Articles tagged with Wellington
Major Rail Upgrades in Auckland and Wellington to Improve Commuter Services
4 days ago | 73 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop has confirmed funding for critical overdue upgrade programs in Auckland and Wellington's metro rail networks to improve reliability for commuters. The $143.6 million investment from Budget 2025 includes $94.2 million for Wellington and $49.4 million for Auckland, addressing crucial renewals like track and infrastructure replacements, bridge refurbishments, and drainage improvements. The upgrades aim to enhance service levels by preparing for the City Rail Link in Auckland and improving network resilience for more frequent trains, with work already underway and set to intensify in the coming months.
Tags: Auckland Wellington Rail passengers Transport Minister Chris Bishop Metro rail networks Commuters Budget 2025 Renewals work City Rail LinkRev. Murray Edridge and Hon Jo Goodhew Appointed to Independent Children’s Monitor Board
4 days ago | 56 viewsRev. Murray Edridge and Hon Jo Goodhew have been appointed to join Dr Ang Jury on the Independent Children’s Monitor Board, which oversees the Oranga Tamariki system along with the Children’s Commissioner and the Ombudsman. The appointments bring a wealth of expertise to ensure strong governance for monitoring child safety independently, as stated by Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston. These appointments reflect legislative changes aimed at creating an independent oversight agency for Oranga Tamariki, marking a significant step in the government's commitment to safeguarding vulnerable children.
Tags: Rev. Murray Edridge Hon Jo Goodhew Dr Ang Jury Louise Upston Oranga Tamariki system Children’s Commissioner Ombudsman Wellington City Missioner Presbyterian Support South CanterburyNew Zealand Government's Fast-Tracked Hospital Wards Programme Boosts Capacity at 5 Busiest Hospitals in 2026
1 week ago | 84 viewsFive busy hospitals in New Zealand, including Middlemore, Waikato, Wellington Regional, Nelson, and Hawke’s Bay, will receive a total of 140 new beds through the Government’s fast-tracked hospital wards programme by 2026, Health Minister Simeon Brown announces. The wards will be constructed off-site and installed on hospital grounds to quickly boost capacity, improve patient flow, and support faster admissions and discharges. Each hospital's new ward will serve specific roles, such as expanding general medicine capacity, providing assessment and diagnostic services, supporting acute flow, enabling services relocation during seismic work, and streamlining care for short-stay surgical patients.
Tags: Simeon Brown Middlemore Hospital Waikato Hospital Wellington Regional Hospital Nelson Hospital Hawke’s Bay Hospital Health Minister hospital wards programme patient care emergency departmentGovernment Invests $1.2 Billion in Roads of National Significance Programme for Infrastructure Development and Job Creation
2 weeks ago | 133 viewsThe Government's Roads of National Significance programme is advancing to the next phase with nearly $1.2 billion in combined funding, aiming to address New Zealand's infrastructure deficit and stimulate job growth. The NZ Transport Agency has endorsed investment cases for various projects, including the Northland Expressway, East West Link, Hamilton Southern Links, Petone to Grenada, and Cross Valley Link, among others. These projects will undergo design, route protection, site investigations, and property acquisition, with a focus on delivering travel time reductions, safety improvements, and economic benefits across different regions.
Tags: Chris Bishop Transport Minister Roads of National Significance NZ Transport Agency Northland Expressway East West Link Hamilton Southern Links Petone to Grenada SH1 Wellington Improvements Hope BypassNew Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa: Charter School for Athletes Opens 2026
3 weeks ago | 152 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour has announced the opening of the New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa (NZPAA) as a charter school for athletes in Term 1 2026. The school aims to support students with serious sporting aspirations by providing both athletic training and academic education. The academy will initially focus on elite football and rugby union training, with plans to expand to other sports based on student needs, and will offer a nationally recognized curriculum alongside world-class athletic development.
Tags: David Seymour New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa Charter school Athletes Education Minister Sports training Wellington Phoenix Football Academy Rugby union Academic education Charter School AgencyAttorney-General Judith Collins Announces High Court & Environment Court Appointments in Christchurch, Auckland, & Wellington
1 month ago | 145 viewsAttorney-General Judith Collins announced High Court and Environment Court appointments for Christchurch, Auckland, and Wellington. Owen Paulsen, a former Associate High Court Judge, has been appointed as a High Court Judge for Christchurch. Helen Wild, with a background in law firms and public service, has been appointed as an Associate High Court Judge for Auckland, while David Caldwell, a seasoned litigator and mediator, will join the Environment Court in Wellington after serving as a partner in various law firms.
Tags: Judith Collins Owen Paulsen Helen Wild David Caldwell High Court Environment Court Christchurch Auckland Wellington Associate High Court JudgeImproving Healthcare Access and Wait Times in Central NZ: Quarterly Progress Update
1 month ago | 218 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown highlights improved healthcare performance in the Central region, emphasizing patient-centered care and access to timely treatment. Quarterly results show progress towards 2030 targets, with notable improvements in cancer treatment, childhood immunizations, and shorter emergency department stays. Despite achievements, efforts continue to reduce waitlists for elective procedures and specialist assessments, aiming to provide faster care and better outcomes for patients.
Tags: Wellington Manawatū Hawke’s Bay Wairarapa Simeon Brown healthcare patients treatment health target Central regionŌ2NL Expressway: Transforming Transport and Boosting Economy in Horowhenua
1 month ago | 208 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 Rail Investment in Auckland: Unveiling the Third Main Line Project and Future Upgrades
1 month ago | 227 viewsThe Minister of Transport highlighted the Government's significant investment in Auckland's passenger rail system, including projects like the Third Main Line and extending the electrified network. These investments aim to improve both commuter services and freight operations, benefiting the economy and reducing road congestion. Future plans include expanding rail capacity in Auckland's Southern Corridor and developing the Avondale-Southdown corridor to enhance freight connections and regional economic growth.
Tags: David Gordon Mayor of Auckland Minister of Transport New Zealand KiwiRail Wellington Northland Marsden Point Rail Link FonterraNew Public Reserve Established: Watts Peninsula - Te Motu Kairangi in Wellington
2 months ago | 278 viewsA public reserve named Watts Peninsula, also known as Mātai Moana, will be established on the Miramar Peninsula in Wellington, with significant historical and cultural value. The reserve, promised by the government in 2011, will encompass 72 hectares of land transferred from Land Information New Zealand to the Department of Conservation. Managed by a charitable trust appointed by Wellington City Council, Taranaki Whānui, and DOC, the reserve aims to preserve ecological, historical, and cultural significance, funded by the council and Taranaki Whānui.
Tags: Miramar Peninsula Te Motu Kairangi Tama Potaka Chris Penk Watts Peninsula Mātai Moana Land Information New Zealand Department of Conservation Fort Ballance Wellington City CouncilNew Zealand's $802.9 Million Investment in Battery-Electric Trains Boosts Rail Connectivity and Efficiency
2 months ago | 252 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 KeedwellKiwiRail & Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Settle Project iReX Dispute for $144M
2 months ago | 352 viewsKiwiRail and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard have settled on a $144 million payment to cover costs incurred from the cancelled Project iReX ferries, with KiwiRail emphasizing the decision was not a reflection on Hyundai. The settlement frees up more funding for other Government projects, debunking claims that canceling the contract would cost taxpayers the full $551 million contract value. The settlement marks the end of mismanagement by the previous government, which failed to consider necessary port infrastructure, resulting in a near quadrupling of project costs before its cancellation in December 2023.
Tags: KiwiRail Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Mr Peters RNZ The Post Tangi Utikere Nicola Willis Ferry Holdings Picton WellingtonNew Zealand Government Enhances Building Code for Improved Fire Safety
3 months ago | 779 viewsThe Government will amend the Building Code to enhance fire safety protections for New Zealanders, prompted by a nationwide fire safety review following a tragic fire at Loafers Lodge in Wellington. Over 100 organizations and individuals contributed feedback during the consultation, highlighting the need for clearer regulations and improved evacuation measures, especially in larger residential buildings. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will incorporate this feedback into proposed Building Code changes separate from the regular update cycle, with a focus on aligning fire safety provisions with modern technologies and ensuring the safety of occupants and firefighters.
Tags: Government Building Code New Zealanders fire safety Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE Loafers Lodge WellingtonNew Ōtaki to Levin Highway Construction Contracts Signed for Improved Travel Times and Economic Growth
3 months ago | 1032 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 and Solomon Islands Strengthen Ties in Wellington Meeting
3 months ago | 736 viewsPrime Minister Luxon and Foreign Minister Peters met with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manele in Wellington to reaffirm New Zealand's strong ties with Solomon Islands. Discussions included supporting Solomon Islands' economy and education and fisheries sectors, as well as preparations for the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum hosted by PM Manele. New Zealand's ongoing commitment to supporting Solomon Islands' development was highlighted by both Mr. Luxon and Mr. Peters during the visit.
Tags: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon Foreign Minister Winston Peters Solomon Islands Jeremiah Manele Wellington New Zealand Pacific Islands Forum education fisheries Auckland