7. Earthquake Recovery Kaikōura—State Highway 63STUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura) to the Minister of TransportEarthquake Recovery Kaikōura—State Highway 63SPEAKER: Before we ask the question I have been advised for reasons that will probably be obvious that the primary answer to this question will be slightly longer and not quite as tight as one would normally be but I have accepted that.7. STUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura) to the Minister of Transport: What assurances can he provide that work planned and started on repairing and upgrading State Highway 63 in the South Island following the November 2016 Kaikōura earthquake will be completed without delay?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport): I thank the member for his question. Repairing road and rail following the Kaikōura earthquake has been an enormous civil engineering job. It's a tribute to the small army of people at the Transport Agency KiwiRail and all the contractors who've worked long and hard on the project. I want to compliment the work done on this job under the past Government. I'm assured that all major works will be completed without delay. The House may be interested to learn also that today traffic is being diverted from State Highway 1 north and south of Kaikōura on to State Highways 63 6 and 70 due to the risk of slips and rock falls caused by Cyclone Gita. Road conditions are challenging and I encourage people to stay safe and keep up to date with the latest traffic alerts and information and to avoid travel unless necessary.Stuart Smith: Why then in light of that statement has the work stopped on State Highway 63?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: I'm advised that work has not stopped on State Highway 63. The main work repairing the highway in the wake of the earthquake has been completed in all but a few minor cases. There is ongoing maintenance work that is required on State Highway 63 because traffic volumes pre-earthquake were about 400 vehicle movements a day. It now averages between 1200 and 1500 a day because of the diversion so it requires a greater level of ongoing maintenance. Stuart Smith: How much extra funding has he secured for maintaining and upgrading State Highway 63?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: The sum of $60 million was initially budgeted under the recovery programme. An additional $5 million has been spent from that appropriation—a total of $65 million. Additional minor works and ongoing maintenance while the diversion is taking place will be funded through the national land transport programme.Stuart Smith: Can he assure the House that his Government policy statement will not prioritise Auckland trolleys over South Island roads?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Yes.Stuart Smith: Has funding for repairs on State Highway 63 been withdrawn as the Hon Damien O'Connor has claimed in a letter to the Minister dated 14 February 2018?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: I am advised that the New Zealand Transport Agency has not as one local commentator said in the local newspaper hit their financial limits." Funding is available to complete the project. The work will be completed without delay.Stuart Smith: I seek leave to table a 14 February letter from the Hon Damien O'Connor to the Minister of Transport. [Interruption]SPEAKER: Who was the member who interjected during that?Hon Nathan Guy: It was me.SPEAKER: Stand withdraw and apologise.Hon Nathan Guy: I withdraw and apologise.SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that letter being tabled? There appears to be none. It will be tabled.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House."