Cambridge Connections is a plan for transport infrastructure that will serve the fast-growing town over the coming decades.

The draft Cambridge Connections Transport Plan is scheduled to be completed in late 2026 and will make recommendations for council decision about use of existing bridges and any additional bridge corridor. It will also meet New Zealand Transport Agency business case requirements to enable funding to be sought for future activities including infrastructure, services and further planning.

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.

Funding has been included in the draft 2025-2034 Long Term Plan to complete an investment and infrastructure plan to inform the 2027 LTP. This will focus on responding to community aspirations and expectation, arising from the engagement work. 

Latest updates

Project and engagement plans were presented to the Strategic Planning and Policy Committee for consideration on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. You can view the livestream below from 1:20:15.

Engagement

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.

We want to work in partnership with the Cambridge community and wider Waipā District to refresh transport priorities in and around the town. We’re aiming for:

  • Inclusive conversations about what matters most, from everyday travel to future aspirations
  • A community-informed transport programme that reflects local values, needs, and goals
  • Integrated planning that supports wider place-making priorities like Ahu Ake and Town Concept Plans.

Throughout this project, we will engage at different levels depending on the stage and topic. Here's how the IAP2 spectrum will guide our approach:

LevelGoalOur promise to you
InformProvide clear, balanced, and timely informationWe will keep you informed
ConsultGather feedback on ideas, options, or decisionsWe will listen, consider your views, and report back on how your input influenced the outcome
InvolveWork with you throughout the processWe will reflect your input in the project and show how it shaped decisions
CollaboratePartner with you to develop alternatives and identify preferred solutionsWe will incorporate your input into decisions to the maximum extent possible


The engagement level ‘empower’ will not be part of this project, we are committed to transparency and genuine community influence throughout.

Engagement and project stages

Throughout the lifetime of the project, we’ll be engaging at different levels, these are outlined below.
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  • Stage 1: Information review and context setting

    IAP2 level: Inform and consult

    Provide clear, balanced, and timely information and gather feedback ideas, options, or decisions.

  • Stage 2: Define problems, benefits and objectives

    IAP2 level: Inform and consult

    Provide clear, balanced, and timely information and gather feedback ideas, options, or decisions.

  • Stage 3: Transport ideas development - 'long list'

    IAP2 level: Inform and involve

    Provide clear, balanced, and timely information and work with you throughout the process.

  • Stage 4: Develop options

    'Short list' and recommended programme of transport activities

    IAP2 level: Inform and involve

    Provide clear, balanced, and timely information and work with you throughout the process.

  • Stage 5: Consultation on draft transport plan

    IAP2 level: Inform and involve

    Provide clear, balanced, and timely information and work with you throughout the process.

  • Stage 6: Release final plan

    IAP2 level: Inform

    Provide clear, balanced, and timely information.

Community engagement opportunities

As the Cambridge Connections project moves into its next phase, two key community opportunities will ensure people are at the hear of the process:

  • Community Reference Group

    A group of up to 15 locals representing different perspectives, working closely with the Cambridge Community Board and Council to make sure community concerns and values help guide the project.

    Those interested will be asked to apply. Selection will be made by the project lead, in consultation with the Cambridge Community Board.

  • Community Ideas Forum

    An open space where anyone can share ideas, feedback, or questions to help shape the project alongside the Reference Group and project team.

Applications for the Reference Group will open in the coming weeks, following the first meeting of the Project Governance Group. The Ideas Forum will go live at the same time.

Keen to get involved?

Sign up to the Cambridge Connections newsletter to be the first to hear when these opportunities open.

The framework is recognised globally as the gold standard for public participation. It ensures people are involved in decisions that affect them and helps build trust and transparency through:

  • Clear engagement goals
  • Shared understanding of influence
  • Inclusive and accessible participation
  • Honest communication about how feedback is used

We follow the IAP2 Core Values because they help ensure good decisions that reflect the community’s diverse perspectives. These values include:

  1. People affected by a decision have the right to be involved.
  2. The public’s contribution will influence the decision.
  3. All voices are considered, including decision-makers.
  4. Engagement should include those most affected or interested.
  5. People help shape how they participate.
  6. People get the information they need to participate meaningfully.
  7. We will always explain how your input affected the outcome.

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.

Resources

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

Background

An effective transport system is vital for our communities, businesses and the economy. Waipā residents move around and through the district each day for work and education, to shop, socialise and access community services, and for trips to other centres.

Daily freight movements support the strong rural economy in the delivery of goods and services.

Waipā is growing fast!

Cambridge is set to reach 30,300 people by 2050—adding around 13,000 new homes across our vibrant towns and villages.

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.

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.

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.