Dear John,

It's been a couple of weeks of sod-turnings as the government's big infrastructure investment programme kicks into top gear. The best day I've had as a Minister was last Friday when I got to officially start construction on the new Melling Interchange! ([link removed]) I've fought hard for this project for many years and it was just awesome to be there as the MP for Hutt South and as Transport Minister alongside Mayor Barry and Regional Council Chair Daran Ponter.

Along with Riverlink, this is a massive $1.5 billion investment into the Hutt. It'll greatly improve flood protection, deliver a new grade-separated interchange, a new road bridge across the river, a new walking and cycling link between Melling train station and the CBD, and so much more. All up it will be transformational for Lower Hutt - driving growth, creating jobs, and setting us up for the future. I can't wait until it's all done! A big thank you to everyone who has helped get us to this point - a lot of Hutt Valley legends have fought for this over the years.

Earlier this week I also joined the PM to start construction on the new Otaki to Levin Expressway ([link removed]) , the extension of Transmission Gully and Kapiti Expressways. This is currently a very dangerous section of SH1 and the new four lane road will greatly improve safety and of course reduce congestion and drive growth. The project has a long history and was off again/on again (mainly off to be fair) under Labour. It's a $2.1 billion project and is expected to be complete by 2029. Once it's done you'll be able to go from Levin to the Terrace in Wellington on a four lane road without lights. How good is that!

Lots of other things happening on the transport and infrastructure front - Winston Peters, Wayne Brown and I rode the first train on the "Third Main" train line ([link removed]) in Auckland last week which separates freight and passenger rail on the busiest section of the Auckland rail network, I've just come from a sod-turning with the PM marking the start of construction on the Ports of Auckland expansion, and I also started construction on a new bitumen terminal ([link removed]) at Marsden Point a couple of weeks ago.

All of this is consistent with what I said around a month ago - there's lots of bad news around obviously, but there's also lots of exciting things happening too. Life is hard right now for many people, but I do genuinely believe the government is laying the foundations for strong and sustainable economic growth. Ultimately that's what drives higher living standards for Kiwis.

Housing: Lots happening in housing too. Did you see the news last week that Kainga Ora is selling one of its houses in Herne Bay worth over $3 million? It's he most expensive house in its portfolio - a 4 bedroom house on 600 square metres that even the tenant (who has now moved out) says should be sold. Kainga Ora will be using the proceeds of the sale (and all the houses it is selling) to build newer (likely smaller) warm and dry social houses, as well as renew the stock, which is over 50 years old on average. This is really sensible and good asset management which frankly KO should have been doing for years. It's all a result of our Kainga Ora Turnaround Plan, which is driving down costs and improving KO's financial performance - and resulting in better tenant outcomes. I'm proud of the work that's underway.

Hutt Valley: Thanks to everyone who stopped by the Riverbank Markets on Saturday for a chat. It's been a busy couple of weeks around the Hutt and I enjoyed opening the Hutt Bowling Club's season, attending the Wellington Tamil Society annual celebration on Saturday night in the Hutt, and the Hutt Multicultural Festival on Saturday afternoon. It's days like that that remind you why Lower Hutt is so special.

Have a good weekend.

Chris

P.S Don't forget to vote in the local body elections! Voting is open now - you should have received your voting papers in the mail. You can vote until October 11 at midday.
Melling is underway!
A fantastic day.
Otaki to Levin is underway!
It was awful weather on Tuesday but that didn't stop us! Great to get this underway.
Congrats David!
A real pleasure to be one of the Government representatives at the Honours Investiture for my friend David Percy ONZM. David has made a remarkable contribution to the Hutt and New Zealand in his long career. Congrats David!
Great news for Fraser Engineering!
Big announcement this week for the Hutt Valley's own Fraser Engineering with the confirmation that Fraser Engineering Group and Volvo Trucks Australia will deliver 80 new Type 2 Queensland Fire and Rescue trucks, as part of an $80 million investment in new fire fighting equipment for Queensland.

The vehicles will be built and assembled by Volvo Trucks Australia and Fraser Engineering Group, with final fit-out conducted at Volvo’s Brisbane facilities.

The investment will help replace an ageing fleet to provide Queensland firefighters with the equipment they need.

Great news for the Hutt - jobs and growth!
Bowling is back
Opening the Hutt Bowling Club new season! Not shown - where the bowl ended up relative to the jack 🙂
Riverbank Markets
Thanks to everyone who came down for a chat at the Riverbank Markets on Saturday.
Master Builders Conference

Chris Penk and I spoke to "Constructive 2025" last week in Auckand - Master Builders' Annual Conference. It's been tough for construction and builders but we’ve gotten through this before and we'll get through it again. The Government is taking meaningful action to eliminate system blockages to make it easier, faster, and cheaper to build.
Talking to Media

Talking to Ryan Bridge on Herald NOW last week.
This Kainga Ora house is worth over $3 mill

And they're selling it to invest in more new, warm and dry houses. Great outcome for taxpayers.
On the train

Last week we opened the Third Main Line in Auckland. Sounds boring but is super important.

It is a third rail line between Wiri and Westfield junctions (including Puhinui and Middlemore Stations) and is the busiest part of the network.

The third line means freight and passenger rail can be separated, increasing efficiency and building resilience in the network.

The project has included track upgrades at Quay Park (where the Eastern Line passes) to enable flexibility for freight moving in and out of Port of Auckland; track upgrades at Wiri and Westfield Junctions; and the redevelopment of Middlemore Station to include a new, third platform.

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