Dear John,
Where did the year go?! It's hard to believe there's just a couple of months to go (and in fact just 15 days of Parliamentary sittings). I'm gearing up for a huge next few weeks with the release of our replacement to the RMA (very exciting), a new infrastructure funding and financing framework for housing growth, and some other exciting things I can't tell you about yet! But rest assured you'll read about them in the Bishop Bulletin.
It's been a very busy couple of weeks. Probably the highlight for me was the announcement of the investment cases by NZTA for our Roads of National Significance. National campaigned on developing a big pipeline of long-term transport infrastructure projects to redress New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit and build jobs and growth for Kiwis and we're getting on with it. NZTA has committed $1.2 billion to get on with them - property acquisition, consenting, designations etc. A few people seem to think you can just turn up and build a road tomorrow - it's a bit more complicated than that! Sadly, none of this work was done between 2017-2023 (the focus was light rail and bike bridges) so we're running to keep up.
For Wellington and the Hutt there's very good news - the investment cases for SH1 Wellington Improvements (the Mt Vic Tunnel project) and Petone to Grenada have both been completed and approved by the NZTA Board.
The Wellington Improvements ([link removed]) project is the full monty - it includes a second Terrace Tunnel, a second Mount Victoria Tunnel, a major roading upgrade at the Basin Reserve, and improvements to the state highway corridor through central Wellington and through Hataitai and Kilbirnie. NZTA is now purchasing property and getting on with the requirements for consenting. Everyone sensible in the Wellington region knows we need this project - the existing Mt Vic tunnel was built in 1931!
Petone to Grenada ([link removed]) is a project I've been backing since I became a MP and is really important for the Hutt Valley. NZTA has redesigned the route so there's 70 per cent less earth works than previous designs. It's estimated the project will cut 23 minutes (yes you read that right) off the journey between the Hutt and Porirua at peak times - plus ease congestion on SH2, improve resilience, allow for public buses between the Hutt and Porirua, and unlock land for housing. NZTA is investing $32m to progress design, consenting and procurement activities.
What else has been happening?
* Granny Flats ([link removed]) : on Thursday last week Parliament passed our legislation to allow people to build up to a 70 square metre granny flat on their property without a building or resource consent. It'll come into effect early next year. There's huge interest in this - my FB post on this ([link removed]) has hit 1.5 million people!
* Easier rules for pets in renta ([link removed]) ls: ([link removed]) New rules about renting with pets kick in on 1 December. Tenants must have the landlord’s consent to keep a pet but landlords can only withhold consent on reasonable grounds, and landlords can require a pet bond of up to two weeks’ rent, in addition to the existing general tenancy bond.
* WOF Reform: ([link removed]) NZ makes people get a Warrant of Fitness (WOF) for their car more than any other country - many countries require it every two years. So we're consulting on changes that would save Kiwis time and money. The big proposal is to require a WOF every two years (not one) for cars aged 4-10 years old. What do you think? ([link removed])
Capital Gains Tax: Meanwhile the Labour Party has returned to their favourite topic, tax. They've announced that if elected they'll implement a capital gains tax affecting second residential properties and commercial properties. Frankly this is the last thing the NZ economy needs - we're coming out of recession and about the worst thing you could do would be to whack on a new tax on investment and savings. Labour say it's a "narrow tax" but nothing could be further from the truth - the inclusion of commercial property means it will affect many businesses up and down the country - from dairy owners, to factories, warehouses, orchards and more. Kiwis need confidence to invest, hire and plan for the future. This policy would do the opposite - it's a recipe for fewer jobs, lower incomes and less savings. The fact that they can't explain it properly and it was leaked in the first place doesn't inspire confidence.
Good News: One of the things that frustrates me about the media in New Zealand is the preponderance of trivia or bad news - when there's actually lots of good things happening. So I've started a "Sunday Good News" post on FB. My first one is about the development of a National Flood Map ([link removed]) - read it here ([link removed]) and the second is about education. ([link removed] and Flood Map then )
Around the Hutt: A busy couple of weeks in the Hutt - I enjoyed celebrating Diwali with our Tamil community, committed $3.5 million to expand Bikes in Schools whilst opening Wilford School's new bike track, celebrated SuperGrans' 30 year anniversary in the Hutt Valley, and enjoyed visiting the BAPS mandir with the PM to celebrate Diwali and Annakut. Plus we celebrated Matilda's first birthday!
Have a great weekend. I'm off to Chicago for a flying visit as part of "NZ Inc" activity around the All Blacks match v Ireland. The US is an important trade and investment partner for the US and I'll be participating in and hosting a range of commercial, business, tourism and diplomatic events in a whirlwind 48 hours on the ground. Back for Parliament next week!
Chris
P.S Check out all the infrastructure projects ([link removed]) that have started in the last couple of months!
Bikes in Schools!
Officially opened Wilford School’s awesome new bike track today and announced $3.5m of new funding for Bikes in Schools. Since it started in 2010 under National the programme has delivered hundreds of bike tracks and thousands of bikes for Kiwi kids around the country and the funding will mean many more!
Annakut and Diwali
I really enjoyed attending Annakut and Diwali celebrations with the PM and some of my Parliamentary colleagues at the newly opened BAPS Temple & Cultural Precinct in the Hutt.
New rules about renting with pets kick in on 1 December. Tenants must have the landlord’s consent to keep a pet but landlords can only withhold consent on reasonable grounds.
Landlords may require a pet bond of up to two weeks’ rent, in addition to the existing general tenancy bond.
Tenants will now be liable for all pet damage to properties beyond fair wear and tear.
These provisions strike a good balance I reckon - making it easier for people to have pets in rentals and making sure landlords are incentivised to say yes.
Petone to Grenada
What do you reckon?
Collecting for Pink Ribbon
Thank you to everyone who gave generously.
Korokoro Scouts
Handed out the prizes at the Korokoro Scouts' second ever "Percy's Pursuit" family orienteering fundraiser on Sunday. A lot of fun and the weather turned it on too after a yucky start to the day. Well done to the Korokoro Scouts for organising such a fun morning.
SuperGrans
Not all heroes wear capes. Honoured to attend the opening of the new SuperGrans office in Lower Hutt and celebration of 30 years serving the Hutt. Thank you for all you do.
London? No.
It's not London, or Paris, or Sydney... it's Auckland. New K Road station platform, part of City Rail Link. Coming soon. Can't wait.
Thanks to my little helper!
Every weekend I take home a massive pile of papers to read for the week ahead (see box, bottom left). Matilda has started trying to help!
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