Articles tagged with State
SH35 East Coast Reopens 24/7 After Severe Weather Repairs
1 week ago | 100 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop announced the end of night closures on State Highway 35, restoring 24-hour access after severe weather caused extensive damage earlier this year. Crews have removed around 25,000 cubic metres of material, installed drainage, and laid new road surfaces, though ongoing work and caution while driving remain necessary. Additionally, work has begun on a retaining wall at the Waikura slip to improve road resilience, with continued efforts expected to ensure safety and access.
Tags: Chris Bishop Transport Minister State Highway 35 SH35 East Coast route NZTA Waikura Punaruku Hicks Bay Te AraroaInternational Visitors Boost New Zealand Tourism with $12.5B Spend in 2025
3 weeks ago | 195 viewsInternational visitors to New Zealand are rapidly returning, with tourism contributing $12.5 billion to the economy for the year ending December 2025, a 3% increase from the previous year. Visitor numbers have reached 90% of 2019 levels, with spending per visitor and daily spending both rising, boosting local businesses and jobs. The government aims to double the value of tourism exports by 2034, highlighting the sector’s importance as New Zealand’s second-largest export earner.
Tags: New Zealand international visitors tourism visitor spend Louise Upston Australia United States hospitality MBIE tourism exportsRegulatory Standards Act: Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in Local Government
4 weeks ago | 208 viewsThe Regulatory Standards Act, coming into law by July 1, mandates councils to publish Consistency Accountability Statements (CAS) explaining the impact, costs, and benefits of new bylaws, promoting transparency and accountability in local regulation. This legislation aims to curb poor regulation that burdens ratepayers and stifles productivity by requiring councils to justify and regularly review their secondary legislation, ensuring laws are proportionate and evidence-based. The Act supports better governance by helping councils avoid kneejerk regulations, improve decision-making quality, and ultimately deliver greater value to taxpayers and communities.
Tags: Regulatory Standards Act Consistency Accountability Statement LGNZ councils local government Ministry for Regulation New Zealand ratepayers secondary legislationTemporary Steel Bridge to Reopen State Highway 39 by Mid-March After Floods
4 weeks ago | 530 viewsA temporary 40-meter steel-framed bridge with a 50-tonne weight limit is planned to be operational by mid-March to restore access south of Pirongia after the Mangati Bridge was destroyed in floods. Crews have cleared debris and begun work on both the temporary and permanent bridge, with the permanent two-lane bridge construction set to start later this year. The project has strong support from council partners and landowners, prioritizing safe and rapid reconnection of the community.
Tags: Mangati Bridge State Highway 39 temporary bridge Chris Bishop NZ Transport Agency Pirongia Acrow bridge flood damage bridge reconstruction transport infrastructureNew Zealand Strengthens Pacific Partnerships at US Pacific Agenda Summit
1 month ago | 218 viewsCustoms Minister Casey Costello will attend the US-hosted Pacific Agenda Summit in Honolulu to strengthen partnerships supporting the Pacific’s long-term prosperity and resilience. The Summit aims to enhance economic connections, infrastructure, and investment by bringing together Pacific leaders, US officials, and private investors to reduce barriers and accelerate project readiness. New Zealand views this initiative as vital for regional cooperation and economic development, aligning with strategies like PACER Plus to foster sustainable growth and shared well-being in the Pacific.
Tags: Casey Costello New Zealand United States Pacific Islands Forum Pacific Agenda Summit PACER Plus Blue Pacific Continent United States Government Pacific leaders Pacific investmentGovernment to Invest $200M in Genesis Energy to Boost NZ Energy Security
1 month ago | 249 viewsThe Government will invest up to $200 million in new Genesis Energy shares to support secure, affordable energy and maintain a 51% Crown ownership. This investment aims to enhance energy security by enabling Genesis to increase flexible capacity and strengthen the long-term value of the state-owned asset. It is part of a broader Government initiative to improve energy reliability and reduce living costs for New Zealanders.
Tags: Nicola Willis Simeon Brown Simon Watts Genesis Energy Government Finance Minister State Owned Enterprises Minister Energy Minister New Zealand Crown investmentGovernment Lowers Auckland Housing Capacity Requirement to 1.6 Million Homes
1 month ago | 295 viewsThe Government will amend the Resource Management Act to reduce Auckland Council’s minimum housing capacity requirement under Plan Change 120 from over 2 million to 1.6 million homes, allowing more targeted growth around the city centre, rapid transit stations, and metropolitan centres. This change provides Auckland Council greater flexibility to respond to public feedback and focus development where infrastructure supports it, while still meeting national urban development policies. Additionally, the Government will investigate and potentially adjust planning controls in Auckland’s CBD to unlock further housing and business potential, ensuring growth aligns with economic and liveability goals.
Tags: Chris Bishop Auckland Council Resource Management Act Plan Change 120 Medium Density Residential Standards City Rail Link Auckland Unitary Plan National Policy Statement on Urban Development Eden Park New Zealand GovernmentSH35 Reopens Tomorrow Connecting Tairāwhiti to Bay of Plenty After Floods
1 month ago | 299 viewsState Highway 35, closed for three weeks due to heavy rainfall and significant slips, will reopen daily from 7am to 7pm tomorrow, restoring vital access between Tairāwhiti and the eastern Bay of Plenty. Major repair efforts focused on clearing large slips, especially the Punaruku slip, with crews working around the clock to ensure safety despite ongoing fragility and single-lane traffic. Transport Minister Chris Bishop emphasized the importance of the reopening for local communities and thanked workers and residents for their patience and support during the restoration process.
Tags: Chris Bishop Dana Kirkpatrick State Highway 35 Tairāwhiti Bay of Plenty Pōtaka Te Araroa Waikura slip Punaruku slip Cyclone GabrielleNZTA Seeks Approvals for Auckland Northwest Busway to Boost Public Transport
1 month ago | 275 viewsThe New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has applied for statutory approvals under the Fast-track Approvals Act for the Northwest Busway project, which will provide a dedicated busway along State Highway 16 with seven stations to improve public transport in Auckland’s rapidly growing northwest. This project aims to deliver faster, more frequent, and reliable service, easing congestion by moving up to 9,000 passengers per hour and reducing motorway traffic, supported by an investment of around $550 million for initial stages and further funding planned for subsequent phases. The busway is part of an integrated transport plan to support growth, enhance connectivity, and maximize benefits from other projects like the City Rail Link, with a strong benefit-cost ratio indicating high returns on investment.
Tags: NZTA Northwest Busway Chris Bishop Auckland State Highway 16 Brigham Creek Westgate Station Te Atatū Point Chevalier Western SpringsNew Military Health and Performance Centre Opens at Burnham Camp for NZDF
1 month ago | 234 viewsA new Military Health and Performance Centre, Tû Manawa Ora, has opened at Burnham Military Camp to enhance the health, wellbeing, and operational readiness of New Zealand Defence Force personnel by providing comprehensive medical, rehabilitation, psychological, and training services under one roof. The $22 million facility, completed in 18 months, aims to set a new standard for military healthcare infrastructure, supporting both prevention and treatment to improve retention and performance. Strategically located at the largest South Island military base, the centre reflects a strong commitment to caring for Defence personnel throughout their service and beyond.
Tags: Chris Penk New Zealand Defence Force Burnham Military Camp Tû Manawa Ora Hawkins New Zealand Ernst & Young GHD NZ Beca Defence Estate and Infrastructure Associate Defence MinisterNew Zealand to Host Historic First State of Origin Match at Eden Park in 2027
1 month ago | 251 viewsNew Zealand will host its first-ever State of Origin rugby league match in 2027 at Eden Park, marking a historic milestone expected to attract over 10,000 Australian visitors and generate $17.4 million for Auckland's economy. The event, supported by the New Zealand Government, Auckland Council, and the Australian Rugby League Commission, aims to boost tourism and showcase Auckland as a premier destination for major international events. Recent changes to planning restrictions at Eden Park will facilitate hosting more large-scale events, further enhancing New Zealand's global sporting profile.
Tags: New Zealand Eden Park Auckland Louise Upston State of Origin Australian Rugby League Commission Blues Maroons Queensland New South WalesTransmission Gully Speed Limit Raised to 110 km/h from February 2026
1 month ago | 451 viewsTransmission Gully will have its speed limit raised to 110 km/h starting 16 February 2026, following strong public support and safety assessments confirming the road’s suitability. This change applies to the 27-kilometre section between Linden and Paekākāriki, while heavy vehicles and trailers remain limited to 90 km/h, and the Raumati Straights section will retain a lower limit due to safety and design constraints. The government emphasizes ongoing safety enforcement, monitoring, and potential future upgrades for sections not meeting the higher speed standard.
Tags: Chris Bishop Transmission Gully Wellington Kāpiti Coast NZTA New Zealand Police Raumati Straights State Highway 1 National Government Kāpiti ExpresswayTransmission Gully Speed Limit Raised to 110 km/h from February 2026
1 month ago | 355 viewsTransmission Gully will have a new 110 km/h speed limit starting 16 February 2026 on the 27-kilometre section between Linden and Paekākāriki, reflecting its design for higher-speed travel and strong safety record. Heavy vehicles and trailers will remain limited to 90 km/h, while the Raumati Straights section will not increase speed limits due to safety and design constraints requiring further investment. Public support was high for the change, and enforcement will be consistent with other 110 km/h roads, with ongoing monitoring and potential future improvements planned.
Tags: Chris Bishop Transmission Gully Wellington Kāpiti Coast NZTA New Zealand Police Raumati Straights State Highway 1 National Government Kāpiti ExpresswayNew Zealand Fixes 98% of State Highway Potholes Within 24 Hours
1 month ago | 286 viewsThe New Zealand Government has successfully improved pothole repairs on state highways, with around 98% fixed within 24 hours each month since July 2024, meeting or exceeding set targets. This progress is supported by a dedicated $3.9 billion Pothole Prevention Fund over three years, focusing on extensive road rehabilitation, resealing, and drainage maintenance to reduce pothole formation. These efforts have enhanced road safety and reliability, with ongoing maintenance programs and public reporting encouraged to sustain improvements.
Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand NZTA Government Pothole Prevention State Highways Road Rehabilitation Transport Minister Pothole Repairs Infrastructure FundingSouth Canterbury to Replace Century-Old Bridges for Safer, Reliable Travel
1 month ago | 324 viewsTwo century-old bridges on State Highway 82 in South Canterbury will be replaced over 12 months to improve safety, reliability, and freight productivity on this key inland route. The new bridges, costing $14 million and $5.7 million respectively, will have no load restrictions and maintain traffic flow via temporary structures during construction. This project, part of NZTA’s End of Life Bridge Replacement Programme, reflects the government’s commitment to upgrading critical infrastructure by prioritizing cost-effective replacements over ongoing maintenance.
Tags: James Meager Miles Anderson South Canterbury Waihao North River Bridge Elephant Hill Stream Bridge State Highway 82 NZTA HEB Construction Waitaki River Canterbury Lakes