Visions of a four-lane highway between Hamilton and Tauranga are not being discarded with Tauranga City leaders admitting the initiative linking the Golden Triangle would be welcomed.

Hamilton East MP David Bennett this week spoke out saying the highway to Tauranga is the next major project that should be considered nationally.

A four-lane highway from Tauranga to Hamilton would be welcomed by leaders.

Waikato Times reports Finance Minister Bill English this week told Cambridge residents the government is not ruling out a highway between the two cities to open up the eastern link in the golden triangle, but adds it is some time away.

The Deputy Prime Minster says the national Roads of Significance programme would open up opportunities in the region and a new road to the east was likely, but no details had been worked out yet.

Tauranga is located in the ‘golden triangle', encompassing Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga, which is responsible for around 65 per cent of the country's freight movements.

Economic development group, Priority One, says strong growth is projected in the area during the next 20 years, when it will comprise over half of New Zealand's total economic activity and 53 per cent of its population.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges says there already is a strong agreement between Waikato and Bay of Plenty MPs for the potential highway, but will not take the topic on the impending campaign trail.

Since National came into power more than $700m has been pumped into Bay of Plenty roading with the additional $102m set aside for the recently announced Maunganui-Girven intersection project, says Simon.

'I think it's fair to say there is general agreement that it's a very desirable thing to happen and will just help considerably with joining up the golden triangle,” says Simon.

'I think it should be heading higher up the list because the connections between the Waikato and Bay of Plenty are incredibly strong.”

Simon says that such a project would need to be considered alongside the Puhoi to Wellsford Road, a second Auckland Harbour crossing and further extensions to the Waikato Expressway.

NZTA Waikato Bay of Plenty regional director Harry Wilson says the road between the two cities is a key part of the golden triangle linking the seaside ports of Tauranga and Auckland with Hamilton's inland port.

NZTA is currently investigating the function, form and pressures on this route and are also looking at the need for major upgrades and investment requirements in the future.

'Waikato and Bay of Plenty Regional Councils have established a joint working party to support our investigations, which indicates their understanding of this route's importance to the local and national economies,” says Harry.

Port of Tauranga chief executive Mark Cairns would welcome any infrastructure improvements, but says the region is 'pretty spoilt” already with the strategic roading network.

'Anything that opens up that golden triangle with infrastructure we will welcome with open arms,” says Mark.

'I think we have pretty good networks road and rail. I think it's just keeping pace with growth.”