AM Edition: Top 10 Politics Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for June 27, 2026 – Full Text

Source: New Zealand Government

From early August, practical regulatory changes will help businesses manage the impacts of fuel price uncertainty, Regulation Minister David Seymour and Transport Minister Chris Bishop say.

The package of heavy vehicle rule changes will reduce compliance costs, improve productivity, and remove barriers to investment in modern vehicles. These changes will take effect on 6 August. 

“It’s important to Kiwis that they have a say on rules that affect them,” Mr Seymour says.  

“Earlier this year we called for businesses, fuel users, freight operators, and the wider public to report any regulatory barriers that might be hindering our response to global fuel pressures to the Red Tape Tipline. Some of those ideas were too good to ignore and are now being implemented. 

“The Ministry for Regulation has worked with the Ministry of Transport to test and progress the best ones. Now, we are making changes to provide regulatory relief for Kiwis. Analysis from the two Ministries found that some changes should be made now. 

“These are practical, common-sense changes that reduce compliance costs, improve productivity, and make our transport rules easier to understand and comply with. they remove outdated requirements, reduce paperwork, and make it easier for operators to get on with the job.”

As part of Phase 1 of the Government’s fuel response regulatory relief work, the Government will permanently remove permit requirements for some High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMVs), including 50MAX trucks and unladen rental service HPMVs being repositioned between depots or delivered to customers.

“These vehicles are already approved to operate on specific routes, so requiring additional permits serves little practical purpose,” Mr Bishop says.

“Not every challenge created by higher fuel prices can be solved by Government, but we can make sure outdated regulations aren’t adding unnecessary costs on top.

“Removing these permit requirements cuts compliance costs for operators, reduces administrative burden on NZTA, and helps freight move more efficiently around the country.”

The Government has also agreed to permanently allow Class 1 licence holders to drive heavier zero-emission vehicles up to 7,500kg, and Class 2 licence holders to drive heavier electric buses up to 22,000kg.

“Zero-emission trucks and buses are often heavier because of their battery technology. Current licence thresholds can unintentionally discourage operators from investing in them,” Mr Bishop says.

“We’re fixing that by making sure licence rules keep pace with vehicle technology and don’t stand in the way of investment.”

The changes will take effect on 6 August through an Order in Council.

The Government has also agreed to a range of additional heavy vehicle rule changes that are expected to come into force later this year, including removing H-plate requirements for HPMVs and improving signage requirements for load pilot vehicles.

“These are practical, common-sense changes that reduce compliance costs, improve productivity, and make our transport rules easier to understand and comply with,” Mr Seymour says.

The changes form part of the Government’s wider Land Transport Rules Reform programme and have been accelerated where appropriate under the Government’s fuel response regulatory relief work.

“Taken together, these changes support a more productive, resilient and efficient freight sector that keeps New Zealand moving,” Mr Bishop says.

Notes to editor: 

• These changes are part of the Government’s Land Transport Rules Reform programme, which is focused on modernising outdated rules, reducing red tape, and supporting a safer, more productive transport system.
• An Order in Council is a type of secondary legislation made by the executive branch of government without needing to pass a full act through Parliament.
• Class 1 drivers of heavier zero-emission vehicles will also be exempted from the Transport Service Licence requirement, to align with the requirements for other vehicles that can be driven on a Class 1 licence.
• The full list of agreed heavy vehicle rule changes that are expected to come into effect before the end of the year includes:
  • removing the requirement for High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMVs) to display H plates.
  • incorporating the Bolster Attachment Code by reference.
  • removing an unused definition from the Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicles 2004 (the Heavy Vehicles Rule).
  • removing the Accelerated Licensing Process (ALP).
  • standardising speed limits for tractors and special-type vehicles to 40 km/h.
  • introducing three new load pilot vehicle signs:’OVERSIZE LOAD AHEAD’, ‘OVERSIZE LOAD FOLLOWS’, and ‘PREPARE TO PULL OVER’, to better inform motorists
  • removing load pilot signage specifications from the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016 (VDAM) and retaining those in the Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices 2004, to simplify the requirements.
  • removing the requirement for forward-facing and rear-facing load pilot signs to be on the reverse of each other.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/26/cutting-red-tape-for-freight-operators/

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Health Minister David Seymour has today announced more clear expectations for Pharmac to continue delivering the medicines and medical technology that Kiwis need, more efficiently. 

“For many New Zealanders, funding for pharmaceuticals is life or death, or the difference between a life of pain and suffering or living freely. That’s why it has been a focus of this Government,” Mr Seymour says.

“My expectation is that Pharmac continues to deliver for Kiwis within its fixed budget. Pharmac will need to find efficiencies to make their budget go further, because that’s what Kiwi patients and their families deserve.”

The expectations for Pharmac for 2026/27 include: 

• Ensuring assessment, procurement and exceptional circumstances processes continue to work for patients and support access to medicines.
• Strengthening how Pharmac considers the wider health, social and fiscal impacts of funding decisions. 
• Continuing to reflect the voices of patients, carers and families in decision-making.
• Further improving the timeliness and transparency of medicine funding decisions, including introducing assessment timeframes targets, public reporting, and faster publication of decision records.
• Building on engagement with consumer groups, suppliers and other stakeholders to improve collaboration and planning to achieve the best results for Kiwi patients. 
• Investing in data and digital infrastructure to enhance core functions, including the use of AI.

“Pharmac has gone for focussing solely on managing their fixed budget to an agency that seeks collaboration and advocates for further funding. I want to acknowledge Pharmac for the work they have done to respond to my previous Letters of Expectations,” Mr Seymour says.  

Pharmac achievements from previous letters of expectations:

• Changed their culture, by: 
• Delivering a 12-month Reset Programme with input from the Consumer and Patient Working Group.
• Developing a new vision and strategic priorities following significant external and internal consultation.
• Investing in data and digital infrastructure, including beginning work to redevelop the aging Pharmaceutical Schedule.
• Built productive consumer and procurement partnerships by:
• Speeding up its processes, including completing a streamlined assessment pilot.
• Strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders, including establishing a new Medical Devices Supplier Reference Group.
• Taking part in the November 2024 consumer engagement workshops. 
• Strengthening stakeholder engagement through a dedicated Consumer Engagement team.
• Expanding public consultation steps to include the annual tender process. 
• Significantly improved access to medicines and medical technology by: 
• Engaging with international experts on best practice for considering the societal impacts of funding medicines.
• Established the medical devices procurement arrangement with Health NZ. 

“The Government’s doing its part. Since this Government took over, we’ve allocated Pharmac its largest ever budget of $7.2 billion over four years,” Mr Seymour says.  

This includes a $54 million uplift over 4 years announced in Budget 2026 and a $604 million uplift over 4 years made in June 2024. It also includes the $1.77 billion investment made in Budget 2024 to address previous time limited funding 

“Patients are reaping the benefits. With that money, Pharmac has made 135 decisions to fund or widen access to medicines, including decisions on 47 cancer medicines. Over 680,000 patients are expected to benefit in the first year of funding from these medicines,” Mr Seymour says. 

“The progress so far has been impressive, but there is more work to be done. Listening to the voices of patients and consumers will continue to be at the heart of Pharmac’s work as it launches the next phase of its long-term improvement programme.” 

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/26/minister-sets-2026-expectations-for-pharmac-continue-upward-trajectory/

Source: New Zealand Government

Importance of the freight sector

I want to begin by stating the obvious: we understand how critical the freight sector is to New Zealand’s success.

Freight is what keeps our country moving. When your sector is working well, the rest of the economy works well. When it’s not, everything slows down.

The pride we feel when picking up a product in an overseas supermarket and seeing the silver fern on the front doesn’t happen by chance. It’s made possible by a freight sector that moves our products efficiently from farm gate to factory and from factory to port – and ultimately to shelves around the globe.

Whether it’s milk from Fonterra, meat from Silver Fern Farms, or kiwifruit from Zespri, these exports rely on a freight system that works. Without it, our economy stalls. With it, we thrive. 

When we say we’re listening to the sector, we mean it. 

We’ve launched a clear action plan relating to freight, focused on lifting productivity and making the system work better.

That plan is about getting the fundamentals right. Making sure our freight networks are clear and prioritised, that we’re investing in the right places, and that the system is more reliable and resilient when things go wrong.

Alongside that, we’ve reinstated the National Freight Demand study because good decisions rely on good data.

For too long, we’ve been trying to plan the system without a clear, up-to-date picture of what’s actually moving around the country, where it’s going, and how that’s changing over time.

Bringing that study back gives us the information we need to plan properly, prioritise investment, and make smarter, evidence-based decisions.

But reinstating the study wasn’t really about the benefits to us – it was about the benefits to you. You told us that you rely on the data, and we listened. 

Freight Advisory Council

One of the most useful steps we’ve taken to continue to get workable and informed advice has been establishing the Freight Advisory Council.

I set that up last October because I wanted practical advice from people who actually operate in the system. 

I particularly want to acknowledge the Council today, and Transporting New Zealand as a key member, because that input has been invaluable.

You’ve seen this most clearly during the fuel response.

The Council met regularly during the peak of the crisis, advising us and stress testing our positions against real-world impacts, and helping us avoid getting caught up in solutions that might look good on paper but don’t actually work on the ground.

I understand the Council is turning its attention back to medium-to-longer term issues such as quality system data and the workforce, as well as assessing the impact of potentially structurally higher fuel prices on the freight and supply chains.

I look forward to seeing the products of these discussions.

Red tape

I want to address something I hear consistently from this sector – the sheer amount of red tape you’re dealing with.

Not big, headline-grabbing issues, but the accumulation of small, technical rules, permits and restrictions that slow you down every day.

The reality is a lot of these issues never make it anywhere near a Minister’s desk.

Individually, they don’t look big enough. They don’t look urgent enough. They’re often highly technical. So they get parked, pushed aside. 

More often than not, they end up in the too-hard basket.

But when you add all of these issues up, they drive down productivity, add costs to your businesses and ultimately, a drag on the economy as a whole. 

Well, I am fed up with these meaningless rules holding you up. I am committed to taking them out of the too hard basket. 

Our Land Transport Rules Reform Programme is an important first step on unclogging the system – creating a pipeline of reform that clears the backlog and keeps the system moving.

Heavy vehicle productivity rule changes

We have already made good progress, some of which I want to announce today.

I am making a set of heavy vehicle productivity changes. They’re practical, not flashy – but importantly, they’re permanent.

Some of these have been accelerated as part of the Government’s Fuel Response Plan. That includes allowing Class 1 drivers to operate slightly heavier zero-emission vehicles, enabling Class 2 drivers to operate heavier electric buses, and removing permit requirements that frankly no longer make sense given the modern fleet.

These changes sit within Phase One of our national fuel response plan and will help ease some of the immediate pressure from the current situation.

These accelerated changes were consulted on as part of a broader package of heavy vehicle productivity proposals. 

Alongside the above changes, I am also pleased to announce that I have made final policy decisions on a number of other further permanent rule changes, including:

Removing H plates to reduce compliance costs and enforcement confusion
Removing inconsistencies in the rules to make them simpler and easier to comply with 
Removing the Accelerated Licensing Process, and
Standardising speed limits for tractors and special-type vehicles to 40kmh. 
Introducing three new load pilot vehicle signs to better inform motorists

These changes are expected to come into effect before the end of the year.

What that means in practice is less paperwork, more flexibility, and fewer unnecessary barriers getting in the way of doing your job.

It’s about making sure the rules keep up with the vehicles we now have on our roads — and cutting red tape where it’s causing real-world problems.

Now, we know this isn’t a complete solution. But it is a meaningful first step – and there is more coming as the work continues.

Fuel crisis

In the context of the fuel situation, we’ve also taken a very close look at a wider range of potential temporary regulatory changes.

We worked through a full set of options, including payload changes, overdimension travel, and a number of broader heavy vehicle proposals.

Most of these options didn’t make sense as a short-term response.

Not because we’re opposed to change, but because the analysis simply didn’t stack up. Some options would have delivered only marginal benefits or only applied to a small portion of the fleet.

Others would have taken too long to implement to make a meaningful difference in the short term.

And in some cases, the trade-offs were stark.

Take mass limits, for example. Officials modelled potential diesel savings of up to 16 million litres over six months in a best-case scenario. This is equivalent to about 1.5 days’ diesel use at current levels.

But achieving that would have come at a cost of around $150 million in additional infrastructure damage over the same period.

When it came down to it, the costs outweighed the benefits.

That’s why we made the call to keep this change in reserve and only do it if the situation worsens. 

If we move into Phase Four of the Fuel Response Plan, we are ready to go with targeted payload changes. This is because at Phase Four the cost of diesel is likely to be materially higher, the need to conserve supply is more acute, and overall freight task and road damage would be correspondingly lower – meaning the benefit-cost balance is likely to look quite different.

Looking ahead to Phase Two, we’ve got a set of targeted, temporary changes ready to go if needed. 

That includes lifting route restrictions on overdimension vehicles so they can use key Auckland motorways — cutting down travel distances and improving efficiency. 

And we’ve done the groundwork with NZTA and Auckland Transport to make sure those changes stack up.

That gives us a pathway to act if we need to but in a way that is proportionate to the scale of the challenge.

Looking further ahead, there is more we can do to lift productivity, particularly through changes to the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule.

But I want to be very clear about the Government’s position: we are not in the business of subsidising the freight sector. Any changes we make will need to ensure the effects on infrastructure are properly accounted for and managed through the system.

That position – that any changes need to reflect the user-pays principle – is workable in the longer term in a way it isn’t in the middle of a short-term fuel response. And that comes down to two key things.

First, infrastructure.

When changes to vehicle weights and dimensions are planned for, their effect on the network can be managed. NZTA and local road authorities can build those changes into their asset management planning, their maintenance programmes, and their long-term investment decisions.

That means roads, pavements and bridges can be designed, maintained and renewed to accommodate more productive vehicles rather than the Crown being left with an unplanned bill from accelerated wear.

Second, industry has time to adapt.

Short-term changes would focus on the existing fleet, putting more weight on their axles, which concentrates the impact on the network.

Over the longer term, operators can invest in things like different axle configurations that spread loads more effectively, and adopt newer vehicle technologies — including zero-emission vehicles — that improve productivity without the same level of infrastructure impact.

VDAM change, done properly, is about enabling a smarter, more efficient system over time.

And that’s exactly how we’re approaching the next phase of work.

We’re building it on real-world evidence and robust research, so that any changes we bring forward will lift productivity, deliver meaningful benefits for operators, and properly account for the impacts on the network, including how those costs are paid for.

And that work is already underway.

The fuel response work has given the longer-term VDAM programme a running start. To develop the regulatory relief options at pace, NZTA brought forward an initial assessment of state highway bridges, and commissioned Road Controlling Authorities to do the same on the local network. 

That evidence – alongside the sector input and the policy analysis and modelling done at pace – now feeds directly into the next phases of heavy vehicle productivity reform.

Because if we’re going to do this, we want to do it properly and make sure it is grounded in engineering reality, not assumptions.

That’s what gives us confidence that the next phase of VDAM reform will be both ambitious and workable.

Potential for future reform

Finally, as Minister I also want the Government to turn its mind more to how our ports interconnect with freight and supply chains.

Ports are a critical component of the system and it is important to check that the settings are right. I hear a lot of commentary from freight stakeholders about ports.

I look forward to receiving the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee report on its inquiry into ports and the maritime sector. 

MCERT will help the Government develop its response to that report, and I am keen for it to think about how ports fit into the system, as I do see the potential for reform there.

Conclusion

Thank you again for the opportunity to speak with you about the Government’s transport programme.

You play a vital role in the land transport system, and I want us to keep working together to achieve our shared goals.

I hope you enjoy the rest of the conference and make the most of the connections you build while you’re here.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/26/speech-to-transporting-nz-conference/

MIL OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

Hawke’s Bay patients will soon be able to access radiation treatment closer to home, with today’s sod-turn marking the start of construction on the new Hawke’s Bay Cancer Centre, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“Today marks a major milestone in improving access to cancer care for people in Hawke’s Bay,” Mr Brown says.

“Currently, Hawke’s Bay patients requiring radiation treatment must travel to Palmerston North, making return journeys of more than four hours while undergoing some of the most challenging treatment of their lives.

“Once complete, the new cancer centre will allow most patients to receive radiation treatment closer to home, closer to their families, and closer to their support networks.”

Around 500 patients each year are expected to benefit from receiving radiation treatment locally, significantly reducing the emotional, financial, and logistical burden of travelling for care.

The new centre will provide Hawke’s Bay’s first local radiation treatment service and form a key part of the wider redevelopment of Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital.

The Government is also investing a further $7.6 million to complete Stage Two of the project, in addition to the $37.2 million announced last year for Stage One, bringing total investment to $44.8 million.

“Funding the full build now means we can deliver the complete cancer centre sooner, avoid unnecessary delays and duplication, and ensure patients benefit from improved access to care as quickly as possible.

“At the heart of the centre will be Hawke’s Bay’s first Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machine, enabling radiation treatment to be delivered locally for the first time. This advanced technology precisely targets cancer cells while minimising damage to healthy tissue, improving both treatment outcomes and patient comfort.”

Stage One includes construction of the LINAC facility, featuring two treatment bunkers and associated clinical spaces to meet current demand and support future growth. The second bunker will provide capacity for an additional LINAC as demand increases.

Stage Two will complete the wider cancer centre, including modern medical oncology and haematology services.

Workforce planning is already underway to support the new service.

“This investment is about making it easier for people to access the care they need, when and where they need it.

“Once complete, the Hawke’s Bay Cancer Centre will improve access to specialist cancer treatment locally, reduce pressure on other hospitals, and support a more connected and resilient health system for the region.

“We are focused on building the future of cancer care in Hawke’s Bay, ensuring patients and their communities have access to quality, modern treatment for many years to come.”

The cancer centre is part of the wider Hawke’s Bay Hospital redevelopment programme, which is upgrading facilities to meet the needs of the region’s growing population.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/26/sod-turned-on-hawkes-bay-cancer-centre/

Source: New Zealand Government

Health New Zealand’s first primary birthing unit in central Auckland was officially opened by Associate Health Minister Casey Costello today.

Whānau Ngā Uri, which is located in Parnell, will operate 24/7 and support up to 400 women and their families each year.

“Today marks an important milestone in helping to deliver more choice for women giving birth,” Ms Costello says.

“I want to acknowledge the clinicians, midwives and partners who have worked tirelessly to bring this service to life.”

The new unit provides a calm, home-like, midwifery-led environment, while remaining close to Auckland City Hospital for rapid transfer if specialist care is needed.

“Providing real choice matters. Women should be able to choose the birthing experience that is right for them and their family,” Ms Costello says.

The facility includes three birthing suites – each equipped for water births – and a shared family space. It will be staffed by 10 Health New Zealand midwives, with two onsite at all times. 

The service will deliver acute assessment and support births with both Health New Zealand and community midwives, alongside antenatal and postnatal care including vaccinations, anti-D, iron infusions, and primary assessment.

Metro Auckland is one of New Zealand’s highest-demand maternity areas, with approximately 65 births each day. The introduction of this service provides dedicated primary birth capacity and supports a more distributed model of care.

“This is also a key clinical training environment, with opportunities for midwifery and medical students, as well as structured support for new graduate midwives to build capability in maternity care.”

Women who give birth at the facility will have priority access to stay onsite for their three-day postnatal stay, which is funded by Health NZ and delivered by Birthcare.

Ms Costello says the opening aligns with the Government’s Budget 2026 commitment to improve access to maternity care.

Budget 2026 provides $34.4 million over four years to expand maternity capacity and support the workforce, ensuring all women can access up to three days of funded postnatal care.

“The days following birth can be intense and physically demanding. Mothers need time to recover, bond with their baby, and build confidence — they shouldn’t feel rushed to leave,” she says.

“I’m proud to open this service today, marking a significant boost to maternity care in central Auckland, and a step forward in giving every mother and baby the best possible start.”

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/26/primary-birthing-unit-opens-in-central-auckland/

MIL OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

Young New Zealanders who courier drugs are risking their lives, Customs Minister Casey Costello said today.

“Our young people are being targeted to do things which have devastating consequences. Criminal groups only want to boost their profits – they do not care what happens to drug mules,” Ms Costello says. “As far as the gangs and cartels are concerned, they are expendable.”

The Minister’s warning follows the arrest yesterday of six people from Auckland charged with smuggling methamphetamine from Malaysia. 

This year, 11 young New Zealanders have been arrested for trying to courier drugs through our airports. This is in addition to five foreign travellers being caught and charged.

“People from overseas may not understand that we have a sophisticated border protection system and that they will be caught, prosecuted and go to prison, Ms Costello says. 

“Our young people should have seen enough by now to know that if they courier drugs here, they will go to prison for several years. They won’t be with their loved ones, they won’t be with their friends, and future travel and career opportunities will be seriously hurt.

“But that is far better than being caught in the countries they are travelling to. A number of Southeast Asian countries retain the death penalty for drug crimes.

“Criminal groups are advertising to young people on social media with opportunities to have overseas holidays or make a quick buck. 

“What those ads don’t say is the price to be paid.

“My simple message is, if you’re approached, don’t do it. For families and friends if you have any notion that someone is thinking about this, please stop them.

Editor’s Note:

• People smuggling methamphetamine and cocaine face a maximum penalty in NZ of life imprisonment. Couriers caught smuggling commercial quantities (e.g. 10kg-20kg) frequently receive sentences ranging from seven to ten years in prison.
• The latest charges relate to a wider operation involving smuggling 345 kilograms of methamphetamine.
• In 2023 and 2024, no New Zealanders were arrested for couriering drugs here. In 2024, 15 foreign nationals were arrested and in 2023 there were 11.
• In 2025, three New Zealanders and 21 foreign nationals were arrested.  

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/25/free-holidays-not-worth-dying-for/

Source: New Zealand Government

With the third reading passage of the Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill, it will now be easier for successful charter school sponsors to open more schools and offer proven education models to more students, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. 

“Charter schools are unlocking young New Zealanders’ potential. Students who were not attending are at school, and those who were behind are ahead,” Mr Seymour says. 

“Now that a single proven sponsor can hold a contract for multiple charter schools, more Kiwi students will have that opportunity. It means a school that’s unlocking potential for kids in one community can do the same in another, without having to go through a whole new application process.  

“We know the demand for more charter schools is there. In some cases, demand was even higher than we expected. For example, Northwest College in Auckland has already had to move into a bigger building to accommodate its growth, and its waitlist continues to grow. Newer schools are in huge demand too. Twin Oaks School only opened in Term 3 last year and already has to move into a bigger space.

“The evidence for letting successful schools grow is strong. The largest charter school network in America KIPP, has shown that when you let proven models expand, kids who were behind catch up. Students who attended KIPP through middle and high school were nearly twice as likely to graduate from a four-year college as comparable peers. That’s what happens when you stop blocking growth.

“We’re already seeing this at home too. For example, TIPENE took initial assessment data in February 2025. It showed more than half their students were below the expected levels in mathematics, reading, and writing. By the end of the year, 81 per cent of students were achieving at or above the expected level in mathematics, 79 per cent in reading, and 80 per cent in writing. 

“In its first year École Française Internationale Auckland surpassed the Government targets for both attendance and achievement. In Term 1 this year regular attendance at Twin Oaks was 98 per cent. 

“Last year students at charter schools also attended school more than students in the state system. Three of the charter schools which opened last year were set up to work with students who faced significant barriers to education prior to their enrolment in charter schools. This includes many students who previously attended school very rarely, but are now at school significantly more, and achieving at a much higher level. 

“Christchurch North College and BUSY School NZ are two examples of those schools. Both these schools in their first year didn’t reach their attendance thresholds, but the improvement has been significant. 

“At Christchurch North College for example, all its students were previously disengaged from education. The school began its year with a regular attendance rate of 28 per cent. In Term 4 it was 42 per cent. While at BUSY School NZ, the average attendance rate for its students before enrolling was just 19 per cent. It now sits at 83 per cent.

“Charter schools show that education can be different if we let communities bring their ideas to the table. In return for greater autonomy with how they use their funding, charter schools will face greater scrutiny and more accountability. We will continue to set tough targets for charter schools so that they continue to deliver great results.” 

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/24/multi-school-contracts-for-charter-sponsors/

Source: New Zealand Government

Work will begin later this month on a new bridge over State Highway 1 (SH1) in Rolleston which will better connect residential and industrial areas, following the opening of other major improvements, says Transport Minister Chris Bishop.

“Rolleston is at the heart of the fastest growing district in New Zealand. Currently, SH1 carries around 24,000 vehicles per day, 11 percent of that heavy vehicles, with expectations it could reach 33,000 over the next 20 years. SH1 needs an upgrade to get ahead of that growth and we’re getting on with it,” Mr Bishop says.

“Since turning the first sod on this project in October last year, the SH1 Rolleston Access Improvements, a Road of Regional Significance project, has continued to move at pace with Fulton Hogan successfully delivering the first of two stages.

“A new roundabout and road alignment at the Dunns Crossing and Walkers Road intersection with SH1 is now fully open, making it safer and easier to enter or exit Rolleston at the southern end of the town, and providing a less congested connection for freight into the industrial area.

“A pedestrian and cycling subway next to the new roundabout is also now open to the public, providing a safe route under SH1 that will connect people with planned cycling or shared paths in the area either side of the state highway.

“Having now opened the major components of the first stage of improvements on schedule and within budget, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has now appointed Fulton Hogan to start construction and delivery on the second stage.

“The centrepiece of the project’s second stage will be a new bridge that passes over SH1 and the railway line, connecting Rolleston’s residential areas with its industrial and business areas. 

“The new bridge will have two lanes for vehicle traffic travelling into the industrial area, accommodating the largest traffic flows, with a single lane for traffic travelling into Rolleston’s residential area. A shared use path for walking and cycling is also planned for one side of the bridge.  

“The design of the bridge has also been future proofed, with the overall width of the bridge able to accommodate an additional traffic lane if needed. The bridge support structures are also wide enough to accommodate any future four laning of SH1 underneath the bridge when required.

“Early work will start shortly for this second stage, including site clearance to make way for the new bridge. Piling is expected to get underway in October, and the bridge is due to be completed and open to the public by the end of 2027. The remaining work on SH1, including removal of two signalised intersections, work on local roads and the rail level crossing, will be complete by the end of 2028.

“I want to thank road users and freight operators for their on-going patience as these crucial works are delivered. Ensuring SH1 is reliable, accessible, and safe, is a priority for the Government, and we’re getting on with these important upgrades.”

Notes to the editor: 

• The estimated full cost of the SH1 Rolleston Access Improvements project is between $180 to $200m.
• While the new SH1 roundabout from stage one of the project is now fully open, temporary speed limits will be in place as further finishing touches are carried out later in the year such as further surfacing and line-marking.
• The pedestrian and cycling subway, while also now open, will have refinements progressively added, including landscaping and permanent lighting.
• The first stage of the project has also included an upgrade to the rail crossing at Walkers Road, and traffic signals at the nearby Weedons interchange to alleviate queues on the southbound offramp.
• In addition to the traffic bridge to be built over SH1, the second stage of the Rolleston Access Improvements project also includes:
• Removal of the two signalised intersections on SH1 (Hoskyns Rd and Rolleston Drive North).
• Extension of the two southbound lanes on the motorway to just south of the planned bridge at Rolleston.
• A southbound service lane to access businesses and Rolleston town centre. 
• Major safety improvements and upgrades to the rail level crossing at Hoskyns Rd.
• More about the Rolleston Access Improvements project can be found here: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh1-rolleston

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/24/bridge-over-sh1-in-rolleston-getting-underway/