Transport
Marlborough Mayor 'blindsided' by ferry funding call
The Mayor of Marlborough says she's been blindsided by the government's decision not to fund major ferry upgrades. The two new mega-ferries that were set to be built by 2026 required bigger port… Audio
Nicola Willis on refusing to fund ferry cost blowout
We want a Toyota, not a Ferrari. That's the way Finance Minister Nicola Willis is describing the government's decision not to pay significant budget blowouts to build new infrastructure for planned… Audio
KiwiRail on ferry replacement funding trouble
KiwiRail has been told to find new, cheaper options to upgrade its fleet of Interislander ferries. Two new mega ferries had been planned, with 400-million-dollars already paid to boat builders… Audio
Transport unions call on Nicola Willis to resign
Four transport unions are calling for Finance Minister Nicola Willis to resign after she announced no new funding for the Cook Strait ferry upgrade. The Maritime Union, which represents seafarers… Audio
Top Stories for Thursday 14 December 2023
KiwiRail on ferry replacement funding trouble; COP28 deal reached, no commitment to phase out fossil fuels; Gaza facing 'public health disaster' - UN; Wellington Hospital scores low for MRI, CT… Audio
Congestion charges: Transport officials tight-lipped over their advice to politicians
Transport officials have been giving lawmakers plenty of advice about congestion charging, but will not reveal what that is.
Denying funding for ferry project jeopardises future of inter-island transport, union says
Unions are calling on the finance minister to resign after making a "fast and loose" call to deny further funding for the Interislander upgrade project.
Cruise ship chaos: Port boss makes promise to ferry commuters
Visiting cruise ships are causing commuter chaos in Auckland's Waitemata Harbour.
On Tuesday evening the Celebrity Edge broke its moorings in high winds at Princes Wharf. That meant 10 commuter… Video, Audio
Government's U-turn on lower speed limits will cost lives - safety expert
A road safety charity believes a u-turn on a policy that's seen lower speed limits on some roads, will cost lives. The government plans to stop what it calls blanket speed limit reductions. The Labour… Video, Audio
Interislander ferry fleet project to end after further funding denied
A project to replace the Interislander ferry fleet will now not go ahead as the coalition government has declined KiwiRail's request for further funding. Audio
Auckland Airport readies to open new transport hub
Early work on an integrated international/domestic terminal is underway too.
Government to hit the brake on speed limit changes
The government's pulling the handbrake on speed limit changes, saying it will stop blanket speed limit reductions. The Labour government introduced 80km per hour speed limits on some highways, and… Video, Audio
Axing fair pay agreements could cost bus drivers up to $10,000 a year - union
Axing fair pay agreements will shave up to $10,000 a year off a bus drivers salary according to the Council of Trade Unions. The government plans to get rid of the policy by Christmas, putting an end… Video, Audio
Waka Kotahi directed to stop blanket speed limit reductions
The Coalition has removed the mandatory requirement and deadline for authorities to submit and then implement speed management plans.
Nearly $50m of repairs to SH1 between Auckland and Hamilton delayed further
Almost $50 million of repairs to State Highway 1 between Auckland and Hamilton are mired in delays and question marks.
Would-be EV owners rush to buy as the clean car rebate ends
Would-be EV owners are flocking to dealers around the country and rushing to get their applications in for the clean car rebate, ahead of its demise on December 31. Anyone applying for the rebate on… Audio
Illegal high-powered e-scooters left unmonitored by authorities
According to the Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, e-scooters cannot exceed 300 watts - that is less than a lawnmower - to qualify as "low-powered vehicles".
Speedy 100km/h e-scooters can't be used on footpaths or roads
New high-powered electric scooters some of which can go nearly one hundred kilometers an hour are now being sold in New Zealand, but there's a problem. They are too powerful and too fast to be safely… Audio
Costs, rain hit e-bike sales, but riders still love the commute
As the weather warms up and the days get longer, you might have noticed more people getting back on their bikes. A noticable trend during the pandemic was the the influx of electric bikes, or e -… Audio
Hawke's Bay on-demand bus service trial in Hastings swamps council staff
An on-demand bus service trial in Hastings has put a "significant load" on the regional council's call centre, and is double the cost of a regular fixed-route bus.