Latest news with #WakaKotahiNZTransportAgency
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Rates Rise Trimmed To 5.8% For Canterbury Ratepayers
Canterbury ratepayers are set to get some relief, with the regional council slashing its proposed average rate rise to 5.8 percent. Environment Canterbury consulted on an average rate rise of 9.9 percent, after signalling a rates hike of 15.5 percent in last year's 2024/34 Long Term Plan. But staff found further savings, following cuts to public transport funding, allowing councillors to endorse a revised rate rise of 5.8 percent during annual plan deliberations on Tuesday, May 28. The council has been under pressure from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to increase bus fares, with less funding available for public transport. Chairperson Craig Pauling said the annual plan had produced a good outcome for the region. ''I was pleased with council's detailed and good-spirited debate, and our consistent focus on strategic outcomes for Waitaha. ''We don't always get the things we want, and some of the decisions we had to make were unfortunately the result of changing government policies and investment priorities. ''But I feel we've landed in a good place for the region.'' Pauling said public transport, river resilience and biodiversity remained priorities for the council, despite the pressures of the economic climate and changing government policy. The council was forced to rethink its investment in public transport due to reduced funding from central government. As signalled in the consultation, bus fares will increase, with the flat fare trial coming to an end in February next year. Standard adult fares will increase from $2 to $3 from July, with increases for child fares, total mobility card holders and community service card holders. A two-zone fare structure in be introduced in February, with Waimakariri and Selwyn bus users paying $3 to travel within their own own district and $4 to travel into Christchurch. A proposed two-year trial to establish a third zone linking Darfield, Kirwee and West Melton with Rolleston was dropped following submissions. Councillor John Sunckell proposed the council go ahead with the trial, funding $150,000 a year from reserves to reduce the targeted rate. But staff noted it was not eligible for NZTA funding and proposed investigating further support for the Malvern Community Vehicle Trust. The council will meet again on June 25 to adopt the annual plan.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Scoop
Local Community Unites Against Speed Limit Increase On Killer Stretch Of SH1
Press Release – Ngati Tukorehe Kuku, Horowhenua — Local iwi, whānau, and residents from Kuku and Manakau are standing in strong opposition to the decision to raise the speed limit from 80 km/h to 100 km/h on a hazardous section of State Highway 1. This stretch runs directly past Ngāti Wehi Wehi Marae, Ngāti Tukorehe Marae, a Kōhanga Reo, and sacred urupā. The decision, made without meaningful consultation with mana whenua or the local community, has sparked widespread concern for the safety of tamariki, kaumātua, and all who travel this road daily. 'This is not just a road — it's part of our whakapapa,' said Catherine Manning, a local resident and whānau member of Ngāti Tukorehe Marae. 'Our marae are sacred. Our children walk this road to learn and grow. Increasing the speed here is reckless and disrespectful.' Community members have voiced their fears: 'I've seen too many close calls outside the Kōhanga,' said Whaea Paddy Jacobs. 'Cars already fly past — and now they want to make it legal to go even faster? It's terrifying.' 'We've buried people because of this road,' said Whaea Yvonne Wehipeihana Wilson, a long-time Kuku resident. 'We don't want to bury any more. This decision puts lives at risk.' 'We hear the screech of brakes almost every week,' added Catherine Manning. 'We teach our tamariki to be careful — but who's teaching the drivers to slow down?' According to the Ministry of Transport, 94 deaths in 2023 were linked to speed-related crashes across Aotearoa. The Horowhenua District — including the Kuku to Manakau corridor — has been identified as a high-risk area for serious and fatal crashes, particularly on rural state highways. Residents report that this section of SH1 is poorly lit, lacks safe pedestrian crossings, and is heavily used by tamariki and kaumātua accessing the marae and Kōhanga Reo. The community is calling on Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and local authorities to: • Immediately reverse the decision to increase the speed limit • Engage in genuine consultation with mana whenua and local residents. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency recently held a survey with the wider New Zealand public which guaranteed local voices were silenced and local impacts were ignored. Public Protest Planned A peaceful protest will be held on Monday, 2 June 2025, on the section of State Highway 1 between Ngāti Tukorehe Marae and Ngāti Wehi Wehi Marae.
Scoop
7 days ago
- Scoop
Local Community Unites Against Speed Limit Increase On Killer Stretch Of SH1
Kuku, Horowhenua — Local iwi, whānau, and residents from Kuku and Manakau are standing in strong opposition to the decision to raise the speed limit from 80 km/h to 100 km/h on a hazardous section of State Highway 1. This stretch runs directly past Ngāti Wehi Wehi Marae, Ngāti Tukorehe Marae, a Kōhanga Reo, and sacred urupā. The decision, made without meaningful consultation with mana whenua or the local community, has sparked widespread concern for the safety of tamariki, kaumātua, and all who travel this road daily. 'This is not just a road — it's part of our whakapapa,' said Catherine Manning, a local resident and whānau member of Ngāti Tukorehe Marae. 'Our marae are sacred. Our children walk this road to learn and grow. Increasing the speed here is reckless and disrespectful.' Community members have voiced their fears: 'I've seen too many close calls outside the Kōhanga,' said Whaea Paddy Jacobs. 'Cars already fly past — and now they want to make it legal to go even faster? It's terrifying.' 'We've buried people because of this road,' said Whaea Yvonne Wehipeihana Wilson, a long-time Kuku resident. 'We don't want to bury any more. This decision puts lives at risk.' 'We hear the screech of brakes almost every week,' added Catherine Manning. 'We teach our tamariki to be careful — but who's teaching the drivers to slow down?' According to the Ministry of Transport, 94 deaths in 2023 were linked to speed-related crashes across Aotearoa. The Horowhenua District — including the Kuku to Manakau corridor — has been identified as a high-risk area for serious and fatal crashes, particularly on rural state highways. Residents report that this section of SH1 is poorly lit, lacks safe pedestrian crossings, and is heavily used by tamariki and kaumātua accessing the marae and Kōhanga Reo. The community is calling on Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and local authorities to: • Immediately reverse the decision to increase the speed limit • Engage in genuine consultation with mana whenua and local residents. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency recently held a survey with the wider New Zealand public which guaranteed local voices were silenced and local impacts were ignored. Public Protest Planned A peaceful protest will be held on Monday, 2 June 2025, on the section of State Highway 1 between Ngāti Tukorehe Marae and Ngāti Wehi Wehi Marae.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Auckland's Northern Gateway toll road to increase speed limit to 110km/h
The speed limit on a 5.5-kilometer stretch of State Highway 1 (SH1) north of Auckland will increase from 100km/h to 110km/h from Monday(May 26). This change applies to the Northern Gateway Toll Road, spanning from north of Ōrewa to just south of the Johnstone's Hill Tunnels. Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced the change, emphasizing the government's focus on economic growth and productivity. 'With around 11,000 vehicles per day travelling on the Northern Gateway, 9 per cent of that being heavy vehicles, the new higher speed limit of 110km/h will help ensure people and freight can get to where they need to go, quickly and safely,' Bishop stated. Also Read: Gisborne: How New Zealand's most isolated spot became its priciest rental market, costing a fortune Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Rates Undo The decision follows a public consultation conducted by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency from September 3 to October 1, 2024. The agency received over 7,900 submissions, with 93 percent supporting the speed limit increase and 91 percent expressing strong support. The Northern Gateway Toll Road was designed with high safety standards, including two lanes in each direction, physical median barriers, and a wide, mostly straight alignment. Additional safety improvements are being considered over the next 12 to 18 months. Live Events However, the speed limit through the Johnstone's Hill Tunnels will remain at 80km/h due to the different safety risks posed by the enclosed environment. Police will enforce the new speed limit as they do on other roads, with patrols expected "anywhere, at any time," according to Bishop. The Northern Gateway Toll Road is a crucial corridor connecting Auckland and Northland, serving both the freight and tourism sectors. The speed limit increase is part of the government's broader efforts to enhance transportation efficiency and support economic development.
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Scoop
Bikes Are Back On Canterbury Buses
A bike ban on buses in the Greater Christchurch area will be fully lifted from Monday, May 12. Environment Canterbury (ECan) chairperson Craig Pauling said council staff have been working with operators and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to resolve the issue since the ban was imposed in November. It means commuters on all Metro buses in Christchurch and surrounding towns including Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend, Pegasus, Rolleston and Lincoln, can ride on the bus with their bikes on the front mounted cycle racks. The ban had followed a safety notice from NZTA, after the agency found the way some front mounted bike racks were fitted could partially obscure headlights. The ban was relaxed last month to allow bikes on the front of buses during daytime hours. Operators have installed additional lights on the buses to ensure they provide the necessary visibility. ''We are so pleased to be able to offer this service fully to our community again,'' Mr Pauling said. He said operators and council staff had spent several days and nights testing lights to come up with a solution. ''It has been no small feat.'' ECan said it has been working to make public transport more accessible, as demand continues to grow. Last week (April 29) it announced it had added five new electric buses to its number 7 (Queenspark to Halswell) route to increase bus frequency to every 10 minutes during the day. It followed service increases to the Orbiter and number 3 (Airport to Sumner) routes. The council also has plans to add buses to the number 1 (Rangiora to Cashmere) and number 5 (Rolleston to New Brighton) routes, as funding allows. Pets on buses is also being considered, and rail remains on the agenda as part of the new Canterbury Public Transport Plan, which ECan is due to adopt later this month. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
