Environmental management

All steps were taken to minimise any impact on kauri and other native forests.

The approach has been to avoid areas of high ecological significance, minimise impacts where environments are affected and extensively restore environments that are impacted.

Our aim was to create:

• A ‘clean, uncluttered’ highway with gentle slopes to blend with the contours of the land and extensive plantings which carry on the natural patterns of vegetation
• A ‘stitched‐together’ landscape bringing together streams and landscapes on either side of the motorway, and linking ecological corridors
• A celebration of the cultural footprint of mana whenua minimising disruption to natural watercourses, vegetation and landforms

Distinctive natural features were protected. Human and cultural landmarks have been recognised and highlighted. Plantings were extensive, but in keeping with the landscape, on either side of the motorway.