ROADSIDE ARTWORK - UPDATE

In the June issue of LETTERBOX we promised to report back on who required the $104,605 (+GST) “archway” artwork in the middle of the roundabout at the intersection of Port Road and Kioreroa Road.

We now know the consent condition arose from discussions between the “Council’s Parks Department and tangata whenua.”

GREEN LIGHT FOR NORTHLAND EXPRESSWAY!

The new coalition government has given the highway  between Auckland and Whangarei top priority on the Roads of National Significance work programme.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown said the improvements will be a game-changer for Northland. He’s right. For far too long Northland has had too little attention to its roading infrastructure.

He said, 

"For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections between Northland and the rest of the country has been a handbrake on the region’s economic development.”

“The last Government’s decision to stop planning for a replacement to the Brynderwyns has left Northland more vulnerable and requires a significant amount of work to get this project back on track.”

He’s right about that too. This is in stark contrast to the Labour government that shelved the roading projects.

Nga Mihi Nui

National wants to restore English as the common language used in government communications. All departments will be required to English names as the primary name - except those entities specifically related to Māori. 

Awesome! But When?

The new coalition Government has committed to road-building projects that will have a significant economic benefit for our region. 

The National NZ First coalition agreement states the government will, “Commit to building a four-lane highway alternative for the Brynderwyns and investigate the use of private finance to accelerate construction.”