Hon Simon Bridges | MP for Tauranga

Releases

Speech to NZCID Building Nations Symposium

Transport
Fri 21 Oct 2016
It’s great to be here at this very important conference and to have come on stage in such a dramatic fashion in the Vector Tesla, expertly driven by Nadine [Chalmers Ross]. The Government is investing more than ever in transport infrastructure to keep a growing New Zealand moving and I think it’s true to say after periods of under-investment, if you take just the National Land Transport Fund, this Government has more than doubled to over $4 billion each year. ...
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Govt exceeds electric vehicle target for 2016

Transport
Tue 18 Oct 2016
More than 2000 electric vehicles are now registered in New Zealand, surpassing the Government’s aim to double the fleet this year. In May, the Government set a target to double EV registrations each year to reach 64,000 by 2021. To date in 2016 there have been 1003 registrations, compared to 500 in 2015. This brings the total number of EVs in New Zealand to 2029. ...
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$21.8m Eastern Access Road gets the go ahead

Transport
Fri 14 Oct 2016
Transport Minister Simon Bridges has welcomed today’s announcement that funding has been approved for the construction of Queenstown’s $21.8 million Eastern Access Road. The Eastern Access Road is a critical link in Queenstown’s transport network which will help to relieve congestion through the Frankton Flats area, bypassing the airport and connecting Remarkables Park to Frankton-Ladies Mile. ...
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Works begins on the final section of the Waikato Expressway

Transport
Fri 14 Oct 2016
Transport Minister Simon Bridges today turned the sod on the seventh and final section of the Government’s $2.1 billion Waikato Expressway. The $115 million Longswamp Section involves widening and upgrading State Highway 1 between Hampton Downs and the Rangiriri Interchange to four lanes, with improved local road connections and a new local road overbridge. “This marks a major milestone for the Waikato Expressway with all the remaining sections now under construction,” Mr Bridges says. ...
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$85m St Lukes Interchange project complete

Transport
Thu 13 Oct 2016
Prime Minister John Key and Transport Minister Simon Bridges have officially opened the new St Lukes to Great North Road Interchange, another step to improve congestion on Auckland’s Northwestern Motorway. The section of State Highway 16 has been widened from three lanes to four in each direction, with upgrades to on and off ramps and the St Lukes Road overbridge. The Northwestern Cycleway has also been widened and resurfaced. ...
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Appointments to transport sector roles

Transport
Wed 12 Oct 2016
Transport Minister Simon Bridges has made a series of appointments and reappointments to transport sector statutory bodies. Nigel Gould has been reappointed Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Peter Griffiths as the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) Deputy Chair and Jim Boult as a CAA board member. “Mr Boult, Mr Gould and Mr Griffiths are high performing members of a strong team. They are involved in overseeing regulatory changes at CAA, and their reappointments will maintain continuity on the Board,” Mr Bridges says. ...
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Bridges to attend global transport summit

Transport
Mon 10 Oct 2016
Transport Minister Simon Bridges will leave for Melbourne today to attend the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress to promote New Zealand as a test bed for new technologies. The Minister will attend from 10 to 12 October and participate in technology demonstrations and bilateral meetings with transport leaders and groups from around the world. ...
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Govt welcomes adoption of aviation emissions agreement

Transport
Fri 7 Oct 2016
Transport Minister Simon Bridges has confirmed New Zealand will voluntarily join an international agreement addressing emissions from air travel when it comes into effect in 2021. “New Zealand is one of 64 States, representing more than 83.8 per cent of international aviation activity, that intend to voluntarily participate in the global measure from its outset,” Mr Bridges says. ...
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Government welcomes Maersk megaship

Transport
Tue 4 Oct 2016
Transport Minister Simon Bridges has welcomed the arrival of the megaship Aotea Maersk in Tauranga, the biggest container ship to have ever visited New Zealand. The 9500 twenty-foot equivalent units vessel offers exporters significant efficiency and environmental benefits. “The Aotea Maersk can carry almost twice as much cargo as any other container ship that has previously docked in New Zealand, allowing us to become a more efficient export nation,” Mr Bridges says. ...
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Driverless shuttle to be trialled in New Zealand

Transport
Tue 4 Oct 2016
Transport Minister Simon Bridges says New Zealand’s first research trial of a driverless electric shuttle will provide invaluable information about the vehicle and its potential for use in New Zealand. HMI Technologies and Christchurch International Airport Limited have today announced a two-year research trial of a French-built Navya shuttle in Christchurch, starting in 2017. They will collaborate with the University of Canterbury, Christchurch City Council, the NZ Transport Agency and the Ministry of Transport. ...
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Navy’s White Ensign to fly on Auckland Harbour Bridge

Transport
Thu 29 Sep 2016
Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee and Transport Minister Simon Bridges have announced the New Zealand White Ensign will fly on the Auckland Harbour Bridge to mark the founding of the Royal New Zealand Navy. Starting on Saturday, the flag will be flown annually on 1 October. It will also fly during the International Naval Review from 17 to 22 November this year. ...
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Govt releases plan to tackle aviation emissions

Climate Change Issues | Transport
Thu 29 Sep 2016
Transport and Associate Climate Change Issues Minister Simon Bridges has released New Zealand’s plan to address emissions from air travel. The New Zealand Aviation Emissions Reduction Action Plan has been lodged with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) at its annual summit today. The plan outlines current and planned measures to address aviation emissions and covers four key parties - government, air traffic control, airports and airlines. ...
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