Transport News & Articles
Boosting Northland's Economic Relevance: New Rail Link, Dry Dock, and Special Economic Zones Announcement
11 hours ago | 51 viewsThe address at Marsden Point highlighted plans for a new rail link, development of a dry dock, and potential for 'special economic zones' to boost Northland's economic relevance to New Zealand. The focus was on the importance of trade for New Zealand's economy, with discussions on the need for a second major port due to capacity constraints at existing ports like Tauranga and Auckland. The address also emphasized the significance of energy security, job creation, and export growth through initiatives like the Marsden Point Rail Link and the proposed Special Economic Zones legislation.
Tags: Shane Jones Northland New Zealand Marsden Point Channel Infrastructure Port of Tauranga Port of Auckland KiwiRail Special Economic Zones God’s own countryNew Ōtaki to Levin Highway Construction Contracts Signed for Improved Travel Times and Economic Growth
4 days ago | 180 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 Vintage Vehicles & Private Motorhomes Shift to Annual Inspections from Sept 1
5 days ago | 278 viewsStarting from 1 September, vintage light vehicles and private heavy motorhomes in New Zealand will transition from six-monthly to annual vehicle inspections, as announced by Transport Minister Chris Bishop. This change aims to reduce bureaucracy for the approximately 128,000 vintage vehicles and 39,000 private motorhomes registered in the country, as these vehicles are less likely to have faults contributing to serious crashes compared to modern cars. Public support for this change was overwhelmingly positive, with 89% in favor of annual inspections for private heavy motorhomes and 98% for vintage light vehicles.
Tags: Transport Minister Chris Bishop vintage vehicles motorhomes inspections New Zealand Warrant of Fitness Certificate of Fitness Land Transport Rules Reform Programme light vehicles public supportMajor Safety Improvements Coming to SH2 Moonshine Hill Road Intersection in Upper Hutt
6 days ago | 153 viewsSafety improvements, including intersection upgrades and a speed limit review, will be implemented soon at the Moonshine Hill Road intersection on State Highway 2 in Upper Hutt, following Transport Minister Chris Bishop's announcement due to the high number of crashes at the intersection. The upgrades will involve installing traffic lights, signage, and line markings to enhance safety for motorists and cyclists. NZTA will consult the public on a proposed 80km/h speed limit, with construction scheduled to start in October and be completed by the end of the year.
Tags: safety improvements State Highway 2 Moonshine Hill Road intersection upgrades speed limit review Transport Minister Chris Bishop NZTA Whakatiki Street intersection speed limit consultationNew Zealand Introduces Tough Laws to Crack Down on Boy Racers and Dangerous Driving
6 days ago | 160 viewsNew laws aim to crack down on boy racers and dirt bike riders engaging in dangerous driving, with Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Police Minister Mark Mitchell leading the initiative. The Anti-Social Road Use Legislation Amendment Bill introduces tougher penalties, including vehicle destruction or forfeiture for offenses like fleeing Police, street racing, and excessive noise. The Bill will grant Police more powers to manage illegal gatherings and is set to undergo public consultation after its first reading in August.
Tags: Boy racers Transport Minister Chris Bishop Police Minister Mark Mitchell illegal vehicle gatherings vehicle destruction street racing Police powers excessive noise Select Committee.Major Upgrades Begin on SH76 Brougham Street in Christchurch to Enhance Safety and Economic Growth
2 weeks ago | 174 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop announced that major upgrades to State Highway 76 (SH76) Brougham Street in Christchurch will commence to enhance economic growth and improve safety and mobility in the city. The project, funded by the Government, aims to address congestion and safety concerns on one of Christchurch's busiest streets, accommodating over 45,000 vehicles daily and serving as a key freight route to Lyttelton Port. The first stage will focus on constructing a pedestrian and cycle bridge to improve accessibility for school children and individuals with mobility challenges, with subsequent stages including traffic signal improvements, T2 lanes, crossings, and a shared path.
Tags: Chris Bishop Christchurch SH76 Brougham Street Transport Minister Fulton Hogan Lyttelton New Zealanders NZTA Budget 2024 Crown fundingNew Cycle Bridge Boosts West Coast Wilderness Trail, Boosting Local Economy
3 weeks ago | 281 viewsA new cycle bridge on the West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail will bring more visitors to the region and boost the local economy. “I’m thrilled to be supporting the construction of the Totara River Rail Bridge, ensuring visitors can once again ride this popular trail from start to finish,” Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says. “The West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail is one of our Great Rides and attracts both international and domestic visitors alike, showcasing the stunning scenery of the West Coast.
Tags: Louise Upston West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail Totara River Rail Bridge Tourism Economy Infrastructure Ross Trail Investment VisitorsMinister Chris Bishop to Explore Urban Development Strategies in New York and Texas
1 month ago | 389 viewsInfrastructure, Transport and Housing Minister Chris Bishop will travel to New York and Texas tomorrow for a range of meetings across housing, planning, urban development and transport, including a keynote speech at the Urban Design Forum’s Global Exchange Programme. “In New York I will be holding a series of meetings with city officials and other stakeholders about their introduction of congestion pricing. The early results for New York are very promising, and with legislation allowing time of use charging schemes in New Zealand soon to report back from select committee, I look forward to bringing home lessons learned to ensure our scheme is a success from the start,” Mr Bishop says.
Tags: Chris Bishop Infrastructure Transport Housing Minister New York Texas Urban Design Forum Edward Glaeser affordable housing planningNew Zealand's State Highway Road Renewal Success: Enhancing Safety and Infrastructure for Better Journeys
1 month ago | 748 viewsThe Government’s focus on improving roads across the country is well on its way, with the successful completion of one of the largest state highway road renewal programmes in New Zealand history, Transport Minister Chris Bishop confirmed today. “We are focused on ensuring government agencies are better at looking after the infrastructure assets we already have, to ensure New Zealanders get the most from their public infrastructure,” Mr Bishop says. “That’s why we’ve invested in road maintenance and renewals through the $2 billion State Highway Pothole Prevention fund, which ensures vital work is carried out to keep our roads safe and suitable for the people that use them.
Tags: Government roads infrastructure maintenance renewal Transport Minister Chris Bishop State Highway Pothole Prevention fund road rebuilding NZ Transport Agency road usersExploring Toll Concessions for New Zealand's Road Infrastructure Development
1 month ago | 499 viewsMarket soundings with international and local toll road investors, operators and financiers will begin next week as the next step in exploring how toll concessions could help fund, build and operate important road infrastructure, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Government is focused on improving high-quality road infrastructure to boost economic growth and ensure people and freight can travel efficiently and safely. To accelerate the delivery of vital transport projects, we’re looking into alternative funding and financing methods, including the use of toll concessions.
Tags: toll concessions road infrastructure Chris Bishop toll roads private sector involvement market sounding infrastructure funding toll collection transport projectsScott O’Donnell Joins KiwiRail Board to Enhance Freight Expertise and Drive Growth Strategies
1 month ago | 385 viewsThe appointment of Scott O’Donnell to the KiwiRail board will bolster its freight expertise Minister for Rail Winston Peters says. “Railways have no shortage of potential for New Zealand, and we expect to see sustained growth in earnings, revenue, volumes, reliability, and safety to turn this business into something great. ” Mr O’Donnell is a current director of HW Richardson Group and was its managing director from 2006 to 2015.
Tags: Scott O’Donnell KiwiRail Winston Peters HW Richardson Group Sue TindalFerry Holdings Announces Infrastructure Agreements with Ports and KiwiRail for Arrival of New Ferries by 2029
1 month ago | 365 viewsFerry Holdings has reached agreement with CentrePort, Port Marlborough and KiwiRail on core infrastructure scope, Rail Minister Winston Peters announced today. The agreements set out the scope of physical work and equipment to be delivered by 2029 when two new ferries arrive, with port and KiwiRail agreements to be entered later this year to confirm the investment splits between Ferry Holdings and each other company and other commercial terms. “This is not our first regatta, as this no-nonsense infrastructure focus is what was supposed to happen in 2020 until poor management and a lack of oversight allowed iReX to blow out.
Tags: Centreport Dublin street Ferry holdings Holdings Kiwirail Marlborough Port marlborough Wellington Winston petersNew 110km/h Speed Limit on Pūhoi to Warkworth Motorway Enhances Travel Efficiency and Safety
1 month ago | 322 viewsA new 110km/h speed limit on the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway will come into effect first thing tomorrow morning, Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Transport is a critical enabler for economic growth and productivity, and with over 20,000 vehicles travelling this motorway every day, the new higher speed will help ensure people and freight can get to where they need to go, quickly and safely,” Mr Bishop says. “Late last year, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) publicly consulted on increasing the speed limit from north of the Pūhoi interchange viaduct to south of the Warkworth roundabout to 110km/h.
Tags: “ transport Auckland Chris bishop Johnstone New zealand Northland Nz transport agency WarkworthGovernment Success: Dramatic Reduction in Driver Licence Test Wait Times Benefits New Zealanders
1 month ago | 502 viewsThe Government’s work to deliver better public services for New Zealanders is paying dividends for people working to gain their driver licence, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “National average wait times are now just four days for a full licence test and seven days for a restricted licence test, down from a peak of up to 90 days in some regions,” Mr Bishop says. “At one point in 2024, we saw wait times get as high as 90 days in some regions, with a backlog of over 80,000 people applying to sit their licence tests at one point.
Tags: Chris bishop New zealandGovernment Boosts New Zealand Search and Rescue Funding to Enhance Safety Across the Country
1 month ago | 359 viewsAssociate Transport Minister James Meager has confirmed an additional $76. 7 million for New Zealand Search and Rescue over three years, to ensure 12 organisations can continue their lifesaving operations. Additionally, the Government has announced an investment of $624,000 over the same period, to help maintain and improve recreational aviation safety across the country.
Tags: Flight proced James meager New zealand New zealand aviation federation New zealand search and rescue