Search

Transport Minister Simon Bridges today confirmed the Government will invest $38.7 billion in New Zealand’s land transport system over the next ten years, with regional networks, public transport, cycleways and road maintenance to benefit.

The investment programme is set out in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS 2015) released by the Minister today.

“Investment in the transport sector drives economic development and productivity, and GPS 2015 outlines the agenda for improvement programmes for the next decade,” Mr Bridges says.

Good morning.

As Minister of Energy and Resources, it’s my pleasure to welcome and host you here, in Parliament, this morning to award permits for the Government’s Block Offer 2014.

We are here today because New Zealand has a petroleum potential that needs to be better understood. 

The oil and gas industry is already a vital part of the New Zealand economy.  Oil is our fourth largest commodity export after dairy, meat and wood, and oil and gas combined contribute more than $2.7 billion to GDP each year.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today announced the award of 15 new oil and gas exploration permits as a result of Block Offer 2014.

Block Offer 2014 includes six onshore permits across the Taranaki, West Coast and East Coast basins, and nine offshore permits across the Reinga-Northland, Taranaki, and Pegasus basins.

Collectively the permits represent more than $110 million in committed expenditure on initial exploration which, if successful, could lead to further work worth more than $1 billion.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges was today joined by Hon Nathan Guy, MP for Ōtaki, and project staff to mark the one year anniversary of construction starting on the MacKays to Peka Peka Expressway on the Kapiti Coast, north of Wellington.

The expressway will be 4-lanes and 18 kilometres in length, and will include an end-to-end cycleway, walkway and bridleway.  It will be an important piece of infrastructure that will significantly improve the connection between the Capital and the Kapiti Coast.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says the Government’s planned investment of $8 million to acquire new aeromagnetic and petroleum data will greatly contribute to our understanding of geological prospectivity in New Zealand.

“Aeromagnetic surveys will be the main focus of this work, to provide more comprehensive data on our mineral resource,” says Mr Bridges. 

Following surveys of Northland and the West Coast region in recent years, the focus will shift to the Nelson/Marlborough region, Southland and parts of Otago. 

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges has congratulated the Gas Industry Company (GIC) on ten years of successful operation as a regulator in the downstream gas sector in New Zealand.

“The GIC has worked closely with industry and Government to support investment, competition, and the efficient supply of gas to consumers.”

Since the GIC was established in 2004, competition at the retail level has increased, with ten gas retailers now competing for customers and the prospect of more new entrants.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges has welcomed the news that a new oil well has gone into production in Taranaki.

“OMV announced overnight that the development well MR-8A has successfully started production and is expected to produce about 4,500 barrels a day,” Mr Bridges says.

The well is one of five being drilled in producing and new reservoirs in the Maari field around 80 kilometres off the Taranaki coast as part of the $400 million Maari Growth campaign.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges today took one of the last opportunities to visit Alice, the world’s tenth largest tunnel boring machine, that is building the twin road tunnels at Waterview, and will soon disappear back underground to complete the second tunnel.

Mr Bridges also took an early drive through the first of the two tunnels which was completed at the end of September and got an up-close look at Alice before she makes a start building the second tunnel later this week.

Flights between New Zealand and China are set to double under amended air services arrangements, says Transport Minister Simon Bridges.

“Airlines from both New Zealand and China will be able to offer 42 services per week, per country. This is up from the previous limit of 21 per week.

“The doubling of air services capacity represents another step in expanding tourism, trade and personal ties between our two countries,” Mr Bridges says.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today announced the start of the Block Offer 2015 process for awarding oil and gas exploration permits.

“Consultation now begins with iwi and local authorities in the areas being proposed for onshore and offshore exploration,” says Mr Bridges.

“This is an important first step in the Block Offer process and I encourage iwi and local authorities to take part.  Their feedback ensures that any areas of sensitivity are carefully considered before the 2015 tender round is finalised.”

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says the ASB Community Trust contribution to funding the insulation of houses in Auckland, as part of the Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes programme, is an important example of partnership between Government and community organisations.

“Nearly 2000 low-income homes in Auckland will be insulated, with the Trust contributing $1 million in funding.  The proportion of Government funding will decrease from 60 per cent – the typical contribution as part of Healthy Homes – down to 33 per cent. 

Air links between New Zealand and the Philippines are set to improve with the signing today of an air services arrangement, says Transport Minister Simon Bridges.

The arrangement signed today by Transport Minister Simon Bridges and the Philippines Ambassador, Virginia Benavidez, amends the 2007 Air Services Agreement between New Zealand and the Philippines.

The new arrangement allows Air New Zealand to begin its plans to code-share to the Philippines with Singapore Airlines from January 2015.

The Government has today accepted Solid Energy’s decision not to pursue the Pike River drift re-entry project and committed to working with the Pike River families on next steps for the Pike River site, says Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges and Acting Conservation Minister for issues relating to Pike River, Nick Smith.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges has today welcomed the launch of New Zealand’s first region-wide wood energy heat hub that will help fuel the Southland economy.

Wood Energy South is a joint initiative between the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and Venture Southland that will partner with local businesses, schools and healthcare facilities to help them convert to cleaner, renewable wood burning technology. 

Auckland Council are welcome to have a debate about future transport infrastructure investment plans, but the Government remains sceptical about the options being presented, Transport Minister Simon Bridges said today in response to the release of ‘Funding Auckland’s Transport Future’, a report commissioned by the Auckland Council.

“We agree that Auckland must have a transport system that meets the demands of its growing population and we are committed to working with the Auckland Council to help make sure Auckland succeeds. 

Transport Minister Simon Bridges is encouraging road users to keep safe as they travel on the roads over Labour Weekend.

“Many people take advantage of the long weekend to see family and friends, or to get out on their motorcycle or bike, so roads can be busier than usual,” Mr Bridges says.

“Taking the time to make sure that you and your vehicle are in good nick before you get on the road, sticking to the road rules and being considerate of other road users all combine to make journeys safer.”

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says an agreement signed between the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and one of New Zealand’s largest trucking companies is a significant milestone for the Heavy Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Programme.

“EECA has been working with industry groups since 2012 to increase awareness of the potential for fuel efficiency and I am delighted the HW Richardson Group is now on board, with 800 trucks in 30 fleets nationwide consuming 19 million litres of fuel per year.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges wants boat users to make safety the top priority, as New Zealand’s first Safer Boating Week begins today.

“Safer Boating Week is an excellent initiative that raises the awareness of boat safety, and what risks are out there on the water.  We have seen in the last few days the tragic consequences when something goes wrong,” Mr Bridges says.