Wellington residents deliver verdict on multibillion-dollar highway and tunnel plans
Thursday, 19 March 2026
Wellingtonians have delivered a muted rejection to the Government’s $2.9 billion to $3.8b planned tunnels and highway extensions through the heart of the city, with the loudest shout of “no” coming from the east.
Waka Kotahi NZTA ran a truncated public consultation of the plans – including second Terrace and Mount Victoria tunnels, major changes at the Basin Reserve and adding an extra lane to Vivian St – and released the findings on Thursday.
They show just 41% believed the overall changes would make things personally better for them and 44% said it would be better for the region. 49% said it would be personally worse, and 40% said it would be worse for the region.
The second Terrace tunnel had 54% saying it would make things better for them compared to 31% saying it would be worse.
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Te Aro improvements – three lanes on Vivian St and Karo Drive and traffic signals “optimised” for the highway – had 42% for and 48% against.
The Basin Reserve changes – including a reversal of the direction of travel, an underpass and other notable changes – had 51% for and 39% against.
The second Mount Victoria tunnel would make things personally worse for 40% and better for 48%.
Exactly half the respondents said the Hataitai and Kilbirnie changes – including a flyover and removal of homes for road-widening – would make things worse against 42% saying it would be an improvement.
About 850 people attended six information sessions, with 2432 people or organisations giving feedback.
Save the Basin, which opposes the project, said feedback was gathered before the cost was known, before it was shown to have one of the worst cost-benefit ratios of all of the Government’s roads of national significance, before it was known the roads could be tolled, and before the Iran war.
NZTA project sponsor Robyn Elston said there were positive comments on the second tunnels and Basin Reserve changes, which people said would reduce congestion and create reliable links.
People said changes around the Basin Reserve and Mount Victoria Tunnel would help make things easier for emergency services, create safer conditions for schools , and improve walking and cycling connection through Mt Victoria, she said.
“We are grateful to everyone who provided feedback. It provides valuable insights as we look to refine the project design and develop potential options to mitigate any project effects ahead of lodging a Fast Track Approval Act application,” Elston said.
Wellington Airport chief executive Matt Clarke argued the figures showed more Wellingtonians though it would be better for the region than worse.
“Consultations like these are self-selecting so always tend to be weighted more towards those adversely affected,” he said.
By the numbers
How would the overall project affect people personally:
Worse or much worse: 49%
Better or much better: 41%
How would the overall project affect the Wellington region:
Much worse or worse: 40%
Better or much better: 44%
Second Terrace Tunnel:
Much worse or worse: 31%
Better or much better: 54%
Te Aro changes:
Much worse or worse: 48%
Better or much better: 42%
Basin Reserve changes:
Much worse or worse: 39%
Better or much better: 51%
Second Mount Victoria Tunnel:
Worse or much worse: 40%
Better or much better: 48%
Hataitai and Kilbirnie changes:
Much worse or worse: 50%
Better or much better: 42%