The Ōtaki to north of Levin (Ō2NL) highway project is the northernmost section of the Wellington Northern Corridor and will improve the safety and resilience of the transport network connecting Ōtaki and Levin, and the wider region.
The project is being delivered by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), working closely with iwi partners Muaūpoko Tribal Authority and local hapū of Ngāti Raukawa, as well as landowners, community groups, key stakeholders and local authorities.
The existing State Highway network through Horowhenua has some of New Zealand’s most dangerous roads - 49 deaths and serious injuries occurred in the five years to 2017.
The aim of developing the expressway is to:
- improve road safety;
- accommodate population growth – by 2040, more than 130,548 people will live in Horowhenua and Kāpiti
- accommodate expected future traffic volumes;
- improve the resilience of the transport network connecting Ōtaki and Levin; and
- improve regional connectivity by strengthening the strategic economic link from Wellington through to the central North Island.
In 2018, a preferred corridor for the new 24.2 km Ōtaki to north of Levin Expressway was publicly announced.
In 2020, central government committed $817 million towards the construction of the four-lane highway. The project includes a separated shared path for walking and cycling.
Construction is set to start in 2025 and be completed in 2029.
Photo - Ō2NL Highway overview map (above): Credit New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) lodged Notices of Requirement (NoR) and applications for Resource Consent under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) with Horowhenua District Council, Kāpiti Coast District Council, Horizons Regional Council and Wellington Regional Council. This marks the start of the RMA process for the Ōtaki to north of Levin (Ō2NL) highway project.
The application documents are available for viewing on the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency website. NZTA also provided hard copies of the application for viewing in each of Council’s service centres in late January 2023.
NZTA requested the application go straight to the Environment Court for consideration (this process is called direct referral). The reasons for this are set out in the application, but include the significance and complexity of the project (including that it extends across four Councils) and the high level of public interest. This request was approved by all four Councils. This means that the applications will be heard and decided by the Environment Court.
First HDC Submission to NZTA on the Ōtaki to North of Levin RONS Project(PDF, 135KB)
NZTA has a dedicated space on its website for the Ōtaki to north of Levin Highway project.
NZTA Ōtaki to north of Levin Project
Information includes:
- latest news
- publications - factsheets, project posters, project updates etc
- frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- videos
- Resource Management Act applications
- technical reports
- maps
- Tararua Road / State Highway 57 (SH57) roundabout.
Construction of the new roundabout at the State Highway 57 (SH57) / Tararua Road intersection began in January 2025.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and Horowhenua District Council (HDC) are working in partnership to build the roundabout.
What the work involves
The first stage of work at the western side of the intersection includes the construction of three legs of the roundabout and installing watermains and other services.
During this phase of work, there'll be no access from SH57 to the western section of Tararua Road and a detour will be in place. The detour will direct vehicles heading north via Queen Street East, and those travelling south to State Highway 1 via Kimberley Road.
The detour will allow traffic to flow steadily through SH57, minimising disruption on a busy state highway.
There'll also be a 30km/h temporary speed limit on SH57 nearby the site for the safety of road users and crews.
Working hours
Crews will be working Monday to Friday between 6am and 6:30pm. Outside these hours, the detour and temporary speed limit will remain in place on evenings and weekends while the work is completed.
Roundabout location map
Detour map for roundabout works
It's expected that the first stage of work will be complete in June 2025. Following this, the team will move on to work on the eastern side of the roundabout.
The roundabout is expected to be complete around the end of 2025.
For more information visit NZTA's Ōtaki to north of Levin new highway
Supporting the future of Tara-Ika and Levin
What is Tara-Ika?
Tara-Ika is a major urban growth area on the eastern side of Levin. It was rezoned for development through Plan Change 4 and is guided by Structure Plan 013, which sets out how the area will be developed. Tara-Ika is expected to deliver thousands of new homes and new neighbourhoods.
Tara-Ika will include:
- A school, commercial centre, parks, and public open spaces
- Strong walking, cycling, and road connections
- A carefully planned layout that supports a well-functioning urban community
The name Tara-Ika, was gifted by Muaūpoko, recognising local iwi connections to the land.
What is a Structure Plan?
A Structure Plan guides how large areas are developed to ensure they are integrated and connected – for example, by setting the location of key roads. In this case, Structure Plan 013 (introduced via Plan Change 4) sets out the layout and infrastructure required for Tara-Ika.
It includes:
- Land zoning (housing, commercial, green space)
- Road and transport networks
- Infrastructure such as schools, parks, stormwater, and cycleways
- Principles of urban design to support healthy, connected communities
Structure Plan 013 now forms part of the Horowhenua District Plan.
What is the East-West Arterial (EWA)?
The East-West Arterial (EWA) is a planned local road that will connect Tara-Ika to the rest of Levin and the wider road network. It’s shown in Structure Plan 013 as a critical part of Tara-Ika’s layout.
Although the EWA is a local road, it will need to pass over the top of the new Ōtaki to North Levin (Ō2NL) highway, a new major state highway led by Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
Why is the EWA important?
The EWA is essential to ensure Tara-Ika develops as a well-connected, functional community. It will:
- Provide key access into Tara-Ika from the rest of Levin
- Enable safe and direct access to the future school site
- Support the commercial centre and housing areas
- Improve overall traffic flow in and around the development
- Maintain strong social and transport links between communities
Why must RMA consents comply with the Structure Plan?
Under the Resource Management Act, resource consents and Notices of Requirement (NoRs) must be assessed against the District Plan. That includes Structure Plan 013, which was introduced to the District Plan by Plan Change 4.
Who is delivering and funding the EWA?
Waka Kotahi (NZTA) will:
- Fund and build the bridge over the new highway
- Acquire land within the Ō2NL corridor as this land is required by NZTA in any event
Horowhenua District Council (HDC) will:
- Acquire land outside the corridor
- Fund this acquisition through:
- $1.17M in local government borrowing
- $8.5M interest-free loan from the Crown Infrastructure Partnership (CIP)
- Maintain the road after construction
The loan, interest and any associated costs will then be recovered on a pro-rata basis from the houses built within Tara-Ika at time of subdivision approval
What are the benefits?
- Safer and more efficient transport within and around Tara-Ika
- Stronger community links between new and existing areas
- Safe, separated options for walking and cycling
- Access to future schools and shops
- Supports high-quality, well-planned urban growth
What happens if it’s not built?
- Tara-Ika could face serious traffic and access issues
- The school and commercial area may not be accessible as planned
- Higher future costs could emerge, as it will be more expensive the build the road after Ō2NL is complete.
What would happen if Horowhenua District Council stepped away from EWA?
It would cost significantly more to deliver at a later date – it may even be impractical to do it. If this were the case, it would have a significant impact on PC4 due to the unknown traffic effect and, from a social perspective, poor connectivity. It may even require a ‘down zoning’ of Tara-Ika, which would impact ratepayers as it would result in poor return on infrastructure investment and because we would need to provide for population growth elsewhere, which would come at a cost.
Overall, we believe that stepping away from the EWA would come at a significant cost to Council.
Find out more
Head to the Ōtaki to north of Levin new highway project page for more information about the project that will improve road safety in our district.