Podcasts about auckland light rail

So I went to a party at the weekend. Quite a swanky one. Negronis and burgers and all sorts of people. Judges and doctors and advertising people and even musicians.  An old mate was there, a card-carrying lefty.  We're chatting and he says he's part of an urbanism group. Studying and advocating for urban development, and he says, "you right-wing ZB types would hate it."  So I said, "I beg your pardon?"  What part of having a well-designed and functional city is either left-wing or right-wing? It's not about politics it's about practicality. Who doesn't want a functioning public transport system? Who doesn't want accommodation solutions for the poor and the young so they don't have to leave the cities for a house? By the way right-wingers love trains. Mussolini made them run on time.  The politicisation of city designs is why nothing ever happens anymore and our cities just get worse and worse.  So it was good to open the paper on Sunday and see the Auckland mayor talking about that city's abortive light rail plans.  He said it was good that the Government killed Labour's plan off because it was disastrously handled.  The main problem with it was the cost which had been calculated at 400 million dollars a kilometre. Mayor Brown said he was recently in a town in France, the size of Christchurch, who have built a very successful light rail, at a cost of 50 million a kilometre. Nearly 90 per cent cheaper?  Then he went into all the reasons big projects cost so much in New Zealand. The gold plating of design, the contracts granted to constructors who are also suppliers who have no reason to contain costs, and then there's the politics. What idiot wanted to put a light rail into a tunnel? Michael Wood, that's who.  But the problem with all of this is that a good idea is thrown away because of bad management.  When Labour came in in 2017, AT had a 6 billion dollar light rail plan, ready to go. But Labour and then the New Zealand Superannuation Fund thought they could do it better and suddenly it was 15 billion because of the tunnelling and it stalled and then National killed it.  Much was made of the 228 million spent with no track laid which shows us how little people know of projects. That money was spent on geo-tech reports and surveys and buying land and planning. It's still all valid now and to throw it out is a blatant waste of taxpayers' money.  Light rail is not left wing. Light rail is not a bad idea. Labour was just a bad government that cocked it up.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Wednesday this week the former Green party co-leader James Shaw will address parliament as an MP for the last time. And in a moment when his party is reeling from a combination of scandal and tragedy, his valedictory marks the end of an undervalued career.   Many of the politicians who join our so-called minor parties are idealists. They're not like some Labour or National MPs (more than a few of whom I reckon secretly dream of becoming Prime Minister). They join because they really intensely believe in the political philosophy or kaupapa. And in the case of the Greens, it's my view that sometimes activism comes at the expense of more pragmatic strategy.   Ahead of his valedictory address, I went back and looked up James Shaw's maiden speech in parliament from back in 2014.   What stuck out to me was how much he talked about overcoming political divisions and tribalism, working together, reaching across the aisle to make connections and compromises with politicians in different parties.   That might sound like bland political speak, but actually, politicians in New Zealand don't talk about compromise all that much. In the U.S, Republicans and Democrats often talk about working across the aisle —even if that's bollocks, these days— but the way New Zealand's system is structured, usually the only compromise we see for really big legislation is between coalition or support partners in government together.   As an MP, James Shaw did not achieve everything he wanted. Our biggest-emitting industry doesn't pay for its emissions. Tax reform never got done. But it's interesting to reflect on what big legacy changes have and haven't survived the change of government.   The Māori Health Authority, Three Waters, Auckland Light Rail, Te Pūkenga, the Oil and Gas ban; so much of the last Labour government's policy and work programme has been scrapped.   But one big piece of work has endured. Despite ACT's continued opposition, the Zero Carbon Act has survived the change in government.   Why? I'd suggest a major part of the reason is the way James Shaw went about crafting that legislation. He didn't charge ahead by himself. He very deliberately worked across the aisle. He developed a close relationship with National's then-climate spokesperson Todd Muller and worked to gain the support of every MP in parliament, but one. The whole purpose of the legislation was that it would survive the changing winds and ups-and-downs of politics over time. And here we are.   I think there's a good argument to be made that the single most significant piece of enduring legislation from Jacinda Ardern's time in government, was a piece of work developed by an MP who wasn't even in her party or Cabinet.   The Zero Carbon Act is a victory for compromise. A victory for putting aside differences and uniting around common goals. And although James Shaw's style and strategy may not have always have been appreciated by everyone in his own party, the result speaks for itself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, in his State of the Nation speech over the weekend, spelled it out loud and clear for those who haven't yet got the message.  New Zealand is in for a world of pain over the next couple of years. He slammed the dumb and stupid policies of the previous government, and said while he believed New Zealand was the world's best country, and had the world's best people (a little bit of jingoism to sweeten the message), it was in a fragile state as we face a rough economic forecast and a massive infrastructure deficit.  He also accused the Labour government of leaving National a $200 billion hole in the nation's transport plan. Finance Minister Nicola Willis said this morning on the Mike Hosking Breakfast that the coalition government has already started making the tough decisions. Auckland Light Rail is the case in point. That was a project which continued to escalate in cost, which Labour continued to fantasise about and which was clearly unaffordable. So we have canceled that, we've been decisive, we've stopped pouring cash down that particular hole. But look, the other examples are areas where we're just going to have to do things more efficiently.  Not every road needs a cycle lane clipped onto it. We need to be much more open to using other forms of funding and finance to deliver roads, whether that's time of use charging, whether that's tolls to get some roads built, it's time for a bit of real talk about what it will take to get a country with the modern infrastructure we need. And that was Finance Minister Nicola Willis talking to Mike Hosking this morning. Labour leader Chris Hipkins shot back, calling National's accusations absolute nonsense and called another allegation in the State of the Nation speech an out and out lie. But then he would wouldn't he? Thomas Coghlan from the New Zealand Herald has produced an excellent article unpacking the claims and counterclaims, specifically around the $200 billion transport hole. He says the truth involves a heavy lathering of hypocrisy on both sides and an answer that doesn't offer a neat binary verdict on either of Chris's truthfulness or otherwise. He does say, though, that before Labour cries foul at this horrendous below- the-belt attack on their fiscal honour, quote unquote, we shouldn't forget that Labour made the exact same attack on National's allegedly unfunded Roads of National Significance Programme back in 2018.  They were slammed by then Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as unfunded.  So they've been doing it all day ref. There's obfuscation and finessing of stats and data and what have you , but there is absolutely no doubt, as anyone who has participated in this show knows, that the previous administration made some dumb, dumb decisions. And allowed dumb, dumb decisions to be made by government bodies.  We've all known this for a very, very long time. We've been ranting about this and accused of being disloyal and Labour haters and women haters because it was Jacinda Ardern who was the Prime Minister. There was none of that. It was just that you and I could see. That there were some really stupid decisions being made. Good money going after bad with no end in sight of when the money tap would be turned off. And it's you and me who are providing this money. So pardon me if I'm really scrupulous about where that money goes. I want to know there's going to be a result and for the life of me I could not see one in so many of the projects approved by the previous administration.  I think I said that to Christopher Luxon when he became Prime Minister. We don't want to hear about what the previous government did. It's gone. It happened. It's appalling. We ranted about it at the time it's over but I think he made the point, we're starting a very long way behind the start line. There's a lot to fix before we can even begin to get projects underway that we passionately believe in and that we passionately support. So yeah, I think fair and square pointing the digit at the previous administration and saying look at this mess you've left us, it's a time honoured tradition New administrations do it every single time they come in, and in this case it's a far bigger mess.  It's going to be a tough few years. There is no doubt about that. We're all going to have to lift our game and tighten our belts. I mean, basically. You know when Christopher Luxon was talking about the nation, he's talking about my bank account. He's looking at the macro and I'm looking at the micro and it's the same kind of thing. It's going to be a belt tightening couple of years and some of the nice to haves that I'd like to have I won't have. And it's the same for the nation. But National will bear the brunt of public dissatisfaction if people forget or choose not to know that they are cleaning up a far bigger mess than the previous government has had to.  Still, on a note of positivity, those of us with long memories know that we have been through tough times before, that other governments have had to come in and pick up an unholy mess and make the most of it, and with the help of the people of New Zealand get the country back on track and they've come out the other side. We have done it before and we can do it again.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Light Rail is finally dead.  The National-led Government has killed off the scheme first proposed by Labour on the 2017 campaign trail. Millions were spent on the project, which went through multiple iterations but never quite managed to get on track.  The failure of the project has raised questions about how our Government's approach to infrastructure will work, and why these schemes are so expensive and difficult to get off the ground.   Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson joins us to discuss why we need to rethink our approach. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Katie HarrisSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transport Minister says the Government has other transport plans for Auckland. It's formally scrapped the $15-billion Auckland Light Rail project after estimates that the cost of the project could blow out to almost $30-billion. Nearly 230-million-dollars has been spent on it in six years and not a single metre of track's been laid. Minister Simeon Brown told Tim Dower they need to invest in better rapid bus transit in the city. He says there's more to deliver - the eastern busway and the north-western rapid transit, which is Auckland's next major priority after the CRL.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Auckland city-centre business leader says public transport is vital. The Government's officially scrapped the $15-billion-dollar Auckland Light Rail. There were projections the cost could blow out to $30-billion. In six years, not a metre of track has been laid. Heart of the City Chief Executive Viv Beck told Tim Dower there needs to be quick action on the city's transport -- and we need to make sure we've learnt lessons from the ongoing City Rail Link project. She says it's devastating to see a large-scale, long-term project cancelled - but it is pragmatic.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The team behind Auckland Light Rail is still waiting to hear exactly what comes next, after a stop work notice was issued for the multi-billion-dollar project. The government has agreed to cancel Labour's light rail plans - but it's not clear what it will do instead. Minister for Transport, Simeon Brown, says he is "busy taking advice on these issues". Amy Williams has the story.

The team behind Auckland Light Rail is still waiting to hear exactly what comes next, after a stop work notice was issued for the multi-billion-dollar project. The government has agreed to cancel Labour's light rail plans - but it's not clear what it will do instead. Let's Get Wellington Moving is also getting axed. Green MP for Rongotai Julie Anne Genter spoke to Corin Dann.

If you thought the election campaign lasted forever, it seems the counting of the special votes is taking forever too. It's also looking like this drawn-out process is going to cost a lot of money. Because it's looking like Labour is going to keep the money tap running all the way until the bitter end. It is nuts, even though it knows full-well that the incoming government wants to scrap the Three Waters reforms, that Labour seems to be turning a blind eye to truckloads of money still being spent on its reforms. This is the situation where the boss of one of the big new water entities created as part of Three Waters is still recruiting for a whole lot of honchos. He's on the hunt for a chief financial officer, a chief operations officer, and six other executives to help him run the Water Services Entity for Northland and Auckland. Even though he will know full-well that, if National is true to its word, the outfits he runs will be gone-burger by lunchtime. Well, not quite lunchtime, but scrapping Three Waters is certainly on National's to-do list in its first hundred days. Whenever the first hundred days start. But you know how it is in the public sector. Let's just press-on until we receive different instructions from the powers-that-be. Which is a perfect example of everything that is wrong with the public sector. Particularly when it comes to spending public money. This is not a beat-up on the people in the public sector, by the way. Although I think the guy running the water authority who's still going gung-ho hiring people, I think he needs to get real. But I am definitely beating-up on the outgoing Labour government which is banging-on about wanting to deliver a seamless transfer of power to National and ACT and maybe New Zealand First too when the time comes. But then, at the same time, is turning a blind eye to some of the spending that is still going on despite some significant changes that will come once that seamless transfer of power to Christopher Luxon and his crew happens. I suppose if there's any saving grace, it might be the people who would normally apply for these roles smelling the coffee, reading the tea leaves and seeing the writing on the wall, and not even bothering applying because they could be out of a job in a few months time. But how nuts is it that this hiring process is still happening? A similar kind of thing happened during the election campaign, when the crowd running the Auckland Light Rail project spent $33 million buying a commercial building because it wanted the land for train stations and other infrastructure. $33 million spent, even though National was making it very clear that, if it won the election, it would be scrapping the whole project. I suppose that, during an election, it's a bit different because you don't know who's going to win and so the public sector does have to press-on as if it is business-as-usual. But after the election? When you know that the government's been rolled and when you know that the one about to take over is going to pull the plug on certain things? For this spending still to be happening is, at the very least, a complete disregard for public money. And the fact that the outgoing Labour government seems to be perfectly fine with it and obviously isn't telling this guy to calm the farm, shows why so many people think Labour has spent so much for so little return.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland light rail might not be off the table just yet, despite National saying it wanted to cancel plans for such a system within its first 100 days in office. Treasury estimates put the final budget for the project - which would connect parts of Auckland to the airport - at between $7.3 billion and $29.2 billion dollars. National leader, Christopher Luxon, said the money would be better spent elsewhere. But now Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has proposed a cheaper option, which the incoming Prime Minister says he's open to discussing once a government is formed. Matt Lowrie is a public transport commentator and editor of the Greater Auckland blog. Lowrie spoke to Corin Dann.

Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Ben Thomas from Capital joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Is it outrageous that Wellington Council wants to buy the land below Reading Cinema, so that the company can use it to renovate the cinema? Couldn't this listed company pay its own costs, especially as plenty of other Wellington issues need the funding? Napier Council is being accused of dictatorship for proposing a lower fence height limit (1.2 metres). Is this reasonable? Auckland Light Rail settled a deal to buy the old Kiwi Bacon building 11 days before the election, knowing that National, ACT and NZ First wanted to do away with the Light Rail project. Are they right to progress the project while it's still alive, or should they have waited for political direction? The Mongrel Mob has expressed concern about the incoming National-led Government, fearing it'll make things harder for gangs- can we be sympathetic? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Light Rail is one of many Labour Party projects on the chopping block under the incoming National government. The party has promised to scrap plans for the city-to-airport link within its first 100 days in office. So is this the full stop for any future light rail developments in Auckland? Tom Taylor reports.

Did I have a debate on my hands when I got home last night about the country's debt levels.  The husband gave me a huge telling off for saying yesterday that the Government had taken on too much debt.  So I feel like I need to clear this up: I don't mind the level of debt New Zealand has. We've heard this a thousand times, but it's worth saying again- we have very little debt in contrast to other countries in the OECD. Actually, debt is good. If you borrow money to invest in things which make your country richer, like building roads for productivity or new schools for education, it's a good thing. Case in point- how else did you buy your house if not with a mortgage, AKA, debt? And same with infrastructure- if you need to take on debt to build roads and schools in New Zealand, that's fine, it's actually a smart way to spread the cost over generations. My problem is what we did with that debt. What have we got to show for it? Absolutely nothing. In 2019, we had the tiniest, tiniest amount of debt. $5 billion in debt, that's nothing. By the time all of Grant's promises have rinsed out our books in 2027, we will have $102 billion in debt. And what we have got to show for it?  Grant keeps saying- oh, we needed to support businesses and people through the pandemic.  Absolutely, he's right. I will never begrudge smart spending that helped Kiwis out when they needed it. But by far and away, the biggest cost was the wage subsidy. That cost us $19 billion. But what about the rest of it? That leaves $78 billion spent on - what? Nurses' pay can't account for all of it. The truth is - and we know it - the pandemic gave Labour permission to spend. Some of the spending was fine, but then they didn't stop spending. And they blew a lot of our money on rubbish. $1 billion for the Greens Jobs for Nature scheme. $3 billion for NZ First. $50 million on consultants for the bike bridge that never got built. $33 million to buy the Bacon building in Kingsland for Auckland Light Rail, even though it's going to get cancelled. I could go on, but you get the picture. Debt, not bad. This debt, what a waste. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The leaders of one of the Government's flagship projects are under fire for spending millions of dollars on a building weeks out from an election that could see it scrapped.  Auckland Light Rail has signed off on a $33-million contract to buy the Kiwi Bacon Building on New North Road in Kingsland.  That's despite National vowing to scrap the $14.6-billion project if it's elected next month.  Mark Thomas —the director of the Committee for Auckland think tank— told Mike Hosking that the land purchase is strange, given the uncertainty surrounding the project.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's transport spokesman has labelled Auckland Light Rail's commercial building purchase 'shocking'. Auckland Light Rail has signed a $33 million contract to buy the Kiwi Bacon Building, located on New North Road. That's despite National vowing to scrap the $14.6-billion-dollar project if elected next month. Simeon Brown says the Government has had six years to deliver and hasn't presented a business case to purchase the building. "The Government hasn't got a business case, they haven't got a route- yet they've decided to spend $33 million on a commercial property. This is absolutely unbelievable."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two major transport projects in Auckland and Wellington are facing massive uncertainty, with Labour refusing to say if it's still committed to them. The National Party plans to scrap Auckland Light Rail as well as the capital's big transport project Let's Get Wellington Moving. Labour though has yet to spell out what it will do.  Political reporter Anneke Smith has more. 

The Government says it is committed to major transport projects such as Let's Get Wellington Moving, and Auckland Light Rail. But the Labour Party isn't so sure. Where the Government ends and the Labour Party begins is the $20 billion question. Neither Chris Hipkins, the Labour Party leader, or David Parker, the Transport Minister, would commit to supporting the two projects yesterday. But in his capacity as Prime Minister, Hipkins says the government is committed to its three-year policy statements and agreements that are in place. Hipkins spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

There are calls for Auckland Light Rail to be thrown on the scrap heap with Michael Wood. Following his exit from Cabinet yesterday, demand is growing for Wood's pet project to follow suit. The project is expected to cost between $7.3 billion and $29.2 billion, however Wood doubted it would reach the upper limit of this range. Public Transport Users Association national coordinator Jon Reeves says it's dead. "It's deader than a bunch of dead ducks. It's something no-one wanted apart from Michael Wood and maybe Jacinda Ardern, cause everyone knows it's too expensive." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is about to unveil five new options for a second Waitemata Harbour crossing. The Government has announced it's bringing forward construction of the crossing, likely a tunnel, to the 2020s. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will also talk about how the ways they would link up with Auckland Light Rail. Auckland Business Chamber Chief Executive Simon Bridges told Mike Hosking they want to see more than a scenario launch. He says now is the time for action, not another talk fest. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is about to unveil five new options for a second Waitemata Harbour crossing. The Government has announced it's bringing forward construction of the crossing, likely a tunnel, to the 2020s. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will also talk about how the ways they would link up with Auckland Light Rail. Auckland Business Chamber Chief Executive Simon Bridges told Mike Hosking they want to see more than a scenario launch. He says now is the time for action, not another talk fest. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's Light Rail is still in the works, but it could take generations to complete. The Prime Minister today ditched some transport initiatives, including The Clean Car Upgrade and Social Leasing Car Schemes. Plans to drop speed limits have also been pulled back to now only affect the most dangerous one percent of our highways. But Auckland Light Rail will still be rolled out in stages, with the first to be announced mid this year. Transport Minister Michael Wood says it will be comparable to the Waikato Expressway. "Now that actually started in the 1990's, and it was done in about ten or eleven stages to make it more manageable in terms of how we deliver it and how we pay for it." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's light rail project is "absolutely" going ahead - according to the minister in charge. Michael Wood's resolute commitment comes at a time when many state highways across the country are in dire need of repair in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle. But the minister says it's important to be investing in more climate-friendly infrastructure. Our reporter Tom Taylor and camera operator Marika Khabazi have the story.

The Transport Minister says Auckland's Light Rail project is long overdue. Physical work began today on the network to connect Wynyard Quarter, Mount Roskill, South Auckland and Auckland Airport. Michael Wood says this beginning sets the project in stone, although details of the route and cost haven't been finalised. Wood says it's a big investment, but the Government's not forgetting regional projects. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's edition of The Huddle, Chief Executive of Transporting NZ Nick Leggett and Mike Munroe, former Labour Chief of Staff and current director of Mike Munroe Communications joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day:  How does it reflect on Chris Hipkins to be this misinformed about the proportion of taxes Labour takes out of the economy? Did he handle the miscommunication properly? The Government is running an inquiry into forestry slash- is Forestry Minister Stuart Nash being strong enough on the issue? It seems like construction on Auckland's Light Rail is finally beginning today- is this project worth it, or is it all a waste of money from Transport Minister Michael Wood?  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on The Huddle, Wellington ZB host Nick Mills and Jack Tame, host of ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! What do we think of Saudi Arabia potentially sponsoring the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup? Will Australia and New Zealand's football associations boycott this choice or ignore it by kick-off? Transport Minister Michael Wood is being vague about Auckland Light Rail- does this mean the project will be scrapped under Hipkins? Green Party co-leader James Shaw has pulled out of the Wellington Central electoral race, and is backing Wellington City Councillor Tamatha Paul instead. What do we think of this? Princess Anne is coming to New Zealand later this month- are we looking forward to this? Tom Jones hit 'Delilah' will not be performed at the Welsh Six Nations rugby tournament due to sexism concerns. Is this justified? LISTEN ABOVE    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Wellington Mayor Dame Fran Wilde is always up for a challenge, and boy has she got one on her hands with her brand new role! She’ll be leading the board charged with delivering the fraught Auckland Light Rail project from the Auckland CBD to the airport… AKA (according to the National and ACT parties) Kiwibuild 2.0. She joins us now to discuss!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Light Rail from the City Centre to the the airport has been announced, Bill examines the route and whether it is a good option or not. Bill McKay is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland.

The government has announced plans for light rail in Auckland, which looks to be New Zealand's most expensive public transport project so far. It will link up with the City Rail Link in the CBD, head to the airport and extend to a future North Shore and northwest light rail. It comes with the price tag of $14 billion, and National does not think it'll leave the station. Jordan Bond has the story, and Lisa Owen talks to Transport Minister Michael Wood.

The Government will this morning announce the route and cost of Auckland's long-awaited light rail project. Three options were presented to Cabinet last year, each of which run from the City Centre to the airport, at a cost of between $9 billion and $16 billion dollars. Jordan Bond reports.

The government has chosen a light rail option linking downtown Auckland to the Airport. The plan will see a partially above and below ground rail link from the Wynyard Quarter to the airport, with 18 stops along the way. RNZ Auckland reporter Katie Todd has details.

Aucklanders are on the fence about a possible passenger train from the city through Mount Roskill and to the airport. The government has revealed a three-option shortlist put together by an independent group, ranging in price from $9 billion to $16 billion. Rail to the airport was one of Jacinda Ardern's first policy promises as Labour leader in 2017 - and after fits and spurts, by the end of the year we'll finally know if it's going ahead. Jordan Bond reports.

It's understood Auckland's light rail project will cost about $10 billion. The Newstalk ZB newsroom understands the Government will unveil details of this tomorrow. Greater Auckland Transport commentator Matt Lowrie told Heather du Plessis-Allan he's hoping for clear answers. “What we don't know yet, is what that cost is for, there are a couple of options that are on the table. Is that cost for the most expensive option or is that the cheapest option?” LISTEN ABOVE  

Ilena caught up with Pippa Coom about Council's recommendations for the Auckland Light Rail team which Cabinet will consider later this year. They talked about what the options are on the table for light rail, how it differs from heavy rail (such as the city rail link being built in Auckland CBD), and the need for rapid transport options in Auckland.  They also briefly spoke about Auckland Libraries' and Council's response to a petition asking for a click and collect system to be put in place. Since the interview, it has indeed been announced that Auckland libraries will be operating a click and collect service from November 2nd.   

Top stories this morning... There's anger in Christchurch, as the nervous wait begins to see if the virus has spread beyond the two positive Bishopdale cases Public health experts want tighter border controls around Auckland A new proposal for Auckland Light Rail is more than ten times the original cost And sought-after spots on the country's Great Walks are opening up as locked-down Aucklanders cancel their bookings.

Top stories this morning... There's anger in Christchurch, as the nervous wait begins to see if the virus has spread beyond the two positive Bishopdale cases Public health experts want tighter border controls around Auckland A new proposal for Auckland Light Rail is more than ten times the original cost And sought-after spots on the country's Great Walks are opening up as locked-down Aucklanders cancel their bookings.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will not rule out private investment or council funding to help build Auckland light rail.The project has gone back to the drawing board, with Transport Minister Michael Wood yesterday announcing a working group and giving it six months to come up with a new plan on what it will look like, where it will be, and how much it might cost.Light rail for the city was Labour's flagship promise in 2017, but it came to a halt after New Zealand First refused to support it.Ardern said Auckland businesses and public transport advocates are in favour of a fresh start.She said organisations such as the Automobile Association, the Employers and Manufacturers Association and Greater Auckland have told her that it is important to get back around the table on the issue."We need a process where people are able to input their views and we haven't had that to date - and look we hear that and we accept it - we still think we can move at reasonable pace."Ardern said the work that has gone into the project to date is not all lost and this is evident in the fact the Government has given the working group a shortened timeframe of six months to come up with a new plan.She said New Zealand has not seen a project of this scale."That is why we do want to make sure we get this right, we do want to lean on those who have experience delivering projects of this nature - that will be a big focus for us as we go through this."Ardern said it is too soon to say how much the project will cost.She said the project has been too narrowly defined as a project that is just about rail to the airport.Artist's impression of a tram travelling along Auckland's Ian McKinnon Drive. Photo / Supplied"That totally limits the scale of what this needs to deliver, this is a chance to open up transport routes across Auckland, it needs to be fully integrated."Ardern said for transport projects of scale in the past the government has worked collaboratively with organisations such as the Auckland Transport Alignment Project (ATAP).Asked whether the entire project would be funded by central government, Ardern replied: "That I'm not giving you a response to right now."She said how the project will be delivered is part of what will be looked at over the next six months."We have already had the involvement through the original two track process that we went through in the last term of office, that involved an outside entity in the proposal."Govt needs to ask what issue it's trying to solve - public transport advocateA public transport advocate says Auckland needs more than light rail to ease congestion and provide links to the international airport.The Campaign for Better Transport spokesperson Jon Reeves said the business case needs to be clear before a solution is decided on.Reeves said Labour has squandered four years on the project during its last term through not having a business case and failing to get the support of their coalition partners."I think the Government needs to ask what is the problem they're trying to solve. Is it congestion on Dominion Road? Is it connectivity with Māngere and the international airport, large generators of transport - is it both?"Because maybe one solution is not the right answer for both those issues."Reeves said light rail may solve the Dominion Rd issue but the existing rail network could be used to improve access to Māngere and the international airport.Simon Wilson, who is a senior writer for the Herald and an Auckland commentator, said the Government is doing the right thing in seeking to get public engagement in the project.He said the Government's announcement yesterday recognises that there's not general public understanding of and support for what is an enormously expensive project.The announcement acknowledges that the Government has to go through a process to get public engagement before working out the best way forward for Auckland's light rail network, Wilson said.text by RNZ

The Government's trying to get Auckland's light rail back on track.In a bid to better engage Aucklanders in the project, the Transport Minister has put together an establishment unit.It has six months to talk with communities, provide cost estimates and funding options and decide the best mode and route.The group will also consider whether light rail should be delivered by City Rail Link - or a new joint venture with Auckland Council.It'll be led by a governance board, with an independent chair and local government, community and Maori representatives.Meanwhile,  Brisbane is lifting its lockdown half a day early.Health officials have reported one new community case linked to a cluster in Queensland's capital.Residents were put under stay-at-home orders three days ago - over fears of a growing outbreak.It comes just five days before Jacinda Ardern will announce a start date for a trans-Tasman travel bubble. So is this positive news for the announcement?Newstalk ZB political editor Barry Soper joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to recap the week in politics.LISTEN ABOVE