Articles tagged with Chris Bishop
CHFA Launches $200 Million Bonds to Boost Affordable Housing Supply
1 day ago | 75 viewsHousing Minister Chris Bishop commends the Community Housing Funding Agency (CHFA) for launching $200 million in A+ rated bonds, making cheaper lending available for Community Housing Providers (CHPs) to deliver more social and affordable homes. The social bonds were well received by investors, demonstrating confidence in supporting social and affordable housing in New Zealand. The government is supporting CHPs by funding over 2,000 social homes and backing CHFA with a $150 million lending facility to help reduce borrowing costs and enable the delivery of more homes for less.
Tags: Chris Bishop Community Housing Funding Agency CHFA social bonds affordable housing social homes Community Housing Providers New Zealand Kāinga Ora financingŌ2NL Expressway: Transforming Transport and Boosting Economy in Horowhenua
2 days ago | 61 viewsConstruction has begun on the new 24-kilometre Ō2NL expressway from Ōtaki to north of Levin, aiming to enhance economic benefits, safety, and reliability in the region, according to Transport Minister Chris Bishop. The project addresses long-standing issues of crashes, delays, and resilience on the current Kāpiti highway, with expectations of reducing travel times and improving efficiency for both commuters and freight transport. Part of the Wellington northern corridor initiated in 2013, Ō2NL follows the success of previous expressways and is anticipated to be finished by the end of 2029, contributing to economic growth and development opportunities in the Horowhenua region.
Tags: Transport Minister Chris Bishop Horowhenua North Island Wellington National Government Transmission Gully Mackays Peka Peka Kāpiti highway OtakiTransformative Melling Transport Improvements Project Underway in Lower Hutt
6 days ago | 106 viewsConstruction has commenced on the State Highway 2 (SH2) Melling Transport Improvements Road of Regional Significance in Lower Hutt to enhance safety, accessibility, and resilience, according to Transport Minister Chris Bishop. The project, including a new interchange and bridge over the Hutt River, aims to alleviate congestion, enhance safety, and promote economic growth by improving public transport and active transport options. Led by the NZ Transport Agency, AECOM, and Fletcher Construction, the initiative is part of a broader $1.5 billion RiverLink program to boost economic growth, resilience, and flood protection in Lower Hutt, with completion expected by 2031.
Tags: Chris Bishop Lower Hutt Transport Minister NZ Transport Agency AECOM Fletcher Construction Melling Interchange Melling Transport Improvements Road RiverLink programme Hutt RiverFirst Fast-track Housing Development Approved in Nelson: Maitahi Village Project
1 week ago | 91 viewsInfrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones are pleased with the approval of the Maitahi Village housing development in Nelson under the Fast-track Approvals Act. The project, expected to deliver 180 homes and various amenities, represents a significant investment in Nelson's future. Minister Jones is focused on expediting regional projects and legislative changes to streamline the approval process for infrastructure developments.
Tags: Chris Bishop Shane Jones Maitahi Village housing development Nelson infrastructure Ngāti Koata regional development expert panelNew Auckland Third Main Line Revolutionizes Rail Freight & Passenger Services
1 week ago | 88 viewsThe new Third Main Line in Auckland, funded in 2020 with a $328 million investment, is set to revolutionize rail freight and increase the frequency of passenger trains, according to Rail Minister Winston Peters and Transport Minister Chris Bishop. The opening event in South Auckland included a passenger train journey along the 6.5km line from Wiri to Middlemore Station. This project aims to alleviate congestion on roads, boost efficiency in freight connections, and enhance transport options for Aucklanders, complementing other recent investments in the city's transport network.
Tags: Auckland rail freight passenger trains Winston Peters Chris Bishop KiwiRail transport infrastructure economy New ZealandEmpowering Aucklanders: Future Growth Decisions in Hands of Locals
1 week ago | 93 viewsThe Government, through RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, supports Auckland Council's request to withdraw controversial Plan Change 78 to allow for more local decision-making on growth and housing. This move will give Aucklanders greater choice and input on future development, particularly around key stations benefiting from the City Rail Link project. The process includes a submission period from November to December, followed by hearings before an Independent Hearings Panel, aiming for an 18-month timeframe to provide certainty and address delays in decision-making for Auckland's growth and housing options.
Tags: Aucklanders RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop Auckland Council Plan Change 78 Medium Density Residential Standards City Rail Link housing growth Independent Hearings Panel Mayor Brown Auckland's growth.Unlocking Eden Park: Government Investigates Rule Changes to Boost Major Events Venue
1 week ago | 104 viewsThe Government aims to enhance Eden Park's status as a major events venue by investigating potential changes to local rules that may be limiting its capabilities. Eden Park, New Zealand's largest major events stadium, contributes significantly to Auckland's economy through concerts and sporting events. The investigation will assess current restrictions, such as limits on the number and timing of events, with the possibility of modifying these rules under the Resource Management Act to stimulate economic growth and development.
Tags: Eden Park Government Investigation RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop Tourism Minister Louise Upston Events Auckland Economy Planning Rules Resource Management ActNew Bridge Construction on SH43 Forgotten World Highway & Nationwide Priority Bridge Replacements
1 week ago | 101 viewsConstruction on a new bridge replacement on SH43, Forgotten World Highway, will start this month, initiating a series of priority bridge replacements nationwide. Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced that 13 bridges and culverts will be replaced or renewed in the next two years, enhancing the country's transport network. The Kururau Stream Water Drive bridge on SH43, an iconic route for tourism, is the first to undergo construction, ensuring improved efficiency and safety for locals and visitors.
Tags: bridge replacement State Highway 43 SH43 Transport Minister Chris Bishop Kururau Stream Water Drive Forgotten World Highway construction infrastructure New Zealand tourismGovernment-Funded Social Home Deliveries by Community Housing Providers: Progress Update and Future Plans
2 weeks ago | 117 viewsCommunity Housing Providers (CHPs) are actively delivering over 2,000 social homes funded by the Coalition Government, with a focus on allocating 1,500 social houses from Budget 2024 and 550 social homes for Auckland from Budget 2025. The government is committed to building the right homes in the right places for those in need, with a new housing investment system centered on strategic partnerships with CHPs and a Flexible Fund established in Budget 2025 to drive further change in social housing. Progress is being made in improving housing for Kiwis, including reducing the social housing register, moving families out of motels into social housing, and partnering with Māori housing providers to deliver affordable rental homes across the country.
Tags: Community Housing Providers CHPs Coalition Government Housing Minister Chris Bishop Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka Kāinga Ora Ministry of Housing and Urban Development HUD Budget 2024 Budget 2025New Zealand's $802.9 Million Investment in Battery-Electric Trains Boosts Rail Connectivity and Efficiency
2 weeks ago | 144 viewsThe Government has invested $802.9 million in the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, reaching a milestone with the signing of a contract for 18 battery electric multiple unit (BEMU) trains. Alstom has been chosen to deliver the state-of-the-art trains, which will replace outdated diesel locomotives, improving travel times and passenger experience. The upgrade will allow for more frequent and reliable services, doubling peak services, reducing travel times, and supporting economic growth in the region.
Tags: Government Wairarapa Manawatū rail lines Chris Bishop Alstom trains Wellington Daran Ponter Rachel KeedwellGovernment Launches 5 Actions to Support Rough Sleepers into Social Homes
2 weeks ago | 154 viewsThe Government is taking immediate actions to address homelessness in New Zealand, focusing on expanding support for rough sleepers and providing more social housing options. These actions include funding additional social homes for the Housing First program, increasing support services for rough sleepers, improving the efficiency of transitional housing, redirecting beneficiaries' income to contribute to accommodation costs, and encouraging greater discretion in assessing emergency housing applications. The aim is to deliver the right homes, in the right places, with the right supports for rough sleepers and address the root causes of homelessness in the country.
Tags: Government Housing Minister Chris Bishop Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka homelessness social homes Housing First programme transitional housing emergency housing Ministry of Social Development (MSD) Louise UpstonMajor Transport Reforms in Auckland to Enhance Accountability and Governance
2 weeks ago | 187 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 BrownNZTA Awards Contract for SH29 Tauriko West Road Phase 1 Construction
3 weeks ago | 161 viewsThe NZ Transport Agency has awarded a $42 million contract to HEB Construction Limited to begin construction on the Ōmanawa Bridge replacement in October, as part of the State Highway 29 Tauriko West project. This project aims to enhance safety, resilience, and freight efficiency along SH29, a crucial corridor in the Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga triangle, with a total of $7 billion already allocated for Government-funded projects nationwide. Future phases of the project will involve route protection and consenting for a new four-lane SH29, supporting growth in Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty with improved travel times and reduced accidents.
Tags: NZ Transport Agency SH29 Tauriko West Road Ōmanawa Bridge Transport Minister Chris Bishop HEB Construction Limited Port of Tauranga Redwood Interchange Takitimu North Link interchange Tauriko Business Estate.SH35 Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery: Major Works in Mangahauini Gorge
4 weeks ago | 183 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
1 month ago | 235 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 Prison