10. Question No. 10—TransportSIMEON BROWN (National—Pakuranga) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 10—Transport10. SIMEON BROWN (National—Pakuranga) to the Minister of Transport: Does he still believe that early construction on Auckland light rail will start in 2023?Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): Yes and I'm pleased to note that last week marked a significant step in the Auckland light rail project with the release of a tender for the project inviting engineers urban planners designers and industry teams to prepare to bid for the detailed planning and design work. Critically the tender process incorporates the additional Waitematā Harbour crossing programme to help industry plan better for the future. I note the feedback from Claire Edmondson of Infrastructure New Zealand who said To have this going out to tender as two projects like this in one is great for New Zealand." This is a Government committed to investing in mass rapid transit to get our cities moving.Simeon Brown: Given his answer that early works will begin next year how many metres of Auckland light rail will the Government construct before the 2023 election?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: Delivering a proper functioning linked-up mass rapid transit network in our largest city is one of our most important transport priorities. For 50 years a proper mass rapid transit system for Auckland has been kicked down the road. This is a significant and complex project. We are getting on with the job of delivering it that's what Aucklanders expect us to do. We can engage in political barbs across the House about this but what 1.7 million Aucklanders expect us to do is to deliver a linked-up network. That's why we're building the Eastern Busway that's why we're building the Northwestern Bus interim improvements that's why we've extended the Northern Busway and that's why we're now investing in mass rapid transit to the Shore and across the Auckland isthmus.Shanan Halbert: Why is it important that the planning for Auckland light rail and the additional Waitematā Harbour crossing is integrated?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: Because it is the Government's priority to finally develop a proper linked-up rapid transit network for Auckland that futureproofs our largest city for hundreds of thousands of new people who will live in it in the coming decades. That is what successive local and central government administrations have failed to do over the last 50 years and that's why we're getting on with the job. I note that planning for that additional Waitematā Harbour crossing has now been brought forward from the 2040s which is where it was in the Auckland Transport Alignment Project that we inherited from the previous Government. We'll be consulting on the options later this year.Simeon Brown: Can he confirm that the Government's position in 2017 was to construct light rail to Mount Roskill by 2021 and is it the Government's current position that the Government would only deliver a final business case by 2024?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: As I said in one of my previous answers members on either side of this House can continue to try and engage in political attacks and lob either way across the Chamber but what the people of Auckland expect us to do is to get on with the job. It's very well known that in the previous term of Government there was not agreement across the parties of Government to progress that project. As such we have commenced it from the beginning of this term. In the space of 18 months we've engaged with Aucklanders we've developed an indicative business case we've made a political decision around the route and the mode for the project we've moved forward now to tendering for detailed design and Auckland Airport has now announced a $300 million transport hub with provision for mass rapid transit. In that period of time under the term of this Government we're making excellent progress.Simeon Brown: So is the Minister saying the only progress that will be delivered by the 2023 election will be zero metres of light rail and part of a business case?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: The member's persistent line of questioning betrays why it was that on that side of the House they never delivered a single mass rapid transit project in any of our major cities in any of their time in Government. These significant urban renewal projects do take time to deliver here in New Zealand and in any city around the world. It is absolutely common sense that before significant construction on a multibillion-dollar project like this can begin that there will need to be significant work put into the design the planning the consultation and the consenting for any project. The people of Auckland understand that. That's why they support us taking forward this project and that's what we're going to get on with.Hon Chris Hipkins: Is it unusual for a Government's commitment to a transport project and the commencement of the construction of that transport project to be significantly far apart?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: As the Minister of Transport I have responsibility for overseeing a wide range of transport projects. I am aware of a number of projects which have taken longer than anticipated to deliver including Transmission Gully—which we are very pleased to open early this term after many many delays which have been well documented. We're also as time moves on actually opening up some of the roads of national significance only three of which were delivered on that previous Government's watch.Simeon Brown: Is the reason why the Minister stood next to a big red zero—which was purchased by the New Zealand Transport Agency at a cost of $5000 to the taxpayer—because he wanted to tell New Zealanders how many metres of light rail this Government's actually delivered?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: The answer to that question is no. The reason that I support the Road to Zero campaign that Waka Kotahi is moving forward with is because we have a road toll in deaths and serious injuries on the New Zealand transport system that is higher than virtually any country around the world. The number of deaths on New Zealand roads in the last five years of that previous Government's term increased by 50 percent. This Government is not prepared to put up with that and that's why we're supporting a campaign right across the land transport system to save Kiwis' lives. The member opposite might like to use that as a political barb or he might like to tweet about it and get some of his little fans excited but we're going to get on with the job of saving lives and building a transport system that is safe and accessible for all New Zealanders. [Applause]SPEAKER: Order! Question No. 11 Arena Williams. [Member interjects] Order! Mr Faafoi will stand withdraw and apologise.Hon Kris Faafoi: I withdraw and I apologise."