Moving Tauranga Forward: Planning for a Connected Tomorrow

This joint presentation brings together three key government agencies – NZTA, Tauranga City Council, and Bay of Plenty Regional Council – to provide a strategic overview of how they are working collaboratively to tackle Tauranga’s transport challenges. The session will outline each organisation’s current strategic work programme and their shared role in planning for the city’s rapid growth. Presenters will address the unique and collective strategies guiding investment and planning, the challenges of urban expansion, network capacity, and funding, and the opportunities for integrated, future-focused solutions.

At the event the Council’s will be hosting  CILT and ENZ TG. A finger-food breakfast will be provided.

Speakers

Susan Collins, NZTA

Susan Collins is the Regional Manager NZTA for System Design for the Waikato and Bay of Plenty and has been in the role for 8 months.  Prior to that Susan worked in the Local Government Partnerships team in NZTA.  Susan’s background is working in the government sector with 20+ years experience in leadership roles in a number of ministries and agencies.  Susan’s work focus is as sponsor of the Roads of National significance for the Waikato / Bay of Plenty, working with local government on RLTP development and delivery and maintaining relationships across the sector.

Cole O’Keefe, NZTA

Cole O’Keefe is the Lead System Planner for the NZ Transport Agency covering the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions. His role focuses on aligning regional and national transport decisions with long-term goals and government priorities. With nearly 17 years at the Agency, he has worked across environmental consenting, investment advisory, land transport planning and strategic partnership roles. A career highlight was leading the Urban Form and Transport Initiative, advancing integrated planning that connects land use and transport to deliver better outcomes for communities in the Western Bay of Plenty subregion.

Sarah Dove, TCC

Sarah Dove is the Team Leader – Transport Strategy and Infrastructure at Tauranga City Council (TCC). With 20 years of experience in traffic and transportation management across New Zealand and the UK, Sarah brings a strong mix of technical expertise and strategic leadership. Her background spans business case development, transport planning and assessment, and transport strategy and policy. Sarah leads a diverse portfolio of transport and infrastructure initiatives, with a focus on enabling sustainable urban growth.

Andrew Williams, BOPRC

Andrew Williams is the Manager, Transport Planning at Bay of Plenty Regional Council. He leads the Council’s role in planning, funding, and contracting public transport across the region. This includes working closely with Waka Kotahi and territorial authority partners like Tauranga City Council to align service delivery with urban growth, government direction, and community needs. Andrew focuses on strategic programmes that improve customer outcomes, deliver value for ratepayers, and support a more sustainable and integrated transport system.