Ahititi allows motorists to avoid the steep and winding road over Mt Messenger, which can become more dangerous in poor weather conditions.
The Te Ara o Te Ata project offers a dual legacy: a modern, safer, reliable road infrastructure linking the Taranaki community with the rest of the upper North Island and to support an iwi and wider community to increase their capacity to exercise their role as Tāngata Tiaki (guardians) of the environment.
Environmental achievements and ambitions
Reduction of CO2
The new road is anticipated to reduce CO2 emissions through an optimised road design, including lower gradients and shorter distances. In selecting the road alignment, 24 possible routes were considered with 5 routes shortlisted for consultation. The selected route balanced minimal ecological impact – ‘to tread lightly on the land’ – with iwi cultural values, local economy benefits, cost-effectiveness and road safety for users.
In addition to the Project’s adherence to the Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) rating scheme and its carbon-reducing measures, climate resilience for iwi and their lands is shown by its extensive planting and hydro-seeding and recovering and preserving flora and fauna.
Ecological Management
The location of Te Ara o Te Ata includes a vast array of ecological features and fauna which require appropriate management and protection as the construction works progress. Tonkin + Taylor and WSP have provided freshwater and terrestrial ecology guidance, biodiversity offsets, and pest management consulting to drive this resilience.
The extensive ecological enhancement programme includes habitat restoration for the reintroduced kōkako and supports the growth of kiwis, lizards, and long-tailed bats—species once on the brink of extinction in the area. A key aspect of the project was the planting of 300,000 native plants and trees, which now act as a carbon sink to offset emissions.
Te Ara o Te Ata is the first major roading project committed to perpetual pest management and resultant ecological improvement as part of its ecological offset and compensation package. This package includes extensive pest management and ecological restoration across 3,650 hectares which underscores a massive shift in project delivery thinking – a holistic approach to future generations and sustainability while saving on costs.
Iwi Partnerships
Ngāti Tama is a full partner in the Te Ara o Te Ata project, embedded within the Alliance, and is integral to the decision-making. Involving iwi at all levels of the project, from governance to delivery, is another first for a major NZ roading project – early engagement with Ngāti Tama early in project development was crucial to the partnership journey.
The genuine approach to collaboration on this project is reflected in the honour of the iwi gifting the name Te Ara o Te Ata, as a sign of partnership. “Te Ara is a pathway. Te Ata is our Taniwha (guardian) of the coastal lands of Ngāti Tama. It is Te Ata who looks over us as we change the landscape of the rohe (territory).” – Rae-Hinerau Wetere of Ngāti Tama and Pou Tiaki (cultural lead) of the project.
Environmental justice and conservation are core principles of the partnership. Embracing their role as Tāngata Tiaki (guardians) of the land, the leadership shown by Ngāti Tama in ecological restoration reflects a deep cultural connection to the land and its ecosystems.
Ngāti Tama has created employment and training opportunities for Ngāti Tama members and for other members of the community, particularly in pest management, seed collection, plant propagation, restoration planting, construction, and cultural monitoring.
Integrating the cultural heritage of Ngāti Tama into the project’s design has also enhanced the bypass’ scenic and cultural value while respecting and preserving indigenous knowledge. Design features include bespoke artwork at the tunnel entrances and pou placed along the alignment, signalling entrance into the Ngāti Tama rohe and their protection over the whenua (land).
A Journey of Learning and Growth
Te Ara o Te Ata has offered the Tonkin + Taylor team invaluable opportunities to grow our understanding and refine our approach to project delivery. The depth of knowledge shared by mana whenua has been integral to shaping our project methodologies, fostering a deeper respect for Te Ao Māori principles.
Through this journey, we have gained greater insight into the important ties of mana whenua with the whenua and the communities they uphold, and we have worked to weave these learnings into our Te Ao Māori Strategy.
Tonkin + Taylor’s involvement in Te Ara o Te Ata has underscored the importance of collaboration and meaningful engagement with mana whenua. By working closely with Ngāti Tama and the wider North Taranaki communities, we have enhanced our technical approaches and embraced the cultural responsibilities of working in partnership. This experience continues to inspire us to honour the values of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and manaakitanga (hospitality and respect) in everything we do.
