Articles tagged with Chris Bishop
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Andy Knight Named Chair of Expert Panel for $200M Gas Security Fund
16 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 935 viewsAndy Knight has been appointed chair of the expert panel advising the New Zealand Government on applications to the $200 million Gas Security Fund, which aims to enhance domestic gas supply and storage amid declining production. The panel also includes geophysicist Tim Allan and energy sector professional John Pagani, with two more members to be appointed, and will provide independent, expert advice to decision-making ministers Shane Jones and Chris Bishop. The fund, administered by Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit, supports projects with short- to long-term benefits to secure affordable and reliable gas for New Zealand’s economy.
Tags: Andy Knight Shane Jones Tim Allan John Pagani Chris Bishop Gas Security Fund New Zealand Oil & Gas Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority Taranaki Iwi Holdings OMVNew Zealand's 30-Year National Infrastructure Plan Unveiled by Minister Bishop
16 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1102 viewsInfrastructure Minister Chris Bishop introduced the National Infrastructure Plan in Parliament, emphasizing its role in enhancing New Zealand’s prosperity through improved planning, funding, and maintenance of infrastructure over the next 30 years. The Plan acknowledges existing challenges such as inefficiencies and fragmented asset management despite high infrastructure spending, and outlines ten priority actions including hospital investment, water renewals, transport project sequencing, flood resilience, and legislative reforms. The Government has begun implementing many of these priorities and will respond to the Plan’s recommendations by June 2026, seeking cross-party engagement to build durable consensus for future infrastructure development.
Tags: Chris Bishop National Infrastructure Plan New Zealand Infrastructure Commission National Party Infrastructure Minister Health New Zealand Auckland Council Regional Infrastructure Fund Resource Management Act City Rail LinkEden Park to Host More Major Events with New Government Planning Rule Changes
15 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1099 viewsThe New Zealand Government is reforming outdated planning rules to enable Eden Park, Auckland’s largest stadium, to host more and diverse major events, boosting local and national economic growth. Changes include increasing permitted concerts from 12 to 32 annually, allowing longer event durations, removing restrictions on night sports games, and enabling various community and cultural events without resource consent. These reforms, expected by April 2026, leverage new powers under the Resource Management Act to modernize Eden Park’s operations, supporting job creation, tourism, and Auckland’s status as a world-class destination.
Tags: Chris Bishop Louise Upston Simeon Brown Eden Park Auckland New Zealand Resource Management Act RMA Reform major events government planningEastern Busway Final Stretch Begins in Botany, Boosting Auckland Transit
11 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1088 viewsThe final $101 million section of Auckland’s $1.4 billion Eastern Busway project, connecting Botany to Pakuranga and Panmure with dedicated busways, is set to begin construction in March and is expected to open in 2027. This rapid transit link will provide faster, more reliable journeys, reducing travel time to the city center to 40 minutes and is forecasted to carry up to 24,000 passengers daily by 2048, enhancing access to jobs and education. Delivered through a government and council partnership, the project includes 7km of busway, 5 new stations, and integrates with future transit plans like the Airport to Botany Busway and the upcoming City Rail Link.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simeon Brown Eastern Busway Auckland Botany NZ Transport Agency Auckland Council City Rail Link Tī Rākau Drive PanmureTransmission Gully Speed Limit Raised to 110 km/h from February 2026
11 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1213 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
11 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1117 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 ExpresswayKāinga Ora Turnaround: Lower Debt, Build Costs, and Improved Tenancy Satisfaction
11 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1143 viewsOne year after launching its Turnaround Plan, Kāinga Ora has significantly improved financial management by reducing debt forecasts, cutting operating costs, and lowering build expenses through standardized designs and better procurement. The agency is maintaining its social housing stock while enhancing quality via renewals and retrofits, selling unsuitable properties, and exceeding new home delivery targets. Tenant satisfaction and safety have increased, rent arrears and vacancy rates have declined, and Kāinga Ora is more effectively managing anti-social behavior and complaints, reflecting stronger governance and operational focus.
Tags: Kāinga Ora Chris Bishop Tama Potaka Turnaround Plan social housing New Zealand government housing debt tenancy satisfaction build costs community housing providersNew Zealand Fixes 98% of State Highway Potholes Within 24 Hours
10 Feb 2026 | 7 months ago | 982 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 FundingSH2 Waioweka Gorge Reopens with Controlled Single-Lane Access from Feb 9
07 Feb 2026 | 7 months ago | 1840 viewsAfter severe weather caused flooding and landslips that closed SH2 through Waioweka Gorge, intensive work over three weeks has allowed a single lane to reopen for essential travel under piloted convoy conditions starting 9 February. Crews continue clearing debris, improving drainage, and monitoring the vulnerable route, with convoys operating three times daily in each direction along the 37km stretch. Travelers are advised to only travel if necessary, allow extra time, and exercise extreme caution as the area remains an active worksite with possible short-notice closures.
Tags: Chris Bishop SH2 Waioweka Gorge NZ Transport Agency Ōpōtiki Matawai Tairāwhiti Eastern Bay of Plenty Tauranga Bridge Te Wera RoadOver 1,700 Pet Bonds Lodged Since December 2025 Boosting Kiwi Renters and Landlords
06 Feb 2026 | 7 months ago | 1004 viewsSince the pet bond system began on 1 December 2025, over 1,700 pet bonds have been lodged, reflecting positive uptake among renters with pets. The system aims to balance renters' ability to keep pets with landlords' need for protection by allowing pet bonds up to two weeks’ rent and requiring landlord consent on reasonable grounds. Managed through Tenancy Services, the reform provides a clear, practical process that supports both tenants and landlords in the rental market.
Tags: Chris Bishop Tama Potaka pet bonds Tenancy Services Housing Minister Associate Housing Minister renters with pets landlords rental market New ZealandOne Year of NZ Fast-Track Approvals: Faster Projects, Jobs, and Growth
06 Feb 2026 | 7 months ago | 1062 viewsOne year after New Zealand's Fast-track approvals system launched, it has accelerated infrastructure project approvals from years to months, reducing costs and enabling timely economic growth and job creation. The system streamlines multiple approval processes into one efficient pathway while maintaining environmental safeguards, with nine projects approved and dozens more progressing, expected to deliver thousands of homes, jobs, and significant economic contributions. The Coalition Government highlights Fast-track's success in overcoming criticism, positioning New Zealand as a global leader in efficient, rigorous infrastructure development.
Tags: Chris Bishop Shane Jones New Zealand Ports of Auckland Drury Metropolitan Centre Tekapo Power Scheme Bledisloe North Wharf Southland Wind Farm Wellington International AirportNew Zealand Overhauls Driver Licensing to Make It Cheaper and Safer by 2027
02 Feb 2026 | 7 months ago | 1235 viewsThe New Zealand Government is updating the Graduated Driver Licensing System to make it more affordable and accessible for young drivers by removing the second practical test for a full licence, extending learner and restricted periods, and reducing overall costs by $80. Key safety measures include a zero-alcohol limit for all learner and restricted drivers, stronger oversight of training providers, and penalties for demerits that extend restricted periods. These changes, effective from January 25, 2027, aim to balance cost, efficiency, and road safety, with a review planned three years after implementation to assess their impact.
Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand Graduated Driver Licensing System NZ Transport Agency Ministry of Transport learner licence restricted licence Class 1 licence driver training road safetyAuckland Rail Network Rebuild Complete: Ready for City Rail Link and More Trains
29 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1095 viewsAuckland’s rail network has completed its five-year rebuild ahead of the City Rail Link (CRL) opening, marking the end of the most disruptive upgrade phase and enabling more frequent, reliable train services. Over 1,300 workers upgraded over 80 km of track, replaced key infrastructure, removed level crossings, and successfully tested the largest-ever simultaneous operation of 84 trains on the network. Future work will involve shorter, less disruptive closures focused on final testing and commissioning, promising a modern metro system that supports Auckland’s growth and reduces congestion.
Tags: Winston Peters Chris Bishop Wayne Brown Auckland City Rail Link KiwiRail Auckland Transport Henderson Station Takanini Glen InnesNorth Island Storm Recovery: Rapid Repairs Restore Key Transport Links
28 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1178 viewsSevere storms and flooding caused widespread damage to North Island’s transport infrastructure, leading to road closures and isolation of communities, with urgent restoration efforts underway. Significant progress has been made reopening state highways and rail lines, though some sections, particularly on SH25, SH2, and SH35, remain closed due to extensive slips and landslides, requiring ongoing repair and safety monitoring. The government emphasizes the importance of investing in transport resilience, highlighting recent successful upgrades that have withstood the severe weather and committing to continued support and improvements for future storm recovery.
Tags: Chris Bishop North Island Northland Waikato Tauranga Coromandel Bay of Plenty SH25 SH35 NZTAGovernment Eases Mining and Quarry Consents to Boost Infrastructure and Economy
14 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1167 viewsThe New Zealand Government has enacted amendments to five major National Direction instruments under the Resource Management Act to simplify consenting for mines, quarries, and coastal activities, aiming to support infrastructure development and economic growth. These changes streamline the planning system by reducing duplication and conflicting language, enabling more efficient resource development while maintaining environmental safeguards and supporting sectors like renewable energy and aquaculture. The reforms, effective January 2026, represent the first tranche of RMA national direction updates designed to integrate smoothly with the forthcoming new planning system, with further instruments planned for future consideration.
Tags: Chris Bishop Shane Jones Tama Potaka RMA Reform National Policy Statement New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement aquaculture Resource Management Act infrastructure Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act