Hon Simon Bridges | MP for Tauranga

Releases

First autonomous vehicle trial for New Zealand

Transport
Tue 6 Sep 2016
Transport Minister Simon Bridges says an announcement by Volvo and the New Zealand Traffic Institute (Trafinz) of an autonomous vehicle trial will be a first for New Zealand. Volvo and Trafinz aim to demonstrate the technology in Tauranga in November as part of the national Trafinz transport conference. “This is will be the first trial of its kind in New Zealand and reflects our world-leading regulation around autonomous vehicles, which encourages new technology while protecting public safety ,” Mr Bridges says. ...
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Procurement changes to drive electric vehicle uptake

Transport
Wed 31 Aug 2016
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Transport Minister Simon Bridges today announced the Government will seek to include additional electric vehicle providers in the All-of-Government (AoG) Vehicles contract to help further enhance the availability of electric vehicles in New Zealand. “Electric vehicles are a growing industry and New Zealand should benefit from technological advances as they come onto the market,” Mr Joyce says. ...
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$5.82m Hamilton cycleway underway

Transport
Fri 26 Aug 2016
Transport Minister Simon Bridges today turned the sod on the multi-million Western Rail Trail, another link in Hamilton’s walking and cycling network. The $5.82 million, 2.7km path will link Hamilton’s south western suburbs with Hamilton Girls’ High School, the Wintec City Campus and city centre. “This new pathway will give commuters, school children and tertiary students a vital off-road link with the central city and provide them with a range of transport options,” Mr Bridges says. ...
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First Safer Roads project complete

Transport
Fri 26 Aug 2016
The first of a series of nationwide safety projects that make up a $600 million plan to reduce New Zealand’s road toll is complete, Transport Minister Simon Bridges says. Targeted safety improvements designed to reduce the risk of crashes have been installed on a high risk part State Highway 37 in the Waitomo District. The $1.5 million project is the first of the Government’s $600 million Safer Roads and Roadsides Programme to be delivered. ...
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World-first UAV pizza delivery trial for New Zealand

Transport
Thu 25 Aug 2016
Transport Minister Simon Bridges has welcomed the announcement that New Zealand will host a world-first trial of pizza delivery using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV, commonly known as ‘drones’). Domino’s Pizza Enterprises (Domino’s) have announced in Auckland today that they have joined forces with UAV industry leader Flirtey to launch the first commercial drone delivery service in the world. ...
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Electric Vehicles Leadership Group announced

Energy and Resources | Transport
Wed 24 Aug 2016
Transport Minister Simon Bridges today announced the members of the Electric Vehicles (EVs) Leadership Group as part of the Government’s programme to accelerate the uptake of EVs in New Zealand. In May the Government launched its Electric Vehicles Programme which aims to double the number of EVs on New Zealand roads each year to reach 64,000 by 2021. ...
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Palmerston North ring road a step closer

Transport
Fri 12 Aug 2016
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Transport Minister Simon Bridges have announced the next stage in the development of a rural ring road for Palmerston North. The project is highlighted in the Accelerate 25 Manawatu-Whanganui Economic Action Plan which was launched today. ...
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Electric vehicles fund to focus on showcasing innovation

Energy and Resources | Transport
Fri 12 Aug 2016
Transport and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today released details of the first round of the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund.  The fund is part of the Government’s ambitious electric vehicles (EVs) programme announced in May to help accelerate the uptake of EVs in New Zealand. Up to $4 million is available in 2016/17, with up to $6 million available in future years. ...
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$435m Christchurch motorways a step closer

Transport
Wed 10 Aug 2016
Two major motorway projects in Christchurch are a step closer following the New Zealand Transport Agency’s announcement today that the construction contracts have been let, Transport Minister Simon Bridges says. The new Christchurch Northern Corridor and stage two of the Christchurch Southern Motorway are the final two projects to be built under the Government’s Roads of National Significance programme. ...
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Tauranga Eastern Link exceeding expectations

Transport
Wed 3 Aug 2016
More than 2.3 million vehicles have travelled on the Tauranga Eastern Link since it opened a year ago - close to 40 per cent more than predicted, says Transport Minister Simon Bridges. The 21km four-lane highway is the Bay of Plenty’s biggest roading project ever with seven bridges, the country’s biggest roundabout and a 6.8km cycleway. ...
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Another step forward for Puhoi to Warkworth

Transport
Tue 2 Aug 2016
Transport Minister Simon Bridges has welcomed today’s announcement that the NZ Transport Agency will enter into preferred bidder negotiations with the Northern Express Group for the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway project north of Auckland. The 18.5km Puhoi to Warkworth motorway will form the first section of the Puhoi to Wellsford motorway project, one of the Government’s Roads of National Significance identified as being as key to economic growth. ...
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Air services agreement signed with Mauritius

Transport
Mon 1 Aug 2016
Transport Minister Simon Bridges has welcomed the signing of an air services agreement opening the opportunity for code-sharing between New Zealand and Mauritius airlines. The agreement was signed today after being negotiated by officials at an international air services conference in Turkey in 2015. ...
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