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What is Cambridge Connections?

Cambridge Connections is the transport plan Waipā District Council is developing to guide our town's transport network over the coming 30 years.

Cambridge and the Waipā District is experiencing unprecedented growth. For many local residents, the population of Cambridge will more than double in their lifetime: projections show that by 2055, it will have grown to 33,000.

Transport infrastructure is vital to planning for growth – it affects all the ways people and goods move around the region, including roads, footpaths, cycleways, public transport, parking, freight, and the connections between them.

If we don’t plan well, we risk congested roads and a town that is difficult to get around. But with careful planning we can choose what forms of transport we use, ensure public spaces are centred around people, and prioritise climate resilience.

There are two key reasons why we need to a develop a transport plan that will serve our community now and into the future.

We need to plan for growth

As Cambridge residents, we already know this is a great place to live. Our town is full of character and green spaces, with thriving businesses and a vibrant town centre. It’s liveable and easy to get out and about.

Central Government has designated Waipā as a Tier One growth district – this means we’re required to plan for 30 years’ of housing and infrastructure. In other words, we need to grow! It’s important to plan carefully so Cambridge and Waipā continue to be a great place to live for future generations.

We need funding for transport infrastructure

We need to plan for effective transport into the future, but crucially, we also need to be able to fund it. That is why we need to make a business case to New Zealand Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi).

In line with its 30-year plan, NZTA allocates funding on a three-year cycle:

• 0-3 years: short term priorities
• 3-10+ years: medium term priorities
• 10-30 years: long term priorities.

Commitment to best practice engagement

We're committed to making engagement meaningful, not just a tick box. That's why we’ve adopted the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) framework to guide our approach from this point forward. Note, the organisation is called the Engagement Institute.

This next phase is a fresh start for Cambridge Connections. There are no predetermined outcomes, no fixed decisions on transport routes or solutions – and we are inviting our community to help us shape the direction of the project.

Where it started

The project began in 2022 following the adoption of the Waipā Transport Strategy. The strategy looks at how an integrated, safe and sustainable transport network can be built across the Waipā District over the next 30 years, taking into account existing infrastructure, the changing needs of its growing population, and climate change.

Planning for growth in Cambridge was seen as a priority, with a focus on all components of the current network, including the river crossings, and ways to encourage and enable more use of public transport.

What we did

In 2022, a Project Steering Group was tasked to look at the complex transport issues and options for Cambridge. The group included Councillors and Cambridge Community Board members, iwi partners, and representatives from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, the heavy freight industry, and regional transport planning experts. Detailed traffic modelling was undertaken, and extensive stakeholder information sessions were held over 2022-23.

What we heard

Community feedback from the Ahu Ake – Waipā Community Spatial Plan consultations and stakeholder input helped inform the Council to develop a range of options, which were presented in 2024. These included a potential third bridge and enhanced walking and cycling routes, and were a step towards preparing a business case to submit to the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi to seek funding.

When a potential location for a bridge crossing was made public in March 2024, there was huge community angst. Following an emotional public meeting, Mayor Susan O'Regan took any future bridge location off the table, commissioned a review of the project, and requested the project be reset with a much stronger focus on engaging the community.

The outcomes

In November 2024, Chief Executive Steph O’Sullivan announced the next step would be to appoint a programme lead whose first priority would be community engagement.

On April 11, 2025, Katie Mayes was announced as Executive Director for the programme. A Cambridge resident and strong strategic leader, Mayes' previous role was as National Manager System Planning and Investment for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. She began with Waipā District Council on Monday, May 5.

2024 Engagement

From March to May 2024, we sought feedback from the community on the Cambridge Connections project. Over that period, we received more than 500 individual pieces of feedback.

It became clear through this process that more time and deeper engagement were needed to reflect the full range of community views. In August 2024, the Council made the decision to reset the project, placing community involvement at the centre of the process moving forward.

Want to dive deeper into the ideas, processes, and tools? These resources provide background, context, and examples from across the project.