The Tauranga Eastern Link is celebrating its first birthday today, and already, nearly equivalent of half of New Zealand's population have travelled on it.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges says more than 2.3 million vehicles have travelled on the TEL since it opened a year ago - close to 40 per cent more than predicted.

The Tauranga Eastern Link was offically opened a one year ago.

According to Statistics New Zealand's population clock the country's population is 4.7 million.

The 21km four-lane highway is the Bay of Plenty's biggest roading project with seven bridges, the country's biggest roundabout and a 6.8km cycleway.

It's one of seven roads of National Significance identified by the Government as being crucial to building New Zealand's economy. It was officially opened a year ago by Prime Minister John Key and Simon.

'The $455 million road is a key regional highway connecting Tauranga with the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

'One year after its completion, the benefits of this investment are obvious. On average 8000 vehicles travel on the new highway every day, a total of more than 2.3 million so far. This far exceeds our original expectations,” says Simon.

The new highway replaces a stretch of State Highway 2 that was ranked fourth most dangerous in the country in terms of crashes.

More than 2.3 million vehicles have travelled on the link since it opened.

It now has a five star safety rating, the highest in New Zealand.

'In the five years before the Tauranga Eastern Link opened, there were seven fatalities and 37 serious injuries. In the year since it has opened, there have been zero fatalities and only two serious injuries,," says Simon.

It has also reduced travel times through the region.

'Data shows that the average travel time on the TEL is nine minutes, compared to 15-18 minutes on the alternative route, the Te Puke Highway. At peak times drivers are saving 10 to 15 minutes by using the TEL.”

'This highway was designed to open up this region, help grow industry and jobs, improve safety and support economic development and growth. A year ago today I described the TEL as a game changer and that is certainly proving to be the case.”

Key TEL facts

• Trip volumes are 38 per cent higher than expected.
• Over 2 million light vehicle trips and over 300,000 heavy vehicle trips in the first year in total.
• On average, about 8,000 vehicles use the TEL each day - on some days this grows to over 10,000.
• The average travel time on the TEL is 9 minutes, compared to 15 to 18 minutes on the alternative Te Puke Highway route.

At peak times drivers typically save 10 to 15 minutes by using the TEL.

Transportation Minister Simon Bridges.