Articles tagged with Chris Bishop

Showing 15 of 287 articles

Paul Collins Appointed New Judicial Conduct Commissioner in Auckland

28 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 353 views

Auckland barrister Paul Collins has been confirmed as the new Judicial Conduct Commissioner, succeeding retiring Alan Ritchie. Collins brings nearly 40 years of legal experience, specializing in legal profession regulation and professional disciplinary matters, with a background including senior roles at Glaister Ennor and Shortland Chambers. He will begin his appointment soon after receiving a warrant from the Governor-General.

Tags: Paul Collins Chris Bishop Alan Ritchie Auckland Judicial Conduct Commissioner Glaister Ennor Shortland Chambers New Zealand Law Society

New SH29/Takitimu Drive Flyover Boosts Bay of Plenty Transport Efficiency

26 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 361 views

The opening of the SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road flyover bridge marks a key milestone in the Takitimu North Link Stage 1 project, enhancing connectivity between Tauranga and Te Puna with a 6.8km four-lane expressway. This complex infrastructure, built in a sensitive urban wetland environment, includes major earthworks and advanced construction techniques, supporting improved traffic flow and safety. As one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing regions, the Bay of Plenty will benefit from this project’s goal to boost economic growth and freight efficiency, with completion expected in 2028.

Tags: Chris Bishop Takitimu North Link SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road Tauranga Bay of Plenty Kōpūrererua Valley Reserve Tauriko New Zealand Transport Minister

New Appointments and Reappointment Strengthen NZ Transport Agency Board Expertise

24 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 396 views

Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced the reappointment of David Smol and the appointments of Lana Stockman, Steve Haszard, and Murdo Beattie to the New Zealand Transport Agency Board, emphasizing their combined regulatory, governance, and commercial expertise. Each appointee brings extensive experience in areas such as public sector leadership, regulatory compliance, investment management, and infrastructure transactions, which will enhance the Board’s capability to oversee NZTA’s responsibilities effectively. The appointments reflect the Government’s commitment to strong governance, while also acknowledging the contributions of retiring board member Catherine Taylor.

Tags: Chris Bishop David Smol Lana Stockman Steve Haszard Murdo Beattie Catherine Taylor Pat Dougherty Mike Rudge Meredith Connell Murdo Beattie

Edward David Crook Appointed High Court Judge in Auckland Starting 2026

23 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 487 views

Attorney-General Chris Bishop announced the appointment of Edward David Crook as a Judge of the High Court, effective 24 August 2026, to sit in Auckland. Justice Crook graduated with First Class Honours from the University of Cambridge and has extensive experience as a transactional lawyer specializing in real estate and construction, primarily serving institutional investors and developers. He has held leadership roles at Russell McVeagh, including chairing the Real Estate and Construction Team and the partnership, and has been a Director of the College of Law since 2007.

Tags: Chris Bishop Edward David Crook Ed Crook Justice Crook Herbert Smith Russell McVeagh Buddle Findlay University of Cambridge College of Law

New Pedestrian Bridges Open in Auckland to Boost Safety and Rail Services

23 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 399 views

The opening of the new pedestrian bridge at Glen Innes train station marks progress in replacing rail level crossings to enhance Auckland’s rail network and support more frequent train services linked to the City Rail Link. This project, funded early by the Government and Auckland Council, aims to improve safety by separating pedestrians from rail corridors and reducing delays for both road users and train passengers. Additional pedestrian bridges at Te Mahia and Takanini will soon be completed as part of a broader initiative to close or replace level crossings, ensuring safer and more reliable public transport infrastructure for Auckland’s growing population.

Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Watts Glen Innes Te Mahia Takanini City Rail Link Auckland Council NZTA National Land Transport Programme Southern Line

Government Signs PPP Agreement for Christchurch Men’s Prison Redevelopment Phase One

23 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 450 views

The Government has signed a public-private partnership agreement with Southern Renewal Partners to redevelop Christchurch Men's Prison, marking a major milestone for New Zealand's infrastructure and corrections system. Phase One includes constructing a new high-security accommodation unit with 240 beds, a mental health intervention building, and a health centre, with construction expected to finish by late 2029 and operations starting mid-2030. This redevelopment aims to increase prison capacity, replace aging facilities, support local employment, and enhance rehabilitation services to improve community safety and reduce reoffending.

Tags: Chris Bishop Mark Mitchell Christchurch Men's Prison Southern Renewal Partners Plenary Origination WBCA Pty Ltd Webuild Leighs Construction Serco New Zealand Government

Final Report on Phillips Children Disappearance Presented to Attorney-General

21 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 438 views

The final report of the Public Inquiry into the disappearance of the Phillips children has been presented to the Governor-General’s office and delivered to Attorney-General Hon Chris Bishop. The Attorney-General will review the report for necessary redactions due to suppression orders and the welfare of the children before presenting it to the House of Representatives. The Government will carefully consider the Inquiry’s recommendations and respond in the coming weeks, with thanks extended to the Inquiry Chair, Honourable Justice Simon Moore KC, and his team.

Tags: Phillips children Public Inquiry Chris Bishop Judith Collins House of Representatives suppression orders Family Court Justice Simon Moore

New Planning System Reforms Boost NZ Economy and Simplify Resource Management

20 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 471 views

Resource Management Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Parliamentary Under-Secretary Simon Court welcome the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill amendments that improve New Zealand's new planning system by enhancing workability while retaining its core design. The reforms aim to replace the Resource Management Act with a more efficient system that supports food production, housing, infrastructure, and renewable energy development, projecting significant economic benefits and reduced compliance costs. Key changes include refined iwi participation agreements, extended implementation timelines, strengthened safeguards on resource levies, and streamlined environmental regulations to balance economic growth with environmental protection.

Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Court Catherine Wedd Resource Management Act Mana Whakahono ā Rohe Waikato Environment Committee New Zealand Government Planning Bill Natural Environment Bill

NZTA Unveils Phased Major Transport Projects Pipeline to Boost NZ Economy

08 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 483 views

Transport Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed NZTA's Major Transport Projects Pipeline, outlining the phased delivery of key Roads of National Significance and major public transport projects to support economic growth and job creation. The pipeline details three phases: current construction and procurement of major roads and regional projects, preparation and route protection for upcoming projects, and slower progress on longer-term initiatives, ensuring a balanced investment across new corridors and existing infrastructure maintenance. Despite challenges like rising construction costs and reduced fuel excise duty, the government maintains an ambitious, responsible transport program aimed at building a safe, reliable, and resilient transport system nationwide.

Tags: Chris Bishop NZTA Roads of National Significance Northland Expressway Takitimu North Link Waikato Expressway Northwestern Busway Eastern Busway Melling Interchange SH29 Tauriko West

NZTA Awards Contract for New Two-Lane Mangati Bridge on SH39, Waikato

07 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 460 views

Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced that Oxcon has been awarded a $12.5 million contract by NZTA to build a two-lane replacement for the Mangati Bridge on SH39, damaged by flooding. Construction will begin before the end of the month, with the new, higher, and stronger bridge expected to open by early 2027, improving resilience and maintaining traffic flow via a temporary bridge. The project prioritizes restoring this vital western Waikato route and is funded through NZTA’s emergency works budget.

Tags: Chris Bishop NZ Transport Agency Oxcon Mangati Bridge State Highway 39 Ōtorohanga Pirongia Waikato Taranaki Auckland

Full Construction Begins on Pepe Stream Bridge Replacement on SH25 Coromandel

06 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 474 views

Full construction on the Pepe Stream Bridge replacement on State Highway 25 in Coromandel will begin next week, following enabling works that started in May 2026. The project aims to improve traffic flow and regional accessibility by replacing the 83-year-old single-lane bridge with a new two-lane structure, with completion expected next year. Additional bridge replacements and resilience investments are planned across the region to enhance safety and reliability for communities, freight, and emergency services.

Tags: Chris Bishop Scott Simpson Pepe Stream Bridge Coromandel State Highway 25 Ramarama Stream Bridge Kirikiri Stream Bridge SH27 SH3 Mangapepeke Culvert

NZTA Awards Beca Design Contract for New Two-Lane SH2 Pekatahi Bridge

06 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 468 views

Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced that NZTA has awarded a design contract to Beca for a new two-lane replacement of the one-lane SH2 Pekatahi Bridge, aiming to improve safety, resilience, and reliability. The new 325-meter bridge will feature earthquake-resilient foundations, an elevated deck to withstand flooding, and be constructed alongside the existing bridge to avoid long-term closures, with construction expected to start by mid-2027 pending funding approval. Meanwhile, NZTA will continue maintaining the current bridge, which remains safe but prioritized for replacement due to resilience concerns, with costs estimated between $64 and $69 million and construction lasting 18-24 months.

Tags: Chris Bishop NZ Transport Agency Beca State Highway 2 Pekatahi Bridge Eastern Bay of Plenty SH2 National Land Transport Programme Tairāwhiti

Judge La-Verne King Appointed as New Principal Family Court Judge in Whangarei

02 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 533 views

Judge La-Verne King has been appointed as the new Principal Family Court Judge, starting in November after Judge Jackie Moran's retirement. With a legal career beginning in 1989, she co-founded the first Māori and Pasifika women law firm and has held various roles including Youth Advocate and District Inspector for Mental Health. Since her appointment to the District Court Bench in 2019, she has primarily served in Family and Youth Courts in Northland and became the Family Court Liaison Judge for the region in 2021.

Tags: Chris Bishop Ida Malosi Ali’imuamua Sandra Alofivae Jackie Moran KAM Legal Family Court Youth Court District Court Northland

New Zealand Updates Transport Rules: Kids on Footpaths & E-Scooters in Cycle Lanes

02 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 514 views

The New Zealand Government has approved transport rule changes allowing children aged 12 and under to ride bikes on footpaths accompanied by an adult, and permitting e-scooters in cycle lanes, following public consultation. Other updates include a simplified 1.5-metre minimum overtaking gap for vehicles passing cyclists and horse riders, and a new rule requiring drivers to give way to buses leaving stops in areas with speed limits of 60 km/h or less. These reforms aim to create safer streets, clearer rules, and reduce bureaucracy, with implementation expected by the end of the year.

Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand Government Transport Minister children cycle lanes footpaths road safety Land Transport Rules Reform

New Zealand Adopts Risk-Based Traffic Management to Cut Cone Overuse and Costs

30 Jun 2026 | 2 months ago | 502 views

The New Zealand Government is requiring councils to adopt a risk-based, common-sense approach to temporary traffic management, moving away from an outdated, overly-prescriptive Code of Practice to reduce unnecessary road cone usage and improve efficiency. This new approach, already successful on state highways with significant cost savings and maintained safety, will be mandatory for councils seeking National Land Transport Funding from today. The transition to the New Zealand guide to temporary traffic management (NZGTTM) is underway, with full implementation required by mid-2027, aiming to ensure safer worksites and proportionate traffic management across the country.

Tags: Chris Bishop NZTA New Zealand National Land Transport Fund Whangarei District Council Auckland Transport Hamilton City Council Tauranga City Council New Plymouth District Council Porirua City Council