The New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is set to allocate up to $1.1 million to safeguard endangered snail and lizard species ahead of the construction of a new motorway in the lower North Island.
The Ōtaki to north of Levin (Ō2NL) motorway project, which includes a shared pedestrian and cycling path, is projected to cost approximately $1.5 billion. This new route will connect with the recently inaugurated Peka Peka to Ōtaki expressway, aiming to enhance travel efficiency and safety. The current segment of State Highway 1 has been notoriously described as a “killing field,” a term coined by former coroner Philip Comber due to its numerous fatal accidents marked by roadside white crosses.
Designated a Road of National Significance, the motorway construction is slated to commence late next year.
An NZTA briefing to Transport Minister Simeon Brown outlined recent ecological surveys at the site. These surveys have identified the presence of the critically endangered Powelliphanta traversi snail, one of New Zealand’s most threatened invertebrates. According to the Department of Conservation, Powelliphanta snails are notable for their impressive size and strikingly colorful shells, featuring patterns in shades ranging from red and brown to yellow and black.
In addition to the Powelliphanta snail, the briefing revealed the discovery of both a threatened skink species and a non-threatened skink species. Under the Wildlife Act, these species, including the ornate skink and other lizards, are protected and must be relocated before construction can proceed.
The briefing, dated May 17, was obtained by the Herald through the Official Information Act. It details ongoing preparations for fauna management, including the identification of relocation sites and detailed protocols for salvaging and handling the species. The estimated cost for these conservation efforts ranges from $700,000 to $1.1 million.
NZTA’s central North Island regional manager Rob Partridge assured the Herald that road construction would not face delays due to wildlife relocation. He emphasized that these efforts would be integrated into the ongoing site preparation process.
Partridge noted that a clearer understanding of the approach and final costs is expected by the end of 2024. “The figures provided are preliminary estimates,” he said, “with additional options and efficiencies being explored before final confirmation.”
The new motorway is projected to be completed by 2029.