Latest news with #Swiggs
The Spinoff
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Spinoff
Ghost bus: why is Motu Move taking so long to arrive in Canterbury?
The new public transport payments were supposed to be operating in Canterbury already. What's happened? Last year, people in Canterbury were expecting a subtle, but useful, change to how they use public transport: the advent of the Motu Move system, which would allow Cantabrians to tag on to the bus with their debit card. Going region by region, the plan was for Motu Move to replace existing ticketing and public transport cards, concluding in Otago at the end of 2026. With one system in the whole country, the same card could be used for taking the train in Auckland, the ferry in Wellington and the bus in Christchurch. Though only one card would be required (and contactless debit cards could be used to tag on too) the pricing of public transport would still go to each individual council. But although Motu Move was supposed to be operating in Canterbury by mid-2025, with an earlier rollout in Timaru and Temuka, Cantabrians are still scanning their Metro cards. The only sign of it, so far, is Christchurch's route 29 bus – supposed to be an initial pilot before the broader system was implemented. Running since December, a NZTA spokesperson said that 27,000 trips on the 29 route have been paid for with debit and credit cards – 35% of adult fares on that route. 'The pilot has proven that the base contactless payments components of the system work and that more customers than expected have been keen to adopt the new payment options,' NZTA said. However, the broader system is well behind schedule. A re-confirmed plan for delivery in Canterbury, then the rest of the regions, is expected in August, NZTA said. The National Ticketing System governance board is also conducting a review to identify problems with implementation; a report will be delivered at the end of July. Deon Swiggs, the Environment Canterbury deputy chair and holder of the transport portfolio, says that the delay has been 'frustrating'. 'NZTA have to communicate with us,' he said, noting the communication has improved in recent weeks. 'We need to know what's happening so we can communicate it to our residents.' The initial plan was to roll out Motu Move in Timaru and Temuka early this year. Timaru has on-demand shuttle buses, and there's a bus route from the South Canterbury centre to Temuka. Both towns have on-demand transport services. 'It's a smaller and more confined system [than Greater Christchurch] – a good test to iron out the kinks,' Swiggs said. One reason that Canterbury had been selected as the first area to deploy the Motu Move upgrade was that its current ticketing system with a Metro transport card is up for renewal. 'We were operating on the assumption that Motu Move would take over Metro in Christchurch,' Swiggs said. Until the council receives an updated timeline, it's not clear how much it should invest to keep Metro running in the meantime. The benefits of the Motu Move system are clear. Elliot Weir, an Otago Regional councillor, uses their Bee Card frequently. Outside of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, the Bee cards are operated by all other regional councils with public transport services, meaning Weir was able to tag onto the bus as normal when they visited Hamilton recently. This could make it even easier for visitors to a region to use public transport, rather than needing to borrow a car or use rideshare services. 'Queenstown has a bus that goes to the airport – it's always packed,' Weir pointed out. The Motu Move system will also mean users can tag on with digital credit cards, and top their card up on their phone. 'I've been known to forget my wallet – it's super handy if you can still tag on with your phone or watch,' Weir said. Swiggs has appreciated using his Google Wallet to take the 29 bus. As Motu Move rolls out, most councils will stop accepting cash fares. 'It's more efficient to tag on than for drivers to manually count cash,' Swiggs said. 'If it costs an extra five or 10 seconds at every stop, and there are 50 stops on a route, that adds up to nearly 10 minutes – we know that reliability is the first thing users want from a public transport system.' Environment Canterbury plans to work with the City Mission and Housing First Christchurch to get their clients up to speed on the digital system; low income people are often those who depend on cash. When implemented, the ticketing system will also gather better data about which routes are being used – ideally helping transport planners to ensure their services respond to where people want to go. Motu Move does represent a major technical challenge. But other countries have conquered the 'pay with your debit card' challenge years ago: Singapore, Sydney and the Netherlands all have this option available. 'It's really simple to just have one card,' Swiggs says. 'It's been en route for a long time.' Debit card tag-on is already available in Auckland (which will eventually also be integrated into Motu Move), and on Wellington's airport bus. But Cantabrians will have to wait months even just to find out when Motu Move might arrive for them.
Otago Daily Times
09-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
New public transport ticketing system delayed again
Fresh delays have hit the roll-out of the national public transport ticketing system. The 'Motu Move' project will replace all transit cards used on buses, trains and ferries around New Zealand with a single national card. Transport users will also be able to use contactless cards and other devices to tag on and off. The first phase was due to be rolled out in Timaru and Temuka by mid-2025, but that has been delayed, with no revised date offered by NZTA. Environment Canterbury councillor Deon Swiggs said another delay was "definitely frustrating" as it was a promising project. "The principle of it is going to be absolutely fantastic ... you just tap on with your phone, tap off with your phone and it's seamless, it should be very easy the same way you use your public transport right across the country," he told Morning Report . "We've got ferries in Canterbury, we've got trains in Wellington and buses anywhere in the country. So, it is really frustrating. It's an exciting project, but it's delayed." Swiggs said there had been some challenges with the functionality. He said his understanding was that the base functionality was working fine, but it was the extra functionality that had been causing some of the issues. "Imagine you've got so many different pricing structures across the country, that's one of the issues from what I understand. They're having an issue trying to roll out," he said. "But let's see what we can do in Canterbury to roll it out because we've been promising our communities this for nearly two or three years. "I know the programme's been in the woodworks for about seven years. "Let's get it out there." Swiggs said it was really up to the technology provider behind the project to get it across the finish line. "They need to deliver a product that is robust enough for us to be able to roll out. The base functionality, from what I understand, is pretty robust. It is working." He said a trial was already under way for the region's airport bus and hoped other features will be rolled out soon. Swiggs said those involved in the project needed to be on the same page. "I just think there needs to be better communication going on between all the parties involved so that we can get a really clear line of communication, know what's going on (and) tell people this is what's happening and get this thing off the ground."
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
‘One-stop Shop': How RMA Reforms Could Shake Up Local Government
Article – David Hill – Local Democracy Reporter Change is in store for local government, amid RMA reform. Proposed legislation to replace the Resource Management Act (RMA) could bring sweeping changes for local councils. Amid speculation the Government is looking at local government amalgamation as part of the legislation, some believe many council functions could be stripped from them leaving them wondering what functions would be left at a local level. But Environment Canterbury chairperson Craig Pauling firmly believes there is a future for separate district and regional councils. ''There needs to be a partnership between local, regional and central government and we (ECan) are good at bringing people together. ''If you are in Kaikōura, your main focus is Kaikōura, but at a regional level my focus is Canterbury.'' Among the proposed changes is compliance, monitoring and enforcement (CME) functions to go to ''an Environment Protection Authority-type regulator''. A single regional plan is proposed, which would bring together ECan's seven regional plans, four river plans, the 10 District Plans and the various spatial plans developed by local councils. Mr Pauling believes there needs to be something at a regional level for planning and consenting, ''but you can still have delivery of services done at a local level''. He says the proposed changes could lead to a ''one-stop shop'' for consents, instead of developers having to apply to ECan and local councils for different consents for the same development, but is not convinced a unitary authority is the answer. ''You shouldn't have a student marking their own exams.'' A single spatial plan chapter for the region is expected to have legislative clout. But whether this will prevent housing developments, such as the proposed Ohoka sub-division, near Kaiapoi, appearing outside of a designated urban area remains uncertain. ''I suspect not because of the premise in the RMA reforms for private property rights,'' ECan deputy chairperson Deon Swiggs says. ECan is continuing preparation work for a new Canterbury Regional Coastal Environment Plan and a single regional plan. Former ECan chairperson Peter Scott blasted his colleagues last month for ''wasting money'' in allowing staff to continue planning work in the face of change. But Mr Swiggs said staff were conducting research and analysis which will help to inform future plans, regardless of the planning framework. ''We still have work to do and we need to get on and do it,'' Mr Swiggs said. ''The work of our staff will endure regardless of what planning frameworks we have in place in the future.'' In November, ECan voted to delay notifying the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement until January 2026, while it awaits more certainty with RMA reform. The council is also waiting for advice from the Environment Minister on whether it can notify a plan change to the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan designed to resolve issues arising from a Supreme Court ruling in 2023. Local Government Minister Simon Watts said amalgamation is a local decision and the Government will not force councils to amalgamate. He said the RMA replacement legislation will include provisions relating to the roles, responsibilities and processes of local government. 'I have asked my officials to work with the sector on what that could mean for councils.' RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop said the new legislation 'will provide a radical transition to a far more liberal planning system with less red tape' and an emphasis on property rights. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
‘One-stop Shop': How RMA Reforms Could Shake Up Local Government
Proposed legislation to replace the Resource Management Act (RMA) could bring sweeping changes for local councils. Amid speculation the Government is looking at local government amalgamation as part of the legislation, some believe many council functions could be stripped from them leaving them wondering what functions would be left at a local level. But Environment Canterbury chairperson Craig Pauling firmly believes there is a future for separate district and regional councils. ''There needs to be a partnership between local, regional and central government and we (ECan) are good at bringing people together. ''If you are in Kaikōura, your main focus is Kaikōura, but at a regional level my focus is Canterbury.'' Among the proposed changes is compliance, monitoring and enforcement (CME) functions to go to ''an Environment Protection Authority-type regulator''. A single regional plan is proposed, which would bring together ECan's seven regional plans, four river plans, the 10 District Plans and the various spatial plans developed by local councils. Mr Pauling believes there needs to be something at a regional level for planning and consenting, ''but you can still have delivery of services done at a local level''. He says the proposed changes could lead to a ''one-stop shop'' for consents, instead of developers having to apply to ECan and local councils for different consents for the same development, but is not convinced a unitary authority is the answer. ''You shouldn't have a student marking their own exams.'' A single spatial plan chapter for the region is expected to have legislative clout. But whether this will prevent housing developments, such as the proposed Ohoka sub-division, near Kaiapoi, appearing outside of a designated urban area remains uncertain. ''I suspect not because of the premise in the RMA reforms for private property rights,'' ECan deputy chairperson Deon Swiggs says. ECan is continuing preparation work for a new Canterbury Regional Coastal Environment Plan and a single regional plan. Former ECan chairperson Peter Scott blasted his colleagues last month for ''wasting money'' in allowing staff to continue planning work in the face of change. But Mr Swiggs said staff were conducting research and analysis which will help to inform future plans, regardless of the planning framework. ''We still have work to do and we need to get on and do it,'' Mr Swiggs said. ''The work of our staff will endure regardless of what planning frameworks we have in place in the future.'' In November, ECan voted to delay notifying the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement until January 2026, while it awaits more certainty with RMA reform. The council is also waiting for advice from the Environment Minister on whether it can notify a plan change to the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan designed to resolve issues arising from a Supreme Court ruling in 2023. Local Government Minister Simon Watts said amalgamation is a local decision and the Government will not force councils to amalgamate. He said the RMA replacement legislation will include provisions relating to the roles, responsibilities and processes of local government. "I have asked my officials to work with the sector on what that could mean for councils." RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop said the new legislation "will provide a radical transition to a far more liberal planning system with less red tape" and an emphasis on property rights.
Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
'One-stop shop': How RMA reforms could shake up local government
Proposed legislation to replace the Resource Management Act could bring sweeping changes for Canterbury councils. Amid speculation the Government is looking at local government amalgamation as part of the legislation, some believe many council functions could be stripped from them, leaving them wondering what functions would be left at a local level. But Environment Canterbury chairperson Craig Pauling firmly believes there is a future for separate district and regional councils. ''There needs to be a partnership between local, regional and central government and we (ECan) are good at bringing people together. ''If you are in Kaikōura, your main focus is Kaikōura, but at a regional level my focus is Canterbury.'' Among the proposed changes is compliance, monitoring and enforcement (CME) functions to go to ''an Environment Protection Authority-type regulator''. A single regional plan is proposed, which would bring together ECan's seven regional plans, four river plans, the 10 District Plans and the various spatial plans developed by local councils. Pauling believes there needs to be something at a regional level for planning and consenting, ''but you can still have delivery of services done at a local level''. He says the proposed changes could lead to a ''one-stop shop'' for consents, instead of developers having to apply to ECan and local councils for different consents for the same development, but is not convinced a unitary authority is the answer. ''You shouldn't have a student marking their own exams.'' A single spatial plan chapter for the region is expected to have legislative clout. But whether this will prevent housing developments, such as the proposed Ohoka sub-division, near Kaiapoi, appearing outside of a designated urban area remains uncertain. ''I suspect not because of the premise in the RMA reforms for private property rights,'' ECan deputy chairperson Deon Swiggs says. ECan is continuing preparation work for a new Canterbury Regional Coastal Environment Plan and a single regional plan. Former ECan chairperson Peter Scott blasted his colleagues last month for ''wasting money'' in allowing staff to continue planning work in the face of change. But Swiggs said staff were conducting research and analysis which will help to inform future plans, regardless of the planning framework. ''We still have work to do and we need to get on and do it,'' Swiggs said. ''The work of our staff will endure regardless of what planning frameworks we have in place in the future.'' In November, ECan voted to delay notifying the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement until January 2026, while it awaits more certainty with RMA reform. The council is also waiting for advice from the Environment Minister on whether it can notify a plan change to the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan designed to resolve issues arising from a Supreme Court ruling in 2023. Local Government Minister Simon Watts said amalgamation is a local decision and the Government will not force councils to amalgamate. He said the RMA replacement legislation will include provisions relating to the roles, responsibilities and processes of local government. "I have asked my officials to work with the sector on what that could mean for councils." RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop said the new legislation "will provide a radical transition to a far more liberal planning system with less red tape" and an emphasis on property rights. By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter ■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
