Safety Improvements outside Kaipara College

Engagement Outcome

Thank you for your cooperation and support during the engagement for this project.
We received a small number of submissions from the community and are now moving forward with the project as planned.

Kaipara College has expressed support for the project and welcomes the safety benefits it will provide, particularly for students.

Below is a summary of concerns raised and our response to them:

• Request to remove the bus stop further into the grass berm to not block the live lanes

AT Response: We did consider opportunities whether the bus top could be moved further into the grass berm. However, this is unfortunately not possible due to the presence of an existing tree and nearby Vector infrastructure within the area. That said, we can confirm that the bus stop markings will be refreshed as part of the project. This will help clearly define the bus stop area, support buses to position themselves correctly within the designated space and reduce the likelihood of buses encroaching into the live traffic lane.

• Concern that the bus shelters would be a waste of resources as they would not be maximised in the area
• Concern that the bus shelters would effectively serve only one of the seven buses and would provide limited benefit to students waiting to board.

AT Response: We do not consider the proposed bus shelters to be a waste of resources. While there are only two shelters serving the seven buses that use this area, relocating the shelters would not significantly change how students move through the site, as students would still need to walk to their designated buses.The proposed bus shelter locations were developed in close collaboration with the school and Auckland Transport specialists to ensure they are safe, practical, and work well for day-to-day school operations. We understand that the availability of space for bus parking is a key concern. When buses are picking up or dropping off students, they are expected to stop closer to the entrance of the designated bus parking area. This allows the remaining space to be used by other buses, making it easier for them to manoeuvre and park safely during busy drop-off and pick-up times. This arrangement helps maximise the available parking space while maintaining safe and efficient bus operations.

What happens next

• We are looking at installing these changes in September 2026

• Any updates to the plan will be posted on this webpage.

• We will be in touch with the local residents and businesses prior to any construction taking place.

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About the project

We’re making changes to the berm outside Kaipara College on Rautawhiri Road to make it safer and more convenient for students walking to school and waiting on the grass berm for buses.

This project is the final stage of planned footpath improvements along Rautawhiri Road, funded by the Rodney Local Board Transport Targeted Rate.

The changes we’re making

• Building a new footpath on the berm, including pram crossings to improve access for people with mobility needs and those using prams
• Installing two new bus shelters to give students a covered area where they can wait for buses
• Installing speed bumps and painting a red surface at the entrance to the drop off area
• Placing a timber bridge over the tree roots to protect the existing tree

How to contact us

If you'd like to speak to someone about our plans, please email us at ATengagement@at.govt.nz