17 Nov 2025: roadworks, trees, water main

Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: NZTA roadworks on Amohau St/SH30A

Enquiry

*NOTE: Reporter also sought comment from Mayor Tania Tapsell and NZTA

Reporter had the following questions for RLC organisation regarding NZTA roadworks that have started on Amohau St/SH30A, causing traffic congestion and delays:

Obviously mostly an NZTA issue but some Qs if possible:

• Did Council liaise with NZTA about the road closure?
• Did Council agree with the decision to close the section of Te Ngae Rd entirely?
• Did Council express any concerns with NZTA around the closure?

Response

From Rotorua Lakes Council Group Manager Infrastructure and Assets:

NZTA does not require council approval for state highway works and we are not involved in the decision-making.

However, we know the agency takes a variety of factors into consideration in determining how works on state highways will be undertaken, including asset management needs, crew safety, cost and length of time it will take.

We have asked that they minimise the closure period so disruptions and impacts on road users can be sorted as soon as possible.

Mayor Tapsell has provided the following comments for you re traffic congestion experienced today.

From Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell:

We're calling on more transparency from NZTA after the first day of SH30A roadworks ground the busiest roadway in our district to a halt.

The disruption has been much more significant than expected. Many people are feeling distressed at the wide ranging impact this is having on our community, including hurting local businesses, impacting access for emergency services and unfortunately it is also busy exam season for our already stressed students.

We have sent an urgent request to NZTA to reconsider the full closure approach, and asked for information they have about alternatives. What is missing is clear communication from NZTA about what was considered and why they chose a full road closure. It may be easier for them but it's coming at great cost to the local community.

I'm concerned that this morning we only saw cones out and not a lot of action. It's frustratingly inefficient and we are hoping for confirmation that traffic flow can be improved.

We've asked that NZTA work with us at Council to use the broader roading network to alleviate congestion.

From NZTA

NZTA acknowledges that this work is disruptive and traffic on State Highway 30A (SH30A) was gridlocked this morning due to a combination of the volume of traffic, heavy rain and traffic management. We have taken this into consideration and will pause work this afternoon and remove the detour to allow the afternoon peak to use SH30A.

We will look at our planning to ensure that we can minimise delays as much as possible. However, there is no way that this significant amount work can be completed at this location without causing some disruption to people’s journeys.

SH30A Amohau Street pavement has been patched for many years and now needs a rebuild with asphalt layers. This road closure is the quickest and safest way to carry out the necessary work, which requires large volumes of plant and equipment to be on site.

To get this work done as quickly as possible, additional costs have been incurred to use larger, more sophisticated machinery (taking between 3 to 5 days off the programme), 2 crews have been brought in and the scope of work was reduced.

This work has been timed to take place while the weather is warmer and conducive for this treatment, as the days are longer. Work is scheduled to be finished by Friday 12 December despite weather delaying the start of the work by 1 week, which was originally programmed to start Monday 10 November.

Signalling issues on Wharenui Road have been resolved and the lights are operating as intended. We are now monitoring and adjusting phases as we do with all signals.

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Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Removal of Amohia St trees

Enquiry

Reporter had the following questions regarding removal of trees in Amohia Street, resulting in road closure in the area to enable the work to be done:

Has any consideration been given to postponing this work considering it will clash with the road closure for a section of SH30A from Monday?

What specific safety concerns led to the decision to remove the trees?

Were any alternative options, such as pruning or root management, considered before deciding on full removal?

What consultation or communication was carried out with nearby businesses and the public before the work was confirmed?

If possible, what is the estimated cost of the removal and replanting work, and/or how is it being funded?

Has any consideration been given to birdlife in the trees, especially considering the chicks in nests at this time of year?

Response

From Rotorua Lakes Council Parks and Open Spaces Manager Rob Pitkethley:

Has any consideration been given to postponing this work considering it will clash with the road closure for a section of SH30A from Monday?

This was considered but this closure is for one block and should not impact the SH30A closure as a detour is in place to minimise impacts on traffic flows.

What specific safety concerns led to the decision to remove the trees?

The trees have been showing signs of potential limb/branch failures as they have aged and the size and weight of these limbs would require us to continually increase maintenance of the tree canopies.

This is not best practice for trees of this size and age, and along with their busy location, removing them and replacing them with a more suitable species in future – once the road has been resealed – is the most practical, safe and sustainable solution.

Were any alternative options, such as pruning or root management, considered before deciding on full removal?

The trees have been maintained over the years but due to their age and size, removal became the best option.

Roots cannot be pruned on trees this size without creating serious health issues for the trees and root management could potentially destabilise them in strong winds. This area of the CBD is prone to a wind tunnel effect, so root management might create a bigger issue.

Also, due to their size and age and previous maintenance works, the trees have varying levels of decay in some limbs and central stems and pruning would not alleviate these issues.

What consultation or communication was carried out with nearby businesses and the public before the work was confirmed?

Businesses in the area have been visited and there has been overwhelming support for the removal due to the high maintenance costs the trees cause with leaf and branch fall throughout the year.

We have not consulted with the public. This is a tree management and health and safety decision made by qualified experts in the arboriculture field.

If possible, what is the estimated cost of the removal and replanting work, and/or how is it being funded?

Ongoing stump removal works and preparing the area for new trees is dependent on several factors, so estimated figures are not available at this stage.

The cost of this work comes from our annual tree maintenance planting budgets.

Has any consideration been given to birdlife in the trees, especially considering the chicks in nests at this time of year?

The trees were checked for bird nests but due to the form and nature of the canopies of these types of trees, none were observed and as the removal is during daylight hours, we anticipate no detrimental effects on birdlife.

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Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Burst water main in CBD

Enquiry

Been informed of a burst water main on Thursday night at the back of the Rotorua Little Theatre by PaknSave, between Te Ngae Rd and Amohau St.

Sounds like some extensive damage was done and that this might be a significant pipe.

Would it be possible to get answers to the following queries as soon as possible please. Looking to turn a story around fast if we can.

• Can you confirm if a water main burst and any idea of the severity of the issue (water lost, properties impacted and how, etc?)?
• Been told this pipe is a main one which supplies Rotorua Hospital? Is that accurate and has the hospital been impacted?
• The theatre appears to have been severely damaged by the burst main, will council be liaising with and helping the theatre in their recovery from the incident?
• Are repairs underway and how long are these expected to last?

Any other information you feel is relevant to the story please include in response.

Response

From Rotorua Lakes Council Water Services Manager Eric Cawte:

Council received reports of loss of water or reduced pressure from within the CBD area at approximately 11pm on Thursday night (13 November), impacting non-residential customers including Rotorua Hospital.

Crews discovered a broken water main in Amohau Street, isolated the broken pipe and water was restored to all but a small area of the CBD by 3am Friday (14 November).

The pipe was replaced and full supply was reinstated to the remaining properties by about 10am on Friday (14 November).

Affected customers were informed and updated during the course of work to rectify the situation.

This pipe is one of several main feeds into the CBD and doesn’t specifically supply the hospital but the loss of pressure affected the hospital and most of the CBD until the break site was located and shut down.

Council staff opened another feed via Lake Road which directed additional water to the hospital area and staff were in contact with the hospital during the incident.

We understand the theatre is working with its insurance company and we have invited them to contact us if they have any issues or concerns they wish to discuss with the council.