An additional toll point is being proposed for the Tauranga Eastern Link.
NZTA is proposing an amendment be made to the toll scheme to allow for an additional toll point enabling motorists travelling between Domain Rd Interchange and the Pāpāmoa East Interchange to be charged a toll price, contributing toward debt repayment for the construction of this state highway.
In a statement, the roading agency said public consultation is now live and runs through to 5pm on Thursday, August 28.
“Tolling is an important tool to support accelerated growth and economic productivity in the region,” said system design regional manager Susan Collins.
“It’s already been used effectively in Tauranga to bring forward the construction of new roads such as the TEL and SH29 Takitimu Drive toll roads.
“It was the intention of the existing toll scheme to ensure all TEL road users make a direct contribution to the road they’re using. The location of the current toll gantry means users travelling between the Domain Rd Interchange and the new Pāpāmoa East Interchange are not currently able to be tolled.”
Collins said by installing a new toll point, people travelling between the Domain Rd Interchange and the new Pāpāmoa East Interchange would pay a lower toll price than the current toll, reflecting the shorter distance travelled.
The proposed prices being consulted on are:
$1.10 for light vehicles.
$2.80 for heavy vehicles.
Vehicles travelling the full length of the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Rd, between Domain Rd Interchange and Paengaroa Roundabout, would continue to pay current toll prices $2.30 for light vehicles and $5.60 for heavy vehicles.
The new toll point is expected to save $1.7 million in interest payments on the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Rd loan and is estimated to bring the end date forward by 12 months.
If you’d like to make a submission, go to: nzta.govt.nz/teltolling
Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford encouraged people to participate in consultation on a proposed change to the tolling scheme for the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Rd.
“This is your opportunity to have your say on something that directly affects our local community,” said Rutherford.
“NZTA need to know how the community feel – whether you support or oppose the tolling proposal.
“Please ensure you submit your feedback before 5pm on August 28.
“Your voice matters in this process, so make sure it’s heard on this important local transport issue.”
16 comments
Opposed
Posted on 01-08-2025 10:24 | By Yuan
Tauranga is already the most road tolled are in NZ, and they want to increase our cost of living here even more!
Our MP's should be standing up against this change and to get the toll of that poor condition Tauriko Expressway
Let's pick on Tauranga
Posted on 01-08-2025 10:25 | By First Responder
No way, we have 2 toll plazas as it is. If you want more tolls, do it between Hamilton and Auckland. No other city in the country has tolls like here. Shove it.
You cannot be serious !!
Posted on 01-08-2025 11:09 | By If only
The purpose of this interchange is surely too free up the congestion on feeder roads throughout this area, that the vast swathes of new residential housing has created.
The more cars off residential streets the better surely.
No doubt this is a decision that is already cast, and public consultation is merely a side show
Where are the Tolls on the Transmission Gully, the new Palmerston North / Dannevirke Rd, the Hamilton bypass etc etc !
Expose
Posted on 01-08-2025 11:39 | By Expose
I’m not totally against toll roads if there is economical fairness. Out of the three toll Roads in this country Tauranga has two. With the current proposals on the table this could take the number to four. That will be a total of five in NZ.
What is going on? Give Tauranga a break. Are we an experiment to see what the NZTA can get away with? It’s our own fault if as a city we allow these new toll road proposals to even get out of the gate.
Agreed
Posted on 01-08-2025 12:12 | By FRANKS
but please make the comments to the NZTA site.
Where is our two boys?
Posted on 01-08-2025 12:37 | By Active
What are our two boys doing? If our man Winston was still here it would be an entirely different story. He got the toll taken off the bridge stood up for Tauranga. Our two boys are nice, don’t bang the table for us. Might upset the boss.
Captain
Posted on 01-08-2025 12:53 | By Captin
If you use half of the toll road you should pay half the toll. The sooner the road is paid off and free for everyone the better. If you dont like toll roads, dont use them.
Think again
Posted on 01-08-2025 12:57 | By Wundrin
This isn't really a new toll so much an amendment to the existing tolling structure, to reflect the new access to the existing motorway. It's hardly fair that motorists travelling west from the new interchange would pay no toll, whereas those travelling east would pay the same toll as those using the full extent of the road. Of course, you could show your displeasure by boycotting the new interchange...
use or don't use
Posted on 01-08-2025 14:48 | By Ajs
the choice is yours use and pay don't and not
For whom the tolls slug.
Posted on 01-08-2025 14:55 | By Duegatti
Hey NZTA, we are tired of being tolled. We've told you and told you.
Go find someone else on whom the toll falls.
It's taking a toll on our bank accounts.
If the Govt doesn't reign you in, it will take a toll on their election chances.
Hmmm
Posted on 01-08-2025 15:13 | By Let's get real
I am fully behind USER PAYS.
Tolls cannot be introduced if there is not an alternative route. You want to travel quicker, you pay for the privilege until the costs of providing the service are met by the users.
Remember the harbour bridge...? And I can still remember seeing logging trucks on Cameron Rd, Cambridge Rd and through Te Puke.
Let the users pay for convenience and transport complaints might dwindle in the future as more infrastructure is available via USER PAYS initiatives.
@ Lets get real
Posted on 01-08-2025 19:15 | By groutby
yup I agree with you, with reservations, I hope once the tolls have paid for the roads then they would be removed or at very least be directed into making more successful and efficient roading to allow productivity to flourish...the original free route will always be available for those not wishing to join the progress....realistically...please take a look at tolled Australian and UK roads, there are many, accepted by most and the same alternative for those not wishing to use them...the choices we would have as a result could potentially be very exciting and simply leave the rest of the country behind...again, if you choose not to use them that's fine...how's that for choice?....
Expose
Posted on 01-08-2025 20:14 | By Expose
User pays alternative routes all good stuff but the point here is why are Tauranga drivers looking down the barrel of four toll roads out of the five in NZ?
User pays for Transmission Gully, Auckland to Cambridge etc etc they are not tolled - why if user pays and alternative routes are the are the way we should go?
The other point is the distance drivers will travel to reach the first toll camera is not even a third of the distance along the Eastern Link @ $10.10 hardly a fair deal either why you do the math.
We need to stop the unfair tolling of Tauranga roads.
MY question
Posted on 02-08-2025 06:24 | By Merlin
Is this toll money going on the roads or to the consolidated fund to be used for other things as is I believe the speed camera money is.Hands off Tauranga!!! Where are the voices of the local Government MP"s looking after Tauranga. Perhaps they have Laringitis.
Just STOP
Posted on 02-08-2025 09:07 | By Cast
Tauranga needs to stop all new projects until the books are in the positive. People cannot pay their rates, water, dog fees as it is. Things need to change.
Also I can't understand why rates on business are so high. They don't use parks or reserves etc .they pay a lot and it is noticeable in Hull road the disappearance of small business. So come on Tauranga let's get a council that works.
Tolls
Posted on 02-08-2025 14:45 | By peanuts9
I can't see the point of adding more tolls to the roads. Motorists actively avoid the present tolled roads & the communities along the alternative routes suffer. You only have to look at the traffic in Greerton to understand how it affects the locals.r
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