Latest news

Reference Group Closes with High Interest from the Community

Applications for the Community Reference Group have now closed, and we received 52 expressions of interest! We’re really pleased with the high level of expertise and the diverse viewpoints represented in these applications – a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to apply.

From here, 15 Waipā residents will be selected to reflect a diverse range of perspectives, knowledge, ages and stages from within our communities.

The Reference Group will be a vital part of the Cambridge Connections project, providing input into the values, priorities and aspirations of our community, which will help shape transport in the Waipā district for the next 30 years.

The transport system is everything that helps people and goods move around Cambridge and beyond. It includes roads, footpaths, cycleways, public transport, parking, and the connections between them.

The draft Cambridge Connections Transport Plan is scheduled to be completed in late 2026. It will make recommendations for council decisions about the use of existing bridges and the general area where a new bridge and connecting roads could be built in the future.

The draft Transport Plan will include short, medium and long-term projects needed for Cambridge’s transport system. It will also meet NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi business case requirements, so funding can be sought for future infrastructure, services and further planning.

Funding has been included in the draft 2025-2034 Long Term Plan to complete the Transport Plan to inform the 2027 LTP. The project will include greater community engagement throughout the project and clarity on how transport decisions are made.

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.

The Cambridge Connections Transport Plan will meet New Zealand Transport Agency business case requirements to enable funding to be sought for future activities including infrastructure, services and further planning. The methodology will follow that of strategic transport planning, similar to a Programme Business Case.

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.