NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Manawatu Guardian

Strong local interest in Manawatū Tararua highway contracts

By Sue Emeny
Hawkes Bay Today·
23 Feb, 2021 12:18 AM5 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

The turnout at Monday's procurement information session in Dannevirke held by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency exceeded expectations. Photo / Sue Emeny

The turnout at Monday's procurement information session in Dannevirke held by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency exceeded expectations. Photo / Sue Emeny

Tararua businesses have shown strong interest in bidding for contracts on Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency's Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway project.

The big turnout at a procurement information session in Dannevirke on Monday evening came as a surprise to the organisers.

Te Ahu a Turanga people, safety and cultural manager Mark Long said there had been expressions of interest from local contractors and suppliers in attending the session held at Tararua REAP.

"We had nine expressions of interest so we expected 13 people to attend but there were 39 people attending."

He said the information session was to build business owners' understanding of the tender process for their areas of work.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Long said Goodman Contractors had been appointed as the Alliance's earthworks sub-Alliance contractor and the enabling works were under way.

"We currently have 100 workers which will increase to 400, but we anticipate up to 5000 people will be inducted on to the site and we are planning for most of these to be local people.

"We will have a locals-first approach to employment, although we will be bringing in people to get the project started.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"We will be looking for opportunities to partner with other government agencies and iwi to build houses, but in the interim locating other accommodation not normally available to the public. This is all with a target of minimising the impact to the region."

Kingi Kiriona, who is the Kaiārahi - director iwi and Māori outcomes for the Manawatū Tararua Highway project, and his daughter Hine Tapere. Photo / Sue Emeny
Kingi Kiriona, who is the Kaiārahi - director iwi and Māori outcomes for the Manawatū Tararua Highway project, and his daughter Hine Tapere. Photo / Sue Emeny

Long then introduced former Dannevirke resident Kingi Kiriona, who has taken on the role of Kaiārahi - director iwi and Māori outcomes, who said the project had called him back to town and he was privileged to be part of the team.

"To have a member of the senior management team promoting Māori outcomes and Te Ao Māori is unprecedented. Iwi have never been represented like this before on all levels governance, management and operations."

He said was hoped that at the completion of the highway project, it will have helped iwi establish their own sustainable businesses, with a goal of five being established.

"We also hope that of those being employed, 30 per cent will be from the iwi partnerships."

Project controls manager Richard Page said the main construction work has begun.

"We are committed to completion by December 2024."

He said in bidding for work it was important for business owners to give as much information as possible about their company.

He outlined the extensive list of work required and the number of packages that were available.

Procurement manager Glynn Owen elaborated on this list, saying almost anything to do with construction of a major highway and anything that could be pictured on a major highway would be there.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

But he said there were many businesses in the community that could contribute in ways the team wasn't aware of.

"I had a call from a woman who carries out alterations on clothes and has altered work clothes to save the cost of having to buy items to fit. This is just one of the roles outside of traditional road-building."

He said businesses expressing an interest in bidding for contracts would be issued with a comprehensive invitation to tender document which contains drawings, specifications, requirements, comprehensive terms and conditions and all the health and safety information.

"We're trying in some cases to create no surprises. One thing that is really important is the condition of every bit of gear you bring onsite. You need to be aware of exactly what you will need and if you don't have it, you have the opportunity to price it in to get your gear up to the required specification."

Long then acknowledged the presence of Tararua Mayor Tracey Collis, who he said had been a major advocate of the new highway.

Collis said she had brought along to the meeting some fliers for the Mayor's Taskforce for Jobs.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"We are always out there promoting work for our young people. The new highway is the greatest opportunity Tararua has ever seen. We really need to maximise the district and this project will change the face of the way we do business."

She said the district would be holding Waka Kotahi to account.

She urged local businesses to always use the full name of the project, Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway.

Tararua Mayor Tracey Collis with Aroha Peakman-Walker, who is the MSD Maori relationship manager for Central Region. Photo / Sue Emeny
Tararua Mayor Tracey Collis with Aroha Peakman-Walker, who is the MSD Maori relationship manager for Central Region. Photo / Sue Emeny

Ministry of Social Development Māori relationship manager for Central Region, Aroha Peakman-Walker, spoke about what was in it for Work and Income.

"Most people think giving out benefits but our main role is finding work for people, although our recruitment service is probably our main job."

She outlined the support that could be provided for retraining and upskilling workers.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Save

    Share this article

Latest from Manawatu Guardian

Manawatu Guardian

White-tailed spider bite leaves man in hospital for a month with deadly infection

02 Jan 04:00 PM
Manawatu Guardian

Police appeal after woman shot in Palmerston North

16 Dec 08:35 PM
Manawatu Guardian

All Black's legacy lives on at Romney Lane Homestead

13 Dec 04:00 PM

From early mornings to easy living

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Manawatu Guardian

White-tailed spider bite leaves man in hospital for a month with deadly infection

White-tailed spider bite leaves man in hospital for a month with deadly infection

02 Jan 04:00 PM

Andy Stewart pushed on with his motorbike trek despite his growing pain.

Police appeal after woman shot in Palmerston North

Police appeal after woman shot in Palmerston North

16 Dec 08:35 PM
All Black's legacy lives on at Romney Lane Homestead

All Black's legacy lives on at Romney Lane Homestead

13 Dec 04:00 PM
Three men to appear in Palmerston North court on drugs and firearms-related charges

Three men to appear in Palmerston North court on drugs and firearms-related charges

11 Dec 04:27 AM
Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky
sponsored

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • Manawatu Guardian e-edition
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP