Portfolio: Transport

Minister welcomes Manawatu Gorge re-opening

Beehive — Thu, 31 May 2012 04:59:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has applauded the hard work done over the past nine months which has seen the Manawatu Gorge reopen today, albeit with a limited one way service. “I very much appreciate the efforts of lead contractor Higgins and all their sub-contractors who have been working day and night to clear the largest road slip we’ve ever seen in the country’s history,” Mr Brownlee said. “Today’s re-opening is good news for motorists, especially coming in time for Queen’s Birthday weekend. ...

High-risk drivers remain a road safety concern

Admin — Sun, 27 May 2012 22:03:00 +0000

Simon Bridges | Transport

The latest report on the impact of high risk drivers shows these drivers remain a major worry on our roads, Associate Transport Minister Simon Bridges says at the launch of a ‘Ghost Chips’ billboard at Western Heights High School in Rotorua today. ...

Government transport investment continues

Admin — Thu, 24 May 2012 02:35:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Budget 2012

KiwiRail will receive $250 million of capital in 2012/13 for its Turnaround Plan to help the rail freight business become sustainable, Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says. The Budget 2012 appropriation is the final round of a three-year $750 million Government funding package supporting the objectives of KiwiRail’s Turnaround Plan. “The plan is designed to help the rail freight business become sustainable by 2020 so it can fund its business solely from customer revenue. ...

Road Maintenance Task Force reports

Admin — Tue, 22 May 2012 00:55:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed the release today of an interim report from the cross-sector Road Maintenance Task Force. The Government set up the task force in July last year to drive value for money and seek opportunities to reduce costs for road controlling authorities around the country. Task force membership is drawn from the NZ Transport Agency, Local Government New Zealand, Roading New Zealand, road controlling authorities, the NZ Contractors’ Federation and the Association of Consulting Engineers NZ. ...

Air transport policy review underway

Beehive — Mon, 21 May 2012 03:16:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has released a discussion document on New Zealand’s International Air Transport Policy, proposing changes to benefit the New Zealand economy. “New Zealand’s international air transport policy sets out the overall framework for how we negotiate and implement air services agreements with other countries and is a vital part of enabling economic growth,” Mr Brownlee said. ...

Safety key in SH2 Muldoon’s corner completion

Beehive — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:10:00 +0000

Simon Bridges | Transport

The completion of the SH2 Muldoon’s corner easing project near the summit of Rimutaka Hill in Wellington represents another improvement in the safety and efficiency of the country’s main transport routes, Associate Transport Minister Simon Bridges said at the completion celebration event today. ...

Safety key in SH2 Muldoon’s corner completion

Admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:18:00 +0000

Simon Bridges | Transport

One year into Decade of Action for Road Safety

Admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:20:00 +0000

Simon Bridges | Transport

One year into the Decade of Action for Road Safety, there is still much to be done to reduce the rate of death and injury on our roads says Associate Transport Minister Simon Bridges. “Last year, New Zealand was the first country in the world to mark the United Nations and World Health Organisation’s call on May 11 for a Decade of Action for Road Safety. We have made great strides in reducing deaths on our roads but we still rank below many other developed countries and there is more we can do,” says Mr Bridges. ...

Review shows drug driving law working well

Beehive — Tue, 08 May 2012 04:50:00 +0000

Simon Bridges | Transport

The current drug testing regime for drivers will not be changed, Associate Transport Minster Simon Bridges has announced following a Government review of the law. Mr Bridges says there is good evidence that the current regime is working well. “Over 500 drivers have tested positive for at least one drug in the two years since the regime began. The law is helping take these people off the roads, and reducing the risk they pose to themselves and other road users.” ...

Govt welcomes Transmission Gully draft decision

Beehive — Fri, 04 May 2012 05:45:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Transport

Acting Transport Minister Steven Joyce today welcomed the draft approval of Transmission Gully by an independent Board of Inquiry under the Government’s national consenting process with the Environmental Protection Authority. “The Board of Inquiry's draft decision to approve the regulatory consents applications for the nearly $1 billion Transmission Gully project is a very good step forward,” Mr Joyce says. ...

Record low April road toll

Beehive — Tue, 01 May 2012 03:03:00 +0000

Simon Bridges | Transport

Associate Transport Minister Simon Bridges says a record low April road toll is an encouraging result, but there is still a need for progress on improving road safety. Provisional figures show that April 2012 had a road toll of 12 road deaths, the lowest for any calendar month for any year since 1965, when monthly records started. The previous lowest monthly figure was 16 road deaths for February 2012. “This is an encouraging result, but still too many people are being killed and injured on our roads, and it will be little comfort to their families and loved ones. ...

National Airspace Policy released

Admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:55:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says a new national airspace policy will give the aviation industry clarity on future development and modernisation of the country’s airspace. “This updated policy will future proof the airspace and air navigation system to ensure the safe and efficient movement of air traffic,” Mr Brownlee says. ...

Proposed changes to agricultural vehicle rules

Beehive — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:19:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee is inviting the agricultural sector to have its say on proposed changes to transport regulation for agricultural vehicles. “Last year the government announced the need to ensure these rules were protecting safety without imposing unnecessary red tape,” Mr Brownlee said. ...

Proposed changes to vehicle emissions rules

Beehive — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 01:25:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced plans to update the rules setting emissions standards for vehicles entering New Zealand. Proposed changes to the 2007 Vehicle Exhaust Emissions Rule will ensure that New Zealand continues to import new vehicles built to the highest available exhaust emissions standards. Current standards for used vehicles would remain in place. ...

Agreement will allow flights between New Zealand and China to triple

Beehive — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:21:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says a new understanding between China and New Zealand triples the number of passenger flights that may be operated between the two countries. The understanding comes following a visit to New Zealand from His Excellency Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. ...

Drivers thanked for safe Easter weekend

Admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 23:53:00 +0000

Simon Bridges | Transport

Associate Transport Minister Simon Bridges is thanking Kiwi drivers for helping to achieve an historic fatality-free Easter Weekend on New Zealand roads. "For the first time since authorities began keeping records in 1956, the Easter weekend has finished up with no road deaths. Police have reported that by and large drivers have been patient and courteous, keeping their speeds down and just taking their time to get to and from their destinations safely. ...

Please drive safely this Easter

Admin — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 23:09:00 +0000

Simon Bridges | Transport

Associate Transport Minister Simon Bridges urges everyone to drive safely during the Easter holidays. “Easter is one of the busiest holiday weekends in terms of traffic on our roads. “Let’s stay focused, drive to the conditions and be aware of the risks that driver fatigue and distraction can cause,” Mr Bridges said. ...

New framework for bus and ferry public transport

Admin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 23:02:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

A new framework delivering better value for money from bus and ferry services has been approved by Cabinet, Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced. The Public Transport Operating Model will enable regional councils and public transport operators to develop a public-private partnership to improve the delivery of public transport services through collaborative planning and investment. ...

Vehicle Licensing Reform for value for money

Admin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 01:10:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Reform to deliver a simpler and more efficient vehicle licensing system has been announced by Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee. The Vehicle Licensing Reform project, jointly led by the Ministry of Transport and the NZ Transport Agency will examine: ...

Minister launches new capital trains

Admin — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 22:01:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has today launched the first of six new two-car trains for Wellington’s Johnsonville line. “Today’s launch of the Matangi trains represents another chapter in the significant investment in the Wellington metropolitan rail network and is testament to the cooperation of local and central government,” says Mr Brownlee. ...

Minister urges Kiwis to learn give way rule changes

Admin — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:47:00 +0000

Chris Tremain | Transport

Associate Transport Minister Chris Tremain is urging Kiwis to make sure they understand planned changes to two of the give way rules before they come into force on 25 March. ...

Government welcomes interim Rena report

Admin — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:46:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed this morning’s release of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission’s interim report of its independent inquiry into the grounding of the container ship Rena on Astrolabe Reef on 5 October 2011. “Today’s report shows good progress is being made investigating how this accident occurred. “It establishes some verified facts that will enlighten ongoing investigations,” Mr Brownlee said. ...

New air services arrangements with Japan

Beehive — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:24:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says new air services arrangements with Japan build on the already strong relationship between the two countries. “The arrangements New Zealand and Japan have negotiated will remove many of the current restrictions on services by the airlines of the two countries,” says Mr Brownlee. “New Zealand has close ties with Japan, and it is an important trading partner. This should help strengthen these links, by making it easier for the airlines of the two countries to introduce new services.” ...

Road User Charges legislation passes

Admin — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:26:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport legislation to modernise and simplify the road user charges (RUC) system has passed in Parliament. Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee said the Road User Charges Bill 2010 will reduce compliance costs for transport operators and ultimately reduce transport costs for businesses and exporters. “This Bill represents the most significant reform of the RUC system since it was introduced in 1978,” Mr Brownlee said. ...

Drive safe this Waitangi weekend

Beehive — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:22:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee is calling for people to take care and drive safely this long weekend. "Many New Zealanders will want to take advantage of this long weekend and head away. It's important to drive to the conditions, check vehicles before setting off, use patience, and avoid taking risks," says Mr Brownlee. “Police will be lowering speed tolerances for the month, sending a very clear message that unsafe speeds are not acceptable. I urge people to heed this message. ...

Govt offers condolences after tragic balloon crash

Beehive — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 23:45:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has expressed his condolences on behalf of the Government to the families and loved ones of the 11 people who lost their lives in a hot air ballooning tragedy near Carterton in the Wairarapa this morning. “We are deeply sorry to learn of this tragic accident and our hearts go out to those who are now mourning the loss of life,” Mr Brownlee said. “The accident will be thoroughly investigated by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission, the Civil Aviation Authority and Police on behalf of the Coroner.” ...

High holiday road toll disappointing

Beehive — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 22:11:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says the high holiday road toll is disappointing and it confirms the need to remain vigilant in efforts to improve safety on our roads. 18 people died on the roads during the official holiday driving period which ran from 4pm on December 23 to 6am this morning. During the same period last year 12 people were killed, while in 2009/10 13 people died. “This is a disappointing result. Every fatality and serious injury is a tragedy for the families and loved ones of those involved,” Mr Brownlee says. ...

Record low 2011 road toll but more to be done

Beehive — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:08:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Police

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee and Police Minister Anne Tolley say the record low 2011 road toll of 284 is encouraging but they are urging road users to remain vigilant in keeping the road toll down. The provisional 2011 toll compares with 375 in 2010, 384 in 2009 and 366 in 2008. The last time the road toll was below 300 was in 1952 when 272 people died. The Ministers say that the current holiday road toll illustrates why there is no room for complacency. ...

Stay safe on the roads these summer holidays

Beehive — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 23:42:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee is urging road users to do their bit to be safe on the roads these holidays. “We are currently on target for one of the lowest annual road tolls in 50 years. More lives are being saved and injuries prevented but every road user must continue to take personal responsibility on the roads to stay safe,” Mr Brownlee said. “The NZ Transport Agency and Police will be working hard to keep the traffic flowing and help to make your trip a safe one. “I urge road users to work with them and drive responsibly.” ...