9. Question No. 9—TransportCHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 9—Transport9. CHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of Transport: Does he stand by his reported comment on 10 July 2019 in relation to 12 roading projects that If we were to do what the Business Advisory Council was saying it would mean spending a great deal of money more than $12 billion on projects that have very low economic value" and what role did he play in the selection of the transport projects in the Government's New Zealand Upgrade Programme?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport): Yes in the context it was made. As the member knows I think these projects have been re-evaluated to align with our Government policy statement on land transport which includes value for money as a priority. Our State highway projects have been futureproofed to include dedicated walking and cycling paths and with the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) looking to managed lanes dedicated to freight high-occupancy vehicles and public transport. To the second part of the question I worked closely with the Minister of Finance relying on NZTA's advice on the selection of multimodal transport projects for the Upgrade Programme which will speed up travel times ease congestion make our roads safer and give people real transport choices. Chris Bishop: Does he still think New Zealand has over-invested in roads and motorways for decades? Hon PHIL TWYFORD: I stand by the full quotation not the one that has been so selectively misrepresented by the National Party. What I said was that New Zealand has in the past under-invested in roads at the expense of other parts of the transport system particularly public transport. I stand by that and our Government is dedicated to a balanced modern transport policy that serves the whole country and all transport modes. SPEAKER: Sorry I am just going to interrupt. I think the member might have misspoken right at the beginning of his quotation and it might be good to tidy it up now. Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Thank you Mr Speaker. The full quote was that New Zealand has in the past over-invested in roads at the expense of other parts of the transport system. Chris Bishop: Why did the Canterbury region receive only 2.3 percent of the $6.8 billion transport component of the Upgrade Programme? Hon PHIL TWYFORD: So I would note that there has been substantial transport investment in Canterbury in the last few years. An entire new motorway network has been constructed. I would also say that under this Government the South Island is getting $3.4 billion of transport spending—another $249 million—because of the Upgrade Programme. This Government is spending more on transport than the former Government did in the South Island. Chris Bishop: Has he received any correspondence from Julie Anne Genter in her capacity as transport spokesperson for the Green Party or indeed the Associate Minister of Transport in relation to the transport component of the Upgrade Programme? Hon PHIL TWYFORD: I have received correspondence from the Associate Minister and I'm pleased to say that both our coalition and confidence and supply partners have been fully involved in the design and development of the New Zealand Upgrade Programme and they fully support it. Hon Chris Hipkins: How many of the 12 roading projects mentioned in the primary question were fully planned consented and fully funded when he became the Minister?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well it's a very short answer: there were none that were fully planned designated consented or funded—zero. Hon Shane Jones: Can he confirm that the four-lane stretch of highway from Whangārei to Marsden Point reflects the very strong collaborative relationship he has with his associate transport Minister?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: I can confirm that. The associate transport Minister made very strong and clear representations on behalf of the people of Northland. That particular stretch of road—neglected for years under the former Government—is one of the most dangerous and busy stretches of that highway of State Highway 1 and the response from the people of the North has been very very positive.Chlöe Swarbrick: Is he aware if any funding was allocated to progress SkyPath on Auckland's Harbour Bridge after Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye said in 2016 she really wants the project to happen?Simon O'Connor: Four years ago you weren't born.Hon PHIL TWYFORD: In spite of the enthusiasm—SPEAKER: Order! Order! Who was that? Who made the interjection then as to the date of my birth—the totally inaccurate one?Simon O'Connor: Oh yes.SPEAKER: Well Mr O'Connor will stand withdraw and apologise.Simon O'Connor: I withdraw and apologise.SPEAKER: Thank you. Where were we with that? I think we've had the question; we'll now have the reply.Hon PHIL TWYFORD: In spite of the enthusiasm of the Auckland Central member of Parliament the transport Minister at the time Simon Bridges did not put any funding towards SkyPath at all. But luckily for Ms Kaye this Government has guaranteed funding not only for SkyPath but for the 3-kilometre shared path connecting the SkyPath to Northcote and Takapuna.Hon Julie Anne Genter: How much funding in the New Zealand Upgrade package is earmarked for clean transport like rail public transport walking and cycling and did the previous Government fund any of it?Hon Gerry Brownlee: That's from a Minister who's a close personal associate.SPEAKER: Order! Order! I'm going to remind members for the last time—including the member sitting next to the shadow Leader of the House—that they do not interject during the asking of questions.Hon PHIL TWYFORD: The New Zealand Upgrade will deliver approximately $1.6 billion of funding for new clean transport projects; none of which had funding set aside under the previous Government. This includes $370 million for extending rail electrification to Pukekohe; $315 million to build the third southern rail line in Auckland; and more than $100 million to deliver faster more frequent bus services in Christchurch and Queenstown.Hon James Shaw: Is it true that the New Zealand Upgrade will deliver as many kilometres of safe separated cycleways as new State highways?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Yes. The New Zealand Upgrade will see 99 kilometres of safe separated walking and cycling facilities rolled out across the country so that people feel safe walking and cycling with their kids."