Te Awamutu To Get First Traffic Lights In 25 Years
- The Waikato town of Te Awamutu is set to install its first set of traffic lights in more than 25 years, following a private plan change approved by...
- Plan Change 35 involves rezoning land at 638 Cambridge Road from residential to commercial use, directly adjacent to an existing Pak’nSave supermarket.
- The new signals mark a notable shift for Te Awamutu, which has operated without traffic lights since the 1990s.
The Waikato town of Te Awamutu is set to install its first set of traffic lights in more than 25 years, following a private plan change approved by local authorities. According to reports from Stuff, the signals will be placed on Cambridge Road as part of a commercial development by 638 Ltd, which owns the existing local Mitre 10 store.
A New Commercial Hub on Cambridge Road
Plan Change 35 involves rezoning land at 638 Cambridge Road from residential to commercial use, directly adjacent to an existing Pak’nSave supermarket. The site will house a new 13,000-square-metre Mitre 10 store and a café. As part of the agreed requirements for the development, the project developer will fund necessary road upgrades, including the installation of electronic traffic signals. Waipā District Council spokesperson Katie Mayes told Stuff that the project is a strong example of community collaboration under the Resource Management Act (RMA) process. “The site is well-located for this type of development and the plan change ensures the right infrastructure is in place to support it – including the transport improvements on Cambridge Road and the addition of walking and cycling connections and a wetland,” Mayes said.
Infrastructure History in Te Awamutu
The new signals mark a notable shift for Te Awamutu, which has operated without traffic lights since the 1990s. The town’s last set of signals, located at the intersection of Alexandra, Sloane, and Arawata Streets, was removed decades ago. Since then, traffic management has relied entirely on roundabouts and give-way signs. Alongside the traffic lights, the development includes a shared walking and cycling path, pedestrian facilities, a dedicated pedestrian crossing, and a new wetland area designed to manage stormwater runoff from the expanded commercial footprint.
Next Steps for the Development
With a population of nearly 14,000, Te Awamutu ranks as the fifth-largest urban centre in the Waikato region. The town has experienced steady residential interest, drawing movers from nearby Hamilton due to relative housing affordability. The formal implementation of the plan change and its associated infrastructure requirements remains subject to the Environment Court appeal process. If no appeals are lodged, the Waipā District Council will officially notify the public when the plan change becomes operative.
