New Pāpāmoa East interchange opens—but tolls are coming by 2026

A new interchange at Pāpāmoa East will open next week after four years of construction. The project connects Te Okuroa Drive to the Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) toll road, offering drivers a new route on State Highway 2. The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) board proposed adding a second tolling point near the interchange, despite limited public backing. Public consultation on the plan ended in August 2022, with most respondents opposing the idea. The Minister of Transport accepted the recommendation, and the Cabinet later approved it.

The new toll will apply from late 2026. Drivers using the full length of the TEL—or travelling between the Pāpāmoa East Interchange and Paengaroa—will pay $2.30 for light vehicles and $5.60 for heavy ones. For the shorter stretch between Domain Road and the new interchange, the cost will be $1.10 for light vehicles and $2.80 for heavy vehicles. Until late 2026, the toll-free period will remain in place for all users. The second tolling point will sit between Domain Road and the Pāpāmoa East Interchange, marking a change in how drivers pay for this section of the highway.

The Pāpāmoa East Interchange opens next week, providing a new link to the TEL toll road. From late 2026, drivers will face additional charges, with prices varying depending on the route and vehicle type. The decision follows years of construction and a consultation process with mixed public feedback.