The Government has signed off key policy changes to make tolling easier on new and upgraded roads, with Transport Minister Simeon Brown confirming Penlink is among three projects that will be tolled.

Alongside Penlink, which connects Whangaparāoa Peninsula to State Highway 1, the Takitimu North Link in Tauranga and the Ōtaki to north of Levin corridor have also been approved for tolling after consultation.

Brown said the reforms would allow New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to introduce corridor tolling, apply inflation-based price rises automatically, and make it easier to set up and collect tolls.

Heavy vehicles may be required to use toll roads in some cases to keep traffic away from built-up areas, but every tolled project must still offer a free alternative route.

The new system will also see tolls linked to vehicle owners rather than drivers, making collection more straightforward.

For Coasties, the big news is Penlink.

The road is under construction and expected to ease congestion for thousands of Hibiscus Coast commuters.

Tolling, the Government says, will support the cost of building, maintaining, and operating the road while protecting the National Land Transport Fund for other highways and local roads.

Legislation to support the changes will be introduced next year, but tolling for Penlink is now confirmed.

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