A Tuapiro Rd resident says he is concerned a shelterbelt “growing unchecked” is blocking motorists’ visibility at a highway intersection.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says it met the required standard when last reviewed during intersection upgrade works in 2023.

The rural road intersects with State Highway 2 at Tahawai, north of Katikati.

Resident Rowan Bullock said safety upgrade works on SH2 from Waihī to Ōmokoroa included changing the alignment of several intersections, pushing the stop line into the street to widen the highway and provide space for cyclists.

He said the shelterbelt along SH2 was increasingly making it harder for drivers coming out of Tuapiro Rd to get a good view of the 100km/h oncoming traffic on SH2.

“The shelter belt has been growing unchecked since the changes and visibility is reducing.”

Bullock said he had lived on Tuapiro Rd for 13 years and, in his view, the shelter belt had not been properly trimmed since the intersection changes.

“Every time you come to the corner, there’s a little bit less visibility.

“You’ve actually got to drive out into the active lane to get the same visibility.”

Bullock said the orchardist who owned the shelter belt had long been diligent in trimming the highway side of the trees.

Since the verge had been pushed out, however, the shelter belt could not be trimmed without traffic control.

Bullock said he contacted NZTA with concerns the situation did not meet safety standards.

The Tuapiro Rd intersection visibility in 2023 compared to 2026. Photo / Rowan Bullock

An NZTA spokesperson told Local Democracy Reporting the agency was aware of concerns about visibility at the intersection.

They said a sightline assessment and post-construction check at the time of the SH2 safety improvement project in 2023 found the intersection met the relevant requirements.

NZTA had not recently assessed the sightlines and could not confirm whether conditions had changed.

They said vegetation within the state highway road reserve was typically managed by NZTA, while vegetation on private property was generally the landowner’s responsibility.

“Where vegetation on or near a property boundary may be affecting visibility on the state highway, NZTA will assess the potential safety impact and engage with the landowner to clarify responsibility and agree any action needed.”

In this case, the shelter belt was along the boundary between the road reserve and adjoining property.

“NZTA’s responsibility in this case is ensuring that there is sufficient sightline for cars travelling on the state highway.

“NZTA is following up with the landowner to confirm the maintenance arrangements and determine whether any trimming is required and who would undertake it.”

The Tuapiro Rd/ State Highway 2 intersection in Tahawai.

No work or timing had been confirmed “at this stage”.

The spokesperson said a review of reported crashes within the standard 50m radius found one non-injury, nose-to-tail crash since the upgrade works were completed.

NZTA’s safety improvement programme came after 25 people died and 66 were seriously injured on the 40km stretch of SH2 between Waihī and Ōmokoroa between 2009 and 2018.

Most collisions were at intersections, head-on collisions, or people driving off the road.

The estimated cost of the safety project was $164 million.

The improvements included road widening, making intersections safer, and widening road shoulders to give drivers more room.

Funding was announced in 2016 and construction began in 2018.

The final intersection upgrade at Esdaile Rd and Pahoia Rd roundabout is expected to finish in late 2027.

The owner of the property bordering the shelterbelt was approached for comment.

Ayla Yeoman is a Local Democracy Reporting journalist based in Tauranga. She holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in communications, politics and international relations from the University of Auckland, and has been a journalist since 2023.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.