Articles tagged with Chris Bishop
SH35 Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery: Major Works in Mangahauini Gorge
4 days ago | 120 viewsMajor works are underway in Mangahauini Gorge on State Highway 35 (SH35) north of Gisborne to address the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle. Transport Minister Chris Bishop highlights the efforts to keep one lane open during the recovery process and the long-term solutions being implemented to protect the highway. The project includes innovative measures such as constructing a 'roughened channel' in the Mangahauini River to prevent erosion and ensure the highway's stability, with completion expected by mid-2026 at a cost of around $50 million.
Tags: Mangahauini Gorge State Highway 35 Cyclone Gabrielle Tairāwhiti Transport Minister Chris Bishop Transport Rebuild East Coast riverbed roughened channel East Coast communities local contractorsNew Zealand Infrastructure Pipeline Surges to $237.1 Billion: Construction Sector Growth Ahead
5 days ago | 148 viewsThe latest quarterly update from the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission reveals that the value of infrastructure initiatives in the National Infrastructure Pipeline has increased to $237.1 billion, with a $30.2 billion growth from the previous quarter, as stated by Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop. The Pipeline, managed by the Commission, encompasses over 9,200 projects, aiding in planning for future infrastructure projects across various sectors and contributing to about 4% of the country's GDP. Efforts are being made to enhance transparency and data quality within the Pipeline, with ongoing collaboration from 121 organizations, and the final National Infrastructure Plan is expected to be released in December.
Tags: New Zealand Infrastructure Commission National Infrastructure Pipeline Chris Bishop construction sector infrastructure projects New Zealand Infrastructure Commission GDP NZTA highway maintenance programmes Christchurch Men’s Prison Hawkes Bay PrisonInfrastructure Minister Chris Bishop Heads to Sydney and Canberra for Engagements with Industry Leaders and Australian Politicians
6 days ago | 73 viewsMinister Chris Bishop will travel to Sydney and Canberra for engagements with the infrastructure industry and Australian political leaders, emphasizing New Zealand's openness for business and the importance of attracting investment for economic growth and job creation. In Sydney, he will address the IPWEA International Public Works Conference about New Zealand's infrastructure priorities and the National Infrastructure Plan. Additionally, he will discuss housing reforms with New South Wales officials and meet with federal counterparts in Canberra, including key ministers such as Infrastructure and Transport Minister Catherine King and Housing Minister Clare O'Neil.
Tags: Infrastructure RMA Reform Housing Transport Minister Chris Bishop Sydney Canberra Australia New Zealand InvestmentNZTA Approves $600M Investment for Hawke’s Bay Expressway Upgrade
1 week ago | 155 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board’s endorsement of the investment case for the Hawke’s Bay Expressway, with construction starting in November on this crucial Road of National Significance (RoNS). The Board has approved over $600m to four-lane the most congested part of the Expressway, including a new grade separated interchange. The investment case shows significant improvements in travel times, safety, and resilience, with construction expected to start in November 2025 and be completed by early 2028.
Tags: Chris Bishop NZ Transport Agency Hawke’s Bay Expressway RoNS Links Road Pākōwhai Road Taradale Road Napier Hastings Katie NimonAccelerated Land Acquisition Bill Boosts Infrastructure Projects
1 week ago | 199 viewsThe passing of the Public Works Act Amendment Bill will expedite critical infrastructure projects, aiming to address New Zealand's infrastructure deficit by streamlining land acquisition processes. The new accelerated process offers incentives and recognition payments to landowners, while also introducing a faster objections resolution mechanism. The Government plans to further modernize the Public Works Act to improve landowner engagement, disaster recovery support, and overall efficiency in delivering public infrastructure projects.
Tags: Public Works Act Amendment Bill Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop Land Information Minister Chris Penk infrastructure projects critical infrastructure accelerated land acquisition process Public Works Act landowners infrastructure deficit New Zealand.New Clean Vehicle Standard Updates Promise More Affordable and Fuel-Efficient Cars for Kiwis
1 week ago | 252 viewsThe Government is updating the Clean Vehicle Standard to provide importers with greater flexibility in meeting CO2 targets and ensuring access to more fuel-efficient and affordable vehicles for New Zealanders. Changes include allowing credit transfers between importers, extending credit lifespan, and setting targets not based on vehicle weight. These improvements aim to reduce costs passed on to consumers, support importers in bringing in more fuel-efficient vehicles, and are part of the Land Transport (Clean Vehicle Standard) Amendment Bill (No 2).
Tags: Government Clean Vehicle Standard CO2 targets Kiwis Transport Minister Chris Bishop importers credits New ZealandPort of Auckland Wharf Expansion Fast-tracked for Economic Growth
1 week ago | 113 viewsInfrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones are pleased that the first Fast-track project, the Port of Auckland wharf expansion, has received approval under the Fast-track Approvals Act. The project includes a new wharf, berth extension, cruise terminal, and other upgrades, with construction set to start next month to create jobs and boost the economy. The Act streamlines the approval process for projects, with expert panels assessing applications and attaching necessary conditions, aiming to drive economic growth and efficiency in critical sectors like Auckland's port infrastructure.
Tags: Chris Bishop Shane Jones infrastructure New Zealand economy Environmental Protection Authority Auckland economy legislation expert panel project approvalNew Zealand's RMA Amendment Bill: Driving Economic Growth and Removing Red Tape for Progress
2 weeks ago | 252 viewsThe Government's second RMA Amendment Bill has passed into law, aiming to drive economic growth and job creation by removing roadblocks and cutting red tape in various sectors, such as infrastructure, housing, farming, and emergency management. The Bill introduces changes to streamline consent processes for renewable energy, boost housing supply, and reduce red tape for the primary sector. It is part of a broader three-phase RMA reform program, with the full replacement for the RMA expected to be in effect by 2027.
Tags: RMA Amendment Bill Chris Bishop infrastructure renewable energy housing farming primary sector emergency natural hazards Resource Management systemGovernment Acts to Prevent 'Stop Work' Order for NZ Farmers: RMA Reform Bill Update
2 weeks ago | 139 viewsThe Government has intervened to prevent potential stop work notices for thousands of New Zealand farmers due to water discharge rules under the RMA, affecting 2,800 Waikato farms. Various regional councils raised concerns, leading to amendments broadening permitted water discharges in the Resource Management Amendment Bill. The changes aim to support farmers, ensure water quality improvement, and avoid hindering economic recovery, with the bill set to pass into law soon.
Tags: Chris Bishop Todd McClay Andrew Hoggard Government New Zealand farmers RMA Reform Minister Agriculture Minister Associate Environment Minister Waikato Regional Council Resource Management Amendment BillNew Zealand's Transition to Electronic Road User Charges for Fairer Road Funding
3 weeks ago | 548 viewsThe New Zealand Cabinet has approved legislative changes to transition 3.5 million light vehicles to electronic road user charges instead of petrol tax, marking a significant shift in road funding. The move aims to ensure all vehicles, regardless of fuel type, contribute fairly based on distance and weight, replacing the outdated petrol tax system. The transition will involve modernizing the current RUC system, allowing for digital records, multiple payment options, and fostering competition among RUC providers for a user-friendly and efficient road funding mechanism.
Tags: legislative changes New Zealand road user charges petrol tax Transport Minister Chris Bishop Fuel Excise Duty Road User Charges RUC vehicle fleet electronic road user chargingNew Lower Hutt After Hours Medical Centre Enhances Urgent Care Access
3 weeks ago | 308 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown and Hutt South MP Chris Bishop inaugurated the new Lower Hutt After Hours Medical Centre on Connolly Street, emphasizing its importance for urgent healthcare in the area. The facility aims to alleviate pressure on hospital emergency departments by offering faster access to essential treatments like diagnostics and urgent medicines. The center, set to begin daytime urgent care services in December 2025, will provide expanded care with consulting rooms, triage rooms, radiology services, and pharmacy access, enhancing healthcare accessibility for the Hutt community.
Tags: Simeon Brown Chris Bishop Health Minister Lower Hutt urgent care medical centre healthcare New Zealand emergency department radiology servicesTransforming New Zealand: Progress and Achievements Recap
4 weeks ago | 506 viewsThe speaker expresses gratitude to various individuals for their contributions to the National Party, highlighting achievements in law and order, education, healthcare, and the economy over the past two years. They emphasize the progress made in reducing violent crime, improving education, and enhancing healthcare services. The speaker also outlines plans to further stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and increase wages by streamlining processes for businesses operating on DOC land and implementing charges for foreign visitors at high volume sites to generate revenue for conservation efforts.
Tags: Christchurch Sylvia Wood Nicola Willis Chris Bishop Paul Goldsmith Mark Mitchell Erica Simeon Brown Ryan Hamilton Tama PotakaNew Ōtaki to Levin Highway Construction Contracts Signed for Improved Travel Times and Economic Growth
1 month ago | 441 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop has announced the signing of construction contracts by NZTA for the new Ōtaki to north of Levin Road project, aiming to improve travel times and support economic growth in Kāpiti and Horowhenua. The project involves two alliances focusing on different sections of the highway, with completion expected by the end of 2029. The new road is part of the Wellington Northern Corridor, enhancing safety, efficiency for freight trips, and urban development opportunities, while also featuring amenities like shared user paths and grade-separated interchanges.
Tags: Chris Bishop NZ Transport Agency Ōtaki Levin National Significance Kāpiti Horowhenua Wellington Northern Corridor Transmission Gully Mackays.New Zealand Vintage Vehicles & Private Motorhomes Shift to Annual Inspections from Sept 1
1 month ago | 590 viewsStarting from 1 September, vintage light vehicles and private heavy motorhomes in New Zealand will transition from six-monthly to annual vehicle inspections, as announced by Transport Minister Chris Bishop. This change aims to reduce bureaucracy for the approximately 128,000 vintage vehicles and 39,000 private motorhomes registered in the country, as these vehicles are less likely to have faults contributing to serious crashes compared to modern cars. Public support for this change was overwhelmingly positive, with 89% in favor of annual inspections for private heavy motorhomes and 98% for vintage light vehicles.
Tags: Transport Minister Chris Bishop vintage vehicles motorhomes inspections New Zealand Warrant of Fitness Certificate of Fitness Land Transport Rules Reform Programme light vehicles public supportMajor Safety Improvements Coming to SH2 Moonshine Hill Road Intersection in Upper Hutt
1 month ago | 345 viewsSafety improvements, including intersection upgrades and a speed limit review, will be implemented soon at the Moonshine Hill Road intersection on State Highway 2 in Upper Hutt, following Transport Minister Chris Bishop's announcement due to the high number of crashes at the intersection. The upgrades will involve installing traffic lights, signage, and line markings to enhance safety for motorists and cyclists. NZTA will consult the public on a proposed 80km/h speed limit, with construction scheduled to start in October and be completed by the end of the year.
Tags: safety improvements State Highway 2 Moonshine Hill Road intersection upgrades speed limit review Transport Minister Chris Bishop NZTA Whakatiki Street intersection speed limit consultation