Our road of opportunity is almost open after eight years of hardship and endurance resilience, and with it, a new era of opportunity and growth for our district.

We are buzzing with excitement as we prepare to welcome a future shaped by enhanced connectivity, economic vibrancy, and tourism potential.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone involved in bringing this project to life — from planners, designers, construction teams to those who championed its vision and fought for it to be free. Throughout the build we have enjoyed the economic benefit through employment and local spend, all of which have been monitored as part of the social outcomes and as it finishes this will be felt in our business community.

As we near the opening, we are launching a “Love Our Highway” campaign. This initiative aims to encourage visitors and road users to stop, explore, dine, shop, and unwind in the Tararua District. We want everyone passing through to discover what makes our region so special.

We know from previous infrastructure projects that new roads bring increased visitors and rising property values — and while ours replaces a lost connection, it also opens entirely new possibilities. Now is our time to showcase Tararua as a destination to visit, a place to live and grow a business.

A unique feature of the highway is the shared sealed path that runs alongside it — offering cyclists and pedestrians a safe and scenic way to experience our breathtaking landscapes. The path also ventures into the natural environment, providing views of the Manawatū and Tararua regions.

Adding to this vision, the Council successfully secured a $250,000 grant from the Te Ahu a Turanga Recreational Path Fund to start to develop the Lindauer On-Road Cycleway. This route will enhance access to the historic Old Gorge Cemetery with its rich history and stunning views. This is a multi-year project that represents the beginning of a broader visitor experience connecting the highway to the the trails of Te Āpiti – Manawatū Gorge. Further funding will be sought to realise the full potential of this trail network.

We also await the NZTA Waka Kotahi business case on reopening safe sections of the old Manawatū Gorge Road — a development that could significantly boost tourism and regional connectivity.

We’ve waited. We’ve planned. And now, it's here!

Let’s talk up the road, celebrate, and embrace the opportunities ahead. Love our highway.