Latest news with #GoingforGrowth
1News
2 days ago
- Business
- 1News
Govt trumpets billions being spent on infrastructure in coming months
The Government has released an infrastructure update showing $6 billion of state-funded construction is due to start between now and Christmas. The ministers who were visiting a construction site in Drury spoke to media this morning. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also took part in the briefing. Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis and Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop said in a media release that the projects would drive economic activity and create thousands of jobs across the country. "The projects getting underway include new roads, hospitals, schools, high-tech laboratories and other government buildings," Willis said. "That means spades in the ground, jobs throughout the country and a stronger economy. ADVERTISEMENT "Improving the quality of New Zealand's infrastructure is critical to growing the economy and helping Kiwis with the cost of living. "Good roads, schools and hospitals help business to move goods and services to market quickly and efficiently, children to learn and doctors and nurses to get patients back on their feet." The projects getting underway would create thousands of employment opportunities for New Zealanders, Bishop said. "Numbers vary according to the nature of projects, but data sourced from the Infrastructure Commission suggests each billion dollars of infrastructure investment per year equates to about 4500 jobs. "In total, workers are expected to start construction on $3.9 billion worth of roading projects in the next few months. "They include the Ōtaki to north of Levin expressway, the Melling interchange, the Waihoehoe Road upgrade, and the new Ōmanawa bridge on SH29. All will help to lift productivity by getting people and freight to their destinations quickly and safely. "Health projects kicking off include upgrades to Auckland City Hospital, Middlemore Hospital, and the construction of a new acute mental health unit at Hutt Valley Hospital. ADVERTISEMENT "Construction work on the new inpatients' building at the new Dunedin Hospital has also just begun." Projects focused on improving school properties nearly $800 million in value would also be underway before the end of the year, he said. "Other government infrastructure projects due to start before the end of this year include a massive new state-of-the-art biosecurity facility in Auckland for the Ministry of Primary Industries and the Papakura District Court interim courthouse. "Importantly, this is just the start. The National Infrastructure Pipeline, managed by the Infrastructure Commission, now shows planned future projects totalling $207 billion across central government, local government and the private sector." Alongside the infrastructure update, Nicola Willis today released an update on the Government's Infrastructure for Growth work programme. The update is the first refresh of the Going for Growth agenda launched in February to drive economic growth by backing business, improving infrastructure and skills, and removing barriers to innovation. The projects beginning construction include: Hutt Valley Te Whare Ahuru Acute Mental Health Unit, Wellington Kidz First and McIndoe Building Recladding, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland Linear Accelerators Replacement, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland Plant Health & Environment Capability Laboratory, Auckland Papakura District Court Interim Courthouse, Auckland Waihoehoe Road Upgrade, Auckland SH22 (Drury) Corridor Upgrade - interim works, Auckland SH29 Tauriko - Omanawa Bridge - Bay of Plenty SH1 Ōtaki to north of Levin, Horowhenua SH2 Melling Interchange, Wellington SH76 Brougham Street, Canterbury Rolleston Access Improvements - Package 1, Canterbury Parliamentary Library - south building and underground carpark seismic strengthening & rebuild, Wellington School property projects across the country including roll growth classrooms, upgrades and redevelopments & learning support satellite classrooms, administration blocks and gymnasiums.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Infrastructure Projects To Drive Jobs And Growth
Minister for Economic Growth Hon Chris Bishop Minister for Infrastructure Billions of dollars worth of infrastructure projects getting underway in the next few months will drive economic activity and create thousands of jobs across the country, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say. The Ministers today released an infrastructure update showing $6 billion of government-funded construction is due to start between now and Christmas. 'The projects getting underway include new roads, hospitals, schools, high-tech laboratories and other government buildings,' Nicola Willis says. 'That means spades in the ground, jobs throughout the country and a stronger economy. 'Improving the quality of New Zealand's infrastructure is critical to growing the economy and helping Kiwis with the cost of living. 'Good roads, schools and hospitals help business to move goods and services to market quickly and efficiently, children to learn and doctors and nurses to get patients back on their feet.' Chris Bishop says the projects getting underway will create thousands of employment opportunities for New Zealanders. 'Numbers vary according to the nature of projects, but data sourced from the Infrastructure Commission suggests each billion dollars of infrastructure investment per year equates to about 4500 jobs. 'In total, workers are expected to start construction on $3.9 billion worth of roading projects in the next few months. They include the Ōtaki to north of Levin expressway, the Melling interchange, the Waihoehoe Road upgrade, and the new Ōmanawa bridge on SH29. All will help to lift productivity by getting people and freight to their destinations quickly and safely. 'Health projects kicking off include upgrades to Auckland City Hospital, Middlemore Hospital, and the construction of a new acute mental health unit at Hutt Valley Hospital. Construction work on the new inpatients building at the new Dunedin Hospital has also just begun. 'Between now and the end of this year, school property projects valued at nearly $800 million will get underway across the country. 'Other Government infrastructure projects due to start before the end of this year include a massive new state-of-the-art biosecurity facility in Auckland for the Ministry of Primary Industries and the Papakura District Court interim courthouse. 'Importantly, this is just the start. The National Infrastructure Pipeline, managed by the Infrastructure Commission, now shows planned future projects totalling $207 billion across central government, local government and the private sector.' Alongside the infrastructure update, Nicola Willis today released an update on the Government's Infrastructure for Growth work programme. The update is the first refresh of the Going for Growth agenda launched in February to drive economic growth by backing business, improving infrastructure and skills, and removing barriers to innovation. The update shows that since February the Government has delivered on 14 actions to build a stronger infrastructure pipeline and drive better value for money. They include: streamlining land acquisition processes for major infrastructure projects agreeing to fund more than $550 million of water, energy, Māori development and other projects through the Regional Infrastructure Fund; and consulting on a draft National Infrastructure Plan due to become final by the end of the year that will give investors and businesses confidence and drive better value for money from public investment. Note The projects beginning construction include: Hutt Valley Te Whare Ahuru Acute Mental Health Unit, Wellington Kidz First and McIndoe Building Recladding, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland Linear Accelerators Replacement, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland Dunedin Hospital Sterile Services Unit, Dunedin Plant Health & Environment Capability Laboratory, Auckland Papakura District Court Interim Courthouse, Auckland Waihoehoe Road Upgrade, Auckland SH22 (Drury) Corridor Upgrade – interim works, Auckland SH29 Tauriko – Omanawa Bridge – Bay of Plenty SH1 Ōtaki to north of Levin, Horowhenua SH2 Melling Interchange, Wellington SH76 Brougham Street, Canterbury Rolleston Access Improvements – Package 1, Canterbury Parliamentary Library – south building and underground carpark seismic strengthening & rebuild, Wellington School property projects across the country including roll growth classrooms, upgrades and redevelopments & learning support satellite classrooms, administration blocks and gymnasiums. This list excludes a small number of significant projects which will begin construction before the end of 2025, but cannot yet be named for a range of commercial reasons. The value of these projects is included in the $6 billion total. Announcements will be made about them in the coming weeks and months.
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Infrastructure boost includes Canterbury works
The government has released an infrastructure update showing that $6 billion of government-funded construction is due to start between now and Christmas. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and other ministers joined him in the rural town of Drury, near Auckland, for the announcement this morning. In a statement, Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis and Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop said the projects would drive economic activity and create thousands of jobs across the country. "The projects getting under way include new roads, hospitals, schools, high-tech laboratories and other government buildings," Willis said. "That means spades in the ground, jobs throughout the country and a stronger economy. "Improving the quality of New Zealand's infrastructure is critical to growing the economy and helping Kiwis with the cost of living. "Good roads, schools and hospitals help business to move goods and services to market quickly and efficiently, children to learn and doctors and nurses to get patients back on their feet." The projects would create thousands of employment opportunities for New Zealanders, Bishop said. "Numbers vary according to the nature of projects, but data sourced from the Infrastructure Commission suggests each billion dollars of infrastructure investment per year equates to about 4500 jobs. "In total, workers are expected to start construction on $3.9 billion worth of roading projects in the next few months. "They include the Ōtaki to north of Levin expressway, the Melling interchange, the Waihoehoe Road upgrade, and the new Ōmanawa bridge on SH29. All will help to lift productivity by getting people and freight to their destinations quickly and safely. "Health projects kicking off include upgrades to Auckland City Hospital, Middlemore Hospital, and the construction of a new acute mental health unit at Hutt Valley Hospital. "Construction work on the new inpatients building at the new Dunedin Hospital has also just begun." Projects focused on improving school properties nearly $800 million in value would also be underway before the end of the year, he said. "Other government infrastructure projects due to start before the end of this year include a massive new state-of-the-art biosecurity facility in Auckland for the Ministry of Primary Industries and the Papakura District Court interim courthouse. "Importantly, this is just the start. The National Infrastructure Pipeline, managed by the Infrastructure Commission, now shows planned future projects totalling $207 billion across central government, local government and the private sector." Alongside the infrastructure update, Nicola Willis today released an update on the government's Infrastructure for Growth work programme. The update is the first refresh of the Going for Growth agenda launched in February to drive economic growth by backing business, improving infrastructure and skills, and removing barriers to innovation. Projects beginning construction • Hutt Valley Te Whare Ahuru Acute Mental Health Unit, Wellington • Kidz First and McIndoe Building Recladding, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland • Linear Accelerators Replacement, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland • Plant Health & Environment Capability Laboratory, Auckland • Papakura District Court Interim Courthouse, Auckland • Waihoehoe Road Upgrade, Auckland • SH22 (Drury) Corridor Upgrade - interim works, Auckland • SH29 Tauriko - Omanawa Bridge - Bay of Plenty • SH1 Ōtaki to north of Levin, Horowhenua • SH2 Melling Interchange, Wellington • SH76 Brougham Street, Canterbury • Rolleston Access Improvements - Package 1, Canterbury • Parliamentary Library - south building and underground carpark seismic strengthening & rebuild, Wellington • School property projects across the country including roll growth classrooms, upgrades and redevelopments & learning support satellite classrooms, administration blocks and gymnasiums.
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Infrastructure boost for jobs and growth, says govt
The government has released an infrastructure update showing that $6 billion of government-funded construction is due to start between now and Christmas. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and other ministers joined him in the rural town of Drury, near Auckland, for the announcement this morning. In a statement, Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis and Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop said the projects would drive economic activity and create thousands of jobs across the country. "The projects getting under way include new roads, hospitals, schools, high-tech laboratories and other government buildings," Willis said. "That means spades in the ground, jobs throughout the country and a stronger economy. "Improving the quality of New Zealand's infrastructure is critical to growing the economy and helping Kiwis with the cost of living. "Good roads, schools and hospitals help business to move goods and services to market quickly and efficiently, children to learn and doctors and nurses to get patients back on their feet." The projects would create thousands of employment opportunities for New Zealanders, Bishop said. "Numbers vary according to the nature of projects, but data sourced from the Infrastructure Commission suggests each billion dollars of infrastructure investment per year equates to about 4500 jobs. "In total, workers are expected to start construction on $3.9 billion worth of roading projects in the next few months. "They include the Ōtaki to north of Levin expressway, the Melling interchange, the Waihoehoe Road upgrade, and the new Ōmanawa bridge on SH29. All will help to lift productivity by getting people and freight to their destinations quickly and safely. "Health projects kicking off include upgrades to Auckland City Hospital, Middlemore Hospital, and the construction of a new acute mental health unit at Hutt Valley Hospital. "Construction work on the new inpatients building at the new Dunedin Hospital has also just begun." Projects focused on improving school properties nearly $800 million in value would also be underway before the end of the year, he said. "Other government infrastructure projects due to start before the end of this year include a massive new state-of-the-art biosecurity facility in Auckland for the Ministry of Primary Industries and the Papakura District Court interim courthouse. "Importantly, this is just the start. The National Infrastructure Pipeline, managed by the Infrastructure Commission, now shows planned future projects totalling $207 billion across central government, local government and the private sector." Alongside the infrastructure update, Nicola Willis today released an update on the government's Infrastructure for Growth work programme. The update is the first refresh of the Going for Growth agenda launched in February to drive economic growth by backing business, improving infrastructure and skills, and removing barriers to innovation. Projects beginning construction • Hutt Valley Te Whare Ahuru Acute Mental Health Unit, Wellington • Kidz First and McIndoe Building Recladding, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland • Linear Accelerators Replacement, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland • Plant Health & Environment Capability Laboratory, Auckland • Papakura District Court Interim Courthouse, Auckland • Waihoehoe Road Upgrade, Auckland • SH22 (Drury) Corridor Upgrade - interim works, Auckland • SH29 Tauriko - Omanawa Bridge - Bay of Plenty • SH1 Ōtaki to north of Levin, Horowhenua • SH2 Melling Interchange, Wellington • SH76 Brougham Street, Canterbury • Rolleston Access Improvements - Package 1, Canterbury • Parliamentary Library - south building and underground carpark seismic strengthening & rebuild, Wellington • School property projects across the country including roll growth classrooms, upgrades and redevelopments & learning support satellite classrooms, administration blocks and gymnasiums.
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Rural economy is buoying Māori economy after Budget cuts to development funding
The first research, by Stats NZ, looked at 1450 Māori authorities and related businesses at the start of 2025. Like the rest of the economy, Māori businesses have suffered at the hands of this Government. The total number of filled jobs for Māori authorities was 11,870, down 170 jobs or 1.4% annually. The total value of earnings for Māori authority employees was $212 million, a decrease of $8.7m or 4%. This shows the reduction in hours occurring across the rest of the economy is also reaching Māori businesses. When examining the business sales data of Māori firms, the same problems observed across the wider economy are also present. Professional, scientific, technical, administrative and support services were down $18m or 13%. Meanwhile, primary industries were up $11m or 3% annually. The rural economy is supporting the Māori economy as much as primary industries' buoyancy is helping out anywhere else in Aotearoa. The second insight comes from ANZ's Te Tirohanga Whānui Report. That data confirms 2024 was a tough year for Māori businesses. However, it also confirms Māori businesses are 'performing better' than 'many of the country's largest listed companies'. Despite challenges, Māori businesses are performing better than many large companies, showing their resilience. Photo / Alan Gibson There is a resilience not seen in other parts of the economy. As ANZ notes, 'When the Māori economy grows, it strengthens the whole of the New Zealand economy.' Visit Whakatāne and see how Ngāti Awa has underwritten the local economy to the benefit of all. Given the increasing size of the Māori economy – its asset base having nearly doubled to $126 billion in 2023 – you'd think it would form a key part of the Government's economic agenda. But it's not mentioned once during the Minister of Finance's Budget speech. In the last Budget, $20m was cut from Māori economic development initiatives. The only new funding for the entirety of Vote Māori Development was $3m a year for Māori Wardens and the Māori Women's Welfare League. The Government's 'Going for Growth' economic development plan says the Māori economy is important – but that is it. There are no specific programmes to help it grow. There is nothing to help Māori businesses grow into new sectors or help capitalise on their intellectual property. In short, it is left alone. He Kai Kei Aku Ringa: the Māori-Crown Economic Growth Partnership – written initially in 2013 under National and revised in 2023 under Labour, was abandoned when the coalition took office. It looks increasingly likely that the economy is heading backwards again. The Reserve Bank is now forecasting that the economy declined 0.2% last quarter. You would think the Government would be pulling every lever to make sure there was new economic activity and new employment. But this is a Government that has a complete blind spot when it comes to anything Māori. Some $88m was cut in total from direct Māori funding at the last Budget, on top of $97m last year. There is an urgent need to change thinking. The Government is content with ever higher numbers of Māori being in prison, homeless or unemployed. That is not the 'growth, growth, growth' many were hoping for. It does nothing to support a unique and growing part of the New Zealand economy. Nothing to help enterprises and authorities that may be able to reach where other government actions have failed. It is time for a better plan – and one that recognises a remarkably simple fact. The scale of the opportunity in the Māori economy is not being grasped by the Government. We will have spent more on landlord tax relief over the next four years ($2.9b) than we have on the entirety of the Treaty settlement process to date ($2.8b). Budgets are about choices. Choices show values. The Government should value the Māori economy better. That way we all benefit.
