Tēnā koutou katoa, greetings to you all,

---

Te Ahu a Turanga Opens – A Milestone for Tararua and the Region

The opening of Te Ahu a Turanga – Manawatū–Tararua Highway marks a defining moment for Woodville, Tararua, and our wider region. This transformative project, years in the making, has finally come to fruition—coinciding meaningfully with Matariki, the Māori New Year.

Matariki is a time for reflection, renewal, and celebration. These themes resonate deeply as we acknowledge the journey this community and region have taken—from the sudden collapse and eventual closure of the Manawatū Gorge, through countless public meetings, detailed planning, community engagement, and the complex task of constructing a new route that would serve the people and places on both sides of the ranges.

This highway has always been more than a road—it is a reconnection. It links past, present and future, honouring the whenua and the people who live and work across the district. From the beginning, Te Ahu a Turanga was designed not just to restore connectivity, but to create resilient infrastructure, support regional development, and enhance economic opportunity.

As we now drive the new highway and experience the careful gradient carved through the Ruahine Ranges, we are reminded of the natural majesty that surrounds us, and of the immense potential this connectivity unlocks. It enables not just safer and more reliable travel, but also underpins future growth for local businesses, tourism, and community wellbeing.

This is a milestone not just in construction, but in regional identity and resilience.

While roading has dominated recent headlines, it is not the only area where we are looking to the future. Water service delivery is another area where long-term planning and collaboration are essential. As part of our response to national reform, Tararua District Council is progressing work on a joint water service delivery model in partnership with Masterton, Carterton, and South Wairarapa District Councils.

We have signed a commitment agreement to explore the formation of a Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO) that would deliver water services across the Wairarapa-Tararua area. The next steps include entering commercial negotiations to agree on the structure, governance principles, terms and conditions of the proposed entity.

Throughout this process, we are working closely with the Department of Internal Affairs to ensure our plans align with new regulatory standards. Our Water Service Delivery Plan will outline how we intend to deliver and finance water services, including asset and investment information. All aspects of this plan must demonstrate long-term financial sustainability by 2028, and meet the strengthened expectations for environmental performance and service quality.

Together, these two milestones—the opening of Te Ahu a Turanga and the development of a future-fit water delivery model—reflect a council and a community committed to building a resilient, well-connected and sustainable future.

These are exciting times for Tararua. The efforts of many over many years are bearing fruit, and together we step forward into a new chapter—grounded in our values, guided by our people, and inspired by the opportunities ahead.

---

Noho ora mai - all the best,
Tracey Collis - Mayor