Safer crossing approved for busy Waihī highway

Monday, 6 October 2025

Plans are underway for a ‘pedestrian refuge island’ on SH25 in Waihī, between the rugby club and Morgan Park.

A safer crossing is coming for a highway that’s both a key route for holiday traffic and home to a Waihī sporting hub.

Locals have asked for a safe place to cross State Highway 25 near Morgan Park and the Waihī rugby club. Hauraki District councillors answered those calls by approving a pedestrian refuge island during their September meeting - a move expected to cost about $87,000.

The stretch of highway carries an average of 3734 vehicles a day, with one in eight of those heavy trucks. Numbers climb even higher on weekends and holidays as traffic heads for the Coromandel.

It’s also a popular area with locals, who end up at risk crossing at “unfavourable” points between the Waihī Athletic Rugby Club and Morgan Park - which is undergoing development, a report from transportation manager Liam Tansey said.

There are “regular pedestrian movements throughout the week and peaking in the weekend with sporting events being a frequent attraction throughout the year”.

NZ Transport Agency is responsible for the road and for signing off any work, but currently has no funding for the project.

Hauraki District councillors have agreed to fund the project, which is estimated to cost $87,000.

“NZTA have said they will review and possibly allow the works to happen if Council comes up with the funding,” Tansey’s report said.

Hauraki District Council said it would split the bill across three budgets: half from the Waihī Ward, 20% from the Access and Mobility Budget, and 30% from the District Discretionary fund.

Councillors considered four design options before landing on the refuge island. Other possibilities included kerb build-outs or single kerb islands. The refuge island was described as the most practical choice — a central safe space allowing pedestrians to cross the highway in two stages.

Adding zebra crossing markings could come later, but that decision rests with Waka Kotahi, and would push the cost up by another $40,000.

To finalise details, councillors agreed a Waihī Ward working party will work alongside council staff and Waka Kotahi to confirm the location and oversee delivery.

Work is expected to be finished by June 2026.

This story was sourced from official documents and generated using a bespoke AI tool overseen and checked by senior journalists.