New Rangiuru Motorway Interchange Boosts Bay of Plenty Growth and Jobs

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones inaugurated the $60 million project, which was co-funded by Quayside Holdings Ltd, the investment arm of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

Rangiuru Business Park Gains Vital Link to State Highway 2

Bay of Plenty's economy is set for significant growth with the opening of a motorway interchange connecting Rangiuru Business Park near Te Puke to State Highway 2. Regional Development Minister Shane Jones inaugurated the $60 million project, which was co-funded by Quayside Holdings Ltd, the investment arm of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

The Provincial Growth Fund contributed $18 million towards the project, creating a key connection to the Port of Tauranga and other major markets. The interchange is expected to drive industrial and logistics expansion, helping to create an estimated 4,000 jobs within the region.

Construction, which commenced in 2022, employed around 200 workers daily. The 148-hectare Rangiuru Business Park, the largest consented greenfield industrial zone in Bay of Plenty, recently opened its first 14 hectares for sale.

In addition, Minister Jones officially opened Te Mahi ā Nuku at Te Reti in Judea, a Ngāi Tamarāwaho hapū-based nursery and training facility. Supported by a $726,000 grant from the Regional Strategic Partnership Fund, the facility trains and employs local workers, focusing on native seedling cultivation and land restoration projects on Māori land.

Together, these initiatives mark a significant step in enhancing the economic resilience and employment prospects in the Bay of Plenty region.