Articles tagged with State
New SH82 Elephant Hill Stream Bridge Completed Early, Boosting South Canterbury Travel
2 days ago | 243 viewsThe first of two new highway bridges on State Highway 82 in South Canterbury, replacing a century-old structure, has been completed ahead of schedule and under budget, improving travel reliability and freight productivity. The second bridge replacement is on track for completion by the end of the year, enhancing the important inland route that serves as an alternative to State Highway 1. This project is part of a broader government initiative to repair or upgrade priority bridges nationwide, ensuring the safety and resilience of critical transport infrastructure.
Tags: James Meager Miles Anderson NZ Transport Agency Elephant Hill Stream Bridge Waihao North River Bridge State Highway 82 South Canterbury Waitaki MP National Land Transport Programme Mackenzie DistrictNew Zealand’s Conservation Amendment Bill: Faster Decisions, Jobs, and Stronger Nature Protection
3 days ago | 91 viewsNew Zealand’s Conservation Amendment Bill aims to modernize conservation land management by cutting red tape, speeding decision-making, and supporting economic growth while enhancing environmental protection. The reforms include a new National Conservation Policy Statement, faster concession approvals, and the introduction of international visitor access charges at select sites to generate approximately $60 million annually for reinvestment in conservation and infrastructure. The Bill balances job creation, improved visitor experiences, and stronger nature protection, with continued statutory safeguards and opportunities for public feedback during the legislative process.
Tags: Tama Potaka New Zealand Conservation Amendment Bill Conservation Act National Conservation Policy Statement biodiversity tourism visitor infrastructure Treaty obligations international visitor access chargesMajor $8M Repairs Begin on SH73 Retaining Wall at Candys Bend for Safety
3 weeks ago | 216 viewsA resilience project is commencing to repair a damaged retaining wall on State Highway 73 at Candys Bend, a vital route between Christchurch and the West Coast, damaged by 2018 flooding. The repairs, funded by the Crown Resilience Programme with a budget of around $8 million, aim to prevent potential collapse during future flooding or seismic events and ensure long-term safety and connectivity. Work will begin soon and conclude early next year, with efforts to protect the area's native flora and fauna in collaboration with local iwi and the Department of Conservation.
Tags: Chris Bishop State Highway 73 Candys Bend NZ Transport Agency Hunter Civil Arthur’s Pass Village Otira Crown Resilience Programme New Zealand Government Department of ConservationSH73 Candys Bend Retaining Wall Repair Begins to Boost Resilience
3 weeks ago | 220 viewsA major repair project is commencing on a damaged 1950s retaining wall at Candys Bend on State Highway 73 between Christchurch and the West Coast, crucial for freight, tourism, and local communities. The work, funded by the Crown Resilience Programme with an $8 million budget, aims to prevent potential collapse from future flooding or seismic events by filling voids, improving drainage, and reinforcing the structure. NZTA will collaborate with local iwi and the Department of Conservation to protect the area's native flora and fauna during the repairs, which are expected to start soon and finish early next year.
Tags: State Highway 73 SH73 Candys Bend Christchurch West Coast Chris Bishop NZ Transport Agency Hunter Civil Crown Resilience Programme Department of ConservationGovernment to Receive $10M Special Dividend from Landcorp Farming in 2025/26
3 weeks ago | 220 viewsThe Government will receive a $10 million special dividend from Landcorp Farming Limited, contributing to a total of $25 million in dividends returned to the Crown for the 2025/26 financial year. This payment reflects Landcorp’s strong financial position, improved operations, and commitment to delivering value for taxpayers, supported by favorable commodity prices and disciplined management. The special dividend follows a $9.5 million capital repayment from Fonterra and is considered a pass-through of this non-operating receipt, separate from Landcorp’s ordinary dividend policy.
Tags: Simeon Brown Landcorp Farming Limited New Zealand Government State Owned Enterprises Fonterra Shareholding Ministers Crown dividends public services commodity prices taxpayer valueSH36 Culvert Replacement Begins This Month Between Tauranga and Rotorua
1 month ago | 292 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop announced that replacement of the aging SH36 Hauraki Stream Culvert between Tauranga and Rotorua will begin this month, with completion expected by early 2027. The $10-12 million project, led by Isaac Construction Ltd, uses prefabricated components to deliver a wider, stronger bridge as part of the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP), which prioritizes upgrading nine bridges and culverts, with five more recently added. This initiative reflects the government's focus on maintaining critical state highway infrastructure to support freight, tourism, and community connectivity across New Zealand.
Tags: Chris Bishop NZ Transport Agency Isaac Construction Ltd State Highway 36 Tauranga Rotorua National Land Transport Programme Hauraki Stream Bridge Mangapepeke Culvert Pekatahi BridgeNew Zealand Supports US-Iran Ceasefire Efforts to End Middle East Conflict
1 month ago | 274 viewsForeign Minister Winston Peters welcomes recent announcements by the United States and Iran as positive steps toward ending the conflict. He acknowledges the ongoing efforts of Pakistan, Turkiye, and Egypt in seeking a resolution and highlights the broad impacts of the conflict, including on New Zealand and the Pacific region. New Zealand commits to supporting all initiatives aimed at achieving a lasting and durable ceasefire in the coming days and weeks.
Tags: Winston Peters Marco Rubio New Zealand United States Iran Pakistan Turkiye Egypt Middle East Pacific regionWTO Ministerial Conference: New Zealand Advances Digital Trade and Fuel Talks
1 month ago | 245 viewsTrade and Investment Minister Todd McClay concluded his role as Vice Chair at the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference, where members agreed on the need to modernize the WTO despite failing to finalize reforms and extend the tariff ban on digital trade. Significant progress was made with 66 WTO members agreeing to implement a new Electronic Commerce Agreement, banning tariffs on digital trade flows and benefiting small businesses and exporters. McClay also engaged with international counterparts on critical fuel supply chains and continues to push for limiting fisheries and agricultural subsidies to improve exporters' returns.
Tags: Todd McClay Damien O'Connor World Trade Organization New Zealand United States India China European Union Saudi Arabia SingaporeCyclone Gabrielle Recovery Complete: SH2 Devil’s Elbow Road Repairs Finished
1 month ago | 279 viewsThe repair work at Devil’s Elbow on State Highway 2, a critical section between Napier and Wairoa, has been completed, marking the end of Cyclone Gabrielle recovery efforts in the area. The project involved extensive repairs including road rebuilding, culvert replacements, and a new retaining wall to improve resilience against future storm damage. Transport Minister Chris Bishop highlighted the improved safety and reliability of the route, acknowledging the efforts of local contractors and the support from the community throughout the recovery process.
Tags: Cyclone Gabrielle Devil’s Elbow State Highway 2 Chris Bishop Transport Rebuild East Coast Hawke’s Bay Napier Wairoa SH38 Rail Bridge 217Government Lowers Auckland Housing Capacity Target to 1.4 Million Homes
1 month ago | 340 viewsThe Government will introduce legislation to amend the Resource Management Act, reducing Auckland Council’s Plan Change 120 minimum housing capacity from 2 million to 1.4 million homes while still supporting significant growth through upzoning and infrastructure-aligned development. The legislation also resolves transitional issues for developers affected by previous rule changes and aims to enable further housing opportunities, particularly around transit corridors and the City Rail Link. Auckland Council will revise the plan based on guiding principles, and the updated process will allow public input before final decisions are made.
Tags: Chris Bishop Auckland Council Plan Change 120 Resource Management Act Housing and RMA Reform Auckland housing National Policy Statement on Urban Development City Rail Link Medium Density Residential Standards Auckland Unitary PlanShaping New Zealand Tourism 2050: Growth, Sustainability, and System Reform
1 month ago | 417 viewsThe speech highlights New Zealand's efforts to sustainably grow its tourism sector through initiatives like the Regional Events Promotion Fund, Major Events and Tourism Package, and investments in infrastructure such as cycle trails and the New Zealand International Convention Centre. It emphasizes the importance of coordinated national leadership, streamlined regional collaboration, and long-term investment to support tourism as a strategic national asset, culminating in the upcoming Tourism Policy Statement to provide clear direction and governance. The government aims to balance boosting visitor demand with enhancing supply capacity, ensuring growth benefits both visitors and New Zealand communities while protecting unique local experiences.
Tags: John Glover Susan Houge Mackenzie Otago Tourism Policy School New Zealand Tourism Growth Roadmap Tourism System Review Tourism Policy Statement Michelin Guide Regional Events Promotion Fund 2026 Hospitality SummitSH35 East Coast Reopens 24/7 After Severe Weather Repairs
1 month ago | 367 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
2 months ago | 459 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
2 months ago | 421 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
2 months ago | 719 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 infrastructure