Rt Hon John Key
Prime Minister
Auckland is the home to one third of Kiwis, and the National-led government is working to ensure Aucklanders, and visitors, can get around the city as conveniently as possible.
We’ve recently worked with Auckland Council to bring forward the start date of the City Rail Link (CRL) to earlier than previously anticipated. There is merit in bringing forward the start of construction of this $2.5 billion project, as more people are using rail to get around Auckland and the growth in the number of people who work in the central city.
The CRL gives us the ability to double the capacity of Auckland’s rail network and significantly reduce travel times for commuters. We’re also working to help to ease congestion in the central city with construction of the Western Ring Route, one of the Government’s seven Roads of National Significance.
The Western Ring Route is made up of a number of projects, including the $1.4 billion Waterview Connection, which is due to open in 2017, along with upgrades and improvements along State Highways 16 and 18, which are underway and will be completed over the next five years.
Once complete this project will provide a 48 kilometre motorway alternative to SH1 and the Auckland Harbour Bridge, bypassing the city to the west.
It will improve travel times and reliability, as well as linking Manukau, Auckland, Waitakere and the North Shore. Bus shoulder lanes and upgraded cycleway and pedestrian facilities will be added and will boost safety along the route.
Auckland is growing and the Government is undertaking a wide range of social housing investments to improve the lives of vulnerable New Zealanders, while increasing new housing developments in Auckland.
We recently transferred the ownership of about 2,800 Housing NZ properties in Tamaki to the Tamaki Regeneration Company (TRC), which is jointly owned by the Crown and Auckland Council.
TRC will lead the Tamaki Regeneration Programme which will deliver 7,500 social, affordable and private homes in the next 10-15 years, as well as helping to regenerate the Tamaki area.
TRC has been engaging with Tamaki residents during the past three years to understand their housing, social and employment aspirations, and this transfer will help deliver on this huge community redevelopment project.
We’ve eliminated unfair employment arrangements known as zero-hour contracts and our new health and safety laws make everyone in the workplace responsible for health and safety.
These changes continue to demonstrate the Government’s focus on ensuring everyone shares in the gains from our growing economy.
