Keep up to date with roading projects on Tarata Road, including those funded by the Junction Road Endowment Fund.
Tarata Road is a rural road stretching from the eastern boundary of the Inglewood Township to the New Plymouth District / Stratford District boundary at Purangi, a distance of about 36 kilometres.
The road is currently sealed, except for the last two km at the regional boundary.
The road is subjected to high levels of heavy traffic from forestry operations from both the New Plymouth and Stratford districts.
Existing levels of service will be maintained for this year (2024/2025) and we are doing further work with the community on future levels of service, which will be considered through the 2025/2026 and 2027/2028 Annual Plans.
Updated July 2024
Projects |
Details |
Status |
Funding Source |
Roadside Drainage Works |
We are currently working on improving the roadside drainage from the NPDC/SDC boundary through to Suffolk Rd |
Due for completion mid-August |
51% NZTA |
Roadside Drainage Works |
Autawa Road |
Due for completion by end of August |
51% NZTA 49% NPDC |
Sealed Pavement Repairs |
Temporary pothole repairs carried out every three weeks |
Ongoing over winter |
51% NZTA 49% NPDC |
Road Reconstruction |
Rebuilding the road following recent earthworks to improve visibility – Purangi Saddle |
January – April 2025. |
51% NZTA 49% NPDC |
Our network inspectors will continue to monitor Tarata Rd for pavement defects and prioritise repairs.
NPDC was the owner of approximately 544 hectares of farmland around Junction Road which was subject to 25 leases.
The Taranaki County Reserves Act 1966 (the Act) vested the land in the former Taranaki County Council (now NPDC) as freehold land as an endowment for County purposes.
Section 4 of the Act stated that part of the revenue from the leases be applied towards the cost of administration and management of the leases with the balance used for maintenance and improvement of Junction Road (now Tarata Road).
In 2010 we approved the sale of 25 Junction Road Leasehold Endowment properties owned by NPDC.
The freehold interests in 24 of these farmland properties generated $7.68m when sold and the proceeds put into an endowment fund.
Taking in to account the interest generated and what has been spent to date, there is currently about $8.30m in the Endowment Fund, which is held on a term deposit with BNZ Bank.
Community meetings and surveys were held in 2014 and 2018 to get feedback, views and preferences on a draft 10-year road and maintenance work programme for Tarata Road.
The last survey was carried out at the same time as public consultation on the NPDC’s 2018-2028 Long-term Plan and the list of projects decided on are included in the document below (see pages 4-7).
A Tarata Rd Community meeting will be held at the Tarata Hall on 8 August to discuss options regarding how the Endowment Fund should be used moving forward.
Junction Road Endowment Fund 2018 Work Plan
The following projects are scheduled for 2024/2025
Project |
Status |
Date |
Tarata Saddle Safety Improvements |
Permits lodged with Department of Conservation. |
2024/25 Summer Start subject to permit approvals. |
Seal widening at localised areas | Design | 2024/2025 summer |
Revise current work plan | Identify sites for consultation with community. | Ongoing |
We administer the fund and apply the income towards maintenance and improvement of Tarata Road.
It can be used for maintenance and improvements on Tarata Road.
The current programme of works does not include repairs. Road repairs and resealing is funded 51% by NZTA and 49% by NPDC. Any road defects on Tarata Rd are prioritised against other repairs required across the New Plymouth Roading Network.
Interest generated from the Endowment Fund is used each year for maintenance and improvement works Tarata Rd.
These are included in the document above, but we will also keep this page up to date, we report progress through the Inglewood Community Board and through the local Tarata Rd Community.
A Tarata Rd Community meeting will be held on 8 August to discuss this. The public is welcome to attend this meeting.
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Page last updated: 10:26am Thu 08 August 2024