Spellcheck!
OPINION: A mate of Milking It’s was recently walking down the main street of the hub of the Horowhenua, Levin, when he saw a ‘pop up shop’ designed to show locals the new toll road bypass from Otaki and past Levin.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown says the Government welcomes news that NZTA has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across New Zealand.
He says the decision will ensure the state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users.
“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the Government, and with many small bridges across the country suffering speed and weight restrictions due to their age and condition, it is essential these bridges are replaced with more modern and resilient structures,” Brown says.
Over the course of the next three years, nine priority bridges will be replaced, including the SH6 Coal Creek Overbridge on the West Coast, the SH82 Elephant Hill Bridge and Waihao North Bridge in Canterbury, and the SH25 Pepe Stream Bridge in the Waikato.
Brown visited the Coromandel last week and says he understands the impact the current Pepe Stream Bridge has on the local community and motorists visiting Tairua.
“At 81-years-old, the single lane bridge is a bottleneck, with severe congestion experienced during holiday periods,” he says. “I’m pleased we’re getting on with work to deliver a modern two-lane replacement.”
Brown says New Zealand’s state highways are critical for freight, tourism, and serve as important lifelines for communities.
“We must maintain, manage, and replace these bridge assets to a standard Kiwis need and expect. Particularly in rural and remote locations where alternative routes are not available,” he says.
“With a strong focus on maintenance, and prioritisation of network connectivity and productivity, NZTA can flatten the wave of bridge replacements needed over the next few decades,” Brown adds.
He says this will allow the Government to target investment where it is needed most, while ensuring road users get where they need to go, quickly and safely.
“I look forward to these first nine priority bridges being replaced over the next three years and the benefits that will come to local communities from modern and more resilient structures,” he says.
Bridges to be replaced
Brett Wotton, an Eastern Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower and harvest contractor, has won the 2025 Kiwifruit Innovation Award for his work to support lifting fruit quality across the industry.
Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.
Environment Southland's catchment improvement funding is once again available for innovative landowners in need of a boost to get their project going.
The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
OPINION: The phasing out of copper network from communications is understandable.