About this project

Cape Reinga: a special place

Te Rerenga Wairua Te Rerenga Wairua

In Maori tradition, the spirits of the dead travel north along the east and west coasts of Aotearoa. They converge at a point on the west coast just south of Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga), before continuing their final journey.

They move down the cliff to Te Reinga before descending into the depths of the underworld. They swim out to Manawatawhi (Three Kings - Big Island) and there ascend to the ancient pa site at Ohau.

From that vantage point they take a last look back at Aotearoa before departing forever to Hawaiki Nui, Hawaiki Roa and Hawaiki Pamamao.

Cape Reinga is an iconic destination for New Zealanders and overseas visitors - a special place where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean.

This is the last part of State Highway 1 between Cape Reinga and Bluff to be sealed. Its completion will mark an important milestone for New Zealand's roading network.

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Tourism

Iconic Lighthouse Iconic Lighthouse

DOC is currently developing improved visitor facilities and infrastructure at Cape Reinga. Tourism agencies and local iwi are exploring the possibility of developing a Visitor Centre at the site in the future.

Visitor numbers are expected to increase once the road is sealed. Visitor numbers are currently growing at around 5% per year.

Access for tour operators will be improved and visitors will be able to take rented vehicles on the road.

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Motorists

Cape Reinga 20 km Sign Cape Reinga 20 km Sign

An estimated 1300 vehicles travel on this stretch of road every day during the summer.

The road to the Cape will be safer and more comfortable for car drivers and passengers. The loose gravel will be removed and the curves improved. For the first time motorcyclists will be able to ride all the way to the Cape without having to battle dusty (and dangerous) gravel roads.

There will be rest areas created where it will be safe for visitors to pull off the road and enjoy the views. Motorists will be able to leave their cars and enjoy walking tracks in the area.

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Pedestrians and Cyclists

Sealing the road will be better for cyclists and pedestrians by providing a safer and more even road surface and reducing clouds of dust. The reduced dust will also make it easier for motorists to see pedestrians and cyclists.

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Curves and Speed

Hazardous Unsealed Road Hazardous Unsealed Road

The road was originally formed from a farm track around half a century ago. It was never designed as a state highway, which is one of the reasons the curves are not suitable for high-speed traffic.

There are more than 100 curves along the 19km of the road with a recommended speed of between 40km and 80 km per hour.

This project will improve the road by

  • widening the road to allow vehicles (especially long vehicles) to negotiate the corners more safely.
  • making sure there isn't too much of a speed difference between one corner and the next so motorists are not caught by surprise.
  • installing signs so motorists know what speeds they can safely drive, especially around bends.

The road will have a slower speed when it passes through the settlement of Te Paki, for the safety of residents and visitors. People going to the famous Te Paki Sand Dunes will be able to leave and re-join the main road more safely.

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Timeline

  • Early 2007
  • Design completed
  • First quarter 2007
  • Design safety and cost efficiency audited
  • Late 2007
  • Construction starts
  • Mid 2010
  • Expected completion date