gency australia 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 have a guardianship role when it comes to the protection of the surrounding waterways .
“ All of the streams crossed by the Expressway flow into the Waikato River , and we have to comply with requirements to ensure that runoff from the Expressway does not contaminate any of those waterways ,” commented Simcock .
The Transport Agency has strengthened its relationship with Maori through the Expressway project . And because of the project ’ s length that has meant involving various sub-tribes or iwi .
That sort of collaboration and consultation has been a feature of Expressway sections completed or under way , and is already being woven into the remaining three sections as they come on stream . “ With a project of this size a lot of effort goes into designation , investigation and design , getting consents , tendering etc and then getting on with the build . But if you have people on board and involved every aspect is made easier ,” Simcock said .
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Industry
Construction
headquarters
Wellington New Zealand
founded
2009
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The Waikato Expressway is one of the 7 state highways called “ Roads of National Significance ” in New Zealand . It has significant benefits , including reducing travel times between Auckland and Tirau ( South Cambridge ) by 35 minutes ( total travel time now two hours ), significantly reduce the number of fatal and serious injuries crashes and economic benefits .
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