A $2.7m roundabout for high-risk intersection near Havelock North

A $2.7 million upgrade will turn a busy, high-risk intersection near Havelock North into a roundabout.

By Linda Hall of Local Democracy Reporting

Hastings District Council said the intersection of Te Mata, Waimārama, Te Mata–Mangateretere, and River roads was among the district’s highest-risk locations, with 10 crashes, including one fatality, over the past five years.

An average of around 6500 vehicles used the intersection daily, with heavy vehicles making up about 12% of the traffic.

The intersection also formed part of the Hawke’s Bay Trails with a shared path on three of the roads.

A council spokesperson said New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi would contribute 53% of the estimated total project cost, with Hastings District Council funding the remaining 47%.

Hastings Mayor Wendy Schollum said the roundabout would significantly improve safety at a location with a long history of serious crashes.

"Preventing even one fatal or serious injury crash at this intersection matters.

"This is about keeping people safe on a road many locals use every day, and reducing the risk of the kind of harm that stays with families and communities long after a crash happens."

Council’s director of infrastructure Darren de Klerk said smaller bolt-on roundabouts, including rubber roundabout options, were assessed but ruled out as unsuitable for a high-volume, higher-speed intersection used by heavy vehicles.

"As well as constructing the roundabout itself, the project includes full road surface reconstruction on all approaches, heavy-vehicle-specific design features, safety improvements, drainage works, relocation of power and telecommunications services, and traffic management," de Klerk said.

To be effective in the 80km/h area, the design included appropriate entry angles, a large central island, and splitter islands on each approach to reduce speeds and provide safer crossing opportunities for shared path users.

Construction was scheduled to begin in mid-January 2026 and continue through to May 2026.

Both lanes of the road were expected to remain open for most of the construction time, with temporary speed restrictions in place.

According to national estimates, the average social cost of a fatal crash was $4.9 million; a serious injury crash, $923,000; and a minor injury crash, $104,000.

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