Podcasts about let's get wellington moving

Pressure is on for the Finance Minister to provide detail on how the government will deliver promised tax cuts as the country's economy slows. Nicola Willis unveiled the mini-Budget on Wednesday alongside Treasury's half year update. She has so far found $7.5 billion by slashing funding from initiatives like Let's Get Wellington Moving, Fair Pay Agreements and the Emissions Trading Scheme. Finance Minister Nicola Willis spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Questions to Ministers DAVID MacLEOD to the Minister of Finance: What reports has she seen on the cost of living? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of his statements and actions? MARK CAMERON to the Minister for Regulation: What problems, if any, does he hope to solve in his portfolio? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON to the Minister of Finance: Is she committed to implementing all of the economic and fiscal commitments in the coalition agreements between National, ACT, and New Zealand First? DANA KIRKPATRICK to the Minister of Housing: What recent announcements has he made regarding Kainga Ora? Hon KIERAN McANULTY to the Minister of Local Government: Does he stand by the Government's commitment to repeal the Affordable Water Reforms and "restore council ownership and control"; if so, will he guarantee balance sheet separation will be retained? TIM COSTLEY to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcements has the Government made on Let's Get Wellington Moving? Hon Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL to the Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills: What specific actions, if any, has she taken with respect to the Government's plan to disestablish Te Pukenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology? Hon JAMES SHAW to the Minister of Transport: Does he stand by the principle in his Government's coalition agreements that "decisions will be based on data and evidence"? Dr VANESSA WEENINK to the Minister of Education: What progress is the Government making on its 100-day plan in education? Hon RACHEL BROOKING to the Minister for the Environment: Does she agree with the objectives of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020; if not, why not? RAWIRI WAITITI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and policies?

Wellingtonians have expressed mixed feelings about the axing of the capital's major transport project. The new government and local councils have met and agreed to put an end to Let's Get Wellington Moving. Political reporter Anneke Smith has more.

Back to our coverage of the now axed Let's Get Wellington Moving project. The $7.4-billion initiative is being scrapped and under the new version, the Government will pay for a second tunnel at Mt Victoria. Wellington City Council will take over the Golden Mile project to revitalise the central shopping area. It's a move that's left many Wellingtonians hoping work on the city's transport infrastructure can finally begin. Greater Wellington Regional Council chair Daran Ponter spoke with Charlotte Cook.

The decision to scrap Wellington's major infrastructure project is coming as no surprise. In a joint statement, the Government, Wellington City Council and the regional council announced they'd agreed to dissolve the plans, making way for projects including the Basin upgrade and a second Mt Victoria Tunnel. The Golden Mile plans will remain solely with the city council. Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls says the news is predictable. "The Nats said that this is something they were going to scrap as soon as they got in, and they were going to figure out new ways to do it." Walls says he hopes the Government will figure something out, and not just pay consultants. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Satisfaction from Wellington's Mayor over the scrapping of Let's Get Wellington Moving, despite her vocal opposition to the idea. Central and local government have agreed in principle to dissolve the project, confirming other transport infrastructure projects such as a second Mt Victoria tunnel is in the works. Tory Whanau told Tim Dower local leaders were able to meet half way during the discussions. She says she's pleased they were able to retain some important projects like the Golden Mile, and a commitment to urban development with the second tunnel Whanau says it's a good sign for the future working relationship.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Top stories for Monday 18 December 2023 Let's Get Wellington Moving has been stopped in its tracks. We'll get the reaction from Wellington mayor Tory Whanau and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop The demand from private healthcare is pushing medical labs services in Auckland to the brink. We'll hear from Christopher Luxon ahead of the pre-Christmas mini budget

The Government Wellington City Council and the Greater Wellington Regional Council have agreed in principle to dump the $7.4 billion Let's Get Wellington Moving project. Some things will stay, others added. Central Government will build and fund the Basin Reserve upgrade and a second Mt Victoria tunnel, and Wellington City Council will bring the Golden Mile project in-house. Cycling groups, businesses and city councillors have reacted to the decision.

The Government, Wellington City Council and the Greater Wellington Regional Council have agreed in principle to dump the $7.4 billion Let's Get Wellington Moving plan. Infrastructure and Housing Minister Chris Bishop spoke with Charlotte Cook.

A bold new transport plan pitched as a cheaper, faster replacement for Let's Get Wellington Moving has attracted the interest of city leaders. It features a mega-tunnel, demolition of heritage buildings, ditching Light Rail and a host of other changes. Greg Pollock, the capital's former public transport boss, will pitch his plan this week. He says it's clear Wellington needs a better transport system that suits the needs of the people. "I think for a billion dollars, we could do a huge amount improving bus lanes, electrifying the bus fleet and just doing the basics really well to work for the people in Wellington." LISTEN ABOVE  See 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. Let's Get Wellington Moving is also getting axed. Green MP for Rongotai Julie Anne Genter spoke to Corin Dann.

A Wellington Charity Hospital has been in pipeline for years and was set to be developed at 23 Adelaide Road.  The building consent had been granted and $150,000 worth of donations had been spent to get things rolling.  However it was revealed the land had suddenly been sold by the owners to Waka Kotahi, for potential Let's Get Wellington Moving work. In just seven months since the developers originally bought the land, they'd made a $2 million profit. It means the those behind the project have to go back to the drawing board.  Nick Mills met up with the chairman DR Graham Sharpe to find out what's next and if there's hope the dream will become a reality.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My mouth began to open in gobsmacked incredulity and then just as quickly snapped shut again.  Yes, the Herald investigation that found Auckland Transport is spending on average $470,000 a pedestrian crossing is shocking. But those of us with memories, and indeed arses, like elephants, remember how much the Wellington City Council spent on their pedestrian crossing on Cobham Drive out towards the airport.   Let's Get Wellington Moving. Was there ever a more poorly named organisation? Let's Get Wellington Moving spent $2.4 million on that one pedestrian crossing. I think it was slightly more in the end. Of that $1.86 million was for construction costs, $535K was for consultants. It is absolutely and utterly ludicrous.   AT is defending the cost of their, when you look at it, quite cheap pedestrian crossings. When you compare $470K with $1.86 million and well $2.4 by the time you take ... anyway, they're defending the cost of their $470K pedestrian crossing, saying they need 27 crossings. Having signals makes them more expensive as well, but they need them because it's part of the Vision Zero strategy and the crossings are necessary to save lives in areas where there is a high safety risk, for example near schools. Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson is absolutely horrified at the cost and the attitude of saving lives, no matter how much money you have to spend.  Honestly. The thing is the Vision Zero strategy is not saving lives. It's not even working. For that money AT set a target of reducing deaths and serious injuries to no more than 537. I don't know where that figure came from, but nonetheless, 537 lives in 2022.   So that was the target. Let's keep deaths and serious injuries to no more than 537 and in 2022 there were 649. Good one. The other thing that absolutely gets my goat is that they don't spend. And when I say they, I mean just about every council I can think of, don't spend this enormous amount of money and get the job done once and right. Time and again they have to come back and redo the bloody job.   AT spent $346K on a raised light controlled pedestrian crossing in the inner city. Faulty work was picked up during construction. It was seven months before the problems were fixed, causing more disruption. Hello orange cones, how I've missed you said no one in Auckland, ever!   With the staggering amounts of money chucked at them, with the millions of dollars spent on consultants, stuff ups happen time and time and time again. Would this happen if it was their own money? Do we do this? We're doing renos on the home, we get the architects in and you know the builders in and oh, there's a stuff-up.  I've noticed that you've put a door there instead of a window. What the hell? Let's just start again and do it all over again. It doesn't matter about the money. Don't be silly. We'll just get more of it.   This is what incenses me. You could possibly make a justification that you could spend this sort of money. If you did it once, you did it right and it saved lives. It's not ticking any of those boxes. Justify yourselves. Justify the expense on these consultants. How very dare you come to me and say I want you to pay more rates, when your incompetent fools waste money with the cavalier disregard of a Labour Government. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Restaurant Association of New Zealand President Mike Egan, who also owns Monsoon Poon, and Co Kids Childcare Director Steve Piper join Nick Mills on the Business Panel. Together they discuss what businesses want from the next Government, unemployment on the rise, hospitality venues closing down in the capital, and whether commercial rates are too high. Both also voice strong opinions on the Let's Get Wellington Moving transport project, in particular the Golden Mile and Thorndon Quay cycle way.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's Ginny Andersen and National's Nicola Willis join Nick Mills for Politics Monday following special votes being counted. Together they discuss whether David Seymour and Winston Peters can work constructively, if recounts can make a difference, the Mongrel Mob seeking legal advice regarding the National Party's gang policy, and Golden Mile contracts remaining unsigned. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political Commentator Josie Pagani and Wellington columnist Dave Armstrong join Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff. Together they discuss their predictions ahead of the special votes being counted, whether Oranga Tamariki is failing, Lewis Clareburt leaving Wellington for good, Mayor Tory Whanau moving forward with Golden Mile contracts, and her meeting with Reading Cinemas.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour Minister Ginny Anderson and National's finance spokesperson Nicola Willis join Nick Mills ahead of special votes being counted.  Throughout the hour the pair exchange jibes over coalition negotiations, National's fiscal plan, new specialist wait time figures, and the Let's Get Wellington Moving transport project.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has hit out at a poll which suggests two thirds of respondents oppose Let's Get Wellington Moving. She says the polls is 'a desperate attempt to prevent progress in the City' and most of Wellingtonians are in support of the project. Guardians of the Golden Mile group member Barry Wilson spoke to Corin Dann.

Wellington's Mayor can't yet paint a clear picture of the city council's debt. The council's gross debt was 1.25 billion dollars at the end of the 2023 financial year. Over the past five years, they paid an average of 25 million dollars annually in interest for the money it has borrowed. A group of Wellington ratepayers say their independent analysis shows the council's facing a billion dollar hole. Tory Whanau hit back at the accusations during her October catch up with Nick Mills, and defended the Golden Mile plans.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Wellington Mayor Justin Lester and City Councillor Ben McNulty join Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff. During the panel Ben explains why he didn't vote to continue funding the strengthening of the Town Hall, and Justin admits he would have never have approved the project if he knew it would cost $329 million.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington businesses say they're confused and frustrated about the impact of the latest upgrade to public transport and cycleways. Some owners have received an email from Let's Get Wellington Moving, saying construction on the Thorndon Quay and Hutt Road sections, will begin in early November. But they say there is no information about how their shops will be affected and for how long. Jemima Huston reports.

Everybody Eats Restaurant Manager Jack Rainey and Lowe & Co Managing Director Craig Lowe join Nick Mills on the Business Panel. Together they discuss the Wellington Town Hall's skyrocketing restoration costs, the upcoming election, crime in the CBD, housing supply in the capital, and plans to remove cars from the Golden Mile.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington Central's candidates have shared their priorities if they get the seat. The electorate will get a new representative, with Grant Robertson going on the list after holding it for 15 years. The Green candidate, Tamatha Paul says the biggest barrier facing Wellingtonians right now is affordable housing. National's candidate, Scott Sheeran also believes housing's an issue and that they have the policies to fix it. Labour Ibrahim Omer thinks more needs to be spent on infrastructure. The three battle it out on Newstalk ZB Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's promising shovels in the ground in its first term for a second Mount Vic tunnel- if it gets the top job after the election. Infrastructure spokesperson Chris Bishop says they'll get consents fast tracked. He says it's good for buses, cars, walking, cycling, and it will decongest Wellington. National says alongside upgrades to the Basin Reserve, it'll cost $2.2 billion dollars. The proposal differs to Let's Get Wellington Moving, which would use one tunnel just for walking and cycling. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NZ Herald Wellington issues reporter Georgina Campbell speaks to Kathryn Ryan as yet another building is deemed earthquake-prone. The council has been given seven and a half years to strengthen the Opera House and Michael Fowler Centre. Meanwhile Hutt Hospital's Heretaunga block may not be earthquake-prone after all, new documents show. And the Government is taking the reins on the 'Let's Get Wellington Moving' roading project. Finally, some happy news for mayor Tory Whanau's dog, Teddy, after he was kicked out of her office. Georgina Campbell is NZ Herald's Wellington issues reporter

I love the Auckland harbour transport plan, don't you? Who doesn't want to get across the harbour more easily and doesn't want some more roads for cars? But surely no one believes Labour's going to do this. Not only because they can't deliver jack- do I need to mention KiwiBuild or Light Rail or Let's Get Wellington Moving- but mainly because no one rational believes Labour actually wants to build expensive roads for cars. Come on.    Labour's spent the last six years cancelling roads and trying to convince New Zealand to build a bike-only bridge across the harbour and trying to convince us to get out of our cars. Does anyone actually believe that they've suddenly changed their minds and they're all in on roads for cars?  Not a chance. So what's going on here? This is straight out populist politics. They're just announcing what they think we want to hear. Their heart is not in it. Their heart is in trains and bikes and cycleways. Which means it's not worth the paper it's written on. And you're a sucker if you fall for this. Because they pulled this trick once already. January 2020- before most of us had even heard of Covid- Labour was on track to lose the election later that year. They wheeled Grant Robertson out to announce the big New Zealand upgrade programme in which he announced a whole bunch of roads we desperately need. But then they won the election. And what happened? By July of the next year, two of the big projects were cancelled, two more have been slow walked so we don't actually know if they're going ahead of or not, and only one was started. One out of five. These guys are like the online Nigerian princes of transport projects. They asked you for money in 2020 to unlock your inheritance, you sent it and didn't get your inheritance, and now they've come back three years later promising that this time you will get your inheritance. Good luck if you think voting for them will unlock that tunnel for cars under the Harbour Bridge. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions to Ministers CHRISTOPHER LUXON to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? ANGELA ROBERTS to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What announcements has she made about addressing modern slavery? BROOKE VAN VELDEN to the Associate Minister of Health: Can she confirm that the Ministry of Health allocated funding to the National Hauora Coalition in 2019 which is being used to offer the incentive of two $50 Prezzy Cards to expectant or new mothers for attending a pregnancy assessment and a 6-week assessment, and can she confirm that eligibility for the payment is determined by whether the expectant mother identified as Maori when they enrolled at their practice? INGRID LEARY to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement yesterday that "the Government has completed its tax work programme"; if so, what potential new taxation measures were discussed in the seven tax reports the Government refused to release as part of the Budget 2023 proactive release? ANGIE WARREN-CLARK to the Minister of Housing: What recent announcements has she made regarding affordable housing? SIMEON BROWN to the Minister of Transport: How much money has been spent on consultants for Auckland light rail and Let's Get Wellington Moving since 26 October 2017, and how much money has been spent on construction activities for these projects during this time frame? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Do special needs grants for dental treatment adequately meet need for dental care, considering 40 percent of adult New Zealanders are unable to afford treatment? ANNA LORCK to the Minister for Biosecurity: What recent announcements has he made regarding the work to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis from New Zealand? HON MARK MITCHELL to the Minister of Police: Does she stand by her statement, "It is my view that New Zealanders feel safer"; if so, why? TANGI UTIKERE to the Associate Minister of Housing: What is the Government doing to ensure the rights of retirement village residents are protected and enhanced? DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER to the Minister for Children: Does he stand by all his statements and actions regarding Oranga Tamariki?

Political appetite for major transport projects in Auckland and Wellington has waned as pre-election jostling ramps up. National says it will bin plans for Light Rail in Auckland and the Let's Get Wellington Moving project. But Labour is now also being non-committal on work it's been progressing for the last few years. Krystal Gibbens reports.

The clouds of confusion over the government's plans for big transport projects in two of New Zealand's major cities lifted slightly at Parliament today. Labour and National are under pressure to clearly spell out their intentions and how they plan to pay for it all. The government says it wants to get "Let's Get Wellington Moving", actually moving, which would require a sharper focus than what's happening now. National meanwhile faces more fiscal hole accusations - which it's dismissing as a political hit job. Here's our political editor, Jane Patterson.

Questions to Ministers HON JAMES SHAW to the Minister of Finance: What unused revenue tools, if any, are available to the Government that would both increase allowances and enable better investment in public services? DAVID SEYMOUR to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and policies? TAMATI COFFEY to the Minister for Cyclone Recovery: What recent announcements has he made on support for cyclone-affected regions? CHRISTOPHER LUXON to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? PAUL EAGLE to the Minister of Housing: What progress has the Government made in rebuilding public housing in New Zealand? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by all of his statements and actions on tax policy? CAMILLA BELICH to the Minister of Education: What progress has the Government made in improving school buildings and property since 2017? ERICA STANFORD to the Minister of Education: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? DAMIEN SMITH to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement that "GST is a comprehensive tax which makes it very easy to administer and people in the room who've been in other countries with more exemptions will know it becomes an absolute boondoggle to get through"; if so, does he support expanding exemptions to GST in New Zealand? LEMAUGA LYDIA SOSENE to the Minister of Immigration: What reports has he seen on the reopening of our borders? SIMEON BROWN to the Minister of Transport: Will he commit to continuing and delivering Let's Get Wellington Moving and Auckland light rail? GLEN BENNETT to the Minister of Tourism: What recent reports has he seen regarding New Zealanders' support for tourism?

National today confirmed they'll scrap Let's Get Wellington Moving- and the Prime Minister hasn't voiced support for the project.  The Opposition intends to gut most of the controversial transit plan, including light rail and the removal of cars from several central Wellington streets in order to fund a second Mt Vic tunnel. Greater Wellington Regional Council chair Daran Ponter is disappointed both Labour and National have rejected Let's Get Wellington Moving. "Once you've invested a significant amount of money, you simply can't throw the baby out with the bathwater without pouring the same amount of money back into it to start again." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins admits he's juggling two very different hats as Labour Party Leader and Prime Minister. The Government is currently committed to the Let's Get Wellington Moving programme - a joint venture with councils in Greater Wellington. But National wants to scrap the programme, and Labour won't commit to keeping it after the election. Wearing his party leader hat, Hipkins told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking he isn't happy with progress. And the Prime Minister is refusing to say how long bullying allegations against former Minister Kiri Allan go back. He told Mike Hosking the matter is being taken seriously. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and current affairs commentator Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! National have proposed a $24 billion transport plan that includes funding 13 new Roads of National Significance including Whangarei to Tauranga and Mill Road in Auckland. Let's Get Wellington Moving is also expected to be axed. Does this look like a sound plan? Do we think National only needs $24 billion to pay for this? Labour MP Tāmati Coffey has come out of his retirement from politics to stand for the East Coast electorate. The seat opened up after former Minister Kiri Allan announced she would not be standing for re-election. What do we make of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just last week, the Transport Minister was asked to "put a rocket under" parts of the Let's Get Wellington Moving project and get things moving. But now, the government's appetite to get Wellington moving may have cooled, with David Parker refusing to commit to the project heading into the election. Greater Wellington Chair Daran Ponter, and Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau, wrote to David Parker two weeks ago asking for parts of the project to be fast tracked, specifically improvements around the Basin Reserve. Ponter spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

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.

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 National Party has announced that if it is elected to govern at the general election, four-lane highways from Whangārei to Tauranga will be built at a cost of $6 billion. However, critics have hit back, claiming the data used for the cost estimate is “laughable at best”. The four projects are: Whangārei to Port Marsden - $1.3b and to start in the next one to three years. Warkworth to Wellsford - $2.2b and to start in the next four to 10 years. Cambridge to Piarere - $720 million and to start in the next one to three years. Tauriko West State Highway 29 - $1.9b and to start in the next four to 10 years. National says it will not have to raise excise taxes and will fund it through the National Land Transport Fund and increased government investment. It claims the roads will be safer and easier to drive on and this investment is necessary to strengthen the economy. Transport Minister David Parker has responded by saying the plan was “breathtakingly misleading”. This morning National leader Christopher Luxon told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking he “wouldn't be taking any lessons from David Parker”. “This is a man who wanted to spend $30 billion on light rail - we are going to scrap Auckland light rail. It's a waste of time,” he said. “We want roads of significance and will join up Tauranga to Whangārei, better public transport, particularly in Auckland.” Luxon also said the party would prioritise a second tunnel in Wellington as part of the “Let's Get Wellington Moving” campaign. “The Mt Vic tunnel is about $2.2 billion and we want to get onto that pretty quickly,” he said. Roads around the county would be “upgraded and properly maintained and sorted” under National he said. “We've got to have some vision in this country and part of that is making sure we have a very strong roading network,” he said. “Better roads would allow more houses to be built and give some reason for New Zealanders to stay here.” Parker said last night: “The costs are as woefully light, as is their explanation of how they will fund these roads – the cost will be many hundreds of millions if not billions of dollars more than they are admitting,” he told TVNZ. He described the data as old and “laughable at best”. Despite Luxon's claims on prices for infrastructure, official figures obtained by 1News demonstrate that National's expense estimates are far too low. For example, National estimates the cost of Warkworth to Wellsford at $2.2b, but officials suggest it might cost up to $4b. According to 1News, the Greens said this kind of money should be spent on public transportation. Luxon said even electric vehicles require adequate roads. Others, such as Transport New Zealand, told 1News they support the initiative, claiming more road investment makes them safer while also boosting the economy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Waka Kotahi voted last week to approve the government's share of funding for two major Let's Get Wellington Moving projects. Work for the capital's Golden Mile and Thorndon Quay - Hutt Rd transformations will start in September. This after the entire project survived a Wellington City Council vote in which seven councillors expressed no confidence. Wellington city councillor and Let's Get Wellington Moving governance group member Tamatha Paul spoke to Charlotte Cook.

I guess you look at New Zealand in a slightly different light when you are offshore. The only news New Zealand got in Australia last week was the video of a pig that was wandering around Auckland. They thought that was funny. As I read about home I wondered what sort of parallel universe I was in. Ingrid Leary, a Labour MP from Dunedin, wanders into a gang meeting but it's the wrong meeting. The Prime Minister says he would have left straight away. Chris Hipkins must be enjoying his final days in office on the international stage because, surely he has given up, given all that he has had to deal with since he got the job. Never in his wildest dreams, I am sure, did he envisage having to defend, sack or talk to such a gargantuan selection of idiots who have done nothing but undermine and damage him and their party. So, while old Ingrid is at gang headquarters, I also read of Tory Whanau in Wellington. Tory was fresh from her successful vote to basically destroy the downtown Golden Mile with their fanciful Let's Get Wellington Moving vote and then she heads out into said town. She's a bit tipsy and proceeds to make a fool of herself by asking "do you know who I am?" Or maybe she didn't. Who knows, because there is claim and counter-claim. What seems in agreement is she had too much to drink and then walked out and didn't pay. That is some high-quality leadership for you and adds to the ever-growing example, both locally and nationally, of people who are nowhere near close to being able to execute the job required of them. Then I read of Kiri Allan, who is yet again on leave, having turned up for about one day, before heading off home again, who has a series of allegations against her name. And although she denies it all, she says there hasn't been a formal complaint, which is of course not the same thing. Anyway, Chris is going to have a word when he gets back, if he gets back. I personally wouldn't come back. I'd spend the rest of the summer in Mykonos and cut my losses. But when you're in Australia and the big news is a pig in Auckland, and the place is littered with fools and buffoons behaving badly, Ii can tell you we really do look third world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland, Dunedin, and now Wellington – does pedestrianisation solve problems, or create them?

A $7 billion transport plan for the capital is back on track after an eleventh hour bid failed to stop it. City Councillors voted 9 to 7 in favour of keeping Let's Get Wellington Moving - an ambition project that has barely gotten started. It includes a second Mt Victoria Tunnel, lightrail running to Island Bay and banning cars from the Golden Mile - an inner city stretch of road from Lambton Quay to Courtney Place. Soumya Bhamidipati reports.

Let's Get Wellington Moving has survived another day. Councillors have voted nine to seven against a No Confidence motion, panning the $7.4 billion plan. It includes scrapping cars in some CBD streets in favour of more green transit. Changes to the Golden Mile - from Lambton Quay to Courtney Place - will also go ahead. NZ Herald reporter Georgina Campbell says mayor Tory Whanau was vocal in today's meeting. "She did acknowledge the opposition to the plan from some businesses, as well as some of her peers. And she has said communication with businesses could have been better." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Infrastructure NZ Chief Executive Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! A group of young offenders climbed onto the roof of a Christchurch Oranga Tamariki youth justice facility and were bribed with KFC to come down. Is this the best way of handling young offenders? Based on recent allegations, should Chris Hipkins sack Kiri Allan now? Can Hipkins risk having another embattled minister hanging around this close to the election? Let's Get Wellington Moving narrowly avoided a council No Confidence vote, with Wellington City Council voted nine to seven, against the motion to stop the $7.4 billion dollar plan. How could the Council think this plan is good for Wellingtonians? New Zealand is number 1 on Remote's top 10 list of best nations for work-life balance. Is this good news for our little country? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, the Wellington City Council will vote on a motion calling for the organisation to withdraw from Let's Get Wellington Moving. If successful, it could be the end of the bold project, the centrepiece of which is a new light-rail system running from the Railway Station to Island Bay. Tony Randle is one of six councillors who have signed the notice of motion, calling for withdrawal from the plan - while Tamatha Paul is a staunch supporter of the programme. They joined Corin Dann.

Councillors hoping to bring down Let's Get Wellington Moving will have their big vote today. This morning the Wellington City Council will decide on whether to declare no confidence in the $7.4 billion transport plan. At current count, the number of councillors who don't back the projeck are the minority. City Councillor Tim Brown told Mike Hosking the project won't get the capital moving. He says the plan is about taking cars off the roads which he states could reduce the number of pedestrians in the city. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A popular Wellington retailer is among the businesses and organisations slamming proposals for the city's Golden Mile. The council will vote tomorrow on a key aspect of Let's Get Wellington Moving - getting rid of cars along Lambton Quay, up through Willis and Manners Streets, to Courtenay Place. Several business owners signed a letter to the mayor, stating the removal of cars from Wellington's key retail area will drive customers away. Moore Wilson's Julie Moore says the lack of consultation and engagement surrounding this project is concerning. "We have grave concerns of the damage that this proposal will do to our city. We're a small city, small population, small in size, and this proposal is basically from one end of our city to another." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major push to scrap the seven-point-four billion dollar Let's Get Wellington Moving project has the backing of the city's retail sector, or at least those from it who turned up to a public meeting held last night. The project is a massive overhaul of the capital's transport infrastructure, including a potential light rail system to a second tunnel through Mount Victoria, bus lanes, and pedestrian improvements, along with the creation of more cycle lanes. Retail New Zealand's public affairs manager Aime Hines spoke to Corin Dann.

Today writer and playwright, screenwriter, and columnist for The Post Dave Armstrong talks to Jesse about some pressing issues in the capital.

A memorial service will be held in Wellington for the Loafers Lodge residents who died in last month's fire and Georgina has details about what the money raised by the mayoral relief fund is going towards. Meanwhile a man appeared in court this week on five counts of murder related to the fatal fire. Also Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has had a tough week and she has commented that criticism of her meeting attendance is gendered. And seven city councillors have lost confidence in the Let's Get Wellington Moving.

A faction of six Wellington City councillors have lost confidence in the capital's $7.4 billion transport plan. The councillors have filed a notice of motion stating they're no longer confident in Let's Get Wellington Moving and want the council to withdraw from their 2019 funding agreement. One of the Wellington councillors who signed was Diane Calvert, who says an earlier briefing gave them no more confidence in the plan. "We keep waiting and waiting for Let's Get Wellington Moving to provide us with all the answers that we have at the time. We had a briefing from them last Friday afternoon and it gave us no more confidence."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.