The Manawatū Tararua Highway, also known as Te Ahu a Turanga, has officially opened, replacing the old Manawatū Gorge road. The new 11.5 kilometer highway connects Woodville and Ashhurst, providing a safer, more efficient route between Palmerston North and the Tararua District.
The long-anticipated project reestablishes the vital connection between Ashhurst and Woodville, replacing the old State Highway 3 route through the Manawatū Gorge, which was permanently closed in 2017 due to repeated landslides.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop describes the highway as a game-changer for regional connectivity, freight efficiency, and community wellbeing.
“The new highway will dramatically improve travel times for all road users, cutting journeys from 20 to 25 minutes down to just 10 to 12 minutes,” Chris said. “It’s designed to be safer, more reliable, and far more resilient than the route it replaces.”
The new four-lane highway, complete with a median safety barrier, has been engineered to modern safety and environmental standards, with careful planning to ensure it can withstand the region’s challenging terrain.
The route will not only reconnect the communities on either side of the Tararua Ranges but will also serve as a critical economic corridor for the lower North Island.
“This corridor is an essential freight link between the Hawke’s Bay–Wairarapa and Manawatū–Whanganui regions,” Chris said. “It will boost productivity by reducing freight travel times, improving delivery efficiency, and lowering vehicle operating costs for transport operators and businesses alike.”
The closure of the Manawatū Gorge in 2017 had far-reaching impacts, particularly for the small towns of Woodville and Ashhurst. Increased detour traffic and prolonged disruption took a toll on local businesses and residents. Chris Bishop acknowledged these challenges and praised the community response.
“I want to thank the people of Woodville, Ashhurst, and surrounding areas for their patience and support. This has been a long road—literally and figuratively—and their commitment to seeing this project through has been invaluable.”
The project, now valued at $824.1 million, is one of the most significant infrastructure investments in the region in recent years.
As the opening date draws near, excitement is building—not just among transport officials, but also within the local communities eager to see their regions reconnected and revitalised.
“This is more than just a road,” Bishop concluded. “It’s a vital link that will serve the region for generations to come.”
