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Building change for disabled New Zealanders

Source: New Zealand Government

Recognising International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Minister Louise Upston has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to breaking down barriers and improving the lives of disabled people.

The worldwide theme for 2025 is Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress, which Louise Upston says the New Zealand Government endorses. 

“We know disabled people want to participate in their communities, to make decisions themselves and to thrive,” Louise Upston says.

“While there is still plenty of work to do, progress has been made this year. Today, it’s particularly important to recognise the commitment of the disability community in achieving these goals.  

“Strongly framed on consultation with the community, just yesterday we launched the refreshed New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026–2030, an action-focused plan designed to deliver real results for disabled New Zealanders and their families.

“This strategy sets out actions across five priority areas – education, employment, health, housing, and justice – to tackle the factors contributing to disadvantages many disabled people and their households continue to face.

“There are other important Government steps taken this year as well, including:

  • In Education, delivery of the most significant investment in learning support in a generation, including an extension of the Early Intervention Service
  • Consultation getting underway on a new Carers’ Strategy Action Plan, focusing on recognition, health and wellbeing, and financial security for carers
  • Changes to Disability Support Services taking effect from February 2026, giving people more choice and control over their flexible funding and ensuring fair, consistent assessments nationwide, with carers’ needs also being considered
  • Boosted funding for improved residential care facilities of $240 million to ensure 89 residential care providers are better supported
  • Increased Disability Support Services funding for residential care of $60 million each year over the next four years – bringing the total new investment to over $ 1 billion annually

“Our Government is committed to building a disability system that is fair, consistent, transparent and sustainable,” Louise Upston says.

“Today I also want to recognise and say thank you to families, whānau, and everyone in the sector for the vital roles they play in supporting disabled New Zealanders.”

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‘Stay on track’ at Aoraki/Mount Cook

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  03 December 2025

DOC is installing security cameras to try and deter visitors from accessing closed sections of the popular Hooker Valley Track where a new suspension bridge is being constructed, after repeated incidents of people breaching closed areas.

Staff and contractors working on the new 189-metre suspension bridge are seeing visitors repeatedly ignoring safety barriers and gates restricting access to the upper section of the track, sometimes 15-20 people a day. The site is a construction zone with explosive work being carried out, the use of heavy machinery as well as helicopters flying materials in.

Contractors working on the new bridge are having to ‘down tools’ to tell people to leave the site, disrupting their work. On one recent occasion, they had to stop a helicopter concrete pour to tell walkers to leave the area.

DOC Operations Manager for Aoraki/Mount Cook, Sally Jones, says there are signs at the Whitehorse Hill car park, and on the track warning people not to go past barriers, and yet some visitors are ignoring them, and pleading ignorance when approached.

“People are taking real risks by climbing fences, and in some cases, even attempting to cross the Hooker River – its bloody freezing let alone fast and furious! They’re doing this all to get to the closed Hooker Bridge which is not safe.”

Sally says there has been more erosion of the riverbank holding the piles for the old bridge, further increasing risk of its failure.

“People are putting their lives at risk. We all want the new suspension bridge on the Hooker Track open as soon as possible, and the construction workers need to be able to get on with the job without having to worry about the public.”

Sally Jones says as it’s a restricted access site, trespass notices may be issued.

“We just want visitors to respect the information we are giving them. Staying on tracks in general is important as our environment can be very challenging and we want people to have a safe trip.

“We sometimes see visitors putting themselves at risk to get that one photo, near a drop-off or way off track. People can also trample over the unique and precious alpine vegetation and don’t seem to notice what they are destroying.

“Naturing means respecting and valuing the uniqueness of what we have here, while also having a great visitor experience.”

Sally Jones says as well as the bridge construction, there are several other operations being carried out in the park this summer including a Te Manahuna Aoraki Project (TMAP) and ZIP (Zero Invasive Predators) pest elimination operation which will involve temporary closures of the Tasman Valley Road and lower Hooker Track from the first suspension bridge while the aerial operations are carried out.

“We want to ensure there is minimal disruption to people’s plans. To keep up to date with alerts, please check the Aoraki/Mount Cook section of the DOC website. There are plenty of other walks in the park which have spectacular views of Aoraki including Kea Point, Sealy Tarns and lovely nature walks like through Bowen Bush and the Governors Bush walk.”

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

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Strengthening the immigration system

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government’s continuing to strengthen and build trust in New Zealand’s immigration system with the Immigration (Fiscal Sustainability and System Integrity) Amendment Bill passing its third reading in Parliament. 

“New Zealanders deserve an immigration system that is fit for purpose and responsive to risk. This Bill delivers that by strengthening the integrity and flexibility of our settings and puts independent review recommendations into action like introducing safeguards for vulnerable people. It also improves risk and protection settings, and enables costs to be shared more equitably across the system,” Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says.

The Bill deters exploitation by creating a new offence for knowingly seeking or receiving premiums for employment, whether in New Zealand or offshore, with penalties of up to seven years’ imprisonment or a $100,000 fine. It creates a higher bar for the detention of asylum seekers and establishes a new framework for electronic monitoring as a less restrictive option to detention

“The Bill also makes it clear a discharge without conviction will no longer allow residence class visa holders who commit crimes to avoid consideration for deportation. It will mean that residents are on the same footing as New Zealand citizens and can no longer make arguments that potential immigration outcomes mean they should avoid conviction and sentence.”

Other changes include:

  • Improving fiscal sustainability by enabling a broader levy base so costs are shared more fairly across users of the immigration system.
  • Requiring judicial warrants for out-of-hours compliance visits.
  • Introducing additional safeguards for asylum seekers subject to warrants of commitment.
  • Clarifying deportation liability for residence class visa holders who plead guilty or are found guilty of an offence.
  • Introducing a power to cancel residence class visas of individuals who pose a threat or risk to security but cannot currently be deported because of a credible chance they would be tortured.
  • Enhancing responsiveness by enabling flexible powers to respond to unusual events, like natural disasters.

“These changes better balance the integrity of our system with the rights of individuals. This Government is focused on delivering smart and responsive solutions, so we have an immigration system that delivers certainty and stability for New Zealanders and those who wish to come here,” Ms Stanford says

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Nudibranchs: sea slugs of the Hauraki Gulf

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Here in Aotearoa, we punch well above our weight when it comes to sea slugs. We’ve got around 130 species cruising our coastlines — some are found nowhere else on Earth, others we share with our mates across the ditch in eastern Australia and the wider south-west Pacific.

Most of our locals come from a sub-group called nudibranchs (said nudi-brank), which literally means “naked gills”. Charming name, right? But don’t worry — it’s not as weird as it sounds. These are the colourful, frilly, show-off sea slugs you often see in ocean photos, and these are the ones we’re going to talk about.

In the Hauraki Gulf alone you can spot a whole cast of characters here’s just some of them and where you can find them this summer.

An example of the image that accompanies each sea slug description on the NIWA Super Sea Slug e-guide, including information on the species classification, taxonomic name and quick id icons. This example features the Tambja verconis nudibranch.
📷: NIWA

Head north or south of Long Bay and you’ll hit rocky reefs perfect for a low-tide rock-pool mission or a snorkel when the tide comes in. These ledges and overhangs are hotspots for colourful nudibranchs snacking on sponges, bryozoans, and tiny corals.

While nudibranchs are easier to spot underwater, one local favourite — the gem doris (Dendrodoris krusensternii) — sometimes shows up in the rock pools. Often called New Zealand’s “loveliest nudibranch”, it grows up to 70mm and sports a fawn-grey body with jelly-like bumps and bold chocolate-brown and peacock-blue patterns.

Its eating style is just as dramatic: it dissolves its sponge food with enzyme-packed saliva, then slurps the whole thing up. Classy? Not really. Fascinating? Absolutely.

The gem doris (Dendrodoris krusensternii) beautifully blends into the sponges, corals and bryozoans of its environment, Super Sea Slug e-guide.
📷: NIWA

Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve

No Auckland summer is complete without a snorkel at Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve (Goat Island) near Leigh. Alongside the gem doris, you might spot the cheeky little clown nudibranch (Ceratosoma amoenum), only 20–40mm but impossible to miss with its bright orange spots.

It sports purple, antler-like rhinophores for sniffing out food, and a feathery purple gill tuft at the back. These little guys love hanging out on sponges, which they not only munch on but also turn into a defence weapon — storing the sponge’s toxins in their glands to keep predators at bay. Tiny, colourful, and armed: not your average sea slug.

Gem doris (Dendrodoris krusensternii).
📷: NIWA

Marine reserves are fully protected areas, from the sea surface right down to the seafloor. Everything’s off-limits — no taking fish, shells, rocks, or even driftwood.

That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them, though. Swimming, snorkelling, boating, and diving are all fair game, as long as you leave the marine life exactly where you found it.

New protections for the Hauraki Gulf include extensions to two marine reserves.

Cape Rodney-Okakari Point (Goat Island) Marine Reserve: Nearly quadrupling its size, this expansion would better protect species like blue maomao and snapper.

Te Whanganui-o-Hei/Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve: More than doubling in size, the reserve would safeguard its hard rock reefs, plants, crustaceans, molluscs, and fish.

Make sure you familiarise yourself with the new rules and extended marine reserve boundaries before heading out.

Two clown nudibranchs (Ceratosoma amoenum)
📷: Alison Perkins

Diving

For keen divers, if you spot the tree-like hydroid Solanderia ericopsis in the Hauraki Gulf, chances are you’ll also see the stunning endemic nudibranch Jason mirabilis. These spots include the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula and, of course, Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve.

Jason mirabilis is an aeolid — a type of nudibranch — decked out with long, dreadlock-like cerata on its back. These blood-filled tubes double as gills and digestive tracts. Growing up to 60mm, it’s one of the biggest aeolids in the world and easily one of the prettiest, with a delicate translucent pink or lavender body and milky-white cerata. Truly the show-off of the Gulf.

Janolus mokohinau.
📷: Alison Perkins

Another nudibranch with a taste for the bryozoan Viridentula dentata is named after the islands where it was first spotted: the Janolus mokohinau. Just as eye-catching as its cousins, this little 18–20mm critter is almost entirely covered in cerata — translucent pale green with bright orange tips and a golden stripe running down its back.

You might assume it’s an aeolid from all those cerata, but nope — it actually belongs to the proctonotid subgroup. Small, colourful, and a little bit deceptive: classic nudibranch behaviour.

We hope you get to spot a nudibranch on your explorations of the Hauraki Gulf this summer. But this comes with a warning: nudibranch-spotting is very addictive, heightened by the fact that new species are found year on year. For inspiration, check out this ‘nudi-blog’, written by diver Alison Perkins, who recently discovered a new species of Trapania nudibranch with fellow diver Cameron Russo.

It’s pretty awesome that the Hauraki Gulf is home to colourful, flamboyant creatures like nudibranchs. The new protections mean these little beauties, and their habitats, will have a safer home. That’s why it’s important we all know the rules, follow them, and help others do the same. Look after the Gulf, and it’ll keep looking after these amazing species for generations to come.

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Prisoner segragated after allegedly assaulting cellmate at Auckland’s Mt Eden Corrections Facility

Source: Radio New Zealand

Mt Eden Corrections Facility. (File photo) RNZ/Calvin Samuel

A prisoner has been placed on directed segregation after allegedly assaulting his cellmate who remains in hospital with serious injuries.

It comes amid a Corrections review of a risk assessment tool used in deciding whether prisoners are suitable to share a cell, after two suspected murders in nine months.

Mt Eden Corrections Facility general manager Dion Paki confirmed to RNZ staff found a prisoner had been injured at 10.40am on Saturday.

“The prisoner was assessed by on-site medical and taken to hospital for further treatment, where he remains. The alleged perpetrator was immediately secured and placed on directed segregation.”

The prisoner was also subject to an internal misconduct charge.

Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz

Police were notified and attended the prison on Saturday. Corrections would carry out a review into the incident, including what risk assessments were done such as the Shared Accommodation Cell Risk Assessment (SACRA).

“Violence in prison is not tolerated and anyone who resorts to this behaviour will be held to account,” Paki said.

“Our staff manage some of New Zealand’s most dangerous people in a complex and challenging environment. Over 80 per cent of the prison population have convictions for violence in their offending histories, and more than 90 per cent have had a lifetime diagnosis of a mental health or substance abuse disorder.

“The safety of our prisons is our absolute priority.”

RNZ earlier revealed there had been two suspected murders, both involving double-bunked cells, in nine months at Mt Eden Corrections Facility.

Corrections used the SACRA tool to review the compatibility of individuals before they were placed in a shared cell.

The SACRA tool identified key risk factors to consider before placing a person in a shared cell.

If a person was deemed not suitable to double bunk, a Not to Double Bunk (NTDB) alert was activated on their profile.

Corrections custodial services commissioner Leigh Marsh earlier confirmed he requested a review of the SACRA process which was under way.

“The review is in its early stages, so we have limited information to provide at this stage.

“However, we can confirm that our Custodial, Pae Ora and Intel teams will be considering the questions asked to inform suitability, the process to determine compatibility, and the review processes relating to SACRA. This will help inform what improvements can be made to the SACRA process.”

Corrections had also taken steps across all prison sites regarding shared cell risk assessments, including instructing that all assessments must be reviewed within 24 hours of completion to check whether any further or outstanding information had been received.

“This is because we often receive people from the courts late in the evening and information can sometimes be limited.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Westpac launches scheme to help owners protect homes from extreme weather

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ

Westpac NZ is offering interest-free, home loan top-ups to improve the resilience of homes to natural hazards and extreme weather.

The five-year interest-free home loan of up to $50,000 would cover such things as installing ground moisture barriers under homes, improving drainage on properties and carrying out work to raise outdoor electrical appliances above potential flood levels.

It said a recent survey of nearly 1100 Westpac customers indicated 60 percent were concerned about the risks of flooding and severe weather events on their property, while 80 percent were concerned about the risks to their town or city.

Westpac managing director for product, sustainability & marketing Sarah Hearn said the bank was the first to offer risk mitigation measures as part of its sustainable home lending programme.

“New Zealand has always had extreme weather, but recent research from Earth Sciences NZ shows these events are now happening more frequently,” she said.

Programme to be expanded in February

Westpac will expand the programme from 2 February to include major work options, such as raising a house above potential flood levels and chimney removal.

“We’re also working with our business customers to help them to invest in resilience measures and assess the impacts of climate change on their operations,” Hearn said.

Westpac’s Greater Choices home-loan top-up programme already supported investment in energy efficiency improvements, such as heat pumps, ventilation, solar power systems and electric vehicles.

Westpac NZ 2025 sustainability update highlights

  • Committed $7.6 billion in sustainable lending as at 30 September 2025
  • Provided more than $730 million in lending to affordable housing
  • Fundraised a record $1.5m for NZ’s rescue helicopters through the annual Westpac Chopper Appeal
  • Delivered financial education to more than 13,000 workshop attendees
  • Invested $11.6m in New Zealand communities, including more than 35,000 hours of volunteer leave to staff
  • Increased fraud prevention rates by 27 percent.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Dairy prices hit near two-year low after eighth consecutive fall

Source: Radio New Zealand

Dairy prices have been softening. (File photo) AFP / William West

Dairy prices are at near two-year low after the eighth consecutive fall in the global auction overnight.

The average price at the auction fell 4.3 percent to US$3507 a tonne, following the 3 percent drop in the previous auction two weeks ago.

The price of whole milk powder, which strongly influences the payout to farmers, fell 2.4 percent to US$3364 a tonne.

The Global Dairy Trade Price Index fell to its lowest level since January 2024.

NZX dairy analyst Rosalind Crickett said the latest auction saw weak bidding amid oversupply in the market.

“Regional buying again was dominated by North Asia which accounted for 50 percent of total product sold,” she said.

Crickett said the decline in milk powders (both whole milk and skim milk) came in above expectations.

She said global milk production was showing no sign of slowing down, with Chinese milk collections also rebounding.

“All in all, this is expected to keep downward pressure on milk powder prices globally, until a supply correction occurs,” Crickett said.

Butter prices fell more than 12 percent, while cheddar prices rose more than 7 percent.

Softening dairy prices have prompted dairy companies to lower the midpoint of its milk price forecast to $9.50 per kilogram of milk solids.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Massive traffic queues as crash closes part of Auckland’s SH20

Source: Radio New Zealand

The scene shortly after the crash. NZTA says there’s a heavy buildup of traffic in the area. X/ New Zealand Transport Agency

One person is in critical condition following a crash on the South-Western Motorway near Māngere overnight.

The two-vehicle crash, involving a car and a truck, was reported at 4am on northbound lanes by the Coronation Road off-ramp.

The car driver of the car had to be extracted from the vehicle and was taken to Auckland City Hospital in a critical condition.

Two northbound lanes of the motorway were closed alongwith the off-ramp while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination.

The New Zealand Transport Agency said on X traffic was heavy as far back as the link from State Highway 1.

However, in an update at 8.30am it said all lanes and the Coronation Rd off-ramp had now re-opened.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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‘No political agenda’: Principal says CCTV proves mouldy meals weren’t last week’s leftovers

Source: Radio New Zealand

Haeata Principal Peggy Burrows RNZ / Adam Burns

A Christchurch principal has denied there being a “political agenda” behind speaking publicly about mouldy meals that were served to children.

Students at Haeata Community Campus were served mouldy mince meals through the government-funded school lunch programme, which some of them ate before realising they were off.

NZ Food Safety has said it was more than likely that some lunches provided by Compass Group last Thursday remained at the school and were not refrigerated.

It said the school then accidentally re-served the food alongside fresh meals on Monday.

But principal Peggy Burrows said there was video proof that the meals weren’t left from a previous week.

On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour accused Burrows of being a “media frequent flier”.

“It will be investigated but I also note this particular principal is a frequent flyer in the media complaining about quite a range of government policies… I think people need that context.”

Burrows told Morning Report, she had no political agenda when speaking about the mouldy lunches and just wanted the “systems failure” looked at.

“I’ve never been a critic, simply pointed and highlighted when issues have arisen. I’m very grateful our school receives those lunches.”

Burrows said NZ Food Safety concluding the school re-served old meals was “very disappointing and totally incorrect”.

“The meals on Thursday last week were delivered about 9.30am and we have that on camera footage there were eight containers, the person from Compass Group came back at 2pm and took the eight containers away.

“At 5am every morning one of our staff goes around the buildings to check everything is fine. There’s absolutely no way that finding can be accurate. We watched the footage together with food safety officers of the eight arriving and being picked up.”

Burrows said she knew they had the visual evidence on tape of what actually happened and did not now how it had been “misreported”.

She said if it was up to her she’d release the footage now, but needed to check with the school’s lawyers before publicly releasing it.

“There’d probably be legal implications for that.

“I cannot understand how three investigators can hear what I heard and then that conclusion is made later in the day. I don’t understand that.”

MPI reiterated it was more than likely the issue arose from human error at the school.

“On the day of the complaint there were 15 other schools that received meals from the same distribution centre and MPI received no other complaints.”

New Zealand Food Safety’s deputy director-general Vince Arbuckle said NZFS had a team onsite at the school and Compass on Tuesday investigating the affected meals.

“We have considered all possible causes.

“We think it is more than likely that the affected meals at the school had been delivered the previous Thursday, remained at the school without refrigeration, and then were accidentally re-served to students alongside fresh meals delivered on Monday. This would explain the deterioration of the meals.”

One of the meals that was served up to students on Monday. Supplied / Haeata Community Campus

In a statement, Paul Harbey – a spokesperson for the School Lunch Collective, which represents Compass Group – said one of the heated containers the meals were kept in was left behind at the school on Thursday.

“There were nine Cambro [food storage] boxes of the savoury mince and potatoes meal delivered to Haeata Community Campus on Thursday 27th November, however records show only eight were returned to us.

“One Cambro box has sat at ambient temperatures at the school since that date.

“[On Monday] more than 73,000 lunches of the same recipe were served nationwide, with no concerns raised by any other school.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Green MPs, councillors launch campaign against second Mt Victoria tunnel in Wellington

Source: Radio New Zealand

Critics of a second Mt Victoria tunnel in the capital have launched a campaign against the plans. RNZ / Ellen O’Dwyer

Critics of a second Mt Victoria tunnel in the capital have launched a campaign against the plans, saying the project is too expensive, too disruptive and too focused on cars.

Green MPs Julie Anne Genter and Tamatha Paul hosted a public rally in Mount Victoria on Tuesday night, where former and current councillors also spoke out against the project.

Expected to cost between $2.9-3.8 billion, the proposals included building a second tunnel at Mount Victoria and The Terrace, and would see traffic moving in both directions around the Basin Reserve.

Changes would be made in Te Aro, with three lanes on Vivian Street and Karo Drive, as well as a widening of Ruahine Street and Wellington Road in Kilbirnie on route to the airport.

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said the changes could save commuters up to 10 minutes from Ngauranga Gorge to Wellington Airport.

Genter said the consultation period had been insufficient for such a major proposal.

“The reason we decided to hold this meeting, is because the New Zealand Transport Agency announced limited details on a proposed roading project. The consultation – it’s not really a consultation – the feedback period, it’s only four weeks.”

Green MP Julie Anne Genter. RNZ / Ellen O’Dwyer

She said the project was hugely expensive for lanes in each direction, and questioned what the average savings on travel time would be – saying that was not clear from the information provided by NZTA so far.

“You can’t build your way out of congestion, even the current transport minister has said that.

Chair of Wellington regional council’s public transport committee, Ros Connelly, said a bus rapid transit scheme through Wellington to the airport would save 11 minutes, and cost less money.

“Why on earth are you going to do this over other public transport projects that would deliver better time savings and cost a whole lot less money. Is it because this government loves roads at the expense of doing what is best for Wellington residents?”

A loud burst of applause came for city councillor Jonny Osborne, who said the proposals were “irresponsible” for dedicating billions to car travel.

“This project completely and utterly ignores the reality of climate change.”

A visualisation of the second Mt Victoria Tunnel. NZTA / Waka Kotahi

Former city councillor Chris Calvi-Freeman was one of the few speakers to identify some advantages to widening routes near the airport.

“The regional benefits in terms of people being able to access the regional hospital and the airport, but there are also, at the other end of the scale, benefits for the people in the eastern suburbs, who want to escape the city – for whatever reason – or come into the city.”

Calvi-Freeman said it’s a matter of when, not if, a second Mount Vic tunnel goes ahead.

But Save the Basin co-convenor Iona Pannett said she’s “100 percent certain” the campaign would stop the project.

“I’m confident Wellingtonians are going to mobilise to stop this highway, and we’re going to mobilise around public transport, and walking and cycling.”

Pannett said the plan would cause disruption to residents and schools in the suburbs affected.

NZTA said it’d identified 176 properties it might need to buy, and another 146 properties where it might need to buy below-ground land, for the construction of the two tunnels.

It also said some town belt land might be affected by the proposal.

Friends of the Town Belt chairperson John Bishop said that concerned him.

“It’s a major facility of the city, it has been for 150-odd years … The citizens of Wellington have fought very hard to retain all the elements of the Town Belt and get it back to as pristine a condition as possible.”

Both NZTA and the Transport Minister Chris Bishop rejected criticism the consultation period was too short.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop. RNZ / Nick Monro

Bishop said in advance he would not attend the Greens’ political rally, saying he hoped people were using NZTA’s public consultation sessions to find out information and give feedback.

“There is a four-week consultation (closing Sunday, December 14) so the public can give feedback on the proposed design. There have also been many other consultations and feedback processes on this project over the past few years, and those have been incorporated.”

Bishop said he backed the project, and included that it would reduce congestion, travel times, create better walking and cycling links and speed up movement through Wellington city.

“This project has been talked about for decades, and I am pleased to see it finally coming to fruition under this government.

“It will cut peak travel times by up to 10 minutes, improve travel time reliability by 40 percent, deliver better walking and cycling links – including a new separated shared path through the Mt Victoria tunnel, and mean 20 percent less traffic on the Harbour Quays, enabling increased use of buses.”

Bishop has previously said there’s a good case for the investment in the project, which he said would bring strong benefits.

A spokesperson for NZTA said the agency was running a “thorough and wide-ranging” public engagement process, including several public information days around Wellington, as well as an online survey running from mid-November to 14 December.

About 500 people had attended one of the four information sessions held so far, the spokesperson said.

Two information sessions remained, one on Wednesday at All Saints Church Hall in Haitaitai, and one this Saturday at Mt Cook School Gym.

“Extensive engagement is also continuing with councils, iwi, landowners, and other key stakeholders.

“All of the feedback we receive will be taken into consideration and help to inform the next design phase of the project.”

The spokesperson said the transport proposals were “significant”, and could have “a major impact on Wellington’s transport infrastructure”.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand