Access to Ruapekapeka Pā much improved now sealing complete
A total of 5.3 km of Ruapekapeka Road has been sealed as part of an improvement project that included road widening, drainage and corner corrections. Sealing the road from SH1 to the historically significant pā has improved access.
Access to one of the largest pā sites in New Zealand is much improved after sealing of the road to Ruapekapeka Pā from State Highway 1 was completed in December. Road widening, drainage works, road shaping and corner corrections were included in the Ruapekapeka Road works.
The trenched and tunnelled Ruapekapeka Pā is considered a significant site of Māori military engineering and was the location of the last battle of the northern wars. Ruapekapeka Road connects Tōwai to Kawakawa and is used as a secondary route when flooding or road accidents cause SH1 to close.
Stage 1 of the road redevelopment was completed in 2021 when a kilometre of road was sealed from the pā to the site of the main British camp. Stage 2 was completed at the end of last year and included sealing a 4.3 km stretch of the road from SH 1 to Monument Road. As part of the Stage 2 works, eco-friendly sustainable paving was installed at the Monument Road intersection to protect the root systems of several large puriri trees at the pā site entrance. One is located at the centre of the intersection and the road layout was designed to protect it. The paving also helps to manage stormwater peak flows and filter out harmful pollutants to keep waterways clean.
A total of 5.3km of Ruapekapeka Road has now been sealed. The road sealing was funded through the government’s Provincial Growth Fund. Completion of the project was hampered by the knock-on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic with difficulties obtaining materials resulting in the need for a redesign of some sections. Future safety improvements for the SH1 intersection will require additional funding.
The council has worked closely with Te Ruapekapeka Trust throughout the project to ensure work undertaken on road improvements respect and protect historic and culturally significant sites.
The temporary speed limit of 50km/h remains in place until the Northland Transportation Alliance completes a review of speed limits.
Main photo - eco-friendly paving installed at the Ruapekapeka Road intersection with Monument Road.
Photo below - rocks of cultural significance discovered during the road redevelopment.
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