They felt strongly that the initial information to the community was inadequate or non-existent. Only a handful of residents said they received a flyer as part of their junk mail, others were unaware until a neighbour told them.
On top of this, the group felt the information provided was misleading - there was no Brooks Rd on the map - so they questioned how anyone could give informed feedback.
The group's spokeswoman, Jo Floyd, said for something that was so important and has such a high social impact, it was not advised or consulted.
"For one, I'm really concerned about the destruction of the community, that was my biggest thing."
She said they didn't feel as if they had been treated like human beings, or treated fairly.
"It's having really adverse effects on our health. We are very stressed out about it, and it's the fear factor - not knowing what's happening, why, not having any answers, it's really frustrating."
She is calling for NZTA to have a serious conversation with the group.
NZTA system design manager Brett Gliddon said he understood that people living in communities potentially affected by the proposed options were eager for details, but at this early stage the options being presented were indicative only, and intended to generate discussion and feedback from communities, road users, partners and stakeholders to help inform the selection of a preferred route.
The group wants to know what the alternative options were, and why they were ruled out.
"Option A and Option B - they're not options."
She said the community was growing, with many people building and moving into the area and either option would kill the community.
They understood something needed to be done about the southern side of the Brynderwyn Hills, but felt there were other options less destructive to people's lives.
Karen Spencer's house was potentially in the firing line. She had been there for 12 years and the highway would destroy her future plans.
"We love our property, we've planted trees, our children's placentas are buried on our land, this is our home and we don't want a highway going through our home."
The group said there were 88 properties they believed would be affected, and in particular several families from the nearby school.
Mr Gliddon said the agency was gathering feedback as part of the first stage of consultation on potential options for upgrading State Highway 1 between Whangarei and Te Hana to improve safety and journey reliability.
He said the options for a future bypass of the Brynderwyns were part of that and they wanted to hear from communities from the beginning about how they thought all the options would work.
"There are a number of communities potentially affected by the different options, but the actual 'designation footprint' [the land required and the property impacts] will not be known until a preferred option is identified."
He said after they have assessed feedback, carried out technical assessments and identified a preferred route, they would be contacting all property owners potentially impacted with an invitation to meet with NZTA directly.
Mr Gliddon said this engagement would be done before the preferred option was presented to the public.
"There was no intention to omit Brooks Rd from the maps presented at our recent open days. The maps are generated from GIS mapping software and the aerial background is intended to provide general geographic context for the potential options."
Feedback can be given at www.nzta.govt.nz/whangarei-to-tehana or via email W2TH@nzta.govt.nz by September 12.
