Waikato Expressway Project – NZ Transport
Opening day for the Ngaruawahia section in December 2013 , with traffic crossing the Waikato River .
Maori are New Zealand ’ s indigenous people and they have strong cultural ties to the land . With a project of this magnitude , many Maori in the region are keenly interested in how projects will impact on land and waterways .
“ There are areas along the length of the Expressway project , particularly around Rangiriri and Huntly , where there are sites sacred to Maori . As a consequence they have a very strong interest in the development of our projects and are keen to contribute in any way in order to ensure that the completed projects acknowledge the sacred nature of the sites ,” said Simcock . To ensure that Maori interests are satisfactorily addressed , the Transport Agency engages closely with Waikato-Tainui , the main tribe in the region , and their representatives in the areas of the projects , and involves them throughout the investigation , design and construction phases of the projects .
Maori culture and custom have contributed to the projects ’ landscaping designs . Wood carvings and story boards are erected at strategic locations along the Expressway to share Maori history . Maori are keenly interested in ensuring the natural vegetation is retained and , where possible , extended . They also
308 September 2014