Kapiti Expressway noise a 'breach of human rights'

The Kapiti Expressway opened this year. Photo / David Haxton

Sleep-deprived residents living near the new Kapiti Expressway claim their human rights are being breached by night-time noise.

Bernie Randall, a member of the Paraparaumu/Raumati Community Board, has asked the Human Rights Commission to investigate their complaints.

"The home is literally the centre of the primary health system," he said.

"When homeowners experience disturbed sleep this causes stress, reduced work efficiency and poor life quality. For some it can affect their mental health."

Randall said there was a "glaring gap" between noise standards and acceptable noise levels for nearby homes.

"NZTA are actually meeting their requirements legally under the Board of Inquiry standards, but it is not fit for purpose for the residents because they're getting sleep disturbance."

Randall wants the commission to determine whether the noise breaches the Human Rights Act.

The 18km expressway, stretching from Mackays to Peka Peka, opened in February.

At the time Transport Minister Simon Bridges said: "It's going to be a road that you are going to love and you are going to benefit from each and every day."

Otaki MP Nathan Guy, who helped cut the opening ribbon, said he had backed the project since it was first mooted.

"I've had constituents in my office in Paraparaumu in tears because they were losing their property. A few years later I've had the odd phone call from those people saying 'Nathan I'm sorry we were so tough on you, we believe this project is the right decision for this region and our community'."