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January 12, 2026
#regional TRIAL EXTENDED FOR HAIRINI SLIP LANE IN TAURANGA
Matthew Tukaki
Posted On January 12, 2026
Tauranga City Council has extended the trial reopening of the Hairini Street slip lane onto Turret Road until March 2026. The extension will give council staff more time to assess how the road change is working and collect community feedback before a full report is presented to the City Delivery Committee.
The slip lane, which had been closed to general traffic and used by buses only since 2018, was reopened on a trial basis in October 2025 to allow local motorists to use it outside of the morning peak traffic hours. At present, vehicles can travel through the slip lane except between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on weekdays, when it remains bus-only for safety reasons.
The extended trial responds to requests from residents and local groups who have said that restoring access outside of peak times helps improve connections for Hairini communities trying to reach Turret Road and destinations beyond. Council transport planners are monitoring how the lane affects traffic flow, merging behaviour and safety as part of the broader traffic network around the Maungatapu underpass and SH29A corridor.
Drivers are reminded that the section of bus lane after the merge point will remain bus-only at all times, and fines may apply for motorists using restricted parts of the bus network.
The council is encouraging anyone affected by the trial to share their experiences and feedback ahead of the committee’s review later in the year.
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