Articles tagged with Chris Bishop
Showing 15 of 287 articles
New Signalised Pedestrian Crossing on SH1 Ōtaika Set to Improve Safety by 2026
08 Sep 2026 | 13 hours ago | 50 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop announced that a tender has been released to upgrade the unsignalised pedestrian crossing on State Highway 1 through Ōtaika, addressing longstanding safety concerns due to heavy traffic and past incidents. The new signalised crossing, along with improved streetlights, footpaths, and road surfaces, aims to enhance safety and accessibility for nearby schools, medical centers, and shopping areas, with construction expected to finish by the end of 2026. These improvements are anticipated to reduce accidents, improve traffic flow, and respond to strong community advocacy, including support from local MP Hon Dr Shane Reti.
Tags: Chris Bishop Shane Reti NZ Transport Agency Ōtaika State Highway 1 Whangārei pedestrian crossing Transport Minister local community signalised crossingSymes Bridge Upgrade on SH39 Begins October 11 with Road Closure
08 Sep 2026 | 13 hours ago | 64 viewsWork to replace the deck and beams of Symes Bridge on State Highway 39 between Ōtorohanga and Pirongia will begin on 11 October, with the bridge closing for up to two months and traffic detoured via SH3 through Te Awamutu. The upgrade will make the bridge stronger, over one metre wider, and more resilient, ensuring safety and reliability for this vital freight route between Taranaki and Auckland. NZ Transport Agency has contracted Oxcon to coordinate this work alongside the nearby Mangati Bridge replacement, minimizing overall disruption by completing both projects within the same period.
Tags: Symes Bridge State Highway 39 Chris Bishop Oxcon NZ Transport Agency Mangati Bridge Waikato Taranaki Auckland Te AwamutuActive Investor Plus Growth Visa to Include Build to Rent Investments in NZ
08 Sep 2026 | 1 day ago | 80 viewsFrom December 2026, investor migrants in New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Growth category can invest in approved managed funds supporting Build to Rent developments, with a minimum investment of NZD $5 million. This initiative aims to attract experienced investors to boost business growth, innovation, and the supply of long-term rental housing, while ensuring managed funds provide safeguards for investment and development. Direct investment in Build to Rent is not permitted, and investors and their families cannot live in these funded developments.
Tags: Erica Stanford Chris Bishop Simon Watts Active Investor Plus Build to Rent Growth category Immigration New Zealand Invest New Zealand investor migrants managed funds$740M NZ State Highway Renewal Boosts Safer, Smoother Roads This Summer
07 Sep 2026 | 1 day ago | 90 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop announced a $740 million state highway renewal programme for the upcoming summer, funded by the National Land Transport Fund, aiming to improve road safety, reliability, and longevity across New Zealand. This investment is part of a record $2.15 billion allocation for state highway maintenance and renewals from 2024 to 2027, emphasizing the government's priority on maintaining existing infrastructure to deliver better value and reduce costly reconstructions. The programme includes extensive resurfacing, pavement rehabilitation, and safety upgrades, with recognition of the essential work by roadworkers despite potential short-term disruptions.
Tags: Chris Bishop Transport Minister New Zealand National Land Transport Fund state highway renewal road maintenance infrastructure National Infrastructure Plan roadworkers pavement rehabilitationFast-Track Approval Boosts Port of Tauranga Expansion with Stella Passage Development
06 Sep 2026 | 2 days ago | 90 viewsThe Stella Passage Development at the Port of Tauranga has received fast-track approval, enabling significant expansion including wharf extensions, new container cranes, and dredging to accommodate larger vessels and nearly double handling capacity. This approval, granted in about five months through the Fast-track process, addresses longstanding constraints caused by limited capacity and aging infrastructure, enhancing New Zealand’s largest port’s efficiency and supporting regional economic growth. The project is the 34th approved under Fast-track, a system designed to expedite infrastructure developments that deliver economic value and keep New Zealand competitive globally.
Tags: Stella Passage Development Port of Tauranga Chris Bishop Shane Jones Sulphur Point Wharf Mount Maunganui Wharf New Zealand infrastructure Regional Development Environment CourtNew Zealand Invests $23.5M in Todd Energy Projects to Secure Gas Supply
06 Sep 2026 | 2 days ago | 85 viewsNew Zealand is advancing its energy security by investing up to $23.5 million from the Gas Security Fund in two Todd Energy projects aimed at unlocking nearly 20 petajoules of additional gas reserves over five to nine years. These projects, expected to deliver gas by 2027, will provide around 6% of the country's projected gas production, supporting energy reliability during peak demand and complementing the transition to renewable energy. The fund, designed to accelerate gas supply and ensure electricity generation reliability, has attracted strong interest and involves significant co-investment from Todd Energy to share risks and promote economic growth.
Tags: Shane Jones Chris Bishop Todd Energy New Zealand Gas Security Fund McKee Gas Cap Kānoa Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Gas Advisory PanelAuckland's North-West Rapid Transit Project Gets Fast-Track Approval for Faster Bus Travel
04 Sep 2026 | 5 days ago | 140 viewsThe North-West Rapid Transit project in Auckland, approved through the Fast-track process, will create a rapid busway along State Highway 16 with seven stations and a Park and Ride facility, enhancing public transport for the rapidly growing north-west area. The project aims to provide a reliable 25-minute journey from Brigham Creek to Auckland City Centre, accommodating up to 9,000 passengers per hour and supporting the region's growth and economic productivity. This approval marks the 33rd Fast-track project, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure, alongside other ongoing projects across housing, renewable energy, and transport sectors.
Tags: Chris Bishop Auckland New Zealand Transport Agency Westgate Station City Rail Link State Highway 16 WX1 service Brigham Creek Infrastructure MinisterChristopher Morris Appointed as Auckland District Court Judge Starting October 2026
03 Sep 2026 | 5 days ago | 137 viewsAttorney-General Hon Chris Bishop has appointed Christopher Morris as a District Court Judge, with his swearing-in scheduled for 22 October 2026 in Auckland. Mr Morris is an experienced sole practitioner in Auckland, formerly a partner at Cook Morris Quinn, and has worked extensively in criminal, regulatory, and civil law. His career includes roles at Bell Gully Buddle Weir, Meredith Connell, and the Crown Law Office, with appearances in high-profile trials and courts up to the Privy Council.
Tags: Chris Bishop Christopher Morris Cook Morris Quinn Bell Gully Buddle Weir Meredith Connell Crown Law Office Auckland District Court Court of Appeal Supreme Court Privy CouncilGovernment to Demolish Derelict MIT Buildings in Ōtara for Housing Redevelopment
01 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 148 viewsDeteriorating and asbestos-riddled buildings on two former Manukau Institute of Technology sites in Ōtara, covering over eight hectares of Crown land, will be demolished to enable future housing redevelopment. The Government acquired these sites in 2019 through the Land for Housing Programme and is seeking zoning changes to repurpose the land from education to housing use. Preparations including project management appointments and contractor procurement will take about six months, followed by approximately 15 months for demolition and site remediation, with community updates planned throughout the process.
Tags: Manukau Institute of Technology Ōtara Chris Bishop Housing Minister Crown land Land for Housing Programme Plan Change 120 LINZ MCERT GETSDemolition of Derelict MIT Buildings in Ōtara to Unlock Housing Development
01 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 149 viewsDeteriorating and asbestos-riddled buildings at two former Manukau Institute of Technology sites in Ōtara, covering over 8 hectares of Crown land, will be demolished to address safety concerns and enable future housing development. The government acquired these sites in 2019 through the Land for Housing Programme and is seeking to rezone them from education to housing uses, with demolition and site remediation expected to take about 21 months. Preparatory work, including appointing project management and securing consents, will take around six months, with demolition contracts to be tendered through LINZ to ensure experienced contractors and competitive pricing.
Tags: Manukau Institute of Technology Ōtara Chris Bishop Housing Minister Crown land demolition Land for Housing Programme Plan Change 120 LINZ MCERTNZ Cancels 2027 Fuel Excise Hike to Ease Cost of Living Pressure
31 Aug 2026 | 1 week ago | 169 viewsThe New Zealand Government has cancelled the planned fuel excise increase for 2027 to ease the cost of living pressures on Kiwis, postponing the next increase to January 2028 and spreading subsequent hikes over time for a fairer transition. Despite the freeze, rising transport project costs and the need to maintain infrastructure funding mean fuel tax increases will resume gradually from 2028, with the National Land Transport Fund being topped up to cover revenue shortfalls. This decision is supported by careful fiscal management, allowing the government to balance economic recovery, inflation control, and infrastructure investment while monitoring international uncertainties.
Tags: Nicola Willis Chris Bishop New Zealand fuel excise transport projects road user charges cost of living inflation National Land Transport Fund Budget 2026Sarah Elizabeth Wroe Appointed Associate Judge of Auckland High Court in 2026
27 Aug 2026 | 1 week ago | 175 viewsAttorney-General Chris Bishop announced the appointment of Auckland Barrister Sarah Elizabeth Wroe as an Associate Judge of the High Court, effective 14 September 2026. Wroe graduated from the University of Cambridge, practiced law in the UK before emigrating to New Zealand, where she gained admission as a Barrister and Solicitor and specialized in commercial and civil litigation. She has also taught law, served as an Appeals Commissioner for the New Zealand Olympic Committee, and will sit in Auckland.
Tags: Chris Bishop Sarah Elizabeth Wroe Auckland University of Cambridge Christ’s College Inns of Court School of Law Regent’s College Martelli McKegg Eldon Chambers New Zealand Olympic CommitteeConstruction to Begin on New Two-Lane SH25 Ramarama Stream Bridge Next Month
26 Aug 2026 | 1 week ago | 198 viewsConstruction of a new two-lane bridge on SH25 near Whiritoa will begin next month to replace the nearly century-old single-lane Ramarama Stream Bridge, improving safety and traffic flow for over 2,500 daily vehicles. The $10 million project, delivered by Brian Perry Civil, is part of a wider initiative under the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme to upgrade and increase the resilience of key bridges across the Coromandel Peninsula and other regions. This comprehensive effort includes multiple bridge replacements and upgrades supported by Crown investment, aiming to ensure reliable transport for communities, freight, and emergency services.
Tags: Chris Bishop Brian Perry Civil NZTA Ramarama Stream Bridge SH25 Coromandel Peninsula National Land Transport Programme SH25 Pepe Stream Bridge SH25 Boundary Creek Bridge SH26 Onetai Stream BridgeNew Zealand Targets Over 200 Historic Laws for Repeal in Major Legislative Review
25 Aug 2026 | 2 weeks ago | 236 viewsNew Zealand’s Legislation Repeals Project has identified a further 50 historic laws for repeal, bringing the total to over 200, as part of a comprehensive review of the country’s oldest legislation to modernize the statute book and reduce confusion. These repealed Acts include local governance, school and society regulations, and agricultural and pastoral society laws, many of which are now obsolete due to broader, general legislation. Public consultation is ongoing, with plans for a fifth round of repeals and subsequent parliamentary processes to finalize the removal of around 250 outdated Acts while preserving their historical records online.
Tags: Chris Bishop Auckland Council Wellington Ashburton Akaroa Te Aroha Ngaruawahia Westport Havelock Parliamentary Counsel OfficeNew Zealand Launches Illustrative National Policy Direction for Planning System Feedback
24 Aug 2026 | 2 weeks ago | 248 viewsRMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Parliamentary Under-Secretary Simon Court have launched an illustrative National Policy Direction (NPD) for public feedback, outlining draft government directives on housing, infrastructure, primary production, resources, and public values to guide New Zealand’s new planning system. The NPD aims to provide clearer, more consistent national priorities and resolve key conflicts to help councils and stakeholders make informed planning decisions, reducing reliance on courts and overlapping regulations. This consultation is a crucial step to ensure the new planning system is practical, effective, and aligned with national priorities, with feedback due by October 16 and further standards to be consulted on in 2027.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Court Tegan Harris Nick Wilson New Zealand National Policy Direction RMA Reform Planning System Government