Billions are being invested in transport infrastructure – but on the revenue side of the books, tourists will pay a higher levy
They’ve been busy, in Transport Minister Simeon Brown’s Beehive office.
The latest batch of ministerial statements included his announcement that a new 110km/h speed limit for the Kāpiti Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS) has been approved to reduce travel times for Kiwis travelling in and out of Wellington.
The much more substantial announcement was that “a record $32.9 billion investment in New Zealand’s transport network through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will create a more reliable and efficient transport network that boosts economic growth and productivity”.
Much of what the Government announces these days is aimed at boosting economic growth and productivity.
The statement announcing the huge investment in road infrastructure was accompanied by a slew of region-specific statements, each emphasizing the record investment that will be pumped into each part of the country and providing an idea of what will result from the investments.
West Cost: $255 million.
Wellington: $3.3 billion.
Waikato: $1.9 billion.
Taranaki: $808 million.
Otago-Southland: $1.4 billion.
Northland: $991 million.
Top of the South: $479 million.
Manawatu-Whanganui: $1.6 billion.
Gisborne: $255 million.
Canterbury: $1.8 billion.
Bay of Plenty: $1.9 billion.
Auckland: $8.4 billion.
These announcements account for the bulk of the latest media statements from the Beehive.
Among the others was a joint statement from Kuala Lumpur, after Malaysian Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim hosted Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on his Official Visit to Malaysia from 1 to 3 September.
There were just over 2000 words to tell us what the two PMs discussed, inevitably including the Malaysia – New Zealand Strategic Partnership, defence and security cooperation, and trade and economic relations.
Oh – and let’s not forget the tax increase among the ministerial statements.
The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) will be raised to $100 “to ensure visitors contribute to public services and high-quality experiences while visiting New Zealand”.
Tourists contribute through the GST on all their purchases of goods and services ,of course, and Point of Order recalls the Nats being opposed to the levy when it was introduced by the Ardern Government. But hey, levies are there to be raised, and that’s what the Government is doing.
Much of what the Government announces these days is aimed at boosting economic growth and productivity.
The statement announcing the huge investment in road infrastructure was accompanied by a slew of region-specific statements, each emphasizing the record investment that will be pumped into each part of the country and providing an idea of what will result from the investments.
West Cost: $255 million.
Wellington: $3.3 billion.
Waikato: $1.9 billion.
Taranaki: $808 million.
Otago-Southland: $1.4 billion.
Northland: $991 million.
Top of the South: $479 million.
Manawatu-Whanganui: $1.6 billion.
Gisborne: $255 million.
Canterbury: $1.8 billion.
Bay of Plenty: $1.9 billion.
Auckland: $8.4 billion.
These announcements account for the bulk of the latest media statements from the Beehive.
Among the others was a joint statement from Kuala Lumpur, after Malaysian Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim hosted Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on his Official Visit to Malaysia from 1 to 3 September.
There were just over 2000 words to tell us what the two PMs discussed, inevitably including the Malaysia – New Zealand Strategic Partnership, defence and security cooperation, and trade and economic relations.
Oh – and let’s not forget the tax increase among the ministerial statements.
The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) will be raised to $100 “to ensure visitors contribute to public services and high-quality experiences while visiting New Zealand”.
Tourists contribute through the GST on all their purchases of goods and services ,of course, and Point of Order recalls the Nats being opposed to the levy when it was introduced by the Ardern Government. But hey, levies are there to be raised, and that’s what the Government is doing.
Latest from the Beehive
3 September 2024
The Government has introduced clear priorities to modernise Te Papa Atawhai – The Department of Conservation’s protection of our natural taonga.
A new 110km/h speed limit for the Kāpiti Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS) has been approved to reduce travel times for Kiwis travelling in and out of Wellington.
The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) will be raised to $100 to ensure visitors contribute to public services and high-quality experiences while visiting New Zealand, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Matt Doocey and Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka say.
2 September 2024
A record $255 million for transport investment on the West Coast through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will strengthen the region’s road and rail links to keep people connected and support the region’s economy.
A record $3.3 billion of transport investment in Greater Wellington through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will increase productivity and reduce travel times.
A record $1.9 billion for transport investment in the Waikato through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will create a more efficient, safe, and resilient roading network that supports economic growth and productivity.
A record $808 million for transport investment in Taranaki through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will support economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.
A record $1.4 billion for transport investment in Otago and Southland through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will create a more resilient and efficient network that supports economic growth and productivity.
A record $991 million for transport investment in Northland through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will strengthen the region’s connections and support economic growth and productivity.
A record $479 million for transport investment across the top of the South Island through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will build a stronger road network that supports primary industries and grows the economy.
A record $1.6 billion for transport investment in Manawatū-Whanganui through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will strengthen the region’s importance as a strategic freight hub that boosts economic growth.
A record $657 million for transport investment in the Hawke’s Bay through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will support recovery from cyclone damage and build greater resilience into the network to support economic growth and productivity.
A record $255 million for transport investment in Gisborne through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will support economic growth and restore the cyclone-damaged network.
A record $1.8 billion for transport investment Canterbury through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will boost economic growth and productivity and reduce travel times.
A record $1.9 billion for transport investment in the Bay of Plenty through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will boost economic growth and unlock land for thousands of houses.
A record $8.4 billion for transport investment in Auckland through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will deliver the infrastructure our rapidly growing region needs to support economic growth and reduce travel times.
A record $32.9 billion investment in New Zealand’s transport network through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will create a more reliable and efficient transport network that boosts economic growth and productivity.
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has welcomed the start of Gambling Harm Awareness Week by encouraging New Zealanders to have their say on the next three-year strategy to prevent and minimise gambling harm.
Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim hosted Prime Minister Rt. Hon Christopher Luxon on an Official Visit to Malaysia from 1 to 3 September 2024.
Point of Order is a blog focused on politics and the economy run by veteran newspaper reporters Bob Edlin and Ian Templeton
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