Articles tagged with And Transport
Auckland Rail Network Rebuild Complete: Ready for City Rail Link and More Trains
1 week ago | 132 viewsAuckland’s rail network has completed its five-year rebuild ahead of the City Rail Link (CRL) opening, marking the end of the most disruptive upgrade phase and enabling more frequent, reliable train services. Over 1,300 workers upgraded over 80 km of track, replaced key infrastructure, removed level crossings, and successfully tested the largest-ever simultaneous operation of 84 trains on the network. Future work will involve shorter, less disruptive closures focused on final testing and commissioning, promising a modern metro system that supports Auckland’s growth and reduces congestion.
Tags: Winston Peters Chris Bishop Wayne Brown Auckland City Rail Link KiwiRail Auckland Transport Henderson Station Takanini Glen InnesNZ Government Launches $1.2M Support for Recovery After Severe Weather Impact
1 week ago | 105 viewsPrime Minister Christopher Luxon announced initial government support for recovery efforts following severe weather, including temporary housing for around 500 displaced people and $1.2 million in immediate relief funds, with additional funding available from various agencies. The government is prioritizing infrastructure repairs, health and mental support, and reimbursing marae that provided community welfare, while Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell emphasized ongoing assessments and future support. Luxon also appointed Hon Chris Penk as Associate Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery to coordinate the response and advise on a potential independent inquiry into the Mount Maunganui tragedy.
Tags: Christopher Luxon Mark Mitchell Chris Penk Mount Maunganui Welcome Bay Warkworth Natural Hazards Commission New Zealand Transport Agency Ministry for the Environment Ministry of Primary IndustriesNew Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) Launches in NZ
1 month ago | 299 viewsThe Government has established the Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) by merging four agencies to streamline housing, transport, urban development, and environmental reforms. MCERT aims to address New Zealand’s economic and environmental challenges through integrated planning, clearer accountability, and coordinated policy advice, improving outcomes for local government and communities. The new Ministry will be fully operational by July 2026, with a Chief Executive appointed earlier that year, enhancing efficiency and supporting ambitious reform agendas.
Tags: Chris Bishop Judith Collins Simon Watts Penny Simmonds Ministry of Cities Environment Regions and Transport New Zealand government housing reform urban development local government climate changeNew Two-Lane SH25 Pepe Stream Bridge Approved to Ease Coromandel Traffic
2 months ago | 354 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop announced the contract for the design, consenting, and construction of a new two-lane Pepe Stream Bridge on State Highway 25, replacing the current over-80-year-old single-lane bridge that causes severe congestion. The $22 million project, led by Fulton Hogan with support from WSP, includes pedestrian paths and is expected to begin construction in late 2026, opening by December 2027, with traffic management continuing during the interim. Coromandel MP Scott Simpson emphasized the bridge’s importance for community safety, smoother holiday travel, and boosting the local economy.
Tags: Chris Bishop Scott Simpson Pepe Stream Bridge SH25 New Zealand Transport Agency Fulton Hogan WSP Tairua Coromandel NZTAAuckland City Rail Link to Transform Public Transport with 2026 Opening
2 months ago | 406 viewsThe upgraded Auckland public transport network centered around the City Rail Link (CRL) is set to open to passengers in the second half of 2026, with construction nearing completion and extensive safety testing underway. This major infrastructure project, the largest in New Zealand’s history, aims to transform urban mobility by reducing travel times, increasing train frequency, and revitalizing the city center. Key organizations including City Rail Link Ltd, Auckland Transport, and KiwiRail are collaborating closely to finalize construction, prepare staff, upgrade the rail network, and ensure a seamless transition for passengers.
Tags: City Rail Link Chris Bishop Simeon Brown Wayne Brown Desley Simpson Auckland Transport KiwiRail Rail Network Rebuild Henderson Station Auckland MayorNew Infrastructure Funding Bill Boosts Housing Growth and Speeds Development
2 months ago | 283 viewsThe Infrastructure Funding and Financing Amendment Bill aims to ease development by enabling upfront financing of growth infrastructure, allowing properties benefiting from development capacity to be levied, thus overcoming council funding constraints. The amendments will broaden project eligibility to include agencies like NZ Transport Agency and KiwiRail, remove bureaucratic barriers, and ensure faster decisions with fewer vetoes to accelerate infrastructure delivery. These changes support the Government’s Going for Housing Growth Programme by providing flexible funding tools that help both planned and unplanned infrastructure meet housing demand.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Court Infrastructure Funding and Financing Amendment Bill Milldale Housing Growth New Zealand Transport Agency KiwiRail Infrastructure Funding Development Levy GovernmentNew Zealand Launches Electronic Road User Charges System to Modernize Payments
2 months ago | 365 viewsThe New Zealand Government is progressing towards modernizing road user charges (RUC) for its 3.6 million light petrol vehicles by launching a Request for Information (RFI) to explore electronic payment options. This initiative aims to replace the outdated manual system with technology-driven solutions that ensure ease of payment, data privacy, and compliance with legal safeguards, while allowing users to opt for either automated or manual methods. The reform, supported by the Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill, seeks to involve diverse businesses and future-proof transport funding as vehicle fleets evolve.
Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand Road User Charges Ministry of Transport Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill RUC electronic payment transport funding RFI Government Electronic Tenders ServiceBuilding New Zealand’s Future: Transforming Transport for Economic Growth
2 months ago | 351 viewsThe government is focused on driving sustainable economic growth in New Zealand by reforming the planning system, investing heavily in transport infrastructure, and creating a credible long-term pipeline of major projects like the Roads of National Significance (RoNS). Despite economic challenges and funding constraints, including the need for increased petrol taxes and diversified funding methods, the government aims to improve productivity, reduce congestion, and enhance connectivity for both freight and people. Achieving these goals requires tough trade-offs, realistic sequencing of projects, and collaboration with the construction sector to deliver transformative benefits for the economy and all New Zealanders.
Tags: Matt Freeman New Zealand Roads of National Significance NZTA National Land Transport Programme Waikato Expressway Tauranga Eastern Corridor Wellington Northern Corridor Transmission Gully Kāpiti ExpresswayNZ Government Cuts Vehicle Import Charges to Make Cars More Affordable in 2026
2 months ago | 336 viewsThe New Zealand Government is temporarily reducing charges under the Clean Vehicle Standard by nearly 80% for 2026 and 2027 to ease financial pressure on vehicle importers and keep car prices affordable for consumers amid supply shortages and falling EV demand. These changes aim to prevent significant cost increases for Kiwis, estimated to avoid $264 million in net charges, while a full review of the Standard is underway with recommendations due by June 2026. The amendment, expected to take effect on January 1, 2026, will also protect credits from expiring before the end of 2028, supporting the local automobile industry and maintaining consumer choice.
Tags: Chris Bishop Clean Vehicle Standard New Zealand Transport Minister vehicle importers CO2 targets EVs hybrid vehicles Land Transport Amendment Bill car pricesGovernment Introduces Land Transport Bill for Fairer Funding System
2 months ago | 287 viewsThe Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill aims to create a fairer and more modern transport funding system by implementing changes to road user charges and tolling frameworks. Transport Minister Chris Bishop highlights the importance of fairness in road user contributions and the need for a stronger tolling system to support major road projects. The Bill also focuses on modernizing the outdated Road User Charges (RUC) system by introducing new payment models and in-vehicle technology, with plans to transition light petrol vehicles to RUC in the future.
Tags: Government Land Transport Revenue Amendment Bill Transport Minister Chris Bishop tolling system Roads of National Significance RUC system New ZealandNew Zealand Parliament Passes Land Transport Bill for Time-of-Use Charging to Combat Congestion
2 months ago | 328 viewsThe Land Transport Management (Time of Use Charging) Amendment Bill has passed in Parliament, aiming to reduce congestion and improve travel times in New Zealand. Time-of-use charging encourages off-peak travel to keep cities moving efficiently. The legislation allows local authorities to partner with NZTA on targeted schemes to ease gridlock and support economic growth, with Auckland likely to be the first to implement such measures.
Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand Transport Agency Auckland Council congestion productivity travel times Auckland congestion.Modernizing New Zealand's Land Transport Rules: Public Consultation on Key Reforms Begins Today
3 months ago | 400 viewsThe New Zealand Government is starting public consultation on modernizing land transport rules to improve productivity and safety, focusing on reviewing vehicle inspection frequency, simplifying heavy vehicle permitting, and considering additional safety requirements for vehicles entering the fleet. The aim is to reduce unnecessary costs and time pressures on Kiwis while ensuring road safety, looking at international practices for guidance. The reforms also include simplifying heavy vehicle requirements and potentially mandating additional safety features in vehicles to bring land transport regulation up to date and boost the economy.
Tags: Government progress modernise land transport rules public consultation Transport Minister Chris Bishop safety vehicle inspection Associate Transport Minister James Meager safety requirements.Major Transport Reforms in Auckland to Enhance Accountability and Governance
5 months ago | 664 viewsSignificant transport reforms in Auckland since 2010 aim to enhance democratic accountability and empower Aucklanders to influence transport policies, as stated by Transport Minister Chris Bishop, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown, and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown. The reforms involve shifting most transport functions from Auckland Transport to Auckland Council, establishing the Auckland Regional Transport Committee to create a 30-year transport plan, and granting local boards new powers for local road decisions. The changes, set to be in place by September 2026, prioritize public input, efficient governance, and improved transport outcomes for Auckland.
Tags: transport reforms Auckland democratic accountability elected representatives governance Auckland Transport Auckland Council Minister Chris Bishop Minister Simeon Brown Mayor Wayne BrownProgress Update: Second Ashburton Bridge Construction Nears as Key Agreement Signed
5 months ago | 563 viewsThe second Ashburton Bridge is closer to realization following a key agreement signed by Minister James Meager, marking progress towards the National Party's campaign promise. The New Zealand Transport Agency has contracted Fletchers Construction to advance detailed bridge design for construction starting next year, aiming to alleviate congestion on State Highway 1 and enhance network resilience in emergency events. Geotechnical investigations and property purchases are underway, with a Design and Construction contract expected to be finalized by year-end, emphasizing local opportunities and addressing potential challenges.
Tags: Ashburton Bridge Minister South Island Associate Transport Minister James Meager New Zealand Transport Agency Fletchers Construction National Party State Highway 1 OtagoTransforming New Zealand with Modern Digital Identity: Minister's Vision at Hui Taumata 2025
6 months ago | 1248 viewsThe Minister for Digitising Government addresses the Digital Identity New Zealand Hui Taumata 2025, highlighting the importance of digital identity in transforming how New Zealanders access services. The government has made significant progress in developing a modern digital identity system, including the launch of NZ Verify and the Government App. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is encouraged to ensure the successful implementation and use of digital identity services for all New Zealanders.
Tags: Minister for Digitising Government Andy Higgs Maria Robertson Honourable Scott Simpson New Zealand Transport Agency Department of Internal Affairs Immigration New Zealand NZ Verify Dave Clark NZ MATTR