Former Tauranga MP Winston Peters has not been invited to the official opening of the Harbour link project on Dec ember 18.
Winston Peters neogiated building the second bridge toll free as part of the New Zealand First Party's deal with Labour following the 2005 election.

Winston Peters visit the Harbour link project during the 2008 elections

Invites to the opening are sent to sitting national and local body politicians only, and that is just New Zealand Transport Agency policy says regional director Harry Wilson.
'I've not received an invitation to the opening of the Bridge nor any official information on this event,” says Winston. 'I suppose it is a case of being more amazed than disappointed but that's life sometimes.
'Incidentally, the NZTA doesn't decide on such matters. Such decisions are taken at the political level and puts one in mind of Oscar Wilde's ‘The Happy Prince'.”
The official ceremony includes speeches and the unveiling of a plaque. In a Sun Live poll offering more entertaining alternatives, the option of Winston Peters arriving on a waka to cut the ribbon, was a clear winner.
Drivers who happen to be crossing the harbour bridge on December 18 shortly after 10.30am, you may be among the first drivers to take the Dive Crescent off ramp.
The official opening ceremony will be taking place beside the off-ramp about then – an unveiling of a plaque on the plinth for the ceremonial tau of the Takitimu Waka, and speeches.
Project manager Kevin Reid says the first bridge will be reopened a few days before December 18, when the off ramp will be opened.
'We won't be able to line anyone up to be the first one down,' says Kevin. 'With the nature of the project it is difficult to have a ribbon cutting ceremony.”
The Dive Crescent off ramp is the last part of the harbour link project to be completed.
The opening is several months ahead of the original schedule and has been achieved in part by the construction team and contracting staff deferring leave, says Kevin.
'They are looking forward to December 18,” says Kevin.
The $255 million Tauranga Harbour Link is the Bay's largest roading project so far. Work began on stage one, four laning Hewletts Road, in September 2006.
The Takitimu waka made landfall off north rock after the voyage from Hawaiki. The chief Tamatea Ariki Nui later settled at Maungatawa.