No upgrade for Hauraki intersection that sparked a 710-signature petition
Tuesday, 2 June 2026
A 700-strong petition for safety work on a Hauraki intersection has been knocked back, with the Government saying there’s not enough cash.
Fiona Lagae’s petition to Parliament asked for an urgent review of the intersection of SH25 and Hauraki Road — also known as Orongo Corner — across the river from Kōpū.
The intersection sits on a well-used route linking the Coromandel and State Highway 2.
Lagae wrote that the crossroads needed improvement after a “significant” increase in reported, serious and fatal crashes at the intersection over the past decade.
Options could include a remodelled layout or a roundabout, she wrote.
But the Government says there’s no money set aside for work in Orongo at the moment, and too many things ahead of it on the priority list. The intersection could, however, make it into the next three-year work programme.
Lagae’s petition said NZTA figures showed five crashes at the site in 2024, with one death, seven serious injuries and three minor injuries.
That was an increase on 2017, when there were three crashes with one death, one serious injury and one minor injury.
Lagae collected 710 signatures in support of her petition between October 2025 and January 2026, and it went before a select committee in February.
Concerns about the SH25/Hauraki Rd intersection are on NZTA’s radar, a response from the transport minister’s office said, but there’s no upgrade in sight.
“There is currently no funding allocated for further improvements, including a roundabout,” it said.
“Funding in the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) is limited and there are many locations that require upgrades to improve their safety.”
The response noted NZTA had installed an Intersection Speed Zone at the site in 2018. The aim was to slow vehicles approaching the intersection and make crashes less likely, or less severe if they did happen.
The next chance for an intersection upgrade to get funding is when priorities are set for the 2027-30 NLTP, the response said.
“Any future assessment would include consideration of a permanent roundabout.”