"The ink is barely dry on these policies, which Forest and Bird fought long and hard for, and already they are being overridden by a road," Gepp said.
"This is a terrible precedent for Auckland. Even though the Government has said the road is not going ahead in its current form, this decision means plans could be revived by future governments."
Forest and Bird made a submission against the road extension as it proposed to cross Anns Creek, a rare ecosystem of lava shrubland habitats and wetlands containing threatened plants and identified as a significant ecological area in the AUP.
The group argued the road would also take away feeding areas for migrating birds and other endangered and rare birds including the wrybilled plover.
Submissions against the road also came from Ngati Whatua Orakei, Te Kawerau a Maki and Makaurau Marae along with other community groups, on the grounds of its adverse environmental and cultural effects.
Forest and Bird was considering the decision and whether to lodge an appeal.
A NZ Transport Agency spokesperson said the decision was "an important part in the ongoing statutory process", but added the consents were "enabling" and not obligatory.
Separately, NZTA was working with the Government as it developed a new policy statement on land transport, part of which included a review of the EWL to identify options to provide a lower cost, better value solution.
NZTA had been working with Auckland Transport, Auckland Council, mana whenua and the community around transport issues in that area of Auckland since 2013, and was committed to getting a solution that met needs "now and in the future", the spokesperson said.
