A final meal of fish and chips on the floor marked the conclude of nearly four decades in a Tirau Rd home for Serena and Geoff Fletcher.
Family Displaced by Expressway Expansion
The property, located opposite the Karāpiro Cafe, had been in Geoff Fletcher’s family since 1920. It is now slated for demolition to make way for the extension of the Waikato Expressway.
The Cambridge to Piarere section of the expressway has been advocated for by local leaders and the Automobile Association (AA). The project, signed off in late 2025, aims to improve a section of road with a history of crashes.
The Fletchers signed a full sale agreement on Waitangi Day and were given 10 days to move. They are now renting a home in town. Serena Fletcher described the experience as difficult, stating, “To be honest, you’ve got no choice and you haven’t got a lot of power because they’re literally the government.” She added, “It was so hard… You’ve got to have fish and chips on the ground because you had to be out so quickly.”
NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) stated the Fletchers’ case was “commercial in-confidence” and declined to comment further. However, the agency is currently negotiating with 47 landowners and has been proactively working with property owners along the designated route since August 2024.
The Fletchers initially signed a partial sale agreement in December of the previous year before agreeing to a full sale. A valuation for the property was not completed, as NZTA was unable to find a comparable property for assessment and negotiations are ongoing to determine a final price.
The Fletchers are moving away from their son, daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren, who reside on a separate portion of the property outside the expressway expansion zone.
Construction on the expressway is expected to initiate in late 2026 or early 2027, contingent on funding, and is projected to take five to six years to complete. NZTA anticipates the completed expressway will provide a “more resilient roading network,” reduce congestion, improve safety, and contribute to the region’s economic growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has the Fletcher family owned the property?
The property had been in Geoff Fletcher’s family since 1920.
When was the sale agreement finalized?
The Fletchers signed a full sale agreement on Waitangi Day.
How long did the Fletchers have to move after signing the agreement?
They were given 10 days to move out of the property.
How do large infrastructure projects balance public benefit with the impact on individual landowners?
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