Katikati Bypass Included in Western Bay Regional Growth Deal

A long-awaited regional deal signed on 14 May between Western Bay of Plenty councils and the Government has put the Katikati Bypass back in the spotlight, with the project earmarked for funding through asset recycling. The 10-year partnership agreement, signed at Bay Oval by Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts, is designed to align how central and local government plan, fund and deliver infrastructure across the region.

The deal identifies three major growth corridors — the Tauranga Eastern Link, Takitimu North Link and Tauriko West — as priorities, and commits to two Roads of National Significance. The Katikati Bypass, which has been discussed for decades (with library material dating back to 1960), is listed alongside connectivity upgrades around Tauranga and housing growth areas. State Highway 2 currently runs through the middle of Katikati township.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council chairwoman Matemoana McDonald welcomed the milestone but cautioned that success would depend on genuine collaboration between the parties. "There are very difficult waters that lie ahead of us," she said, adding that the deal could become a shining example for the rest of the country if handled well.

Estimates associated with the deal include capacity for around 12,000 new greenfield homes, 3,000 infill homes, 350 hectares of industrial land and at least 15,000 new jobs across the region. Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale said aligning central and local government priorities would help tackle longstanding regional challenges, while local MP Sam Uffindell noted the region's importance to New Zealand's export economy through industries such as kiwifruit and freight.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).