Latest news with #CityRailLink
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
NZ 'back on course', govt says
By Russell Palmer of RNZ The government has launched a defence of its record on tackling the cost of living. Finance Minister Nicola Willis joined Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the Beehive Theatrette for the weekly post-Cabinet briefing. She spent much of the previous week facing questions about her meeting with Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell. Luxon said this week marked a full year since the tax bracket changes National campaigned on had come into effect. "It's only through a strong economy that wages rise faster than inflation, that Kiwis can get ahead of their daily costs and our businesses can take risks that can mean that they can invest, grow, and create more jobs," he said. He directly targeted National's main rival in opposition. "Other parties in Parliament believe that raising taxes, growing the public sector, and giving more handouts to those who refuse to work is the answer. Taxing more, spending more, and borrowing more as Labour and others advocate for didn't work in the past and it won't work in the future." The government's decision to increase fees paid to board members on Crown entities - in some cases up to 80 percent - may undercut the messaging that National is prioritising low and middle-income New Zealanders' interests. But Luxon today pointed to the building products changes announced over the weekend, and the proposed ban on payment surcharges as recent examples. He then pointed to other items in the government's agenda, including: the current pipeline of infrastructure projects, Roads of National Significance, completing the City Rail Link, signing trade deals with the United Arab Emirates and Gulf Cooperation Council, starting negotiations with India, the digital nomads visa, and the Investment Boost policy. Willis soon picked up the baton, rattling off her own list of changes the government had made which she said had helped lower costs, including: the Family Boost policy, ending the Reserve Bank's secondary mandate to account for unemployment, curbing government spending, changing residential tenancy laws, tax deductability changes for landlords, delaying the previous government's petrol excise increases, scrapping the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax, increasing rates rebates for seniors, increasing Working for Families support, and extending maximum subscription lengths. She said National had campaigned on tackling the cost of living crisis, and pointed to rising GDP per capita and wages rising faster than inflation as a result of the government's interventions. "Taking the pressure off inflation - that is the general level of price increases across the economy - helps with the cost side of the cost-of-living equation. Lower inflation means less pressure on prices... it's pleasing to say that wages are now growing faster than inflation and forecasts show this trend continuing over the next few years." She said the government's tax changes meant "households have benefited by an average of $60 a fortnight". The change to interest deductibility for landlords had helped to take the heat out of the rental market, she said, noting "the 2.6 increase for the year to June was the lowest since 2011". She said the government was also making big structural changes, saying "the last government conclusively proved that band aids are not enough" and pointing to a series of policies yet to come to fruition: the Going for Housing Growth policy, Fast-tracking renewable energy consenting, work to address supermarket competition, and to curb council rates increases. "Economies are like oil tankers, you can't turn them around on a dime. But New Zealand is back on course," Willis said. The lists of government achievements kept coming, with Willis also pointing to: education reform, the investment boost (again), promoting global trade and investment, changes to the research and development sector, and "delivering infrastructure projects faster and better". Meanwhile, a Cabinet Office Circular reveals the government signed off on increases to fees available to board members of Crown entities. This includes increases of 30 percent for Group 2 and 4 boards and Audit and Risk committees, and an increase of 80 percent for Group 3 bodies. Luxon said the public sector director fees "have got completely out of whack compared to private sector fees". "Obviously we will never pay as much as someone in the private sector but when you are spending $32 billion on healthcare for example, it's important that we are actually able to attract really good governors for the Health NZ board, for example," he said. The changes took effect at the start of July.
Scoop
15-07-2025
- General
- Scoop
Endorsement Secured For Karanga-a-Hape Station Project
Press Release – Auckland Transport AT Group Manager Rail Infrastructure Jane Small says AT has listened and responded to feedback from the community. Auckland Transport has found a way forward for plans to improve the area surrounding the new Karanga-a-Hape Station – a key part of the transformational City Rail Link project. It will ensure the thousands of people expected to use the station each day will find the surrounding streets easy, safe and welcoming to move through, while also allowing for future growth and development. The design of the Karanga-a-Hape Station Precinct Integration Project was revisited after an updated plan shared with the the Waitematā Local Board in April 2025 raised some concerns. It led to calls by key stakeholders for AT to reverse proposed design amendments and reinstate certain features. AT Group Manager Rail Infrastructure Jane Small says AT has listened and responded to feedback from the community. ' We take feedback from the community seriously, which is why we took time to revisit the design and engage widely,' she says. 'In a public project like this, it is challenging to satisfy everybody completely. We have worked hard to balance the different perspectives in the local community, and ensure the project aligns with plans and aspirations for Auckland's city centre, maximising the positive impacts of the City Rail Link.' 'The changes more closely mirror an earlier Auckland Transport design which prioritises walking, cycling and pedestrianised areas, while still improving access for service and delivery – retaining loading spaces in areas where we've heard they are important. 'The best part about an engaged community is that we understand the full range of views. There have been a few compromises on some elements, such as keeping the one-way traffic lane on East Street, and on the approach to upper Mercury Lane.' When the City Rail Link opens, the new Karanga-a-Hape Station will become a focal point for public transport. This project delivers both permanent and interim improvements to the streets around the new station making it easier, safer and more welcoming for pedestrians to move through the neighbourhood, while also allowing for future growth and development. The latest recommendations were reached after Auckland Transport undertook another round of engagement with key stakeholders and elected members, including several site visits. Options were assessed to ensure they aligned with strategic plans, including the City Centre Masterplan. 'We'd really like to thank the local residents and businesses for their patience and time as we worked together to find solutions,' Jane Small says. The Waitematā Local Board has now accepted the recommendations which included: Mercury Lane: Upper Mercury Lane will operate as a pedestrian space with vehicle use only permitted for access to buildings on the lane (including e.g. emergency services, residents, maintenance/construction). This will be actioned as a pilot 'traffic filter' scheme for up to two years – with the opportunity for local input before being made permanent. Electronic bollards are being installed that can be lowered by authorised users. Cross Street: retaining the loading spaces required by local businesses but adding footpaths through a boardwalk design, adding further traffic calming at the Upper Queen Street entrance, adding more lighting, and replacing some paid parking spaces with loading spaces at the eastern end of the street. East Street: retaining the existing bi-directional cycleway and the single-lane northbound for vehicles, with devices to prevent vehicle use of the cycleway, and retaining the raised table pedestrian crossing linking to the new station access laneway. Notes: The Karanga-a-Hape Station Precinct Integration Project was initiated in 2022. Other streets in the project remain unchanged including cycleways on Canada Street, Mercury Lane and Pitt Street, footpath improvements, and new bus lanes on Pitt Street. Construction is already underway on a number of these improvements with all changes set to be completed before the City Rail Link opens. AT will continue to work with the local community, with opportunities to make further changes in the future likely, as the area around Karanga-a-Hape Station continues to grow and develop. The Karanga-a-Hape Station Precinct Integration Project aims to: Make it easier, safer and more intuitive for people to move through the neighbourhood on foot, especially when using the new station entrances Connect people arriving in the neighbourhood by bike to existing cycling facilities Improve connections between buses and trains Provide better connections for users with accessibility needs The full report and recommendations can be found here About the City Rail Link The City Rail Link is the biggest and most transformational rapid transit development for Tamaki Makaurau. When it's finished Auckland will have a better, more connected transport system, making it easier to connect with people and places. Alongside increasing the number and frequency of services across the rail network, it will also improve access to the city centre via its new and redeveloped stations. There will be big cuts in journey times, trains every 5-8 minutes at peak across most of the network, more reliable trains and new easier connections – for example direct services from west to east Auckland and simple transfers to busways. It includes underground rail tunnels up to 42 metres below the city, which connect downtown's Waitematā Station (Britomart) with the Western Line at the new Mangawhau Station (formerly Mt Eden). Before the City Rail Link can open in 2026, there is a lot of work to do across the wider Auckland rail network to get it ready. This includes KiwiRail's Rail Network Rebuild, integrating, testing and commissioning of new systems and all of the work AT is doing to be ready to provide a great customer service – from developing new timetables and driver training to safety assurances and practicing running the new timetable. Bus services are being significantly improved to increase connections to the CRL and this will mean better connections across the city, including to other rapid transit like busways.
Scoop
15-07-2025
- General
- Scoop
Endorsement Secured For Karanga-a-Hape Station Project
Auckland Transport has found a way forward for plans to improve the area surrounding the new Karanga-a-Hape Station – a key part of the transformational City Rail Link project. It will ensure the thousands of people expected to use the station each day will find the surrounding streets easy, safe and welcoming to move through, while also allowing for future growth and development. The design of the Karanga-a-Hape Station Precinct Integration Project was revisited after an updated plan shared with the the Waitematā Local Board in April 2025 raised some concerns. It led to calls by key stakeholders for AT to reverse proposed design amendments and reinstate certain features. AT Group Manager Rail Infrastructure Jane Small says AT has listened and responded to feedback from the community. ' We take feedback from the community seriously, which is why we took time to revisit the design and engage widely,' she says. 'In a public project like this, it is challenging to satisfy everybody completely. We have worked hard to balance the different perspectives in the local community, and ensure the project aligns with plans and aspirations for Auckland's city centre, maximising the positive impacts of the City Rail Link.' Advertisement - scroll to continue reading 'The changes more closely mirror an earlier Auckland Transport design which prioritises walking, cycling and pedestrianised areas, while still improving access for service and delivery – retaining loading spaces in areas where we've heard they are important. 'The best part about an engaged community is that we understand the full range of views. There have been a few compromises on some elements, such as keeping the one-way traffic lane on East Street, and on the approach to upper Mercury Lane.' When the City Rail Link opens, the new Karanga-a-Hape Station will become a focal point for public transport. This project delivers both permanent and interim improvements to the streets around the new station making it easier, safer and more welcoming for pedestrians to move through the neighbourhood, while also allowing for future growth and development. The latest recommendations were reached after Auckland Transport undertook another round of engagement with key stakeholders and elected members, including several site visits. Options were assessed to ensure they aligned with strategic plans, including the City Centre Masterplan. 'We'd really like to thank the local residents and businesses for their patience and time as we worked together to find solutions,' Jane Small says. The Waitematā Local Board has now accepted the recommendations which included: Mercury Lane: Upper Mercury Lane will operate as a pedestrian space with vehicle use only permitted for access to buildings on the lane (including e.g. emergency services, residents, maintenance/construction). This will be actioned as a pilot 'traffic filter' scheme for up to two years – with the opportunity for local input before being made permanent. Electronic bollards are being installed that can be lowered by authorised users. Cross Street: retaining the loading spaces required by local businesses but adding footpaths through a boardwalk design, adding further traffic calming at the Upper Queen Street entrance, adding more lighting, and replacing some paid parking spaces with loading spaces at the eastern end of the street. East Street: retaining the existing bi-directional cycleway and the single-lane northbound for vehicles, with devices to prevent vehicle use of the cycleway, and retaining the raised table pedestrian crossing linking to the new station access laneway. Notes: The Karanga-a-Hape Station Precinct Integration Project was initiated in 2022. Other streets in the project remain unchanged including cycleways on Canada Street, Mercury Lane and Pitt Street, footpath improvements, and new bus lanes on Pitt Street. Construction is already underway on a number of these improvements with all changes set to be completed before the City Rail Link opens. AT will continue to work with the local community, with opportunities to make further changes in the future likely, as the area around Karanga-a-Hape Station continues to grow and develop. The Karanga-a-Hape Station Precinct Integration Project aims to: Make it easier, safer and more intuitive for people to move through the neighbourhood on foot, especially when using the new station entrances Connect people arriving in the neighbourhood by bike to existing cycling facilities Improve connections between buses and trains Provide better connections for users with accessibility needs The full report and recommendations can be found here About the City Rail Link The City Rail Link is the biggest and most transformational rapid transit development for Tamaki Makaurau. When it's finished Auckland will have a better, more connected transport system, making it easier to connect with people and places. Alongside increasing the number and frequency of services across the rail network, it will also improve access to the city centre via its new and redeveloped stations. There will be big cuts in journey times, trains every 5-8 minutes at peak across most of the network, more reliable trains and new easier connections – for example direct services from west to east Auckland and simple transfers to busways. It includes underground rail tunnels up to 42 metres below the city, which connect downtown's Waitematā Station (Britomart) with the Western Line at the new Mangawhau Station (formerly Mt Eden). Before the City Rail Link can open in 2026, there is a lot of work to do across the wider Auckland rail network to get it ready. This includes KiwiRail's Rail Network Rebuild, integrating, testing and commissioning of new systems and all of the work AT is doing to be ready to provide a great customer service – from developing new timetables and driver training to safety assurances and practicing running the new timetable. Bus services are being significantly improved to increase connections to the CRL and this will mean better connections across the city, including to other rapid transit like busways.
Scoop
13-07-2025
- Scoop
Auckland Trains Up And Running After Winter Upgrade
Monday, 14 July 2025, 10:53 am Press Release: KiwiRail Another successful partial rail closure complete as network readies for CRL . Auckland rail services are back up and running following a successful partial closure to progress significant upgrades across the metro network in preparation for the City Rail Link (CRL) opening in 2026. Around 400 team members worked night and day over the school holidays to upgrade and renew rail infrastructure at priority locations on Auckland's railway system. KiwiRail and our partners used the partial closure, which affected passengers on the Southern Line south of Puhinui, to continue to prepare the network for the more frequent trains the CRL will bring to the region. 'KiwiRail teams worked at more than a dozen sites in locations such as Homai, Te Mahia, and Takanini stations in south Auckland to rebuild foundations under rail lines and install new drainage,' said Dave Gordon, KiwiRail Chief Metro and Capital Programme Officer. 'KiwiRail would like to thank our neighbours living near these locations for their understanding as we undertake this critical 24/7 work. 'Our thanks also extend to the travelling public for their flexibility during this year's series of full and partial rail closures. When trains aren't running on parts of the network, our teams can remove the rail and sleepers and do the substantive work to the foundations and drainage which gives confidence that the network can support the additional trains CRL will enable.' CRL will mean more train services across Auckland – not just the city centre – and shorter journey times. Upgrades and renewals are happening at priority areas across the rail network to get it ready for this change in 2026. KiwiRail's Rail Network Rebuild (RNR) programme to upgrade and renew rail foundations and drainage is in its final stages. RNR work will continue for priority areas throughout the September/October school holidays, alongside some weekend work starting later this month in suburbs including Parnell and Newmarket. Other work happening across the network includes cable and fibre installations, signalling upgrades, level crossing investigation work and the ongoing construction of the new Drury stations. KiwiRail is continuing to upgrade drainage around Henderson Station in west Auckland so it can install new tracks and extend the platform before CRL opens next year. Auckland Transport has recently finished its project to install new lifts and escalators in the station. More information about the range of rail improvement work in Auckland is available at: Where KiwiRail is working For more information on where KiwiRail is working, clickhere: Notes: The City Rail Link will bring Auckland closer together · City Rail Link will double the number of Aucklanders within a 30-minute train journey to the central city and increase rail capacity by at least 50 per cent on its opening day. · It will also significantly cut journey times – for example Henderson to the city centre in just 35 minutes (save 24 minutes). Another example is Maungawhau Station (formerly Mt Eden) to Waitematā (Britomart) in under 10 minutes, which is about half the current time. · Trains will run more frequently - every four minutes through the central city, every six minutes at least from all stations north of Puhinui on the Southern and Eastern Lines, every 8 minutes on the Western Line from Henderson and every 10 from Pukekohe. © Scoop Media
NZ Herald
09-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Richard Hills: More housing is not just about the City Rail Link but also floods
Auckland will build more homes near trains and fewer in flood-prone areas under a new housing plan. Photo / 123rf THE FACTS Auckland is not the same city it was five years ago. We've faced major floods that caused significant damage to private and public property and infrastructure, rising housing demand, and next year the City Rail Link – our biggest ever infrastructure project – will open, transforming how people
