Government to loosen rules for selling homes in trusts
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced the changes yesterday, saying the current rules saddled hard-working
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RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Everything you need to know about toll roads
Photo: NZTA Government policy supports using tolls as an additional source of revenue to help build and maintain roads. The New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has been working on a national tolling plan for several months. Officials working on the plan say it does not refer to levying motorists on existing roads. Consequently, any new toll road charges are likely to be placed on new roads built. There are currently three toll roads in New Zealand, all concentrated in the upper North Island. Levies are collected from drivers using the Auckland Northern Gateway Toll Road, the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road and the Tauranga Takitimu Drive Toll Road. A fourth toll road is set to open in 2026, connecting State Highway 1 to the Whangaparāoa Peninsula north of Auckland. It is projected to cost $830 million. Other new highway projects such as Takitimu North Link in Tauranga and Ōtaki, north of Levin, are also believed to be in line to get them. Toll roads are clearly marked before drivers enter electronic toll collection facilities. If drivers don't want to use toll roads, they can follow detour signs along the following three routes to circumvent them: Funding for the construction of toll roads comes from the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF), with any shortfall supplemented by government loans to accelerate the construction process. For example, the Northern Gateway Toll Road was estimated to cost $375.7 million to construct. NLTF funding covered $217.7 million of this total, while debt financing from the government accounted for the remaining $158 million. The pricing standards for tolls are adjusted annually based on the increase in the consumer price index. At present, toll road levies are adjusted approximately every three years. Since the roads were built with loans, the tolls collected are mainly used to repay debt, interest costs and operating costs. A toll fee is split into three separate parts: Most of the money goes towards debt repayment, with 80 cents of every individual payment going towards operating costs and a percentage on tax. Toll fees will be removed after the debt to build the road has been repaid. According to NZTA's current estimate, the earliest of the three toll roads to repay its debt will be Takitimu Drive, which is expected to be toll free by 2031. The Northern Gateway is forecast to be paid for by 2039, and the Tauranga Eastern Link by 2040. Photo: Supplied/ NZTA In addition to the existing three highways, three roads are expected to charge tolls after they are constructed: Transport Minister Chris Bishop has previously said the government would explore a new charging model - toll concessions. This is a new type of public-private partnership model, in which the private sector contracts the operating rights of a certain section of the road. During the contract period, the toll revenue generated by this section of road belongs to the private enterprise, which is also responsible for the maintenance work of this section of road. However, the state still owns the road, and the operation rights will be transferred to the Crown after the contract period ends. In return, the private sector - called concessionaire - interested in contracting the franchise rights needs to make an upfront capital payment (such as a contracting fee) to the government in advance and, with this cash flow, the Crown can continue to invest in new infrastructure projects. If the public-private partnership model proved to be successful, it might be expanded to other new infrastructure project areas in future, Bishop said. "Toll concessions have several key benefits, including generating upfront payment of capital which can be reinvested into new infrastructure projects, increasing efficiency by utilising the private sector's expertise in construction, maintenance and tolling operations as well as their technological innovations, and sharing operational risks with a private operator such as increases in maintenance costs," Bishop said in March. Possibly. "Toll concessions are used widely overseas," Bishop said in March. "A relatively local example of a successful toll concession is WestConnex in Sydney, Australia," he said. "WestConnex is a 33km toll road including Australia's longest tunnel at 22km, completed in November 2023," he said. "It was delivered through concessions to build, operate, finance, maintain and toll this road in three stages." Bishop said public-private partnership pilot projects may be conducted in some areas to explore the feasibility of the concession model in supporting public infrastructure construction. Such pilot projects could be introduced in the construction of the road between Cambridge and Piarere; the Hawke's Bay Expressway; the Belfast-to-Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass, and SH29 west of Tauriko, Tauranga. "While decisions have not yet been made, all Roads of National Significance are being assessed for tolling," Bishop said. The Government Policy Statement on Land Transport sets out the government's intention to consider concessions for delivering large infrastructure projects. It also expects that all Roads of National Significance will be assessed for tolling.
Techday NZ
an hour ago
- Techday NZ
New Zealand government unveils national strategy for AI adoption
The New Zealand government has released its first national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, setting out a roadmap to foster innovation and productivity while ensuring responsible and safe AI development. The strategy, titled "New Zealand's Strategy for Artificial Intelligence: Investing with Confidence," aims to provide clarity and confidence for businesses looking to integrate AI into their operations and signals a step-change in the country's approach to emerging technologies. A response to international trends and local needs Until now, New Zealand had been the only country in the OECD without a formal AI strategy, despite rapidly advancing AI uptake internationally. The new strategy is designed to help New Zealand catch up with other small, advanced economies and to address a growing gap in AI readiness among local organisations. Government analysis has found that most New Zealand businesses are still in the early stages of adopting AI, with many lacking a clear plan for integrating the technology. The government's announcement highlights the potential for AI to drive significant economic growth, with estimates suggesting the technology could add up to NZ$76 billion to the country's GDP by 2038. Recognising both the opportunities and the challenges, the strategy focuses on building local capability, promoting innovation, and managing risks responsibly. Light-touch regulation and clear guidance A key feature of the strategy is its commitment to light-touch regulation. The government has opted not to introduce new AI-specific laws at this stage, instead relying on existing legal frameworks around privacy, consumer protection, and human rights. The aim is to reduce barriers to AI adoption and provide clear regulatory guidance that enables innovation, while still protecting New Zealanders' rights and building public trust. To support safe and responsible use of AI, the government has released voluntary Responsible AI Guidance alongside the strategy. This guidance is intended to help organisations use, develop, and innovate with AI in a way that is ethical, transparent, and aligned with international best practice. The approach is informed by the OECD's AI Principles and emphasises transparency, accountability, and the importance of maintaining public confidence. The strategy also commits to monitoring international developments closely and participating in global efforts to develop consistent approaches to the governance of AI. Focus on business adoption and workforce skills Unlike some strategies that prioritise AI research and development, New Zealand's approach is focused primarily on enabling the adoption and application of AI by businesses. The government sees the greatest opportunity in supporting local firms to take up AI technologies, adapt them to New Zealand's needs, and use them to create value in key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and education. The strategy acknowledges several barriers to wider AI adoption, including a shortage of skilled workers, a lack of understanding about how to deploy AI effectively, and uncertainty about the regulatory environment. To address these issues, the government is supporting a range of initiatives to build AI skills within the workforce and is providing advice and support to help businesses prepare for and benefit from AI. The strategy is designed to give businesses the confidence to invest in AI, with the government promising to identify and remove any legal or practical obstacles that may hinder innovation. There is also a commitment to ensuring that AI is developed and used in a way that is inclusive and reflects the needs of Māori and other communities. Supporting both public and private sector innovation While the new strategy is primarily focused on the private sector, the government has signalled its intention to lead by example in the public sector as well. A separate stream of work, led by the Minister for Digitising Government, is underway to explore how AI can improve public services and support digital transformation across government agencies. By taking a coordinated and enabling approach, the government hopes to position New Zealand as a leader among smaller advanced economies in the responsible adoption of AI. The strategy sets out clear expectations for businesses and government agencies alike, encouraging investment in AI technologies that drive productivity, deliver better services, and help New Zealand compete on the global stage. Next steps The government will continue to monitor the rollout of the AI strategy and engage with industry, academia, and communities to ensure that New Zealand's approach remains responsive to technological and social change. The Responsible AI Guidance will be updated as required, and officials will keep a close watch on international developments to ensure New Zealand's regulatory environment remains fit for purpose. With this announcement, New Zealand signals its intention to embrace the opportunities of artificial intelligence, with a focus on responsible, inclusive, and innovation-driven adoption for the benefit of all New Zealanders.
RNZ News
5 hours ago
- RNZ News
UK Post Office scandal led to 13 suspected suicides, says report setting out toll
By Paul Sandle , Reuters Former Post Office Ltd chief executive David Mills arrives to give evidence to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry in central London in April last year. Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS Thirteen people may have taken their own lives and others were bankrupted or became seriously ill as a result of Britain's Post Office scandal, a public inquiry found overnight, laying bare the toll of one of the country's worst miscarriages of justice. Inquiry chair Wyn Williams said on Tuesday (local time) he was satisfied that executives at the state-owned Post Office knew, or should have known, that its computer system was prone to errors, yet they publicly maintained the fiction it was accurate. From 2000-2013, the Post Office pursued branch managers, known as subpostmasters, for losses that appeared in their accounts but were caused by flaws in an IT system supplied by Japanese company Fujitsu. About 1000 people were convicted. Public outrage about the scandal mounted last year after a TV dramatisation of the case, "Mr Bates vs the Post Office", which led to legislation to exonerate those convicted. In the 162-page first volume of his report, Williams called for urgent action to ensure "full and fair" compensation for victims. His recommendations included free legal advice and compensation for family members. He said it was impossible to ascertain exactly how many people had been impacted, but said there were about 10,000 eligible claimants across four compensation schemes. "Many thousands of people have suffered serious financial detriment," he said in a speech after the publication. "Many businesses and homes have been lost, bankruptcies have occurred, marriages and families have been wrecked." "Tragically, I heard too of people whom it is said that they were driven to take their own lives," he added. Detailing 17 first-hand accounts, Williams said suffering ranged from those held liable for small amounts of money to those who were wrongly imprisoned, fell seriously ill or were driven to despair and suicide. Postmaster Martin Griffiths was given notice of termination of his contract in 2013 after shortfalls in his accounts. He then deliberately walked in front of a bus, suffering multiple injuries which caused his death at the age of 59. Following a request from the inquiry, the Post Office identified six former postmasters whose families said they had taken their own lives. A further seven people who were not postmasters had also taken their own lives as a consequence of false shortfalls, according to their families, the report said. Others suffered mental and physical health problems, bankruptcy and relationship breakdowns. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the publication of the report was an important milestone for subpostmasters and their families. "I am committed to ensuring wronged subpostmasters are given full, fair, and prompt redress," he said. The inquiry has held 226 days of hearings and has questioned 298 witnesses. The second volume of the final report, which will include the role of the Post Office, will be published in due course. - Reuters
